365 thoughts (Genesis to Revelation)

DAILY THOUGHTS | 1 JANUARY

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1). 

When we start exploring the material things around us, our curious mind would have questions such as, “what are all these things? How and when did it have its beginning? Who is behind all these things?” 

 Genesis 1:1 answers these questions in a short single sentence. This opening verse of the bible tells us that there is God, who created us (with a purpose). It tells us that all things around us had a beginning.

 All these are created from nothing by God in undated past. Heb 11:3 states that "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible". Col 1:16 informs us that all things are created by Lord Jesus Christ. "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him".

Understanding the purpose of our life depends on how well we know and keep our relationship with our creator.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 2 JANUARY

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground (Genesis 1:26).

 "Us" in Gen 1:26 would be referring to God announcing His crowning work to the members of His heavenly court (Gen 3:22; Gen 11:7; 1 Kings 22:19-23, Job 15:8; Jer3:18). The likeness and image in Gen 1:26 are more likely to be synonyms and interchangeable words (Refer Gen 5:1 and Gen 9:6). We notice likeness in one verse and image in another verse. The human beings are created uniquely and in the image of God. Human beings are created with an earthly substance and with a divine substance (the breath of life). Every human is created in the image of God with a divine substance (the spiritual part). We can find our fullness in life when we strive to keep the right relationship with God in our daily life. Since human is created in the image of God, they are neither to be murdered (Gen 9:6) nor to be cursed (Jam 3:9)

DAILY THOUGHTS | 3 JANUARY

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good (Gen 1:31).

God recognized what He made as good at the end of each day. After creating the mankind, God declares what He has made as "very good." Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen. Right from the smallest subatomic particles to the largest galaxies, everything works exactly as He planned. It is good in its individual parts and it is good as a whole, as an integrated system. Every object is in its right place, every vegetable process is going on in season, every animal is in its structure and instincts suited to its mode of life. His creation is flawless in beauty, in function, in purpose and in potential. 

God could have made the world and all things therein in an instant but he chose to form it in this gradual way, manifesting His wisdom, power, and goodness and that he might show us how great things might rise from small beginnings and be gradually accomplished. Everything that is made is made by Him and for Him and for His pleasure. You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created Revelation 4:11

DAILY THOUGHTS | 4 JANUARY

Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done (Gen 2:3).

He rested. The God of the Bible does not need to rest. When the Bible says He rested, it means, He ceased creating new things. He intended at creation by setting apart one day in seven to convey us the need to cease from our work and to focus on our Creator and Redeemer.

A day set apart for rest - rest to the body from toils and rest to the soul from all worldly care and anxieties. This shows that there is a pattern of work and rest for our existence on earth. It does not suggest only recreation. Recreation is often self-centred, but worship focuses us on the Lord. 

God intending to keep every seventh day for rest signifies the importance of  being released from all other routine works and worries and to apply our minds to the Creator of the world. This could be any day, taking time out of our busy lives to spend with the Lord and His people. By setting aside one day each week for the Lord shows that we honor Him. 

My Father has been working until now, and I have been working John 5:17.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 5 JANUARY

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it (Gen 2:15).

To work and cultivate the garden was a way of keeping it, for its vegetation might grow wild and suffer from the beasts of the field. Man was made for work and work was honorable in the primitive Eden. God Himself is revealed as working and furnishing a divine example. God had created a world which included work needing to be done. He created man with a mission to do work. The ideal state of man was not one of idleness but one of labor and responsibility. God gave him work to do and his employment contributed to his happiness. Work itself is not a curse. It is part of our purpose as God's creatures. We are made responsible for thinking, planning and earning our own bread. Jesus himself was a carpenter. Irrespective of the roles we play in our family, church, work place and society, we need to understand that work is rooted in God’s creation and it has to reflect His glory. When we work we have to work in such a way that His name would be glorified through our work. When we work, we should overcome situations that tempt us to make work as an idol and we must not neglect our work or misuse it. Six days you shall labor and do all your work Exodus 20:9.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 6 JANUARY

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” (Gen 2:18).

 While creating Eve for Adam, God designed a perfect counterpart – not a clone – to help the man work, play, think, decide, enjoy life, and grow old with. Gen 2:18-25 provides us brief details about the creation of woman. The woman is created as supporter and helper, not as inferior or superior being to man. God directing them to leave their parents and to be united together as one signifies the importance of a family unit. The husband transfers his loyalty from his parents to his wife, providing and caring for her. 

 In 1 Cor 11:11, we read “Neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord”. God’s plan was that the two work together, shoulder-to-shoulder, complement one another, and balance each other with their unique strengths.  The happiness of marriage is based, not upon the woman being just the same thing as the man, but upon her being one in whom he sees his image and counterpart.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 7 JANUARY

The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man” (Gen 2:23).

As soon as Adam awakes from the trance, he discovered that God had provided him a partner like himself and he rejoiced greatly, expressing "bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh" and described the relationship of her to himself. Adam had power over the creatures but though he was lord of the creatures yet he did not have a helpmate. God recognized that it was not good for Adam to be alone; He made a helper for Adam from his own rib. Being made from the rib signifies the intimate closeness of men and women. Adam was created in the image of God and woman too shares the same likeness of God. Together as family or as separately, our existence would be defined by our relationship with our Creator. The man names the woman thus establishing his position over her. While she is subject to him, she is also his close companion. Men and women, each bring unique and necessary characteristics to the human family. Our spouse’s differences are good things God brings to us that He will use as tools to shape us into the people He wants us to be. Failure to accept another half in life as a good gift from a loving God leads to many problems in marriage.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 8 JANUARY

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh (Gen 2:24).

Man is said to leave his father and mother and this indicate that here a new unit is forming. In marriage the man is stepping out to form a new unit with his wife which is unbreakable, and complete in it. It is a vow of perpetual and indissoluble friendship. It also implies that a man will have one wife, highlighting the sinfulness of divorces and polygamy. We should follow the pattern of marriage as revealed in God's Word. Men must leave their parents and hold fast to their wives. They must become one flesh together. This is unmistakable, because of the way God designed this relationship between the two of them. He transfers his loyalty from his parents to his wife.

Providing and caring for her must take priority in his life over doing the same for his parents. As one flesh, the husband and wife will become family to each other, with all of the legal and relationship rights and privileges that come with being so closely connected. Husband and wife relationship are like two candles burning together - giving more light, like two well tuned instruments, sounding together - making more melodious music.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 9 JANUARY

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Gen 3:1).

Satan can change himself into an angel of light and deceive us. The serpent was used as an instrument by Satan. Serpent was identified as Satan by Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:3. Apostle John also equated Satan with the serpent in Revelation 12:9. The fall of man was effected by the seductions of a serpent. Though sinless and holy, Eve was liable to be tempted and seduced. Serpent insinuated a doubt and appeared as an angel of light, offering his interpretation for the doubt. Thus, the temptation by the Satan begins by laying a doubt at the root, questioning and unsettling the revealed truths. 

Our doubts can become our excuses that keep us away from God. When we have doubts, we must work on it to find possible answers. We must face the doubts honestly and commit it to God.

When we seek God, He will clarify our doubts at the right time through right means. To keep us from the harmful effects of doubts, we must saturate our mind with the truth of God’s word. Seed of faith grows well in the soil of God’s word. We also can seek answers from elders and leaders.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 10 JANUARY

The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die’” (Gen 3:2, 3).

By saying, “you will die” she displays how her faith begins to waver. The expression, “you must not touch it" merely implies that they were not to meddle with it, as a forbidden thing. She spoke as if the tree had been forbidden because of some poisonous quality of its fruit. The tempter, perceiving this, became bolder in his assertions. Satan's plan was to draw our first parents to sin and separate them from God. Satan took advantage by finding her near the forbidden tree. Satan’s strategy was to initiate talk with her and to win her. Eve should have ignored the initiation of Satan but she enjoyed the conversation and gave the natural and distinct answers to the prowling unsuspected enemy. Isolation set Eve up to sin. When we step outside of Christian fellowship, we become more susceptible to temptation and sin. Isolation and loneliness opens the door to our enemy. First Peter 5:8 puts it this way, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

DAILY THOUGHTS | 11 JANUARY

Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away (Gen 5:24)

Enoch found it possible to live in communion with God and yet to do all the common things that men did then. It is learnt that in Greek Septuagint, “Enoch walked faithfully with God” is translated as “Enoch pleased God,” which denotes a life spent in the immediate presence of God and in constant communion with God.

 Walking with God implies faith in God, obedience to God and fellowship with God.  To walk with God means to make relationship with God as the essential part of our everyday lifestyle. To walk with God is to honor God with our choices in every aspect of life. Enoch both pleased God and lived his life in constant communion with the Lord. If we say we walk with Him and abide in Him, we have to make consistent efforts to spend time with Him and to execute His will in our life.

 Hebrews 11:5 says, "By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God."

DAILY THOUGHTS | 12 JANUARY

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time (Gen 6:5).

 What is visible here is the total corruption of humanity.  This is a sad sight and we find that the mankind did evil deliberately and contrived how to do mischief. Their nature was corrupted and was evil, deceitful and desperately wicked. Their inner life became a fountain of iniquity; out of which abundance of evil flowed. Their corrupted mind became the source for all the violence and oppressions. All the imaginations of their thoughts were evil and the perceptions, conceptions and ideas formed out of it were evil. The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?  “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah17:9, 10). Evil thoughts are formed in the heart and proceed from it. They are vain, foolish, sinful and abominable in the sight of God.

Though God dislikes and punishes the wicked ones, He sees the condition of the fallen ones as a tender father sees the folly and stubbornness of a rebellious and disobedient child, which not only angers but grieves him. Now is the time to introspect, realize our fallen state and repent.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 13 JANUARY

Noah did everything just as God commanded him (Genesis 6:22).

God gave Noah a set of tasks. He was to build a big floating vessel longer than a football field and taller than a four-story building. He had to make room inside for every kind of birds and animals. He had to store food for his family and for these living creatures that would be enough for them for a year. The reason for this is that they can survive God's upcoming judgment on a wicked human race. It was a full-time job to Noah and his family for fifty plus years. But no matter how difficult, illogical, or costly, Noah did according to all that God had commanded him. The far-off flood was more real to him than the shows of life around him. Noah demonstrated his faith in God and submission to Him by simply obeying. He did everything as God had commanded. Noah would have had many questions and concerns but he committed himself to act according to the commands of God.  Noah was a righteous, blameless man who walked faithfully with God. It does not mean he was sinless; rather He regularly self-examined his life, confessed his sin and strived to obey God.  Like Noah, we are also expected to be God-minded and need to have the determination to stand firm in faith, believing and obeying His words. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith (Heb 11:7).

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 14 JANUARY

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it (Gen 3:6).

 The great deceiver clothed himself as serpent and deceived Eve. Satan distorted the truth, saying “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Gen 3:1) and planted doubt in the mind of Eve. Satan convinced Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, saying, “You will not certainly die.” (Gen 3:4). Satan provided false hope by saying, “you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Gen 3:5). Eve DOUBTED with her mind, DESIRED with her heart and DISOBEYED in her will. Satan’s strategy to ruin us is the same as he did with Eve. He implants doubt about word of God. He shows alternate ways, which appears like truth but in the end, it will end up in deception. When they were offered suggestions by Satan cunningly, Adam & Eve failed to look at the consequences. They accepted the view of Satan and ended up in the wrong place. Satan shifted the focus from all what was given by God to what is withheld. They went for what they did not have. Their contentment was tested, and they failed.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 15 JANUARY

The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Gen 3:12, 13).

Adam and Eve fell from the ability to do good to do evil, from the God directed life to self-directed life, from the intimate fellowship of God, from the Lordship of God to slavery of sin. We observe here the natural effort of a fallen nature to excuse its own guilt by casting the blame on another. They kept blaming each other instead of owning up for their mistake. Adam blamed Eve. Eve blamed serpent. They kept blaming others and systems for the trespasses they have committed and they failed to accept their faults and confess their wrong doings to receive the mercy of God. Pr 28:13 reminds us as “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.”

To make progress in life, we must learn from our mistakes. We must learn to understand why we made a mistake and have to take corrective actions. Self-justifications distort reality. When we justify our mistakes and blame others and situations, we hinder our own spiritual growth and create gap in our relationship with God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 16 JANUARY

The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor (Gen 4:4, 5).

 The stories of the first act of worship in human history and the first murder are recorded in Genesis chapter 4. Cain brought some of the fruits as offering to God. Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. Abel gave best of the bests (fat portions from some of the firstborn). The contrast is not between an offering of plant life and an offering of animal life but between a careless, thoughtless offering and a choice generous offering. Though Cain brought the first offering, his offering was rejected. Irrespective of the type of offering we bring to God, God would reject or accept our offering based on His discretion. Cain was wicked and so his offering was a vain oblation. Offering givers’ life is more important than the offering, though both are important. Abel was pious, upright and righteous and therefore God accepted his offerings. Heb 11:4 says that “By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings”. Attitude behind what we offer to God is as important as what we give to God. Why we do what we do matters most.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 17 JANUARY

Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear (Gen 4:13).

Though Cain had a choice to introspect and do the corrective action on few occasions, he reacted negatively. When God did not look with favour on Cain and his offering, he was angry, envious of his brother and tried to eliminate him. He planned meticulously to execute the murder. Evil man empowers good man deceitfully, wickedly for selfish reasons. Wicked things seem to be triumphing over righteous things. This is the nature of fallen world, now and then.

Cain faced consequences for his fault. He was cursed (first man to be cursed), banished and expelled. He got a mark on him, distinguishing him from the rest of the mankind. He was excluded from the family of God, expelled from the comforts of life and exposed to the hatred and ill will of all mankind. He was offered many warnings for repentance and correction, but he failed to remorse, though he expressed self-pity. If we do not work on the hatreds, bitterness, anger, etc., it would lead us to a wrong destination. Sin has the tendency to control us and to destroy relationships.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 18 JANUARY

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord (Gen 6:8).

This is the first place where grace (favour) is mentioned in the Bible. God's purpose was not extermination, but regeneration. God reset the order of created things through Noah. God saw that every inclination of the heart of men is evil and He was about to wipe out the humankind from the face of the earth through flood. But, Noah found favour in His eyes. Noah stood out in the crowd. He was godly and righteous in the midst of evil people. He walked with God (lived a life of communion with God). Noah’s life is evidence of great faith. When God communicated His plan to Noah, He submitted himself along with his family to work out the plan of God. God gave the specific details of the huge project Noah was about to accomplish. Noah had to work more than fifty years to build the ark. It took lot of miseries, hard work, perseverance and faith to execute the plan of God. The same is true with us. When God give us work, he expects us to do it well. In 2 Pet 2:5, we read that God protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others. As a preacher of righteousness, Noah would not have found favour in the eyes of men. He might have been hated and persecuted but he found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 19 JANUARY

Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves (Gen 11:4).

The tower of Babel is typical Mesopotamian temple tower known as Ziggurat, which was square at the bottom and have sloping, stepped sides that lead up to the shrine at the top. At Babel, the rebellious mankind undertook united and godless efforts to establish a name for them. God scattered them by confusing their languages. They were together instead of fulfilling the command of God to spread, multiply and fill the earth. To build a city and a town was no crime but their plan to build the tower so that they can defeat the counsels of heaven was foolish and wicked. 

They were moved with pride and ungodly ambition.  They rested on their abilities and expertise to move forward, rather than on God and on His ways. The tower of Babel shows that God intervenes when we take a different path, contrary to the God assigned one. 

He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts (Luke 1:51). 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 20 JANUARY

Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left (Genesis 13:9).

 While reading the incidents happened in the life of Abraham, we will not miss the instances that highlight his generosity. When God asked Abraham to go to a new land, he obeyed and took his nephew, Lot with him. When there was a friction between his people and Lot’s people, He let Lot to take his choice, the fertile valley and the more rugged mountain area in the Promised Land. Abraham showed generosity by giving Lot the first choice of the land. When Lot was captured, by the local kings, Abraham went with his men and rescued him and the others, along with their belongings.  When offered share from the captured treasures, Abraham refused to benefit from someone else's troubles. We read Abraham giving tithe to Melchizedek, king of Salem, who was a “priest of God Most High”. Giving one tenth to Melchizedek (Canaanite king-priest) could be understood as generous offering to the King/priest. In another instance, Abraham was a giver of generous hospitality to those passing by, such as the heavenly visitors. Good will comes to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. (Ps 112:5)

DAILY THOUGHTS | 21 JANUARY

Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness (Gen 15:6).

Abraham was a man of faith – putting faith into practice. When God called Abraham, He immediately left Ur to go to a foreign country, where he knew no one. Abraham departed and believed that God would guide him and his family into the uncharted territory. He showed his faith by departing. He was a nomad, living in tents throughout the lands of Shechem, Bethel, Hebron, and Beersheba. The only land he ever owned in Canaan was the plot he purchased at Machpelah to bury his wife, Sarah. He believed in the promise of God that the land of Canaan (where he lived as stranger) would be given to his descendants (but Abraham had no child then). Abraham believed God’s promise, even though naturally it seemed impossible.  When God tested him to offer Isaac as sacrifice, he still believed the word of God. Isaac was the only visible evidence to fulfil the promise of God. But he believed that God can still fulfil His word, even though he had to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham believed that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead.

 We need to believe that God can do the impossible. Apostle John states that for everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith (1 John 5:4). The extraordinary faith he had in the words of God made him father of all believers in Christ. Gal 3:7 says that those who have faith are children of Abraham.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 22 JANUARY

Then Abraham prayed to God…. Gen 20:17

Abraham believed strongly in prayer. He was a person depending on God for his needs. During his journey he used to erect altars and call on the name of the Lord. He was the first who built altars to worship God and pray to him. He prayed on many occasions and his prayers brought solutions and victories. We read Abraham's standing before God repeating his intercessions for the wicked city of Sodom, the home of his nephew Lot. He wrestled stubbornly with God. His plea for Sodom is the first great intercessory prayer in the history of the people of God. Abraham’s prayer saved Lot and his family. Ishmael's destiny was shaped by Abraham's prayer. Abraham's prayer to God for Ishmael in Genesis 17:18, “Oh that Ishmael might live before thee,” came at a crucial moment. Abimelech and his family were in trouble, when he tried to do harm to Sarah, Abraham’s wife. After Abimelech realizing his mistake, Abraham prayed unto God for their deliverance and God healed Abimelech and his wife, and his maid servants (Gen 20:17, 18).

Prayer honors God, acknowledges His being, exalts His power, adores His providence, and secures His aid (E.M. Bounds).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 23 JANUARY

Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going (Heb 11:8).

 In Hebrew eleventh chapter, twelve verses describes about Abraham, while one verse summarize the faith actions of Abel, Enoch and Noah together. This emphasizes the importance given to faith and obedience of Abraham.  Abraham did a strange thing after receiving direction from God - suddenly picked up all his belongings, gather his family together left his home, his family and friends to an unknown destination. When called by God, Abraham promptly obeyed God in Faith. He obeyed in all things related to the instructions by God to him with respect to Hagar and Ishmael. When God established circumcision as a sign of covenant with Abraham, he obeyed completely. When God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, he immediately obeyed unconditionally. The life of Abraham shows us how God wonderfully multiplies our simple acts of faith and obedience as a blessing to multitudes. 

The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith. The two are at opposite sides of the same coin (A.W.Tozer).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 24 JANUARY

And Abram took Sarai his wife (Gen 12:5).

When God called Abraham, He called not just him but his whole household. God did not just bless Abraham but Sarah as well.  When we read the life of Abraham and Sarah, we would not miss the point that the plan and promise of God was intended not just for Abraham alone but together as family. Sarah’s role in the overall plan was highlighted often. One example is the protection of God over Sarah in Pharaoh’s palace and in Abimelech’s place, though Abraham lied for his protection on both occasions. There were times when Abraham and Sarah doubted the promise of God and their doubt got them into serious trouble. On one instance, Sarah thought that the blessing and the promise was specifically to Abraham and consequently she made her maid, Hagar to bear child for Abraham.  The promise of God was the child from Abraham and Sarah together.  In most of the cases, the plan of God is for the family together. When we serve God, we should expect blessings and promises not just for us but even for our spouses and our children. Like the family of Abraham and Sarah, we also can become an instrument of blessing to communities, cities and even nations if we put our life and family in the hands of God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 25 JANUARY

Then the Lord said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous  that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me (Gen 18:20, 21).

 The above verses tell us that the outcry caused by the people’s sinfulness had “become great”, indicating that an amount of time had transpired while the judgment was built up against them.  Sodom and Gomorrah serve as a powerful example of how God feels about sin in general, and homosexuality specifically. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is a cautionary tale of the destructive consequences of sin. The story gives us a glimpse of how far sinful humanity will go when they reject God and indulge in evil rebellion against Him. The people in these cities were so entrapped in sin that they would not even listen to Lot.  Sexual sins were not the only sins of Sodom and Gomorrah.  The Bible tells us that they were guilty of sinful pride, selfishness, had an overabundance of food and wealth but did not take care of the poor and needy (Ezekiel 16:49). In Bible we find that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were given as examples of God’s judgment on those who reject Him and rebel against His Lordship.  

It appears that Lot had allowed himself to be influenced by the inhabitants of Sodom more than he influenced them. As salt of the earth, we ought to be influencing the world for Christ.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 26 JANUARY

Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob (Gen 25:28).

We observe today that a large proportion of parents favor one child over another, spending more time with one child, giving more affection to one, etc. Parental favouritism can range from mild to severe. Though it has diverse effects, it’s inevitable because children are different with different needs. It’s perfectly normal for parents to favor one child or another at one time or another. But favoring one child over their siblings for an extended period of time can produce negative effect on their children in the long run. Favoritism may not represent a difference in the love parents feel towards their children but may be understood by the perception carried on by their children - the one who is favored and the ones who are not. The unfavored child may feel defeated, unmotivated and may suffer from depression, becoming angry, bitter, resentful or jealous. It can also affect the way they act in school, at work and in their friendships. If there’s a reason why one child needs to be more focused than another, it has to be communicated to the children about the need for the extra care required. The partial favoritism can be kept under check by spending equal time with each of our children, by avoid taking one child’s “side” over another’s during their disagreements, by not comparing one child over the other and by making them feel that each one is special.

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 27 JANUARY

We saw clearly that the Lord was with you (Genesis 26:28).

This is told about Isaac. Isaac was the chosen child of Abraham to continue the covenant line. The life of Isaac has many qualities that are exemplary to us. For instance, when Abraham took Isaac for sacrifice, Isaac was not resisting and he committed himself for the fulfillment of the will of God, even it means dying. God blessed Isaac abundantly and he received hundred fold harvests. He became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy.  He had possessions of flocks, herds and many servants.  Isaac is a great example for meekness. When Isaac dug the wells that were earlier closed by Philistines, they came and fought with him for it and closed the wells again. Isaac then went to the valley of Gerar, dug well and found water. The people of Gerar fought again and Isaac had to leave that place also. This happened again in another place, Sitnah. He moved from there and dug another well in Rehoboth and there they did not quarrel over it. These instances also highlight the patience and spiritual maturity of Isaac. Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom (Jam 3:13)

DAILY THOUGHTS | 28 JANUARY

Surely the Lord is in this place (Gen 28:16).

God did not leave Jacob but He kept working with Jacob. During Jacob’s journey, he had a dream of a ladder to heaven with God at the top and angels ascending and descending. God gave Jacob the assurance of His presence and reiterated His promise to Abraham.  When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place.  Jacob’s words express astonishment that God manifested Himself in a place remote from his father’s home to himself a solitary wanderer.

 God is incomprehensible but He self reveals. God’s self-revelation encompasses creation, history and the Bible. But God also revealed himself by becoming a human. He became like us and walked among us. God’s greatest act of self-revelation was in Jesus Christ. The ultimate purpose of all revelation from God is that human beings can have a personal relationship with their Creator. We can have personal relationship with God. The relationship with God is the most important thing in our life; we have to embrace it daily.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 29 JANUARY

Esau said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? Genesis 27:36. He has cheated me, changing my wages ten times (Genesis 31:7).

Jacob’s name is translated as “he deceives”. Jacob was a born deceiver. We read that Jacob acted so selfishly and cheated his brother Esau couple of times. Jacob cheated his brother over birth right by offering a meal deceitfully. Esau being famished from the fields begged his twin brother, Jacob to give him some red stew. Jacob offered to give Esau a bowl of stew in exchange for his birthright and Esau agreed. When Isaac wanted to bless Esau which was specifically meant for firstborn, Rebecca and Jacob cunningly received the blessings from their father by disguising as Esau. Jacob suffered the consequences of his actions. He had to flee for his life, leaving his family and mother behind. He reaped what he had sowed. At his uncle’s place he was given an odd job, herding goats. His uncle, Laban cheated Jacob by switching daughters, on the pretext of some local custom. Laban changed his wages 10 times. Cheating and deceit may benefit us in the short term, but in the longer term they will take us away from God’s presence and from his purposes. Cheating involves defrauding, deceiving somebody. The Bible tells us, Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a person, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel (Pro 20:17).

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 30 JANUARY

How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Gen 39:9).

Potiphar's wife showed that her heart was fully set to do evil. Satan assaulted Joseph with pleasures but by the grace of God, he was able to resist and overcome this temptation. When tempted, Joseph refused and said a firm “No”.  He refused to commit wrong because it would be a sin against his master, a sin against his conscience and a sin against God. “No” by Joseph implies a sense of direct accountableness to God. To sin against Him, is to break His positive command and to reject His authority over us. “No” by Joseph shows the real courage and boldness arising from a life which fears God and that take His commandments seriously.

Others might have looked upon it as a small matter but Joseph did not so think of it. He feared God and it preserved him against her continual temptations. He called sin as sin. Let sins of this nature always are looked upon as great wickedness, as exceedingly sinful. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood (Rev 22:15).

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 31 JANUARY

The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did (Gen 39:23).

The reason for the success of Joseph was not his wisdom but the presence and favour of the Lord. The favour of the Lord on Joseph was visible in the endeavours he undertook. The presence of God took him from pit to palace. His masters saw that the Lord was with him. The favour of God upon Joseph was visible in his appointments as head in Potiphar’s house, as head over others in prison and finally as head in the kingdom of Egypt, where he started his life as bond slave. The Lord was with Joseph and He blessed all things related to Potiphar because of Joseph. Joseph was framed by the wife of Potiphar and was put in prison. The Lord was with him in prison also. Joseph found favour in the eyes of warden and he was made in charge of all prisoners.

He exercised control over lust and kept himself from sinning. He did not pay back evil for evil. He feared God in his endeavours. He was a faithful in his roles and responsibilities. He had pleasing character that won him favour with men and authorities. God can accomplish His purpose in us when we faithfully commit ourselves to seek Him and His ways. What would take the people around us to notice the presence of God in our lives?

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 1 FEBRUARY

But the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them (Exodus 1:7).

The first chapter of Exodus links the events in Genesis with events in Exodus. More than four hundred years passed between Joseph and Moses. We do not have many details about what happened to Israelite during this time. There are not many details about the leadership among them which helped them to keep their devotion to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob alive.

Israelites lived in Egypt for four hundred and thirty years (Ex 12:20).  Mere seventy had become such huge population, though they underwent lot of hardships and oppositions. We read the total number of Israelites that left Egypt were numbered six hundred thousand men besides women and children. They were ruled by a new King (Ex 1:8) who did not know about the contributions of Joseph to Egyptians. The new king came to power, (probably after 200 years after Joseph) dealt treacherously with the descendants of Israel and oppressed them. To control the growth of Israelites, the Egyptian rulers devised many plans which includes throwing the new born male babies in the Nile river (Acts 7: 18, 19).  Despite all the hardships they went through, God had fulfilled the promised made to Abraham in the due time.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 2 FEBRUARY

When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water” (Exodus 2:10).

We read here about Moses who was chosen to deliver Israelite from bondage. Moses was born in 1370 B.C. to Levite parents. His parents hid him for three months and then took to Nile River for safety. God enabled the daughter of Pharaoh to notice the baby. She adopted him and named him as Moses (Ex. 2:5–10; Acts 7:20–21). Moses was trained in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds (Acts 7:22).

When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people. One day, when he saw one Israelite being mistreated by an Egyptian, he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. The next day Moses saw two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’  “But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11: 25).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 3 FEBRUARY

He led them out of Egypt and performed wonders and signs in Egypt (Acts 7:36).

God uses persons to fulfill His purposes on Earth. At the appointed time, God brought Moses with sufficient skills and knowledge to deliver Israelite from bondage. The following series of events were witnessed

 In slavery, Israelites cried to God and God remembered the promise given to Abraham (Ex 2:23-25).

God appeared to Moses and revealed His plan to Moses (Ex 3:1-10).

God commanded him to take responsibility of delivering Israelite along with his brother Aaron (Ex 3:11-4:28).

 Moses and Aaron met Pharaoh and requested him to send Israelites with them to worship God but he did not listen to them (Ex 5:1-5).

Pharaoh increased the work of the Israelites greatly (Ex 5:6-21).

God used Moses and Aaron mightily to manifest His power through many signs and wonders (Ex 6:22-7:13).

 God sent nine plagues (blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock dying, boils, hails, locusts, and darkness) among Egyptians (Ex7:14-Ex10:29).

 The tenth plague was death of the first born. Unable to bear further, Pharaoh and his officials loosened their hardened heart gradually and let Israelites to go out of Egypt (Ex 11 - Ex 12:50).

Moses and Aaron brought out the Israelites, by their divisions after Passover (Ex 12:51)

DAILY THOUGHTS | 4 FEBRUARY

The LORD said to Moses, “Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal” (Exodus 13:1-2).

To consecrate, means to set apart for God. The first born of the Israelite were preserved from the general destruction that overtook the families of the Egyptians, by a distinguishing act of grace, as Israelite was considered as the Lord's chosen people. In remembrance of the destruction of the first-born of Egypt and the deliverance of the Israelites out of bondage, the first-born males of the Israelites were set apart to the Lord. The firstborn exempt from the destruction became the exclusive property of the Lord. 

The first offspring of Israel belong to the Lord and they can be redeemed with a lamb (Ex 12:12, 13). The lives of Israelites were preserved through the ransom of the atonement. The church, the body of believers is redeemed by the atonement of Christ. The believers in Christ are the first born of God and they are expected to be set apart for God in this world.

But you have come to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven (Hebrews 12:22, 23).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 5 FEBRUARY

And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD (Exodus 14:4)

The shortest route from Goshen (where Israelite stayed in Egypt) to Canaan was heavily guarded by string of Egyptian fortresses and as the Israelites were not ready for battle, they were guided through longer route. Later, the Israelites camped in Pi Hahriroth near Red sea.

While they were camping there, God hardened the heart of Pharaoh to pursue Israelites with six hundred plus chariots. On seeing them, Israelites were terrified and cried to Lord. God manifested His power in their midst. God led the Israelities to cross through the Red sea but Egyptians who were pursuing the Israelites had their last breath in the sea.

“I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden (Romans 9:17-18).

After seeing the mighty miracle and how God had delivered them, they feared God and put their trust in God and Moses.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 6 FEBRUARY

He said, “If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you” (Ex 15:26).

Moses led Israel from the Red sea and they went to the desert of Shur. In the desert of Shur, they wandered for three days without water. Finally they found water, which was not good for drinking as it was bitter. People grumbled against Moses and God. Moses cried to God and changed the bitterness to sweet (God directed Moses to put a piece of wood in the bitter water). 

Then, God made a decree to them with a promise that if they listen to God and obey His commands, they will be kept from away plagues that affected Egyptians. God revealed His attribute as; “I am the Lord who heals you”. The healing He gives to all His redeemed children is wholistic and has an eternal perspective.

God revealed Himself as healer of diseases. It would mean preserving the body from infections and afflictions. In case the body is afflicted by the sickness, God would cure them. Also God would heal the souls by forgiving the iniquities. This blessing is conditional and is applicable to those who listen to God and obey Him unconditionally. The implied warning is that if they were disobedient, the plagues which they had seen inflicted on their enemies should be brought on them.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 7 FEBRUARY

The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan (Exodus 16:35).

During the forty years between the time the Israelites left Egypt and entered the Promised land, they faced harsh conditions and scarcity of food. To alleviate this problem, God miraculously provided the Israelites with “bread from heaven,” called “manna.” The manna appeared each morning and the Israelites were given specific instructions on gathering it. The miraculous "bread of heaven" that God provided for the Israelites looked like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. 

Manna is a foreshadowing of Jesus. Manna through Moses brought physical blessing to Israelite but the heavenly manna Jesus brings eternal life.

Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (John 6:32, 33).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 8 FEBRUARY

By 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 (Exodus 13:21).

God gave them the pillar of cloud by day to lead them in the way He wanted them to go and the pillar of fire by night to give light. It showed God’s involvement with Israel and the protection by His presence. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. It teaches us that God never leaves nor forsakes His people.

The children of Israel are a shadow of the church. The same way God led the children of Israel through the wilderness to the Promised Land is the same way God directs and guides the church through the world to the eternal life.

Though God miraculously led Israel, the sad part was that they did not believe Him wholeheartedly. Our growth in Him is in proportion to our level of trusting Him. We are expected to trust in the Lord with all our heart. He cares for us each and every day. He gives us what we need. 

In spite of this, you did not trust in the LORD your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go. (Deuteronomy 1:32-33).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 9 FEBRUARY

Moses answered the people “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13, 14).

The exodus from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea is the single greatest act of salvation in the Old Testament and it is continually recalled as the saving power of God. The parting of the red sea sent fears to the nations around Canaan.

Pharaoh came with his chariots, chasing Israelites. When they approached Israelites; Israelites were afraid and cried out to the Lord. They also grumbled against Moses saying that Moses brought them from Egypt to kill them in the desert. During that intimidating time, Moses encouraged Israelite with the above words.

Israelites passing through the Red Sea is used symbolically to identify a believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 10:1, 2 that Israelites passing through Red Sea as the symbol of baptism of believers. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life (Romans 6:4).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 10 FEBRUARY

And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” (Exodus 17:7).

After leaving the desert of sin, Israelites camped in Rephidim and there was no water.

This is the second of three episodes in which the water problem was dominant. The first was at Marah (Exodus 15:22-25) and the third was at Meribah near Kedesh (Numbers 20:10-13).  The people of Israel had a real problem – there was no water for the people to drink.  In their thirst, they quarreled and grumbled against Moses. Moses knew what he had to do in times of trouble, he cried to God.  God guided him to strike the rock in Moreb with his staff and water rushed out and their thirst was quenched.

They were expected to understand the reality about the scarcity of water in desert and they should have sought the intervention of God for their provisions.

When they were in serious trouble, instead of looking at God for help and guidance, they grumbled and complained against the leader. They questioned, “Is the Lord among us or not?” This question came from the mouth of those who witnessed the mighty acts of God in Egypt and in their wilderness journey. How do we respond when we face difficult situations in life? Like the Psalmist, we can be sure of His help in times of need. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all (Psalms 34:19).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 11 FEBRUARY

Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner (Exodus 17:15).

The above event happened after the great victory of Israelite over Amalekites. The Amalekites attacked the Israelites when they were in Rephidim.  Joshua and Israelite fought with Amalekites. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill to pray. When Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning and whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other till sunset. Joshua overcame the Amalekites.

Aaron and Hur helped Moses and partnered with him in intercession. Together they partnered with Joshua and the team, fighting Amalekites. This shows great works for God can be done through good team work. Though the back end works like intercession are hidden, the victory in the field depends on persistent prayers. Gospel workers, Evangelists, Missionaries, church planters, etc., are in the front end. Like Moses, Aaron and Hur, we have to support them by our prayers continuously.

Another application derived from these passages is the inner battle inside us, against our sinful nature. We are in direct fight with sin, like Joshua’s fight with the Amalekites. To overcome the temptations and to live victorious life, we need to keep our life in right relationship with God regularly.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 12 FEBRUARY

And God spoke all these words (Exodus 20:1)

God has kept Ten Commandments for us to follow in our daily lives.

DO NOT KEEP OTHER GODS: God expects absolute loyalty. We have to keep God first.

DO NOT MAKE GRAVED IMAGE REPRESENTING GOD: God is invisible and He can never be a visible thing. Models representing God need to be avoided.

DO NOT TAKE THE NAME OF GOD IN VAIN: Using God’s name in vain manner is insulting and degrading God. So we have to avoid taking the name of the God in vain.

KEEP SABBATH DAY HOLY: We are asked to keep a day in a week, freed from materialistic activities and worries in a week to be set for God.

HONOUR PARENTS: God kept parents as authority in the family. Also, parents have to bring up their children in the Lord.

DO NOT MURDER: While explaining this commandment, Jesus commanded to root out bitterness & anger that leads to murder.

DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY: Immoral relationships are prohibited. We are expected to keep lustful thoughts and looks under control.

DO NOT STEAL: We are commanded not to try to own something that belongs to others. We need be cautious in not stealing the reputation, credits and wages of others.

DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS: We need to be truthful in words and deeds. We have to practice honesty and integrity at all levels.

DO NOT COVET:  We are commanded not to desire anything that belongs to others.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 13 FEBRUARY

When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear (Exodus 20:18).

This was the reaction of the people when God was giving Ten Commandments to Moses. In response, Moses said, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning” (Exodus 20:20). God wanted His people to understand the hazards of sin so that they will have the appropriate fear of God which can keep them from sinning.

Ten Commandments were originally written by God on stone tablets, meaning permanent validity. The foundation of all the law rests in the Ten Commandments.

First four commandments highlight the attitude, love and reverence; we have to exhibit towards God, His name and His day. Second six commandments points to the attitude, love and respect we have to show towards fellow human beings in our family, society, ministry and work spot.

When God communicated to people, Israelites requested a mediator to stand before them and God, a role fulfilled by Moses subsequently by priests, prophets and kings in Old Testament. In New Testament, the mediator role is fulfilled by Jesus Christ. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 14 FEBRUARY

Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession (Exodus 19:5).

The covenant that happened between God and Israel in Mount Sinai was the outgrowth of the covenant God had with Abraham six hundred years back. This above verse shows that, participation in divine blessing is conditioned on obedience to God and faith in Him.  By His grace we are saved. God has promised us, the inheritance with Christ in heavenly places. We have received multiple blessings from God through Christ. We are brought into covenant and communion with God. The privileges we have in Christ will be ours through faith in the finished works of Christ, when we receive Him and commit ourselves to live in Him daily. He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (Ephesians 1:4).

Our call is to accept Him as our savior and as our Lord. We need to submit ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In the following verses, i.e. in Exodus 19:9-11, we read about God commanding His people to be consecrated in order that they will see Him when He appears to them in dark cloud. We are told to set ourselves apart from the worldly business, spending our time in meditation and prayer so that we may receive His directions. This highlights the level of holiness, God expects in His people. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God (Matthew 5:8).

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 15 FEBRUARY

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery (Exodus 20:2).

This verse is preface to the Ten Commandments. The phrase, “I am the Lord your God who brought you from slavery,” makes the people to recall and realize the type of freedom they received from God. 

Israel was afflicted for many years and they were under great distress. They were brought forth in a very wonderful and miraculous manner. This verse talks about the obligations of His people to obey God. It also reflects the concept of theocracy outlined in Bible. Theocracy states that God is the real ruler and His people are expected to obey Him unconditionally.

By delivering His people from the clutches of Pharaoh, God has revealed His superiority over all false gods of the world. The Lord is unlimited in power, most gracious and fearful. 

His commandments are not to be taken casually and the people are expected to render complete submission, allegiance and obedience to Him.  The commandments of God call us for a life of action, centered on love - love for God and love for others. 

Jesus expressed the essential unity of the Commandments as, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with your entire mind” and as, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:37-40).

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 16 FEBRUARY

Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you (Exodus 25:8-9).

During the forty years, when the Israelites wandered in wilderness, they needed a place to worship.  God instructed them to build a temporary place of worship. In Exodus 27:9-19, we read about God giving specific instructions to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle had two rooms namely, Holy place and the Holy of Holies. The Ark of the Covenant was inside the Holy of Holies and the chief priest used to enter the Holy of Holies once in a year on the Day of Atonement, to sprinkle the blood of sacrificial animals.  In the Holy place, there was an altar of incense, a lamp stand and a table. A veil separated the Holy place and the Holy and Holies. A rectangular fence surrounded the Tabernacle. There was a bronze altar (for sacrificing animals) and bronze laver (for washing hands) in the courtyard, between the tent and the fence.  

The purpose of the tabernacle was not to give Israel an authorized place to worship. It was about the presence of God in their midst. Today God dwells among us. We are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him, we are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit (Ephesians 2:20-22).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 17 FEBRUARY

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai …. he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him (Exodus 34:29-30).

In Exodus, we read about clouds covering the mountain for six days, when Moses was called by God to the Mount of Sinai to give him the details of the Tabernacle. And on the seventh day, the Lord called Moses to the mountain top. Moses went up and stayed on the mountain for forty days and forty nights during when, God gave the details regarding the construction  and maintenance of the Tabernacle to Moses. When the people of Israel did not get any update about Moses, that lost patience. They went to Aaron, the standby leader, and convinced him to make an idol for them in the place of God, who delivered them and kept them so far. They did not fear God and sinned against God and as the result, they underwent serious consequences for their sins.

On another ocasson, again, Moses went up to the Mountain top, to receive the second copy of the tablets that contained the Ten Commandments. When Moses returned, the people of Israel noticed the glory of God, reflecting on the countenance of Moses. This conveyed to them that Moses had communion with God and the law brought by him was directly given by God. This event created a lasting impact upon the people so that they will fear and obey the commandments of God. 

God gave another copy of the Ten Commandments to Israelites. It displays the steadfast love and faithfulness of God, though the people were rebellious and impatient.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 18 FEBRUARY

“The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished (Exodus 34:6-7).

