GREAT FEAST

“… Jesus concluded, “Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

(Matthew 22 : 14)

The word ‘feast’ delights our mind.  It is common phenomenon in our society to accept an invitation, be a part of it in its proper disposition. It was a custom of the Jews to send out invitations to weddings or a banquet to guests publicly prior to the event. God’s invitation comes numerous times in different manner in our life. It was through various prophets and prophetess that the descendants of Abraham were handed over God’s invitation. It was in this context Lord Jesus told this parable:

Here the host of the banquet is the Almighty God; who had sent out invitations to the Jews- chosen people of God to enjoy the Messianic Kingdom which His Son Jesus proclaimed. His servants were sent out to tell the invited guests to appear to the feast, but they refused. Again God sends out another set of His servants with His message but again those invited refused citing various excuses in regards to their – farm, shop etc. Initially privilege was given to the chosen race, but they chose to defame and prove their disliking to the king and his rules.

We humans tend to be tired of repeated advices or warning through our benefactors to repair a broken relationship or to break off a particular bad habit or to repent of deadly sins. Forgetting their goodness and loving care, we seldom abuse and accuse them falsely to avoid their presence in our life. Similarly, when we simply chose to ignore His messengers or refuse to accept them, a time will come sooner when we will be cut off from God.

The Holy Bible says, “The axe is ready to cut down the trees at the roots, every tree that does not bear good fruit …..” (Luke 3 : 9)  It is wise to remember that you may not get such valuable days, so let’s take this blessed day to turn to the Lord and accept His message.

Later on, the king commanded his servants to go to the main streets and lanes; gather all the people good and bad alike, and the wedding hall was filled with people. 

Though originally the invitation, a great privilege in itself, was extended to His chosen ones; but as the Holy Bible says, “It was necessary that the Word of God should be spoken first to you, but since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we will leave you and go to the Gentiles.”  (Acts 13:46) The King of kings, widely opened the door of His Majestic Kingdom to the Gentiles who were confused and disturbed.  “If you wander off the road to the right or the left, you will hear His voice behind you saying, ‘Here is the road follow it.’  (Isaiah 30 : 21)  The king gave great opportunity to those who listened to his invitation without any discrimination.  Thus, unexpected people were given the opportunity to enter the Kingdom of heaven and to relish the banquet.  Here we see it was not the respectable and rich ones of the society but the ones despised by the Jews who got the opportunity.  Once Lord Jesus said in His teaching, “I assure you that many will come from the east and the west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of heaven.”  There was a belief and the attitude of Jews that whoever received baptism was worthy for the Kingdom of God (salvation).

It was the custom that one must attend the wedding feast with the attire that was given freely by the king.  The hall symbolised the Kingdom of God which has enough space for everyone who wishes to enter.     Then, the enthroned king’s eyes was fixed to one guest who was not properly dressed for the wedding feast.  Each event and its place have its own dress code, mode of behaviour and decoration. The invitation was free but it does not absolve the rules of the event. 

The king ordered his servants, “Tie him up hand and foot, and throw him outside in the dark.”  A proper attitude and disposition are essential to please God and to enjoy the Kingdom of heaven.    The Holy Bible says, “Happy are those who wash their robes clean and so have the right to eat the fruit from the tree of life and to go through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22 : 14)

Every day before the clouds break and the sun rises, the heavenly banquet is set by the Gracious Lord. In front of all your enemies –the worldly forces- the Good Lord Himself sets the table for His children to relish. We may have many excuses ranging from occupational, material, family to personal obligations to ignore God’s call and invitation. Not only do we neglect it, but with a word of apology we move to our personal obligations. Practice first to relish from His Holy Table – personal prayer - that provides love, joy, peace, wisdom, self-control, etc. and weave the eternal garment by the Gospel values and virtual deeds.

May the Lord bless you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

A NEW NAME

PART I

My dear friend, I pray that everything may go well with you and you may be in good health -- as I know you are well in spirit. (3 John :2)

Let us find out what happens when God places His Mighty Hands on us. It is the will of Victorious God that His people be pleasant, healthy and prosperous in His strength throughout our life. 

