GLORIOUS GRACE

PART II

Lord, you are my God; I will honor you and praise Your name. You have done amazing things; You have faithfully carried out the plans You made long ago. (Isaiah 25:1)

We are born into this World with an innocent and pure heart. An infant is fully connected to bear the holy wisdom presented by the Creator. As we grow up, we pick up willingly or unwillingly certain characters from the adults around us and from nature.

By the time we reach the age of adolescence, we will be filled with a lot of negativism and false belief that are not from the Creator. This mostly leads us to the path of ill-mannered and unhygienic life pattern. Basically we know that there is a higher power that flows within us which guides and guards us to fortune. We seldom neglect, since it is cool and harmonial, due to lack of patience and pride. 

Daily we read so much about disasters, flood, droughts, accidents, war between nations etc. As of now, we can observe that almost 75% of news brings us nothing except fear and sadness.

We have been blessed by the gracious Lord everyday with a new, bright and harmony life. It is very sad to say that even before looking into His Face and saying a simple word of gratitude, people rush into their daily routine. We spoil our days by disgracing ourselves. Disobeying brings our own disgrace.

No one can achieve success and prosperity by disobeying parents or elders. Then how much more will be the disgrace if one dishonors the Savior of his life?

So let us honor and obey the Almighty.

The Lord of wisdom advises us, to open our eyes towards the Divine views that can create a loving atmosphere which can gain health in body and mind to all.

So let us receive the total healing of our whole body by willingly letting go of the old negative way and creating harmony and cheerfulness by healthy thought and make sure that we are radiating harmony and love to universe.

Let us go through His comforting Love.

Sovereign Lord says, “My people will return weeping, praying as I lead them. I will guide them to streams of water on a smooth road where they will not stumble. Then the girls will dance and be happy. Men, young and old will rejoice. I will turn their mourning into joy, their sorrows into gladness.”

Praise God!!

The Bible is the Holy Book full of covenant. The relationships are too strong if you are willing to obey.

Why are we lacking peace, comfort, joy and prosperity etc?

That’s because we lack the glory and knowledge of our Creator, who sent us here with a good purpose.

“If only you had listened to My command then the blessing would have followed you like a stream that never runs dry”. Sovereign Lord says, “I offer peace to all both near and far! I will heal my people.”

The Father is aware of our present state, a sin loaded life; still he IS willing to pour His unconditional glorious grace upon us  to cleanse and make us worthy of His crown.

Yes Loving Father, I surrender to You, today with all my heart and soul. I open all the secret places of my heart to you, saying, “Lord, Come into it.”

I am weak and heavy -laden, I am truly sorry for my ignorance. Thank You for accepting and healing me. I love You Father. Hereafter, I will do my best to obey you and your commandments. In Lord Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!!

God the Father says:

“You are stain red with sin, but,

I will wash you as clean as snow;

Although your stains are deep red,

You will be white as wool.

I am the God who forgives You;

I do this, because  WHO I AM ,

I will not hold your sins against you.

I gave life to my people and I will

Not continue to accuse or be angry with them forever.

I am bringing the days of victory near;

It is not far away at all.

Sovereign Lord announces to Prophet Isaiah, “Here on the Mount Zion, I will prepare a banquet for all the nations of the world -a banquet of the richest food and finest wine.”

Let us bow down to the Lord who can destroy death forever. He is our perpetual comfort.

He is our strong fortress and protector. He will protect us like a shield and defend us, not only that, He will send His angels too and guard those who honor Him. Showers of His forgiving Love can set us free from many sickness and evil afflictions of our life.

By obeying His commandments, one can achieve a life in His chariot, live in  His love, fountain of everlasting blessing. Prayers will be enjoyable and answered. Enemy will be scattered.  A bright future and a new life will be yours, because Almighty God is your Father; Provider of all good things.

Shall we worship and adore Him together!

God of my Forgiver, God of my Comforter

God of my Good health and richness;

God of my strength and courage

God of my victory; God of my refuge;

God of my glory, God of my fortune, new life.

Amen!!

FAMILY – A PLACE OF EXTREME BLISS

PART II

The Bible says, “…Therefore what God has joined together, let men not separate.”  (Matt. 19:6)

Lord Jesus loved His people and his disciples more than his own life, but for all those love what response did he receive?

His lips knew no blames; He did not take refuge in loneliness. In spite of the sorrow that even His disciples did not see Lord Jesus the way He was, He refrained deviating from His aim till the end and fulfilled all His work patiently.

