A Sure Covenant

Nehemiah 9:38 And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it. 

Praise the Lord!!

Today we will meditate upon the topic covenant.

What is a covenant?

Covenant is an agreement, bond, understanding between two parties for the same purpose.

Here Nehemiah made a covenant with his brothers that they would never go against the Lord. They will leave all their wicked ways and follow the law and keep Lord's commandments.

Nehemiah 10:29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;

This verse gives us detailed explanation as  what did they do in their covenant.

1. Clave to their Brothers they were patient and prayed that Lord should change their mind.

2. Clave to their nobles they were seeking the pastor or elders help wherever required.

3. Entering into the curse, they were praying, interceding with Lord for them so that His mercy would save them.

4. Entering into the oath, reminding people about the goodness of Lord and uplifting the brothers so that they enter the oath.

5. Walk in God's law, they diligently sought to walk in God's law and his statues.

Saints, we need people like Nehemiah who would gather fellow brothers and enter into the covenant.

Saints time is near! A little more sleep a little more slumber and poverty will be at the doorstep.

Jesus says.

Revelation  3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Don't harden your heart!

Luke  10:2  Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Pray that Lord's will be fulfilled.

God Bless

Ruler over many things

Nehemiah 7:2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.

Praise the Lord!!

Today we will meditate how to become a ruler over many things.

Everyone would like to be on a top position, getting all the attention, having authority, being well known in the society.

Many in this world think "How great it would be if I am the ruler of this world". Nobody wants to be small and leave this world unnoticed.

Even the disciples had the question in their heart.

Matthew  18:1  At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 

Jesus replied.

Matthew  18:4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Kingdom of God works on the principles of servanthood.

Jesus said

Matthew  25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Faithfulness over small things ( work, ministry, family responsibility, social matters, winning souls, keeping yourselves away from the sins of the world) would make you ruler over many things.

But if you would say I am happy and contented where I am. You are not responsible and fruitful for the Kingdom of God. For God wants each one of His child to be ruler over many things, take responsibility and be zealous for the Kingdom of God.

Here in the verse Nehemiah brings out three qualities of his brother Hanani which sets him apart from the rest of Jews.

1. He was a faithful man.

2. He feared God to the point that he was not afraid to speak the truth.

3. He had a good testimony among his brothers.

Saints, today what is your testimony?

Can Lord Jesus trust you and entrust more responsibilities on your shoulders?
                                
                                   Or

Do you also follow this world and have become one among them?

Ezekiel  3:17  Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.  

Ezekiel  33:6  But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

Wake up! End is near, God is searching for a watchman who would stand as a wall between Him and Satan pleading for his people day an

Isaiah  55:6  Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.

God Bless

Lord is God

Nehemiah 6:16 And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.

Praise the Lord!!

Today we will meditate upon the sovereignty of God. He is Good at all the times.

Sanballat and Tobiah were arch rivals against Jews. They tried everything possible to stop the work of God. At times it would have felt to the Jews that it would be impossible to compete the work.

But Lord is God!! He says

Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

In this verse we find 3 things which happened to their enemies which proved God was in control.

1. He made all the enemies to see what he has done. There is nothing hidden. He didn't do anything secretly. But laid the table in front of their enemies.

2. He humiliated the enemies in front of Jews. Nobody could lift their eyes towards them.

3. He showed the enemies of Jews, that He was in control and they can never fight against Him.

Saints, we serve a God who is always concerned about you. You might be feeling today lonely, depressed and sad.

But I have good news for you, we have a Good God who will never leave you till the end of your life.

What should you do in bad circumstances?

1. Have faith in his promise.

2. Pray fervently.

3. Keep yourself from presumptuous sins.

Bible says:

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

God Bless

Power to Redeem

Nehemiah 5:5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

Praise the Lord!!

Today we will meditate upon our Redeemer Jesus and His Power to Redeem.

We all know that Jesus is our Redeemer and Saviour even Sunday school kids are being taught about Jesus.

However do we really know what are the areas where Jesus has the power to redeem.

Firstly, we need to know what does redeem means.

Redeemption means gain or regain possession of (something) in exchange for payment.

Now we all know that Jesus paid the price with His Holy Blood.

Let's find out what are we redeemed of; so next time we pray we are thankful and would glorify Him for the price He paid.

Yes!!! He has the power to redeem.

1.  Redeem you  from Bondage ( Exodus 6:6)

2.  Redeem you from judgement ( Exodus 6:6)

3.  Redeem you from your enemies (Deutronomy 7:8)

4.  Redeem you from destruction ( Deutronomy 9:26)

5.  Redeem you from Bad Company (Deutronomy 9:26)

6.  Redeem you from corruption. ( Deutronomy 21:8)

7.  Redeem you from famine ( Job 5:20)

8.  Redeem you from war. ( Job 5:20)

9.  Redeem you from life threatening diseases. ( Job 5:20)

10.  Redeem you from Satanic attacks ( Job 6:23)

11. Redeem you from the death due to the words spoken by your tongue. ( Psalms 19:14)

12. Redeem you from all your troubles. (Psalm 5:22)

13.  Redeem you from deceit and violence to your soul. ( Psalms 72:14)

14.  Redeem you from all your faults and iniquities. ( Psalms 130:8)

15. Redeem you from all your fears. (Isaiah 41:14)

And Last but not the least

He redeems you from second death. ( Revelation 14:4)

We have been chosen, bought, a price has been paid for our salvation and redemption. No more we have to live unholy and in accordance with the world.

