Beautiful but dead!

This is a photograph of the Dead Sea, how beautiful it looks! Much of my blog is photographs from FRIM or different part of the Holy Land. At the staff devotion this morning, one of the full time workers spoke about Solomon seeking wisdom instead of wealth or power and that changed his life forever.

It is so good that God give us Wisdom liberally, all that we need to do is ask Him. James put it this way, "Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom—it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats. Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. "

This is so true...like the Dead Sea which appears "beautiful" on the outside though in actuality, it is "dead" on the inside. Nothing can live in the Dead Sea, like it says in the Message version of James; it's "animal cunning, devilish conniving". In contrast the Sea of Galilee is liken unto God's wisdom which is gentle, reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings and not two-faced.

My day ended with our meeting with the Leaders from the Sub District and it was so exciting to hear the testimonies of the individuals who had embarked on "Give Me 40 Days". The challenge of praying for others and not for themselves during their personal devotional time, have resulted in breakthroughs in their own lives.

I believe this practice will develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and works hard at getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

As I prepare to lay down my head to rest, I can only say, "Thank you Lord Jesus Christ, for You are sooooo gooooood to all of us" Amen!

The time is now!

Blessings or curses - you choose!

Our sins placed on the cross!

Living in harmony with everyone?

What are we seeking first?

Coming to a function where you are accepted is a wonderful feeling! The Spirit of God moves amazingly in an atmosphere of unity and harmony amongst brothers and sisters in the faith. This was the case at last night's cell meeting where the people were hungry to meet with God. It is not our spirituality, but our eagerness to know what God wants to do! It was the third week of "Give Me 40 days" which our church had embarked on, as we entered into this season of Prayer, culminating on Merdeka Day.

God is doing many wonderful things in our midst, as was shared in our testimonies after a time of worship. We were told to meet one new person so that it could be included into our prayer list. What is unique about this 40 days prayer is you don't prayer for yourself, your loved ones or your needs but for others and their needs. So this "prayer project" was bring in new individuals into our OIKOS list!

We were looking at the passage on "Do Not Worry" from the Gospel of Matthew. There is so much we can glean from it. Although I have done this passage many time before, tonight I felt differently as the Word was expounded. Chapter 6 verse 32 and 33 is a good place to review what Father God is able to do. The Word says, "For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well."

We went back to this period in history to understand their living standard and compared it to the very simple life of an Orang Asli to give it some form of "reality check". The need for eating, drinking and clothing. In the deep interior of the jungle or in marginalized community you will see people scrounging for the bare necessities. Their livelihood is found in the place where they are from, hundreds of miles (possibly) away from modern civilization. The eat and drink and find shelter from the surroundings.

Our personal "experiences" can give us a level of perspective to what they are going through. I related the incident in our Grief Support Group which was started by a widow and widower who married each other after losing their spouses through illness and accident. They were the right individuals to speak to people who are going through grief. Although I desired to get this started, I have very little personal experience to "feel" for them. It is the same, when we are "rich" and don't understand the plight of the very, very poor. The feeling when we are lost in the jungle without any provision, may help us begin to understand it but it is not complete until we live with them for years. For us, we will always have our comfort to return to but for them that is all they have!

In the discussion of the application of these verses, I spoke about having a slice of bread and water for a day, to even start to feel the Orang Asli's plight and scarcity, as an option. Usually our one meal with friends, can amount to the cost of their one month's provision. We concluded by praying for Father God to enlarge our hearts to love the lost, the least and the last, amongst other items.

What are we seeking first???

God will watch over us!

The Great Shepherd of the sheep

The Great Shepherd of the sheep
Originally uploaded by chandrangopalan

My day, as I sat up from bed, started with remembering the many "encounters" I had yesterday, for which I am thankful because the Great Shepherd of the sheep watches over us.

My devotion for the day reconfirmed this fact, that I had to be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

My "encounters" started with an ex-colleague whom God spoke to through Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life. Being a skeptical and rational person he was searching for life's meaning. He found himself enveloped with God's love as he read chapter 7 and his tears began to flow. He was so happy that he experienced His love and related this to my wife and I as we fellowshipped over breakfast.

Arriving at office an email awaited me. This was from an ex-old church member who had migrated overseas after marrying a foreigner. She had been journaling her encounter with God and we spoke over Skype. Her experience reaffirmed The Great Shepherd's move all over the world. She was so excited with what we sensed was happening over Malaysia.

This followed with my regular visit to my mentor who continued to encourage me and challenge me as we shared on family and church activities. We spoke about our wives' mixed parentage and how the children were responding to it amongst other things. Having known my wife and I for the past 20 odd years helped him to effectively minister to me.