These verses reflect the righteousness and kindness of God. It expresses the relationship of God with the world.  We often make efforts to know God and try to understand with our limited knowledge. The better way to understand God is to let Him reveal to us. That is what exactly Moses did. In Exodus 33:18, we notice Moses praying as, "I pray You, show me Your glory." The answer to Moses' prayer is found in the above verse, God self revealing His several attributes. Exodus 34:6-7 is considered as a foundational statement about God and this statement is repeated many times in the Old Testament (Num. 14:18; Neh. 9:17; Ps. 103:8, 17; 145:8; Jer. 32:18-19; Joel 2:13; Jon. 4:2).

God is compassionate and gracious and He desires the good of His people. He is merciful and He withholds the punishment upon His people, who deserve punishment for their rebellion and trespasses. God is slow to anger and it describes God’s patience which reflects His faithfulness and steadfast love on us. Though He is compassionate and His love endures forever, He will not call the guilty innocent or will not declare sinner righteous. God is forgiving but he’s also just.  This balanced view will help us to move closer in understanding Him.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 19 FEBRUARY

He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze (Exodus 35:31-32).

 Many skilled workers were involved in the construction of the Tabernacle. God selected many persons from diverse backgrounds to work on various skills and needs. The need for persons skilled in craft, stone works, woodworks and metal works in gold, silver, and bronze were met. There were also skills and knowledge required for the fabrication of garments which included getting wool, spinning it, dyeing it, weaving it, designing clothes, manufacturing and tailoring them along with works of embroidery. God also brought in persons with the knowledge in preparing anointing oil and fragrant incense. What was visible in the whole construction of the Tabernacle was the Spirit of God uniting persons with various diverse skills and knowledge to work together to build the Tabernacle and all things in it.

 God stirred the hearts of the people to give generously, their donations, their time and abilities for the needs, related to the construction of the Tabernacle. They used their skills for the glory of God. God gave the interest and will to people to get involved in His work. No one needs to be compelled to give or to do His work. "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 20 FEBRUARY

Moses did everything just as the LORD commanded him (Exodus 40:16).

“Everything” in the above verse, denotes lot about the devotion and commitment of Moses. God used the leadership abilities of Moses (who was trained in palace and learnt realities of life in rural place) to deliver the people of Israel. Though, Moses was mightily used by God, the people of people were not firm in their devotion to God. People were rebellious and not supportive but Moses walked with God.

Moses stayed in Mount Sinai for forty days to get the complete details of the Tabernacle, that is to be constructed in wilderness. Moses had to remember all the details and measurements clearly and correctly. Then, he had to manage resources and arrange supports for the successful completion of the construction of the Tabernacle. Moses set up the tabernacle and everything in its place as per the guidance given to him. 

Moses faced lot of difficulties, while leading the Israelites, but in order to finish the task given to Him by God, he needed, lot of dedication and determination.  He had the glorious experience of communicating with God. Moses was a great leader and multitude followed him. 

The life of Moses reminds us that in order to obey God unconditionally, we need to have the right determination. Moses who led others did not forget that he had a Master in heaven and he obeyed Him completely. 

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 21 FEBRUARY

They said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” (Exodus 32:4).

When Moses delayed to return from Mount Sinai, the people of Israel lost patience and committed Idolatry. They did not understand the reason for the delay. With Aaron, they made a golden calf and started worshipping it. In ancient times, calf images were usually associated with a pagan god. They might have made the calf as an emblem animal to represent the presence of God among them but this was gross violation of the second commandment of God. 

God is concerned about our worship. Any sort of image or idol that is made to represent God destroys the nature of real worship. When we look for substitutes to represent God, we offend Him. Likewise, when we make people, places, materials, etc., as aids to make the presence of God more real, we are doing the same mistake as the Israelites did with the calf. Such helps cannot give us the real sense of God but often leads to distorted ideas about God.

They turned away quickly from the commandment of God. God was angry with them and intended to destroy them. But, Moses interceded for them and sought the favour of God. God listened to his prayers and gave another chance. When we sin, we should be quick to realize our mistakes, to accept our faults, to repent, and to seek God for forgiveness. 
They were forgiven, but they had to face the consequences of sin. Though forgiven, the consequences of our mistakes are likely to follow us in this world. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 22 FEBRUARY

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Lord’s Festival of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days (Lev 23:34).

God instructed the Israelites to live in tents for seven days (Leviticus 23:42) and this tradition continues till today. Festival of Tabernacles was one of the three Pilgrimage Festivals on which the Israelites were commanded to perform a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. The festival of Tabernacles or ingathering marks the end of the harvest time and was celebrated for seven days. During this festival, many Israelite families construct tents, in which meals are eaten throughout the seven days of the festival. 

God commanded Israelites to celebrate the Feast of tabernacles to commemorate the exodus and their dependence on God. The festival of Tabernacles was intended to recognize the abundance and blessings of God. God brought Israel from Egypt and sustained them in wilderness. He provided food from their harvest. This festival time was considered as the time set aside to thank God for the provisions and the protections of God they enjoyed. 

These events remind us to realize the need to take time to acknowledge the provisions of God with respect to our food, well being and safety. We have to thank Him for delivering us from the slavery of sin. When we give thanks to God, we realize his greatness and goodness, and we convey His goodness and faithfulness to those around us. 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever (1 Chronicles 16:34).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 23 FEBRUARY

As the LORD commanded Moses. And so he counted them in the Desert of Sinai (Numbers 1:19).

Here we read about God commanding Moses to number the people of Israel. Only those men above twenty years old or more were counted according to their families. The total number was 603,550. This count included men from every tribe except that of Levi. The census was taken to ascertain the number of eligible persons for serving in military. God allowed taking the census in the wilderness of Sinai to show His faithfulness in fulfilling the promise given to Abraham and to separate those who can be trained for the wars and conquest of Canaan. 

In a parallel account of the incident surrounding the census, in 2 Sam 24th Chapter, we read that David and people of Israel were punished with plague for taking Census. David took the census, due to pride and to display his greatness. God was angry and David was “conscience-stricken” after he counted Israel. One has the right to count what belonged to him/her. Israel belonged to God and census on them can be taken only if God allows. When David sensed that taking census without the direction of God was sin, he requested for his forgiveness. 

In Exodus 30:12 God told Moses, “When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the LORD a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them when you number them.” 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 24 FEBRUARY

I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine, for all the firstborn are mine (Numbers 3:12-13).

Moses was leading the Israelites, while Aaron took care of religious responsibilities.  Initially, when Aaron and his sons were appointed for priestly service, Levi tribe was given to them to help them. When all the Israelites chose to worship the golden calf, Levi tribe did not participate in this idolatrous act. After this incident, the priesthood was transferred to the Levites. Levi tribe became the spiritual leadership of Jews. Levites were given the place meant for first born.  Levi tribe served religious duties for the Israelites and also had political responsibilities.

New Testament mentions about general priesthood of all believers in 1 Peter 2:5, “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 

Today the body of Christ serves the role of priest to the world. On one side, they are first born, special to God and on the other side they have the special role of priest to mediate and witness Christ to the world. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9)

DAILY THOUGHTS | 25 FEBRUARY

The LORD spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting in the Desert of Sinai (Numbers 1:1).

The Lord's use of Moses as His prophet is described in Numbers 12:6-8. And God said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. This was response from God for the complaint of Miriam and Aaron, “What’s so special about Moses?” Nobody on earth was more intimate with God than Moses. God communicated with Moses, face to face, showing him His glory. Moses heard the audible voice of God in the burning bush. He heard His voice when he interceded for the people. He heard His voice when he was alone with God in Mount Sinai.

God Speaks! God speaks to us in various ways. He spoke to us through His Son Jesus Christ (Heb 12:1, 2). Jesus Christ revealed the love, mercy and grace of God. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross communicated the seriousness of sin.

God speaks to us through the written word of God. As we meditate on the word of God regularly, God gives us instructions and principles for life. We can approach God believing that He will speak to us as; He is the God who speaks.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 26 FEBRUARY

Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp (Numbers 11:1).

In Deut 9:22, Moses recalled this event, reminding how Israel provoked God to wrath. People of Israel were involved in the habit of complaining. In Exodus 15-17, we read about the various complaints of Israel on different occasions for their regular needs. They often grumbled against Moses and God. God was not pleased with them because of these kinds of responses from them. A murmuring or complaining spirit is always displeasing to him. The lord heard it, though others, including Moses did not notice it. God, who knows the secrets of all hearts, and every word before it is formed or pronounced, heard the complaint. So the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. 

These grumblings arose from their disbelief and disobedience. They fell away from the covenant, which God had with them. They had lot of reasons for thanking God, but they allowed the ongoing problems to blind them from seeing the provisions, protections and guidance of God. When we are pushed to complain against God next time, let this event serve as a reminder to us.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 27 FEBRUARY

Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ (Numbers 11:12-14).

Here, we read about an incident that made Moses to convey his burden due to his responsibility, to God in prayer. Israelites were craving for non-vegetarian food and complained to Moses.  Under distress, filled with urgency, irony and passion, Moses took this situation to God in prayer. When Moses was angry and complained to God about his unpleasant circumstances, God did not rebuke him; He evidently sympathized with his problem. God answered their craving for non-vegetarian food by offering quail continuously for one month. They craved, they got what they wanted (but with hardships, physical illness and plague). But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the Lord burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague (Numbers 11:33). The anger of the Lord blazed hotly and Moses was displeased because of what happened.

This can be clear reminder for us to cross check our cravings. Dissatisfaction comes when our attention shifts from what we have to what we do not have. The people of Israel did not seem to notice what God was doing for them: setting them free, making them a nation, giving them a new land. They were so wrapped up in what they did not have. What are the matters that occupy our attention most of the time? 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 28 FEBRUARY

“Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the LORD heard this (Num 12:2).

Moses had special relationship with God and was used by Him in very special ways. On an occasion, when Israelites were in Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married. And they fought with Moses, saying the above words. Though Moses did not take notice of their reproach, God took notice of it. 

The Bible says in  Numbers 12:9,10, "The anger of the LORD burned against them. When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous—it became as white as snow."  Then Moses prayed to God for her healing. God healed her. 

Aaron and Miriam were ordained priest and prophet respectively. They might be filled with jealously of the position and influence of Moses. When they did not find fault with Moses, they criticized him for his wife. 

Often, we face discouragement and disappointments from our close relatives and spiritual friends in our ministerial endeavors and in such situations, we are expected to display gentleness and meekness, like Moses. Also, we need to understand our role in the body of Christ and have to make efforts to fulfill it, faithfully. Our role would be different from others and so it is unwise to envy the roles of others in the body of Christ.  This event also suggests us to exercise wisdom when we are tempted to criticize God appointed leadership. 

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 29 FEBRUARY

They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large (Numbers 13:27-28).

The Lord commanded Moses to send twelve men, one from each tribe into the land of Canaan, to bring first hand information about the land, which is going to be inherited by them, soon. Moses selected twelve men and sent them to the land of Canaan to explore the conditions and the nature of people, they had to overcome. They went and returned with two kinds of feedbacks. Caleb and Joshua gave optimistic feedbacks, whereas the other ten gave negative feedbacks. The people were afraid and thrown into confusion. Though Caleb tried to encourage them with positive views, the negative reports prevailed.

The exploration mission was to help the Israelites to foresee the richness of the land, promised by God. The ten who shared the negative report did not have proper understanding about the special position and privilege, promised to the people of Israel.  They focused on the situations that induced fear rather than on the power of God that can overcome any difficult situations. Though they were chosen people, they failed to recognize and rely on the power and presence of God to overcome the obstacles.

We must keep our eyes on God whose power is sufficient for any challenges, we might face. As called and chosen ones, we are very special in His sight and this understanding is necessary to neutralize the challenges, we often face.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 1 MARCH

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Numbers 13:30).

The Promised Land was a good land, a gracious gift from God. Speaking bad things about it highlighted their faithlessness and ignorance. Message from Caleb and Joshua emphasized the power of God to overcome the greatest of problems. Their faith enabled them to see problems not as obstacles but as opportunities. The basis for their faith was God's promise to save His people from their enemies. 

The congregation accepted the negative news carried by the ten persons while rejecting the feedbacks of Caleb and Joshua. They complained against Moses and Aaron. Since they failed to trust God, they had to spend forty years in wilderness. 

Joshua and Caleb encouraged people to act on the promise of God, promising to give them the land of Canaan. But the people rejected their advice and even talked about killing them. The report of  Caleb and Joshua brought two responses - rejection by the congregation and sudden appearance of the glory of God. The ten men who brought the negative report ended up dying of a plague.

When we receive various instructions and teachings, from different sources, it is important to look at it, in the light of God's word to get the right understanding rather than accepting it blindly. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 2 MARCH

The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors, if you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul (Deuteronomy 30:9-10).

This is part of the farewell speech of Moses, towards the end of his life. He recalled the blessings and the curses described in Deuteronomy 28 and encouraged the Israelites to live their lives, fully devoted to God. 

Moses asked the people of Israel to pay attention to all  commandments of God, revealed and delivered through him. Moses reminded them about the judgments that fell on them due to their disobedience and called for their dedication to love the Lord. His command to them, to follow and obey the word of God was firm and strict. He made it specific that, if they choose to follow His Commandments, they would be blessed or else they would face a harder and bitter destiny. Moses also reminded the Israelites that obedience to God was not a complicated issue while emphasizing that to obey the commandments of God does not demand a super human effort.

Any amount of spiritual experience and scriptural knowledge would not benefit a believer unless it is translated into action.  Obedience to God does not demand great effort and great daring but a loving response to His commandments. The growth of a Christian in their spiritual life is proportional to their dedication and determination to obey the revealed will of God. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 3 MARCH

They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD’s assembly?” (Numbers 16:3).

Once, Korah along with 250 persons questioned the spiritual leadership of people. Moses was not happy with these developments and He set up a trial by fire to vindicate their approval by God. Korah and his followers were asked to appear before the LORD next day to undergo a trial. Each man was to take his censer and put incense in it—250 censers in all and they had to present it before the LORD. Korah and Aaron were to present their censers also. Each of them took their censer, put burning coals and incense in it, and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting. The glory of the LORD appeared to the entire assembly. In a little while, the ground under them (Korah and his accomplices) split apart and the earth opened its mouth, swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community.
 
Korah’s problem was not that he was unqualified, for the position (Priesthood) but that he was arrogant, stiff-necked, and self-promoting. God selects men of His choice for Spiritual leadership and equips them for service.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 4 MARCH

The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. “You have killed the LORD’s people,” they said. (Numbers 16:41).
 
The day after the dreadful catastrophe: the earth swallowing Korah and the two hundred fifty men of his company, the whole assembly of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, blaming them for what happened to Korah and his accomplices. God took notice of this and was very angry with them. Immediately a plague started and people were getting killed.  Moses could understand the intensity of the plague and interceded for stopping the plague. As per the guidance of Moses, Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for the people of Israel. He stood between the living and the dead and the plague stopped. But 14,700 people died from the plague. The wrath of God took many lives, but his mercy saved many who deserved wrath.
 
The screams of those who were swallowed into the depths of the earth were still echoing in the air and yet the same sin of unbelief was done by the Israelites. They seem to be not repenting from their mistakes. They blamed Moses for their killings. But actually, it was God who punished Korah and his group. God’s wrath is his just response to sin The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. (Nahum 1:2)
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 5 MARCH

But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” (Numbers 21:4-5)
 
The Israelites again complained about the lack of food and water, using language similar to their previous complaints. This time, God punished the people with venomous snakes; the snakes bit the people and many of them died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” The uncontrolled impatience and frustration of the people led them to reject Moses and to despise the bread from heaven. Complaining against heavenly manna was like declining the grace and provision of God. 
 
Then, Moses prayed for the people. God forgave them and provided a way for their deliverance. Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. Jesus referred this incident during his communication with Nicodemus, and cited this as an analogy to His own execution (John 3:14,15). Just like the Israelites had to look at the lifted image of the serpent to be saved, we have to acknowledge the atonement of the son of God on the cross in order to be saved from penalty and bondage of sins. The personal forgiveness and victory over sin is possible to those who look to crucified Christ in faith.
  
DAILY THOUGHTS | 6 MARCH

Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam….  “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times” (Numbers 24:10).
 
When Israelites came into the plains of Moab, king of Moab was put into a panic. He expressed his fears to the elders of Midian and sent for Balaam (the soothsayer) to curse the people of Israel. Balam refused to go to Balak because the Lord did not allow him to go. Balak enticed Balam with more gifts and finally, he expressed his willingness to go to Balak to curse Israelites. On the way, Balam encountered an angel of the Lord and he was instructed not to pronounce any curse upon Israelites. Sacrifices were made and at the time of pronouncing curses, Balam blessed Israel instead of cursing. This annoyed Balak and he took Balam to different places to take different views of the people, thinking that change of place  and view would change the mind of Balam. But Balam ended up blessing Israelites in all those occasions. Balak became angry and sent back Balam to his place.
 
Balaam was hired by Balak to curse Israelites. Balak took Balaam to several places thinking that change of scenery might help Balaam's mind. But he was unable to curse Israel because God did not allow it. The wealth offered by the King blinded Balaam to the will and guidance of God that was stopping him. Similarly, though we know what God wants us to do, we are often blinded by our desire for money, possessions, prestige, etc. 
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 7 MARCH

Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the LORD’s anger burned against them. (Numbers 25:3).
 
Balak tried to overcome Israel cunningly by using the service of Balaam to curse them, but it did not go well. After escaping the curse of Balaam, the people of Israel underwent a great deal of damage and reproach by the counsel of Balaam. Balaam counselled the Moabites to entice Israelites with women and subsequently leading them into idol worship at Baal-peor. When Israelites  camped in Acacia, some men had immoral relationships with Moabite women. These women then invited the men to ceremonies where sacrifices were offered to their gods. The men ate the meat from the sacrifices and worshiped the Moabite gods. God was so angry with them. He punished them with pestilence and Moses was commanded to kill all leaders who were responsible for leading Israel in to immorality and Idolatry. Twenty four thousand people died due to plague.
 
This event conveys us, how clever and diverse are the strategies of Satan. When he was unsuccessful in his attack from outside, he tried and succeeded in bringing decay from within. Israelites’ involvement in immoral activities and their wilful participation in Canaanite worship costed them the lives of twenty-four thousand men. This emphasizes the importance of fearing God and staying away from those places and things that can corrupt our personal purity and morality.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 8 MARCH

You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them (Numbers 27:5-7).
 
Here we read about the special ordinance for granting father’s inheritance to daughters, particularly to the daughters of Zelophehad. In those days women were not given inheritance of their father because when they marry, they become part of their husband's family. Zelophehad belonged to the tribe of Manasseh and to the family of Gilead. He died along with the whole generation that perished in the wilderness. Zelophehad did not have sons and his daughters wanted possession of their fathers’ inheritance. They approached Moses and requested him, to give them property among their father’s relatives. Moses brought their case to the Lord and their request was granted and it became a judicial statute in Israel, ever after.  Further, the daughters were allowed to have the inheritance of fathers, only if they married within their own tribe. If the father had neither son nor daughter, the inheritance was passed to his nearest male relative.  
 
This incident highlights the astounding faith of the daughters in God and confidence in their leader. They had the determination to fight against the odds and to get what they wanted.  They believed strongly that they were part of the inheritance promised by God to their forefathers. They did not allow the tradition and culture to stop them from receiving what was promised to them. 
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 9 MARCH

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go up this mountain in the Abarim Range and see the land I have given the Israelites. After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people …… both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes” (Numbers 27:12-14).
 
Moses was the greatest leader in Israel. Moses was the only one with whom God spoke face to face. Moses was the deliverer of the people who were in bondage for four hundred years. God did mighty miracles through him. Yet, he was excluded from entering the Promised Land because of his transgression. The reason was that Moses and Aaron broke faith with God in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin. He did not uphold holiness of God among the Israelites.
 
Numbers 20^th Chapter gives the details about what happened at the waters of Meribah Kadesh. There was no water and the whole community turned against Moses and Aaron Moses took this issue with God in the tent of meeting. God told Moses to speak to the rock so that the water would come forth. But Moses in his anger struck the rock twice with his staff.  Water gushed out from the rock and all of them had enough water. God was not pleased with the way, Moses behaved. Moses might have taken the word of God lightly and relied on his ability and past experience. Moses called the people rebels without realizing that he himself rebelled against the words of God. Moses was expected to obey God unconditionally.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 10 MARCH

Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD instructed through Moses (Numbers 27:22-23).
 
When Moses was told about his death, he prayed God to appoint a successor to lead the people of Israel, after his death. With all the experience and the knowledge, Moses could have easily selected a person for leadership but he let God to choose the right person. God told Moses to make Joshua, son of Nun as next leader. Joshua was made to stand before Eleazar who was given the responsibility of anointing Joshua as leader over Israel. Moses had the privilege of direct access to God but after Moses, the mediator role was fulfilled by priests.
 
Joshua, the man appointed by God as next leader was the man who had the Spirit of God, was a man who feared God and hated covetousness. Joshua had a very strong trust in God. When twelve came from spying the land of Canaan, only Joshua and Caleb gave positive report, trusting in the omnipotence of God. Joshua exhibited the leadership qualities, when he single-handedly led Israelites to overcome Amalekites. Also, Joshua was with Moses as a trusted associate.  God was preparing the next line leader when Moses was still leading the people of Israel.  This conveys that the spiritual leaders need to consciously develop next line leaders so that the ministry will not have any negative impact after the passing away of the leader.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 11 MARCH

Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel: “This is what the LORD commands:  When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said (Numbers 30:1-2).
 
The practice of making vows to God to perform some good work was ancient among the Israelites. There are about 30 references in Bible related to vows, most of them falls in the Old Testament. A vow is a religious promise made to God. The vow is voluntarily made and the thing vowed has to be lawful. A vow consisted in a promise to offer a sacrifice, if God would give some assistance in a difficulty. A vow used to be accompanied by an oath invoking a curse if the vow was broken. When a vow was fulfilled, God's praises were sung. People make vows in times of crisis. But when the crisis passed and the prayer was answered, there are chances the vows would be forgotten.
 
The law related to vows prevented rash vows and provided a proper sanction for the vows that are piously made. It prevented people from lying and acting hypocritically. Breaking vows meant coming under penalty from the Lord.  When Jesus said, “do not swear an oath at all” in Mat 5:34, He was speaking about rash vows, made in haste. The story of Jephthah illustrates the foolishness of making rash vows without understanding the consequences. Some of us make resolutions, promises and pledges. It is important that we should look at the consequences, when we make a vow.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 12 MARCH

The LORD said to Moses, “Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people” (Numbers 31:1-2).
 
The Midianites were the descendants of Midian, who was a son of Abraham through his wife, Keturah. The Midianites often led Israel astray to worship their gods.  Friendly relations existed between Israel and Midian till the elders of Midian joined with Moabites to call Balaam to curse Israel.
 
This incident is in continuance to the events in Numbers 25. In Numbers 25, the people of Israel are said to have committed harlotry with the women of Moab. Moabites had seduced Israel into idolatry and immorality on the shrewd advice of Balaam. The people of Israel ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods. Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the LORD’s anger burned against them. God commanded Moses to avenge Midianites for their malicious designs and practices against Israel.
 
This military action commanded by God against the Midianites is an example for how God punishes nations for their sins. Man takes lightly of the evil of sin but God takes it seriously. God hates sin and so He punished them for the role of Midianites in leading His people to sin.  This judgment of God upon Midianites foreshadows the judgment that will be brought against all of the wicked ones, one day.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 13 MARCH

He said to them, “If the Gadites and Reubenites, every man armed for battle, cross over the Jordan with you before the LORD, then when the land is subdued before you, you must give them the land of Gilead as their possession” (Numbers 32:29).
 
These were the words of Moses to the tribes of Reuben and Gad who desired to live in Transjordan region. They found the land as a suitable place for their cattle, sheep and other animals. The land was fertile and the water was plentiful enough to produce grass for the animals. Their request represented a fundamental departure from the true will of God and Moses expressed fear that the failure of the Gadites and Reubenites to participate in the war for the Promised Land would discourage the other Israelites from taking possession of it. When the two tribes consented to go with other tribes across Jordan to fight together with them, Moses gave them the lands in the east of Jordan as their inheritance along with the half tribe of Manasseh. The book of Joshua records that the Gadites and Reubenites fought along with the other tribes and helped them to possess the Promised Land.
 
They consulted their own private convenience more than the public good. This attitude is reflected in all generations. We are often led by worldly interests that seduce us to seek things for selfish gratification more than the things of Christ, falling short of vision for the heavenly Canaan.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 14 MARCH

And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is (Deuteronomy 34:5-6).
 
Moses spent forty years in palace in Egypt, forty years as shepherd in the wilderness and forty years as leader, leading the children of Israel to their destiny in the Promised Land. While governing the people of Israel for forty years, Moses had personal intimacy with God, unhindered regular communication with God. Burial of Moses by God was an honor to Moses for his long and faithful service.  The people of Israel mourned for thirty days and after that they resumed their normal activities under the leadership of Joshua. Ninth verse of epistle of Jude conveys that Archangel Michael was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses. From what was said about Moses as, “He buried him,” we can understand that an angel of God would have buried Moses in an unknown place to protect his body from the people of Israel who might have built a shrine for Moses in his burial place.
 
Moses was viewed as the servant of the Lord by the people of Israel. The law given through Moses was often referred as Law of Moses. The psalmist remembered Moses as an example of a great man of prayer.  At transfiguration, Moses appeared along with Elijah and spoke with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ viewed the laws of Moses as authoritative.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 15 MARCH

The LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them” (Joshua 1:1-2).
 
After the death of Moses, the Lord directed Joshua to take the leadership over Israel to lead them to the Promised Land across Jordan. God used Joshua to fulfil the promise given to Abraham and his descendants (Gen 12:1; 50:24; Ex3:8; 23:31; Dt1:8).  The people of Israel would have had lot of questions after the death of Moses concerning their uncertain future though that they had experiences and promises.
The task given by God to Joshua was tough, as he had to lead six hundred thousand plus men, besides a great number of women and children. The immediate challenge, Joshua and the people of Israel had, was crossing the river Jordan to move towards, the Promised Land. There were no boats and bridges to have a smooth passing. They had to seek God and wait for His intervention.
 
Filling the shoes of the man, who had talked to God, face to face was not an easy thing. But Joshua dared not show fear before the people, he gained confidence and took the responsibility. He needed to demonstrate obedience to the commands of God to ensure success. Joshua was able to do this because he was willing to seek God and surrender to Him. To be a strong leader like Joshua, we must be ready to listen and act on God's commands.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 16 MARCH

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:7-9)
 
God promised and predicted victory and success to Joshua, after he assumed the full responsibility, as leader over Israel. The promise was conditional. God commanded Joshua to meditate upon the law given to Israel, consistently and regularly to ensure that he obey all things commanded by God. “Be careful to obey,” “do not turn from it to the right or to the left,” suggests the emphasis of the command.
 
Joshua was told that he would be successful in all he does, when he commits himself to the regular meditation on the law and make efforts to obey God. As God promised Joshua, he promises prosperity and success to us, in our physical and spiritual lives, when we make efforts to know Him, His word and put it into practice. As we draw near to God, seeking Him, depending on Him and obeying Him, He will draw near to us. The surest way to live a blessed and prosperous life is by living a life obedient to God.
  

DAILY THOUGHTS | 17 MARCH

Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you” (Joshua 1:16-17).

After assuming leadership, Joshua conveyed to Israelites, what they have to do next in preparing themselves to move on. Joshua's primary duty was not military but spiritual. Joshua understood that without obeying God, they would not get the required military success. God is the one who gives victories. When Joshua delegated responsibilities to the officials of twelve tribes, they accepted his leadership and consented to cooperate with him in all assignments. They repeated to him the same words pronounced by God: “Be strong and of a good courage.” 

The officials and the people of Israel committed themselves to obey the commands of Joshua, who gave himself to obey the commandments of God. When we are under someone to whom we have to obey, the best thing we can ask God is that the rulers and superiors will have the heart and mind to obey the ruler of the Universe.  

The people's words of encouragement to Joshua to accept his leadership echo and reinforce those responsibilities given by the Lord. Comparing this joyful willingness of the people with the murmurings of them in the wilderness highlights the transformation happened to them as the result of trials in the wilderness journey. When we bear and overcome the trials and temptations, we will become more strengthened and our Christian walk becomes better.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 18 MARCH

The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land” (Joshua 2:2).
 
Second chapter of Joshua gives an account of the spies sent by Joshua to Jericho and of their entrance into the house of Rahab, who hid them from the king's messengers. Going to a prostitute’s house was a logical choice for gathering intelligence, as men who visited them would likely have included soldiers, who might inadvertently provide them with useful information. The Jewish historian Josephus, writing much later, describes Rahab as an innkeeper, suggesting that her house may have also served as an inn. The dress, manner and the language of the spies might have raised suspicion and the king was informed about the spies. The reactions from the king signify the impact, Israelites had on Canaanites. The request made by Rahab to them to save her and her father's house, when the city would be taken affirms the fear, gentiles had about Israelites.
 
The spies risked their lives in fulfilling the plan of God and they were led to the house of Rahab, who protected them because of the fear she had for the God of Israel. They went out for God’s work and the help, support and protection came from unexpected place. God uses unlikely people to participate in His work. God works behind the scenes in countless ways as He carries out His plans.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 19 MARCH

But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof (Joshua 2:4-6).
 
God often use people with simple faith to accomplish His great purposes.  Rahab did not let fear affect her faith in the ability of God to save her family from death. In fact, Rahab was committing treason against her own people. She sided with the people of Israel. She hid them. She lied to the king’s men and used deception. However, the Scripture do not approve on her use of falsehoods but it focuses on her welcoming of the spies. Rahab had faith but she also lied. Rahab’s use of lies to protect the lives of spies and also her life is not prescriptive (instructing us about how we should live).
 
Bible condemns lying. Bible praises the faith of Rahab but not her lying. Her lying should not be taken as an excuse for us to lie for good things. Our God is the God of truth. He never lies. We are called to imitate Him and to be a people of truth. Jesus Christ said, "Let your yes, be yes and your no, be no". That has to be our standard even in trying situations.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 20 MARCH

Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you” (Josh 2:8-9).
 
Rahab's confession (I know, a great fear, we have heard, our hearts melted, the Lord your God is God, etc.) about the God and the people of God has great significance. Her faith in God of Israel led her to hide the spies in the house, risking her life and the lives of their family members. New Testament writers were impressed by her act of faith. We are told about her faith as, “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient” (Heb 11:31).
 
Rahab was considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction. As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead (James 2:25, 26). She completed what she believed with the right action. She believed in God and strove to honour Him and His people. Later, she found a place in the genealogy of Jesus. Faith with action matters!
 
Rahab had a mixed character. Rahab lived on the edge of society, being used in private and rejected in public. Rahab is an excellent example of how God can use each of us, no matter how terrible our past was or how unworthy we may feel.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 21 MARCH

And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. Tell the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river” (Joshua 3:7-8).
 
The event recorded here tells us that no obstacle is too large for Him to remove. The event draws parallels to the momentous passage of Israelites through the Red Sea (Ex 14; Josh 3). Just as God demonstrated that He brought Israelites out of Egypt by parting the Red sea, here He was demonstrating that God was bringing them to the Promised Land by parting the Jordan River. The Ark of the Covenant was the visible token of God's presence among the Israelites. The priests were carrying the ark of the Lord and as soon as the priests who carried the ark of the Lord set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream was cut off and stood up in a heap. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground (Josh 3:13,17).
 
To cut off the flow of water in Jordan, God did a spectacular miracle and, in the process, He confirmed that Joshua is a chosen and approved leader like Moses. God was the one bringing Israel into the Promised Land and Joshua was His choice to lead them.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 22 MARCH
The LORD said to Joshua, “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight”
(Joshua 4:1-3).
 
Israelites took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the Lord had told Joshua and they carried them over with them to their camp. Joshua set up the twelve stones at Gilgal (Josh 4:8, 20). The memorial twelve stones, God commanded Joshua to set as reminders were different from the stones used by other religious people for idol worship. The memorial raised by twelve stones served as reminder to their future generation, highlighting the presence of God with them.
 
It is good to leave some impacting moments in our spiritual journey so that others and our children will be greatly encouraged by them. Meditating on the past deliverances and blessings can encourage us to put more trust in Him and in His ability to save us in times of trials. Often, we fail to communicate the greatness and faithfulness of God, we experienced in our lives to next generation in an effective way and these result in godlessness in our children’s life. God kept the responsibility of raising godly children in the hands of their parents. It is essential to realize this responsibility in our comfort driven self-centred social set up.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 23 MARCH

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”  “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Joshua 5:13-14).
 
After crossing Jordan miraculously, the people of Israel would have been in jubilant mood with accelerated confidence to face their enemies. But they had to face Jericho as their next challenge. Jericho was a well-fortified city in the land of Canaan. Israelites did not have adequate weapons to demolish the thick wall of Jericho. As Joshua and his men were preparing to take on Jericho, they did not have sufficient strategy to win over the hurdle.
 
While Joshua was surveying the situation, suddenly, he saw a man with a sword. This phrase, “man with a sword” occurs only two other times in the OT.  Joshua worshipped him. Joshua was told by the angel that the place where he stood was holy, and this incident reminds the burning bush event, where Moses encountered the Lord. The angel of God gave directions to Joshua to have their victory over Jericho.
 
Once again the people of God were reminded of God’s personal presence and His powerful provision. The battle belongs to the Lord and our part is to believe His word and to obey Him.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 24 MARCH

When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city (Joshua 6:20).
 
The victory at Jericho was the first instalment of God's promise to give the land of Canaan to the Israelites. Jericho was well fortified place and might have been the centre of worship of moon god. The victory over Jericho was a sign of the God of Israel winning over the so-called pagan gods of the land. In Joshua 6:1, we read that no one was going out or coming in, which suggests that the people of Jericho were afraid of Israelites and were expecting the Israelites to besiege their city. Joshua and his army were directed to go round the city once for six days, seven priests bearing the ark of the Lord, with seven trumpets sounding. And on the seventh day, they were to go round it seven times. Joshua precisely followed the instructions of the Lord. The walls of the city collapsed in front of them. Jericho was totally burnt. It is a fulfilment of Gen 15:16. God fulfils His promises regardless of the obstacles.
 
Israel was ready to attack. But God told them to wait. God wanted them to do something that on the surface appeared foolish. They obeyed God and persisted in the faith, not knowing how the victory is going to happen. When God want us to wait, we have to wait and have to be patient.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 25 MARCH

Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and honor him. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.” Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel (Joshua 7:19-20).
 
God gave a specific instruction in Josh 6:19 that all the silver and gold along with the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into His treasury. Achan, son of Zimri from the tribe of Judah overlooked this command. When he saw a beautiful robe from Babylonia, he coveted and took them. He hid it in the ground inside his tent. As the result of his sin, Israel was routed by the men of Ai. Ai was very small compared to the city of Jericho. About 36 Israeli men got killed. When Joshua learnt that Achan was the reason for the failure of Israelites, he destroyed Achan, his family members and belongings by fire and this turned the anger of God from them. Israel could not succeed until they uprooted the evil from their midst. One man's sin affected the whole Israel. Even those who are associated with the offender are held accountable and it means to us that the sins we commit has a far-reaching effect.
 
Rahab a Canaanite received a better life because of her faith in the God of Israel. But Achan, an Israelite, a chosen one lost his life along with his loved ones because of greed.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 26 MARCH

Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land. (Joshua 8:1).
 
After the unexpected defeat in Ai, Joshua and Israelites were discouraged and disappointed. As God led Moses, He continued to work with Joshua. God commanded Joshua to get prepared to fight Ai. Joshua set an ambush on the west side of Ai. When the king of Ai saw that Israelites were marching up against them, he and all his forces came against Israelites. A group of Israelites led by Joshua made a feint as if they were beaten and made the men of Ai to pursue them. Meanwhile, the other Israelites waiting in the ambush arose and entered the city of Ai and set it on fire. When Joshua and Israelites observed the smoke in the city, they turned back upon the pursuers and captured them.  They burnt the city of Ai completely. Among all the cities that Israelites captured, only three cities are said to have been burnt. They are Jericho (Josh 6:24), Ai (Josh 8:19) and Hazor (Josh 11:11).
 
Joshua developed a detailed strategy. The soldiers exercised discipline and self-control while executing the directions of Joshua. They learnt from the mistakes. Battles in life have to be fought and won by continuous reliance on the guidance of God and by disciplining ourselves to execute it.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 27 MARCH

That day he made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the assembly, to provide for the needs of the altar of the LORD at the place the LORD would choose. And that is what they are to this day (Joshua 9:27).
 
Joshua made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the people of Israel. Ninth chapter of Joshua details how Gibeonites deceived the leaders of Israel and obtained a treaty of submission to Israel. When the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel, the people of Gibeon planned out a way for escape. The Gibeonites approached Joshua, pretending as ambassadors from a far country made peace agreement with Joshua. Later, when it was discovered who they were, they ended up submitting themselves to serve Israel as woodcutters and carriers of water.

Joshua and the people of Israel were deceived by the Gibeonites. In Josh 9:14, we read that Joshua did not inquire of the Lord and it emphasizes that the deal Israelites had with Gibeon was not approved by God. If they had sought His guidance about the Gibeonites, they would have been prevented from the great deception, happened to them. This incident shows why it is important to take everything to God in prayer and to seek His guidance consistently for the decisions we make. Also, we notice that those allied with people of Israel lived while others perished. God accepts people irrespective of their back grounds.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 28 MARCH

As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites (Joshua 10:11).
 
When five Amorite kings under the leadership of Adoni-Zedak had learnt that Gibeon made treaty of peace with Israel, they attacked Gibeon. People of Gibeon asked Israel for help.  Joshua and the Israelites extended help to the people of Gibeon and fought against the Amorites led by Adoni-Zedak. The enemies fled before Israel. Meanwhile, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them and more of them died from the hail than by the swords of the Israelites. On the day, at the word of Joshua, the sun stood still and moon stopped (as written in the book of Jashar, a non-canonical book) enabling the Israel to pursue the enemies in broad day light.
 
"The moon stopped" in Joshua 10:13, suggests that the sun and moon stopped at the same time on opposite horizons. "The Lord threw them into confusion", "the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them", etc., clearly suggests that the Lord was fighting the battle for the Israelites. Just as God fought against Egyptians in the Red Sea, He fought for Israel against Amorites in Canaan.
 
The event conveys us that God fights for His people. Whenever we encounter frightening situations, we can rest on the defence we have in Christ. Our help comes from the maker of heaven and the earth.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 28 MARCH (Additional)

Now these are the areas the Israelites received as an inheritance in the land of Canaan…. Their inheritances were assigned by lot to the nine and a half tribes, as the LORD had commanded through Moses (Joshua 14:1-2).
 
With Gilgal as base, Joshua subdued all the nations in southern and northern part of Canaan. In Joshua 13–21, we read how the land of Canaan was divided among the tribes of Israel. When the conquered land was divided, some tribes got more land, some got land with more resources, some got land that was more fruitful, and some got land that was more strategically located. Each portion of land becomes that tribes' slice of the covenant. The respective tribes considered their given territory as God's land and were held in trust. The Levites were not given any specific territory. They needed to serve throughout the land and forty-eight towns scattered along the territory were allotted to them. They served the people of Israel and collected tithes. Six of these cities were designated as cities of refuge, where someone accused murder could flee until the case was adjudicated.
 
Entering new territories was not easy. They had to fight long and intense battles. With the help of God, they were able to overcome the great struggles. We can rest on the power of God to win over the struggles and the things we fear. The important thing is that we have to stick to the plan of God, with a heart and mind to obey God.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 29 MARCH

Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left (Joshua 23:6).
 
Twenty third chapter of Joshua contains Joshua’s farewell address, which resembles the final addresses given by other important figures in Israelite history (Jacob in Gen 48–49; Joseph in Gen 50:22–26 and Moses in Deuteronomy). Joshua reminded the people of Israel of all that God had done for them, especially with respect to the conquest (Josh 23:2–11). He called the nation to remain faithful to the Lord. He emphasized the need to be loyal to God's covenant laws. Israelites were reminded that they were people of God's kingdom in this world. They were commanded to stay away from making alliances with the people of Canaan because such alliances would make them to compromise the loyalty of Israel towards God. They were also told about the consequences if they choose to move away from the commandments of God.
 
God fought for His people by defeating the powerful nations of the land. God promised His people that He would continue to bless them if they choose to love Him. They were also told that they would lose the support of God if they turn away from Him. Each of us, when we are tempted to move away from God because of the attractions of the world or by the lust of the flesh, we have to make efforts to hold on with the ways of God to find true success in life.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 30 March

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15).
 
The last chapter of Joshua concludes with the life and reign of Joshua. He assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem and communicated to them the necessity to preserve the faith and to follow the Lord, after his death. He recounted the great things done by God for them and to their fore fathers. He charged them to serve God. He made a treaty with the Israelites to ensure that they will choose to serve and follow the Lord. He called the people to renew their covenant with the Lord and they did.
 
Faith is always a choice. Joshua made a firm decision with respect to the matters concerning God. He and his family determined to serve Him. Israelites were encouraged by him to serve God. How often our decision and determination in spiritual matters influence others to follow Christ?
 
Joshua warned the Israelites about what would happen to them if they forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods. They were told that forsaking God would bring disaster on them. Subsequent history shows that when Israelites had failed to follow the Lord, the disasters came upon them. This serves as a warning to us. When we fail to take the words of God seriously, we can say that disaster is around the corner.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 1 April

Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we travelled. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God.” (Joshua 24:16-18).
 
Towards the end of his ministerial journey, after explaining the importance of fearing God, following His ways and obeying His commandments, Joshua made the people, he led to make the correct decision. The people of Israel were influenced by the life and ministry of Joshua, who carried on the work left by Moses. They agreed with Joshua, to worship the God of Israel full heartedly. They agreed to stick on with the Lord, who purchased them for himself as a peculiar people. They made the right decision with the Lord, who delivered them, fed them in very difficult situations and forgave them for their mistakes. They were sincere in the open commitment they made that they would never forsake the God. But the history shows that the people of Israel, after the death of Joshua, succumbed fatally to the temptations of a life of peace and quietness. It often happens in our lives. Many who have started well in the Christian race, resisting lust of flesh and other evil desires in the growing stage, sinks down into a life of self-indulgence, leaving the life devoted to God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 2 April

Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them (Judges 2:16-17).