When Abram was ninety nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the Almighty God. Obey me and always do what is right. I will make my covenant with you and give you many descendants. Abram bowed down with his face touching the ground, and God said, “I make this covenant with you: I promise that you will be the ancestor of many nations. Your name will no longer be Abram, but Abraham, because I am making you the ancestor of many nations. I will give you many descendants, and some of them will be kings. You will have so many descendants that they will become nations.

……..God said to Abraham, “You must no longer call your wife Sarai; from now on her name is Sarah.  (Genesis 17: 1-6, 15-16)

The name in Hebrew means princess.

Here we can see that God is pleased with Abraham’s faith and gives him a new name; again we can see in the Genesis 32, a man named Jacob who loved God truly. On a lonely night, God appeared like an ordinary man, face to face with him. The whole night they wrestled and at daybreak when the man was about to leave, Jacob refused to let him go saying, “I won’t unless you bless me.” On asking his name, Jacob replies; and the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob. You have struggled with God and with men, and you have won; so your name will be Israel.”

His life was completely transformed. From Jacob-‘one who deceives’ he was rechristened to Israel-‘May God prevail’.

And God said to him, “I am Almighty God. Have many children. Nations will be descended from you, and you will be the ancestor of kings. I will give you the land which I gave to Abraham and to Isaac, and I will also give it your descendants after you. (Genesis 35:11-12)

God’s covenant stands true till day and Israel, the powerful nation among the nations originated from Jacob.

God will be pleased with you, when you place your trust in Him; and He shields from danger those who are loyal, humble and show reverence to Him; and rewards them generously.

Dear devotees of Christ, the God who blessed and gave a new name to Abraham, Sarah and Jacob is willing to give us a new name.

As the Holy Scriptures say, “Some however did receive Him and believed in Him, so He gave them the right to become God’s children.”

We have been tremendously blessed with the authority to bear His name and to reap the great joy and courage the Holy Name bestows us. A Divine Name so powerful name that can set the satanic force to tremble, and bring the entire earth and heavenly creatures to their knees. Glory to God in the Highest!

As He said to Jacob, so does God say to us, “You are a chosen race, the King’s priests, the Holy Nation, God’s own people……” (1 Peter2:9)

God Himself acknowledged that we are special for Him and promised us that, “If you ask for anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:14)

Are you disturbed, frustrated and devoid of hope? Amidst your loved ones, yet rejected? Or afflicted by diseases and are lonely? Do you feel you have come to a crossroad in life, unable to take the right path? Or are you running away from yourself or trapped in the web of your foes?

If the answer to the above questions is positive, then trust in the Almighty God, who is eagerly waiting to bless you and give you a royal birth by transforming you as His daughter/ son.

“Whoever goes to the Lord for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty can say to Him, ‘You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust.’ (Psalms 91:1)             

                                                                                   

Let us pray

Lord Jesus, only Son of the Almighty God, sent your Holy Spirit upon me and on the earth. Spread your word of peace to every heart and the thirst to imitate You; and obtain Your promises.

Mother Mary abode of Peace, Intercede for us.

                                                                                                            (To be continued…..)

With Love Filled Blessings,

Your Sister in Christ

MEASURING LINE

The Holy Bible says, “I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. (Phil. 4:13)

During the time of Herod the king of Judaea, there was a priest named Zechariah, a descendant of Aaron. His wife was Elizabeth, who also belonged to a priestly family. Both of them were upright in the sight of God and observed all the laws and regulations blamelessly. 

Even after praying for long years they had no children because she was barren and both were very old.  Yet he used to pray fervently to God for a child.  God answered his prayer though it took years to bring it to accomplishment. 

God wanted Zechariah, like Father Abraham, to have deep-rooted faith by praying and hoping from God. A Messenger of God once appeared to Zechariah and said, “God has heard your prayers and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son…….  He will be a great man in the Lord’s sight.” 

Even though he was faithful, he could not believe it because both of them were advanced in years.  (Luke 1)

Here we can observe that Zechariah is limiting God’s power with human measuring line.  He had fixed a date and day for God to act.  When his date got over, his faith also diminished.  We have also compressed our time in various portions of our life. Interest and accuracy in measuring the time brings numerous failures against our Heavenly blessings and due to these we are the victims of losing faith. 

