I knew thee

Jeremiah 1:5: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

When I look behind, I ask how can this be? Lord, look at what I am? I believe you would have given up. Oh! the agony that was in Your heart for me. Can this still be true? I can only hope. Lord, I don't know what to ask, what to pray, what to say. Here I am.

I knew thee - I always think of my son (if I have son), will he become like me. I always pray, God let there be none like me. Do not ever create someone like me. I am always afraid of tomorrow because of what I am, because I know what I am capable of. If the knowledge of what I am, hurts and puts me (a wretched being) in great despair; how much more it would have hurt my Holy God. If God knew me, why did he ever create me? And we call Him a wise God! Why God, why?

I sanctified thee - I am pretty sure that God was willing to forgive anything till we come to this realization, that He has set us apart. I can only hope that I realize this and live according to it. What was God going through when He said, "I sanctified thee". He had to come to earth as a human, had to live like a human and had to die because He was holy. He did not die of natural causes. He/God was accused of blasphemy. I can see myself in the temple courts shouting, "Crucify Him, free Barabas". I would rather see Barabas rob & kill me, than Jesus teach me the ways of God. How weird is that? I still chose the flesh before God even now. Yet, God sanctified me.

I ordained thee - This is where things go wrong. It is easy to say God forgive me, and whola you realize that you are sanctified but to live according to His will and for His glory ... I can only hope of this to happen. How funny - God knew me yet He appointed me to live for His glory & according to His will. How can this be? God only knows. I read in the bible that God sent His spirit to help us with this. God did not plan without a solution right? The Spirit. I don't understand this. It is easy to say, "Lord forgive, I believe that Jesus died for me. Through Him I am sanctified", but to live in the Spirit - What does this mean? I am confused Lord, as always. Help me!

Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

The first promise in the New Testament - Jesus shall save his people from their sins. Let me say that again - Jesus shall save me from my sins. It is not, Jesus shall save me in my sins, but from my sins. I shall be saved but I shall no longer live in sin, but away from it - separated unto God.

Lord, this is a promise & I believe it. I bow down humbly, as I am, the most wretched among sinner. I deserve hell, but Lord You came for me - to save me, to sanctify me, to set me apart from the folly of the world and flesh. Unto You I bow as a dog before its master. Have mercy on me. Amen.

John the baptist message of Repentance

Every one wanted God in those Days. Is should be a good thing right? But the irony was most of the wicked and wretch things was done in the name of the Lord. I need God for MY needs, MY desires, MY satisfaction, MY growth, MY quick money, MY pleasure. Look at their temple - it was a market places. Look at their teacher, the Pharisees - they provided resources called the Steps to Spirituality. Do these or follow these to attain a higher level spirituality!!

Is this not the same today? At least I am like this. Recently I wondered what is the purpose of the many things I do and I was ashamed and broken to realise that it was all about me. I was trying to understand that John meant by the following verses:
Luke 3:11-14
11 He answered and said to them, He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. And he who has food, let him do likewise.
12 And tax-collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, Teacher, what shall we do?
13 And he said to them, Continue to do no more than that commanded to you.
14 And the soldiers also asked of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said to them, Do not oppress anyone, nor accuse any falsely. And be content with your wages.

John was preaching a very great message here, one the most important commandments of the Lord - Love your neighbor. But I noticed that is related to the one mentioned earlier - Do every thing to Glorify God ie. Love the Lord your God. Come on, it was not only the rich, soldiers and tax-collectors who had questions. There were many who came to John, asking what shall we do an here was John who was preaching live a simple, minimal, giving, faithful and caring life. All these characters point to that of Jesus. Was John enabling the people to see the Messiah who lived among them? People who live a simple life will definitely know a person who lives a simple life. One of the reasons why Gandhi had a huge following was because of his simplicity in life. The people could associate with him not only as their leader, but even more as their father, guide, teacher and friend.

Where am I going with all this?