 The title “Judges” is associated with the leaders of Israel after Joshua till the time of King Saul. God chose and enabled different leaders to fight against the powers that suppressed the people of Israel (Josh 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:4). After the death of Joshua, Israelites were not faithful to the Lord but surrendered to the allurements of Canaan. When Israel disobeyed God they went through oppressions by the gentiles around them.  The Israel repeatedly ignored the Lordship of God, the lordship uniquely established by covenant at Sinai (Ex 19-24), renewed by Moses in the plains of Moab (Deut 29) and later by Joshua at Shechem (Josh 24). After settling in the new land, people of Israel stopped fighting the battles they were supposed to do but they ended up turning to the gods of Canaan to secure blessings for their family, flocks and fields. 
 
In the pages of Judges, we find cycles of Israel’s disobedience, oppression, cries of distress and deliverance.   This is the shadow of the things that are happening in the church today. Again, and again the people of God return to the world, following its patterns and pleasures. When the people of God cry to God, He raises leaders, bringing the needed renewals. Remorse, repentance and prayer will bring revivals.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 3 April 

The men of Judah attacked Jerusalem also and took it. They put the city to the sword and set it on fire. After that, Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites living in the hill country, the Negev and the western foothills (Judges 1:8-9).
 
Immediately after the death of Joshua, the Israelites began multiplying in the new land.  The tribes of Israel made some efforts in reducing the Canaanites. Since they did not have a leader like Joshua, people of Israel consulted God for direction to fight against Canaanites. They asked, “Who shall go up first?” The answer from God was: Judah. Why must Judah be first in this undertaking? We are not sure why Judah was selected. It may be because Judah was the most numerous and powerful tribe. This highlights that God gives responsibility according to our strengths. The tribes of Judah and Simeon together routed the army of the Canaanites. They captured Adoni-bezek, a great king of the Canaanites. Those dwelt in the mountains around Jerusalem were driven out.
 
Judah was the most considerable of all the tribes and Simeon the least one but we notice that Judah sought the help of Simeon to fight against their common enemy. No one is insignificant in the body of Christ. This event teaches us that everyone can be accommodated in God’s work as everyone has a specific role in the body of Christ.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 4 April

The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods
(Judges 3:5-6).
 
In the new land, the people of Israel were very careless of their duty and they lost direction. They were willing to let the Canaanites live among them, that they might take advantage of them. Slowly they started mingling with the Canaanites and ended up losing their identity, forgetting their call. The same unbelief and the disobedience that kept their fathers forty years out of Canaan, kept them now, out of the full possession of it. Their repeated breaches of their covenant with Him had forfeited all claims to the stipulated benefits. Having disobeyed the will of God by voluntarily courting the society of idolaters and placing themselves in the way of temptation, they were left to suffer for their misdeeds.
 
The same behaviour is noticed among believers today. Those who started well slowly give themselves to the world, forgetting their redemption and call. They get influenced by the pattern of the world. They often compromise, ignoring their call to fight against the lust of the flesh and the attractions of the world. They seldom realize the significance of their position in Christ and slowly get into the hands of their adversaries without their knowledge.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 5 April

Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them (Judges 2:18).
 
God often displayed His mercy upon Israelites by rising up leaders to lead them to fight and overcome their oppressors. While reading the pages of Judges, we notice that the people regularly failed to listen to their judges, going after the gods of the land.  They quickly turned away from the ways of their ancestors. Whenever the Lord raised judges, He guided the leader and used them to save the people of Israel from the hands of their enemies. But after the death of the respective leaders, the people used to return to their old ways, becoming more corrupt than their ancestors, following other gods and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices.
 
The Lord was merciful to the people in times of their distress and sent delivers to save them from their oppressors. These events should be reminding us to self-examine our lives, checking if we are deviating from the intended path, God kept for us. When we realize that we are away from God, we can boldly turn to God, who accepts us whenever we return to Him.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 6 April

But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer; Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them (Judges 3:9).
 
When Israel forgot God and served alternate gods, God punished them by handing over to Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia (modern East Syria, north Iraq) who ruled over them and oppressed them for eight years. Israel realized their mistake, repented and cried to God for help. God answered their prayer by raising up Othniel, son of Kenaz and a relative of Caleb. Othniel means powerful one. The Spirit of God came upon him and he led a successful revolt against the king of Mesopotamia and he ruled Israel for 40 years.
 
Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia was the much farther than all the enemies of Israel and remarkably Othniel was from south (farther than other tribes) was chosen to deliver Israel. The way God select and use leaders to fulfil His purpose under different circumstances is beyond our understanding.
 
The Spirit of God empowered Othniel to deliver His people. The phrase, “Spirit came upon him” was also used with reference to Gideon, Jephthah and Samson in Judges. The might for his success came from God. We have indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). He gives us guidance, encouragement and power to face our problems.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 7 April

Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided. (Judges 4:4-5).
 
Israelites cried to God in their distress and God raised Deborah to deliver them from the hands of Jabin. Deborah was a prophetess in Israel around 1125 BC. Her headquarters was “under a palm tree” between Ramah and Bethel. Israel went to her to settle their disputes.
 
Deborah asked Barak to lead Israelite forces against Sisera, commander of the army of Jabin, king of Canaan, who had been suppressing Israelites for twenty years. Barak consented to lead the battle under the condition that Deborah should accompany him in the battle. With God on their side, Deborah and Barah along with 10,000 men won over Sisera’s army (who had 900 iron chariots and multitude of soldiers). Sisera escaped and took refuge in the tents of Jaber, his ally. But Jael, the wife of Heber killed Sisera cunningly and handed over the body to Barak. Thus, God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the Israelites.
 
The life of Deborah shows us that God can use anyone. Man or Woman, confident or hesitant- they will be strong when the spirit of God fills them. It is the power of God that matters regardless of the person He uses.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 8 April

The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the LORD for help (Judges 6:1,2,6).
 
Israelites were brought out of Egypt, the land of slavery with mighty works and miraculous signs. God rescued them from the powerful dictating hand of the Egyptians. They were delivered from the hands of oppressors and gave the Israelites their land. And God gave the Israelites, specific revelations and commandments.  But they did not listen to Him. God punished them by handing them to the oppression of Midianites. Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. They camped on the land and ruined the crops, and did not spare a living thing. They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. They invaded the land to ravage it. The oppression from Midianites drove the Israelites to dwell in caves. The Israelites earnestly prayed for deliverance from the hand of Midianites. God heard their prayer and raised Gideon to deliver them. This incident teaches us that when we pray earnestly for deliverance, God would raise leaders and brings in the required change. Prayer changes the situations and circumstances.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 9 April

The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.  (Judges 6:11-12).
 
Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. When young Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress, the angel of the Lord appeared, informing him His selection as leader and deliverer. Gideon asked the messenger for a sign to confirm if the message was really from God. As conveyed to the angel, Gideon prepared an offering and placed it on an altar. When the angel touched the offering with the staff, the offering was consumed by fire and thus the source of the message was confirmed. Gideon then, recognized his personal call to serve God. In order to reconfirm his call, Gideon asked for couple of tests with fleece and the same was granted.
 
When Gideon was called, he replied that his clan was the weakest in his tribe and he was the least in his family. God is more pleased by our commitment than our competence. God is more interested in our availability than our ability. Making ourselves, available to God would mean sacrificing our time, wants and comforts.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 10 April

But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, “Are you going to plead Baal’s cause? Are you trying to save him? ….If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.” (Judges 6:31).
 
After being called for the leadership over Israel, Gideon’s first assignment was to destroy the altar of Baal and Asherah pole, in his father's house. The reformation had to start from the leader's own house. This action required a great deal of courage as the influential men in the city were worshipping the Baal and the Asherah pole. Baal was the God of Canaanites. Asherah pole was a symbol of mother goddess of Canaanites. After the destruction of the Baal and Asherah pole, when his father was called to give account for the radical action of his son, his father, Joash defended his son, saying that authentic god should require no defense.
 
Later, God used Gideon along with 300 persons to rout the mighty Midian army. Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. During Gideon’s lifetime, the land had peace for forty years.
 
Heb 11:32 gives Gideon a place in list of heroes of faith. He trusted in God rather than in large army. His life is a great example for us to realize that great things can be done through us when we completely follow His directions and submit to do His will.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 11 April

But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you (Judges 8:23).
 
Initially before entering battle, the strength of Gideon’s army was thirty-two thousand. By the direction from God, he reduced the numbers to ten thousand. God further selected mere three hundred men from the listed ten thousand to fight the Midianites, whose army was described as “thick as locusts” with “camels as numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore.”  Gideon divided three hundred men into three companies. At the appointed time, the three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars as directed by Gideon. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” Then, the Lord caused the men throughout the Midianite camp to turn on each other with their swords. And the mighty Midianites were overcome by Gideon and three hundred men.
 
After the battle was won, the people of Israel wanted Gideon to rule over them as their king, but he declined their accolades and told them that the Lord will rule over them. When Gideon got an opportunity to be King over the Israel, he refused and acknowledged that the real King of Israel is God himself, highlighting the theocracy, a form of government which acknowledges God alone as the highest political authority.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 12 April

Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family (Judges 8:27).
 
Gideon is one of the unique characters in the Bible. He became a ruler from a humble man, threshing wheat. After winning Midianites, the Israelites requested Gideon to rule over them. Gideon rejected the offer and reverentially acknowledged the theocracy, saying that the Lord would rule over them.  Though Gideon had risen to the occasion in a time of testing, sadly, prosperity became a snare for him. He asked the Israelite some share from the plunder in the form of gold, made it into an ephod and placed it in Ophrah, his home town. Generally, ephod was a special piece of clothing that was made for the High priest to wear when they serve the Lord. But here it means a different thing. Gideon could have thought ephod as an object for future reference, highlighting the victory he had over Midianites. Or the ephod could be his personal idol something like a golden calf.
 
Later the Israelites worshipped the ephod and it became a snare to Gideon and his family. We need to be careful in decision making in times of success and prosperity so that it will not mislead others from the righteous path and from God.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 13 April

Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the LORD gave them into his hands (Judges 11:32).
 
Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord. The people of Israel worshipped the foreign gods and forsook the Lord. God was angry with them and sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites. Israelites were oppressed by them for eighteen years particularly on the east side of the Jordan in Gilead, the land of the Amorites. When the Israelites cried out to the Lord for forgiveness, repented and got rid of the foreign gods, God had mercy on them. God raised Jephthah to deliver them from the power of Ammonites.
 
Jephthah was from Gilead and was a mighty warrior. His mother was a prostitute. In his young age, his siblings drove him away from their home. From being an outcast, he rose to a position where the people who hated and casted him away looked at him for help. The elders of Gilead requested him to go with them to fight the Ammonites. Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into his hands.
 
The book of Hebrew lists Jephthah as a hero of faith (Heb 11:32). The Spirit of God came upon him and he subdued Ammonites.  He put aside the weaknesses and moved forward in faith.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 14 April

When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of timbrels! ….. When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, “Oh no, my daughter! You have brought me down and I am devastated. I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break (Judges 11:34-35).
 
Jephthah after analysing the strength of the Ammonite army, made a vow to the Lord, saying whatever comes out of the door of his house to meet him when he returns in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s. Jephthah made a rash vow without considering the consequences. God granted Jephthah’s request. 
 
Now, when Jephthah arrived home, to his shock, his daughter was the first one to come out of his house. The decision to keep the vow has been very hard for Jephthah since his daughter was his only child. But he still chose to fulfil his vow. Her daughter also agreed to fulfil the vow. She and her friends went into the hills and wept because she would never marry. After the two months, she returned to her father, and he did to her as he had vowed and she never married.
 
For the sake of obeying the commandment of God in keeping vow, he was willing to give up, the hope of having grandchildren and perpetuate his lineage. Jephthah kept his vow even if it hurt him and it reminds us Ps 15:4.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 15 April

The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the LORD blessed him, and the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him (Judges 13:24-25).
 
Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years. Philistines are known as sea people. They gained control over much of the Israel's territory. During a time, when Philistines were oppressing the Israelites, Manoah and his wife were blessed with a child who would be a mighty deliverer of his people from the hand of Philistines. This meant that Samson should serve as an example of commitment to God. Samson lived in the dark period of the history of Israel.
 
Samson was the most exciting of the judges. Repeatedly when something made him angry, he attacked large number of philistines single-handedly. The enemies failed to capture him until the secret of his power was discovered. He was set apart for the task from his conception. He was one-man army unlike the campaign of other judges. Even his own people were against him at times. 
 
Samson was a person with a great potential, who fell short because of his sin and disobedience. He was mighty in physical strength but was weak in resisting temptation. His life is a clear warning against the dangers of self-indulgence and lack of discipline. 
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 16 April

The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson (Judges 13:24).

Samson was supernaturally used by God. When the Spirit of God came upon him, he did mighty things (Judges 14:6; 13:25; 14:19; 15:4). With bare hands, he killed a young lion that attacked him (Judges 14:5,6). He gathered 300 foxes, tied them together and sent to the fields of the Philistines with torches in their tails to destroy the crop of the Philistines (Judges 15:4,5). On one occasion, he broke the ropes with which the enemy had bound him (Judges 15:14). Once he carried away single-handedly, the massive gate of city of Gaza (16:3). He took vengeance on those who used devious means to discover the answer to one of his riddles (Judges 14). In another occasion, he took revenge when his father-in-law gave away his wife to another man (Jud 15:6-7).
 
God empowered him and used him on many occasions; unfortunately, he failed to realize his call and unique purpose, during most part of his life. Probably he would have overlooked the word of God that says "Vengeance is mine" (Dr 32:35).  
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 17 April

He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had left him (Judges 16:20).
 
Though the works of God through Samson was powerful and extraordinary, his life was marred by his weakness for pagan women. Moral weakness erodes the spiritual strength of strong men and it is witnessed in the life of Samson. Samson was born as a gifted child, foretold by an angel. The parents were guided about how they had to bring up the child, who became a strong man, chosen to be a mighty deliverer.
 
He was physically strong but morally weak and his strength was completely corrupted by lust. Initially, he insisted on marrying a philistine girl, in spite of his parent's objection. On another occasion, he was almost captured by Philistines while he was visiting a prostitute in the city of Gaza. Later, Samson had relationship with Delilah, who was used by Philistines to trap him.
 
He revealed the secret of his power to Delilah, because he fell for her. He treated his Nazirite vow casually, eventually enabling her to shave off his long hair. The lust of flesh blinded his eyes from seeing what God had kept for him. He betrayed his calling and he was insensitive to the leading of the Spirit of God. He did not know that the Spirit of the Lord left him. If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1 Corinthian 10:12)
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 18 April

Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived (Judges 16: 30).
 
Philistines seized Samson, gouged out his eyes, bound him and took him down to Gaza. They made him to grind grain in the prison. After a while, the hair on his head began to grow again. When the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, Samson was brought in front of them.  When the people saw him, they praised their god and while they were in high spirits, they shouted and demanded to bring out Samson to entertain them. When they stood him among the pillars, Samson requested the servant who held his hand to lead him to the pillars that supported the temple, which was crowded with men and women along with the rulers of the Philistines, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women, watching Samson perform.
 
After his enslavement, he came to his senses and realised that God gave him the strength to serve and deliver his people. He prayed to God for strength and he killed thousands of philistine rulers by pulling down pillars of the temple of Dagon. This one great act of faith won him a place in the list of heroes of faith (Heb 11:32). Samson's afflictions brought him to deep repentance.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 19 April

Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some household gods…. Then Micah installed the Levite, and the young man became his priest and lived in his house (Judges 17:5, 12).
 
A man named Micah from Ephraim took two hundred shekels of silver, made an idol and kept in his house. He also had a shrine, an ephod and some household gods. He initially installed one of his sons as priest. One day a young Levite from Bethlehem in Judah happened to come to Micah’s house. Micah offered him a position of priest to his household gods. After some negotiations on the salary, Micah employed the Levite as priest over his shrine, thinking that the Lord will be good to him, because of this Levite priest. The Levite agreed to live with him, and the young man became like one of his sons to him.
 
The young Levite readily accepted the offer given by Micah, to be the priest for his household god. Levites were originally chosen to administer the priestly work in the tabernacle, worshipping the true God but this Levite settled for a position promoting idolatry. This small step by the Levite in the wrong direction led the whole tribe of Dan into idolatry later. We need to ensure that the steps we take in our spiritual journey align with the will of God because even little deviation can lead to wrong destination.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 20 April

There the Danites set up for themselves the idol, and Jonathan son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan until the time of the captivity of the land (Judges 18:30).
 
At a certain time, tribe of the Danites was looking for a place to settle down. When their representatives went to spy out the land, they came across the house of Micah, where they met the Levite, who helped them to find out if their journey would be successful. The Danites, armed for battle, while going to fight the people in Laish, went to Micah’s house. They took the idol, the ephod and the household gods, along the Levite priest. Then they went to Laish, attacked them and burned down their city. The Danites rebuilt the city and settled there. They named it Dan and continued to use the idol, Micah had made. They set up Jonathan son of Gershom, as the priest and this continued till the captivity of the land.
 
Danities went for an easier way of making user-friendly god in the place of true God. This incident clearly indicates the spiritual decline in the life of people, called and chosen by God, in the life of people who had the written commandments of God, in the life of people who witnessed deliverance, miracles, blessings, healings, recoveries, etc. This is the clear indication of the fall of spiritual understanding in the lives of people, called by His name. 
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 21 April
So the man took his concubine and sent her outside to them, and they abused her throughout the night, and at dawn they let her go (Judges 19:25).
 
This is about a crime done by the men of Gibeah. The episode starts with an account of an affair of a Levite with his concubine. On a certain day, the Levite was taking her back from her father’s house. During sun set, they reached Gibeah in Benjamin and when they were sitting in the city square, an old man living in Gibeah, took them to his home, as his guest. In the night, the house where he was staying was attacked by some wicked men in Gibeah, with the same intent as the men of Sodom. Later, they abused the concubine and she was found unconscious on the next day morning. After being affected by this wicked act, the Levite after reaching his home, cut the body of concubine into twelve parts and sent them to all areas of Israel, in order to urge them to punish the men of Gibeah for their wicked acts.
 
This tragic incident highlights the moral decay of the people of Israel, called and chosen by God. Their acts were as severe as the acts of Sodom and Gomorrah. Often the news around us, remind us that we too live in such horrible times. And the worrying part is that we seldom realize that we are called as lights to this dark world. Let us be lights to the people around us.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 22 April
But the Benjamites would not listen to their fellow Israelites. From their towns they came together at Gibeah to fight against the Israelites (Judges 20:13-14).
 
In order to make a decision on the crime committed to the Levite and his concubine, the Israelites gathered in Mizpah. They unanimously agreed to punish the inhabitants of Gibeah. They asked the Benjaminites to hand over the guilty. But instead of handing over the criminals the Benjaminites protected them and fought against Israelites. Though Benjaminites had edge over Israelites in the first two fights, later, the Israelites won over the Benjaminites, destroying all of them but six hundred men and on that day, the Benjamin tribe was almost lost.
 
The tribes of Benjamin foolishly denied the sins of Gibeah and self-righteously set out to defend its honour. They were unwilling to admit that there was sin in their midst. This event highlights the painful consequences that followed due to their refusal to see the truth. We often hide our problems, denying our need for help until it is too late. Or we may close our eyes to the sins of those we love. We should be wise to humbly accept our fault, admit our sins while making efforts to set it right.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 23 April

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi
(Ruth 1:1-2).
 
The happenings mentioned in the book, Ruth, happened during the period of Judges, a period marked by religious and moral degeneracy, national disunity and general foreign oppression. The events mentioned in Ruth, is one of the instances in the Bible that have glimpses of private lives of the members of an Israelite family. Ruth presents the account of the remnant of true faith and piety in the period of Judges. The author focuses on Ruth's unswerving and selfless devotion to desolate Naomi and Boaz's kindness to these two widows.
 
The story presents the striking examples of self-giving love that fulfils the law of God. Ruth's total devotion to her desolate mother -in-law marks her as a true daughter of Israel and a worthy ancestress of David. Her life exemplifies the conformity of one's life to the will of God through the obedience that comes from faith. Naomi's transformation from despair to happiness, from emptiness to fullness, from destitution to security and hope, is a motivational story, inspiring us to move forward in our Spiritual journey.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 24 April

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me (Ruth 1:16-17).
 
Elimelech and his family moved from the land of Canaan to the land of Moab due to famine. Sometime later, Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died and she was left with her two sons. The sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. After ten years, Naomi’s sons also died and she was left with two daughter-in-laws.  Naomi proposed to return to her own country and set forward with her two daughters-in-laws. When they had gone a little way with her, she entreated them to go back. Oprah consented to go back but Ruth resolved to go the journey with Naomi to her native in Bethlehem.
 
Oprah's departure from mother-in-law highlights the loyalty and selfless devotion of Ruth to her desolate mother-in-law. Ruth's commitment to care for her desolate mother-in-law remains the centre of attention throughout the book. Ruth was forsaking all that she had ever known to follow the one true God.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 25 April

Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband —how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge (Ruth 2:11-12).
 
Naomi and Ruth needed food, so Ruth went in search of it. As she stepped out in faith, preserving in her commitment to Naomi, God provided what she needed - a place to gather grain in an atmosphere of safety and respect. Ruth was gleaning corn in the fields of Boaz, a relation of Naomi. Meanwhile, Boaz arrived and he was saluted in a very kind manner by reapers. He observed a new woman gleaning in his field and learnt about her. Boaz showed Ruth favour and helped her to continue gleaning in his field along with his servants. Boaz demonstrated extraordinary concern for the provision and protection of Ruth. He favoured Ruth, because she had shown love and care for her mother-in-law. Boaz went beyond the requirement of law in supplying Ruth with grain from the threshing floor.
 
Naomi was pleased to know about the things happened and she spoke well about Boaz to Ruth. When we are blessed with good relationships and provisions in life, we need to take time to thank God.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 26 April
Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property” (Ruth 4:9-10).
 
The context of the above verses relate how an offer was made to the nearest kinsman of Ruth to redeem her and the field her husband left, which he refused to do, upon which Boaz redeemed both and married Ruth before the elders of the city.
 
Redemption is the key concept in the book of Ruth. The kinsman- redeemer was responsible for protecting the members of the extended family to provide an heir for a brother who had died (Dt 25:5-10) to redeem land that a poor relative had sold outside the family (Lev 25:25-28), to redeem relative who had been sold into slavery (Lev 25:47-49). The kinsman's refusal to assume the kinsman-redeemer's role highlights the Boaz's kindness and generosity towards Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 4:1-10). 
 
Throughout the story, God was working behind the scenes. Ruth was guided by God into Boaz' s field, though at that time, she was unaware of it. God leads us to meet various people in our life journey and we end up making decisions that can cause turning points in our life. Relationships are important in life.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 27 April

Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast (1 Samuel 1:17-18).
 
Hannah was distressed with her inability to have children. Hannah had to cope up with her barrenness, irritating rival, depression and unsympathetic priest. Hannah was worrying much and it could be due to loneliness, social pressure, etc. She was a victim of polygamy. Finally, she went to the house of God, made a vow, dedicating her son to God. Hannah released the tears, shame and grief carried by her for years to God in faith and found relief and peace. God blessed her with baby boy, Samuel. The birth of Samuel shows that God listens to prayers. He nursed her son until she had weaned him. After he was weaned, she took the boy with her and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. Hannah recognized her accountability and unselfishly fulfilled her vow, giving away her son for the service of God.
 
Hannah was a woman of prayer. She remained faithful to God even during difficult times. She kept her promise to God even though it was difficult. The life of Hannah reminds us of the God who knows, cares and meets our needs.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 28 April
Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance”
(1 Samuel 2:1).
 
This verse is the part of the marvellous song that beautifully expresses Hannah's transformation by contrasting her sad past, where she was lamenting for her childlessness. The poem provides a great insight on the holiness of God. “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.”  The holiness of God is a term used for describing both His goodness and His power.
 
Hannah highlighted the fitting response we need to have for the holiness of God. “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.”  The poem also reveals that God is the true ruler of our world. “The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up.  The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.  He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.” We need to be very thankful for His gracious work and plan in our lives. God never makes a mistake. He never ignores our deepest prayers and longings. His ways are much higher than ours, and His timing is different.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 29 April
Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours”
(1 Samuel 2:22-23).
 
Eli was a priest, serving God at the tabernacle in Shiloh, a city near the hill country of Ephraim. Eli is remembered for his blessing on Samuel’s mother. Eli had two wicked sons named Hophni and Phineas. They were abusing their responsibility as priest, involving in actions displeasing God, arrogant in their positions, greedy and committing adultery. Eli rebuked his sons but they did not listen and he failed to make them stop, allowing them to continue to profane the tabernacle. Eli warned his sons against their sins. His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke.
 
Eli could not exercise authority over his children.  Eli's disapproval and protest seems weak in view of the enormity of his son's crimes. Eli was too late in disciplining his sons. God has given the responsibility of training and disciplining their children in godly ways to fathers. Yet, even in Christian homes, we seldom witness this. Unless the fathers put extra and consistent efforts, building a God centred family will be a herculean task. 
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 30 April

The man who brought the news replied, “Israel fled before the Philistines, and the army has suffered heavy losses. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured
(1 Samuel 4:1).
 
Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord. They were front runners in ministry but failed in their inner life. They behaved like white washed tombs. They did not experience inner transformation in their life, while they were busy holding influential position in religion. Their religious life did not affect their character and behaviours. They did not have personal knowledge or relationship with God.
 
The priest's rightful share of the sacrifice was the breast and right thigh of the animal (Lev 7:34). Sons of Eli sinned by taking the random portion of the meat, willingly violating the law of God. They were taking the choice meat even before the prescribed sacrifice pattern of burning the fats first. They misused their God given responsibility and position. They dishonoured the holy calling and disregarded God's requirement for worship. They were doing the work of God with irreverence and disrespect. At times, the positions and tittles blind our eyes from seeing even the fundamentals. Often, we witness people carelessly perform the sacred duties entrusted to them. This event serves as warning to us, to stay faithfully in the responsibility given by God and to keep us from presumptuous sins.
 
DAILY THOUGHTS | 1 May

But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained (1 Samuel 5:4).
 
There was a connection between Ark of the Covenant and victories of Israelites. Israel thought that the presence of ark can bring success in their battle against Philistines. So, they brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant into the camp. And when the ark reached the camp, all Israel raised a great shout, sending fears into the camp of Philistines. But the Israelites were defeated in the battle. Israel lost thirty-thousand-foot soldiers. The Philistines captured the ark of God and they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon idol. Next day, the people of Ashdod saw Dagon idol falling on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord. They took Dagon and put him back in his place. And it continued next day also. They saw the head and the hands of the idol broken, this time.
 
The destruction of the Dagon idol in front of the Ark of the Covenant implies that the God of Israel is not defeated, though the people called by His name were defeated by the Philistines (idol worshippers). Our God is powerful and idols cannot stand before Him.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 2 May

Take the ark of the LORD and put it on the cart… Send it on its way (1 Samuel 6:8).
 
After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. The Lord’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity; He brought devastation on them and afflicted them with tumors. Then they moved the Ark of the Covenant to Gath. There also, the hand of the Lord was against the city, throwing it into a great panic. He afflicted the people of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors. So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. Altogether the Ark of the Covenant was in Philistine territory for seven months. In both places when they had ark in their midst, the people went through suffering and deaths. Death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it. Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven. When Philistines learnt that the God of Israel dealt with them harshly because of the Ark of the Covenant, they made arrangements to send the Ark back to the territory of Israel.
 
Philistines went through sufferings due to the presence of ark with them because they showed disrespect to the true God. We also get into problems when we overlook the commandments that God kept for us. As in the case of Philistines, the sufferings can lead us to seeking the ways of God in new perspective

DAILY THOUGHTS | 3 May

But God struck down some of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy of them to death because they looked into the ark of the LORD. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the LORD had dealt them (1 Samuel 6:19).

After a lot of consultations, Philistines decided to send back the Ark of the Covenant to Israel.  The cows carrying the Ark of the Covenant went straight up toward Beth Shemesh in Israel. The people of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the Lord. But surprisingly, God struck down some of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy of them to death because they looked into the ark of the Lord. Then the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord. They brought it to Abinadab’s house on the hill and the ark remained at Kiriath Jearim for the next twenty years.

God striking down the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh seems to be a harsh judgment but it carries with it, a reminder of the high cost for disobedience. Mosaic law stipulated that only the Levites could handle the ark and even they are not allowed to touch it with hand (Number 4:5, 15). The ark was supposed to be carried on shoulders by Levites. The Israelites did not handle the ark as per the instructions outlined in the law. When we fail to follow the instructions by God for our life, either out of ignorance or by choice, the consequences will be devastating.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 4 May

And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with people (1 Samuel 2:26).

Samuel means “heard of God.” He was dedicated to God by his mother. After Samuel was weaned, he was brought to the tabernacle to serve God under Eli the priest. Samuel ministered before the Lord in the tent of meeting at Shiloh. Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were wicked and showed contempt for the Lord’s offering.  God raised up Samuel, who continued to grow in stature and in favour with the Lord and with men. God called him by name and gave him a message of judgment that was to be passed to Eli. The following day, Samuel took his first leap of faith, telling Eli everything, even though the message was bad news for Eli and his family. Eli responded positively, accepting it as the message from God. In the battle with the Philistines, Eli’s sons were killed and the Ark of the Covenant was captured. Upon hearing the news of his sons’ deaths, Eli also died and Samuel became judge over Israel. 

As God spoke directly to young Samuel, He speaks to us through His words, visions and in other ways. In the word of God, we will find wisdom and directions to progress spiritually. Samuel’s honesty is visible as he tells everything that was revealed to him. He confronted Eli with his failure stating clearly the truth that God had given him. Such forthrightness must be the part of our spiritual growth plan.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 5 May

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When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice (1 Samuel 8:1-3).

Samuel appointed his sons as judges. Like the sons of Eli, the sons of Samuel also sinned before God by seeking dishonest gain and perverting justice. When Samuel became old, the elders of Israel wanted Samuel to appoint a king over them. Samuel’s initial reaction to their demand was one of great displeasure and he prayed to God about the matter. God conveyed Samuel that the people of Israel did not reject Samuel but had rejected God as their king.

God allowed Samuel to listen to the request of the elders for a king. God used him to anoint two important kings of Israel. When Samuel consulted God about the people’s request for a king, nothing was said in defense of his sons, who were found unfit to lead. Though Samuel had deep reservations about letting the people have a king, he was quick to consult God about the matter and abided by His decision. Many of us may consult God about important decisions in our lives but we should be ready to accept His counsel and abide by it, especially when it appears to go against our own desires.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 6 May

So, all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” (1 Samuel 8:4-5).

Israelite asked Samuel to appoint a king for them like other nations around them, as a symbol of national power and unity, who would lead them in battle and guarantee their security. Samuel was displeased and prayed to the Lord concerning this matter. God let Samuel to heed to their demands. 

It was predicted earlier that the Israelite would one day ask for a king. In Deut 17:14–15, we read as God saying, “When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, ‘Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,’ be sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses.” In Gen 35:11 we read God promising Jacob that, “A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants”

Their request for a king was a rejection of God’s way of leadership over them. God had created Israel as a unique people. God was their leader. When the Israelite wanted a king like other nations had, they were rejecting their unique, set-apart position as God’s people. Having an earthly king would make them easy to forget that God was their real king.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 7 May

Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over his inheritance?” (1 Samuel 10:1).

The people of Israel asked for a king and He gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled them for forty years. Saul and his servant were looking for a foreteller to find the missing donkeys of Saul’s father and they were led to the home of Samuel. There, God guided Samuel to anoint Saul, as the first king of Israel. While sending them back, Samuel gave three prophecies as signs for the fulfilment of Saul’s installation as king and all the three signs were fulfilled as foretold. Following that, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon Saul and God changed him into a different person. Being empowered by the Holy Spirit is a basic requirement for ministry.

When Saul was informed about his selection as king, he immediately recollected his humble background. His humble reply was, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin?  When God wants to exalt someone, their humble background cannot be a deterrent.

When Saul and his men were returning to his home in Gibeah, some said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him but Saul kept silent. Keeping silence in the midst of opposition is a sign of progress.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 8 May

When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger (1 Samuel 11:6).

Saul was anointed by Samuel in private at Ramah and was publicly selected as king designate at Mizpah. Once, Nahash, the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. When the men of Jabesh Gilead wanted to make a treaty with him, the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.” Gouging out right eye not only humiliate them but also will destroy the military capabilities of archers. Then the elders of Jabesh Gilead sent out messengers throughout Israel, asking their support and guidance.

When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. Like the endowment of the Holy spirit on the judges, the Spirit of God came upon Saul and he took extraordinary initiatives, that brought Israel to come together to fight against Ammonites. Such holy anger should be the need of the day, when we witness wicked things around us in Christendom and in the world.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 9 May

Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right (1 Samuel 12:3).

Towards the end of his life, Samuel stood in front of the Israelites and gave a farewell speech, urging the people to stay faithful to God. In the speech, Samuel asserted the integrity with which he had performed his office and reminded them of the great and good things, the Lord had done for them in times past. Samuel emphasized the theocracy and let them realize how they were not able to understand the real leadership of God over them, by asking for a king. Later, the Lord authenticated the truthfulness and seriousness of the words of Samuel by sending thunder and rain in unusual season.

Samuel urged them to fear and serve the Lord, lest the hand of God be against them. He urged the people of Israel to give God His place and reminded them the importance of fearing and obeying God, which will bring blessings and success in their life. Obedience to God would bring long term consequences even though it may look difficult in the short run. Disobedience to the revealed instructions of God would lead us to bondage.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 10 May

Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few (1 Samuel 14:6).

Jonathan was the son of King Saul. He was a valiant warrior and commander of thousand men in the army of Saul. Once in an encounter with Philistines, when Saul and his men were not able to face the enemy due to lack of competence and confidence, Jonathan along with his arm-bearer fought them and won them with few men. Jonathan’s bravery was rooted in faith, and it is evident from the above verse.

This Jonathan was a noble man of true character, faith and integrity. Despite Saul’s hatred of David, Jonathan and David were very close friends. Jonathan protected David and helped him to escape Saul’s plot. Jonathan's friendship with David is an example for us to follow. 

In the kingdom of Saul, Jonathan was second in line. But somehow he got to know that kingship would be passed to David. Though David seemed to be his direct competitor to become next king, when He understood the plan of God, he accepted the reality and was faithful to the Lord and positioned himself against his father politically. He understood the will of God and acted accordingly.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 11 May

When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”  (1 Samuel 9:17).

Saul was the first king of Israel. He ruled Israel for forty years. When we look at the life of Saul, his earlier life provides us some valuable insights.

Saul was introduced as, “Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.” He was handpicked by God for the most important position, as first king of the chosen nation. 

Samuel used selection by lot as the specific selection process for selecting the first king. Samuel had all Israel come forward by tribes and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, and Matri’s clan was taken. Finally Saul son of Kish was taken. He was formally selected and anointed for a specific purpose.

Later, when Samuel was looking for Saul to formally announce his selection as king over Israel, the people found him hiding among the supplies. He was shy and timid. Later he confessed that his background was too humble to select him for the post of king. He openly expressed his humility.

God changed Saul’s heart, and the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him. He had new life and was led by the Spirit of God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 12 May

But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).

The Bible says that the Lord regretted making Saul as king over Israel. We also read that the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. Initially, Saul had a friendly relationship with Samuel but they had an estranged relationship in the later days. When Saul inquired of the Lord in difficulty, He did not get an answer. Saul was gradually moving away from God and his call because of impatience, disobedience and jealousy.

Saul was impatient. Once when he had to wait for the arrival of Samuel for doing burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he lost patience and he himself offered up the burnt offerings.

In his fight against Amalekites, God specifically instructed him to destroy everything completely but he let his soldiers take sheep and cattle from the plunder, and thus he clearly disobeyed God.

When the Saul’s men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women sang praising David as, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” On hearing this, Saul was filled with Jealousy and it drove him to pursue the life of David.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 13 May

The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine. (1 Samuel 17:37).

The above verse shows the confidence, David had in the living God. When he decided to fight Goliath, he was insignificant in the sight of people but God used him. Even his family did not value him or counted him for any noble tasks. When David was seen at the battle place, his brother Eliab was angry and screamed at him. King Saul dismissed him as immature and ineffective for the task.

But David displayed an extraordinary faith. Goliath was taunting the sovereign Lord of the universe. Until David came into the Israelite camp, there was no one who was willing to step out in faith and face the giant. David's faith was so strong that he was willing to believe that the Lord would go with him and enable him to defeat Goliath. David’s faith was born out of his experience of God’s grace and mercy in his personal life. He relied on the Lord who had delivered him out of dangerous situations in the past. He had unshakable faith. God whom we serve is capable of defeating any of the giants in our lives—fear, depression, financial issues, doubts of faith.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 14 May

Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.(1 Samuel 18:29).

Saul had a cordial relationship with David in the initial days. But such friendship became worse in the later days. Bitterness, hatred, taking revenge, anger, etc., spoiled the relationship between them.

When Saul overheard the praises heaped on David for his victory over Goliath. Saul was not able to digest to see David praised. He was filled with jealousy and angry. Most of the reason for the friction between believers is jealousy.

Initially, Saul offered to give his daughter to whoever kills Goliath. But when the time came for Merab (Saul’s daughter) to be given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel of Meholah. Saul cheated David. Honesty is important in any relationship particularly among Christian believers.

Saul gave another challenging assignment to David to give his second daughter to him. The task was to kill 100 Philistines. David and his men killed 200 Philistines (though Saul thought David would be killed by the Philistines in the process). And the daughter of Saul, Micah was given in marriage to David. Saul acted hypocritically when he was assigning a challenging task to David. It so happens in many relationships. At times, we witness believers who act so lovingly outside but harbouring enmity internally.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 15 May

But the thing David had done displeased the LORD (2 Samuel 11:27).

David was praised as a man after God's own heart in the beginning. Later, he slowly slipped away into immorality and ended up in grave sin. At a time, when kings go to war, David chose to stay at home. When he walked around the roof, he happened to see Bathsheba bathing and he was attracted to her. David brought Bathsheba home and committed adultery. David plotted to kill the husband (Uriah) of Bathsheba and killed him and later took her as his wife. David misused the position (given by God) to gratify his selfish ambition. God was displeased by what David had done. By committing this sin, David gave opportunity to pagans to scorn and disrespect the name of God. David thought that there was no one to control him. He hid his sin and thought that none knew about his sin. God revealed the sins of David to prophet Nathan. Prophet Nathan pointed out the sin committed by David to him, without fear. When prophet Nathan revealed David the sin committed by him, David was convicted. He repented and confessed his sin. The 51st Psalm conveys us the confession of David.

David repented and confessed his sin, but he had to face the consequences due to the presumptuous sin. His son died. David was held directly responsible for Uriah's death. David was told that the sword will not depart his house. Accordingly, three of his sons faced violent deaths.  

DAILY THOUGHTS | 15 May (additional)

He called his personal servant and said, “Get this woman out of my sight and bolt the door after her” (2 Samuel 13:17).

Amnon fell in love with Tamar, his half-sister and abused her. When her brother, Absalom came to know about this, he was angry with Amnon and took revenge on him for his sister after two years. When Absalom had a sheep shearing, he invited the sons of David for a feast and there he instructed his servants to kill Amnon.

In 2 Sam 13:15, we read, "Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her." This shows that his former love to her was nothing but sensual desire. Amnon's lustful passion, once gratified, became hatred.  

As the first born, Amnon could have succeeded David as king. He spoiled his entire life because he failed to control his lust. We often witness how mighty men and women fall from exalted positions, when they fail to control lust in their lives. This incident should be serving us a clear warning to us to flee from all types of lusts that endangers us.

The Bible says every age group of people really needs to work on lust. Elders need to be self-controlled (Titus 1:8). Older men should be self-controlled (Titus 2:2). Older women need to be self-controlled (Titus 2:5). Younger men should be self-controlled (Titus 2:6).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 16 May

They took Absalom, threw him into a big pit in the forest and piled up a large heap of rocks over him (2 Samuel 18:17).

Here we read about the tragic end of Absalom. After killing his brother: Amnon, Absalom fled from the palace. When he returned to Jerusalem, he conspired against his father to seize the throne. Absalom and his men chased David and his men from the palace. But in the end, Absalom lost his life tragically.

The bitterness drew Absalom to the point of humiliating his father and even possibly murdering him. Bitterness is like a poisonous weed whose roots grow deep in our lives, killing us slowly. It is important that we work on it in the initial level to uproot it.

Absalom had all qualities for leadership. He could have succeeded the throne after David but he acted in haste. While encountering problems, if we get impatient, we make mistakes and some of them will be very costly.

Absalom was continuously on the wrong path, pursuing evils for gratifying selfish ambitions. Although he relied on the support and advice of others, he hardly had time to seek the ways and will of God. He was not willing to accept his faults and to seek repentance.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 17 May

So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and struck down Joab and killed him. (1 Kings 2:34).

Joab was commander-in-chief of David's army.  His ability to subdue enemies was exhibited in the achievements over Edomites and Ammonites. Joab defended and protected David on many occasions. Once when Joab made a victory over Ammonites, he made sure David to get the name for the victory. As a defender of David, he put Absalom to death. When David unwisely commanded to take census of Israelites, Joab advised the king against taking such step. Joab’s played politics wisely when King David had to run for his life because of his son, Absalom. His Character was stained by his participation in the murder of Uriah. In the end, Joab made a serious mistake by supporting Adonijah for next kingship.