The Cross of Calvary is the true measuring rod of this love. To realize the attitude with which the Lord who suffered utmost pain, we have to visualize the Cross. Similarly, if we receive the Cross of our daily life by visualizing them in the same way, then our relationships will be like the full moon, which shines even in the dark. For this we may have to ask and receive Christ’s attitude daily.

It was not for His own interest that Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself and received the Cross.

The Cross standing aloft reflects two major values

He Forgot Himself and He Sacrificed Himself

In marital relation too, the Love of Christ demands a similar attitude that man should sacrifice his interests and woman should forget her own pleasures. It is better if this is imbibed by us.

No man or woman can satisfy their life partner by giving one’s own love because everyone seeks and desires the same boundless love for themselves.

From the weak heart as big as a fist, we can offer only our weak love but great satisfaction and happiness will bloom if we daily imbibe and share the Eternal Love, which flows from the King of Love.

Love is not something that can be stolen or snatched.

When love begins to flow from undying springs, then it fails to get limited within the search for momentary happiness or desire to get anything in return.

If marital relation begins to take refuge in worldly emotions or evolves to be self oriented then these relations will turn out to be mere objects to satisfy emotions alone.

When couples begin to live freely with Godly thoughts, then all their emotional problems tend to melt and flow into nothingness.

Relationships will be strengthened when we realize that love means responsibilities that arise from mutual decisions.

Dear Ones, the hurt feelings you have inflicted on your life partner may be very deep, but don’t worry, only the sorrowful passions of our Lord Jesus can heal them. Neither person nor medicine can heal the wounds.

The path you seek and the victory we achieved may perhaps lead us to a guilty conscience with moments of downfall which are natural to human life,but what holds importance is how we handle them.

If we begin to waste our days with an attitude that the days are near, cipher and if we whisper that they are unsold, then the healing becomes impossible. There may be moments of argument and opposition in one’s life. In such moments, if you could cool down for a moment and turn to the Lord for guidance, give a thought to your responsibilities, then God will surely help you.

Personal relationship with Jesus i.e. personal prayer is essential to draw strength and hold united to deal the crisis in marital life.

The Holy Bible directs that “An excellent wife wakes up early in the morning and glorify God. Giving first priority to God is the initial responsibility of every wife.

Similarly the Holy Bible  states, “It is his practice to get up early and pray aloud to God His Creator asking the most High to forgive his sins. He prays with gratitude for his needs and increases his knowledge by reading the Word of God.” (Sirach 39:5-9)

The fact that husband and wife speak to Jesus individually everyday itself is a mighty blessing. Then the Holy Spirit will bless both of them with the required graces to sanctify their relationship, thus helping the couple to move in unity towards God. By mutually surrendering themselves, offences will be pardoned and bruises will be healed. Holy Spirit will train them with the manner to pray and to behave themselves with each other. When they together begin to seek the Will of God, the words of the Bible will be proved true:

“Whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray, it will be done for you by my Father in Heaven.” ( Matt 18:19)

Again the Lord says, “I will make my home with my people and live among them.” (2 Cor. 6:16)

Yes dear ones, what a mighty blessing has Father promised through our marital relation!

How then can we who neglect such blessing expect his prosperity?

God says, “Man should not separate what God has united.” We should not forget that sitting at the right side of the Father, Jesus will intercede for us and the Holy Spirit by his instruction and advices will guide us to walk on the true path.  If we co-operate with them, we will be able to turn ourselves into sacrificial offering as two candles burning in flames of true sacrifice.

He further says, “If you wish to, you will be able to obey the commandments. Whether you should be faithful or not, depends on your will.” (Sirach 15:15)

Christ will give you the strength just like Tobias and Joseph, the descendant of David, we shall also set aside all our depression and loneliness and accept our life partner from the hands of the Almighty. If you ceaselessly strive and seek help from the Lord of Hope, then you will be transformed into a cactus growing beside streams of life giving water.

By reading this message together and by casting away all the old lullabies of life, may God bless you in abundant grace to accept each other. Amen!

FAMILY – A PLACE OF EXTREME BLISS

PART I

The Bible says, “…Therefore what God has joined together, let men not separate.”  (Matt. 19:6)

Books and articles describing family life and included relationships are easily available. But those which are useful in leading these relations of love to improvement and one burning with an attitude of sacrifice, thus imparting greater depths of spirituality in Godly ways are rarely available. I pray in Christ, those who read these words may spread the fragrance of love and purity.