When we try to keep control of  God in our time limitation, it is wise to recollect the marvelous words the Holy Spirit that inspires St. Peter, “But do not forget one thing my friends, there is no difference in the Lord’s sight between one day and a thousand years,  to Him the two are the same.  The Lord is not slow to do what He has promised as some think, instead He is patient with you because He does not anyone to be destroyed, but He wants us to turn away from sin.” (2 Pet 3:8-9)

God has promised that He will help you, yes, surely He will come, but it is not mentioned when or how.  He wishes all of us to be in His Hands safely and fearlessly as how a child is secure in its mother’s arms. 

Dear ones, there arises certain reasons just to lose our faith.  God said, “Ask and you shall receive.”  We keep on complaining that ‘I have been asking God for quite long time and receive nothing in return, but only disappointment.’  Through this it is sure that the Lord is teaching you to pray in a proper manner.

“When you stand and pray forgive anything you may have against anyone so that your Father in Heaven will forgive the wrongs you have done.”

If your prayers are not answered check your conscience, whether there is any unforgiveness in you against anyone, also be sure to check if others have any hurt feelings towards you, because both can block the flow of God’s blessings upon you. 

“And when you ask you do not receive it because your motives are bad, you ask for things to use for your own temporal pleasures.”  So check whether your prayers are according to the plan and purpose of Almighty God’s law.  The Lord might have answered already your prayers in a different way. He might have transformed your problem as an instrument to shower His grace upon you keeping your virtues safe.

“My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.”  (2 Cor. 12 :9)

So we misinterpret, that when we are weak, God’s power is also weak but the Holy verses say that His Power is Greatest when you are weak. The symptoms may still trouble you, but to face and overcome that trouble He showers might and grace which can lead you to a peaceful life.

We are sure that it is true that God hears our prayer and also we know that He gives what we ask from Him.  Like Zechariah, God may want you to become a good intercessor to grant you unshaken foundation of faith.  Through tests, God will reveal His secret plans for you.

Peter was a brave and pious apostle.  Once while the apostles were going in a boat, Peter saw Lord Jesus coming to them walking on the water. Being delighted at the sight Peter said to the Lord, “Master shall I come to you?” as he too wanted to walk on the water.  And the Lord said to him, “Come.”  Looking at Jesus he began his journey.

 

Soon the devil diverted his eyes from the Lord and inspired him to look at the deep waters.  Satan, the most cunning one, has his eyes always fixed on people who believe in true God. When Peter was looking at Jesus and walking there was no fear of depth of water or the blowing waves.  The moment satan diverted Peter’s eyes from the Lord, he began to sink.

  Similarly, when sudden sickness, hardships, failures, brokenness occurs in the lives of faithful people of God, as a faith test -- the evil thoughts arising within us develops a situation tion of hopelessness whereby we tend to lose our faith in the Lord. 

Therefore the Holy Bible says, “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.”  (Heb 12 :2)

During hardships and temptations, if you fix your eyes on Lord Jesus than measuring the depth of the disasters then surely it helps to drive away satan and his plan of destroying your life. So it is noteworthy to acknowledge the Holy Verses, “Don’t think that the Lord is too weak to save you or too deaf to hear your call for help.” (Isaiah 59:1)

He invites you, “Come to Me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke and put it on you, and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load that I will put on you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Dear ones, as how Jesus fixed His eyes on the One who send Him and carried the Cross according to His Will, to conquer death and save us from the Wicked similarly, be proud that we are believers of His law and followers of the victorious Lord.  We do not need to get frightened to face the failed satan who pretends to be very strong and brave like a roaring lion.  It is our challenge to defeat him with our faith as a shield.  Speak out to him the appropriate Word of God which is the double edge sword, which can dissolve Him from you. 

To know God, you need to be intellectual in the Word of God.                       

“Be alert! Be on watch, your enemy the devil roams around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”   (1 Pet 5 : 8)

So guard your faith by reciting prayers, memorizing & meditating the word of God and being grateful to the Lord at all times will enable you to safeguard your faith deeper.  “…. Because every child of God is able to defeat the world.  And we win the victory over the world by means of our faith.”  (1 John 5 : 4)

Let us reminisce the love of that Heavenly Father, who did not keep back His Only Son and the Sacrificial Love of His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.