Joab accomplished numerous military exploits but he died tragically. His lack of a close personal relationship with God made him to underestimate the grievous consequences of some of his missteps. Often, he took law in his hands against all who opposed him. He should have left vengeance in the hands of God, instead of acting in haste. In case of Absalom, David gave orders not to harm Absalom, but Joab ignored it and went with what he planned. Joab was a mixture of good and bad. He had good intentions, acting on his own, without God’s direction.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 18 May

Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” (2 Samuel 9:8).

Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, friend of David. Mephibosheth became lame at the age of five, when he was accidently dropped by his nurse. Mephibosheth was given a place at King David’s court as a gesture of friendship, David had with Jonathan.  When David was driven out from Jerusalem by Absalom, Ziba (Servant of Mephibosheth) brought him food and falsely accused Mephibosheth. Ziba lied to David out of greed over the property given to Mephibosheth. Greed for possessions, power, name and recognition will blind us from the realities and significance of relationships among family members, relatives, near ones and friends.

David believed the words of Ziba and took the property of Mephibosheth and gave it to Ziba. But when David returned to the throne after the death of Absalom, he found out the treachery of Ziba and took back the property given to him and divided it between him and Mephibosheth. He replied, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home safely.” Material possessions had little appeal to him.

Though Mephibosheth was often wronged and his life was filled with tragedy, He was not angry and or embittered.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 19 May

Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done (1 Kings 11:6).

When Solomon became king, he asked for wisdom and discernment to rule the people effectively. God gave him wisdom and wealth beyond his expectations. His wisdom was known across the world. He judged correctly the dispute over the identity of the true mother of an infant child. The Queen of Sheba travelled 1,200 miles to test his wisdom and was astonished by his wisdom and the splendours of his kingdom. When we seek his ways, He will answer us and bless us beyond our expectations. But we often fail to seek Him and His will in the decisions we make.

Later in his life, Solomon turned away from the ways of the Lord. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines. He was led to Idolatry by his foreign wives in his old age. Good start will not always guarantee a good finish. Many started well but ended up tragically in their spiritual journey.

Solomon had to face the consequences for his action. God told Solomon that he would remove the kingdom from him. God raised up adversaries against Solomon. Life without God will be meaningless and empty, regardless of education, accomplishments, abundance of wealth, comforts and pleasures.

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 20 May

So, the LORD said to Solomon, “I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates” (1 Kings 11:11).

Although Solomon had a peaceful reign and did not have foreign wars and civil conflicts, he had enemies. Three notable adversaries were Hadad, Rezon and Jeroboam. After the death of David, Hadad from Edom became an active adversary to Solomon. Another adversary raised up against Solomon was Rezon, a servant of Hadadezer, king of Zobah. He later became captain over a band, and ultimately ruler over Damacene Syria. Jeroboam , son of Nebat was a Solomon’s official, who was kept in charge of the whole labor force of the tribes of Joseph. Ahijah, the prophet predicted that Jeroboam would become ruler over ten tribes of Israel after Solomon. 

Solomon did not turn away from God all at once. The backsliding happened gradually and he was so insensitive to understand that. While he was going away from God, he gradually lost the protection and the security he had in God. The wisest person failed to control his desires. We may have strong faith, right discernments and thoughtful executions but there could be some weak spots. A chain is as strong as its weakest link. We need to identify our weak spots and make conscious efforts to strengthen it.​

DAILY THOUGHTS | 21 May

Then he said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes (1 Kings 11:31).

While Solomon was still alive and Jeroboam was working for him, a prophet named Ahijah told Jeroboam that God would take ten of the twelve tribes of Israel away from Solomon’s son Rehoboam and give them to Jeroboam. After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam became the next king. Rehoboam increased the oppressive policies of his father and the people revolted and made Jeroboam as their king.

As predicted, the united monarchy was divided into the Kingdom of Israel (with Samaria as Capital) and Kingdom of Judah (with Jerusalem as Capital) around 930 BCE. The nation chosen and redeemed by God got physically separated from God gradually. The division of the Kingdom led the people to idolatry and wickedness.

The disobedient life of Solomon was the main reason for the fall. Though God conveyed to him that his kingdom will be taken from him and will be given to his subordinates, he did not show any sign of repentance. Though God raised up men who opposed Solomon in his lifetime, he did not retrospect or introspect and his heart was not softened by these trials. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 22 May

“Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.” So, they obeyed the word of the LORD and went home again, as the LORD had ordered (1 Kings 12:24).

After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam became king. Shortly after Rehoboam became king, the people of Israel sent Jeroboam as their representative to ask the king to lighten the heavy load of labor and taxes laid on them by Solomon. Rehoboam checked with his elder advisers and young advisers for their suggestions so that he can give a fitting reply to Jeroboam. Elder ones gave wise counsel and asked him to lighten the burden. But the younger ones foolishly advised him to intensify the burden. The king Rehoboam took the advice given by young ones and threatened the people of Israel with harsher conditions. This led the people of Israel to abandon the house of David and to make Jeroboam as their king. In retaliation, Rehoboam mustered 180,000 warriors from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to attack Jeroboam and the people of Israel. God stopped Rehoboam from attacking Israelites by sending a message through Shemaiah, the prophet. Rehoboam obeyed and stopped attacking Jeroboam. From King Rehoboam we learn about the need for wise counselors to take the right decisions in our life. Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the LORD’s anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed (2 Chronicles 12:12).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 23 May

Jeroboam made two golden calves. .. One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. And this thing became a sin. Jeroboam built shrines on high places and appointed priests from all sorts of people, even though they were not Levites (1 Kings 12:28-31).

We read that the kings of Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the ways of Jeroboam and committing the same sin Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit. The sins of Jeroboam are mentioned by God as, “You have made for yourself other gods, idols made of metal; you have aroused my anger and turned your back on me” (1 Kings 14:9). He created and worshiped gods other than the Lord.

After becoming the king over ten tribes of Israel, in order to prevent them from going to Jerusalem for worshipping the Lord and to burn offerings at the altar there, he made two golden calves and placed it in Bethel and Dan. He appointed non-Levites as priests, who sacrificed burnt offerings to these golden calves. He also built shrines in high places. He changed the God’s entire system of holy days, sacrifices, and worship into a man-made system focused on worshiping golden calves. He made the cities of Bethel and Dan as the places of worship rather than God’s chosen city of Jerusalem. The sins of Jeroboam haunted the later kings of Israel and they provoked God, bringing His judgment upon them.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 24 May

He said, “It is the man of God who defied the word of the LORD. The LORD has given him over to the lion, which has mauled him and killed him, as the word of the LORD had warned him” (1 Kings 13:26).

A man of God prophesied against King Jeroboam when he was standing by the altar to make an offering. He accurately foretold the punishment that was going to come upon his descendants after 290 years. To confirm the source of the message, he gave a sign, saying that the altar would tear and the ashes would be poured out. On hearing this, Jeroboam got angry and sought to seize the man of God, but the hand he stretched out toward the man shrivelled up. And at the same time, the altar was split apart and its ashes poured out according to the sign given by the man of God. Then, the man of God prayed for the healing of the shrivelled hand of the king. The man of God did not eat or drink anything offered by the king as he had to obey the specific word of God, stating, “You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.”

On his way back to home, an older prophet deceived him, saying that an angel directed him to feed the man of God.  The man of God ate in his house and while going back, he was killed by a lion. He was able to say, No, to the king but when a fellow prophet tempted him to sin, he gave in. We notice that both the godly and the ungodly faced consequences for disobedience to the word of God. Obedience to God matters always.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 25 May

Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done (1 Kings 15:11).

Asa was the third king of Judah. He reigned for forty one years. The first ten years of his reign were peaceful and prosperous. He led many religious reforms. He abolished cult prostitution and courageously deposed his grandmother Maakah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive image for the worship of Asherah. When the prophet, Azariah encouraged him, he became more zealous for revival. He restored the altar and called the people to renew their covenant with the Lord.

Once when Ethopian king Zerah attacked Asa with superior forces, he relied on the Lord and the Lord gave him victory over them. They were crushed before the Lord and his forces. But, when King Baasha of Israel fortified Ramah so as to isolate the territory of Judah, Asa made a treaty with Ben-Hadad, king of Aram. This was not pleasing in the sight of God as he relied on a pagan king rather than on the Lord. Also when Asa contracted a disease in his feet in the 39^th year of his reign, he consulted a physician rather than seeking the Lord.

Asa started his life with a strong commitment to God, but in the later years his dedication for the Lord faltered, bringing unnecessary trouble. The life of King Asa shows that if we are not careful in our spiritual walk, it will eventually lead to drifting away from the Lord. 

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 26 May

Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him. He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him (1 Kings 16:30-31).

Ahab is one of the most evil kings and also one of most talked about kings of Israel. He married a pagan woman and devoted himself to worshipping the false gods like Baal and Asherah. His promotion of idolatry led to severe famine for three and a half years in Israel. Not only he was rooted in Idolatry, he was covetous also. Ahab coveted a vineyard belonging to a man named Naboth. When Naboth did not agree to sell the land, he was killed. When Elijah pointed to him the seriousness of the sin he committed and the consequence he had to face for shedding the innocent blood of Naboth, Ahab realized his mistake and humbled himself and fasted.  In response to Ahab’s repentance, God mercifully postponed the destruction of Ahab’s dynasty until after Ahab was dead.

In a fight against the king of Aram, God commanded Ahab to destroy Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram but Ahab made a treaty with him.  After three years, in a war with the same kingdom, he was killed. Thus, disobedience to the clear direction from God led to his fall. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 27 May

This is what the LORD says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?.... In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours! (1 Kings 21:19).

Ahab wanted to take the vineyard, belonging to Naboth which was close to his palace.  Since it was an inheritance from his ancestors, Naboth was not willing to sell the property to Ahab.  Ahab went home, sullen and angry. When he was lying on his bed sulking and refusing to eat, his wife, Jezebel learnt the reason for his sadness and assured him that she would get him the vineyard of Naboth. She plotted and ordered the murder of Naboth. She wrote letters in Ahab’s name, asking the elders and nobles to call for a day of fast and then to frame Naboth with false charges and had him stoned. As ordered by Jezebel, they proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth, stating that Naboth had cursed God and the king. Then they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and took possession of Naboth’s vineyard. 

God who was watching the arrogance of Jezebel and covetousness of Ahab sent Elijah with a judgment message. Elijah told Ahab that in the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up his blood.

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 28 May

On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs will devour Jezebel’s flesh. Jezebel’s body will be like dung on the ground in the plot at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, ‘This is Jezebel’ (2 Kings 9:36-37).

Jezebel was Phoenician princess who worshipped Baal, the pagan god of fertility.  She married King Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel. She used her position as queen to enforce Baal worship in Israel. It was the first time that a king of Israel had allied himself by marriage with a heathen princess and, inevitably, paganism and Judaism collided. She tried to destroy those who opposed her; most of the prophets of Yahweh were killed at her command. Jezebel used royal provisions to fund the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, during a severe famine in Samaria.  When Naboth refused to sell his vineyard to Ahab, Jezebel falsely charged him with blaspheming “God and the king,” and had him killed by stoning. When Jezebel heard that Elijah had killed her priests, she was very angry and pursued Elijah for his life. In fear of Jezebel, Elijah fled.

Elisha anointed a military commander named Jehu to be king of Israel. This provoked civil war, for Jezebel’s son Jehoram then ruled. Jehu killed Jehoram at the site of Naboth’s property and then went to Jezebel’s palace and she was flung from the palace balcony and just as Elijah had predicted, her flesh was eaten by dogs. It is not enough to be committed and sincere. Where our commitment lies makes a great difference.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 29 May

Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).

After a brief period, King Ahab went to meet Elijah during when a confrontation happened between them and resulted in a gathering of all the prophets (four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah) at Mount Carmel.  Elijah asked them to bring two bulls - one for the Baal’s prophets and one for him. The prophets of Baal cut one bull into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. Elijah prepared the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. Elijah asked the prophets of Baal to call upon their god to provide the fire, and he would call upon the Lord to provide the fire and the one who answers by fire is God. The prophets of Baal took the bull given to them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon and there was no response. At noon, Elijah began to taunt them. They continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response.

Once the sacrifice was ready, Elijah prayed to the Lord. Then, God did what Baal could never do. The fire of the LORD fell from heaven and consumed the burnt offering. The people of Israel bowed down and declared the Lord as God. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. The reason for the great miracle is the relationship Elijah had with the Lord.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 30 May

The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook (1 Kings 17:6).

Elijah let Ahab know that God was displeased with the idolaters and the nation would go through severe famine. God protected Elijah by taking him out of Ahab’s reach. God commanded Elijah to hide himself in a hospitable atmosphere east of the Jordan, where he could drink of the brook, and the ravens would bring him food. He remained there until the brook dried up. The ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and in the evening. He drank from the brook. Here we understand that God can fulfil His purposes by the meanest creatures, as effectively as by the mightiest. While the provision with water happens in a natural way, the provision of food by ravens points to a miracle. God sometimes meets human needs by unusual means.

We can trust the Lord to supply all their needs. The ravens did not come by chance. God sent them and directed them to feed him every day.  He sent the ravens to Elijah twice a day in the morning and again in the evening. This reflects the teaching of Jesus in the New Testament, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

God did not have to ask Elijah’s permission before he sent the ravens. Nor he was asked about the choice of meal. Elijah’s role was just to receive the provisions and to patiently wait for the next direction.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 31 May

For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.’ (1 Kings 17:14).

God commanded Elijah to go to Zarephath in the region of Sidon. He was told that a widow would serve him with necessary food. When he went to the entrance of Zarephath, he met a widow and asked her for a drink and for a piece of bread.  She replied to him that she was in dire need and is left with minimum resources for living.  When Elijah insisted that he be supplied with the first bread with the floor remained with her. And also, she was told that God will supply her enough flour and oil, till the famine is over. She went away and did as Elijah had told her. And the miracle happened. There was enough food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. Sometime later, the son of the widow became ill and died. Elijah was moved by the tragedy and cried out to God for a miracle. The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him. On seeing the outstanding manifestation of the power of God through Elijah, the woman exclaimed, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth.”  The widow shows us how to be hospitable when we do not have much. Her life is the witness to the fact that the secret for the prosperity in life is living a life, obedient to the words of God. The endless provision of floor and oil, and the raising of the dead son reveal the wonder working nature of the living God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 1 JUNE

For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.’ (1 Kings 17:14).

God commanded Elijah to go to Zarephath in the region of Sidon. He was told that a widow would serve him with necessary food. When he went to the entrance of Zarephath, he met a widow and asked her for a drink and for a piece of bread.  She replied to him that she was in dire need and is left with minimum resources for living.  When Elijah insisted that he be supplied with the first bread with the floor remained with her. And also, she was told that God will supply her enough flour and oil, till the famine is over. She went away and did as Elijah had told her. And the miracle happened. There was enough food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. Sometime later, the son of the widow became ill and died. Elijah was moved by the tragedy and cried out to God for a miracle. The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him. On seeing the outstanding manifestation of the power of God through Elijah, the woman exclaimed, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth.”  The widow shows us how to be hospitable when we do not have much. Her life is the witness to the fact that the secret for the prosperity in life is living a life, obedient to the words of God. The endless provision of floor and oil, and the raising of the dead son reveal the wonder working nature of the living God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 2 JUNE

As Obadiah was walking along, Elijah met him. Obadiah recognized him, bowed down to the ground, and said, “Is it really you, my lord Elijah?” (1 Kings 18:7).

When there was severe famine in Samaria, Ahab had summoned Obadiah, his palace administrator and told him to search for springs and valleys in their country to find some grass to keep their horses and mules alive. The king Ahab and Obadiah went in different directions to search for green lands. As Obadiah was walking along, he met Elijah and recognized him. Elijah asked him to arrange a meeting with Ahab. Obadiah feared that while he goes to Ahab to announce that Elijah has requested a meeting, Elijah will disappear again and Ahab will kill Obadiah as a punishment. Then he arranged for the meeting between Elijah and Ahab. Obadiah was afraid about what Ahab might do – but despite his fear he was willing to pass on Elijah's message to the king, even though it put his own life at risk.

Obadiah was a devout believer in the Lord. While Jezebel was killing off the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water. Though Obadiah was afraid of Ahab, he made use of his official position and influence to help the prophets of the Lord. Obadiah had a high position and the responsibility of leadership but he was also a believer who feared the Lord and was a man of faith.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 3 JUNE

So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant (1 Kings 19:21).

When Elijah was hiding in a cave in Horeb, the word of the Lord came to him. He replied to God, saying that he had been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. Then He complained that the Israelites have rejected the covenant of the Lord, tearing down His altars and putting His prophets to death. In his view, he was the only one standing for the Lord.  God answered him saying that not only Elijah is devoted to the Lord; there are another seven thousand whose knees have not bowed down to Baal. Then God instructed him to anoint Elisha to succeed him as prophet.

Elijah went from there and found Elisha who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen. Elijah threw his cloak around him, symbolizing the designation of the successor to the office of the prophet. Elisha took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and set out to follow Elijah, committing his life to his service. Elisha was called by God to be the successor to Elijah. He was faithful to his calling, and he responded by faith, believing in the God of Elijah. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 4 JUNE

Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side” (2 Kings 4:3-4).

After the death of her husband, the wife of a man from a company of the prophets approached Elisha and cried out to him to help for the financial problem she was going through. After the death of her husband the creditor was threatening to take her two sons as slaves. Elisha felt sorry for the woman and wanted to help her.  Elisha asked her to ask neighbours for empty jars and to pour the little olive oil she had, into all the jars. Her sons brought the jars to her and she kept pouring the oil in all jars till all got filled. Then as advised by Elisha, they sold the oil and paid their debts.

This event shows how God used the poverty of the widow into an opportunity for her deliverance. The personalized solution by Elisha to the general problem testifies about the concern of man of God for the poor. In spite of their involvement in God’s work, the family of the widow faced financial issues that is common to all but in her desperate need, she reached out to the man of God for help. She listened to the directions from the man of God and it helped her to witness miracle and the provision of God. She demonstrated faith by deeds, keeping her works and efforts in line with what she believed.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 5 JUNE

She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God (2 Kings 4:9).

In the ministerial journey of Elisha we read about a woman in Shunem, who is often referred as Shunammite woman. She was a well wisher of Elisha.  The above verse is the testimony from the woman about Elisha. She used to urge him to stay for a meal, whenever Elisha passed that way. Later, she got permission from her husband to set up a guest room for Elisha, who used it to take rest whenever he visited the town for ministerial purposes. She found him as a true prophet and holy man of God. Elisha wanted to reciprocate her hospitality with a favour. The Shunammite woman was childless and he called the woman and told her that she would be blessed with a son in a year. And it happened as per the word of Elisha. The child grew up. And on a particular day, the boy was affected by some kind of sickness, and he died that same day in his mother’s lap. The Shunammite woman immediately went to Elisha to request him to come and heal her son. Elisha came back with the woman to Shunem. When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door and prayed to the Lord. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.

The heartfelt hospitality shown by the Shunammite woman to Elisha is an example for us to follow. This hospitality along with her faith in the miracle working God led her to see a series of miracles.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 6 JUNE

So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy (2 Kings 5:14).

Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. A young girl who was taken as captive by soldiers of Aram was serving in the house of Namaan. She suggested to her mistress that the prophet Elisha in Israel can cure her master from leprosy. Believing the the servant girl, Naaman went to his master and took permission to meet the prophet in Israel. Then, Naaman left to see Elisha, taking with him gifts. When he stopped at the door of Elisha’s house, Elisha sent a messenger instructing him to wash seven times in Jordan for the restoration of his flesh. This instruction made Naaman angry because he thought that Elisha would personally come and call on the name of the Lord, waving his hand over the spot so that he would be cured from his leprosy. The servants of Namaan somehow persuaded him to do as the prophet said. Half heartedly, Namaan went down to Jordan and dipped himself seven times and he found his flesh restored. He became clean like that of a young boy. Then Naaman offered gifts to Elisha but he refused to take it. Naaman asked Elisha for two mule-loads of dirt from Israel to build an altar for the Lord and promised that he would never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the Lord. Naaman experienced change in the outer body and in the inner soul.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 7 JUNE

But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no longer a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?” (1 Kings 22:7).

King Jehoshaphat was the fourth king of Judah. He became king at 35 years and reigned for 25 years. He removed the idolatry in high places and prioritized the worship of the Lord. Unlike earlier kings, He did not participate in any Baal worship and he cut down the Asherahs. He introduced system for teaching God's laws to people and also appointed faithful judges to hear cases among the people.

His unholy alliance with the kings of Israel paved ways for his fall in the later years. When Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to help him to attack Syria, he suggested him that they consult the Lord on the matter. And when Ahab gathered 400 of his prophets who encouraged the attack, Jehoshaphat recognized them as false prophets and asked him to take guidance from a genuine prophet. Eventually, Micaiah, the prophet of the Lord told them the hard truth that Israel would be scattered in the fight, leaving Ahab killed. And it happened as prophesied.

When an alliance of nations marched against Judah, Jehoshaphat sought the Lord and the Lord answered through Jahaziel, that He will deliver Judah without a fight. When we face challenges, we need to look to Him for strength and guidance. We read that the alliance of nations turned against each other and began to kill each other. We may not know what God will do but we just need to be obedient and patient.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 8 JUNE

Then they said to each other, “What we’re doing is not right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go at once and report this to the royal palace (2 Kings 7:9).

Once Arameans laid siege to the city of Samaria and the people of Israel were shut up in Samaria. There were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate in Samaria. Since they were already dying without food, they decided to go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. At dusk, when they reached the edge of the Aramean camp, no one was there, for the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army. The Arameans ran for their lives, abandoning their tents and everything in it. The four men entered one of the tents, ate and drank. They took silver, gold and clothes, and went off and hid them. Then they were conscious stricken and uttered the above verse. Immediately they informed city gatekeepers so that the good news would spread everywhere in the nation.

They did not allow problems and fears to cripple them. When the socially outcast lepers witnessed new riches, they did not keep quiet. They wanted to share it with maximum people. When the whole world is starving spiritually in hopeless situations, we have found riches in Christ. If we are keeping the good news within us and are not sharing it with others, then there is seriously something wrong with us. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 9 JUNE

The LORD said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in accomplishing what is right in my eyes and have done to the house of Ahab all I had in mind to do, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation (2 Kings 10:30).

Jehu was a commander in the army of Ahab. He was elected by the Lord to enact His judgment upon the house of Ahab. After he was anointed king, Jehu immediately took steps to secure the throne. After being anointed king of Israel, Jehu killed Joram, the reigning king (Jezebel’s son), as well as King Ahaziah of Judah. Jehu then proceeded to Jezebel’s palace. At Jehu’s command, eunuchs surrounding Jezebel threw her down from the window and her blood splattered over the pavement. Her body was eaten by dogs. Elijah proclaimed this curse against Jezebel for arranging the death of Naboth. After killing off the entire house of Ahab, Jehu destroyed all traces of Baal-worship, killing all the priests of Baal in the temple in Samaria, which was promoted by King Ahab and Jezebel. The Lord rewarded him for his good actions and punished him for the bad. Jehu reigned over Israel a total of twenty-eight years. The Lord blessed Jehu for his obedience, granting him a dynasty that would last to the fourth generation.

Jehu had the qualities that could make him a successful king but his reckless outlook on life made him a man of immediate action without purpose. He eliminated one form of idol worship but he did not give up the idols that he himself treasured. Obedience to God demands both action and right direction.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 10 JUNE

Jehoiada brought out Joash and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him (2 Kings 11:12).

After King Ahaziah was killed by Jehu, Athaliah, mother of Ahaziah became king of Judah. Athaliah killed all of the royal family she could find in Judah in order to secure her throne. However, she missed one of her grandsons—the infant Joash. Athaliah's sister rescued young Joash and hid him for six years. In the seventh year of her reign, the chief priest Jehoiada brought Joash out into public and anointed him as king. At the command of Jehoiada, guards captured Athaliah and killed her. Jehoiada served as advisor of Joash and led him in the ways of the Lord. Joash reigned in Jerusalem forty years and was doing right in the eyes of the Lord.  However, Joash became unfaithful to God, after the death of Jehoiada.

After the death of Jehoiada, Joash began listening to wicked advisors and revived Baal and Asherah worship in Judah. Also He ignored the warnings from God through His prophets. He even killed Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah, who warned him about the evil ways he was practicing.  Joash’s reign did not end peacefully as his officials conspired against him and assassinated him.

He stayed in the shadows of Jehoiada and he was not growing in the Lord as an individual despite he had all the chances. His immaturity in the spiritual matters blinded him and when the crisis came, his faith collapsed.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 11 JUNE

Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him (2 Kings 12:2).

Jehoiada was a faithful priest and he had the mind for the things of God when things surrounding him were in opposite directions. He lived 130 years and was a great blessing in the kingdom of Judah. He served the king and the people with his godly wisdom and able direction. He was highly regarded by the people of Israel for his service.  When Jehu killed Ahaziah, her mother Athaliah determined to rule Judah for several years in ungodly way. She killed all members of the royal family. Jehoiada was the High Priest at that time and he helped his wife to preserve the life of the only remaining legitimate heir to the throne of Judah, Joash who was only a baby at that time. Then, Jehoiada combated Athaliah by appointing Joash at the age of seven years. After appointing Joash as king, he served as king’s advisor. He made a covenant between the king and the people that they would be the Lord’s people and no longer worship Baal.  Jehoiada instructed Joash in the way of the Lord and Joash followed the Lord in all things as long as he followed the advice of Jehoiada.

When the nation was going through a crisis, Jehoiada took courage and made efforts to bring it back to the position where it should be.  He played the role of trustworthy instructor and mentor to young Joash and helped him to do the will of God.  He also stood in the gap between the people and God and made them turn back to God.    

DAILY THOUGHTS | 12 JUNE

Amaziah, however, would not listen, so Jehoash king of Israel attacked. He and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth Shemesh in Judah. Judah was routed by Israel, and every man fled to his home (2Kings 14: 11, 12).

Amaziah became king at twenty-five years and he ruled Judah for twenty-nine years. Initially, he followed the footsteps of Joash and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. After the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, he executed the officials who had murdered his father, Joash.  He defeated ten thousand Edomites and brought back their gods and made sacrifices to them. When he was warned by a prophet, for this sin, he ignored it. 

The overconfident Amaziah challenged king of Israel, for fight.  Jehoash recognized Amaziah’s arrogance and refused the challenge, knowing that he could easily defeat the smaller territory of Judah. But Amaziah did not listen and they ended up fighting each other. Amaziah and his army were routed by Israel.  Jehoash, king of Israel broke the wall of Jerusalem and he took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the temple of the Lord along with hostages to Samaria. Later, Amaziah was assassinated, just as his father had been.

At times, great victories can drive us to wrong decisions. When we sail through life with convincing victories and success, we need to be vigilant and sensitive to the leading of the Spirit so that we can avoid great mistakes.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 13 JUNE

The LORD afflicted the king (Uzziah) with leprosy until the day he died, and he lived in a separate house (2 Kings 15:5).

After the death of Amaziah, his son, Uzziah (also known as Azariah) became king of Judah at the age of sixteen and reigned in Jerusalem for fifty-two years. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success. God helped him to win against the Philistines and against the Arabs. The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, because he had become very powerful. Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem and in the wilderness and dug many cisterns. Uzziah had a well-trained army. In Jerusalem he made devices invented for use on the towers and on the corner defenses so that soldiers could shoot arrows and hurl large stones from the walls. His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful.

But after Uzziah became powerful, he became proud and it led to his downfall. He entered the temple to burn incense. When he was confronted, saying that the king should not do the works assigned for the priest, Uzziah became angry. While he was raging at the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead.  Because of the leprosy, He lived in a separate house and was banned from the temple of the Lord. Pride goes before destruction. God is opposed to the proud. If we want His grace in our lives, we must arrest every proud thought and we have to grow in humility. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 14 JUNE

In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River and in the towns of the Medes (2 Kings 17:6).

King Hoshea was the last king of Israel. In his ninth year, in 722 BC, Samaria was overtaken by the Assyrians. The conquest of the kingdom of Israel began approximately in 740 BC, when the king of Assyria deported the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to different places of Assyria.  The people of Israel despised the statutes of the Lord and ignored the covenant, God had with their ancestors. They went after false idols and followed the practices of the nations around them. They sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger. Therefore, the Lord removed them from their place and they came under Assyrian rule. Tens of thousands were deported and made servants in Assyria. The Assyrians populated Israel with people from other nations.

All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt. The Lord warned them to repent from their evil ways, through prophets but they did not listen to His words. The Israelites persisted in their sins and provoked the Lord to anger. Today they are referred to as the ten Lost Tribes of Israel. The ten tribes completely intermixed with other nations and ceased to exist as a nation. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 15 JUNE

Now, LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, LORD, are God (2 Kings 19:19).

Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made.  Hezekiah held fast to the Lord and kept the commands the Lord and the Lord was with him. He was successful in whatever he undertook. In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. In desperation, Hezekiah sent gold and silver as a peace offering to Assyria. Later, in their threats against the city of Jerusalem, the Assyrians openly defied the God of Judah. The Lord sent words to Hezekiah that Sennacherib would not step foot inside the city of Jerusalem. Accordingly, the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When Hezekiah became very sick, He was told by the prophet Isaiah that he will die soon. But Hezekiah prayed and his life was extended by another fifteen years. Later he made a foolish mistake. In his pride, he showed all treasures to the visiting Babylonians. Isaiah rebuked Hezekiah for this act and prophesied that all the things, the king had shown the Babylonians would one day be taken to Babylon. When faced with an impossible situation, surrounded by the dreadful and determined Assyrian army, he prayed and God answered.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 16 JUNE

But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites (2 Chronicles 33:9).

Hezekiah undertook spiritual reforms in Judah but his son Manasseh reversed these reforms.  Manasseh became king at the age of twelve and he ruled Judah for fifty-five years. He followed the detestable practices of the surrounding nations. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed. He also erected altars to Baal.  He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He carved Asherah pole and put it in the temple of the Lord. His wickedness was more than the Amorites who had lived in Canaan before they were displaced by Israel in an act of God’s judgment. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing His anger.

And the Lord let Assyrians punish Manasseh for the sins he made Judah to commit. In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord and humbled himself before the God. God heard him and graciously restored him and his kingdom. The repentant Manasseh began to rebuild Judah and he reinstituted religious reforms. He restored the altar of the Lord and sacrificed offerings, making Judah to serve the Lord again.

Though Manasseh’s sin was forgiven when he repented, the consequences due to their disobedience followed.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 17 JUNE

The king renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD—to follow the LORD and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. (2 Kings 23:3).

Josiah became king over Judah at the age of eight. When he became king, the Scriptures had long been neglected and situations were not influential for a godly lifestyle. But about him the Bible says that there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses.

He rediscovered the Law of the Lord. He made high priest to raise money to repair the temple and during the repairs the Book of the Law was found. It was read in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes and recognized the anger of God upon them due to their failure to obey the words of the book. King Josiah called for a time of national repentance. Many reforms followed. The temple was cleansed from all objects of pagan worship. Josiah died in battle against the Egyptian Pharaoh Necho at Megiddo.

The judgment upon the kingdom of Judah was delayed because of Josiah’s godly life and leadership. Josiah lived a life fully committed and obedient to God. Josiah had Scripture read to the people and made a commitment to live by it.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 18 JUNE

Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to Babylon the king’s mother, his wives, his officials and the prominent people of the land (2 Kings 24:15).

During the reign of King Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded Judah and made Jehoiakim as his servant. After three years, Jehoiakim rebelled against the king of Babylon. This made Nebuchadnezzar to deport people from Judah to Babylon. Daniel and his three friends were among them. After Jehoiakim’s death, his son, Jehoiachin, became king. During Jehoiachin’s reign, again King Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem and carried off its people and treasures to Babylon. This second deportation of Jews to Babylon included the priest Ezekiel. The nation of Judah continued to exist under Babylonian rule with King Zedekiah installed in Jerusalem as a puppet king. But Zedekiah also rebelled after some time. This made Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to attack Judah with all his army.  The Kingdom of Judah fell in 586 BC, in the eleventh year of King Zedekiah.  The king of Babylon destroyed Judah completely. Then, Gedaliah was placed in charge as a governor in Judah. He was killed two months after his appointment and most of the remaining Jews fled to Egypt. This group of refugees included the prophet Jeremiah. We read a lot of tragic events happening in the kingdom of Judah as predicted by the prophets of God. God used Babylon as His agent of judgment against Judah for their sins and rebellion.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 19 JUNE

In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom (Daniel 1:20).

The Lord delivered Jehoiakim, king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon in his third year. The king of Babylon took a few young men from Israelites, who were deported from Judah, to be trained to serve in his palace. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were among them.

They were to be trained for three years and were assigned a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.  Daniel found favour in his sight. He agreed for his demand only if he would be found better than others after a test, after ten days. At the end of the ten days, these four young men were found healthier and better nourished than the young men who ate the royal food.  Then at the end of three years training, when Daniel and his three friends were tested, Nebuchadnezzar found them ten times better than others.

The life of Daniel tells us that we should not compromise to take ungodly decisions. Compromise in small things often leads to compromise with more important things. His life suggests that trusting God and standing for Him is very important in every part of our life.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 20 JUNE 

Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery” (Daniel 2:46-47).

Here we witness an unusual sight – the great king falling prostrate before a person, who was brought from another nation. Once Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon was greatly disturbed by a dream. He asked the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers in his kingdom to tell the dream and its interpretation. Since it was an impossible demand by the king, they acknowledged their inability to tell the dream and its interpretation. This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death. Daniel was perplexed by the harsh decree of the king and he requested the king for some more time to tell his dream and its interpretation. Then, Daniel along with his friends prayed to God, to reveal the dream and its interpretation. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Daniel praised God and gave God the credit for the discovery of the dream, saying, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.”

DAILY THOUGHTS | 21 JUNE 

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up (Daniel 3:17-18).

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon and invited all officials in his kingdom for the dedication of the image.  They were expected to fall down and worship the image, when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music. At that time, some came and accused Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, saying that they did not obey the order of the king to serve the gods of Babylon and to worship the image. The king was very angry and threatened them with severe punishment if they chose to defy his order to worship the golden image made by him, again. In response, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego uttered the above words.

God saved them from the hands of the king and his punishment. Finally, the king was made to give a statement in praise of the name of the Lord, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God” (Daniel 3:28).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 22 JUNE 

All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:35).

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream in which there was a large and strong tree in the middle of the land. Under it, the wild animals found shelter and the birds lived in its branches; from it, every creature was fed. And he heard a voice saying, ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches. Let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth.’ Daniel interpreted the dream to the king stating that it was a judgment of God that is about to happen to him. This happened exactly after twelve months.

While Nebuchadnezzar was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he was puffed with pride regarding the palace built by him. Immediately, the judgment of God came upon him. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. Later, when he came to senses, and when he acknowledged the Lordship of the Sovereign God, his sanity was restored. Then his mouth praised and glorified the Lord with the words in the above verse.

The king lost the kingdom due to pride and the kingdom was restored to him when he acknowledged the lordship of the Lord.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 23 JUNE 

This is the inscription that was written:MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.  “Here is what these words mean: Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5:25-28).

Belshazzar, King of Babylon gave a great banquet for his nobles on a particular day and used the gold goblets that were taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem for serving the drinks. The king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them and praised their gods. As they were in high spirits, suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the wall.  On watching this, the king was very frightened. Since wise men in his kingdom could not provide any meaning for this mysterious writing, Daniel was brought in, to solve the problem. Daniel interpreted the letters and explained to the king that his reign would end soon because of the arrogance and pride, he and his nobles expressed before the Lord. That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom.

This event highlights that God does not allow anyone to treat the things He has made only to worship Him in a disrespectful way. Pride makes a person to think they are great because of their own wisdom and power. Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 24 JUNE 

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before (Daniel 6:10).

Daniel was one of the three top officials in the kingdom of King Darius. He was outstanding among the administrators and the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. When the Persian officials came to know about this, they were filled with jealousy. Since they could not bring any charges against Daniel in his work, they tried to trap him in the matter of prayer. They went to the king and made him issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to the king be thrown into the lions’ den. It looks strange that one’s personal prayer could be a life-and-death matter. Daniel risked his life in order to pray. They caught Daniel praying and threw him in Lion’s den. But God sent his angel and shut the mouths of the lions so that Daniel would not be harmed.

Among many things that we can learn from the life of Daniel, his prayer life stands out. He had a definite prayer time. He knelt down and prayed three times a day, showing his humble attitude before the creator.  One of the main reasons for the success of the life of Daniel is his prayer life. He did not let the obstacles and life threatening situations affect his prayer life.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 25 JUNE 

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14).

Story of Esther shows that God is at work behind the scenes to protect His people and to fulfill His plan. Once during a feast, queen Vashti turned down the invitation by the king to a feast hosted by him. Enraged king looked for an alternative for Vasthi. Esther competed for the position of queen and got selected. At a particular period, the king appointed Haman, an evil man over his affairs. Haman despised the Jews and he devised a plan to wipe out Israelites across the world. He convinced the king to make a decree to annihilate all Jews on a particular day.

In this life and death situation, Mordecai requested her adopted daughter and Queen, Esther, to influence the king to change the order. When Mordecai and the Jews were fasting and praying, Esther risked her life to take this matter to the king. God enabled her to find favour in the eyes of the king and the decree was cancelled miraculously.  

Esther teaches us that we have to turn to God when we face difficulties in life. God given opportunities can be used to influence rulers to change the destiny of His people.

Like Esther, we should be willing to take risks, leaving our comfort zones to bring the lost ones towards God. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 26 JUNE 

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).

Mordecai was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin living in Susa, capital of Persia. His grandfather, Kish was carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah. Mordecai had taken Esther as his own daughter when her father and mother died. His tireless efforts enabled Esther to become the queen of Persia. Mordecai, while working at the palace gate heard about an assassination plot against the king. He put this matter in the ears of the king, Xerxes through the queen, Esther and his name was recorded in the king’s chronicles as a person who took the right action that preserved the life of the king.  He was hated by Haman, a prominent official in the palace. Haman wanted to destroy Mordecai and his people throughout the kingdom of Xerxes. When Mordecai shared this news with Esther, she hesitated to take this matter to the king as anyone approaching the king in the inner court without being summoned can be killed. In response to her, Mordecai uttered the above powerful words. Esther entered King’s presence, risking her life and God enabled her to find favour in the eyes of the king. God used Mordecai to protect the lives of Jews. His helping nature, his faith in the living God and the determination to save his people serves as great reminders for us.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 27 JUNE 

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven (Nehemiah 1:4).

Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king in Persia. He held the king’s highest trust and he was deeply concerned about the things of the Lord. While he was busy in the palace, he encountered a brother who had just returned from Jerusalem and learnt from him about the bad condition of the walls of Jerusalem and the lack of protection for the people living there. The news troubled him. He was burdened about rebuilding wall around Jerusalem. He was praying about it and one day when he got an opportunity to speak to the king about the need to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem, he used it and requested support from the king.

God opened up doors for him but he had to face oppositions and discouragements. He traveled about 1750 Kilometers to reach Jerusalem. He worked hard and developed a clear strategy. He shared his burden with likeminded ones and the people came together to rebuild the wall with him. They worked vigilantly and consistently, trusting God for the required protections and provisions. They faced continuous discouragements and oppositions from Sanballat and Tobiah.

God used this layperson and his team to rebuild the Jerusalem wall in just fifty-two days. Nehemiah was a prayer warrior, depending on the Lord to initiate and accomplish difficult tasks for the benefit of His people and for His glory.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 28 JUNE 

Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him (Ezra 7:6).

Ezra was a learned and pious priest residing at Babylon in the time of Artaxerxes Longimanus. In the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes, he obtained permission to go to Jerusalem along with a company of Israelites. He and the company travelled four months and brought with them a large freewill offering of gold and silver. Ezra came to Jerusalem expecting to find the people serving the Lord with gladness, but upon his arrival, he found the opposite. The non-Jews deported by an earlier Babylonian king stayed in Jerusalem and they were oppressing the Jews living there. The Jews intermarried with them and corrupted themselves. The city was without walls and there was no temple and sacrifices. He was frustrated and sorrowful. His heart ached, but he still trusted the Lord. He wanted the Lord to change the situation.  When the rebuilding works were undertaken by those who came from exile, their efforts and works were opposed and hindered.  The interruption of the work was for some time and God enabled the work to resume at the appropriate time. Ezra made the people know how important and essential the Word of God was.  Ezra condemned mixed marriages.  Ezra did the impossible, for the hand of the Lord was on him. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 29 JUNE 

So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground (Zechariah 4:6-7).

Zerubbabel labored to reconstruct the Lord’s house of worship. He is associated with the high priest, Joshua who came with him from Babylon to Jerusalem. Zerubbabel led the first wave of Jewish returnees, numbering 42,360 from exile. He was appointed as governor of the Province of Judah by King Darius. After his appointment as governor of Judah, He began to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.

Initially, when the remnants and those who returned from exile made efforts to rebuild the temple, the local leaders hindered the construction of the temple. When Xerxes became king, the local leaders falsely accused the people of Judah and complained to the king, and the king completely stopped them from rebuilding the temple. But after a seventeen-years delay, God helped them to get permission to continue the rebuilding of the temple during the time of King Darius. They were enabled to complete the construction of the temple in three and a half years.

Ministering to God is likely to attract hindrances, oppositions and road blocks. But when we put our efforts, believing in His grace, with required perseverance, greater things can be attempted for the growth of the body of Christ.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 30 JUNE 

In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1).

Job was a man of great wealth and he had ten children.  God allowed Satan to test the faithfulness of Job, by taking away the wealth and children of Job. Job lost his children and wealth one after another. Later, God allowed Satan to afflict Job physically. But in spite of the problems, Job never complained against God or lost his faith in God. The losses and the pains affected Job. Though Job grieved deeply, he did not charge God with wrongdoing. Job’s three friends visited him to comfort him.  But their belief that sufferings were signs of the punishment of God added salt to the wound. They insisted that sufferings of Job were due to some sin. In reply, Job maintained his innocence. Finally, God who was watching everything restored the blessings of Job – double fold.