Having seen our latest premarital couple, whom we coached, married off last Saturday, we had a rare break from counseling for the night. As such we agreed to meet up with 2 ex-cell members whom we love, over dinner. It was time to reflect on how, (we as spiritual parents" over them) they had grown in the things of God. The feeling when you know they can "fly" and become much "greater" than you, which is what we desire of "our children".

Returning back home we met with a current Cell Leader in the sub-District, standing outside our gate ringing the door bell. He had brought over some durians for us. We chatted at the gate for a while and he told us how the cell was enjoying going through "Give Me 40 days" together. Half his sales target was met over the last few days. His prayer life had changed and he was so excited with a renewed passion for God.

At home I refocused on rebuilding my "virtual friends" contacts on FaceBook. Having "dragged" my feet for the last couple of weeks I forced myself to re-connect with all those whom I had lost touch with when FaceBook "stopped" my rapid growth recently. I had to start from ground zero again! So my friends if I haven't invited you back, please invite me because it is much easier that way. I enjoyed being "connected" with all of you.

In concluding my prayer is:
Now may the God of Peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen

Mighty warrior

At the launch of the NECF 40 days prayer and fasting our Senior Pastor Dr Chew spoke on Chapter 6 from Judges which read, "One day the angel of GOD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, whose son Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress, out of sight of the Midianites. The angel of GOD appeared to him and said, "GOD is with you, O mighty warrior!"

This scene was about Gideon who was hiding in a winepress trashing wheat normally done in the open space. This depicts the state of our churches which are currently inward looking instead of community focus. Now an angel proclaims that he is a mighty warrior, which he is not but hearing is the start of believing.

The other important aspect which I caught was the ending based on Judges 7

Midian and Amalek, all the easterners, were spread out on the plain like a swarm of locusts. And their camels! Past counting, like grains of sand on the seashore! Gideon arrived just in time to hear a man tell his friend a dream. He said, "I had this dream: A loaf of barley bread tumbled into the Midianite camp. It came to the tent and hit it so hard it collapsed. The tent fell!" His friend said, "This has to be the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite! God has turned Midian--the whole camp!--over to him." When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he went to his knees before God in prayer. Then he went back to the Israelite camp and said, "Get up and get going! GOD has just given us the Midianite army!" He divided the three hundred men into three companies. He gave each man a trumpet and an empty jar, with a torch in the jar.

The Midian and Amalek are liken to our brethren in Malaysia and they are numerous yet Gideon was only allowed 300 men to battle them. Introduced earlier was the LORD OF PEACE who gives Gideon the victory. Another revelation was highlighted at our morning prayer meeting where the weapons were discussed. All that Gideon's army had was a jar, a torch and a trumpet. The instructions given to the army was to smash the jay so that the torch will be seen and the trumpet was blown.

We are the jar of clay carrying the Holy Spirit - God's presence within us. In brokenness the presence of God will be reflected into the dark world and the trumpet call is to usher the "Midian and Amalek" people group into His Kingdom. We must believe that the angels of the LORD OF PEACE is well able to defeat the principalities over our nation. Believing this in our heart sincerely, will ensure our mouth can proclaim HIM victoriously with a trumpet blast. The 300 men of Gideon didn't have to do any fighting, only position themselves and do as instructed.

The enemy camp killed themselves off as the trumpet was blasted because the battle belongs to the LORD OF PEACE and HE will triumph. Not a single men of Gideon's army died in battle!

Lets believe in the same LORD OF PEACE as we embark on this 40 days of prayer and fasting and see the victory in the end. Be bold and courageous for the battle is the LORD'S!

Can I please God completely?

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see. By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It was what he believed, not what he brought, that made the difference. That's what God noticed and approved as righteous. After all these centuries, that belief continues to catch our notice. By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. "They looked all over and couldn't find him because God had taken him." We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken "he pleased God." Msg Heb 11: 1-5


Both Abel and Enoch lived and acted on what they heard from Adam and Eve, about God. Adam and Eve would have shared their intimate moments they had with God, as they conversed in the cool of the evening or even their spiritual interaction because only Adam was formed by God and Eve from Adam's bone and flesh. Pursuing after His Presence pleases Him, obeying His command pleases Him. It is what Abel and Enoch believed about God that was counted as righteous.

Both Adam and Eve would have recounted how God clothed them with animal skin which was the blood sacrifice required for sin atonement. Abel obediently did the same by providing a fat portion from the firstborn of his flock. God was not pleased with fig leaves or fruits of the soil as was evident with God's reaction to Adam, Eve and Cain's action.