“For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life.” (John3:16)

 

Let us wind up this session by reading the vision of Prophet Zechariah. This vision proves how God protects His people from the enemy:

In another vision I saw a man with a measuring-line in his hand.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“To measure Jerusalem,” he answered, to see how long and how wide it is.”

Then I saw the angel who had been speaking to me step forward, and another angel came to meet him. The first one said to the other, “Run and tell that young man with the measuring-line that there are going to be so many people and so much livestock in Jerusalem that it will be too big to have walls. The Lord has promised that He Himself will be a wall of fire round the city to protect it and that He will live there in all His Glory.” (Zechariah 2:1-5)

So let us tune our hearts from misevaluating and underestimating God as well as mankind. The Lord has promised that He himself will be a protecting wall of fire around us and live within us in all His Glory.

Act for the day

Through the intercession of the Most Holy Mother, let us offer the Holy Rosary to grant us the grace to constantly fix our eyes on her Son, our Lord Jesus.

With love filled blessings,

Your Sister in Christ.

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 The Holy Bible says, “The hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out His love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us.” (Romans 5:5)

WISDOM  

                                                           … (continued)

Wisdom of God is holy and innocent, which obtains peace and brings others to peace.  It is full of truth and humbleness.

“The wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy.” (James 3:17) The one who receives this peace, these qualities abide in his life.

Wisdom clears doubts and chooses what is right.  It is sincere and faithful and creates a stern and steady mind.  Wisdom and courage move hand in hand. 

Lord Jesus taught in the synagogue and those who heard him were amazed, “Where did he get such wisdom” they asked. (Matt 13 :54)

“……What kind of words are these?  With authority and power this man gives orders to the evils spirits, and they come out!”  (Luke 4: 36)  It proves that wisdom is full of authority and power. 

The Almighty God allows hardships and sufferings which produces endurance which leads one to wisdom.  In Isaiah 48 : 10 the Lord says, “I have tested you in the fire of suffering, as silver is refined in a furnace.…….What I do is done for My own sake.”

St. Peter says “My dear friends do not be surprised at the painful test you are suffering as though something unusual were happening to you. (1 Pet 4:12)

Merciful and Sovereign Lord your wisdom protected Noah a righteous man and she guided him in his flimsy wooden boat.  

Wisdom gave strength to Abraham a righteous man to obey God’s command, inspite of the love for his son.  

Wisdom rescued her righteous servant Lot from danger. 

Wisdom guided a righteous man Jacob through the right path and made him prosperous and victorious in his hard fight.  

Wisdom rescued Joseph a righteous man who was sold into slavery. Without being abandoned she kept him safe and gave him eternal honor. 

She once rescued an innocent and holy people from a nation of oppression.  She guided them in a miraculous journey and defended them.  

Wisdom gives speech to those who could not speak.  She even causes babies to speak clearly. 

So let us pray to the origin of wisdom, our Abba Father to grant the grace of righteousness so as to obtain this gracious gift through the name of Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 The Holy Bible says, “The hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out His love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us.”(Romans 5:5)

WISDOM

The Spirit of the Lord blesses us with the gift of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of Lord.

Wisdom is the foremost gift which though similar to knowledge is different. 

Knowledge is the gift to know the truth and is connected with all other gifts while wisdom enables us to experience the truth and its togetherness.  

For example, the knowledge of honey may give you an idea of what it is, but taste an ounce of honey once; then you truly know what it is.  Similarly, with the gift of wisdom one can directly experience the presence of God. 

Moses had experienced the presence of God and through Moses people came to know about God.  The gift of wisdom pours out the burning love of God and it brightens us with cheerfulness.  As the sun’s rays give light and heat, heavenly wisdom enlightens the knowledge of God and his creation.  It showers the joy and warmth of His love in our mind. 

Apostle John shouts out about the love of God because he was blessed with holy wisdom.  St. Thomas Aquinas in his poem undoubtedly explains the wisdom of God.  The one who achieves it can grasp the mysterious truth that is even beyond his understanding and is free from death as he accepts it happily. 

No worldly passions are attracted and exercising it brings uneasiness and discomfort.

