Living in Confidence With God

For some days, i was in a tensed state of mind as i had to approach a strange situation in few days of time that is totally new to me. I had to face a new working firm in a foreign land that was encased with customs and formalities.

The mere thought of it roared in my head as a huge wave as how to approach them and convey the requirements. I prayed to God but my mind was with my thoughts hence the submission was less. The whole thing created a confused state around me which made me deaf,dump, blind and forgetful. This is the human world in us.' I' can only do this much.

The d-day arrived and i was completely blank and helpless, the ultimate limit of HUMANS, who alone, can never go further.

I sat idle closing my eyes, my thoughts started fading away, a vast ocean filled my eyes with a cool breeze whistling over it. I sensed that something is filling my thoughts- an unexplained peace- the wind hummed to me- THIS IS MY LOVE .This is how God wants to help us. Not when the 'I' is raging over but when the 'I' is humbly given to God. The Spirit of God showed me the words from OUR ALMIGHTY .

6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”    - JEREMIAH 1:6-9

This is the confidence that God can assure us. It is not like the limits of humans but beyond what human can ever expect. For the living word of God says;

"8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." - ISAIAH 58:8-9

yes! the Lords ways are marvelous, the confidence that God gives us is through our perfect helpless submission of our ways to His wish. We can experience this together.

We all can come into similar situations like this quiet frequently in life. Whenever we get exposed so, firstly realise that, "I" cannot do this alone there is a Saviour for us who bears us always through His love, let us hold tightly to Him and hear His voice. The PEACE of HIS LOVE will guide us.

Prayer

Almighty Living Father, help us to learn your ways, train us to release all our humanly ways  unto your hand so that we are guided in your peace.Amen.

“Let the one who boasts , boast in the Lord.”- 1 Corinthians 1

 "to those whom God has called,.... Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

..... think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 

.... But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 

...... so that no one may boast before him. 

........It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.  He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

"he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."-Philippians 1:6

Blessed are we if we do not get what we wish.

Quiet surprised to read this thought? This is the eternal truth. Yes my friends, we are blessed when our life is not the way we wish. If our life or desires does not turn out to be the way we wish, always realize that we are in this present situation as God wishes.

We usually plan to live according to Gods plan, should this mean that we get everything according to our dreams?Then it is not the right intention with which we have decided so. Living according to Gods wish is a perfect submission of ourselves to Him. May be we will get bombarded into circumstances that are totally unexpected, that can keep us idle or in a loss. These are times when God cleanse us making ourselves humble with a heart to stand for God in all situations of life.

" I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. "        -Jeremiah 29:11

Never be sad or shattered when something happens against our thoughts, because this is the way that God plans for us. In future we will surely realize that what had happened was good for us. We may feel little in our own eyes, but for God who has assigned us for His mission, We are the unique one and perfect one.

Gaining things with our own selfish efforts may make our dreams fruitful for a while, but it will always stay unsatisfied, giving way for a meaningless life.

Let us reflect ourselves on our life and see 'to whose wish have we given more weightage?' If it is for our wish, realize that we are no where in our life, because our wishes never gets satisfied, its unending and exhausting . But if it is the other way, our life is getting planned by God, then our life is perfect with no errors and is eternal with complete satisfaction.

Let us join our wishes with that of Gods'  and experience the blessings enveloped with true love and satisfaction.

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,  neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord.For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts"

                                                                                                -Isaiah 55:8-9 

Prayer

God teach us to follow your way. Open our ears to Your Voice 'The Holy Spirit' and let us be guided by You, for your ways are the perfect one and we are your children, you know what is right for us.
Amen.

OUR EMPTINESS COUNTS IMPORTANT

There are times in our Life when we feel empty and useless to ourselves. We get irritated in such situations, neither can we do something nor be productive. 

In such circumstances always realise that these are the times that we are really being 'used by God'.When we use ourselves according to our desires God can never work in us, but at times we find ourselves unfruitful , realize 'GOD HAS STARTED HIS WORK IN US'.

In this context let us remember Jesus Christ,

              "He was like God in every way,
                but he did not think that his being equal with God was 
           something to use for his own benefit.
7            Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God.
                 He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form.
           During his life as a man,
8                  he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God,
                 even when that caused his death—death on a cross.
9             So God raised him up to the most important place
                   and gave him the name that is greater than any other name." 

                                                                         --Philippians 2:6-9

Hence, if Jesus Christ the son of God humbled himself and emptied himself for we sinners, why cant we? 

In our state of emptiness, God is making us useful for others, may be for our children or partner or friends or even the society. If we look around us we can understand this. Our present unproductive  state is needed for God to make way for His marvelous works.

"Yes, it is God who is working in you. He helps you want to do what pleases him, and he gives you the power to do it.

 Do everything without complaining or arguing .so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. -Philippians 2:13-15

Let us trust in Him and submit ourselves for His will is to be done and it is eternal.

