Blessing Message

“Remember me, O Lord, with the favour You have toward Your people. Oh, visit me with Your salvation.” (Psalm 106:4)We all have a desire to be blessed with a God-centred family filled with His presence and peace all the time.  But when this gets disturbed by the unrighteous ways of even one person in the family, we collapse as if there was a quake in the foundation.  Do not worry.  Beyond your care and concern for your family members, the Lord Jesus who shed His precious blood for every person is drawing them towards Him with His cords of love. They can neither escape God’s love nor your prayers.  Acts 16:31 says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.”  For sure, the fire of salvation would spread to all in your family! A young girl led a carefree life. She followed her heart and sought the pleasures and lusts of this world. She did not heed the counsel and advice of her family members, the pastors and the servants of God. She was climbing on the ladder of sin and reached the summit of sinful life as days went by. For this girl who was swimming in the sea of sin, an opportunity came unexpectedly to attend a spiritual revival meeting. In the beginning, she was indifferent to the proceedings that were going on. But, later on, the Word of God spoke directly to her and moved her heart. Yes! The Word of God is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). The more she heard, the more her heart was moved. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she wept. This is the grace of God! Where sin abounded, the grace of God abounded much more (Romans 5:20). This word became true in her life. She threw away her past sinful life and started abiding in God and in His glorious presence. She received from the hands of God a new heart, soul, body and life. Beloved, muse on the unshakeable God’s love that pursues every person and remains in faith.  Your loved ones would not be lost in their sins or addictions.  God’s light will overcome darkness.  Just say, “Remember me, O Lord, with the favour You have toward Your people. Oh, visit me and my family with Your salvation” (Psalm 106:4).  You will see the victory soon.  Because, the Bible says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37) your dwelling will become a place of peace and joy!

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (Psalm 32:8) In a perplexing situation existing today, we have a beautiful promise of God from Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”  Be assured that the eyes of God are upon you. Your need and tears can never go unnoticed by Him and you will see and hear God’s ways clearly from now on.

I was once reading the life history of General Patton. He was a famous General in the army, who had fought against the Germans bravely, reaping victory after victory. Every time when the warplanes were raining down bombs, he would fearlessly walk through them. The most difficult places under the sway of the enemies were seized from them, just because of the courage of General Patton. News reporters met and asked him, “Sir, how is it that you have captured the places where there were heavy raids of bombs by the enemies? We hear that you are reading a certain book every day. May we know what that book is?” He replied without any hesitation, “It is the Holy Bible. Even while the battle rages on fiercely, I read it daily. The Lord guides me and teaches me how I should proceed in the battle. My spirit is renewed when I read this book. There is a time, appointed for me to live in this world. Till that time, neither man nor the devil can destroy me or take away my life.” Beloved, the whole Bible is nothing but a traveller’s map.  You will not miss your destiny if you would allow your heart to be filled with the directions in it regarding anything.  Even now, God sees the trials and uncertainties you face at work, family and school.  He will instruct you with His wisdom.  He will grant you a sound mind and help you to make the right decisions.  Remember that His eyes are on you.  Nothing that you do can separate you from His divine guidance, as long as you are open to receive it.  Let the words, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26) strengthen you each new day.

“Instead of your shame, you shall have double honour”. (Isaiah 61:7) In the Bible, we read about Joseph who suffered trouble after trouble even in his young age.  However, as the Lord was with him, he was lifted to the highest authoritative position in the land of Egypt, where once he was a slave.  There he named his firstborn son ‘Manasseh’ and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named ‘Ephraim’ and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering ” (Genesis 41:51-52).  How good is the Lord Almighty who blessed him with a double portion of honour in the same place where he went through shame.