Lord, I have only lived for myself all my life. I give that I may receive. I do that I am find peace with God. Here I am, filled with selfishness and self pity (and many more :) I am in the process of finding out) I dont know what to pray. Give me a humble spirit, that Glorifies You in all things. Living as my Lord Jesus did, simple, caring and giving; walking in His footsteps. To live in such manner that other may see the life of Jesus in me. That was a huge thing to pray about. But I have this small faith in me that You are able to all this and even more. Build my faith Lord! Lord, when opportunities come to do all that I prayed for, Lord let me recognize and act upon them with your grace. Let me not stray! Let me not run away! - Amen

Grace for Grace

John 1:6: ¶There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
John 1:7: The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
John 1:8: He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
John 1:9: That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 1:10: He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 1:11: He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John 1:12: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:14: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:15: ¶John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
John 1:16: And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
John 1:17: For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
John 1:18: No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

I thank You, God the Father, for sending Your Son, that through Him we can be reconciled with God. Thank you for sending and sacrificing Your Son for a sinner like me. Thank You for Your Love.

I was not born again, because of any act of my own, but of God. Hence, if God knew what He was dealing with, He also would have figured out how to deal with me. I can be changed, I can be reformed, I am a NEW CREATION. I can shout out and say with all confidence in God, that I AM A NEW CREATION.

I like the way Mathew Henry's Commentary elaborates grace for grace.

1. grace for grace sake - Since Christ was full of grace, for Christ sake we recieved teh fulness of grace.
2. grace upon grace - It's a fountain of grace, it flows, it overflows.
   
3. grace for gracious acts & gracious habits - Grace to exercise grace and minister grace to others.
4. grace to improve, confirm, and perfect another grace - We are changed into the divine image, from glory to glory, from one degree of glorious grace to another.
5. grace in us to live according to the grace in Him

Just as I am, no pride, but humble; I come to You. Cleanse me and make me whole. You have always given me more than I can ever have. Yet I went after things that never quenched my thirst. Many times I still go after such. Break me Lord, let me not run away. Why do I run? I want to love You, with all my heart. What is it that happens to me when You try to mold me? Why do I run? I know it is You, still I chose not to acknowledge You. Help me! Lord help!

John 1:1-5

John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
A word is an expression. Christ is an expression of God. When God wants us to be in the image of Jesus, it is same as I am a word of God, an expression of God. Help me Lord & forgive me for I have sinned. I have missed the mark. Help to be the word you want me to be.

John 1:2: The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3: All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
As a word in a sentence, para or book; so am I a part of His great plan from the beginning. Lord, give me grace to live according to Your will. Not my will but Thy will be done. "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown". It is possible to loose your crown or deviate from God's plan. Lord, I cannot comprehend the ultimate picture, yet I ask You to help me, to live according to Your will. Admonish me when I go stray! Let me be diligent to seek Your will and live according Your will. Let me be obedient to Your word. Let me not disrespect You by disobeying You.

John 1:4: In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:5: And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Imagine you are a candle. A candle gives forth light. This light is the life of Jesus. Not only are you living in the footsteps of Jesus, but also showing others the life of Jesus. When people see this light shining, they cannot understand, the cannot experience the very same life or quality of life. They cannot mimic this life. Through Christ alone there is redemption. Lord, I am timid of showing this light to the Lord. Moreover, I am like the candle under a basket. Let this life that You have redeemed shine forth Your life, Your love. Enable me to carry my cross, let me not hide from it but let my love You so much that I sit under Your throne and seek grace and carry the yoke along with my Lord and Savior. Help me! Help me! I don't ask for gold or silver, only your grace. Thank you for giving it to me. Great is my God, Praise His holy name.

I threw my oars b'cus my boat was dirty

Ridiculous right! Who would such a thing? Well, I did! I stayed there in the raging waters, because my life was not right with God. I stayed in my sin and continued to sin. Till this very day, I shut down myself when I am to much in sin and feel wretched about myself. Even more wretched is the fact that I go back to God when I need some personal favor or when I feel my boat stinks and I can't stay in it anymore. This used to be my routine.

Then one day when it hit me that I don't live for myself or to approve myself in my own eyes. I live for the glory of God. If there are habitual sin in my life, give it to God and God will deal with it. There are so many other things in my life which God can glorify Himself. My sins are not all that I have - I have a great job, good amount of time, lots of resources, good friends, loving family and love for God. Come on, one can do some many things without shutting down.