Lust and gluttony, bad attitudes, bad company will not make a person blessed with wisdom happy.  The holy wisdom leads a person to the true fact that the passions, pride and worldly knowledge will be perishable and work for it is merely in vain. 

The heavenly wisdom makes a person grow towards the fruits of spirit especially self control, humility and joy.  Hard-work, hardships and carrying out penance draws his attention. 

Heavenly wisdom reveals the truth that Lord Jesus went through great agony and bitter passion for my sake and for the sake of human race, and it is my duty/ obligation to accept sufferings and pain for the love of Lord Jesus. 

The one who is blessed with wisdom can analyze the events of his life which eventually leads him closer to the teachings of Lord Jesus.  A man who fears the Lord is worthy of the gift of heavenly wisdom.  It is more profitable than silver and more worth than gold, also more valuable than jewels.  Wisdom offers you long life as well as wealth and honor.  Similarly it can make your life more pleasant and lead you safely on your way and never even stumble. 

The Holy Bible says never to ignore wisdom.   Do not abandon wisdom.  She will protect you.  Love her and she will keep you safe and she will be your crowning glory.  (Proverbs 4)

The one who faithfully obeys and follows the laws and rights of God can easily obtain true wisdom.  “Is there anyone among you who is wise and understanding? He is to prove it by his good life, by his good deeds performed with humility and wisdom.” 

(James 3:13)

To gain insight, knowledge, sound judgment, one must honor the Lord and hate evil, pride and arrogance.  The word of wisdom created all and poured out immeasurable way of His wisdom to all who loved him. Daniel, King David, Joseph, Ezra, etc. etc. were graciously blessed with gift of wisdom.  The Holy Bible says the child Jesus grew and became strong.  He was full of wisdom and God’s blessings were upon him. 

(Luke 2:14)

Wisdom reigns with the Almighty God.  

King Solomon had only asked for God’s wisdom and he was given it. Sincerity and faithfulness are required to obtain wisdom.  

King David also prayed for wisdom (Psalm 51).  

Apostle James instructs us that whoever lacks God’s wisdom should pray to God and the Generous and Gracious God will provide it.

LIFE IN HOLY SPIRIT

PART VIII

The Holy Bible says, “The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22)

FAITHFULNESS

Sovereign God says, “I will not break my covenant or take back even one promise I made.”

Glory to God and His faithful promises that strengthen us.

The Holy Bible reveals that God is constantly pleased with His faithful people. For God, Moses was more humble than anyone else on earth. God said, “It is different when I speak with my servant Moses. I have put him in charge of all my people of Israel. I speak to him face to face.”

Here it proves that Moses was faithful and loyal to God’s command and by practicing faithfulness he deepened his faith which brought God down to the midst of clouds. Amen!

Mission of King David and Daniel were also filled by the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Added enthusiasm and faithfulness were evident in their call.  

Honest people will lead a full and happy life and the one who belongs to Christ will also obtain these virtues.

It is important to put into practice the virtue of faithfulness so as to please God in his status of life.

The faithfulness of the spouse of Holy Mary- St. Joseph is also admirable. God submitted His own life into the hands of Joseph, who lifted his eyes and ears towards God, throughout his mission. He underwent immeasurable sacrifices in his life to be an obedient servant to set us an example to build a family according to God’s will. Devoid of any worldly support he teaches us that God will never forsake those who loyally follow His advice and confess God’s promises.

Our hardships and brokenness leads us to faith. Faithfulness leads us to deepen our growth in faith, which ultimately grants us righteousness.

It is worth to mention the faith of Abraham the Father of our race here.

The Scripture says, "Abraham believed God and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous."

A person’s wages cannot be considered as a gift because that is something he has worked for and earned, but the person who depends on his faith – who believes in the God who declares the guilty to be innocent, it is his faith that God takes into account in order to put him right with Himself. 

The one who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior are eligible to have these virtues because the Love of God inspires him to love and serve others faithfully.  This is what Jesus asks us to do – Love your neighbor as I have loved you. 

Christ Jesus, the Faithful and True Witness who is the origin of all that God has created, wants us to be faithful to one and all.