Romans  12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

God Bless

Feeble Jews

Nehemiah 4:2 And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?

Praise the Lord!

Today we will medidate on the topic feeble jews.

Being feeble is not a good sign. Everyone in this world wants to be strong show his prowess. But here Sanballat after he heard that Jews were building the wall of the temple was very wroth and gave a report to his brethren that the jews which we would be fighting are feeble.

Today the world would be thinking about you the same. You might appear feeble, meek, weak in outward structure.

But what they don't know is that the one who is inside you is more powerful than the one who is outside. You may say it is not possible. How can i do this project, task. But Lord says.

Matthew  19:26  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Yes all things are possible for the one who believes.

Sanballat was angry and said these four things.

1) Will they fortify themselves. Are they able  to defend from our attacks.

2) Shall we allow them to sacrifice.

3) Will they be able to complete the work from this heap of rubbish.

4) Will it be fulfilled in due time.

Enemy will think that you are weak, defeated, powerless, but be of good cheer as Jesus said.

Luke  10:18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Yes!! He is fallen, our enemy is defeated you don't have to be troubled about his attacks. Saints I want to encourage you to  use your authority in Christ Jesus.

By his blood we are redeemed, victors, more than conqurers.

Romans  8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Let's your knees be feeble only in His presence and you can roar like a lion in front of the enemies. Lord Jesus pleaded his disciples to wait (pray) for one hour so that they can overcome the temptation. But nobody was ready or able because they were weak on their knees.

Let's your knees be strong in Christ.
Ask and you will receive.
Seek and you will find
Knock and it will be opened unto you.

Ephesians  6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

God bless

Lord's work

Nehemiah 3:5 And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their LORD.

Praise the Lord!

Today we will meditate upon Lord's work.

Jesus said Mary and Joseph these words.

Luke  2:49  And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

In this world we do lots of work and struggle in this life to have a comfortable and peaceful life.

But there is something more important than all these. We need to do Lord's work.

How should we be doing Lord's work?

Paul gave a  classic explanation which he practised in his life.

Romans  12:11  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

1) Avoid Slothfulness

2) Be energetic always

3) Have a mind of servitude.

The word servitude means

the state of being a slave or completely subject to someone more powerful.

Paul calls himself as a bond servant of Christ.

My fellow saints, let's carry the yoke of Christ with a smile.

Jesus said

Matthew  11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  

Matthew  11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

His yoke is

1) Light.

2) Able to make you wise

3) You will find rest from all your labour.

Saints, As we are in end times. Let me encourage you to concentrate more on Lord's work and spread the Gospel.

God bless

Sorrowful Heart

Nehemiah 2:2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid.

Praise the Lord!!

Today we will meditate about sorrowful heart. Our heart is made up of more than just tissues. In it has lots of things which is difficult for any human to comprehend.

Jesus said

Mark  7:21  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Mark  7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

All these comes out of the heart to defile a man. But, Surprisingly there is no mention of sorrow of heart. So what causes a heart to be sorrowful. Sorrow comes when you ask for something and you don't get it.

Jesus further said.

Luke  6:45  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

So we have a good man with his heart in abundance and evil man in his abundance of heart.

Nehemiah was troubled for 3 things.

1) Jerusalem lieth in waste.

2) Their Sepulchre lying unattended.

3)  Gates consumed in fire.

His sorrow of heart was because there is no one who could help him to get back to his city and rebuild the temple to its original splendour.

What is your sorrow for today?

Are we still sorrowful for all the materialistic things?

Jesus said
Luke  12:31  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Every time you do God's business. He will take care of your business. So get up!  And do the work of an evangelist.

We all need only one certificate in this world and that is well done!! Good and Faithful servant

God Bless

Great and Terrible God

Nehemiah 1:5 And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:

Praise the Lord

Today we will medidate upon a unique characteristic of God. He is called as Great and a terrible God.

Everybody in this world wants to keep his/her image pleasing to the eyes of people. If we look around we find many people of different faith trying hard to be well pleasing in the eyes of the people.

But God is not respector of person. He says I am that I am. ( Deuteronomy 10:17)

He is called as a great and terrible God. Why?

The answer lies in the verse.