Lord, when I feel wretch about myself let me not throw away the Joy of Salvation (Oars). Let me be confident in a God who is still not finished with me and is molding continuously in His image. For I know You have not given up on me. Why should I ever give up on God and on myself? Thank You, for this word of knowledge. Amen!

Bring me Home

After many days of doing things what I considered important or that which could satisfy me - I gave it all ! I have sinned.

Am I going back to God for a reason of my own? Am I being wretchedly selfish and seeking God for my own means? Well, who am I fooling - I know I am a hypocrite and serious I don't know the answers for these questions. All I ask is, "God, if it is true that I am coming to you for a reason - Change me, Break Me, Mould me". Give me grace when you heal me, that I may submit and not withhold your love for me.

It is true that I need your help, but Lord I don't want be a guy who takes liberty to sin with your mercy and grace.

Bring me Home, I long for your fellowship. I am waiting for you. Restore in me the joy of your salvation.

My new year resolution

Many times we wake up with sadness, depression or with no interest in Life. We go around doing our daily tasks as though we are forced to do it. Sounds familiar! Ya, this is how I live most of the days.

But something changed today! I got my new year resolution. Till this date I did not believe in new year resolutions, since I knew I could not keep it. But this one I got to try, with God's grace I can do it.

Let me get to the point here! Psalm 104. You got to read this one. It shows the humblness & humility of all the elements of nature before the glory and majesty. It seem a routine/boring thing for the Sun to rise and set everyday. But it does it in all glory, reflecting the glory of God.

Most importantly, the Psalmist realizing all he/she said in the Psalm comes to a great conclusion of being Happy.

Psalm 104:34 - "I will be glad in the LORD." (KJV) or "as for me, I will rejoice in the Lord." (Amplied Bible)

I like the way Amplified bible uses the phrase "as for me". Here I get the idea that the Psalmist compares himself with nature and says, "The nature does this and that, as for me, I will rejoice in the Lord"

My new year resolution is to be happy always (every day) in the Lord. When I wake up I will sing, "I am happy today" or "Rejoice in the Lord always"

God has given a commandment to us, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:4. Notice the phrase "again I say"

I really dont know, how this be happy thing works but let me tell it works!! I think it works because it is always "Be happy IN THE LORD", "Rejoice IN THE LORD" or "I will be glad IN THE LORD"

Be happy and make other happy in the Lord.

Some versus I liked in the Psalm 104:

6-8 You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight; they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them. (I thought it was gravity and slope and easitest path logic that water used to flow down a mountain, but it the Lord who made this rule and the waters obey this)

15 wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart. (It brought joy to my heart when I replaced wine with Holy Spirit, Oil with Love of God and Bread is the Cross of Christ or salvation of Christ)

21 The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.(The humbleness & humility of nature)

I am happy today, I am happy today,

In Jesus Christ I am happy today,

He has taken all my sins away

And that’s why I am happy today.

I am singing today, I am singing today,

In Jesus Christ I am singing today,

He has taken all my sins away

And that’s why I am singing today.

I am praising today, I am praising today,

In Jesus Christ I am praising today,

He has taken all my sins away

And that’s why I am praising today.

I am sharing today, I am sharing today,

In Jesus Christ I am sharing today,

He has taken all my sins away

And that’s why I am sharing today.

I am happy today, I am singing today,

In Jesus Christ I am praising today

He has taken all my sins away

And that’s why I am sharing today.

The fear of the Lord

I had a sound sleep yesterday. But I do remember I had a dream, in which I was walking in the fear of defeat - Fear of defeated by the devil: not that I know I would be defeated, but what if I will defeated.

I asked myself why am I afraid of defeat and of the devil. I said to myself, "Libin, Jesus is REAL! The battle is already won. Besides, I have a God - who is called teh God of Host or God of the army or armies. And even more, Jesus is the own with the double-edged sword, standing in all splendor and majesty before you and with me at all time." Praise God!!

The bible does not the fear of the devil, the word of God says fear the Lord. I did not fully understand what it meant. I wanted an example of how Jesus lived in the fear of the Lord.

Isaiah 11:3 - And shall make Him[Jesus] of quick understanding, and His delight shall be in the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord. And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, neither decide by the hearing of His ears;

Because of the fear of God, Jesus will not judge/act/behave or do thing based on what he sees or hears. This means He will not act on His own understand but on the understand of His Father. Look at the next verse - a beautiful verse, which illustrates Jesus' fear of the Lord.

