REST!!

"Come ye yourselves apart and rest a while". Mark:6:31. My friend, are you a hamster on a wheel? When was the last time you enjoyed some relaxed, uninterrupted down time. Take a "time out" and relax and spend some time with your family- worship the Lord. Oh by the way, "don't rest too much during the sermon" either. When you are constantly multitasking important things can fall between cracks. Do you know rest periods are important even in the Bible. I like to say "COME APART OR YOU WILL COME APART! I feel I am the only person who is not spending the whole time text messaging. Statistics say "We get more information in 72 hours than our parents (previous generation) received in a month". The fact is that you and I need time away from the unrelenting onslaught of information to regroup, reflect, reflect, and renew. Don't feel guilty about it. Jesus had a schedule to keep, people to minister to, disciples depending on Him, and a short time to do it all. But ..but, Bible says"He withdrew..into wilderness, and prayed"-Luke 5:16. In Genesis God rested on the seventh day after six days of creating the world. I don't believe God was tired, but in doing so He set a pattern for us. In the 4th commandment Israelites were told that the Sabbath day is holy and no work has to be done. God even required the Israelites to give their farmland every 7th year off to rest (Exodus 23:10). While we were going for a vacation with my family driving, it was helpful to rest periodically in rest area. Bro: what an encouragement to know that our future in Heaven provides permanent rest from the heartaches, hurts, and sins of this life (Revelation 21:4). Take rest man REST. Did you hear? Good!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

"Happy thanks giving day everybody. "Every good gift and very perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning". James 1:17. Forefathers of this nation desired to have a special day of thanksgiving to God who is their "Jehovah-Jireh". His providence is visible in His supplying of needs of His creatures. Year after year, the inhabitants of earth are fed, watered, clothed, warmed, sheltered. Generations come and go, nations rise and fall, yet God continues to send sunshine and rain, sends seed-time and harvest time, and day and night. Le us recognize the God from whom all blessing flow- directly or indirectly. Let's praise Him and thank Him in this "Thanksgiving day". "Even a dog will wag his tail at the person who gives him a bone, right. I thank the Lord for my salvation through JESUS MY SAVIOR. I thank the Lord for my beautiful wife (my cupcake) and my children and grand children. My extended families. My church, pastors, brothers and sisters in the Lord. I am thankful to this great country of America and opportunities America provided. Forty two years ago I came to this country legally as a student. Hard work, focus, and purposeful law abiding life enable me to fulfill my dreams. I was loved and encouraged by good men and women all colors, race, and background to achieve what I am today. I thank the Lord for all my friends and well-wishers. I thank the Lord for my heritage as an East Indian and all the education, discipline, family love, encouragements from government, and teaching me how to be a law abiding person wherever I am. I believe a winner sees his or her blessings and counts them with appreciation. It centers his days on the positive of life. I THANK THE LORD FOR HIS ANOINTING, WITHOUT IT I AM A BIG ZERO. THANK THE LORD FOR THE CALLING AND MINISTRY HE GAVE ME....Well folks, my heart is overflowing with thanksgiving...

What language God is speaking to you?

"Accept teaching from His mouth, and keep His words in your heart". Job 22:22. What language God speaks? I think He speaks Malayalam, my native language. Ha Ha Just kidding! My friend, how does God get our attention? In these NFL days, people in the crowd painting their faces, no shirts in freezing temperature, wearing crazy hats, funny signs etc- WHY? To get the attention of the camera crew and there by the TV audiences. God got Moses attention in the burning bush-He slowed down Moses and got his attention. King Ahasuerus could not sleep, he had them to bring Kingdom's history and read, which saved Mordecai. God got his attention. Hey, what is the language is He speaking to you? Language of abundance- tummy full, bills are paid and up to date- could it be you have much so that you can give much away? How about language of suffering and affliction? God clearly speaks to us in Hospitals, sick beds, accidents, family problem etc. right? How does God get our attention? Unusual blessing and we are enjoying it- a spiritual blessing, financial blessing? God cannot use this method to everyone because selfish people become more self-centered and it destroys them. How about unanswered prayers? Your urgent need unmet? God got Joshua's attention when Israelite fell in the battle of Ai. God cares enough to use methods to cause us to stop and listen to Him. God speaks all languages- including yours..What language is God speaking to you? BRO: ARE YOU LISTENING? YEAH?

POSTPONING YOUR PROCRASTINATION!

"Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee". Acts:24:25. My friend this is what you call "PROCRASTINATION". Felix and Drusilla sent for Paul and was listening to him discoursing on righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. Felix said, "That's enough for now, you may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you". Procrastination! He failed to seize the opportunity to say YES to Jesus. Putting off an easy thing today makes it hard for tomorrow- or even impossible. Procrastination is the world's biggest and cruelest thief. It steals what people cannot afford to lose: opportunity, accomplishment and success. My father used to tell me, son, Do things to do now, NOW. And he went on: "There were first a little grass and weeds in the crop. A few tomorrows later they took over and the crop was lost". Don't substitute minor stuff for major stuff. We get so busy doing good things we like that often we neglect doing best and important things. And before you know it you've spent 25 years doing your good things and doing little that has eternal value which is God's thing. Hey, Are you doing what you supposed to do? Being a leader, are you doing just enough to satisfy your superiors or your warped conscience. Are you just survive, but never really thrive? Are you procrastinating volunteering in your church? BRO:I hope you will make the most of the day. Don't allow procrastination rob you of your success, your loved ones salvation, mend fences with your family and friends! WHAT DO YOU WAITING FOR? POSTPONING YOUR PROCRASTINATION? HUMM!

WITH GOD, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE". Matthew 19:26. During my college years we had to study poetry. One poet wrote " Beware of those stand aloof, and greet each venture with reproof". Few years back one Pastor told me that his wife is a "Classic Nay Sayer". My friend, the world will stop if things were run, by those who say "It can't be done". Refuse to let the word "impossible" stop you. Jesus said, "With God everything is possible". A God-given vision which is conceived by faith, sustained by prayer and fueled by God's Word will bring to pass what He has told you. It's not about what you can do, but what God can do with your life when it's is fully surrendered to Him. Hey, hey "about THIS God": how he made the world, how he covered it with a flood, how he parted the sea, how he became a man and did miracles, how he died and rose from the dead, how he has taken your sins away and will someday raise you from the dead- THIS GOD- who can do anything, has taken all your sins away and has opened the door of heaven for you- THIS GOD- when you fall into sin and temptations, this God who can do anything, will forgive you, when you are in trouble and need help, this God who can do anything will deliver you -THIS GOD- when you are scared, and don't know what's going to happen in the future will comfort you and calm you. Now tell me "Is there anything impossible with this GOD"? God who raised Lazarus from the dead will raise up your vision and dreams and fulfill what He promised to you. Now, anything impossible? Any thing? ANY THING? IMPOSSIBLE WITH THIS GOD??

MONEY MONEY MONEY!

"People who want to get rich fall into temptation..For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil....have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs". 1 Timothy 6:9-10. My friend, A man is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has! King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes mentions several times how stressful life can be for those whose life's goal is the pursuit of wealth or riches. Is it wrong to have nice things? Certainly NOT. But those who are consumed with wanting more live a stress-filled life. People spend their lives working countless hours to get money. Our pride is fed by the status it brings, the pleasure promises, and the power it gives. But it can easily become an idol and passion if we are not careful. It can take the place of "God" and be seen as our "provider". Countless divorces and family problems are related to money problem. Do you know that money is a double-edged sword. It enables us to meet our family's needs and advance God's kingdom, but it can deeply wound us if we set our hearts on it and chase it.Solomon talks about how the poor man has peaceful sleep after spending his day laboring in the field, while the rich man tosses and turns worrying about how to hold onto all his wealth. I have a suggestion for you buddy. If you can learn the value of holding loosely to what you have, the pressure will begin to roll off your shoulders. Holding loosely does not mean you live flippantly and without taking care off what you have. It means that you recognize that it is all God's to begin with anyway. Don't live above your means and constantly worried or stressed about your money situation! Why? You are not like federal government spends and doesn't care about deficit. Don't you realize that you are choosing to live that way. Stop it now. There is another way friend. Whoops, I am preaching!!

ENDURING HARDSHIPS!

"God had planned something better for us....". Hebrews 11:40. My friend, don't be discouraged, something better is waiting for us. A 20 hour drive with our kids going to Disney World- they didn't mind the trip going because of the fun that awaits, but ..Oh my, they complained, fuss, and carried on about the trip home because they have nothing to look forward to. It's difficult to endure hardship at the best of times, but when you don't know WHY, it can be frustrating. God doesn't give us lengthy explanations of how He works; He's used creating worlds with a single sentence. So when you don't find an immediate answer in His Word or through prayer or counsel of others, you're left wondering. And you and I won't be the first. Whatever is going on in our life God can use it for our good- to help us, to teach us, and make us a more productive Christian. The secret is not to allow the events of our life to rob us of our focus and vision. All the persons listed in Hebrews chapter 11 are people who looked beyond the awfulness of their circumstances to embrace the possibilities for victory within their grasp. Hey hey Bro: the situation you are in is a "POT HOLE" on the road to your destiny. I know, people are zooming by you in their car and you are wondering "why me". So, focus upon the goal God has given you - and accomplish great exploits in His name. Remember, NO CROWN WITHOUT CROSS BUDDY. NO GOLD MEDAL WITHOUT STRENUOUS TRAINING! TADA!

WHO? ME LORD?