1) He is great and terrible because he shows mercy to those who acknowledge that he is God. He will fight your battles. (Deuteronomy 7:21)

2) He is great and terrible because he keeps the covenant so that now you are the heir of his Kingdom and have been adopted by the Holy Family. (Exodus 34:10)

3) He is great and terrible because He loves those who love his commandments.( Nehemiah 9:32 )

Saints, we serve a God who can change the minds of kings, rulers, loves his children, keep you spotless in this wicked world, keep you healthy till the end of your age.

Be of good cheer!!

Jesus said.

Revelation  1:18  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Saints, today when the Holy Spirit speaks to you don't harden your heart and submit to his will. Acknowledge that he is God and bigger than your circumstances. He will never leave you as orphans.

God Bless

Just do it

Ezra 10:4 Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.

Praise the Lord!!

Today we will meditate upon leading a seperate life.

Ezra a chief priest when he found out that Israel has transgressed the commandment and taken wives from the people of the Land had torn his garments and remained astounded.

There are something in our lives which are pleasing to us. But the same is dangerous for our lives.

Galatians  5:9  A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. .

We need to be careful of:
1) Leaven of Hypocrisy ( Luke 12:1)
2) Leaven of Malice ( 1 Corinthians 5:8)
3) Leaven of Wickedness ( 1 Corinthians 5:8)

Saints, let your worship, sacrifice of Thanksgiving, tithe, offering and your life be unleavened.

Let's put off the old man and become a new being through the blood of the Lamb of God.

It is painful, stressful but Lord assures that He is with thee to make you Holy and unblemished before the Father.

Hence don't be weak but renew your mind.

God bless

Epaphras - A Man Of Prayer

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 

Colossians 4:13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

Praise the Lord!

Epaphras means: Covered with foam. Everytime I think about this great man of God which was specially mentioned by Paul for his prayer life. I praise the Lord and plead that He grant me the thirst for the souls which this wonderful man of  God had.

Notice Epaphras took three cities into his prayer list.

1. Colosse

2. Laodicea

3. Hierapolis

He exercised these three qualities which brought the attention of Paul.

1. He prayed that they would stand perfect in the presence of God.

2. He prayed heartily not to please men but God alone.

3. He was zealous about these cities.

Today, what are we zealous about? What do we pray for? What is our prayer request?

Saints, time is short Lord is searching for watchman who would stand in between so that his wrath should not be poured the cities.

We are living in end times.

Ezekiel  33:7  So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.

God bless

Beware what you feed your mind

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Praise the Lord!

Precious Saints, today we will meditate upon a topic of great importance which has been raging in the minds of philosophers, motivational speaker, intellectual and common mind. What is human mind like?

Paul has cautioned us that we should beware of 4 things from entering into our minds lest that corrupt us, spoil us and take us away from Christ.

1. Human Philosophy
We have lots of philosophers Socrates, Aristotle who have written lots of books on human mind. Who have tried to understand but failed to understand this wonderful masterpiece of God.

2. Deceit

Here he talks about deceit through word of God. There are people who are sheep in Wolf clothing. I am referring to "PROSPERITY PREACHERS" who talk only about prosperity and materialistic things and rob the children of God from the central theme of Bible which is Kingdom of God.

3. Traditional talk
Here Paul cautioned us about traditional method which many church use for entering the God's Kingdom. He talks specifically of Church Doctrine which hinders a Christian from understanding the word of God.

4. Rudiments of World
The warning that Paul gives is a very real one. There are many of those who profess to be the followers of CHRIST who have embraced the “rudiments” of the world. This is the exact error of the Judaizers who set about to teach the continuing necessity of fleshly circumcision and the keeping of Jewish feasts and holy days. The natural religion of men has its very foundation in the “rudiments of the world” and has an almost overwhelming power over the natural man.

Saints, beware what you read, see and think as you will influence your mind accordingly.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

God Bless

Turbulent time

Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Praise the Lord!

Today we will meditate upon our behavior in turbulent times.

Everyone faces a turbulence in his life, nobody is spared and has to go through trials and temptations which test our mind and forces us to think whether we are doing right in accordance to God's will. we sometimes question whether God is with us and whether we are facing these trials for sin in our lives.

Paul has beautifully summed up what we need to do during the times which are against us. In this verse we can find three things we need to do during the turbulent times.

1. We need to have our faith grounded.

2. We need to settle our faith.

3. We need to never move from the hope of the gospel.

Faith is the key for all the answers when you face issues, questions, doubts, trials, temptations, hurt and humiliation.

Faith is the only answer to your problems. Jesus said to Jairus. " Don't be afraid, only believe". Paul in Hebrews in chapter 11 gave a full explanation on faith.

If we read the previous verse we get the benefit for the faith we have on our Lord.

1. We get the peace through his blood. ( Colossians 1:20)

2. We are being reconciled for our mistakes and sins through Him. (Colossians 1:21)

3. We are presented holy, unblameable, unreproveable in front of the Father.

Saints, have faith for Lord will definitely perform what he has promised to you. You are an apple of His eye. Nothing will come to you without his knowledge.

Everything will work out for good for those who love God. ( Roman 8:28)

God Bless