John 5:30 - I[Jesus] am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord--but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.

The fear of the Lord is TOTAL submission to the Lord. To act as commanded by God!

In my worship I asked God to manifest Himself - show that He is REAL. Then I was able to see the works of the Lord. I had a sound sleep, I got early, I sat before the Lord in the morning. Can I do this on my own? Impossible! I was not able to do it before. It is God! He is REAL.

The Beautiful Mind

I was reading a little Luke 3 today. I was amazed at the beautiful plan of God. John, who was not yet John the Baptist before Luke 3, was called to proclaim the word of God.

Who told John that one day he will be a preacher or a servant of God? Did God tell him? I don't know! (I am just speculating here) He was told this by his father. It is just like my Dad saying me, "When you grow I want you to be a Doctor." The only thing that comes to my mind is, "Whatever Dad! Whatever!". I don't know what kind of person was John before Luke 3. All I know is he did not drink. Ya, so did I! I drank in my childhood once or twice and I did not know what I was doing. What I am saying is, he could be just another sinner.

But God predestined John to be John the Baptist. Doesn't this remind you of another familiar verse - Eph 1:5. God predestined us to be his son, to be a mirror image of His Son. I was not told this by my Mom or Dad, but by God Himself through His Holy word. This is my destiny! This is also your destiny! Let us reach forward to our destiny as God say, "I predestined you to be adopted as my sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with my pleasure and will"

I am writing this because faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God - Hearing what is REAL.

The devil is not real - I mean he is not what I used see. I used to see a devil as a mighty king, waging war with God. He is powerful and can subdue many easily. I struggle with a lot of sins. I see my defeat even before my fight. So I don't fight, I give up and I am easily subdued. The reason being, I am weak! I am human! I am flesh! I even recall talking to the devil more than to God. Many times I even prayed & begged before the devil.

But I realized he is not true! He is not a mighty king! He is headless chicken! JESUS CHRIST CRUSHED THE DEVILS HEAD AT CALVARY. Now that is true! He is trying to squawk something which was in head or system which was there in his head before it was taken. He is just running around squawking. It so happens that he used run around the whole earth in the ancient days that his running pattern is programmed into his system. This is how he can reach each one us. LOL!!

I have not seen a headless chicken, but I have seen a headless snake. Once there was this snakes that came to our neighbourhood. My Dad managed to crush the head. But it was not dead, it was running around. There was not sense of direction. I more scared now than earlier. I thought it could still bite. But the truth is it can't bite. It can do you no harm. It is headless - it is not as mighty as it used to be. The devil is a damn liar. A bloody liar!

On the other hand God is true! His power is true! Jesus is true! The Holy Spirit is true! His grace is true! The fact that Christ died for you and me is true! The fact that the all powerful God is with you is true! And above all this, His love is true! Let us look at the truth and ignore the lies.

God spoke to me through a movie - The Beautiful Mind. It is a movie which talks of what is real and what is not. It is about a person, who is hallucinating and can see people who do not exist. If our mind can play around with the physical, imagine spiritual which is invisible. Are we hallucinating? I was and God is healing me. We hallucinate in the spiritual. We see a mighty devil and ignore the loving God.

Let me tell you, Libin and to those who are reading this - God is real! The devil is just a headless chicken! CALVARY CRUSHED THE DEVILS HEAD.

Serve the Lord oh my soul, forget not His mercies

A sinner like my most regularly forgets the Lord and above all His mercies. All I want to say today is - "Lord, I don't understand myself. I don't know why I can't be true to You". All I ask is, "Save my for Your Name sake."

Psalm 54
1 O God, save me by your name, and defend me with your might.
4 Behold, God is mine helper....
7 You have rescued me from all my troubles, and I have seen my enemies defeated.

To You be the glory forever

The Lord that heals thee!

I woke up today, not feeling the presence of God. Remember the plague of darkness that could felt. It was similar, I could feel only darkness around - insecurity of tomorrow, over my weak body.

But praise God He is a God that heals. It was Psalm 51 for todays meditation. Yesterday, I could say, "I have finished the race for the day". I was proud, haughty - do you know why? Some how, I got the feel I could do it.