Lord  God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. See what Soundarya Vineel, Kakinada(Andhra Pradesh, India) shares about God’s goodness: “We were living in a house which was partially built. We started its construction in 2010, but could not complete, as the government-housing loan was not sanctioned. Our waiting prolonged for nearly 8 years. Looking at this state, everyone started to laugh at us. We cried to God. In 2018, I read about the Ghatkopar Mumbai Prayer Tower’s reconstruction in the Jesus Calls magazine. We decided to send money for this Prayer Tower construction despite our lack of finance. In July 2018, we sent Rs. 250/- for this purpose and sought prayers for our house. Miraculously, in the same year, God sanctioned Rs. 85,000/- from the government housing loan.  The miraculous part is that it was an interest-free loan.  God constructed our house, free of cost. Now our house construction is completed. We are so thankful to God and for the sincere prayers of the Dhinakaran family.”Beloved, the same God has seen your tears, insults and shame.  Your prayers are answered.  His eyes of love have seen your anxiety and sleepless nights.  Even today the same Lord is about to bless you in the double portion before your enemies.  Yes, “Instead of your shame you shall have double honour” (Isaiah 61:7) says the Lord God Almighty.  Heaven and earth may pass away, but His word would remain!  Have hope on this strong foundation.  Your victory is on your way. Cheer up!

“…God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1John 1:5)As you believe in Jesus as your Lord, you are blessed to overcome and escape from the darkness of sin.  This blessing is due to God’s unconditional love and grace; and not on your merit or worth.  When the early apostles preached Jesus, the Saviour of the world, the people felt guilty of their sin. They were cut deep to the core of their heart and repented. Their sorrow led to their repentance.  They wondered as to what they should do and to whom they should turn for their help but as they turned to God they were cleansed.  The Bible says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord”(Acts 3:19). Yes, only an encounter with His grace can enable you in a divine manner to be delivered from the clutches of sin. 

I read an incident that happened in the life of a great man of God, Charles Spurgeon, who is popularly known as the ‘Prince of Preachers.’ When he was at the height of his successful ministry, thousands of people were filled with remorse for their sins and were saved by the grace of God in his meetings. But he was a slave to the habit of smoking cigars. It was a hindrance to many who were addicted who wanted to get freedom from their bad habits. One evening while he was passing through the market road, he was startled on seeing a certain advertisement. Boxes of a particular brand of the cigar were arranged attractively, with an inscription below, “This is the cigar that Spurgeon smokes.” At once, he turned back and ran home to set his life right with the Lord. The Holy Spirit came down on him in an abundant measure; he enjoyed the presence of God and was completely delivered from the habit of smoking. Dear friend, when you are in Christ there is no place for the devil to dwell in you. You belong to the kingdom of light. Hence, as a child of God today, if there is any darkness present within you, receive the strength of God and depart from it. You belong to Him. You are purchased with His blood. You are a holy nation and a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). No darkness can dwell inside you. Arise and shine.  The blood of Jesus cleanses you from all sins.  His blood and Name are sufficient to deliver you from sin, rebellion and wickedness. Bible assures, “In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:7,8).  Yes, the God of light frees you from slavery to sin. 

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)Jesus is your friend and mediator.  How sure you can be to receive grace and mercy from the Father.  Word of God says, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15, 16). When I was working in the Bank, I once had to meet a top government official – an IAS officer. But he didn’t have time to fix an appointment for me. It happened to me that I was downplaying this to an officer who worked with me. He asked me, “Sir, when do you want to make up with that IAS officer?” I said, “Right now.” “Let’s go,” he said. “How do you say with such confidence?” I asked.  He said, “The IAS officer whom you are talking about is my brother. I am contacting him on the phone right now. ” Over the phone, he said, “I want to see you now, brother.”  At the other end, the IAS officer said, “Come immediately.” We both went. My friend pushed the officer’s door and went inside. I got the opportunity to talk to him. Yes, my friend acted as a mediator on that day to approach the IAS officer.  I got the work done! The One who overcame all temptations is with you. You have a High Priest, Jesus through whom you can receive grace from the Father and know that you are an overcomer! So come boldly to the throne of grace, especially for mercy and grace that you need at the crucial times. Bible says, “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” (Ephesians 3:12). Come to Jesus with confidence. He will liberate you from all fears and lusts of this world. Do not be worried.