A NEW RESOLUTION -HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

As each year unravels its days ,we must get closer to God. The closeness must to strong ,confident to say 'My Lord is sufficient for me' 

' My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.'

                                                                                       -2 Corinthians 12:9

Let us take this resolution in this new year-- In all our needs, hopes,happiness ,gains worries, works or anything in life ,let God plan it for us- Let us learn to submit everything to God. What God has for us is for our good.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. -Jeremiah 29:11

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.-Proverbs 3:5-6

 Let us put the effort together with God. we are not alone.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.…-Mathew 1:28

So When we start on something have a word to God in our mind at first;

 ' Lord  i am starting on this but i don't know what will be the result but you know,  guide me in your likeness and give me what is right according to your plans so that i never go away from you, Amen'


HAPPY NEW YEAR 

Happy Christmas-Let Jesus Be born in us.

No eyes has seen a holy family like this..No ears has heard a glorious message like this....No life has seen a perfect submission to lord like this.Thank you Lord for giving us a father like Joseph , a mother like Mary ,a brother like Jesus,and  a companion like Holy Spirit..We are complete in  Your Holy Trinity.Amen

A Gift for God this Christmas.

                                               Mathew 3:1-12

1	In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2	"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
3	For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."
4	Now John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a leather girdle around hiswaist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5	Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan,
6	and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7	But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sad'ducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8	Bear fruit that befits repentance,
9	and do not presume to say to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our father'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
10	Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11	"I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
12	His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

                                    When we read through this Gospel we feel it lively. The warning that God gave through John the Baptist is for us too. 

                                     John was a simple man who never cared about himself; the food he can feed on or  the dress he will put on . He had only one thing in his mind 'How can i help God?'.This character amazes us. We being the dearest children of God hardly think about how we can help Him, instead we go on asking for help from Him for our daily food , dress and for even silly things.

                                     John helped God by making His path straight. This path is through the heart of Gods children. John was courageous to do this by speaking against the wrongs that he found. He asked people to repent on all the wrongs that they have done. A repenting heart cleanses the soul. Each time we make a mistake, Satan get a claim on us to pull us away from God, who finds no space in our sin filled heart to reside in. But the act of repentance flushes out the sins from our heart, removing the blocks in front of us and making a clear way for God to come and reside in us.

                                 John did the same thing. He made the people ready for receiving Jesus. He warned  them to repent and not to take the grant of being Abraham descendants for being saved. After the people repented,John cleansed them with water and he gave them a great hope that the one following him has the power to Baptize everyone who is ready with Holy spirit and Fire. The one who repents and cleanses himself will have Jesus born in his heart. As we grew in faith, Jesus will grow along with us, changing us like 'Gods Son' producing Good fruits. John warned everyone that 'the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.'

                                  As we are preparing for Christmas,let us thank God for giving showing us John-the Baptist who can help us prepare ourselves. There is time till 25th December, let us think deeply about all the sins we have done and all those we have hurt that added load to our heart keeping our God away from us. Let us say sorry to all our sins and if possible let us say sorry to those whom we have hurt. Each sorry makes us repenting , cleansing our heart fully for Jesus Christ to be born in us on Christmas Day. This is the gift that God wishes from us - 'A heart with Jesus Christ' .

                                  This Jesus who born in us in Christmas will grow each day and will change us like Him to bear good fruits that will help us to change others like John did and thus making a straight path for God for His second coming, preparing ourselves to be saved on this glorious moment. Keep Jesus within you until we reach to Him in heaven.

Let us prepare our Gift for God this Christmas- 'Our pure heart with Jesus Christ' .

                                  

Choose the Right Way.

Making right decisions in  life is a great challenge.Sometime we get cornered by a situation that make our minds strained 'What to decide?'

Our God says: Listen to my voice, the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Life shows us two ways. One way is so crowded,people move in and out through it fast. The other way is calm and quiet, the travelers choosing this way is not seen to return back . We are in its junction, which way will we choose?

Our human mind may say to choose the first one as it is used by everyone and hence not risky. But the Holy Spirit  prompts us to choose the second one. Let us think a little now 'why does the spirit prompts us so?'

The Holy spirit gives us the explanation: The first way had a blunt end, the people who chose this way was returning back in the same speed as they went, hence the path appeared crowded. The new passengers, by their human instincts misunderstood this and chose the first way as  everyone  did thus getting misguided.

The people who chose the second way reached their destination as decided by our Lord and never returned back leaving the path quiet and calm.

Hence, as Gods children, think a while before making a choice, give ear to our inner spirit. The position in which God place us may not be like our preferences or mat not be a way that everyone chooses. But always remember, this will be the right way for our destination that is happy and everlasting.

8"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. 9"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.…Isaiah 55:8-9

'Sin ' is not a milestone of the unrighteous .