James highlighted the patience of Job in his epistle as, “You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." Job’s suffered not because he was in but because he was good and righteous. Like Job, we may never know the specific reason for our sufferings, losses, pains and failures. Our responsibility to God is to trust Him and obey Him, when we pass through hard and difficult times. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 1 JULY

Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory (Isaiah 6:3).

In the year when King Uzziah died, one day when the prophet Isaiah was standing outside the temple, he had a vision in which he saw the Lord sitting on a throne surrounded by seraphim, saying the above statement to one another. He saw the divine glory filling the whole temple. Immediately the prophet realized that he was a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips. Then he saw seraphim coming down to touch his lips with live coal, making him clean.

Uzziah became king at sixteen years and reigned for fifty-two years. The kingdom had just lost the great and wise king when the prophet saw this vision.  It was a temporary unveiling of an eternal reality. The vision communicated that the people had no reason to fear as they have their real king in heaven. This revelation highlighted the unique relationship the people had with the Lord - the relation that guaranteed defense and demanded obedience.

The vision kindled Isaiah’s consciousness of sin. It disclosed flaws which pass unnoticed in dimmer light. The sin recognized and confessed was burned away. After understanding the holiness and righteousness of God, the prophet experienced a transformation in his inner being and expressed his readiness for God’s service, stating, “Here am I. Send me!”

DAILY THOUGHTS | 2 JULY

“Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 37:4-6).

God transported Ezekiel in a vision—to a valley full of dry bones and he was told to prophesy to the dry bones. The above words were prophesized to the dry bones.  At the time of this event, Ezekiel was with Israel in captivity in Babylon. They did not have any hope of returning to their land. As he was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. Tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them. This vision symbolized the whole house of Israel that was then in captivity. Like unburied skeletons, the people in captivity thought that they were cut off forever and there was no hope of resurrection. People of Israel spent seventy years in captivity before they were allowed to return home.

Putting “breath” by God’s Spirit into the bones showed that God would not only restore them physically but also spiritually. This revealed the loving and caring nature of God, who re-joined and revived the people, who have turned away from God. God took what was lifeless and restored it.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 3 JULY

The Lord considered what David had done to be evil (2 Sam 11:27).

This refers to the fall, David had experienced because of his failure in controlling lust. Lust is a huge problem in our world and society and is probably the greatest contributor to the destruction of relationships.  

Like gravitational force, the lust inside us experience pull by the attractions of the world. The things we see, hear, smell, touch, taste has the potential to trigger the lust in us. The lust may be a sinful desire, a desire to take revenge, a desire to control others or some legitimate ones like the desire to be loved, desire to be valued, etc. 

We allow lust because we are attracted by the pleasures, it offers. We entertain lust out of curiosity. What started as experimental, slowly takes control of our life. We allow lust because it is enjoyable. But lust affects us emotionally, physically and spiritually. 

In 1 Cor 9:25-27, Paul says that Christians need to exercise self-control like the athletes. Col 3:5 talks about putting lust to death, meaning deactivating the lust. Self-control means the ability to control one’s emotions and behaviours in the face of temptations and impulses. 

In Proverbs 25:28, we are told that a man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. In order to develop self-control, we need to realize that we are victims of lust and need change. We must accept our fault. When our lust is triggered, the quickest way to neutralize it is to think something else.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 4 JULY

The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God (Psalms 14:2).

God gifted us with beautiful life and relationships. We live on certain time and space on this vast Universe. There are much said about life, done in life and shared in life.  Life happens to be a mixture of ups and downs, happiness and sorrows. From our birth to death, we seek after things that satisfy us and that would give better living conditions and life style. Acts 17: 26, 27 conveys that from one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him. God wants us, His creation to seek Him.   In Duet 4: 29, we are told that we will find him if we seek him with all our heart and with all our soul. 

Seeking God is lot more than believing in God. It would mean seeking the purpose of God in our life, seeking God for our provisions, protections, and so on. It would mean seeking His approval and guidance in the decisions, we make with our life. Seeking God would mean proactively set out to know Him, to incline our hearts towards him, listening to Him and responding to him.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 5 JULY

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1, 2, 3)

David, an experienced shepherd understood God as his Shepherd and penned beautiful words on this relationship. 

GOD PROVIDES. He can be trusted for all our needs - physical, spiritual, intellectual and social needs. Mt 6: 25-33 states that when we give priority to God in our life, our worldly needs would be met at the right time. We have a shepherd who can be trusted for all our needs. 

GOD LEADS. At times, our life looks like a journey filled with complications and problems. During such confused time, if we seek his directions, He would direct and guide us through paths that are fitting for our spirit, soul and body. There cannot be a better guidance than God’s.

 GOD RENEWS OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE.  Many times, we face slides in our spiritual growth. We get depressed and discouraged. There may be spiritual dryness and failures. But there is no need to lose hope. We have a shepherd who revives when our soul is sorrowful, who sanctifies us when we are sinful, and who strengthens when we are weak.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 6 JULY

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:4, 6)

David, an experienced shepherd understood God as his Shepherd and penned beautiful words on this relationship. 

GOD COMFORTS. All of us would pass through times of sorrows, pains, and disappointments. In such times, we have someone, who can be looked upon for help and comfort. He never fails. He never leaves. When we have to pass through dark valley, we can trust His love and care, which can comfort and sustain us

GOD GIVES PEACE. Life is full of events, which are affected by the decisions we make. Wrong decisions would bring us into troubled waters, threatening our confidence and control. At such times, if we cling to God, who has the power over problems and stay in constant communion with Him, we can remain peaceful. He would fill us with His peace that surpasses all human understanding. 

GOD GIVES ETERNAL LIFE. The relationship we have with Lord Jesus Christ is for eternity. Jesus gave us His life and has reconciled us with God. We are blessed with inheritance along with Christ in heavenly places. This should motivate us to live for God in this world. We have a shepherd, who provides for our needs, who guides us when we are confused, who offers confidence in times of crisis, who comforts in times of trouble, who renews us spiritually when we are low.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 7 JULY

Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are your judgments (Psalms 119:137).

Our God is righteous. Righteousness of God would refer to the absolute moral perfection and absence of all sin. Richard L Strauss in his book, “The joy of knowing God” says “God’s righteousness is the natural expression of His holiness." If He is infinitely pure, then He must be opposed to all sin, and that opposition to sin must be demonstrated in His treatment of His creatures. 

Because God is righteous and just, He has established moral government in the world, laid down principles, which are holy and good, then added consequences, which are just and fair for violating those principles. Dan 9:14 says “The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.” The Lord demands obedience from all men without partiality. Ecclesiastes 12:13 says “Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” God in His righteous- ness, condemn sin and punishes the wicked. 

We are all infected and impure with sin.  Due to their fallen nature, mankind is unable to live up to the expectations of God. Righteousness cannot be obtained by works or efforts. Strict legalism will not make us righteous before God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 8 JULY

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom (Proverb 1:7).

Fear of God helps us to acquire true wisdom. When we live in the fear of God, we have the true wisdom. Fear of God helps us to live a holy and blameless life. In Pro 16:6 we read that by the fear of the LORD men departs from evil. Fear of God helps us to hate evil and stimulates us to seek holiness. Fear of God leads to divine protection and long life. From Pro 10:27, we understand that the fear of the Lord prolongs life and in Psalm 34:7 we read that the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescue them.

In the Old Testament true spirituality is often regarded as synonymous with the fear of God. In the New Testament we are encouraged to walk in the fear of God. Heb 11:7 says that in holy fear, Noah built an ark to save his family. Gen 22:12 talks about Abraham fearing God, made a decision to sacrifice Isaac. In Gen 42:18 we read about Joseph confessing his fear for God in front of his siblings. Job 1:8 conveys how God acknowledges the fear of God, Job had. In Acts 9: 31 we are told that the early Christians lived in the fear of God.

The people who sought God and walked with God lived in the fear of God. The conclusion of the book of Ecclesiastes is that fearing God and keeping His commandment is the duty of all mankind.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 9 JULY

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

Pride is accounted as one of the seven capital sins. Pride is named as the first sin because it caused Satan’s fall from heaven even before creation. Pride is a sin of comparison in which we compare our strengths to the other fellow's weaknesses. Pride is unique. All sins turn us away from God, but pride is a direct attack upon God. It lifts our hearts above Him and against Him. Pride seeks to dethrone God and enthrone itself. God hates pride. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Constantly criticizing others, keeping our eyes shut to the needs of others, our unwillingness to associate with the people of lower position, haughty look (Prov. 6:17), delighting in ruling over people (Matt. 20:25, 26), accepting undeserved acclaim (Acts 12:21-23), taking pride in one’s superiority (1 Cor. 4:6,7), ignoring advice (1 Peter 5:5,6), refusing to submit (Eph. 5:21) are some of the symptoms for the presence of pride in our life.

It is essential to keep pride under control to live victorious Christian life. It is a lifelong process that calls us to identify and root out pride from our lives regularly. Phil 2:3, 4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others”.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 10 JULY

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mathew 5:3).

The poor ones in the world are the ones who do not have regular food, who do not have sufficient dresses and they are left with limited or no resources to meet the needs of their earthly life.

Similarly, poor in spirit are those who lack spiritual worth in themselves and are completely reliant upon God for their spiritual well-being. Being Poor in spirit means our spiritual depravity. It starts with recognizing our spiritual inability to live up to the expectations of God. It would mean understanding our spiritual need and resting on God to meet it. We are born into this world as spiritually dead. Every one of us is spiritually destitute, regardless of our education, wealth, accomplishments or even religious knowledge.

We need to acknowledge that we are in need of God. We have to see ourselves as a sinner in need of a Saviour. We need to recognize that apart from God we are lost, destitute and spiritually bankrupt. When we realize our spiritual depravity, we will lean on God to supply us with all that makes us worthy to receive the riches of the blessings of God’s Kingdom. Considering ourselves as poor in spirit is an attitude that will lead us to God intended life.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 11 JULY

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Mathew 5:4).

Since Christ preached repentance and induced people to mourn over their sins and to forsake it, when He said blessed are those who mourn, He would have meant that the blessed are those who mourn over their fallen state due to sin. Being sensible to our transgressions and leaving it, is the first symptom of spiritual health. Poor in spirit is the recognition of the true estimate of our own failed characters and mourning is the feeling that follows upon that recognition. Spiritual brokenness or sacred sorrow is the pathway to spiritual blessedness. Behind this godly sorrow lies the recognition of the power of sin and of our helplessness to come out of it. Godly sorrow refers to the realization about our inadequacy to meet the standard of God. In 2 Cor 7:10, we read that Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation. Godly sorrow provides true repentance, watchfulness, a humble mind and continual dependence on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus for acceptance and to cleanse away the evil within us. Such mourners shall be comforted by God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 12 JULY

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (Mathew 5:5).

Meekness would mean being soft natured and not easily provoked. This refers to the willingness to bear the wrongs done to them patiently. Meekness does not subscribe to becoming a door mat for others. Meekness is strength bought under control. Being meek does not mean weakness but the strength that exhibits goodness and kindness. It is not the surrender of our rights but it is the opposite of sudden anger. To be meek is to have a tempered spirit, yielded to God. 

Meekness makes one affectionate and tender towards everyone. Meekness forgives and excuses the frailties of others. Meekness produces peace. Meek people have a quiet steadiness about their lives in the midst of upheaval. They don’t fret themselves over the wicked ones, who prosper in their way. They refrain from anger. Biblical meekness is rooted in the deep confidence that God is for you. The meek would wait patiently for the work of God in their lives.

The meek will inherit the earth. Their relationship to the earth and its possessions shall be such as to bring them the greatest possible benefit and enjoyment of it. Psalm 37:11 says, “The meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.”

DAILY THOUGHTS | 13 JULY

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Mathew 5:6).

Restlessness and longing are traits of human life. God has put eternity in us and we also experience an inconsolable longing. We try to satisfy it with many pursuits and accumulations in this life but the longing seems to be not going away. Solutions for such longings are found in Christ.  Our longing will have a true fulfilment when we seek the righteousness that is freely available to us through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Hunger and thirst for righteousness would also refer to spiritual appetite to grow in the new life in Christ. Seeking after righteousness would mean the strong desire, we need to have to live the pattern of life that is in conformity to God's expressed will. Spiritual hunger will drive us to seek the ways and will of God, leading us towards deeper spiritual life. Hunger for righteousness would mean that a follower of Christ has to seek the holy and righteous lifestyle, being delivered from all sinful dispositions and practices while earnestly making efforts for a complete restoration of their souls to the image of God in which they were created. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 14 JULY

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Mathew 5:7).

In the parable of the unmerciful debtor, the servant to whom his lord forgave is expected to forgive his fellow servant. When he failed to show mercy, he was punished. This show that as God is merciful towards us we are expected to show mercy towards others. Being merciful would mean being sensitive to the needs of others and making possible efforts to address those needs. Being merciful would mean showing pity in action. Being merciful is the evidence for piety. We can practice mercy by sympathizing with those who are miserable and helping them to come out of their bad conditions. We can express mercy by teaching and counselling those who are ignorant, by reproving those who are living in sin, by praying for those who are afflicted and by forgiving those who err against us. Communicating with affection and tenderness with those who are in trouble are also acts of mercy.

Mercy is displayed through our attitudes, words and actions. We are all called to be merciful. Matthew 25:40 says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

DAILY THOUGHTS | 15 JULY

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God (Mathew 5:8).

When the Bible speaks of “the heart”, it is speaking of our inner self.  If the heart is pure, the outward actions will be pure and clean. This beatitude highlights the standard God expects in us, who are saved by His grace. Being pure in heart would refer to purity in our inner life. This beatitude is the most significant one as purity in inner life leads to poor in spirit, purity in inner life leads to mourning for the things that displease God, purity in inner life produce hunger for righteous living, etc. It refers to living a life that is pleasing to God.  It emphasizes the purity in thoughts, imaginations and desires.

There is no short cut for fellowship with God. Only those are pure in inner life can see God and can have fellowship with Him. To keep our inner life pure, we need to be aware of the potential blind spots of our inner life. The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure” (Jeremiah 17:9). We have to allow the Spirit of God to explore our inner life and be willing to make corrections. The prayer “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24) is a handy one. Our words, actions, look, etc., will be pure if our heart is pure. Purity in inner life also leads to a reliable, honest and faithful relationship with others.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 16 JULY

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Mathew 5:9).

We witness lot of conflicts, commotions and confusions around us. There are so much divisions, hate, power struggles, anger and rage in this world. We spend most of our efforts to attain peace within ourselves and peace in our relationships. God call us as peace makers in this situation.

As a peace maker, we are called to reflect an essential attribute of God in our daily life - peace making. We are asked to reconcile people to God and to each other. Peace-making demands tolerance and recognizing the need for each other.  Peace makers promote reconciliation and harmony. To be successful in peace-making, we have to put anger, hate and bitterness to death.

Peace at any cost is not biblical. James 3:17 says, “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable.” First pure, then peaceable. In beatitudes, first comes purity in heart and then comes peace. First things first always.

Peace-making does not mean the absence of conflicts. We are not instructed to run from conflicts. During conflicts, we are told to pray for our persecutors and not to take law in our hands. In Romans 12:18, we are told, “If possible, live peaceably with all.”

DAILY THOUGHTS | 17 JULY

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Mathew 5:10).

We pursue all the other beatitudes but this beatitude will pursue us when we commit ourselves to follow the other beatitudes. This beatitude is highlighting the reaction of the world against those who seek to pursue righteousness.  Jesus did not promise to make our life easy when we make a decision to follow Him. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”  The Lord isn’t saying that we should add “experience persecution” to our must do list of things. The point is about how we have to react when we face persecution.

The believers also undergo persecution because of faith in some nations and locations. At times, they face risk of being killed for their faith. While it is a blessing to eagerly desire righteousness, there is also a cost involved in that and that is persecution.

The suffering and the consequences, we undergo because of our pride, arrogant and rude behaviours won’t come under this class of persecution. The blessing promised by our Lord is applicable only for the persecution that comes from the worldly system and its people, due to our choice to follow Christ and for living a righteous and godly life in this world. Jesus says that our reaction in the midst of persecution has to be to rejoice and to be glad, for our reward is great in heaven.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 18 JULY

You are the salt of the earth (Mt 5:13).

In those times, salt was used for seasoning, as preservative, as disinfectant, as a component of ceremonial offerings and as a unit of exchange. The salt had two main purposes then, one was to preserve materials and another was to add flavour to food.  By calling his followers as salt, Jesus made the point that his followers are preservatives in the world that is facing moral and spiritual decay.  He meant that His followers would be ones, who enhance the flavour of life in this world. As followers of Christ, we are expected to influence the world for good, like the salt that adds flavour to the food it seasons. In the phrase, you are the salt of the earth, “you” refers to everyone who made a conscious decision to follow Jesus in this world and “are” refers to the being, the internal character of the follower of Christ. The followers of Christ are different from others by their character, life style and behaviours.  By calling His followers as salt, Jesus was highlighting their usefulness and their role in purifying the morally decaying world. Jesus conveyed the importance of His disciples to others in the world.  Jesus meant the impact his followers can make in the world.  He calls His followers for a holy and righteous life in the world. The phrase, you are the salt of the earth refers to two possible divisions - the salt and the world.  We are either the salt or the world. We can either be the disciple of Jesus or the world.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 19 JULY

But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot (Mt 5:13).

As salt can lose its saltiness, so we, His followers have the possibility to lose our purpose and it is a warning to us to take care of our position and responsibility in the world. If we lose our inherent character, we are good for nothing. By failing in our purpose to fight deterioration, we become useless in the body of Christ. In Luke 14:34,35 we read that when salt loses its taste, it is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile but it is thrown out.

When we live careless lives, tainted by sin and by the world, we become absolutely useless to the Lord as His witness in this world. 

Salt makes an impact.  We can be the one who is perishing or the one who preserves others from perishing. God has kept us in a specific place with a purpose. It is important that we understand that purpose and fulfils it. 

Salt enhances flavour. Salt changes everything it touches. We deny the salt function when we fail to mingle with people that are lost and make efforts to bring them to Christ; we deny the function of the salt when we fail to be kind, merciful and a peacemaker. Jesus did not say, you might be the salt of the earth rather He said, “You are the salt”.  Someone has said: “If we are not affecting the world, the world is affecting us”.  It is essential to introspect ourselves and amend our ways so that our calling and standing in Christ will not become waste.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 20 JULY

You are the light of the world (Mt 5:14).

Someone said that the fundamental principle of Christianity is to be what God is.  In 1 John 1: 5, we read that God is light and there is no darkness at all. In John 8:12, Jesus said that He is the light of the world and he who follows Him would have the light of life. Here in Mt 5:14, we read Jesus directly calling his followers as the light of the world. By calling His followers, as light, Jesus divided the people in to two main groups – one that belongs to the light and the other that belongs to the dark. By identifying his followers as light, Jesus emphasized the importance of blameless and holy life that is to be displayed by his followers in the sinful wicked world.  Paul in Eph 5:8 say, “For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord”.  The clear contrast between darkness and light in this verse denotes the moral standard expected in His followers as they live in this world.

When Jesus calls us as the light of the world, our call is to be a light to those around us. It is easy to compromise with the values of the society and to conform to the pattern of this world. We are not called to go with the flow, living a life with less resistance, staying within our comfort zone. But, as followers of Christ, we are supposed to be different. We are expected to be the light to others in deeds and actions. We are chosen to set an example to others in speech, in conduct and in purity.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 21 JULY

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Mt 5: 16).

Light exposes darkness. Throughout history, anything that is good is referred as light and anything that is evil is referred as dark. The light has an impact on darkness. The light removes darkness from its way. The light is stronger than the darkness. The light influences the darkness. We need to make a difference and positive contribution in the lives that are in contact with us. The light that people see is the good works that we do - our obedience to the living God, our conduct and our testimonial life. 

Like a city upon the hill, we are not hidden. People will look at us and observe our character and behaviours.  Paul says in Philippians 2:15, that we may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom we shine as lights in the world. Our faith is active when it is accompanied by good deeds. Our ability to do good works is proportional to the intensity of our fellowship with God. The purpose behind all our good works should be to bring glorify to God.

We are the only light, the world will ever know. Imagine that if the very light of the world is hidden from shinning, there will be no light to the world. The light is different from darkness. The light will never compromise with darkness. We are called to be different from the world, set apart from the world for God

DAILY THOUGHTS | 22 JULY

I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven (Mt 5: 20).

People in those days respected the righteousness of the religious leaders and thought that they would never be able to match them in their acts of righteousness. Jesus shocked them by stating that entrance into God's kingdom was available only to those whose righteousness exceeded that of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus was differentiating the external righteousness displayed through acts with the internal righteousness that proceeds from the heart. Jesus was teaching his disciples about how to be righteous and not how to look righteous.

While reading Mt 5: 17-48 we understand that Jesus is not giving a new law but He uncovers the real intentions of the law. He raised the standard and explained how sin begins in the mind and goes on to control us. We would understand the will of God when we realize the principle behind the law and not by taking it superficially. In people’s court, we are punished for the wrong doings but in the eyes of God, the thoughts and motives are noticed. Jesus gave the deeper meaning for the laws and provided ways to enforce it.  He gave few illustrations of what it means to fulfil the law. Murder is wrong and so is the hateful attitude that leads to it.  Adultery is wrong and so is the lustful look.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 23 JULY

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment (Mt 5: 21, 22).

As per Old Testament law, those who commit murder were punished with death sentence. But Jesus gave an upgraded view stating that our anger has the potential to drag us to judgment. He conveyed not only on the sinfulness of murder but also on the sinfulness of anger. The hearers of Jesus thought that murder was evil, but Jesus introduced this new concept that anger can also be evil.

Anger is an emotion and how can it be wrong? We read Jesus Himself was angry and drove the money changers out of temple. The anger can be for selfish cause or for righteous cause. Here Jesus is talking about the selfish anger. The cause of this selfish anger could be due to something blocking us from getting what we want or someone treating us in a way that displeases us. Selfish anger makes us guilty before God. Paul states in Eph 4:6 as “be angry, and yet do not sin.” meaning that when we are angry, it needs to be controlled lest it take control and destroy us. The true righteousness lies in not just refraining from anger but in controlling the anger. One of the signs of love driven relationship is that the persons involved will not get easily angered as highlighted in 1 Cor 13:5. In James 1:19,20  we read that everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 24 JULY

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Mathew 5:28).

Jesus saying that anybody who looks on opposite gender to lust after them has committed adultery is a tremendous statement to our times, when the temptations are so vast. He's talking about the thought process behind the look. Jesus taught that the act of looking with the intention to cultivate lustful thoughts need to be controlled as it plays an important role in the growth of our spiritual life. Looking with lustful intent would mean continuous gaze by which the impulse is deliberately cherished.

God gave us the gift of imagination, but if we put wrong things inside our mind, the imaginations will be filthy. The filthier things we take in through our eyes, the more polluted our mind will be. Keeping the imagination pure and holy is important to moral purity. Christ condemned the mental surrender to lustful things. When we allow our imagination to dwell on forbidden things, we are being led to sin, so controlling the imagination from filthy things is essential for our growth in Christ.  We must avoid temptation causing places and situations to protect our spiritual life. Lust is a hidden sin and we struggle with it often. We should not deliberately use our eyes to awaken and stimulate lust.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 25 JULY

But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery (Mathew 5:32).

Our world believes that divorce can be for any reason. People divorce and remarry for all kinds of reasons, just for the sake of wanting to be with someone else. Their only concern is if the person is going to be happy by divorcing.  Our society is not worried about what is God’s will on this important subject. Even the Bible believing Christians does not uphold the sanctity of marriage. Statistics show that about fifty percent of marriages in the developed Christian countries end in divorce. World says that one can divorce for any reason but Bible teaches that everyone who divorces commits adultery. The teaching of Jesus on divorce is opposite to the conventional views on marriage and divorce. In Malachi 2:16, we read, "God hates divorce!" Jesus' words affirm the statement. Jesus upheld the marriage law of Genesis 2.

God’s plan for marriage is that it should be permanent and be monogamous. Divorce creates brokenness in the lives of those involved. Husbands and wives are encouraged to love each other and to be faithful to each other. In our age, when promiscuity and sexual indiscretion run rampant, we must heed the call to sexual purity and marital commitment.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 26 JULY

But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all (Mathew 5:34).

An oath is the invocation of curse upon someone if he breaks his word or if he is not speaking the truth. In Bible times, oaths were accompanied by protective curses to make sure the oaths were kept. We see an example for oath in 1 Sam 14:24, Saul keeping people under an oath, saying, "Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!". An oath is a solemn appeal to God, as to an all-seeing witness that what we say is true (Hebrews 6:16). The Law of Moses allowed men to swear by His name (Exodus 22:11). To swear by a false god was an act of idolatry (Jeremiah 12:16).

Oaths were made in the name of heaven or the temple as they were not regarded as ultimately binding, which led people making oaths by persons or objects other than God to have an excuse in case they did not keep their word. Jesus made it clear to His followers that they do not need to swear by anything to confirm that their statements are true. He wanted them to have their daily conversation as sacred as oaths. James also reflects the same view in his epistle, above all, my brothers and sisters do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned (James 5:12).

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 27 JULY

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one (Mathew 5:37).

The importance of sincerity, transparency, accuracy and truthfulness in our speeches, conversations, etc., is highlighted here. Jesus said that we have to mean what we say. If we say “yes” we have to mean “yes”, and if we say “No” we have to mean “No”. Jesus conveyed that His followers don’t need to swear by heaven or earth as others do. When we say “yes,” others should be able to rely on that word and we should accomplish that task. Our “Yes” should be such that there is no need for any kind of extra assurance or swearing. Disciples of Jesus are expected to be the kind of people who would keep their word. We have to really mean whatever we say. We should be careful to keep up what we say.  We ought to abide by our words, so that all may be convinced of our honesty. Letting our “Yes” be “Yes” is a way of maintaining integrity. Our integrity is a reflection of God’s character. The type of person who has real relationship with God is the one who keeps his word even when it hurts, and does not change their mind (Psalm 15:4)

Christ declares that what is beyond these comes from evil. The practice of going beyond Yes and No in affirmations and denials springs from that vicious root of untruthfulness. We have to avoid exaggeration, white lies, etc., and have to say as they really happened.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 28 JULY

But I tell you, do not resist an evil person (Mathew 5:39).

In Mt 5:38-41, we read Jesus asking his disciples to turn the other cheek when someone strikes him, to give those who sue them more than they are asking, to offer to carry a load for two miles when a Roman officer asks to carry the load for one mile. 

If these are to be taken literally, are we not allowing everyone to take advantage of us? Does this mean that we cannot defend ourselves, when attacked?  What could be the intention behind these statements by Jesus?  Our instinctive response to any kind of injury is hatred and desire for vengeance.  The law of the land and the nature justify self-defence when our life is in danger.

“An eye for an eye” in Old Testament was actually to put limitations on issues, prompting vengeance. The law did not allow taking life for minor injury. Jesus went a step further and stated that we have to give up our personal vengeance, driven by hatred. Jesus pointed out the preparedness we need to have to submit meekly to another, without retaliation. 

Jesus is asking us not to set against an evil person who is injuring us, not to contend with a revengeful spirit in courts of justice. He wants us to bear injustice patiently and meekly rather than contending and fighting. He wants us to surrender our right to personal revenge. He wants us to have a change in attitude towards ones who are intending to harm us.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 29 JULY

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven (Mathew 5: 44, 45).

We are commanded by our Lord to love, to do good and to pray as responses to various acts of enmity. It is very difficult to love a person who curses and blames us, who cheats and act selfishly, who is proud and insult us, who violates all the laws of God but as children of God we are expected to forgive them and love them.

Christ Himself did what He preached and His life is an example for us for the commands He want us to follow. Loving our enemies is expressing the love of God in action through us in deeper and more powerful way. Every time we love our enemies, we recall the abundant love of God shown to us when we were still His enemies. Romans 5:10 says, “While we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son”.

Christ is asking us to do things that are contrary to human nature. This is the highest possible test of piety, and is one of the most difficulty duties to be performed in our social set up.  Naturally, we do good for good, but as a true follower of Christ, we are asked to do good even for bad things. We are asked to pray for those persecuting us. We can pray for the forgiveness of those persecuting us and for their salvation. Through our love and forgiveness, we can play a part in leading those persecutors towards Christ.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 30 JULY

Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (Mathew 6:18)

In Matthew 6:1-18, we read about the outward and inward expression of piety. Jesus picked up three Jewish customs like almsgiving, prayer & fasting, practiced by the Pharisees and taught valuable lessons to His disciples. The acts of righteousness were common in Judaism and Jesus assumed that his disciples were already practicing those acts. Jesus drew a contrast between his disciples and the hypocrites by instructing his followers to examine their motives. Jesus exposed the motives of pseudo spiritual class and cautioned the disciples to guard their life against such hypocrisy.

Jesus demands us to consider our motive of what we do and reminds us that if our motive is "not of God" then "not of God" is what we will get. Jesus says if our aim is to be hailed as spiritual and generous ones or to gain recognition for what we do, we obtained what we had sought.

Why do we do what we do?  Whatever we do on earth is watched by our God, who is omniscient and omnipresent. We should be convinced that our God who sees us in secret will reward us publicly. The most important thing in our Christian life is not what happens to us externally but what we become internally as we live in Christ.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 31 JULY

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret (Mathew 6: 3, 4).

Alms were acts of charity and were sought by the unfortunates. Pharisees used to sound trumpets under the pretext of calling the poor but inwardly they were seeking a vain glory for their charity. The point in saying that not let our left hand know what our right hand does is to keep our good works and generous giving concealed as much as possible. It is not enough that we hide the charity works we do from our friends, relatives and acquaintances, Jesus advised that we have to conceal them even from ourselves, by not thinking of them. He taught to do charity works secretly and consistently. Vain-glory creeps into what we do even without our knowledge and drives us to do things in the name of God for our praise and glory. He forbids the spirit that desires publicity. The motivation to give gifts, charity and alms to less privileged should be due to our love for God rather than the temporary praises of people.   We need to regularly examine our motives lest we fall. We have to do good work because it is a good work not because it would earn us a good name. Our motive in helping others and serving others has to be, to bring glory to God. In 1 Cor 10:31, we read as “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 1 AUGUST

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others (Mathew 6: 5).

Jesus emphasized the importance of personal and private prayers. The public prayer was uttered at set times of the day. The devout Jews stopped wherever they were at the set time and recited the prayers in standing position. But the Pharisees used to position themselves in prayer where they can be easily noticeable by others, like in street corners. Their motive was that men might admire them for their piety. They gave the appearance that they were so serious and regular in spiritual life and was above normal but their real life did not back it up.

The purpose of prayer is developing a relationship with God and a life of dependency on God. Prayers are not meant to show our piety. We are taught to avoid vain repetitions in prayers. Prayers made in secret are more effective and are pleasing in the sight of God. Secret prayer is the secret of effective prayer. This does not mean that Jesus dismissed the corporate and public prayers. Our motive in public prayer should not be driven on the desire to make an impression on the listeners so that they will talk well of our prayers. Our prayers are to be focused on seeking God, His will and His ways. It should not be for gaining admirers. Our prayer can be simple but it has to be sincere.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 2 AUGUST

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full (Mathew 6: 16).

Jesus was assuming that His disciples will fast and then went on to teach how to do it and how not to do it. Fast in Jewish context meant going without food from sunrise to sunset. Fasting twice a week was considered as a sign of devotion. Jews used to disfigure their faces and put ashes on their heads during fasting, as a sign of mourning. For Pharisees, the motivations for fasting seemed to be to showcase their religious discipline, zeal and devotion. Jesus condemned such attitude. Jesus rejected external displays during fasting. Jesus asked his disciples to apply oil to the head and to wash their faces, which was normally done for joyous occasions. Fasting for the purpose to be admired is self-centred and we are commanded to avoid such attitude in fasting.  If we fast to draw attention to ourselves so that others will think well of us, then the only reward we will receive is the praise of men.  Like other spiritual disciplines, God does not desire mere performance but the proper motive of the heart. The principle is that we should not seek vain glory for our spiritual efforts and activities. We look at the outward acts but God looks at our motives. Whatever you do, do all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 3 AUGUST

This, then, is how you should pray (Mathew 6:9).

In the model prayer mentioned in Mt 6:9-15, “OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN” identifies with the relationship we can have with our creator and the ruler of the universe. Father is a wonderful word picture highlighting the kindness and love of God. It conveys that He is near to us though He is in heaven. God is not only majestic and holy but also personal and loving towards us. He is both transcendent and immanent. In prayer we can approach God as a loving Father and not as a distant deity. The purpose of acknowledging GOD’S NAME AS HALLOWED is that God might be glorified among us and be treated with the highest honor in our words, thoughts and deeds by submitting ourselves to His lordship. By praying that HIS WILL, WOULD BE DONE ON EARTH, we are surrendering ourselves for the execution of God’s will in our lives, in our family, in our church, in our ministry and in our country. Like Jesus, we have to submit to the will of the Father in everything that we do!  “GIVE US OUR DAILY BREAD” teach us to ask God for the things we need in our daily life. We can depend on God to provide for our present and future, physical and spiritual needs. “FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE ALSO HAVE FORGIVEN OUR DEBTORS” teach us to confess our sins to God and to turn from them, and also to forgive others as God forgives us. “LEADS US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVERS US FROM THE EVIL ONE” is a request for help in achieving victory over sin and a request for protection from the attacks of the devil.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 4 AUGUST

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal (Mathew 6:19).

Here we find a command to stop some action that is already in process. We are told to stop the habit of storing up temporal treasure on earth, which we cannot take with us to heaven. Jesus makes it clear what our relationship ought to be with respect to the material things by which we are surrounded and with which we have to deal. We are exhorted to be heavenly minded with respect to the relation we hold on to the wealth. Jesus warns us of the snare that comes through the love of money and love for earthly things. Christ dissuades us from covetousness and worldly mindedness. He warns us not to hold on to anxious care and concern to hoard up plenty of worldly things for ourselves, making no use of them at present for the good of others. Here, Jesus is not advocating poverty as means to spirituality. It is right to provide for our families, to make reasonable plans for the future, to make wise investments and to have money to carry on a business while giving to poor and supporting the Lord's work. It is being dishonest, greedy, covetous and stingy about possessions that are wrong. To honestly earn, save and give is wise and good. To hoard and spend only on ourselves is not only unwise but also sinful. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 5 AUGUST

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Mathew 6:20, 21).

We notice two types of earthly treasures mentioned here. First, we see Garments, which may be destroyed and found useless for wearing. Secondly, we find valuables, which may be stolen by thieves. The treasures points to a form of eastern wealth - the costly garments of rich material, often embroidered with gold and silver. The rich delighted in displaying their treasures through apparel embedded with beautiful and richly ornamented articles. The moth is a small insect that finds its way to clothes and garments. The moth would destroy their apparel and thus all their treasure would be wasted away. The houses then were made up of mud walls and it was easy for thieves to dig through the walls and take away the valuables. The point highlighted here is that no sort of worldly riches and treasure is safe and can be depended on. Jesus urged His followers to seek true wealth, because earthly wealth, though gathered, may be rendered useless by earth's chances.

It is said that worldly-mindedness is a common and fatal symptom of hypocrisy. The Scripture teaches that the heart is the control centre of our life. We must guard our hearts and watch over them so that our heart follows after the things of God and is not distracted by the things of this world. To lay up treasure in heaven is to do anything on earth whose effects last for eternity.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 6 AUGUST

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light (Mathew 6:22).

Eye is the physical organ of sight, one of the chief channels of information for us.  It enables us to see the things, but it must be a healthy eye to fulfil this function. Jesus seems to be teaching that His followers need to maintain a clear, healthy sight to live a life acceptable to God. The effectiveness of our spiritual life depends on how well, we manage our eyes. In Mt 18:9, we read that if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. Here, Jesus conveys that our eyes have the potential to drag us to sin. If we are not controlling the lust of our eyes and think that we are doing well in our spiritual life, we are simply deceiving ourselves.

Eyes are not only the windows through which we see the world but they are also the door for the filthy and lustful wicked things of the world to enter our life. Eyes are influenced by lust.  Satan uses the lust of the eyes as an avenue for temptation. The lust of the eyes is the desire to possess what we see or to have those things which have visual appeal. We are often entrapped by our lustful look.  Lustful look is different from passing glance; it is a wilful, calculated stare that arouses ungodly desires.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 7 AUGUST

But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (Mathew 6:23).

In Bible, we read about many persons who ended up on the wrong side because of their failure in managing their eyes. In Gen 3:6 we read that Eve looked at the forbidden fruit and saw that it was pleasing to the eye and this triggered the desire in her to go with the suggestions, offered by the Satan, which in turn caused the fall. Satan used a visual image to entrap her. In Gen 3:10, we read about the wrong deceptive look of Lot that drove him in making a wrong decision to go and live in Sodom. In Joshua 7:21, we read about the confession of Achan, narrating how he was carried away by the covetous look that led to his destruction and the failure of Israelites in a tiny battle. In 2 Sam 11:2, we read how David was driven into various sins, when he failed to control the lustful look initially.

2 Pet 2:14 says about the class of people whose eyes are full of adultery and they never stop sinning. In Proverbs 20:27, we read that our eyes are never satisfied with what they look for. In 1 John 2:16, we read that those who are controlled by the lust of eyes are not from God. In Titus 2:12, we are told to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Let the prayer of Psalmist in 119:37, be our prayer as well. O Lord, turn our eyes away from worthless things.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 8 AUGUST

You cannot serve both God and money. (Mathew 6:24).

This verse talks about two masters. One is God and the other is money. Money is personified as a kind of god of this world. What Jesus seems to be conveying is that we cannot serve the true God and at the same time, be engaged in going after the riches of this world. Jesus talks about the possibility of opposing factors that are likely to discourage His followers from following God faithfully while they get engaged in pursuing riches of this world.

God is our master because He has created us, redeemed us and preserves us. But money becomes our master by intrusion.  Serving God would mean ascribing the worship that is due to Him, having high regard for His commandments and a ready cheerful obedience to His will. Serving money would imply a devotion to the world, under the perception that riches and material possessions are the true seat of human happiness.

No man can serve two masters, who have contrary interests, issuing contrary commands because he cannot divide his heart between God and the world. He cannot give his commitment to two services at the same time. He cannot follow two callings successfully. The affections can be fixed on only one. The servant of God cannot at the same time obey him and seek treasures on earth. It is impossible to be faithful to God and at the same time be a servant to riches. One interferes with the other and one or the other must be given up.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 9 AUGUST

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other (Mathew 6:24).

We understand the impossibility of loving the world and loving God at the same time. He, who gives his heart to the world, robs God of it. God claims our supreme love and our undivided service. The service of heaven cannot be combined with the earthly inclinations. It is dangerous spiritually to set our hearts upon riches and giving up our lives to be controlled by money. The followers of Christ will have to shun covetousness of all kinds and has to give their life's devotion to their God.

God must be the undisputed master of our lives. We must always ask and seek, "What does God wish me to do?" There are various ways by which we may use our money. We may delight simply in possessing and hoarding it and such possessions may be quite useless to anyone. Or we may use them completely for our selfish gains. But God wants our riches to be distributed to the needy.

In 1 Timothy 6th chapter, Paul offers some practical suggestions with respect to managing riches. If we are not rich, we are told not to try to become rich but to be content with what we have. If we are rich in this present world, we are told not to put our hope in wealth but to put our hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. And we are advised to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share with others in need. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 10 AUGUST

Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? (Mathew 6:25).

Anxiety is something which all of us have, irrespective of our age, possessions, our social positions and other accumulations in our life. In a study, it is learnt that 85% of our worries are about the things that would never happen or happened. 97 percent of our worries are not much more than a fearful mind punishing us with exaggerations and misperceptions.

When Jesus said, therefore I tell you, in the starting of the verse, He linked this statement with the other teachings He had given on treasure and money. Then the understanding we derive from this context is that Jesus would have referred about the over concern we have to accumulate things in order to keep our future more secure and comfortable. When we cease to trust God for our needs, we become enslaved to material things. When seeking after the material things occupy our life, possessing and keeping things would be the goal of our life. This makes us over anxious for our material and physical needs. When we see people with a higher standard of living than our own and feel pressure to match with those standards, we look for ways to make more money. In the process we would end up taking work with longer hours, taking high pressure jobs and compromising on business ethics. This will end up causing more worries on a daily basis.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 11 AUGUST

For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them (Mathew 6:32).

When we worry, we miss the real meaning of life. When we worry, we display the unbelief in God. When we worry, we behave like non-believers, who have not tasted the nature of a true living and personal God. When we worry about certain things, those things would be the first thing we think about in the morning and the last thing we think before sleep. It would occupy our spare time and conversation. It would become our master and will eat out all the happiness of our daily life. Worry gives a small thing a big shadow. Worry is the interest we pay on tomorrow's troubles. Worry is an indication of our wrong thinking that God cannot look after us. Worries shift the focus from the sufficiency of Christ to our insufficiency and insecurity. Worry is a sin because it displaces God in our life and it distracts us from the things that really matter in life.

We do not have to be anxious because God is our shepherd and provider. We should not spend our life worrying like the non-believers. God values us much more than the birds and He can be completely trusted for our needs. Worry is unnecessary because we have a father in heaven, who loves us and cares for us. The people belonging to God have to keep worry aside. Worrying is an unfruitful effort. The Cure for anxiety is in seeking His Kingdom and its righteousness. Also, Prayer helps to overcome worry on a daily basis (Ph4:6).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 12 AUGUST

Do not judge, or you too will be judged (Mathew 7:1).