The Holy Bible explains to us that- The one who grows in the skills and abilities which God our Father gifted him is the one who is faithful.  The Lord Jesus continued teaching through the parables and was pleased with the faithful one.  

“Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant?  He is the one that his master has placed in charge of the other servants to give them their food at the proper time.  How happy that servant is if his master finds him doing this when he comes home.  Indeed I tell you the master will put that servant in charge of all his properties.”  (Matt 24)

Being His servants let us examine how faithful we are towards our calling.  You may be a parent, spouse, laborer, officer, businessman or doing direct service of the Lord such as a preacher, priest, evangelist, etc.  We all are called by God for serving the Lord.  So then, each one of us should receive the anointing that befits our calling. 

The Bible says “He who calls you will do it, because He is faithful.” (1 Thess.5:24). 

A faithful man is always alert of his duties.  He does it with sincerity and punctuality.  Selflessness adorns the beauty of a faithful man.  Every responsibility either big or small, he considers equally important.  Whoever is faithful in small matters will be put in charge of large ones. 

The Bible says, “The one who have not been faithful to worldly wealth cannot be trusted with the true wealth.”

The Bible again asks us, “If you have not been faithful with what belongs to someone else who will give you what belongs to you?”

Let us examine Biblically what is mentioned about an unfaithful servant. 

The Holy Bible says that,  “If he is a bad servant he will tell himself that his master will not come back for a long time and he will begin to beat his fellow- servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.  Then that servant’s master will come back one day when the servant does not expect him and at a time he does not know.  The master will cut him in pieces and make him share the fate of the hypocrites.  There he will cry and grind his teeth.”  (Matt. 24:48-51)

So devotees of Christ, let us hold on firmly to the virtues of the Holy Spirit awaiting for the King who has said, “I am coming soon.”  And He says, ‘I will bring my rewards with me to give each one according to what he has done.  Happy are those who wash their robes clean and so, have the right to eat the fruit from the tree of life and to go through the gates into the city.  Amen.

GLORIOUS GRACE

PART I

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)

In the Holy Bible we can learn that Apostle Paul after gaining deep knowledge and the importance of God’s grace has adorned it in his life and experienced the true victory of it. The same has been applied and described in his letters.

I think it would be appropriate if we who are leading a sin loaded life go through the unmerited favor given by Our Father in Heaven.

See how much the Father loved us!

“For God loved the world so much that He gave His Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life. “ (John 3: 16)

Even if we sin, God loves us, because He is love. He reveals his individual love towards each one of us saying, “I can never forget you! I have written your name on the palm of my hand."

He is aware of every little happenings of our life, and proved the same by His caring words: “Even the hair of your head have all been counted.”

His love is so unique and holy, that if we check, human love has got so many invisible impurities and selfish ambitions blending it. Here again, God convinces us, “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring the future that you hope for.”

Dear friends in Christ, Our Father is not the One who wants to do only His Will. He promises that “I will give you a future that you dream for.”

When I was young my ambition was to be a teacher, but as I grew up, was tuned to another profession.

My Heavenly Father, who knew my dream, gave me the knowledge of His Kingdom and made me a well experienced candidate through my life. At the age of 40, He appointed me for the post of ‘Spiritual Teacher’ of his Kingdom!

 Praise God!

Though my ambition was buried in my memory, God fulfilled the little girl’s dream at His appropriate time.        

    

Am confident enough to assure you that when  you love Him and simply say a Yes to the powerful Father who can turn the ocean to a desert by a command can also turn your adversity into prosperity.

In Old Testament our forefather Abraham is famous to everyone. God had asked Abraham to offer His Son Isaac for Him. Being a faithful man, Abraham whole- heartedly obeyed.

But what happened when Isaac was about to be sacrificed? God interfered and stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son.

God comforted him saying, “Abraham, good you have obeyed Me. I have got a covenant with you. Through Isaac I have to complete that. I will give my son to your children so that they all will become free from slavery. “

Yes!! Glory to God. 

Dear Ones, believe in His Faithful promise, unchangeable God who blessed Abraham wish all of us to hold the trophy of victory and offer it to Him.

Let us continue about His favor. God who loved the world so much that He gave His only Son Jesus Christ, says to you, “The mountains and hills may crumble but my love for you will never end.”