The Lord will never leave you comfortless. I remember the time I lost my dear grandmother.  It was way back in 20O7 and I was about 12 years old. She always used to sit in our corridor and wave to me when I left for school. Every evening, when I came back she would be waiting to give me a kiss on my forehead and bless me. Seeing her one day and not being able to see her the next day, literally broke my heart. There is a famous quote by Karen White, “If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I would walk right up to heaven to bring you home again.” That is exactly how I felt. I was sad, upset and missed her terribly. I wished I could do something to bring her back, to make her stay with me just a few more years at least. But the Lord kept speaking to me, kept comforting me every single day. He always reminded me that she is in a better place now and immediately I would feel a blanket of comfort surrounding me and I would be comforted by His love. It would immediately lift my spirit. I knew I was going to meet her one day on the other side. Many of you might be in the same situation right now. You might have lost a loved one; you might be divorced /separated or might have lost something valuable to you. Do not worry, my dear friends, the God of comfort is always by your side. He has promised never to leave you and you are never alone. Just like how Jesus wept along with Mary and Martha when their brother Lazarus died, He will also weep with you and comfort you. According to the promise of this day, “I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you” (John 14:18) His comfort will surround you at all times. He sees your tears and hears your prayers. Say to God from within your heart, “… for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). Yes, He will comfort you and bless you.

Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).The world’s philosophy is, “You increase by hoarding and taking from others” which is in contrast to what the Bible says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).  “No one has ever become poor by giving,” says Anne Frank, a Jewish victim of the Holocaust. Happiest is the moment when you give than when you take.  Resolve this year to make ‘giving’ a habit to stay a blessing to the ones whom God leads you to.
Some years back when we were passing through dire poverty I had only three sarees and that too they were in shreds and patches. But I was not worried in the least. I would mend them and keep them clean without my husband’s knowledge. I continued serving God in all humility and never gave up His call. Probably God wanted to test me to see whether I would follow Him and do His ministry without complaining. After watching our patience and genuine faithfulness in following Him, the Lord gradually lifted us out of poverty. Today He has blessed me to render help to many a servant of God who is struggling in poverty. We are able to send the tithes to several other ministries and servants of God who are in need, from the offerings that we receive. Beloved, make a decision today to be a giver.  Do not give up the ministry that God has entrusted to you for petty issues. God is watching over every deed that you do. When you have the capacity to minister unto God or help the needy, do it immediately. Bible says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act”(Proverbs 3:27 ). Paul, in the Bible who has dug deeper about the joy of giving, makes a beautiful statement, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:7,8).  Trust in His system of managing your finance and enjoy your cup overflowing!

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John Smith

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“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1

The LORD will be your Everlasting Light, and your days of sorrow will end. Yes friends, the days of your sorrow will be over according to Isaiah 60:19 – “The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your Everlasting Light, and your God will be your glory.”  There is no difference in day or night when the Lord is your light.  No devil or darkness can come near you.  To receive this Everlasting Light, give priority to God. Each day when you wake up, give God the first place in your life. I have experienced this right from my childhood. As soon as I wake up, when I look around, I would not see my mother. When I search for her, I would find her sitting in a corner reading her Bible or praying. My father would go for a morning walk but take a long time to come back. When I ask him what took him so long, he’ll tell me that he went to the chapel. My grandma would say, “If the time for church is 8 O’clock, by 7.30 am itself we should be ready to leave the house.”  I used to think about what happiness they get by doing these things. I wanted to know.  So I too decided to practice these. I would read the Bible and pray in the morning soon after I got up and at night before going to bed. As I took this small step, God started to bless me. God gave me wonderful teachers, good friends.  When I started to go to work, I used to visit a small chapel in the hospital and prayed there.  I began my career as a junior doctor in that hospital but God blessed me to the extent that the senior doctors would always look for me to help them. I got favour in my workplace as I gave priority to the Everlasting Light who is the Lord Jesus Christ. Even now God has called me for ministry and has anointed me with His Holy Spirit. Beloved, from today onwards give priority to God and you will be successful in everything. Do not be discouraged about the lost days.  God says, “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25).  So, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you” (Isaiah 60:1).  Today is the day of salvation!