We often use this verse to silence our critics. Was Jesus forbidding one from making moral evaluations? Did He suggest that we should keep our mouth shut, when we notice immoral and wicked practices in our midst? Certainly not! If we read verses 15 and 16 of the same chapter, we notice that Jesus was commanding His followers to know people by their fruit and for knowing their fruit, some sort of judgment is necessary. Jesus does not oppose offering correction, but forbid providing correction with a wrong motive. In John 7:24, Jesus says, “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly”. Here, Jesus seems to be highlighting that we have to make judgments in the right sense and should not indulge in criticizing others in censorious manner.

By telling, “do not judge”, Jesus does not suspend our critical powers. We are equipped to discern right from wrong and righteousness from wickedness. In Isaiah 5:20, we read as, “Woe to those who call evil, good and good, evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” Jesus does not want us to take the function of judge, dispensing judgment upon others. Jesus is speaking against judging the motives of others, which is truly known only by God. We would be able to judge the fruit of a man, but we can rarely judge their motives with accuracy.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 13 AUGUST

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye (Mathew 7:5).

Judgment is one of the noblest faculties of our moral life. We need to examine the spirit out of which our judgment on others, spring out.

We should stay away from judging superficially. Passing judgment superficially on someone based only on appearances is sinful and wrong. It is foolish to jump to conclusions without complete information and facts. Also, we should avoid judging hypocritically. Most of our judgment in regard to others is wrong, not because we judge according to a standard, but because we are hypocritical in the application of that standard, ignoring such standard in our own life. We judge others by one standard and ourselves by another standard, being more generous to ourselves than others. We also, should stay away from critical judging, eager to find faults.

Evil teachers and evil men must be exposed and purged out of the body of the Christ. In 1 Tim 5:20, we read that the sinning ones need to be reproved publicly, so that the others may take warning. We are to gently confront erring brothers or sisters in Christ.

Everyone has untold stories of pain and sadness that make them live a little differently than we do. It is important to understand others before coming to hasty conclusions.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 14 AUGUST

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces (Mathew 7:6).

Dogs were unclean creatures by the law. In those days, flesh torn by beasts, were given to dogs (Exodus 22:31). This would mean that holy flesh was not allowed to be given to dogs. Jesus used the words like dogs and pigs to represent those who ridicule, reject, and blaspheme the gospel when it is presented to them.  It refers to persons who do not have desire to understand spiritual things and live accordingly. If we present gospel to someone who repeatedly scoffs and ridicules Christ, it is like casting pearls before swine. Some are so submerged in wrong doctrines and when we attempt to share the unadulterated word of God, we may be opposed. It also suggests that the godly things and gifts should not be used in such a manner as to profane of degrade it.

This does not mean that we have to stop sharing Christ to such people as we are commanded to preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). It is our responsibility to share gospel with others but we have to use common sense and discernment. We have to pray and look for favourable opportunities to present the gospel to such people. When we are in the midst of the persons who are like swine, who do not take the word of God seriously, it is better to be silent as our efforts are more likely to be despised and rejected.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 15 AUGUST

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened (Mathew 7:7, 8).

We ask what we wish, we seek what we miss and we knock believing that the shut doors will be opened. All these efforts need faith, diligence and persistence. ASKING suggests dependence, SEEKING suggests yearning; KNOCKING suggests persistence.  The earnestness, diligence and perseverance, we need in prayer are highlighted here.

From 1 John 5:14, 15 we learn that prayers offered according to His will, will bring answers. So, we have to pray according to His will. In John 16:24, it is conveyed that what we ask in the name of Jesus will be given. This means that we have to pray for things that would be approved by Jesus.  From Mt 21:22, we learn that we will receive whatever we ask, believing. This conveys that we have to pray in faith. John 15:7 clarifies that if we remain in Christ and His words remain in us, then we will receive whatever we ask in prayer. This suggests that our fellowship with Christ is an important factor to get answers for our prayers. 

The Bible encourages us to pray for our needs. There are many examples in Bible who are engaged in persistent prayers. Persistent prayer develops in us a dependency and submission to Him. Persistent prayer reminds us about our inabilities and weakness.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 16 AUGUST

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Mathew 7:11).

This verse pictures the goodness of God. Parents, even though sinful, will not do harmful things to their children. The earthly father knows how to give suitable provisions for the support and sustenance of their children.  Through this analogy, we can understand that God who knows our needs and wants will surely give what is beneficial for us, whenever we seek Him and pray to Him.

Christ tells us what we are to expect of God, in His treatment of us.  The love and care of God towards each of us is far better than a kind and wise father towards his child. The verse highlights the assurance we can have in God. God knows what is good for us. He is kind and is able to do what he wishes.

When we pray, we need to have the assurance that God will answer our prayers with things that are needed and truly beneficial. Even earthly fathers deny request of their children if the thing asked is not suitable for the welfare of the child. In the similar way, God may not give to us that which might appear to be of use, but which would be injurious. God knows what we need, what we desire and what is fit for us.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 17 AUGUST

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sum up the Law and the Prophets (Mathew 7:12).

This verse is considered as the golden rule. Golden rule is all about the principles of relationship. Relationships would be at its best when we use this rule in our relationships. What we wish upon others, we wish upon ourselves. It conveys to do the same actions that we want others to do to us. It conveys us to guide our behaviours in the same way that we want others to behave. If we regard others’ possessions, families, job and ministry in the same way we regard our own, the impacts, changes and transformations it can make are unlimited. The passage “Do to others what you would have them do to you” would mean that if we want respect, we ought to respect others.

Practicing the golden rule would mean empathizing with other people, including those who may be very different from us. It is the ability to experience how others view and feel. It would mean placing ourselves in the shoes of another person and trying to understand others in their perspective. Do to others what you would have them do to you would mean that we make efforts to understand how others want to be treated, and then doing that.

By making a decision to do to others what we would want others to do to us, we open up to a process of change. It's a way of denying self and allowing a gradual transformation to change our character from the inside out.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 18 AUGUST

Love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:31).

Generally, people keep their eyes shut to the needs and troubles of others. If we understand another person, and feel what they’re going through, there is possibility to take some actions to ease their suffering in some way.  Without the love for neighbour, the love of God remains a barren emotion.  Though we are conditioned to control people, the commandment of God is not about controlling others but providing freedom, autonomy and trust. Though we have the tendency to strike back when we’re treated badly the rule is about treating others well, irrespective of how they treat us.

When we start applying this commandment, our daily life will change. We will behave responsibly in public. We will listen more, help more. We will try to see the similarities between us and others, despite the differences. We will hold back criticism and instead learn to interact with others in a positive way. We will not take advantage of someone. We will not lie or cheat to get ahead because we would not want others doing that to us.

If we want love, we need to love others. If we want to be helped, we have to help others. If we want to be listened, we have to listen to others.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 19 AUGUST

Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Mt 7:2).

Doing the will of God is necessary for entering heaven. Doing the will of God starts with knowing the will of God. In Eph 5:17, we read as “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Doing the will of God depends on the choices we make. The willing will that wills God’s will, will dwell within God’s will. And in John 7:17, we read, “If anyone chooses to do God's will.” In many cases, our will contradicts with the will of God. The lust of flesh in us and the attractions of the world around us influence us to make decisions contrary to the will of God.

Other than the revealed will of God in scripture, while making choices in our daily life, if there are right and wrong choices, we would go by the right choice. But while choosing from two or more right choices, or to choose from choices, outcome of which is not clear, we would face difficulty in finding the direction of God. In such circumstances, we can look to God for the revelation of His will. 

God has blessed us with indwelling Holy Spirit, who teaches us, guides us and directs our steps. Responding positively to the promptings of the indwelling Holy Spirit will help us to be in the will of God. Obeying the revealed will of God, committing to regular study of Scripture, seeking the direction of God in prayer, seeking godly counseling, etc., helps to stay in His will.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 20 AUGUST

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it (Mathew 7:13).

Broad road is the easy way of floating downstream, in the course of this world. One can easily sail into it without much effort and thought. It takes in multitudes and keeps them. This way does not require spiritual maturity, moral character, commitment and sacrifice. Jesus said many will enter through the wide gate and move through the wide road. The “many” would probably refer to all who do not take the words of Christ seriously. The broad road is easy, pleasing and attractive. There are few rules, few restrictions and requirements. Here, sin is tolerated and the truth is diluted. Here, the word of God is pronounced but not studied and applied. Here, the ways of God are admired but not followed.

We can have many paths to take in life, but God's way is the only one that leads to eternal life.  We cannot walk on two roads, in two different directions, at the same time.  The fact that “everybody does it” is no proof that what they are doing is right. Surprisingly, only small number of disciples chose to follow Jesus by the end of His ministry. The thousands that followed Him, like a celebrity apparently left him on the way.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 21 AUGUST

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it. (Mathew 7:14).

Narrow road is the way of holiness and is hardly chosen. The narrow road is not smooth and walker friendly. Few go there, traveling mostly in solitude and singularity. We are not in heaven as soon as we pass through the narrow gate, we would be walking through the narrow road with all inconveniences and wilderness type of experience. Here, we are likely to be persecuted and face oppositions. Here, we have to deny ourselves and would be asked to give up our inclination to the world. Entering in the narrow gate would require efforts and diligence. Here, one needs to strive and swim against the stream to keep going. Walking through the narrow road would mean keeping our lust under control, wining over temptations and overcoming the desires of the flesh.

Jesus wants us to be on the right road, where the entrance is somewhat difficult, for it demands self-denial and calls for strictness of obedience. Following Jesus requires crucifying our flesh, living by faith, enduring trials with Christ like patience and living a lifestyle set apart for God from the world.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 22 AUGUST

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them (Mathew 7:15, 16).

In Mt 7: 15-20, Jesus warns us to be aware of false prophets, and gives us very concrete and practical guidelines for our discernment.

Like the presence of false prophets in Old Testament, there are counterfeits in our time who promote easier religion and spirituality, while in reality; they neglect God's true demands. We are told in Mathew 24:11 & 24 that there would be more and more false prophets in last days. We must be aware of false prophets who claim to be a prophet from God and utter falsehoods in the name of divine prophecies. Jesus said that false prophets come to us in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  They come as wolves dressed as sheep - the most ravenous of animals disguised as the most harmless of animals. This is the deceitfulness of the false prophets. Unfortunately, we are more influenced to believe anything in religion if it comes from ordained ministers and famous preachers.

This is the age of deception. The Bible warns us to "test the spirits" (1Jn 4:1) and to be aware of deceivers (2Ti 3:13). If a blind lead a blind, both are likely to fall into the ditch. We need to very careful about the teachings, reaching us through various media, today.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 23 AUGUST

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Mathew 7:18-20).

Many are deceived by the outward appearance of false teachers and prophets. The counterfeits are trained and professional in deceiving even the very elect. In Mt 7:16-18 Jesus describes how false ones can be recognized. Their actions end up revealing their true nature. They may be able to hide their deadliness but eventually they will be exposed. They may look like sheep but they will always end up behaving like wolves. They appear harmless like sheep but they always seek to further their own interests at the expense of the flock. They preach a certain amount of gospel truth. They talk about prayer, Jesus and the Bible but under the layer of truth is the trap of error. Paul describes the nature of false ones in Philippians 3:18, 19 as, they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

If the teaching does not draw us to holiness, inspires us to imitate Christ, then it would be better to ignore them. Sound doctrine and holy living are the marks of true ones. The way to identify a counterfeit is to know the original. The best safe guard against false teaching is the regular study of the word of God. Neglecting the earnest study of the word of God, makes us easy prey to the ferocious wolves in sheep’s clothing.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 24 AUGUST

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Mathew 7:21).

Jesus seems to be suggesting that many who are thinking that they are on board to heaven may get disappointed. Jesus speaks about the religious people, who are duped into a false sense of security thinking that they have a direct entry to heaven, while in reality their destiny is not different from non-believers. Our entry to heaven is not based on our religious activities but it truly depends on, if we are doing the will of God. Professing is one thing and practicing what we profess is entirely another thing.

“Not everyone” in the verse indicates that some of those Jesus is talking about are true believers. Their declaration of "Lord, Lord" is genuine, because it comes from their regenerated hearts. They seem to be self-deceived, brought in to a kind of thinking that they have become the citizens of the Kingdom of God whereas in reality they still belong to the kingdom of darkness and are under the power of sin and Satan. They may have God’s name in their mouth, but rebellion is witnessed in their lives. Doing the will of God would mean seeking the will of God and also making conscious efforts to fulfil the will of God in every part and aspects of our life.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 25 AUGUST

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and, in your name, perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Mathew 7:22,23)

These are told about those who base their works in the name of Jesus, who pray and heal in the name of Jesus, who preach and teach in the name of Jesus, who build huge churches and ministries in the name of Jesus, who claim to have relationship with Him, but in reality, they are different.  There are many who say “Lord, Lord,” and their religion ends there. They have a form of godliness and are satisfied with the shell of religion. They desire to do things that will be most seen and prefer to minster in those places that brings them great honours.

Jesus sends them away, not with commendation for their good works done in His name but by disowning their every deed and word, saying that He would never know them. There are times when God, in His sovereign will and for His purposes, will empower even unbelievers to perform miraculous deeds. The spectacular deeds in ministries do not always certify the life approved of God. True believers are like the good trees that produce good fruit, like the true sheep that look to Christ, depending on Him, believing in Him and following Him. We have to turn from considering religion as something for quieting our conscience to a practical influence that affect our lives and conduct daily.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 26 AUGUST

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock (Mathew 7:24, 25).

Towards the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used a parable to emphasize an important point to His followers. Jesus told a story about two men: one who built his house upon a rock and another who built his house upon sand. One is carefully preparing his foundation and the other is careless about his foundation. The house built upon a rock weathered the storm and the builder is called wise; but the house built on the sand collapsed during the storm, and the builder is called foolish. This parable speaks about two types of followers of Jesus and the emphasis is on understanding the teachings of Jesus and practicing it. The difference lies in how their understanding change and transform their inner lives.

The wise follower of Christ is the one who understands the teachings of Christ and practices it.  A wise Christian is not content with listening to exhortations to repent, believe in Christ and to live a holy life. He actually repents, believes and ceases to do evil. He leaves what is sinful and clings to what is good. They are like tree planted by the streams of water, bearing good works throughout his life. The floods of sickness, sorrow, poverty, disappointments will not shake his faith and trust in God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 27 AUGUST

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. (Mathew 7: 26, 27).

The parable of wise and foolish builders talks about two different classes of Christians who look similar outwardly but are different inwardly. The houses looked similar. Both classes are professing Christians who are familiar with the Bible and the teachings of Jesus.

The foolish builder is like the man who listens to the Christian teachings and does not move further. They believe that all is right with their life and are content with the feelings, convictions and desires for spiritual life. They are not breaking off from sin and casting aside the spirit of the world. They lay hold of Christ and are not committed to take up their cross. They have conditioned themselves to be just listeners of truth and nothing more.

Each one of us is building our life. The proper foundation for our life lies in understanding the teachings of Jesus and obeying them sincerely. Everything in the world seems to be causing us to turn away from God’s word. And our own feelings, at times, would pull us away from the plain teachings of the Christ. But we need to be wise enough to make efforts to follow the words of Christ, despite these pressures.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 28 AUGUST

Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” (Mathew 8:4)

Jesus forbade many who received healings from speaking about their healing publicly on several occasions. In those days, when someone got healed from infectious skin disease, like leprosy, they had to be declared clean before readmitting them to the congregation. This was to conform to the law instituted in Leviticus 14^th Chapter. The priest had to inspect the nature of cure. If he was found clean or cured, he would be purified by the use of two birds, cedar wood, scarlet and hyssop, etc. He will be inspected again after seven days and he will be taken to the temple to offer the gift for his cleansing.

The place where this healing of Leper by Jesus happened was in Galilee and the cured leper had to go to meet the priest in Jerusalem to obtain his sanction for the reality of the cure. Christ might have told him not to pronounce the healing to others before being certified by the priest. If this was the reason, we can learn the importance given by Jesus to the laws of Moses. In Mathew 5:17, Jesus stated that he did not come to destroy the Law but to fulfil it. Another reason could be to prevent multitude from thronging him that would hinder His work.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 29 AUGUST

I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mathew 8:11, 12).

The Lord talks about two classes of people here. The subjects of the kingdom refer to the Jews, who had the covenants and the promises and who had been the heirs of the kingdom. People from east and west refer to the gentiles who would be converted through the gospel. By saying that the centurion has exceptional faith, in the preceding verses, the Lord saw in the centurion, the first-fruits of the wide harvest of the future. Jesus took the occasion to declare the merciful purpose which God gives to the Gentiles, of accepting their faith as readily as the faith of the Jews and admitting them with the founders of the Jewish nation to the privileges and blessings of His kingdom. 

This emphasizes the application of gospel to everyone. He conveyed His mission of delivering people from the penalty and power of sins. God wants all people to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). As members of the body of Christ, we have to do our part in taking the gospel to maximum number of people in shortest time through best possible ways.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 30 AUGUST

Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”  Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Mathew 8: 19, 20).

Even the lowest of God’s creatures have their own homes and places of security but here we read about Jesus as one who lived as homeless in this world. The request from the teacher appears to be genuine. He himself came to Jesus and voluntarily conveyed his decision to follow Him. We are not sure about the intention he had. But he was advised that following Jesus is not as easy as he had thought. Jesus asked the teacher of the law to count the cost in following Him. By saying so, He informed His disciples about the sort of life they must be prepared to expect.

In the gospels, we also read about many godly and benevolent persons, who received Jesus willingly into their homes. This shows that those follow Him will have access to the good things in life but there is no guarantee that they can always expect that. He seems to be conveying that His followers can expect poverty and hardships and they need to be prepared to bear them. If the master himself does not possess the basic facilities, how much wealth can His servants and followers look forward in this world. Following Him truly would involve facing roughness and hardship in life. To follow Jesus is a call to put aside luxury and even losing an average level of prosperity and security.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 31 AUGUST

Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Mathew 8: 21, 22).

Another disciple in the verse may refer to one of the close followers of Christ. The disciple seems to be overcautious in his decisions. The passage does not say that his father died and needed to be buried. Jesus was not forbidding him to bury his dead father. We read in Luke 7:11-15 how Christ Himself showed kindness to a mother during a funeral procession of her only son. Then the most probable understanding is that the disciple wanted to be with his father till his death and he thought that he would be free to follow Jesus after that. This man wanted to wait for a more appropriate time to enter into full time ministry with Jesus. He was just postponing his call citing his responsibility at home. He was making excuses for his unwillingness.  Jesus challenged him to forsake everything (like some of His early disciples), but he refused. His request seemed reasonable, yet it was not right in the sight of Jesus.

We must not allow physical concerns to prevent us from serving Him. Jesus was conveying that to be His disciple, we have to love Him more than our family and relatives. He wants us that His call should receive priority over everything else.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 1 September

And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4).

John the Baptist was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth at their very old age. His birth was miraculous as he was born to a barren mother and an elderly father. His parents were righteous, observing the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. He was a Nazarite from his birth, meaning that he had to refrain from drinking wine throughout his life. He spent his early years in the wilderness between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. He led a simple life, wearing clothes made with camel's hair and eating just locusts and wild honey. He called people for a change in religious life. From the age of thirty, he preached repentance, and proclaimed the coming of the Messiah. John publicly announced Jesus as the Lamb of God, who “takes away the sins of the world.” His life and teachings brought people from all parts to the banks of the Jordan to listen to him and to get baptized. He denounced the Sadducees and Pharisees as a "generation of vipers." He warned tax collectors and soldiers against extortion and plunder.

John the Baptist was equated with Elijah of the Old Testament. The life and message of John the Baptist conveys that Repentance truly matters and it will be visible in changed lives. His life displayed humility and the courage to speak out about things that really matters. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 2 September

Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord (Luke 2:11).

About two thousand years ago an angel appeared to a young Jewish woman named Mary and informed her that she would have a son by the power of the Holy Spirit. Though this news confused and worried her, she committed herself for the execution of the will of God. Mary was engaged to Joseph. Joseph had difficulty accepting Mary as her spouse because she was found to be with a baby before marriage. After an angel clarified his doubt in a vision, he took her as his wife and lived in a town called Nazareth. They had to travel over hundred kilometres to the city of Bethlehem to register for the census ordered by the Roman emperor. When they reached Bethlehem, they could not get a place to spend the night and they ended up spending the night in a stable. Jesus was born on that night and they laid baby Jesus in a manger, a feeding trough for animals.

Jesus existed prior to His incarnation. He was God and was with God. All things were made through him. About six hundred years before Christ, the prophet Isaiah prophesied concerning the birth of Jesus. His birth looked too simple but His birth is being preached around the world for two thousand years. His birth brought new life, a new relationship and new hope to humanity.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 3 September

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17).

When John the Baptist was preaching and baptizing people in the wilderness of Judea, Jesus came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized by John. John tried to deter him, but later consented, when Jesus said, “it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” 

The baptism of Jesus marked the official beginning of His ministry. The baptism of Jesus was unique. It was different from John’s “baptism of repentance" and the “Christian baptism" we practice today. Baptism of Jesus was foreshadowing of His death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism of Jesus emphasizes the concept of Trinity. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit were all revealed together during the baptism of Jesus Christ. God the Father spoke from heaven, God the Son was baptized, and God the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. The heavenly utterance “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” highlights the eternal relationship Jesus Christ had with His father. In baptism, Jesus set an example for us. He was sinless and did not need to take the baptism of repentance but He took baptism to fulfil the will of God. His humility and obedience is a model for us.​

DAILY THOUGHTS | 4 September

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1).

After baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and after that He was hungry.  Meanwhile, the tempter suggested Him to make stones into bread through the power of words. The Lord declined the suggestion and reminded him of the written scripture that says, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Then the devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and offered Him to give all the authority and splendour if the Lord agrees to worship him. Jesus Christ replied with a statement, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ Then the devil had Him stand on the highest point of the temple and challenged Him to prove His divinity by throwing Himself down. Jesus silenced Him by saying that the Lord should not be put to test.

The passage stating the temptation of Jesus Christ affirms His commitment to the word and will of God. When Jesus was enticed to use His power for personal benefits, He highlighted the importance of trusting God. When He was tempted to seek instant recognition by showcasing His power, He wisely declined it. Like Jesus, when our devotion to God is tested to pursue the riches and powers of this world, which leads to the worship of Satan, we need to be vigilant to make the right decisions.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 5 September

A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean” (Matthew 8:2).

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

The leprosy was regarded as an unclean and disgusting disease. The lepers were considered as sinners under the Law of Moses. Lepers lived like living dead. They were considered unclean and were isolated from society. The lepers lived outside the community. To approach a group of people and Jesus in this way was an extremely difficult attempt, in those days. He might have heard about Jesus Christ and the miracles He had been doing. 

He was desperate for a miracle and the only way to get it was from Jesus Christ. Though he was socially ignored, he gained confidence and put the necessary efforts to come to Jesus. He believed in the power and ability of Christ to cleanse him, even though he was not sure of His will. He had faith and humility and left the decision to Jesus Christ to heal him.  Jesus expressed His willingness and cleansed him. He came to Jesus with the language of humility and faith, overcoming many social obstacles and personal weaknesses to get what he received.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 6 September 

The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it” (Matthew 8:8-9).

In Capernaum, a centurion came to Jesus Christ and requested healing for his servant lying at home, paralyzed. When Jesus Christ expressed His willingness to go to his home to heal his servant, He urged Him to just say a word, which can heal his servant. When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and spoke well of his great faith. Then Jesus told the centurion that his servant would be healed and it happened so. The authority of the spoken word of Jesus is highlighted here. The centurion was so concerned about his servant and came to Jesus on behalf of him. He loved Jews and built them a synagogue. At a time, when many Jews did not believe, the centurion, an outsider, expressed openly his faith in Jesus. And When Jesus was intending to go to his house; he openly confessed that he was unworthy to receive Jesus at his house. His love for people, his faith in God and humility are great examples for us to follow.   

Jesus Christ used this event to teach how the gentiles are going to inherit the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ. He said, “I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 7 September

And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well” (Mathew 9:21)

There was a woman who had endured a discharge of blood for twelve years. She had spent all that she had on physicians without any improvement in health. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched His garment. And the flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Jesus Christ perceiving in Himself that power had gone out from Him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” The woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told Him the whole truth. Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease”

According to the laws of Moses, a person with an issue of blood is considered unclean and one touching those persons will be unclean. This meant that she had to take responsibility not to contaminate others.  She was desperately in need of deliverance. She had faith in the healing power of Jesus. She gathered courage to overcome all the social hindrances she faced and determined to touch Jesus to receive her healing. And she received the much-awaited miraculous healing. Jesus restored her health and her place in society.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 8 September

He said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose (Mathew 9:24, 25).

One of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, fell at the feet of Jesus Christ and pleaded with Him to come to his house to heal his dying daughter.  Jesus went with him. While Jesus was on the way, the daughter of the synagogue leader died. Jesus Christ encouraged the synagogue leader not to lose faith and she will be healed. When He arrived at the house of Jairus, He did not let anyone go in with Him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s parents. Then He took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up.

The antidote to fear is faith. At times, delays to our prayers bring greater demonstration of His power and we are reminded not to give up in difficult times. He did not let anyone follow, except the three. Maybe, Jesus wanted to share some important points through this unique experience to His close disciples. As per Law of Moses, touching dead bodies makes one unclean. But Jesus Christ showed His exceptional kindness by taking the girl's hand when he raised her up.  Jesus Christ told the parents of the little girl to give something to eat and this shows that Jesus is not only concerned with our big problems but also for the little details.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 9 September

Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you” (Mathew 9:29).

As Jesus passed on from the house of Jairus after raising his daughter from dead, two blind men followed Him. The blind men said loudly, "Show kindness to us, Son of David.” Jesus asked the men, "Do you believe that I am able to make you see again?" The blind men answered, "Yes, Lord, we believe." Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, "You believe that I can make you see again, so this will happen." Then the men were able to see again. Based on the faith expressed by the two blind men, Jesus healed them.

We are not sure if both of them were born blind or blind due to some accident.  Being blind those times were very hard and difficult. Afflictions faced by blind were worse because people lived under poorer conditions and had limited access to medical care.  When they came to know that Jesus Christ was around them, the blind men tried their best to gain the attention of Jesus Christ, shouting at Jesus using a formal title, ‘Son of David,’ thinking that Jesus Christ was very powerful and the expected Messiah, dispensing health to crowds. The blind men had faith in Jesus’ power of healing and it paid off.

We may not be physically blind like those blind men, but we may experience blindness in our spiritual area. And we need the touch of God to visualize matters that are to be spiritually discerned and sensed.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 10 September

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Mathew 9:37, 38)

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said the above statement to His disciples during that time.

Jesus called His disciples as salt and light to the world. Jesus meant that His disciples have to make an impact on the people around them. This should be making us question ourselves the kind of impact we are having on the people with whom we work and live, on the people whom we help and serve.  We are too busy ministering the ministered, teaching the taught, serving the served and conveniently neglecting the neglected. Jesus might have foreseen the plight of modern Christianity and spirituality and so commanded His followers to pray and focus on evangelism. A survey says that ninety percent of Christians have never led someone to Christ. Jesus saw the people with different eyes than the disciples did.

We need to see as Jesus saw. Jesus saw the distressed and spiritually depraved as ones without shepherd and hope. And, only His followers can help them to get hope, peace and joy in their lives.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 11 September

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him (Mathew 10:2-4).

Jesus chose twelve to whom He was to entrust the planting, organizing, and training of the church which was to be purchased by His own blood. Jesus Christ gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. They were sent out like sheep among wolves. They were expected to be shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. They were foretold that they would be handed over to the local councils and would be flogged in the synagogues. They were likely to be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them.  They would be betrayed and hated by their near and dear ones because of their faith.

But, in the midst of the persecution, they had experienced the power, presence and the leading of the Holy Spirit. They were reminded that only those who stand firm till the end will be saved. When they were persecuted in one place, they had to move on to another place and had to keep going. They were told not to be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Jesus Christ said, “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

DAILY THOUGHTS | 12 September

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Mathew 11:2,3).

John the Baptist was in prison for calling a sin as sin. John the Baptist was put into prison because he had preached against the king, Herod Antipas for taking his brother’s wife. While he was in prison he had doubted if Jesus Christ was the expected Messiah. He sent his disciples to Jesus Christ to have his doubts clarified. John was the one who introduced Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God, taking away the sins of the world. John was the one who baptized Jesus Christ and witnessed the divine approval from heaven. The reason for this doubt could be that he might have misunderstood the role that was to be fulfilled by Jesus Christ. He might have connected the role of Messiah as one who would perform works connected with a political deliverance of the Israel nation.

For the question of John the Baptist about Him, Jesus Christ answered it with a reference from the Book of Isaiah about what the Messiah should be doing, “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” Jesus was doing the works that only the Messiah could do and He affirmed that He was the Messiah. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 13 September

Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent (Mathew 11:20).

Jesus Christ rebuked Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum for their failure to repent from their sinful ways; despite them witnessing and receiving His mighty works. These Jewish cities were contrasted with the Gentile cities in the Galilee area. When compared to the other towns and cities, they experienced greater light and they were considered for greater accountability. 

These cities, formed what is called the “Evangelical Triangle,” the small area where most of Jesus’ miracles were displayed.  Yet, Jesus rebuked these three impenitent cities. He then declared judgment upon these cities. These cities were destroyed by a series of earthquakes between the fourth and eighth centuries and remain in ruins to this day. 

They did not attack Jesus Christ and His disciples. They neither drove him away nor sought to crucify him. They received Him, listened to Him but disregarded him and neglected His teachings.  This event indicates that God’s judgment is not uniform. The standard used by God is different from humans. Ungodly may be judged less harshly than ones steeped in religious tradition, but fail to respond positively to the move of God in their midst.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 14 September

But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons that this fellow drives out demons.” Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand” (Mathew 12:24, 25).

Once when Jesus Christ healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, all those witnessed it were astonished. But Pharisees accused Jesus Christ that He cast out demons by Beelzebub. They attributed the work of Jesus to the work of Satan. The term Beelzebub was used in the New Testament by the Pharisees in slanderous attacks on Jesus. ​​Jesus Christ made their claim illogical by telling them that if Satan were attacking his own forces, he would soon defeat himself. Jesus was doing these miracles by the Spirit of God, testifying the arrival of the kingdom of God. 

Jesus Christ used this occasion to teach that works of Satan have to be suppressed. It would also mean deactivating the influence of the devil in our lives for living a Spirit led victorious Christian life. He also warned about attributing the works of the Holy Spirit wrongly. He said, “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 15 September 

Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you” (Mathew 12:38).

Once, some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus Christ for a sign to ascertain that if He was the Messiah. The scribes and Pharisees had seen many spectacular miracles of Jesus, yet they demanded another sign from Jesus. Jesus Christ did not submit Himself to the request of the religious authority, but condemned them as evil and unfaithful. Jesus Christ condemned them saying, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”  Jonah was consumed by the large fish before being released three days later. Through this event, He conveyed that as Jonah was preserved three days and then restored alive, so He would be raised from the dead after three days. He gave a similar sign in another place, stating, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.'

An observation from the context is unbelief and belief by two groups - an act of unbelief by the religious class and the act of belief by Gentiles. The people of Nineveh converted because of the witness of the preaching of Jonah. Jesus Christ expected His listeners to repent from their sinful ways and to believe that He was from God. One may seek lot of information to believe but our response of faith to the already given revelation in the written word of God will determine our acceptance with God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 16 September

Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother”(Matthew 12:49-50).

Once, when Jesus was talking to the crowd, the mother and brothers of Jesus Christ stood outside, wanting to speak to Him. When Jesus Christ was informed about them, He spoke the above words to His disciples. Even though it looks like Jesus Christ was disrespectful to His brothers and mother, it was not so. He did not disown them. 

His family had a role in the ministry and teachings of Jesus Christ. “Wanting to speak to Him,” suggests that the family members had concern for Him and wanted to convey that He was overspending Himself or to update Him with some important news they heard about Him.

Jesus Christ was inside a house interacting with His disciples, His inner circle but His family members were waiting outside. Jesus Christ was using this incident to teach His followers some valuable lesson.

Jesus Christ related His relationship with those who do the will of God the Father. Maybe He was emphasizing that our relationship with God is not determined by blood or genealogy but by obedience.  He wants us to be His disciples and to do the will of God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 17 September

Listen then to what the parable of the sower means (Matthew 13:18).

On a particular day, Jesus got into a boat in the lake of Gennesarat, sat on it and spoke to large crowds gathered around him on the shore. He told them a parable, which we call as ‘parable of the sower.’ A farmer went on sowing seeds that fell on different types of soils and the yield was in proportion to the type of soil it fell. The seeds that fell on the path way, rocky ground and thorny soils did not bear any fruit. Meditating on the passage would answer the question, “Why the word of God is not bearing fruit in our lives?” There are at least five reasons for our failure to bear fruit in proportion to the word of God we receive. They are

1. Being ignorant in the word of God. The devil snatches away the seed, meaning that he acts against us directly to keep us from knowing the word of God.

 2. Lack of spiritual maturity. We will not bear fruit when we do not have sufficient root. Failing to spend time with Him and for Him, failing to seek Him, etc., retard our spiritual growth.

 3. Being driven by deceitfulness of riches. The pursuit for richness chokes the word of God and makes us unfruitful.

4. Being driven by worries. Worries occupy our time and quench the effectiveness of His word.

5. Being driven by pleasures of the world. World offers many things to gratify us. Loving the world and its pleasures hinders our spiritual growth. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 18 September

Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn (Matthew 13:30).

Jesus Christ explained the nature of the kingdom of God, through a parable, which we call as the parable of the weeds. A man sowed good seeds in his field. While he was asleep, his enemy sowed weeds among the good seeds. When the good seeds sprouted and formed heads, the weeds also appeared.

His servants asked the man if they could pull out the weeds, but he answered, “No,” because while they were pulling the weeds, there was a possibility of uprooting some good plants. The weeds were allowed to grow together with good plants until harvest. At the time of harvest, the weeds would be collected and burnt but the good grains would be collected into the barn.

The one who sows the good seed is Jesus Christ and the field is the world.  The good seed stands for the people of the kingdom and the weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels, who will be sent to weed out of His kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will be thrown into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. But the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of God. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 19 September

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32).

Jesus Christ used this parable to illustrate that the kingdom of heaven will grow to worldwide size from small beginnings.  The mustard seed in the parable is a mustard bush which is common in the Middle East which grows around 10 feet high and produces berries that birds commonly come and eat. The seeds inside of the berries are much the same size of a current mustard seed.

By comparing the Kingdom of God to a small mustard seed that would grow large, Jesus Christ was emphasizing the power of God to do His work through whatever instrument He chooses. Though the kingdom of God is invisible, it is an unstoppable force that God's power has initiated and it will bring to pass what God has created it to produce.

The parable of the mustard seed must be reminding us that every ministry in the kingdom of God is significant not because of its own size or strength but because it is representative of God's large and glorious domain that will be revealed in the end. 

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 20 September

The kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away (Matthew 13:47-48).

Like the parable of the weeds, this parable is related to sorting out good and bad at the end-times, separating out believers from unbelievers. This parable communicates that God will judge everyone in the future, those inside the church and outside the church.  

The net was cast into the sea and pulled on to shore with all kinds of fish. The sea is the world and the net is the kingdom of God, which would draw all kinds of people. Then the fishermen sat down to sort the fish into the “good” and the “bad.” The fish worth keeping were gathered into containers, but the rest were tossed away. Just as the drag-net catches "all kinds of fish" so the Lord calls persons of all nations into His kingdom.

 Just as being inside the net does not guarantee that the fish is edible and good, being inside the church does not certify one’s goodness. The gospel attracts many people who neither repent nor desire to follow Christ. The church contains both righteous and wicked ones.  False ones acting like true Christians will be judged certainly at the end of the age though it looks like they are tolerated now.

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 21 September

And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home” (Matthew 13:57).

Jesus Christ came to His hometown, and taught in their synagogue, and the people were amazed by His wisdom and His miraculous powers. But the people in His hometown despised Him saying, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”

They knew His family and His childhood. The reason for them not to give due importance to Jesus Christ and follow His teachings could be that the people who saw Him grow up could not accept that He was anything beyond the son of Joseph who worked as a carpenter. Or maybe that they were envious of His wisdom and it proved as a stumbling block to their faith. Instead of respecting Him, they despised Him.  He could not do any miracles there, except healing a few sick people because of their lack of faith. Their unbelief became the hindrance to receive His favours.

 Like the people of Jesus’ hometown who were not ready to hear wisdom from one of their own, are we also giving deaf ears to the wisdom around us and pay more attention to voices from faraway?

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 22 September

They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children (Matthew 14:20-21).

Jesus Christ and the apostles went to a town called Bethsaida. When the crowds learned about His arrival, they followed Him.  He spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. In the evening, the apostles suggested Him to send the crowd away so that they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside to find food and lodging.   But Jesus Christ wanted to give them food. He took five loaves and the two fish, blessed them and gave it to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.     

The miracle of feeding the five thousand is recorded in all the four gospels. Christ blessed and multiplied the meagre provisions that were brought to Him. This miracle shows that God can abundantly provide for our needs, surpassing all the limitations and expectations. As Jesus Christ used His disciples and the provisions from the little boy to bless the multitude, He involves us and uses us in His work. Our efforts are not too small to be used by Him. He can amplify our talents, treasures and efforts when we bring it to Him for using it for His purpose.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 23 September

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone (Matthew 14:23)

His prayer life teaches us the importance of spending quality time with God to maintain the relationship. The beginning and the end of His ministry were rooted in prayer. We read that He made the major decisions after spending time in prayer. His life and ministry were the outwork of the divine plan, obtained during the time of prayer.

He taught His disciples how to pray. He interceded for all sorts of people. He prayed for the Children who were brought to Him. He prayed for His disciples and for those who are to become His disciples. He prayed for Peter. He prayed for a deaf and mute and healed him. His life and teaching should be encouraging us to pray. We should be making regular praying as our habit as a mark of our love for Him, our desire to delight in Him and to express our praises and thanksgivings.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed (Mark 1:35). Though He was busy, He took time early in the morning to spend with His Father. If the Son of God needed to begin His day with prayer, how much more do we? 

 DAILY THOUGHTS | 24 September

“You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31).

On a particular night, disciples got into a boat and sailed towards the other side of the lake. When the boat was at considerable distance from land shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Peter stepped out in faith, taking risk, when Jesus called him, even though it was against his natural and logical understanding. When he took his focus from Jesus Christ and looked at the surroundings, he was overcome by the circumstances and began to sink. Immediately, he realized his situation, sought His help and was saved.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 25 September

You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:  ‘these people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules ’ (Matthew 15:7-9).

Once when the disciples of Jesus Christ did not wash hands before eating their meal, some Pharisees and teachers of the law accused them saying that they disobeyed traditions. Jesus Christ used this incident to let them know that their traditions should not supersede laws of God. Pharisees followed a tradition called Corban, a special offering set apart as a gift to God. They taught that the money used to provide for aging parents could be given to the temple treasury, and exempted a person from his responsibility to his parents. By doing so, they negated the Law of Moses that instructed God’s people to “honor their father and mother.” Jesus Christ revealed their hypocrisy and spoke the above words.

Pharisees twisted the good principle of devoting something to the temple to dishonor fathers and mothers. They practiced traditions without realizing the reality behind it. The traditions have no use if it does not help to bring us closer with God. Our traditions should not be replacing the word of God. Our rituals and traditions add no value if it does not help us to build personal relationships with God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 26 September

But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander (Matthew 15:18-19).

Once when Jesus Christ was teaching a crowd, He specified that what goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, defiles them. Like the crowd, the disciples could not grasp the meaning of what Jesus had taught. Later, when Peter asked Him for the understanding of the passage, He clarified that whatever coming out of one's mind defiles them but not defiled by external matters like eating without washing hands.

The defilement that Jesus Christ was pointing out was spiritual one, the wickedness of their hearts. It was the defilement that we ought to fear. Our heart is desperately wicked (Jer 17:9). All sins that are exhibited through our words or deeds originate in the heart and are the fruits of the wickedness of the heart. Evil thoughts are foundations of all other sins and wickedness. To live a victorious Christian life, we need to continuously suppress evil thoughts. Unlawful desire for what other possesses, desire to injure others, unbridled passions, carrying the goods of others without their consent, etc., have their origin in the heart.​ Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 27 September

Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment (Matthew 15:28).

After an encounter with Pharisees, Jesus withdrew to the gentile region of Tyre and Sidon. There He entered a house during when a Canaanite woman came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”  He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” But the woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes, it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” He told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” She went home and found her child healed and the demon was gone.

The “dogs” here refers to small dogs, perhaps children’s pets. The Canaanite woman would have known that Christ came for Israel first but she sought the uncovenanted mercy of God. The conversation between Jesus Christ and the Canaanite woman gives the impression that Jesus was not answering her request. But the woman was not giving up and she kept pleading. Christ recognized her great faith and granted her request. The Jewish leaders were rejecting Him, but the Gentile woman who hardly knows Him was seeking mercy.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 28 September

“Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:6).

In Biblical times, flour and water were left exposed to the air where wild yeast would find it and begin to multiply. Over time a lump of yeast rich "sourdough starter" would develop. A piece of this "starter" when added to a new batch of flour and water would cause the new lump to rise. Jesus used yeast in metaphors and parables. Here, Jesus Christ referred yeast to the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Pharisees considered the written Word of God as the guide of religious practice while giving more importance to the tradition of the elders. They have amplified simple commands of the scriptures into more complex ones, demanding strict obligations, making them to act superficially and hypocritically. Their practice of righteousness was very strict externally. Sadducees denied the fallen and depraved state of mankind, resurrection of the dead, and the existence of angels or spirits.  They denied future state of rewards and punishments.  

Christ knew the consequences the wrong teachings can cause to the body of Christ and He cautioned His disciples so that they will be vigilant. Today, we face threats from many sources that twist and manipulate the written word of God and we need more discernment, lest we fall prey to it.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 29 September 

He asked. “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15).