Yes Abba Father, here we thank you for your steadfast love for human being. May I be worthy of it through the merit of Jesus Christ. I love you Father.

Among human love, God considers motherhood love as true and selfless.

He again takes guarantee of his concern for us saying, “Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you.”

If you are lacking your parental care, He is consoling you.

Thank you Father for your outpouring love which hugs me.

                                                                                                    (To be continued)

ADORATION IN SPIRIT

PART I

God is Spirit, and only by the power of His Spirit can people worship Him as He really is. (John 4:24)

Almighty God created a huge community of angels who kept on worshiping and adoring Him day and night. Among them a choir of angels lost their intentions. By visualizing a more superior part in man and that God gave him His own image to them.

In Holy Bible, Book of Genesis 22:5, the word adoration has made its first appearance. We can understand that love, gratefulness, piety and faithfulness are included in the word of adoration. It is a complete sacrifice of a human life willingly to the Creator.

In the New Testament, there is another noteworthy scene; "they went into the house and when they saw the child with his mother Mary, then the three kings knelt down and worshiped Him." (Matt 2:11)

Here too we find the intention involving piety and respect.

How can we define adoration? How should true adoration be?

Beautiful words fill my mind as I compose this song for the King. Like the pen of a good writer, my tongue is ready with a poem."  (Psalms 45:1)

With a gratitude heart when you glorify the Blessed Trinity experiencing the presence of God is Adoration.

A response coming from a heart which accepts our Heavenly God as Father and Son Jesus Christ as Savior and Holy Spirit as the helper of Living God  dwelling in us is True Adoration.

In short, we adore the Blessed Trinity Father, Son, Holy Spirit,  the Triumphant God. Aim shall not be to gain anything but it is the Holy Moment to memorize the Lord who bore and gave everything for our sake.

The Holy Vision of St. John reveals the Worship in Heaven. (Rev.4: 1-11 )

“At once the Spirit took control of me. There in heaven was a throne with someone sitting on it. His face gleamed like such precious stones as jasper and carnelian, and all round the throne there was a rainbow the color of an emerald. In a circle round the throne were twenty four other thrones, on which were seated twenty-four elders dressed in white and wearing crowns of gold. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne seven lighted torches were burning, which were the seven spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.”

“Surrounding the throne on each of its sides were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and behind. The first one looked like a lion; the second looked like a bull; the third had a face like man’s face; and the fourth looked like an eagle in flight. Each one of the four living creatures had six wings, and they were covered with eyes, inside and out. Day and night they never stopped singing:

“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty,

Who was, who is, and who is to come.”

"The four living creatures sing songs of glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever. When they do so, the twenty four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever. They throw their crowns down in front of the throne and say,

“Our Lord and God! You are worthy

To receive glory, honor and power.

For you created all things,

And by your will they were given

Existence and life.”

Do not forget the reality that adoration is also a command given by God. It is a command given by the Creator to His creation.

“Worship No God but me.” (Exodus 20:3)

Again it is instructed “Do Not worship any other God because the Lord tolerates no rival.”  (Exodus 34:14)

We shall take the example of Abraham, whom the Lord called and separated from other idol worshipers.

The constantly rising command and also the duty of us, who are the children of God and when we enter the eternal life would be able to see the face of God and always worship Him.

“Worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.” (Luke 4:8). This advice of Jesus is indeed noteworthy.

Satan who asked the Creator to bow down and worship Him, how much more of his wicked tricks will he not try out on us, who are merely little worms.?

By not being able to grasp the basic values of eternal adoration, numerous dumb souls  get stuck everyday in the passion filled trap set by satan and thus destroy themselves. Some make for themselves idols and worship them, while yet others worship this creation, wealth or the joys of life instead of God.

Dear Ones, the Blood of Jesus, alone is the foundation of our adoration. (Heb 9:18)

By turning from evil attitude with sprinkled and purified heart and body washed with the Word of God and with a sincere heart which has complete evidence of faith.

Similarly the Holy Bible also effectively reveals the manner in which one has to adore the Lord. The true adoration is to be offered by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

So let us move closer to the altar of God.

(to be continued...)