I forgot, it is not I that doeth, but He that doeth for me.

God does not want a proud and haughty spirit, but ...

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you;

Yes, a broken heart - It is not possible by me Lord. I acknowledge again, it is not possible by me. Only you Lord, You reign in me.

A whole burnt offering!! Lord, You are not the Lord of my struggles with sin, or career alone. You are God of all that I am - The whole wretched me. Here I bring my wretched self to the alter. Reign whole on me, and I ( The wretchedness, the body of sin) will be burnt. Then in newness of life that was promised, I shall rise as the sweet smelling aroma to the nostril of the living God.

Praise God!

Sacrifice thank offerings to God

Praise God, His love endures forever!

Thank God, it was a beautiful day. I prayed today morning when I listened to a sermon, that just as Paul said, "I have finished the race" even I want to say the same. This was a statement made by Paul at the prime of his life, it reflects about is whole life for every day. I just prayed, "Lord, I want to say I finished the race for today. Tomorrow, I will ask for grace even more and want to say the same again tomorrow."

And I can say in gratitude, that "I have finished the race for today, not by me but the grace of God alone."

There were many thing I prayed for, and it was answered. Great is the Lord my God, who said, "Sin shall no longer have dominion over you". Many struggles, I gave to God, and now by His dominion I am changed.

For today night's meditation, it was a message appropriate for the moment. Psalm 50

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
14 Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.

The message was give thanks to God.

22 "Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue:
23 He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God."

He want the sacrifice of praise and thanks giving. Check out verse 22. He is coming folks to judge.

3 Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.
4 He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people:

If God is speaking to you today, do not rebel. For today is the day of salvation.

16 But to the wicked, God says: ....
17 You hate my instruction (correction) and cast my words behind you.

There were many days, even I did not consider the correction of God. I pray that let not your heart rebel. God will keep trying - How can he give up on you?

Hosea 11
8 "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? ... My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.
9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath.

Praise God, His love endures forever!

Let me die with the enemy

Jdg 16:23 Now, the Philistine rulers gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon and to celebrate. They said, "Our god handed Samson, our enemy, over to us."
Jdg 16:24 When the people saw him, they praised their god. They said, "Our god gave our enemy, destroyer of our land and killer of so many, into our very hand!"
Jdg 16:25 When all the Philistines were enjoying themselves, they said, "Call Samson in to entertain[to be mocked, ridiculed, despised] us." Samson was called from the prison, and he made them laugh. They made him stand between two columns.

I can say, "I am like Samson." God has given me an anointing, and I live without understanding it's purpose. Here and there in my life there were burst of spirituality, Christian behaviour and victory, but it is the pleasure of my heart is what I seek.

Jdg 16:4 ... he fell in love with a woman in the Sorek Valley. Her name was Delilah.

He fell in love with a woman whose name means feeble. (To enfeeble, overpower, torture, delude, entice. How can I bind you?) Being betrayed thrice, he still went after his lust.

I was listening to Carter Conlon's "Is Darkness Celebrating Above Your Head", which talks of Samson's knowledge which he took very lightly. Samson knew that these will the below 3 ways will not overpower you. I remember a friend of mine, Cyril, saying, "It is not sufficient to know God, or understand the word of God in the mind but we need to know and live the word of God from our hearts". I would like to mention them here, as I was uplifted by the interpretation.

The first one, "If someone ties me up with seven new bowstrings that are not dried out, I will be like any other man". Seven new chords was interpreted as repeated failure. Samson knew that even if he falls in sin again, he is not defeated or destroyed, he would rise up and walk again.
Pro 24:16 A righteous person may fall seven times, but he gets up again.

The second, "Now, tell me how you can be tied up." Samson told her, "If someone ties me up tightly with new ropes that have never been used, I will be like any other man." New ropes was interpreted as new sin. Once we get over with a sin, another sin would come. But Samson knew, not by power not by might but by His spirit he will still rise up.