When Jesus Christ and His disciples were in the region of Caesarea Philippi, a Roman city built by Herod Philip, He asked this question, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” to His disciples. The people were influenced by the negative remarks spread by Pharisees and Sadducees. His disciples replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” No group was openly confessing Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus wanted to know how His disciples had understood Him. He asked them, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered on behalf of the disciples as, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Everything necessary for salvation is included in that statement. When the disciples were surrounded by diverse opinions the truth about Jesus Christ was divinely revealed to His disciples.

Jesus Christ had revealed to His disciples the great, essential truth about Himself that they needed to know before He led them to Jerusalem. The common people loved Jesus even though they did not fully understand him. It is possible for a person to be very sympathetic to spiritual truth and still not understand the reality. The people around us may have different opinions about Jesus Christ but how much we really mean what we believe really matters.   

DAILY THOUGHTS | 30 September 

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matthew 16:18).

The church is the body of Christ. The church is where Jesus Christ is the centre and where He is honored, worshiped, adored, studied and proclaimed. The church is centered on the teachings of the Bible and on the person of Jesus Christ. By saying, “I will build, my Church” He says that the church is His. The Church is an edifice, of which He is the architect and the builder. The church belongs to Jesus Christ given by the Father. The church was purchased by the blood of Christ. The church is being built by Him, on Him and for Him. The word "church" means "those called out," and often means an assembly or congregation.

Apostle Paul said that we are being built together to become a dwelling place in which God lives by his Spirit, on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Apostle Peter mentions in His epistle that each believer is a stone which is part of the spiritual house that is being built on the living stone, Jesus Christ. It is a great privilege for us to be a part of this church.

By saying, “the gates of Hades will not overcome it,” He meant the continuous fight that would exist against the church but the church will overcome. Christ promised that He would build His church and we need not be intimidated by the oppressions.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 1 OCTOBER

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24).

A disciple is one who renounces self to follow their master’s will and interest. He learns from his master and imitates him. Many came to Jesus Christ but only few came after Him. Jesus Christ let His followers count the cost involved in following Him. He asked them to be clear about the decision they had to make to come after Him.

He wanted His disciples to exercise Self-denial and cross bearing. Self-denial would require us to give up things that would hinder us from doing the will of God. It would mean losing our life for Christ to gain the life in Christ. It would refer to renouncing whatever comes in competition with the love and service of Christ. It would mean denying sinful self, ungodliness, worldly lusts, sinful companions, denying self-righteousness, denying the pleasures and profits of this world for the sake of his Lord.

Taking up the cross would refer to the determination to bear the troubles and difficulties we may face on the road while following Christ.  It would need us to patiently bear the burdens, afflictions, evils, etc., however shameful and painful it may be for the sake of Jesus Christ.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 2 OCTOBER

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)

On a particular day, Jesus Christ took Peter, John and James with Him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendour, and spoke about the things that He was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem. The three disciples were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

When His earthly ministry was coming to a close, He let His disciples know that He was the expected Messiah by revealing His divine glory.  The change of the appearance of Christ and the testimony of the Father confirmed the divinity of Jesus Christ. Appearance of Moses and Elijah with Him testifies that Jesus Christ is the one of whom the law and prophets spoke.

The transfiguration experience witnessed by the disciples strengthened their belief in Christ and enabled them to stay strong to face the opposition in the early days of the church.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 3 OCTOBER

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17: 20).

Once a man approached Jesus Christ and prayed for the healing of his son, who had seizures. He often fell into the fire or into the water. Jesus Christ rebuked the demon and the demon came out of the boy and he got healed instantly. Earlier, when he had brought him to His disciples, they could not drive out the demon. His disciples wanted to know the reason for their inability to drive out the demon. He made them understand that their weak faith could not bring the required deliverance. He let them understand that faith can make impossible things possible.

The desperate father believed that Jesus Christ could heal his son and he asked for His mercy. The disciples left everything to follow Christ. They were so close to Him, yet they faced lack of faith in Christ. The disciples had faith but it was poor and ineffectual, producing the same effect as no faith. Jesus Christ always looked for faith in people for it is true faith in Jesus that makes the impossible possible.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 4 OCTOBER

But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours” (Matthew 17:27).

When Jesus and His disciples arrived back at Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” Peter replied in affirmative. The two-drachma tax was a religious tax imposed by the Jewish religious leaders to support the temple in Jerusalem. Originally, the tax (half-shekel) was imposed to support the tabernacle in the wilderness (Exodus 30:11-16). The half-shekel was equivalent to two drachmas. In the days of Jesus Christ, only the foreigners were to pay the temple tax and Jesus Christ was exempted from paying the two-drachma tax.

Before Peter could share this matter with the Lord, knowing what had happened, Jesus Christ asked Peter to go to the lake and do fishing for the miraculous fish that would contain a four-drachma coin to pay the taxes for both of them.

Jesus Christ went ahead a step further to fulfil more than the mandatory requirements. Though the religious and political activities will not serve the purposes of God, Jesus Christ taught His followers to be bound by the requirements of the land where they reside.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 5 OCTOBER

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1).

When the disciples asked Jesus Christ to nominate the greatest one among them, He placed a child among them and told them that they had to change and become like little children to enter the kingdom of God. And He added that the greatness in the kingdom depends on their humility. Jesus Christ pinpointed to them that their entire conception of greatness is wrong. They might have thought in terms of qualifications each one had and the influences they exert on others.  They would have kept comparing one another and were trying to exalt one above another. But Jesus Christ wanted them to change their mindset like a little child who was not considered as great by any one. The little child has to depend on others and not worry about name and fame for what he speaks or acts.

We are often driven by social status and rank people based on the values of this world but Jesus Christ let them understand that the ranking in the kingdom of God is not according to systems of this world. What matters in the kingdom of God is not who is doing the works but, in whose name, it is done. God deserves the glory, not the followers. In another occasion, Jesus Christ stated that the one who serves is the greater one.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 6 OCTOBER

If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea (Matthew 18:6).

This verse suggests that certain persons or things of this world could cause weak believers to stumble. Christ considered those causing a weak Christian to sin as a very serious offence. Jesus was using a child to make a broader application. The “little ones” probably refer to those without power or status, but have faith in Christ. He considered it as a very serious and horrific matter to cause the sinful downfall of another in the kingdom of God. His language was hard. He warned that anyone causing them to sin would face a severe punishment. The cruellest legal punishment in those days was crucifixion. Jesus Christ pronounced a harder punishment on those who cause the believer to fall from the way of Christ. It was worse than fastening a great millstone around one’s neck and be drowned in the depth of the sea.

A point underlined here is our responsibility to guard and protect fellow believers from stumbling. We need to look at possible ways to make extra efforts to guard our thoughts, words and deeds so that we will not tempt other fellow believers towards sinning. Those in leadership need to be more cautious about not misusing their position to abuse and misuse others in the name of religion.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 7 OCTOBER

See that you do not despise one of these little ones ...… your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish (Matthew 18:10, 14).

“The little ones” in the verse, contextually refers to the followers of Jesus Christ. Like a shepherd care for his sheep, God cares for His children. Jesus Christ spoke against despising others in strong terms.

He explained His concern for the ones being despised through a parable of the lost sheep. The sheep wandered away from the shepherd and from the rest of the flock. The shepherd left the ninety nine in a safe place and went searching for the lost one. When the shepherd found the lost sheep, He rejoiced over it. Through this parable, Jesus Christ emphasized that every lost one is worth seeking out and everyone returned is worth celebrating. If any follower of Christ wanders away, the will of the father is that the lost ones will be brought back.

We often observe Christian believers being despised for various reasons. Christ wants everyone in the body of Christ to be cared for and does not want to lose any of His followers. When we see the believers being dragged away by worldly attractions, misguidance, false teachings, etc., we have to pray for them earnestly and make consistent efforts to bring them back. Though the lost one can be brought back only by His grace, we are expected to put our efforts to bring the lost ones back. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 8 OCTOBER

If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector (Mat 18:15-17).

Jesus Christ offers guidance to handle sin in our midst and its consequences. If a professed Christian is wronged by another, it needs to be looked at and confronted to, directly, one-to-one, face-to-face rather than denouncing it. It is necessary for the persons involved to sort out the issue. If this step fails, a third trustworthy person can be included to solve the issue. If this effort also does not offer results, it can be handed over to the local community of believers. If the person refuses to listen again, he can be expelled from the community.

As members of the body of universal church and local church, we are responsible and accountable for one another. We need to take efforts to correct our fellow Christian who errs, so that relationships will be kept intact. We need to make efforts to resolve the issues and to bring peace. We may have to pray for His direction and take the help of Christian friends while dealing with the issues that affect relationships.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 9 OCTOBER

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? “Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21, 22).

Jesus Christ taught the importance of exercising forgiveness without limits. He explained it to the disciples through a parable of an unforgiving servant. A servant whose huge debt was forgiven refuses to forgive the paltry debt of his fellow servant. The servant failed to reflect and imitate the generous mercy of his master.

The will of God for us is that we have to forgive even those whom we perceive as enemies. The Bible teaches us to put away all types of bitterness, hatred and malice. The understanding of the mercy of God upon us should be driving us to forgive others unlimitedly and unconditionally. The standard that is kept for us to follow is much higher than the standards kept by the political and religious classes.

Jesus Christ said in Mt 18:35, “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” If we take these words seriously, the way we interact with others will definitely change. The verse teaches that if we harbour hatred and do not forgive others God will not forgive us either.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 10 OCTOBER

Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”(Mathew 19:3).

The Pharisees considered Deuteronomy 24:1 as a text for divorce and intended to trap Jesus Christ. The Pharisees and others those days were taught that they can divorce their wives for silly reasons. Jesus Christ did not answer them directly but He directed them to the original intention of marriage. He focused on marriage rather than on divorce. Jesus Christ replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

People including professing Christians break up their marriages and remarry. But God’s standard for us is one man and one woman united for their whole life. God appointed the institution of marriage and it did not have any options for divorce. Man trying to demolish what is ordained by God is to be taken as rebellion. Failure to measure up to God’s standard is sin. If we treat and recognize marriage as the plan of the creator to unite a man and a woman together as one flesh, then divorce has to be recognized as rebellion or failure to fulfil the will of God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 11 OCTOBER

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Mathew 19:21).

Once a rich, young man came to Jesus with a great question, "What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" He had the right question and he went to the right person to know the answer. He claimed to be righteous yet wanted to know the specific thing that guarantees eternal life.

He expected Jesus Christ to give a favourable answer, appreciating his efforts in obeying the commandments. When he was told to sell his possessions and give to poor, he was sad because he had great wealth. Jesus Christ let him know that in order to find eternal life; he ought to forsake all that hinders him from coming to him and following Him faithfully. When he did not receive the answer he wanted, he went away sorrowful. He behaved like someone who forsakes Christ, loving this world.

Pointing to this incident, Jesus Christ taught His disciples that wealth can play a destructive role in a follower’s life, saying, “It would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Jesus Christ touched on the one thing that the man was not ready to give up. What would be the most difficult thing for us to give up if Jesus asked us to do so? What is holding us back from following Christ genuinely?

DAILY THOUGHTS | 12 OCTOBER

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:29).

After observing Christ telling the young man to sell what he had and give it to poor before following Him, Peter asked Jesus Christ, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” Peter was speaking on behalf of disciples. They had left everything and followed Christ. Jesus Christ told them that in the kingdom of God, they will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. They will sit near the throne of Christ and will have higher reward than the ordinary believers.

Jesus Christ earlier asked those wanted to follow Him to count the cost for being His disciple. Now He is mentioning about rewards. Christ assured that if anyone leaves something or everything for the sake of following Jesus Christ, they will be rewarded in this world and in the life after life. A faithful Christian believer may face rejections, abandonments, loses, sufferings, etc., for choosing to follow Christ. But Christ assures them that in exchange of what they lost for Him, they will gain many things. Following Jesus Christ may look like a hard path filled with losses and sacrifices, but in reality, it is blessed life filled with rewards and fulfilments.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 13 OCTOBER

 So, the last will be first, and the first will be last (Matthew 20:16).

 “So” in the verse links the statement to the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Jesus Christ compared the Kingdom of heaven to a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. The landowner agreed to pay a denarius (daily wage) to the workers who came to work in His vineyard in the morning. He hired more workers at nine, at noon, at three and at five in the afternoon. When the payment time came in the evening, all the workers received the same pay as agreed by them earlier. Though they received what was promised, the workers who came earlier could not accept the late comers being treated at par with them. They complained to the landowner that they were treated unfairly and expected more than what was paid to those who came late. The landowner was generous but the workers were judgmental, envious and were comparing one over another. And the landowner asked them, “Are you jealous because I was generous with these other workers?”

The landowner had plenty of work and was in need of workers. The pay for the work was not based on how long they worked or how well they worked. Comparing our life and work with others will create a spirit of competition, resulting in jealousy and pride and so we are expected just to fulfil our role.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 14 OCTOBER

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:20-28).

The above words from Jesus Christ were responses for the request by the mother of John and James for top places for her sons in the kingdom of God. She made this request based on the value system of this world. Jesus Christ let her understand that His way is the path of suffering and His followers also would have to go through such path. His ways and values are different from that of the world.  Later, Christ clarified to them that the privileged positions in His Kingdom will be decided by the Father in heaven. 

When they requested for a privileged position, they were asked if they were willing to endure hardships and sufferings to get there. James and John were willing to suffer for the sake of Christ and indeed they suffered for Christ. Jesus Christ used this incident to teach His disciples about the nature of leadership in His Kingdom. The leadership principles of His Kingdom are different from that of this world.  Worldly view of leadership is using authority to lord over others but in His kingdom, the greatness of one’s leadership is in his ability and will to serve.   

DAILY THOUGHTS | 15 OCTOBER

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Mathew 21:9).

This was the response of the people in Jerusalem city, when Jesus Christ entered the city, riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophesy mentioned in Zechariah 9:9, which says, “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Jesus Christ would have visited Jerusalem many times earlier but this time; He entered the city with a different purpose in a noticeable way, moving the people with joy, at a time, when people were looking for the Messiah to save them from the oppression of Romans. Jesus Christ arrived in Jerusalem city at a time when the whole city was filled with people, preparing for the forthcoming Passover feast, that week. When He entered, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

The people were not aware that they were receiving the one who would save them from the oppression of sin. They did not recognize Jesus Christ as the one who was from the highest heaven, bringing them deliverance and salvation.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 16 OCTOBER

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” (Matthew 21:12,13).

The above verse conveys the reaction of Jesus Christ when He found the house of worship was not in order. Since it was the time of Passover feast, the activities were around the temple area. Jewish people from different parts of the Roman world used to come there for celebrating the feast of Passover and to offer sacrifices. Some of those coming from far places buy their offerings which are sold in the temple area. The temple area was stocked with animal and money exchangers and many other related businesses. These were practiced right inside the temple area. The religious community had converted the area exclusively meant for holy sacrifices into business points to promote selfish gains. 

When Christ witnessed the inappropriate things happening inside the temple area, He drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. Even though the religious leaders of those days accepted it, Jesus Christ did not accept it and ended their selfish abuses of the temple. He wanted the temple to be a place of prayer drawing people closer to Him and not to be a place that promotes self-interests.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 17 OCTOBER

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered (Mathew 21:18,19).

After the temple cleansing incident, the next day morning, Jesus Christ along with His disciples went to a fig tree to pick some fruits to satiate His hunger. He went to the tree, expecting fruit because it had leaves.  Fig trees used to have fruits before the leaves and presence of leaves meant the presence of fruits. This incident happened in Bethpage, an area filled with fig trees. Though this incident happened at a time, which is not a season for fruit bearing for fig trees, the particular tree that was cursed was peculiar as it had leaves without any fruit. When He did not find any fruit in the fig tree, the tree was sentenced to a barren state. The fig tree without fruit represented hypocritical religious people. Bible scholars consider this incident as an enacted parable used by Jesus Christ to convey the inevitable judgment that is going to come upon Jews.

The tree had the show but did not have the required fruit. It has a lesson for us, whose life may resemble the condition of believers in the church of Laodicea, which is read as, “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

DAILY THOUGHTS | 18 OCTOBER

Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23).

Jesus Christ was in and out of the temple a few times, doing radical changes and now He was teaching. The temple was under the authority of the chief priests and the elders and they found Jesus Christ as a threat to them. They perceived Jesus Christ as a threat to them because He was displaying enormous authority and miraculous powers. He had unmatchable courage and boldness in questioning the religious system of the day. Jesus Christ was not ordained by them and they questioned the legitimacy of His authority, His right to teach in the temple, His right to cleanse the temple. Jesus Christ had all authority in heaven and earth. They had the bestowed authority but Jesus Christ had the inherent authority.

Instead of directly answering their question, He asked them another question, putting them in a dilemma. He asked, “John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” It was a wise response from the Lord. After Jesus asked this question, the religious leaders had to make a choice: either to validate the ministry of John (who testified Jesus Christ as the expected Messiah) or to be rejected by the people. This put an end to the conversation.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 19 OCTOBER

There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go (Matthew 21:28-30).

During an encounter with chief priests and the elders, who questioned the authority of Jesus Christ in the temple, Jesus Christ told them this parable to explain their status in the kingdom of God. The first son initially refused to go to the Vineyard, but later went. The second son initially expressed obedience, but actually disobeyed.

The first son stands for sinners whose lifestyle resembles those who are far from things related to God. But when they encountered Jesus Christ, they repented. They take their relationship with Christ seriously and make necessary changes in their life in relation to the messages they hear and the facts they believe.

The second son stands for religious class - priests, scribes, and Pharisees. They speak about religious and spiritual matters but fail to put them in practice.  When the Christ was in their midst, they failed to accept Him and obey Him.

We are either being like the first one or the second. Our faith and obedience need to be genuine. God is looking for genuine repentance and unconditional obedience.  

DAILY THOUGHTS | 20 OCTOBER

Therefore, I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit (Mt 21:43).

When Jesus Christ was questioned about His authority by the chief priests and Pharisees, Christ revealed Himself to them through a few parables. He told them a parable; a parable being called by us as ‘parable of the tenants. A landlord built a vineyard with all securities and facilities. He rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. At the time of harvest, the landlord sent his servants to collect the fruit. The servants were ill-treated by the tenants and some were even killed. When the landlord saw that the tenants were doing injustice to his servants, he sent his son, thinking that the tenants would fear him. But they killed him and thought of taking the vineyard as their inheritance. When the landlord came to know about this, he brought them to the wretched end and rented out the vineyard to other tenants. Jesus Christ referred the chief priests and the Pharisees as the first tenants and told them the above words.

Jesus Christ seems to be asking the religious class the question, “how could you claim obedience as God’s people and still reject His messengers and fail to respect and accept His son?” They thought that the fight was over by killing the son, but it was not the end. The new tenants would be referring to the universal body of believers who will have personal and holy relationships with God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 21 OCTOBER

“For many are invited, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14).

Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a wedding banquet that a king had prepared for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. Again, when they sent some more servants to invite them, they were mistreated and killed. This enraged the king and the king sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then the invitation to the wedding banquet was extended to strangers, both good and bad. And the banquet hall was filled with them. During the feast the king noticed a man without proper attire and he was removed. At the end of this parable, Jesus Christ said these words, “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

The invitees represented the religious leaders in the day of Jesus Christ. The refusal of the first invitees did not stop the banquet; the feast was still going on. The Lord issues His invitation to everyone. The gospel is being preached to all people groups in different nations. Though the invitation is open and free to all, the one who responds has to follow the rules and instructions in the kingdom of God. Every individual will be monitored and judged. The judgment is sure and severe for those who accepted the invitation but do not fulfil the expectations of the king. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 22 OCTOBER

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Mathew 22:21).

This was the wise response from Jesus Christ to the Pharisees who laid plans to trap Him in His words. The Pharisees sent their disciples along with Herodians. Pharisees were a strict, legalistic, religious group. The Herodians endorsed and supported Roman rule over Israel. Unusually, they came together to trap Jesus Christ. They said to Jesus Christ, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

The question put to Jesus Christ was a cunning one. If He would have answered, “Yes” it would have meant the common people to support the dictatorship rule. This answer would have produced some sort of anger among the people. If He would have answered, “No”, they could have reported Him to the Roman government officials as a seditious person.  Knowing their evil intention and flattery, Jesus Christ took a denarius (which contained the inscription of the Caesar) from them and spoke the above words. This answer amazed even those who came to trap Him.  

He also reminded them of the two dominions – the spiritual and temporal.  It also reminds us about our responsibility to submit to local authorities and to the divine authority.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 23 OCTOBER

At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven (Matthew 22:30).

After noticing that the Pharisees could not trap Jesus Christ through their tricky questions, the Sadducees tried to discredit Him by proving that there is no resurrection. The Sadducees belonged to the priestly class of society. They were influential politically and economically. Their religious views were different from the views held by Pharisees. They did not believe in resurrection and life after death. They asked a tricky question citing a hypothetical story of seven brothers married to one woman, one after another, after the death of the individuals. They asked Him, “At the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?” The Sadducees might have thought that the answer from Jesus Christ would be a ridiculous one. But Jesus charged them as ignorant, saying, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.”

Jesus Christ affirmed the resurrection of the dead and corrected their false assumption (considering resurrection as the same state of being that the person was in before he or she died). He said in resurrection form, we will be like the angels. So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 24 OCTOBER

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (Mathew 22:36).

Hearing that Jesus Christ had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together and made another effort to trap Him. A law expert among them asked this question to test Him. The Pharisees tried to test the religious understanding and view of Jesus Christ concerning the commandments in the law. Jesus Christ surprised them by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, summarizing all commandments in just two: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second one is: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Rabbis listed 613 commandments from the laws of Moses, subdividing it as 365 negative commands and 248 positive commands. Jesus summarized 613 commands into two, binding together love for God and love for neighbour. These two commands summarize God's perfect law.

Jesus Christ conveyed that the greatest commandment is love. Love is expected in all relationships, either with God or with others. When we truly love God, the love will overflow to others through us. How well we take these commandments will be reflected in our intentions and actions. We are expected to love God with everything in us. Loving others as ourselves may refer to seeking good for our neighbour just as we seek good for ourselves.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 25 OCTOBER

So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them (Matthew 23:3-4).

This was said to the crowds and to His disciples highlighting the dangers faced by them from Pharisees. Pharisees used phylacteries and tassels to showcase their religious activities. A phylactery was a strip of parchment, inscribed with certain portions of Pentateuch and was kept inside a square leather case. The cases were attached with straps to their foreheads and to the back of their right hands, following a strictly literal interpretation of (Deuteronomy 6:8). The Pharisees were good in tying up heavy extra biblical traditions and burdens on people’s shoulders. The ones responsible for teaching and interpreting God's word failed to practice what they taught. They loved greetings and respect in public places.

They loved teaching others and not themselves. Jesus did not stop His followers from listening to what the Pharisees teach but they were told to exercise caution while following their lifestyles. Jesus Christ condemned their attitude of limiting spiritual life just to the observance of certain religious things superficially and externally. Jesus Christ also condemned the practice of exalting the teachers above the level of humanity.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 26 OCTOBER

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!” (Mathew 23:13).

Jesus Christ rebuked the Pharisees and the scribes in harsh terms like snakes, brood of vipers, white washed tombs, blind guides, etc., and pronounced seven woes against them. The Pharisees and the scribes were well versed with the laws of Moses and wanted everyone to observe it strictly. Their religion was too strict to enable true seekers to come to the Lord.  They themselves did not enter the kingdom of God nor did they allow others to enter. They appeared wise and religious but in reality, they were spiritually ignorant and blind. They worked very hard to win followers for them but failed to bring them up in the Lord. They wilfully ignored the significance of the temple and the holiness of God. They strictly followed giving tithe but neglected the more important matters like justice, mercy and faithfulness. Like a whitewashed tomb, they appeared righteous but they were filled with wickedness and self-indulgence.

The Lord sees behind the mask of religious traditions and activities. The Lord hates hypocrisy and He wants us to be clean inside and outside. If we keep our inner lives clean the outer part of our lives will be clean automatically. Hypocrisy and pretensions are likely to attract the wrath of God and we would be safe if we make consistent efforts to truly live in Him, focusing on internal transformation and growth.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 27 OCTOBER

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Mathew 24:3).

When the disciples called the attention of Jesus Christ to notice the magnificence of the temple in Jerusalem, He foretold its destruction. It was a huge structure built by Herod for 46 years. It was larger than the temple built by Solomon. The disciples connected the destruction of the temple with the end of the age and asked the above question. In response, Jesus Christ gave some signs of the end times. Many will come in the name of Jesus Christ and will deceive many. There will be wars and rumours of wars. Nations and kingdoms will rise against each other. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. The followers of Jesus Christ disciples will be handed over to be persecuted and even put to death and they will be hated by all nations because of their relationship with Jesus Christ. Many followers will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other. Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. The love of most will grow cold. The gospel of the kingdom of God will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations.

The Lord cautioned His followers to be careful so that they will not be deceived. They are asked to stand firm for the Lord in the midst of various things that would act against them, to be saved.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 28 OCTOBER

As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage….and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away (Mathew 24: 37-39).

Jesus Christ compared the wicked condition of the people at His second coming with the people in the days of Noah. In Genesis 6:5, we read as, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” The people in the days of Noah were totally unprepared and living normally without having any concern pertaining to the events and conditions around them. Majority of the people in the days of Noah rejected the word of God and the Flood took them by surprise. "That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man" (Mt 24:39).

 Just as in the days of Noah, we find people getting immersed in worldliness. People around us may be ignorant and insensitive to interpret the events happening around us but it should not be so with us, His followers. Jesus Christ told His disciples that His return would happen at an unexpected hour and wanted them to be alert and prepared to meet Him.  Noah prepared himself for the flood that was to come and when it came, he faced it. We need to focus on preparing ourselves for His coming and should not get distracted by the secular concerns of life. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 29 OCTOBER

Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 25:13).

Jesus Christ taught His disciples the above truth through a parable. He said that the kingdom of heaven is like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Among them five were wise and five were foolish. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. All of them were waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom. When the bridegroom delayed to come, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. When the bridegroom came at midnight all of them woke up and trimmed their lamps. The wise ones, who were ready, went with the bridegroom to the wedding Banquet. The foolish ones could not light up their lamps and did not enter the banquet.

The parable is meant to caution the body of Christ to keep them prepared for the coming of the Lord. The Lord will come at an unexpected time and only those who are prepared will be able to be taken up with Him. The Lord distinguished them as “wise and foolish,” and not as “good and bad.” Elsewhere, we also read about wise and foolish builders. It conveys us the possibility for the large numbers of Christians to be disowned at His coming due to the lack of necessary preparation. The Lord wants us to be prepared and watchful at all times, devoting our life to please Him in the midst of all possibilities that can divert and distract us from the call and the chosen path.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 30 OCTOBER

His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things (Mt 25:23)

God owns everything, which include our lives and all things we own while we live. Christian stewardship is managing everything that God brings into a believer's life in a way that honours God and impacts eternity. Each believer is an active member in the body of Christ and every one of us is given, a unique set of resources depending on our role in the body of Christ. God expects us to use it wisely and effectively for carrying out His will in our society and the world in our time.

The world asks, "What does a man own?" but Christ would ask, "How does he use it?"  Christian Stewardship is about how well we use what we have. The parable of the talents, suggest that the master determined the amount each steward was to manage and the master expected each steward to be faithful with what is given. Each of them was responsible for what is given. The faithful ones are rewarded while unfaithful ones are punished. We are responsible and accountable for whatever gift, talents and opportunities given to us. We have to make best use of what God has kept in our care - our time, our abilities, our relationships and wealth for His glory.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 31 OCTOBER

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:31-33).

 The sheep on the right side were redeemed and saved but the goats on the left side were condemned and lost. This is similar to separating good crops from weeds; wheat from chaff; good fish from those to be thrown away. This parable of sheep and goats emphasizes the importance of sharing with those in need around us. It gives us clear criteria for examining whether we are a goat or a sheep by checking how we treat the ones who are poor, neglected and marginalized in society.  

 The type of Christians compared to sheep in this parable reflected the love of God in their lives. They responded positively to the needs of the fellow believers in their distress and unconsciously aligned themselves with Christ. They were rewarded in life after death. Those compared to goats in the parable were not allowed in the kingdom of God and were sent to hell prepared for the devils and his angels because they had the opportunity to help but they did not.

 Jesus Christ considered the helps extended by His followers to those in need as the helps given to Him. The good works and works of charity are not the cause of salvation but are the effects of salvation.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 1 NOVEMBER

So, Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself (Mathew 27:5).

This is the tragedy happened to a person who failed to control greed though he was a disciple of Jesus, who experienced extraordinary teachings and miracles in his life. Greed can be defined as the excessive desire to acquire or possess more than one’s need. We notice two types of the greedy persons: one is extravagant, making a show of his possessions to impress others; the other is a miser who has a lot of money but hoards it and delights in counting it but not using it. Our greed may be because of the fearful need to store up surplus goods so that we will have so much for our future needs. Dr. Billy Graham in the book of seven deadly sins says that greed has two cousins. The first one is covetousness, the desire to own what is possessed by others and the second one is jealousy, the resent over the blessings or the good fortunes of others. Greed also can be the obsessive desire for more money and material goods to achieve the social status, authority and power that comes with it. Greed drives us to seek more and more and makes us dissatisfied with what we already have. Money is good thing but the greed attached to it lands us in misery. In Eph 5:5, we read that greedy person has no inheritance in the kingdom of God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 2 NOVEMBER

Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27,28).

On a Sabbath day, When Jesus and His disciples went through the grain fields; His disciples began to pick some heads of grain and ate them. On seeing this, the Pharisees criticized them as Sabbath law breakers as they misinterpreted such conduct as prohibited harvesting. On another Sabbath day Jesus Christ healed a man with a shrivelled hand in a Synagogue. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law objected to this healing, charging Him as breaker of the Sabbath law.

Jesus Christ used these occasions to teach that the Sabbath was made for the benefit of all mankind and not a day of legalistic rules.  Pharisees, the religious class of the day made a strict list of laws that became a burden to the common man. As per their list picking up heads of corn or healing a sickness on the Sabbath were considered as work, mere violation of their Sabbath law.

The Sabbath principle is that we must keep aside a portion of our time, free from the demands of work, for worshiping the Lord. He conveyed that human needs sometimes supersede legal requirements. He clarified that Sabbath is honoured by doing good and by saving life. Jesus proclaimed that He is the One who exercises authority even over the rules and regulations that govern the Sabbath day.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 3 NOVEMBER

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).

At a time, when the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were opposing Jesus Christ fiercely, thousands of people came to listen to Him. A person from the crowd asked Jesus Christ to settle an inheritance case. In response, Jesus Christ spoke the above words to the crowd. He further told them a parable to explain this point. When a certain rich man got an abundant harvest from field, he said to himself that he would build bigger barns to store his surplus grain. He said himself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” God revealed him another perspective. God said, ‘You fool! If die tonight, then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ Jesus Christ added His message to the parable saying, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

We tend to place our security in the material things and are obsessed with accumulating more and more possessions. The worldview is, “Life consists in the abundance of possessions” but in the sight of God it is foolishness. This parable reminds us to focus on the treasure that we can carry with us in the afterlife. We should not strive to become rich in this world, but we have to strive to be rich towards God by sharing our treasures with those in need.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 4 NOVEMBER

Unless you repent, you too will all perish (Luke 13:3).

Jesus Christ uttered the above words when His attention was turned to the tragic news concerning some Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices while they were sacrificing in the temple at Jerusalem. In the same context, Jesus Christ recounted the collapse of the tower of Siloam that killed eighteen residents of Jerusalem. Jews believed that tragedy happens in life as a punishment for sin. The Lord rejected this notion and called for repentance and conversion. Suffering, losses, failures, disasters, etc., may not be due to specific sins. Every one sins and they will be punished.

God is merciful and is patient with us to repent and bear fruit. To emphasis this point He told them a parable. A man had a fig tree which was not bearing any fruit. He had been coming for three years, looking for fruit in the tree but could not find any. He told the vineyard-in charge to cut down the tree. The man replied, “Sir, leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.”

“Unless you repent, you will all perish as they did” is a statement that warns us to introspect our way of life and to make necessary corrections before it will be late. God is patient with us and gives us chances to correct us and these privileges cannot be taken as granted.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 5 NOVEMBER

The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” (Luke 13:15-16).

On a Sabbath day, Jesus Christ was teaching in a Synagogue. There was a woman who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. The Lord called her forward and healed her. Synagogue ruler was not happy with what Jesus Christ did on Sabbath. He said “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” In response, Jesus Christ uttered the above words.

The Synagogue ruler commented that Jesus Christ failed to honor Sabbath day. He contended that healing on the Sabbath violates the command to observe the Sabbath day as holy because healing was considered as work by them. Jesus Christ let them look into the hollowness of their understanding. He clarified them if untying an ox or a donkey to refresh it is a good thing, setting free a human on Sabbath day is also good.

Two contrasting things are observed here - the joy of the delivered woman and the synagogue ruler who loved systems, overlooking human needs. How often do we behave like the synagogue ruler by keeping our systems and traditions above human needs and relationships?

DAILY THOUGHTS | 6 NOVEMBER

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight (Luke 16:14,15).

The above is the reaction of Pharisees when Jesus Christ pointed to them and to His disciples about the importance of handling wealth through a parable.  A rich man fired his manager who was found wasting his possessions. The manager was faced with existential crisis and he thought shrewdly and acted wisely. He contacted his master’s debtors and agreed to change the entries in account books with respect to the receivables in their favour. He reduced the debt of his master’s debtors, creating some happy customers, who will be grateful to him when he comes looking for help very soon. The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. He commended for his shrewdness and not for his dishonesty.

Using this parable, Jesus Christ highlighted how the worldly people are good in managing their wealth to achieve their goals and how the believers fail to use their wealth wisely to achieve God’s goal of getting people into heaven. He asked, “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”

DAILY THOUGHTS | 7 NOVEMBER

Abraham replied, “But ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony” (Luke 16:25).

There was a rich man who lived in luxury every day.  A beggar named Lazarus covered with sores was lying at his gate. He was longing to eat what fell from the table of the rich man. 

After death, the beggar was carried to a good place and the rich man reached the place where there was torment. The story highlights the reality of heaven and hell. Every person will spend their eternity either in heaven or in hell.

Though the story was addressed to the religious leaders of the time, the principle of the story applies to us. The rich man was condemned for not extending help to the person in need in his reach. He failed to show love, compassion and sympathy to Lazarus who was sick and poor. God loves the poor and is concerned for their needs. The righteous cares about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern (Proverb 29:7). When we show mercy to others, we reflect the very nature of God. God is merciful and we are expected to be merciful.

The story is not about condemning the rich lifestyle or supporting the poor living conditions, but it is about closing our eyes and hands to the needy around us.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 8 NOVEMBER

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them (Luke 2:6-7).

The above words explain what happened exactly at first Christmas. When Mary and Joseph had been living at their home in Nazareth, orders were given for enrolments of the people, which were sometimes used in ancient days as a basis for the imposition of a poll-tax. So Joseph and Mary went to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem in Galilee for enrolment. Bethlehem was crowded with people and as there was no room for them among the human guests, they had to find shelter among the cattle. Joseph and Mary were left to spend their nights in Bethlehem in the manger area. And Jesus Christ was born in the manger. The decree by the Caesar made Joseph and Mary travel to the promised place of messianic origin at the appropriate time. This shows us that God is quietly at work behind the scene.

He chose to be born in a rural setup and not in the palace. Though He is from the lineage of King David, He chose to be born in poor circumstances. His birth was identified with poverty, obscurity and rejection. One, who came to redeem us, had His humble beginning in a manger.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 9 NOVEMBER

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus (Luke 5:18).

On a particular day, Jesus Christ was teaching in a home in Capernaum. Pharisees and teachers who came from Galilee, Judea and Jerusalem were listening to Him. When people learnt that sicknesses were healed by Jesus Christ, certain men brought on a bed a man, who was paralyzed. Because of the crowd, they were not able to bring the paralyzed person through the main door.  They went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, Jesus Christ said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And later, He said, “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” Immediately, he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. When the people witnessed this was filled with amazement, the teachers of the law and the religious leaders were critical about Jesus Christ. They charged Him with blasphemy for forgiving the sins of the paralyzed man.

This incident hints at the conflict that Jesus experienced with the teachers and religious leaders of the day due to some claims He made about Himself. The friends displayed the unshakeable faith in Jesus Christ and their efforts to bring healing to inner and outer healing of their friend was rewarded. Others saw the outer physical need of the paralyzed man but Jesus looked at the inner spiritual need of the person. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 10 NOVEMBER

 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:36).

 His Mercy is displayed in the air we breathe, in the daily light which shines upon us. God is merciful and He wants us to be merciful towards others. Since God is merciful and forgave us from our sins, we are also expected to be merciful and to extend forgiveness to others. To be merciful would mean more than just feeling the need, mercy is shown by actions.  To be merciful would mean being patient with people around us, playing a positive in helping people, forgiving people who offend us and doing good even to those who hurt us. Mercy delights to relieve pain, to soothe grief, to assist the oppressed, to spare reproach or punishment where there has been offence or injury. We normally act in sinful, selfish ways and our natural heart would need a real change of heart to be merciful towards others. With the help of God and through our conscious efforts, we can practice mercy in our daily walk, showing mercy with those in need, forgiving when others wrong to us, etc. We also can be carriers of God’s mercy through the words of the gospel, backed by exemplary lives.  Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy (Mt 5:7).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 11 NOVEMBER

The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him (Luke 8:38, 39).

Jesus and His disciples met a demon possessed man in Gerasenes. The influence of the devil upon the man was very strong. It made him to live among the tombs without proper clothing. Even if he was bound with chains, he would break the bonds and wander in the desert. When he saw Jesus Christ, he cried out and fell down before him. When Jesus Christ commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man, he cried out and begged Him not to drive them into the abyss but to be driven in to herds of pigs which were feeding on the hillside.  And many demons in the man came out of the man, entered the pigs and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned. Though the people of the city found the man perfectly delivered from demon possession, they were afraid and begged him to leave their region. But the healed man wanted to be with Jesus.

Jesus Christ commanded the healed man to share his witness with people in his hometown. And he obeyed. He went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 12 NOVEMBER

When you pray (Luke 11:2).

In Luke 11:1, we read that after Jesus finished praying, one of His disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. In response to his request, Jesus taught them a model prayer that we read in Luke 11:2-4 and in Mt 6:9-13. Appearance of phrase “WHEN YOU PRAY” few times in the context conveys that His people are expected to have the habit of praying. Praying is not an option but an obligation for the followers of Jesus Christ. We are called people of prayer and the worship place of God is called the house of prayer. Prayer is something that every one of us can do. This model prayer in Mt 6:9-13 provides us a pattern for prayer. This prayer is not a selfish prayer; it does not have requests for our individual needs alone, but for the needs of all. The prayer has two main divisions - the first three requests are concerned with God’s expectation on us and the next four are the requests concerning our physical, mental and spiritual needs. The first part conveys to us that we are to pray for the fulfilment of God’s plan in our lives and in the world. In this prayer we are taught to pray for God’s will to be done and not our desires.  The implications of the model prayer is the glorification of His name through us, extension of His kingdom in our life, execution of His will in our life, our dependence on God for our daily needs, seeking forgiveness for our sins and seeking His protections from the trials and temptations.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 13 NOVEMBER

Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness (Luke 11:39).

Hypocrisy is the pretension to qualities, which one does not have. Hypocrisy is the contradiction between thoughts and words— keeping something in mind, saying and acting something else. 

Hypocrites `act' desiring public applause. They give undue importance to the external things than to the internal life. They pretend to be nice to others but in their hearts, they set traps for them. By pretending to be what they are not, hypocrites imprison themselves. They lie and practice deception. In fact, they bear false witness against themselves. They are afraid to step out and show their true selves. Jesus repeatedly pronounced, "Woe unto you, hypocrites."  Hypocrisy is such a grave sin. Hypocrisy is a form of false religion when people draw near to God with their lips but their hearts are far from him.  

Keeping closer relationship with God, practicing secret spirituality, being open with others and keeping good part of our walk-in low visibility would help to keep hypocrisy under control.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 14 NOVEMBER

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18).

While Jesus Christ and His disciples were travelling to Jerusalem, they travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. There in a village, ten men who had leprosy met him and stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” Jesus Christ said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And they were completely healed while they were on their way. One among the healed came back, fell at the feet of Jesus Christ and thanked Him, praising God in a loud voice. He was a Samaritan, who was a social outcast in the eyes of Jews. He realized the importance and impact of the deliverance in his life and made extra efforts to come back to the Lord to thank Him for the blessings He received by His grace, mercy and love. Surprised by the ungratefulness of the other nine healed lepers, Jesus Christ expressed the above words. 

The Samaritan was thankful and full of gratitude while the others were immersed in the blessings they received and were not mindful of the one who healed them. Our lives become richer and more meaningful through the sense of gratitude.  Our attitude to claim our blessings as our right leaves little space for being grateful. We need to take time to acknowledge God for His mercies and goodness. Let us learn to count our blessings and not to take them for granted.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 15 NOVEMBER

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1).

Jesus Christ told His disciples a parable to teach them why they should not give up in praying. There was a judge in a certain town. He neither feared God nor cared what people thought. A widow from the town kept following up with him to grant her justice against her adversary. He was refusing to heed her plea for justice but finally he came forward to offer justice to her case due to her persistence in following up with him to find solution for her case. 

The widow was so persistent in demanding justice from an unjust judge. Jesus Christ was not comparing God to an unjust judge. The point of the parable appears as, if perseverance of the widow could obtain her justice from an unjust judge, how much faith and determination we should be having in our prayers when the answers are not visible immediately. When our prayers are not answered readily, we should not give up but we need to be patient and have to persistently pray for our needs and intercede for the needs of others.