"But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh"...Exodus 3:11. Being a Chemist, I asked almost the same question to the Lord when He called me for a full-time ministry. Then, He spoke to me through this passage. By the standards of the world, Moses was an unlikely choice. Moses was not a good speaker and he did have a short fuse. He lost his temper and killed a man and he had to go hiding, that's why he was somewhere near a burning bush. But his unique experience in pharaoh's court while growing up taught him how to speak to a pharaoh the way no other Israelite could. His 40 years of grazing sheep in Sinai desert qualified him to lead Israelite through the drought condition. Moses had the leadership abilities that he didn't realize he possessed. My friend, the life's varied experiences you had until now is preparing you for your destined purpose, do you know that? At best, the question you should ask "Why can't I be like Moses"? You get it? God used once-upon-a-time prince turned outlaw. Hey hey, would you choose a wanted murderer to lead a nation out of bondage? A fugitive to carry Ten Commandments? A shepherd shoveling sheep dung to deliver a nation? Moses was scared right out of his shoes! There, with knees knocking and "WHO ME?" written all over his face? Bro: God used and still uses people like you and me to change the world. Crooks, creeps, lovers, and liars- He uses them all buddy. What you and I lack in perfection, our God makes up for in love. Now, get up, Tell Him, HERE I AM, I AM AVAILABLE, USE ME LORD!!!!

Warfare!

"..I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against soul". 1 Peter 2:11. Humm! My friend, realize there is a war we must fight as a Christian! The conflict between flesh and Spirit, and not only with reference to sexual temptation, is intense and unrelenting. One of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is complacency, the temptation to imagine oneself invulnerable, and hence impervious, to the allurement of the flesh. Here Peter's words were addressed to the entire believing community. My friend, NO Christians are sooo spiritually strong or mature that they need not heed this warning, but neither are any sooo weak or vacillating that they cannot be free from the tyranny of the the power of the Spirit. Although the Christian life is warfare, it is in which victory is always possible. How you may ask? Well, 1) You must have a resolve to triumph. Don't be a yoyo Christian. There is power in resolution. 2) Guard and fortify with prayer. "Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation". 3) Strengthen yourself with the Word. "Thy Word have I hid in my heart. that I might not sin against thee". 4) Fight off evil by staying busy doing good. Idleness makes one vulnerable to attack. Bro: You can do it, no excuse, I don't want to hear any excuse, you hear? JUST DO IT!!

FEAR!!

i will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth". Psalms: 34:1. My friend, how do you face your fears? Here David is a fugitive. Fearful for his life because of King Saul's jealousy. He had been abandoned by his friends as well as enemies, was frustrated, discouraged, and scared to death. Sounds familiar? All of us fears of some kind. May be you are afraid of losing job, losing your finances, losing a loved one, fears of not acceptance, fears of failure, fears about rejection, fear of your children, fears about relationship and losing a marriage, and fears of tomorrow? And you are uttering these words "I am afraid"! Like David, I don't know what cave you are hiding? During my devotion this morning, the Lord showed me that "When I find myself in the cave of fear or when that free-floating anxiety descend upon my life, the first thing I need to do is acknowledge the reliability of my God. I have to say "Lord I know You are worthy of my complete trust". We may think that these verses were uttered as a "praise and worship song". Oh no. Bro: when we as believers in God and when we face our fears, WE MUST start the realization that our GOD IS SOVEREIGN- HE IS IN CHARGE. HE IS IN TOTAL CONTROL OF OUR SITUATION AND HE IS WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE. NOTHING THAT HAPPENS TO US CATCHES HIM BY SURPRISE. So my friend, ADMIT the REALITY of your fears, ACKNOWLEDGE the RELIABILITY in God, and ACCEPT the REINFORCEMENT of HIS power in your life. Yes, this is the prescription to get rid of your fear. Y'ALL HEAR!!

BLESSED BY BROKENNESS!

"And Jacob was alone..And He said "What is your name? And he said Jacob..and He said thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel, AND HE BLESSED him there".Genesis: 32:24-29. A world that celebrates success doesn't see value in broken things..but my friend, OUR GOD BRINGS BEAUTY OUT OF BROKENNESS- Do you know that? At this story, Jacob was a fugitive and had been running. He believed in God, but he was out of fellowship with Him. Sounds familiar? Now, God finally had Jacob where He wanted him, ALONE. When people are running from God, they don't want to be alone, they don't want to face themselves, and they don't want to face God either. Verse 24 says " Jacob was alone" and he had a confrontation with God. Have you noticed it- this wrestling was started by God, and could have been over very quickly, but the Lord wanted Jacob to prevail. Oh yes, God wanted him to know "THE BLESSING OF BROKENNESS". Bro: Brokenness is the work of God by which He strips us of self-sufficiency so that the character of Christ may shine through us. Now don't misunderstand; being broken doesn't necessarily mean experiencing some tragedy. Many people suffer tragedy without drawing closer to God or even acknowledging God. Indeed, same sunshine melts the butter hardens the clay- right? The issue in brokenness is not so much our circumstances but our RESPONSE. Tada! Our God strips us from all self-sufficiency, will make us realize we've no strength to fix ourselves, He blocks all exits, and finally we make a life changing discovery "when God is all you have- God is all you need". I am talking to you my friend. Men throw broken things away, but our God never uses anything until he first breaks it. Y'ALL HEAR ME!!