Thirdly, "Just weave the seven braids of my hair with the other threads in the loom." Weave into a web was interpreted as Confusion/Storm in the mind. Samson knew in righteousness you shall be established[firm]

Isa 54:14 In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression; for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
Isa 54:15 Behold, they shall surely gather together, not by Me; whoever shall gather against you, he shall fall by you.
Isa 54:16 Behold, I have created the smith who blows the coals in the fire, and who brings out a tool for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
Isa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against you shall be blessed; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the inheritance of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness is from Me, says Jehovah.

Samson knew all this, so did I. But as the story goes "when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;" I allowed Satan to to play with my thoughts, my actions and my word. And "vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart........then my strength[my God, my Saviour] will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man[natural man, man living in the flesh]." After this I end up being mocked, by my enemies.

Jdg 16:23 Now, the Philistine rulers gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon and to celebrate. They said, "Our god handed Samson, our enemy, over to us."
Jdg 16:24 When the people saw him, they praised their god. They said, "Our god gave our enemy, destroyer of our land and killer of so many, into our very hand!"
Jdg 16:25 When all the Philistines were enjoying themselves, they said, "Call Samson in to entertain[to be mocked, ridiculed, despised] us." Samson was called from the prison, and he made them laugh. They made him stand between two columns.

Where is his salvation? Where is his God? Where is his God how sing victory over us? Mocked me and even more allowed God to be mocked.

I like this part, where he searched for the main pillars of this Satanic building. It was like Samson was pray for the Godly sorrow, to reveal unto him the sinfulness of his sin. And then he prayed, "Let me[a living being, a breathing being] die with the Philistines". Let me[a living being, a breathing being] die to my sin, lust, pleasures of the world, laziness, uncleanliness ... God give me the Godly Sorrow, and reveal unto me my sin. Let me die to my sin, Oh Lord, that sin shall no longer have dominion over me.

Sin shall not have dominion over you

Rom 6:3 Know ye not[Shouldn't we be knowing this], that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore[Certainly, Verily] we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as[exactly like, just as] Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so[in this way, on this fashion] we also should walk[to tread all around, walk at large (especially as proof of ability); be occupied with] in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if[Assuming to be true that] we have been planted together[grown along with (connate - to be born with, twins ,Congenial - Having the same tastes, habits, or temperament; sympathetic.), closely united to] in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this[Shouldn't we be knowing this], that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might[possibility] be destroyed[to be (render) entirely idle (useless), become (make) of no (none, without) effect, bring (come) to nought (nothing), vanish away, make void], that henceforth[no longer, more, soon, not any more - Usage of negative in KJV is later] we should not serve[to be a slave, be in bondage] sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed[justified, made righteous] from[usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal] sin.
Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over[to rule, be lord of, exercise lordship over] him.
Rom 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Rom 6:11 Likewise[in this way, on this fashion] reckon[to take an inventory, conclude, account of - It's like take note, to take an acknowlegdement for God] ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

A picture of what connate means is shown below. This is a connate leaf. Can we differentiate the main leaf and teh sub leaf?? :)

In verse 6 the body of sin being destroyed is spoken of as a possibility. I would like equate and expand this to an old testement example which I heard from a preacher.

It is like the promise land which God showed to the 12 men (God showed us the perfection & holiness of Jesus even in the flesh). God asks us to go and posses this land. (God has given us proof and asks us through the scripture to live the verse "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.) But there are many who do not believe it is not possible to live a life without sin. Many say we should sin, for these are are gaints - Can we evr control them? The question is what happened to these people - They wandered and wandered and wandered in their unbeleif being defeated by sin again and again. Even more the died in their sin not being able to ever reach this "sin shall not have dominion".

But for the few who believed ..... For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. And again I say to you - Likewise[in this way, on this fashion] reckon[to take an inventory, conclude, account of - It's like take note, to take an acknowlegdement for God] ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This possibility is a certainity only through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Song of the Believer

I was listening to Freedom from Sin and praise God for Psalm 124. The snare is broken!! THe one that captures me has been captured by Christ. ("When he went to the highest place, he took captive those who had captured us and gave gifts to people." Eph 4:8 GW)

Below is a Psalm of the Believer read by Zac Poonen in above mentioned audio sermon.