The delay in responses to our fervent prayers may shake our faith in prayer answering God, but we need to continue praying, believing in the goodness of God. Persistence in prayer is impossible without faith. Our persistence strengthens our desire for God!

DAILY THOUGHTS | 16 NOVEMBER

I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Luke 18:14).

Pharisees thought that they were righteous and they used to look down on others. Jesus Christ told a story to explain to His disciples about the importance of humility in their lives. A Pharisee and a tax collector had been to temple to pray. In prayer, the Pharisee boasted about his religious deeds, considering he as better than others. But the tax collector stood at a distance and prayed for the mercy of God with a humble attitude. The Pharisee thought that they were the only ones righteous enough to be acceptable to God. The prayer and actions of the Pharisee emphasized their self-righteous lifestyle. Though the words uttered by him were true, he did not possess the humble attitude even while he was praying.  On the other hand, the tax collector recognized his unworthiness, beat his chest and sought the mercy of God for his sinful acts.

The tax collector came to God with humble attitude recognizing that he did not deserve mercy. The tax collector knew that he did not have anything to offer Him, while standing in His presence. The Pharisee failed to have that realization, though they had great scriptural understanding. The tax collector was found righteous in the sight of God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 17 NOVEMBER

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:9-10).

When Jesus Christ was passing through Jericho, He met Zacchaeus, visited his house and changed his life.  Zacchaeus was a wealthy chief tax collector. He was short and shy, yet wanted to see Jesus Christ when He was going through Jericho. He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Him.

When Jesus Christ reached the place where the sycamore-fig tree was, He looked up to Zacchaeus and told him that He was going to stay with him that day. Since the Jewish people did not like the tax collectors like Zacchaeus, they muttered, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” The visit of Jesus Christ changed his life. He repented and agreed to pay back whatever he earned by cheating. And the Lord declared salvation to his household.

Zacchaeus was a very popular person in the community, yet something stirred him towards Jesus Christ. The decision he made to see Him, changed his life and his priorities. He changed from serving wealth to serving the author of salvation. The one who was hated by the Jews as a sinner turned out to be the host of Jesus Christ. In world’s view, he was unlikely candidate for salvation but Jesus Christ had a different view.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 18 NOVEMBER

Well done, my good servant! (Luke 19:17).

 God saved us and kept us in the world. Though a faithful follower of Christ looks forward to the day of glorification, they spend a good amount of their life on earth between salvation and glorification. The parable of talents teaches what we ought to do while we wait for the day of glorification. A man going on a journey called his servants and gave five bags of gold, two bags of gold and one bag of gold to three of them. The one who got five bags used it to earn five more. The one who got two bags used it to earn two more. But the one who got one bag hid it and failed to earn anything. When the master returned, he was pleased with those who used what they got productively. The master appreciated them, saying, “Well done, my good servant!”

 As followers of Christ and the members of the body of Christ, we have a mission to accomplish in the world. We have to use our time, resources, skills and talents for the furtherance of His kingdom. Just like the master in the parable expected his servants not to keep the money passively, God will not be pleased by our life if we chose to keep our talents passively, citing poor excuses. Like the money given to the servants belonged to the master, what we have belongs to Him and we should not use it for selfish purposes but for the productivity and extension of His kingdom. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 19 NOVEMBER

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:1-5).

The opening verses of the gospel of John emphasize the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. The author introduces Jesus Christ as the word. Our words reveal our mind to others. Similarly, the son of God revealed God to the world. He revealed the nature of the invisible Father. Jesus Christ was with God and was God. Jesus Christ is worshipped as God and is equal with God the Father. He is eternal, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent and immutable. Through him all things were made. Paul reiterates this point in his epistle to Colossians. "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him" (Col1:16).

He gives life. He sustains the lives of all mankind. He gives spiritual lives to all who believe in Him and receive Him. He lights up our lives and removes every kind of darkness. Without Christ, the world will remain in darkness. If we do not allow Jesus Christ to take control of our lives, we will continue living in darkness.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 20 NOVEMBER

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God (John 1:12-13).

Jesus Christ, the source of life and light to mankind came to the world created by Him. The world failed to recognize and accept Him. The World did not know Him and His own people did not accept Him. The Spirit of God has been working in the world changing the lives of those who believe in Him, trusts Him and His message, making them to repent and turn to Him in faith for the salvation of their souls.  There are few who trust in Jesus Christ, accept Him as the incarnate son of God, and believe that the atonement was paid by Him for the sins of the whole world. They believe that Christ came to the world for them. They believe that their sin is the cause for the incarnation of the Lord and His death. They believe that the incarnation, death, burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ is to save them from their sins and its consequences. They understand that their self-efforts or merits cannot bring them back to God.

The ones who received Him in their lives and believed in Him experience a special privilege in this fallen world. They are redeemed, chosen and adopted as children of God. They are brought back into communion with the living God. They become heirs of eternal inheritance along with Christ. They are given the right to become children of God.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 21 NOVEMBER

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine” (John 2:1-3).

In the initial days of the public ministry of Lord Jesus Christ, He was invited to a wedding function in Cana, about ten kilometres from Nazareth. Jesus along with His disciples and Mary, His mother attended the wedding function. The wedding feasts often lasted for seven days. Shortage of wine during the wedding feast was a disgraceful thing and it was an embarrassing moment for the host.

Mary seems to be an important person in the feast and the lack of sufficient wine for the guests might have disturbed her. Mary turned to Jesus Christ to fix the problem. Though Jesus Christ was not known as a miracle worker then, she trusted Him and believed that the Lord would do the right thing to solve the problem. She advised the servants to follow the directions of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ asked the servants to fill the six stone jars with water. They filled the jars with water to the brim. Then the servants were asked to draw some water from the jars to the master of the banquet.  The water turned into a tasty wine. The trust that Mary had on Jesus Christ and the unconditional obedience of the servants to the words of the Lord are great examples for us to follow.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 22 NOVEMBER

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again (John 3:3).

Jesus said that one has to be born again to enter heaven. Being born again would refer to receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord in our life. Accepting Jesus as Savior would mean our acknowledgment that Christ died as sacrifice for our sins and the benefit is the forgiveness we receive from Him. Accepting Jesus as Lord would imply that we fear and obey Him unconditionally. The salvation could be understood as Justification (Salvation from the penalty of Sins), Sanctification (Salvation from the power of sins) and Glorification (Salvation from the presence of Sins). New spiritual life in Christ is expected to grow and reach maturity as months and years pass by.

When we are born again, God delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins (Col 1:13,14). We are new Creature (2Cor 5:17) and are expected to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ (Rom8:29). In our Christian living, we need to be moving towards maturity. Our growth in Christ should be visible to others by our godly characters. If we are still living in pride, lust, jealousy, bitterness, hypocrisy, lying, etc., our born-again claim is questionable. Are you born again really?

DAILY THOUGHTS | 23 NOVEMBER

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ “(John 3:5-8).

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of group of Jews, who were good in keeping the letter of the law but denied the real intention of the law. Jesus denounced them often for their legalism. He was also a member of Sanhedrin. Sanhedrin in Jerusalem was the final court of appeals for matters regarding Jewish law and religion. He came to meet Jesus Christ in a night and we are not sure about the reason for his choice of time for the visit. He might have met the Lord as a representative of Pharisees.

In their conversation, Jesus Christ immediately confronted him with a truth: “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” This statement perplexed him. Jesus Christ explained to him what it means to be born again. Being born again would mean being born of the Spirit, which refers to the work of the Holy Spirit, placing a person in the right relationship with God. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 24 NOVEMBER

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

The verse highlights the eternal life (never ending life) offered to those who chose to believe in Christ and the destruction that will happen to those who neglect and ignore the way of salvation. This is the well-known verse of the Bible. It is also the most memorized verse of the Bible. In one sentence it gives the summary of the gospel. The verse conveys the deeper insight into the divine character that is beyond our understanding. This verse tells us the depth of the love of God; it tells us that God loved the world enough to come as Jesus, and to die for us, so that anyone who trusts in Him will be saved from sin. He loved us who deserved no such love, as by nature we are disobedient, rebellious and far away from His righteousness. The begotten in the verse (in some versions) refers to the fact that the Son is of exactly the same nature as God the Father. 

Apostle Paul who realized the love of God wrote, “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:17-19). 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 25 NOVEMBER

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth (John 4:23, 24).

In those days, Jews and Samaritans were not in good terms and avoided meeting each other. In 722 BC, when Assyrians invaded Samaria, they deported Jews from Samaria and populated Samaria with other people. When Jews returned from exile, they lived among Samaritans. They intermarried and brought forth new religious group, grounded in Jewish religion. Later, Jews burnt down the temple built by Samaritans in Mount Gerizim. This made the relationships between Jews and Samaritans worse. So Jews avoided travelling through the Samaritan region. When Jesus Christ and His disciples were travelling from Judea to Galilee, they chose to pass through Samaria.

He reached Sychar, a town in Samaria and sat down near Jacob’s well. He initiated conversation with a Samaritan woman who came to draw water and revealed Himself to her. When she raised issues concerning the place of worship, the Lord clarified her about the real worship – worshipping God in spirit and truth. Worshipping God in spirit would refer to focusing on the spiritual realities rather than of the places and sacrifices. Worshipping God in truth would refer to coming to God without any external pretence or a mere display of spirituality.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 26 NOVEMBER

“See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you” (John 5:14).

Jesus Christ went to Jerusalem to attend one of the Jewish festivals. In Jerusalem, He noticed a person suffering from a paralytic condition at the Pool of Bethesda in hope of healing for thirty-eight years. The invalid was lying in the mat with none to help him to bring him to the water to be healed. This might have happened at a time when the waters were stirred and people started jumping and diving and rolling into the waters, each hoping for healing and deliverance. He explained to Jesus Christ why it was not possible for him to be healed. Jesus Christ asked the invalid man, “Do you want to get well?” Jesus Christ had compassion on him and healed him. The healed one picked up his mat and walked away. When the Jewish leaders found the man walking away with his mat, they charged him as a violator of the Sabbath law saying, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” 

When Jesus Christ saw him again at the temple, He said the above words. Christ was connecting the man’s prior condition to sin in the above words. Our sins can be cause for our infirmities. The Lord seems to be reminding the man that there are worse things than being crippled, including the eternal penalties of sin. Sin will always result in misery.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 27 NOVEMBER

Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him (John 9:3).

These words were uttered by Lord Jesus Christ about a born blind man when his disciples asked Him about the cause of the blindness of this man. They presumed that the cause of his blindness was either the sin of him or his parents. Their way of thinking might be based on the biblical text in Exodus 20:5. The Lord clarified them that the blindness was not because of his sin but his blindness would lead to the display of the works of God through him. He healed him in a different way. He spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. Mixing clay with saliva was a common practice used for eye infections. Then he was told to wash in the pool of Siloam. The man went and washed, and came home seeing. Giving sight to the blind was predicted as an activity of the Messiah. The eyes of the blind shall be opened. (Isaiah 35:5). Thus, this miracle was additional evidence that Jesus Christ was the Messiah. 

When the blind man’s neighbours enquired him how he gained sight, he testified to them about Christ. The problems and difficulties happening in our lives can be channelized to bring glory to God through our lives. Like Jesus Christ we ought to do something that would help the victims to come out of the problems rather than discussing the issues that caused the problem.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 28 NOVEMBER

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:9-11).

Jesus Christ used imageries from daily life to illustrate His relationship with His followers. He spoke of shepherd and sheep, gatekeeper and gate, pasture and life, recognition and salvation. Also, He used contrasting imageries for those who can harm His followers. Words like strangers, thieves and bandits, killing and stealing, running away, climbing in, etc., easily describes their nature and intentions.

Jesus Christ declared Himself as the gate for the sheep, meaning that He is the entrance to the sheepfold. He communicated that He is the only way to redeem people from the judgment of God and to restore the broken fellowship with God. 

Jesus Christ declared Himself as the good shepherd, one who truly cares for the sheep and the one willingly lays down His life for the sheep. Jesus Christ said, “I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” His followers are known by Him and they are expected to know Him (not knowing about Him). His sheep follows Him as they know His voice.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 29 NOVEMBER

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

These words were the part of conversation Jesus Christ had with Martha just before He raised Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus and his sisters: Mary and Martha were close to Jesus Christ. When Jesus Christ knew that Lazarus was sick, He said to His disciples, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Lazarus died and was in the tomb for four days, when Jesus Christ and His disciples came to their house.

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Then He said the above words to Martha. Immediately, she replied, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

The clarity, Martha had in understanding Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the one who is having absolute power over life and death is a great example for us. The faith we display in Christ in the midst of pressing situations and hardships will not only sustain us but also will help us to become a blessing to others.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 30 NOVEMBER

Jesus replied, “Leave her alone, it was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me” (John 12:7-8).

Six days before the Passover, Jesus Christ was in Bethany and a dinner was hosted to Him. Lazarus, Mary and Martha were there along with Him and His disciples. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. Meanwhile, Mary poured an expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus Christ and wiped it with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Judas Iscariot, objected to this sacrificial action of Mary, saying, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He said this out of self-interest.  Judas was contrasting Mary’s action of devotion with his self-centred plan. Jesus Christ said the above words as His reply to him. He appreciated and justified the sacrificial actions of Mary.

True devotion to Christ will cost us our money, time and strength. Mary could have sold the perfume and would have given a portion of it to the Lord but she chose to give all she had because she knew that Jesus Christ was worth it. When we attempt to do few things for Jesus Christ, we are likely to be criticized even by those who seem to be close to the Lord.​

DAILY THOUGHTS | 1 DECEMBER 

“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you (John 13:12-15).

When the evening meal was in progress; Jesus Christ got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. When the turn of Peter came, He objected saying that he was unworthy to have his feet washed by Jesus Christ as one washes feet of others was typically a servant in those days. It was a job assigned to gentile slaves.  After He finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes, returned to his place and uttered the above words to His disciples.

 This was done by the one who had come from God and who had all powers in heaven and earth. He set an example to His disciples who were to become the leaders of the early church. The example set by the Lord is to become servants of others. Jesus Christ said, “No servant is greater than his master.”  We are not greater than Jesus. He humbled himself; we should not avoid doing likewise.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 2 DECEMBER

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:6-7).

Jesus Christ said to His disciples that He was going to the Father and would come back to take them after preparing a place for them. These words perplexed the disciples. His disciples wanted to know where He was going and how to get there. On behalf of the disciples, Thomas asked Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going; how can we know the way?” In response, Jesus Christ said the above words.

Jesus Christ was with the Father and was sent to the World. Since He came from the Father, He is the only way to the father. He is the way to Heaven because He is the truth. He is the way to Heaven because He is the life. He said, “I am in the Father, and the Father is in me” Anyone who has seen Jesus Christ has seen the Father. Jesus Christ wanted His disciples to believe that father was in Him and He was in the father. Father and Son are in an eternal inseparable relationship.

Jesus Christ emphasized that Christ is not one of the many ways but He is the way. In the early days of the church, Christianity was called, “the way.” To obtain salvation we need not have to seek a particular path or process, just taking Christ in our life is enough as He is the way. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 3 DECEMBER

If you love me, keep my commands. (John 14:15).

 Loving Jesus Christ precedes and gives rise to keeping His commandments. Keeping His word is the result of loving Him. Jesus Christ repeatedly conveyed this truth in this context. John 14: 21 states, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.” John 14: 23 convey, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.” John 14: 24 say, “Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching.” We are commanded to love God. The specific command given to His people is, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deut 6:4-5).

The only way to show that we really love the Lord is through our obedience to His word. Our obedience to His commandments is the only reliable mean of measuring our love for God. If we truly love Christ, we will make efforts to know His commandments and will make consistent efforts to keep those commandments.

Obedience to the words of God is the central theme of the scripture. Our rise or fall in Spiritual life is determined by our obedience to His word. Obeying to Christ comes naturally to those who love Him.  “If” in the above verse conveys the possibility of one being called as Christian and yet not loving Him. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands (1 John 5:3).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 4 DECEMBER

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:1-2).

Towards the end of His ministerial life on earth, Jesus Christ prepared His disciples to a greater role in the kingdom of God. He taught His disciples about the importance of abiding with Christ through an analogy of a vine and its branches. Father is the vinedresser; Jesus Christ is the vine and His followers are the branches. He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” The central point of this teaching is that His followers should bear fruit.

Bearing fruit would mean doing good works that bring glory to God. Bearing fruit would mean displaying Christ-likeness in our attitude, behaviour and relationships. Like branches, those who follow Christ will be fruitful or fruitless.

The fruitless ones, who inhibit the growth of His kingdom will be cut off and will be punished. Those who bear fruit will be pruned to make them more fruitful. When we are in fellowship with Christ, we can be fruitful and without Him we can do nothing fruitful.  And it calls for a deeper dependence on Him and a closer communion with Him.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 5 DECEMBER

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you (John 15:18-19).

Jesus Christ foretold that His disciples are likely to be hated by the world because their master is hated by the world. They do not belong to the world. “The world,” refers to the worldly system that ignores God and that is opposed to the will of God. The world hates the exclusive claims of Jesus Christ. The principles of the worldly system are in direct conflict with the ways of God. The value system of the kingdom of God is different from that of the world. Christians need to know that they will face opposition from the world while they progress in their spiritual walk. Jesus Christ has withdrawn us from the world and again kept us in the world with a different identity. He has withdrawn us from the worldly system that is centred on greed, lust, selfishness, self-promotions, reputation, lies, wickedness, injustice and exploitations. The church of God that is kept in the world has a different calling. They are set apart for God from the evil world.

As their thoughts, words, actions, activities, etc., are not compatible with those of the world, they inevitably face challenges, oppositions and persecutions. The followers of Christ do not seek the persecution but when they face it, they will not run from it.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 6 DECEMBER

 But now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you (John 16:5-7).

Towards the end of His ministry, Jesus told His disciples that He would be ascending to Heaven soon. Also, He told them that they would be hated and persecuted by the people of the world for the sake of Christ.  These words would have troubled and frightened them, questioning the security of their future. It was then Jesus Christ told them that He would send the third person of the trinity to be with them forever. They were told that their lives would be empowered and transformed.

Jesus Christ was confined to one body but the Holy Spirit would reside in every believer, enabling them to minister anywhere in the world simultaneously. The Holy Spirit would work through them and expose the sins of the world, preparing people to receive Christ. The Holy Spirit would work through the followers of Christ to witness, teach and preach His word. The Holy Spirit would remind them of the teachings of Jesus Christ and guide them in truth. The Holy Spirit would provide the proper and correct understanding of the Scriptures to the believers.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 7 DECEMBER

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world (John 17:15-18).

John 17 contains the prayer made by Jesus Christ for Himself, for His disciples and for us. He highlighted His relationship with Father in the prayer. We are taught by Him to address God as Father in our prayers. He prayed that He be glorified with the glory that He had with Father before the world began. Jesus Christ prayed for His disciples to protect them from divisions, to protect them from the evil one and to sanctify them by the word of God.  He prayed for all believers so that all of them may be one, enjoying the fellowship with each other and with God. He did not pray that His disciples would be removed from the world. He did not pray that His followers would be rich and great, becoming influential in the society. Rather, He prayed for them that they be kept from sin and its influences, from being corrupted by the world and that they would be strengthened in their role to glorify God.

Jesus Christ prayed for each one of us who are set apart for Him from the world. We are being sanctified by the word and are sent into the world as His representatives and witnesses. They need to make efforts to keep the unity of the spirit and to protect us from the corruptions of the world.​

DAILY THOUGHTS | 8 DECEMBER

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life (Romans 6:22).

 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins. We are accepted as righteous by God on account of what the Lord Jesus has done. He was made sin and we are made righteous before God. The righteousness of God is an effective defensive weapon, in our spiritual warfare. Being made righteous with God is not the end of our spiritual life. We are expected to seek His righteousness and live a righteous life.

 Mat 5:6 says, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. In Mat 5:20 Jesus said “Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” In Rom 6:13, we are advised to yield our body as instruments of righteousness. In Eph 5:8-12 we are told to walk as children of light in all righteousness. In 1 Tim 6:10 we are asked to pursue righteousness. Righteousness ought to be the character of every follower of Christ.  1 Tim 3:16 suggests that studying God’s word helps us to grow in righteousness.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 9 DECEMBER

What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit? (1 Corinthians 4:21).

Paul ministered 18 months in Corinth during his second missionary journey. Corinth was a famous and busy port city, then. The city was experiencing wicked and immoral culture and the church in Corinth happened to be influenced by this culture. Paul was deeply concerned about two issues that were destroying the church in Corinth.

 Divisions in the church - There were various groups formed around the personalities like Paul, Apollos and others. The church which was supposed to multiply, started dividing. Paul clarified them that the ministers and ministries are mere means used by God to bring each one of the believers in to the fellowship of Lord Jesus Christ. It is foolish and spiritually immature to create, favour and develop groups. It is a time to examine ourselves if we are involved directly or indirectly in bringing divisions in our church, organization or in any way.

Sexual Immorality - Corinthian Church was greatly influenced by the immoral culture around them. Paul condemned the behaviours of the church that was justifying and protecting those involved in Sexual immorality.

Paul ordered to expel the sexually immoral members and to disassociate with them. He clarified that our body is the temple of Holy Spirit.  “Expel the wicked person from among you” (1 Cor 5: 12).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 10 DECEMBER

I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that (1 Cor 7:7).

Paul responds and clarifies to Corinthian Christians, when he was asked to clarify few issues related to marriage. The concept of marriage was introduced by God. The marriage could be an environment where each one involved in family can experience heaven on earth, when everything is kept as per the rules and expectations of God.

1. Which is better for a believer - to be unmarried or married?
Paul advised that each one has own gift concerning marriage, whether to marry or to remain single and the decision making is left to the individual. An unmarried believer is concerned about things related to God but the married ones have the obligation to please their spouses and to take care of their children in addition to their devotion to God and their attentions are divided. He also urged the believers to marry to avoid any immorality.

2. Can a Believer and non-believer live together in marriage?

When Paul was writing this epistle, many Christians had their spouses from pagan culture. Paul clarified them that they have to live together and should not separate, citing this reason. In this case, an unbeliever can be led to Christ through believing spouse and the children would be sanctified because of them (till they grow up). This is an exception against the established Biblical truth that believer has to marry believer only.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 11 DECEMBER

We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one” (1 Cor 8:4).

 Corinth had lot of temples and foods were given freely for needy ones in the temples. The new Christians from the pagan culture had a serious question related to their faith,

” Is it wrong to eat foods sacrificed to Idols?” Paul answered them clearly and we see his responses in 1 Cor 8 (Food sacrificed to idols) and in 1 Cor 10:14-33 (Fellowship feast at pagan temple).

 Paul clarified that there is only one God and the other so-called gods are nothing and it will not be able to influence those who trust in the real God. Foods do not bring anyone closer or farer to God. Eating or not eating food will not make any difference with respect to our devotion to God and the principle applies to food sacrificed to idols. We cannot control foods being sacrificed to gods. Poojas and other type of rituals are done at different stages of food cycle.

By all means, we have to avoid foods sacrificed to idols. When we participate in fellowship feast with non-believers at the temple, we acknowledge our fellowship with them. It also affects the faith of new believers with weak conscience. There may be unavoidable circumstances in places, where we work or live and we will come under compulsion to eat the foods sacrificed to idols. In such situations, we ought to act/react wisely so that our relationship with our friends or relatives or neighbours will not be affected.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 12 DECEMBER

Now to each one, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Cor 12:7).

In the body of Christ, God established different ministries, works, services and gifts to evangelize, edify and equip its members. The manifestation of the Holy Spirit (gifts, miracle working, etc.) is given for the common good of the body of Christ. God established apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, healers, etc., in the church and they are equipped with different gifts. Each of these gift manifesting ministries is not expected to operate in isolation but to complement the other ministries in the body of Christ. No one is bigger or better because of any spectacular gift. The purpose of any gift given and operated by Holy Spirit is to complement the ministry of others in the church of God.

All gifts are expected to be exercised in love. When we discharge our ministries and operate gifts in love, there will be no self-seeking, boasting, jealousy, etc. We are expected to operate the gifts in orderly manner. The work of everyone is as important as others in the body of Christ.

When we commit ourselves to the execution of the will of God, God will entrust us with various responsibilities in the body of Christ and we would be provided with the gifts of Holy Spirit so that we will be powerful and effective in our roles. We need to seek the gifts of Holy Spirit, and also have to ensure that the will of God be done through us while using those gifts.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 13 DECEMBER

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? (1 Cor 15:12).

Greeks did not believe in bodily resurrection as they believed that souls alone depart from body at death and nothing would happen to physical body. This type of teachings created some confusion among Christians in Corinth. Paul clarified doubts concerning bodily resurrection and we read about it elaborately in 1 Corinthians 15^th Chapter. The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the core of Christian faith. Lord Jesus Christ preached about bodily resurrection, foretold His resurrection and rose from the dead. After resurrection, He appeared to more than five hundred persons at various instances for 40 days before ascending to heaven. When we die, our body is sown as perishable seed and in resurrection, we will have new type of imperishable powerful spiritual body. At times, we are so earthly minded and seldom think about what would happen in our life after death. Paul warned that if only for this life, we have hope in Lord Jesus Christ; we are to be pitied than all other men. One cannot be a true Christian without believing in bodily resurrection. If we believe in Christ’s bodily resurrection and hope for the same, our life style and behaviours ought to affirm our faith. We should strive to live in such a way that would prepare us for eternity.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 14 DECEMBER

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22, 23).

When we accept Jesus Christ as our saviour (from penalty of sins) and Lord, we are born again in Spirit and the Holy Spirit indwells us. Though we are born again and have a new life in Christ, we still carry the carnal sinful nature in us. Presence of sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies, etc., in our life, would mean that we are still being led by our sinful nature.  The Christian life is often the battle between the old sinful nature and the new nature given by Christ. Our flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit. The Spirit of God works in us, enabling us to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ, gradually, when we yield ourselves completely to be led by him. It is essential to note that the Holy Spirit indwelling us, will not be controlling or leading us, unless we keep our lusts and our self under control by our consistent conscious efforts with the help of God, while obeying the leading of Holy Spirit, step by step, daily.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 15 DECEMBER

God, who is rich in mercy… (Eph 2:4).

We are not punished for the sins but are forgiven and it is due to the mercy of God. God being merciful would mean God withholds the punishment, we deserve. Mercy of God would mean God’s love that causes Him to help the miserable. God has been merciful since beginning. It is improper to state that God is more merciful in New Testament times than in Old Testament times. Old Testament proclaims the mercy of God four times more than that of the New Testament. In Old Testament we read that every year, high priest entered most holy place and sprinkled the blood of the sacrifice before the mercy-seat on the Day of Atonement, seeking the mercy of God. Mercy-seat concealed His people from ever condemning judgment of law and in New Testament, Jesus Christ became our “Propitiation”. 

Instead of punishing us for our sins, God allowed His Son to take the condemnation in our place.  Jesus received our condemnation and we received God’s mercy. He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy (Tit 3:5). God is merciful as well as righteous at the same time. To receive the mercy of God, we need to turn away from sin and have to seek His mercy. Bible says, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Pr 28:13).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 16 DECEMBER

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (Eph 4:2).

It’s not easy to exercise patience. It goes against human nature. It’s contrary to our culture. We want to have everything instantly; we are not willing to wait the slightest amount of time. We suffer when we are impatient. The road of impatience always leads to spiritual disaster. Esau lost his birth right because of impatience. Israelites ended up committing idolatry when they lost patience to wait for Moses. Moses lost the entry to promise land because of impatience. Saul lost his kingship because of impatience. While encountering problems, if we get impatient, we make mistakes and some of them will be very costly. Proverbs 14:29 says, “A person of great understanding is patient.”

Patience is necessary for our spiritual maturity. When we allow our emotions to get out of control, we make bad choices. The by-product of delays and trials is patience, the very thing we need.

To improve our patience level, we have to apply some conscious efforts consistently. When situations trigger our impatience, it is better to avoid taking hasty decisions. Rom 15:5 says that God is the source of patience. So praying for patience would help to improve our patience. Gal 5:22 says that patience is fruit of spirit led life. So yielding ourselves to be led by Holy Spirit develops patience in us.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 17 DECEMBER

Understand what the Lord's will is (Ephesians 5:17).

 It is told that the safest place in the entire world is to be in the will of God. Christian uses the word “will of God” more often than others. God creates everything with a purpose, and God has plan for His creatures. This means that God has specific plan and will about each one of us. Will of God expresses His attribute of self-determination by which He acts in accordance with His eternal power and God head. 

Theologians distinguish between two types of will of God: Decretive will of God and Permissive will of God. Decretive will of God is the will of God by which God brings to pass whatsoever He decides. Permissive will of God is God's revealed law or commandments, which we have the power to break but not the right to break. Through the permissive will of God, He enjoins upon His creatures the duties that belong to them. The decretive will is always accomplished while the permissive will of God is often disobeyed in earth. Entrance of sin in the world is attributed to the permissive will of God.

It is God's nature to reveal Himself and His purpose to mankind. God revealed the generic will about us in the written word of God. Some of the revealed will concerning us in Bible are that we thank Him always (1Thes 5:18) that we live sanctified lives (1Thes 4:3) that we do good to others (1 Pet 2:15) that all people have the eternal life through faith in Christ (Jh 6:40).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 18 DECEMBER

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people (Titus 2:11).

Grace is getting what we don’t deserve. Grace is God's unmerited favor and goodness toward us, who have no claim or reason to expect such favor. Salvation is of divine origin but God was not bound to save us. It is the result of His gracious will. By His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ restored the broken relationship between God and His people. Therefore, salvation is only through the grace of Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 15:11).

Every step in Christian living and growth is attained through the grace of God. Christian life is demonstration of the grace of God. In Eph 2:8-10, we read that by grace we have been saved and we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. 

We are expected to show the gracious nature through our daily acts– showing kindness and love. Our response to the grace of God has to be a lifetime response – walking before him humbly in loving obedience.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 19 DECEMBER

 Anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

The above verse implies that the true blessing of God will be upon those who seek Him earnestly. Israelites were continually commanded to seek God. The history of Israel is nothing but the outstanding actions of God when they sought Him and punishments when they failed to seek Him. The concluding words of David at his old age to his son, Solomon were “Devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God” (1 Chron 22:19). 

Our ego and pride keep us away from knowing God, hindering our relationship with Him. In Psalm 10:4 we read as “In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God”. 

Each one of us is made with a void inside us that can be filled only by God and that’s why what is temporal and worldly can never satisfy us completely. Our attitude of self-sufficiency prevents us from seeking God. Keeping ourselves busy and sparing no time for God and godly things prevent us from knowing and seeking Him. 

The choice is left to us individually whether to seek Him and follow Him or to move in the opposite direction, seeking alternate things.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 20 DECEMBER

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Heb 12:1).

This verse suggests the importance of patience for victorious Christian living. Every day, we meet so many situations, issues and problems, testing our patience. We come across different kinds of delays and circumstances that cause us to lose our patience. We’ve become too used to immediate results. When we do not get things instantly, we lose patience. We are in a society that is in hurry for everything. Our world and society do not seem to encourage patience. Considering the circumstances, we live in, cultivating patience would need us to swim against the stream.

The word “Patience” is noun – it refers to our nature, our Character, our level of endurance. Patience would refer to the forbearance under suffering and endurance in the face of adversity. Our level of patience is measured by how well we behave when we undergo frustration, irritation and mental agony. Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years to receive the promise of God. Joseph waited 13 years to reach God intended palace from pit. Job was a wealthy man. He lost his crops, property, cattle, servants and his children. He waited patiently for the fulfilment of the plan of God in his life. When we endure hardships patiently, we can receive the God intended blessings in our life.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 21 DECEMBER

Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12: 28, 29).

Today in our modern Christianity, we like to have a God who is comfortable and friendly with us. We like our God to be loving, gracious, merciful, forgiving, tender and gentle. But the God mentioned in the Bible is also Holy and righteous, the one to be feared. The fear of God is holy fear enabling men to reverence God's authority, obey His commandments, and hate and shun all forms of evil. Our Bible talks about His holiness that expects purity in us and His justice that convicts us. The fear of God is an awesome respect or reverence growing out of an understanding of the greatness of God. Fear of God comes from the knowledge of our own sinfulness and the sense of the presence of God. In Pr 8:13 we are told that to fear the Lord is to hate evil. 

Genuine fear of the Lord is always seen in obedience to the Word of God. God expects us to fear Him. In Deut 5:29 the Lord exclaims: "O that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commandments". We are commanded to fear God. Deut 10:12 questions "What does the Lord require of you, but to fear the Lord your God”. The genuineness of our Christian life is marked by how well we fear God in our daily life.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 22 DECEMBER

 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

 Money is good thing but the love of money leads us to misery. In Luke 12:13-21, we read about a parable narrated by Jesus Christ that highlights the negativity caused by uncontrolled greed in a person’s life. He explained how a person who stores up treasures for himself will not be rich in what matters to God. He warned us to be watchful and to control greed in our lives. 

Uncontrolled love of money and greed has the tendency to destroy our health, family and relationships. At times, it forces us to take shortcuts, careless risks and to get involved in illegal, unethical and immoral activities. Greed has the potential to take us captive and to destroy us completely. Greed is accepted sin in our culture but to stand for God we would have to swim against this current. Detaching ourselves from worldly goods would make our life simpler, happier and more effective. 

Some of the practical ways for keeping the love of money and greed under control are: Focus on what is important in life. Be content with what you have. Be Generous. Generosity is the antidote to greed. Do not worry about future. God is our shepherd and He can be trusted for our needs of today and tomorrow.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 23 DECEMBER

Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed (James 1:4).

Temptation is a desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment, that threatens long-term goals. Temptation is the state of being tempted specially to do evil. It can be material (the lust for things) or personal (the lust for status or special recognition) or sensual (the lust for another person). 

Satan tempts. He is in the business of sowing doubts or seducing suggestions in our lives, driving us into temptation and deception. In the process of temptation one thing follows another. When the attractions of the world capture our attention, lust is aroused. When we do not control the lust, it will end up taking the position of controlling us. Soon it will influence our habit and our behavior. 

God allows temptations to make us spiritually stronger. Root grows stronger when wind blows against the tree. Every time we overcome a temptation, we develop self-control and it strengthens our spiritual life. 

Temptation itself is not sin. It will become sin when we fall in it. Identifying the typical pattern of temptation and taking steps to avoid such tempting things, places and persons will help to overcome temptation. In case we fall in temptation, we should not give up in our struggle against it. When we depend on God for deliverance, we will emerge as overcomers. 

DAILY THOUGHTS | 24 DECEMBER

Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do (1 Pet 1:15).

He called us to an ethical purity. We are members of the body of Christ, set apart for God as holy and spotless ones. To a follower of Christ, holiness is not an option but an obligation. Those who claim as spiritual and godly ones but walking in carnal and worldly ways are simply deceiving themselves.

Heb 12:14 remind us that we have to pursue holiness without which we will not see the lord. In Mt 5:8, we read Jesus teaching that purity in heart is essential to see God. In Eph 1:4 we read as "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight". 

Negligence on the teachings on holiness in the church today, does not mean the requirement to be holy has become obsolete. Let us cleanse us from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor 7:1). We ought to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to the day of God (2 Pet 3:11). 

In the middle verse of the last chapter of the Bible, we are cautioned as "Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy". We need to grow in holiness, day by day, fighting lusts of the flesh and attractions of the world.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 25 DECEMBER

 The God of all grace (1 Pet 5:10).

God is gracious towards us because it is His nature. God who is inherently, infinitely and eternally gracious provides for the needs of the humanity. Grace is defined as the favour or kindness shown without regard to the worth or merit of the one who receives it. 

God is gracious from the beginning. Old Testament records several instances highlighting the gracious acts of God. In Gen 6:8, we read as “Noah found favour in the eyes of God”. When Abraham and Sarah received Isaac, it was through the grace of God. Israelites were delivered from Egypt and established in the Promised Land purely by the grace of God. 

Although grace of God was experienced by people in Old Testament, it is more explicitly expressed in New Testament. God revealed His grace through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus was full of grace and we received the grace of God through Jesus Christ (Jh 1: 14-17). 

Idea of grace is more prominent in the gospels. In the writings of Peter, John and in epistle Hebrew, word “grace’ is used flexibly and in general sense. Doctrine of grace is more explained in Pauline epistles, where mankind is shown as sinner but by the grace of God, they are justified. God in His grace treats us as if we have never sinned, though guilty.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 26 DECEMBER

 All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the father but is of the world. (1 John 2:16).

Lust is of world and love is of God. Apostle John stated that lust is a way of loving the world. Lust would mean strong desire of the flesh and fleshly mind. Lust entices us with promises of feeling great with lasting pleasure. Lust will leave us unsatisfied and will push us to greater highs through crossing our personal and society moral boundaries. Uncontrolled lust will lead us on a path to self-destruction. Lust has many destructive effects. The most serious effect is that lust corrupts our ability to love God. Lust is a sin, which builds a spiritual barrier. In gratifying our sinful nature, we turn from what God has planned for us and we seek fulfilment in the wrong place, finding spiritual emptiness. Like in the case of David, Lust will infect, corrupt and kill us gradually. 

Love is intense feeling of affection and care towards another person. Faithfulness, Integrity, willing to help and sacrifice, etc., are symptoms of love. Joy is love’s music, Peace is love’s agreement, Longsuffering is love’s endurance, Kindness is love’s service, Goodness is love’s deportment and faithfulness is love’s measure. Love causes good relationships and friendships in our life.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 27 DECEMBER

Love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love do not know God, because God is love (1 John 4:7, 8).

Love is an attribute of God, revealed to us. Someone defined love as the high esteem God has for His human children and the high regard which they should have for Him and for other people. Love of God reveals the friendly nature that the creator extends to His creatures. Love is an emotion and God being love expresses the emotional attachment God has upon humanity. Love originates in God. God is love. He is the source of love.

Bible is the book of love. It records the God’s unconditional love for us. God displayed His love by sending His son for us. Jesus displayed His love by laying down His life for us. The love of God is revealed in various ways but understanding His love is difficult. That's why Paul prays for growing believers in Ephesus to be rooted and established in love and they may have power…..to understand how wide and long, high and deep is the love of Christ (Eph 3:17-19).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 28 DECEMBER

Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:11).

Whoever does not love, does not know God because God is love. Whoever claims to love God yet hates his brother or sister is a liar. When we have fellowship with loving God, the love would flow through us.

Loving others would mean being open and not pretending, being and doing good, keeping others first, helping others in need with what we have, being patient by enduring without allowing one’s anger to lash out in retaliation, being kind by stepping forward to solve a problem or to share a burden. Love rejects jealousy, bragging, arrogance, selfishness, anger, resentment and unrighteousness.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Cor 13:4-7).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 29 DECEMBER

You have forsaken the love you had at first (Rev 2:4).

This verse contains the message of risen Christ to the church members in Ephesus. Ephesus was believed to be the home to the emperor’s cult and the worship of the Greek goddess Artemis. Paul visited Ephesus during his second missionary journey and planted the church in Ephesus. Paul spent about three years teaching in Ephesus during his third missionary journey. As per some tradition, Apostle John was staying and ministering in Ephesus. Thus, Christians in the church of Ephesus had a strong spiritual foundation.

Ephesians were commented for the good works - hard work, perseverance, not tolerating wicked people, discerning and identifying the false apostles and preachers, enduring hardships for Christ, etc. Though, they were doing well as per normal standards, God noticed that they did not love the Lord as they did - when they first came to Christ. Initially, their works and lives were grounded in love for Christ but later it was replaced with something else. They might have had their good works, moved and motivated by mere religion and work themselves. Though, they looked well for the outside world, they were falling away from the Christ without their knowledge. They were told to consider how far they have fallen, to repent and do the things they did at first.

We would be facing the same challenges today. The Christian life is the path of love. We are commanded to love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our might. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. Why we do, what we do is important. We need to often check if our motives are based on love.

DAILY THOUGHTS | 30 DECEMBER

All liars shall have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 21:8).

We find ourselves living in a society that actually conditions us to lie. At times we lie to cover our own inadequacies or ego in order to be accepted by others. We lie deliberately to deceive individuals or friends for various reasons.

Lying destroys trust and credibility. Habit of lying destroys friendships, families and relationships. We need to develop proper attitude toward lying. If one is tempted and succumbs to lie, it needs to be dealt with as sin, confessed and repented of. Lying is a serious sin, worthy of death. Under the Law, the punishment for bearing false witness was death (Deut 19:16-21). Ananias and Sapphira were killed for lying (Acts 15:1-11). Liars shall be denied entrance into the kingdom for they cannot dwell with God (Ps15:1-2). Liars are associated with Satan as he is the father of lies (John 8:44). Jesus said that our ‘Yes’ should be ‘Yes,’ and our ‘No,’ ‘No’ for whatever is more than these is from the evil one (Mt 5:37). Lying is a part of our old nature and it must be put to death (Col 3:9-10). Apostle Paul, admonished the Christians of his day as, "Wherefore, putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another" (Eph 4:25).

DAILY THOUGHTS | 31 DECEMBER

Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy (Rev 22:11).

The final book of the Bible, Revelation is addressed specifically to seven first-century churches in the Roman province of Asia but the message is very well applicable to us. In Revelation, we notice the unseen spiritual war, in which the church is engaged. The church continues to be assaulted by the Satan but in the end, the good will win over the bad. Revelation is written to encourage Christians to remain faithful and pure in the midst of sufferings and defiling enticements of the world.

The Book of Revelation was written to His church with promises of eternal life, eternal security, eternal fellowship, eternal authority, sanctification and heavenly identification. This verse is a warning for His people to be mindful about the future date in which repentance will no longer be possible.

Since this verse in the last chapter of the Bible, comes after the White Throne judgment in Revelation 20, this verse implies that there will come a day when there is no more possibility for change - good from bad. The repentance will be too late and the unjust will continue to be unjust for all time afterward. The righteous will remain righteous for eternity.

God’s kindness is leading us toward repentance and now is the time for salvation. Tomorrow will be too late.