We are all sinners. The Lord says to Sr.Faustina 'the greatest sinner of the world has the greatest eligibility for my mercy'. Jesus came to save the sinners and it is for us He sacrificed His life defeating the worlds laws. Now we are not under the law of this world that traps us in sins leading us to death.

One man’s death brought forgiveness of sins for many. The death of Christ was for many souls to wash away the sins . The sin died,the law is no longer valid.With the resurrection of Christ , the death lost conquered by eternal life.

Hence with strong belief in Resurrected Christ Jesus, filled in Gods love through the Holy Spirit, and with complete submission of  self,we are no longer under the law,but under Gods Great Grace.
(Ref : Romans 5)

'The unselfish submission of our 'self' without self pride but with full repentance and belief' should be the essential virtue of our life. This is where we fail. 

The problem is not that we are sinners, but we are not willing to release us completely to God for transforming ourselves. Keeping aside the selfish comforts, we pray to God. This is the main block of our life that God cannot enter to our heart.

Let us realise ourself, repent on our weakness, and release us to God with faith. Let Him mold us-He is our creator- He will tranform us to the best piece of mercy. Look not on our sins but to the faith of our Church- the body of Christ.

'My Peace I give you'

“I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.John 14:27

Complete Submission to God

To experience God, we have to denounce the world completely. This statement made me feel strange . I used to think' how can we denounce the world completely for God? Is it possible?'.

The Spirit of God gave an answer through a dream. It goes like this;

A family with two children was seen busily purchasing in a super market. The children  was curious about the things in the market and cried for buying all they liked. When the parents saw the eagerness of their kids, they asked each one of them to grab a basket and collect all the things they liked in the market.The children rushed with happiness and picked up all favorite things that the basket was overloaded and was hard to be carried. with great effort they brought the baskets to their parents who asked them to carry it to the lady in the billing counter and return all of the goods that they loaded. the parents asked them to do this with a smiling face and to tell the lady that 'we are happy with the things we collected,but we don't want this as it is too heavy to be carried'. When the children returned back from the cash counter they were found to be relieved and happier than they were before. they held the hands of their parents and went back happily.

Lord said, this is how we can denounce everything of the world. While living in this world we are like those children in the dream, we find everything beautiful and attractive, but once we get it, the fancy is finished and our mind still hopes for another. The worldly things always creates an unsatisfied mind and falls on us as a burden.

Collect all our worldly fancies in the basket of our mind and return them to God...'we are happy with the things we collected,but we don't want this as they are too heavy to be carried'.... Let us make our mind empty for God to reside in us. He will give us what we deserve.

How to Study?

Do you wish to study to your advantage? Let devotion accompany all your studies. Consult God more than your books. Ask Him to make you understand what you read. Never begin or end your study except by prayer. Science is a gift of God. Do not consider it merely the work of your own mind and effort--- St Vincent Ferrer

Lord, I put my life in your hands.
I trust in you, my God,
and I will not be disappointed.-Psalms 25:1-2

Lord, help me learn your ways.
Show me how you want me to live.
Guide me and teach me your truths.
You are my God, my Savior.-Psalms 25:4-5

Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps,
a light that shows the path I should take. Psalms 119:105

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding-Proverbs 9:10

This right way of living has prepared us to defend ourselves against every kind of attack.’6:6-7

‘..in every way we show that we are servants of God’ in all times-6:4

How can we show that we are the servants of our Lord?

-‘by our pure lives,
-by our understanding,
-by our patience, and
-by our kindness.
-We show it by the Holy Spirit,
-by genuine love,
-by speaking the truth, and
-by depending on God’s power.

This right way of living has prepared us to defend ourselves against every kind of attack.’6:6-7

'Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

'Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s'.-Psalms 103:1-5

Praise our father always. See the marvels of His creations and powers

Let us start praising our Lord and glorify His name and thank Him for everything He has given for us. ‘.20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.’-(Romans 1:20-21) Let us look around us. The birds, the nature, the day the night. the mountains,the aurora of the poles, the seasons, the rivers everything exist in glory of God.All of these we admire with our eyes. Let us think of the creator of all these wonders of the universe. Now look into our own body,into each cell, how perfectly God has arranged each delicate process...His creations are marvellous. it is beyond our thought and words. Let us PRAISE OUR LORD WITH ALL OUR STRENGTH AND LOVE. GLORY TO YOU LORD.let us see Him in all His creations.Respect all His creations and love them. Man is the most wonderful creations on GOD

God is Love- 1 John 4:8

God Loves you so much. What God ask us to do is 'Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'-Mathew 11:28 'That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.'-Ephesians 3:17-19

The lord is our Father. He calls us to Him. Lay your burdens upon me,submit yourself unto Me, I will give you peace..How concerned is Our Father for us. We do nothing for Him, but He does everything for us.