Dear ones in Christ ages have passed since the initial sacred marital life started. The Holy Bible teaches that “God our Father realized that it is not good for man to stay alone and so He made a most appropriate partner for him, out of his own flesh and bones that is woman.” (Gen 2:22)

Thus God the spirit of unity uprooted loneliness and put us together in his unity. Lord appointed first man and woman as husband and wife. So that by taking refuge in Christ and by being filled with God’s Love, they can there after instill that love in one’s life partner.

After filling in the relations, when the spirit of Christ begins to build unity among couples, only then life turns out to be truly harmonious, lyrical and united.

Thus, they can spread and build a wide canopy, perfect and complete this world by partaking in the work of creation. The foundation of matrimonial relationship was thus laid down. The Bible says  “Since this matter comes from the Lord, it’s not for us to speak ill or well about it." God also gave the guidance required for the successes of this relationship. (Genesis 24:50) 

“God was with them.”

In the Gospel, Jesus has given an ideal example portraying of the good of these relationship. The Bible describes both the wise one who built his house by digging deep on strong rock and also the foolish one who built his house on sand. “The house built on strong rock withheld the mighty wind and storm.

 But in adverse condition, the house built on sand fell flat on the ground with a loud crash.”(Luke. 6:46-49)

Jesus was not teaching us to build a house but was revealing to us the need to begin life on a strong foundation. The Holy Bible says “How happy you will be if you put it into practice.” (John 13:17)

One who desires to be victorious will surely live according to this direction. Then we will receive God’s grace which will enable us to resist all pleasures of life. Jesus Christ says “Dear children how wrong you are! It is because you don’t know the scriptures or Gods power.” (Mat.22:29)

Yes dear ones, like the unity prevailing in the blessed trinity, every couple should be united as one with the Lord.

The firmness of marital life lies in the extend of union it has with God. Where prayer is lifted up, there the marital relation too will be fixed up in love.

The Holy Bible says, “A family divided against itself falls apart.” (Luke 11:17)

It further states that the family that prays together stays together.

The Bible says in Old Testament, “Tri-chords are hard to break.” (Eccl. 4:12) These words teach us that marital relations can never be limited to two individuals alone. Through various examples, the Holy Bible clearly teaches that the strong hands and divine guidance of an unseen Holy Priest (Lord Jesus) is of utmost importance amidst them.

Lord himself says, “The maintenance of this relationship is impossible for human heart.” (Mark 10:27)  But it is very simple for your Heavenly Father, who always desires to see you in unity.

So dear ones, aren’t these words giving us supernatural hope for maintaining our marital relationship?

Through the Holy Spirit, Lord is ever ready to give us anything we ask for and even more.

Knowing the appropriate Word of God and by submitting to the will of his parents, Tobias, their only son decided to receive his life partner. He very well knew that the girl he was going to receive had been married seven times and each time, her husband died on the first night itself, but, believing she was made for him, accepted her from God’s hand.

On the wedding night, when they were alone in their chamber, Tobias told his life partner, “Come let us pray for God’s mercy.”

He further prayed, “I am receiving her not by bodily desire, but by innocent love alone. Have mercy on us; grant that we may grow old together.” Then they both said “Amen” and concluded. (Tobit 8:7-8)

The following chapter, it is mentioned that the Lord blessed them with a life of perfection in His sight.

This is an example of an ideal marital life given by our Heavenly Father.

The Lord said to Joseph, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife.” (Matt. 1:20)

Inspite of being believers, in order to follow this modern world we have long back trespassed God’s direction. Therefore, all the holy relations are in a pitiful state today.

Isn’t it wise to check our life once again? Is there any need for hesitation regarding the correction of our mistakes?

Many disasters have occurred in our lives because we have not accepted our life partner as he or she is and due to lack of mutual prayer.

Didn’t you wander for years together with complaint lodged on your lips?

How many times have you cursed the person who brought the proposal to you?

How many times have you repeatedly complained that ‘the cause of all your troubles was due to the carelessness on the part of your parents? Had they given a second thought to the proposal, you could have married another better person?’What all misunderstandings, so many doubts right from the day you got married?

The opponent (partner) then begins, “From the day I began my life with you…… I am left with nothing except my cries and grinding of teeth. You are in a state of numbness…What is remaining now? There will be no changes in these …….”

Lack of contentment, hatred, numbness of life etc. begin to develop and to add to all these arrives a disregard towards the Creator.

However God our Father does not desire all this from his children. He is always waiting by to see the unity and love of His children. He wishes that we take leave from these narcotics of selfishness and live free from its side effects which are rejection and loneliness.

Father says, “As Christ loved, so also you should love one another.” (John 15: 12)

(to be continued…..)