Song of the Believer (Psalm 124)

Had it not been the Lord who was on our side, Let every child of God now say that;
had it not been the Lord who was on our side, when satan, men and lust in our flesh rose up against us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive, because the anger of satan is been kindled against us, because we became God's childern;
then the waters of spiritual death would have engulfed us, the stream would have swept over over soul,
the raging waters of death would have swept over over soul.
But blessed be the Lord, he did not leave us alone, He did not abandon us defenseless to be torn by thier teeth.
Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper, the snare is broken we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth, the name of jesus through whom we conqueror.

Sin has nor dominion over me. I am set free, by the love of God.

There is no condemnation. God throws our sins over his back. When do I throw things over my back? I throw thing which are useless. It is like throwing the peanut shells over my shoulder, when I am sitting on the wall at the ocean with my back facing the ocean.

Sin has nor dominion over me. I am set free, by the love of God.

Hope of Salvation

I thank my Lord for He has given me a chance to praise and glorify Him today. It all started with a very bad head ache, I was not able to sleep because of it. I sat up and start praising and glorifying God. I began to claim His healing. Now I am amazed of how it led me into worshipping the Lord. Later, the pain just vanished. It was no more! Praise God!! Praise God that He healed me. But I would praise Him even more for changing my painful circumstances to praise and worship - glorifying my Lord.

During my worship, I remembered a very stupid prayer I once prayed. My vehicle tires was frequently being punctured. It was around 3 to 4 times. If I fix it in the morning, and when want to return home, I would find my tires flat. Then I would fix it, but when I would take it to work in the morning, there would be a flap again. I wasted around Rs. 15 every time I fix it. More than the money, I was frustrated. I was so agitated, that I prayed in faith that the tires on my bike will never have flap till it has worn out. Since then, praise God - there has not been a flat tire on my bike. It would have been a year since I prayed this silly prayer. I was just thinking that if God could answer this, how much more the present needs of the hour. Thank God, that He is faithful.

My meditation of the day was Psalm 38. I saw a King on his knees, with grief in his heart for all the sins and inequity that has drowned him. He walks with a long face through out the day. Quiet in his sorrow, he hopes in the Lord. For God is his salvation.

Though I may be a sinner - wretched to the core, Jesus says, "There is hope for you. I am your Hope! I grieved not for myself in the garden but for you. I long to fellowship with you. Even more I died for you, that you may have hope for salvation. I am your Hope of Salvation. I am the resurrected Lord, your miracle working God."

Friend in need

As I was going through Job, I was grieved of how this man bore it all. Job had lost all in a matter of 5 - 10 minutes I guess. Yet he was silent, worshiping God in his grief.

From a King/Prince, he is now sitting besides a trash heap and scratching his sores. Had he been rich, he would have been attended by his children, servants, wife and doctors with a soothing oil. He remained silent for 7 days after he was striken by the disease, worshiping God in his grief.

His friends came to him. I like the phrase "made an appointment". It has been almost 2 years, I had been away from the Lord. I was in grief too, many a times I used to pray like Job, cursing the day I was born and longing to die. In these days I longed for the my dear friends Cyril and Jon. I used to ask, why did Cyril go away, had he been here, I could have cried out aloud on his shoulders. Had I communion with Jon, I would held his hands high in the air, and asked God for forgiveness.

Though I had been a wayward son, I always used to pray for you - Cyril and Jon. I prayed, that you may never leave the Lord like me and asked the Lord bless you with the richest of gift.

Cyril and Jon, if you are reading this brother, pray for me too.

Have lost all !!!

In his prayers, the man on his knees recited, "Blessed is the name of the Lord!". Though there was a cry from his heart, he just worshiped God. Louder and louder his heart cried. With his cries, his worship got stronger. "You have lost all your oxen and donkeys", yet he said, "Blessed is the name of the Lord!". "You have lost all your sheep and camels", yet he said, "Blessed is the name of the Lord!". Finally, with a taunt, "Your children too...", said the cry of his heart. Yet, this man said "Blessed is the name of the Lord".

It is amazing how Job, worshiped God even after losing all. He makes it impossible for me to believe, when he says, "Blessed is the name of the Lord". Only a man how know his God dearly can say this.

"Lord! I want to know you"

.... I am blank

How strange it is when I ask my God, "Bring me back to Your presence"? I am totally blank right now, all I pray is, "Lord, I am a wretch being. Dash me to pieces with Your rod - break me, for I am arrogant and wayward".