But Enoch must have learnt well because his testimony was, he pleased God. Imagine skipping death completely!

Could we, if we pleased God the way Enoch did, skip death completely, in this current age?

Be still........

Faithful rewarded!

Multiplying your mina?

tenth of all

tenth of all
Originally uploaded by chandrangopalan

Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of the Highest God. He met Abraham, who was returning from "the royal massacre," and gave him his blessing. Abraham in turn gave him a tenth of the spoils. "Melchizedek" means "King of Righteousness." "Salem" means "Peace." So, he is also "King of Peace." Melchizedek towers out of the past--without record of family ties, no account of beginning or end. In this way he is like the Son of God, one huge priestly presence dominating the landscape always. Heb 7:1- Msg

It seem strange to me that tithes was mentioned with Peace. Not only that Righteousness is thrown into the mix as well. What a recipe!

The early church had such a love of sharing amongst themselves, which many today cannot even fathom. The fear of lack seems to grip all of us. Our tomorrows magnify this emotion to the extend that we are paralyzed by it. When a person does not understand poverty it is hard to envision living in that condition.

I recalled when after receiving compensation from my "constructive dismissal" hearing, we made the decision to settle our housing loan payment. My wife and I had both worked in the bank and knew that after defaulting on 3 payments the legal process will take affect.

Our decision is based on the fact that it is better to have a home than to have a show of still living in "plenty". The home could also be sold off at the right time if we needed to do that.

Our main challenge with God was why us, for we knew how to bless His kingdom and His people. In fact it had become a lifestyle!

God is no one debtor and over the years He continued to show us His signs and wonders taking care of many of our needs supernaturally.

We stand daily amazed at His grace and mercy on our lives. But even if it were not so, we still stand amazed at His peace and His empowering to live in His righteousness.

We are of the priestly order of Melchizedek!

not an iota missing

not an iota missing
Originally uploaded by chandrangopalan

Learning a language can be the most exciting thing in ones life but I must say it is not so with me. I have observed my wife teaching her students the English language and she laboriously prepares the lesson plan for each class. I suppose if she had the time I would make a "potential" client but her days are full and teaching a "loved" one can be somewhat taxing!

The sound for each letter in a new language can also be very challenging. Let's take the Greek letter "I" (without the dot) which actually, to me, sounds like "yota" but some may pronounce it as it is, in English - "iota". I am one of those who have a hard time making out the sounds and recite everything by rote! Therefore my desire is to learn the basics, no matter how long it takes!

Jesus spoke these words in the fifth chapter of Matthew's Gospel, "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. "Don't suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures--either God's Law or the Prophets. I'm not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working. "Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom.

Jesus is very clear about the Law and every "iota" in it. I am not to trivialize it but to show the way for others. I must live right and in so doing find honor in the kingdom when He returns again to establish His reign here.

3 cords not folded will break!

3 cords not folded will break!
Originally uploaded by chandrangopalan

Relationships rekindled

An old family friend, a premarital couple whom we coached and 3 ex-colleagues were old acquaintances I was "connected" back to, over the last 2 weeks. This period was busy: with a funeral, me falling sick, others becoming ill, being "locked-out" of Facebook because of my fast accumulation of friends, attending seminars, the organization of seminars, additional service which begun last weekend and this list can go on with a few other incidents but let me refocus and come back to our topic on relationships.

The first time a relationship was broken in the Bible was when God asked what seemed to be a "strange" question. An all knowing God asked Adam, "Where are you?".........

Immediately the two of them did "see what's really going on"--saw themselves naked! They sewed fig leaves together as makeshift clothes for themselves. When they heard the sound of GOD strolling in the garden in the evening breeze, the Man and his Wife hid in the trees of the garden, hid from GOD. GOD called to the Man: "Where are you?" He said, "I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid." GOD said, "Who told you you were naked? Did you eat from that tree I told you not to eat from?" Gen 3:7-11 Msg

What did take place was God knew the relationship between HIM and Adam was broken. So this question was asked to invoke in Adam a reflection of his current state. His broken relationship caused by disobedience, made him loose his covering and therefore becoming naked. Then when hearing God presence, he hid from his loving Creator because of fear!

Our loving God had to institute the first blood sacrifice to clothe both Adam and Eve with the skin of an animal. Before that a redemptive plan was put in place for the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ who was to atone for the sins of the world. Jesus paid the price by shedding His blood and dying for us. Thus Jesus Christ purchased us back with His precious blood so that we can choose to have a right relationship with Father God, our Creator.

This sacrifice was done both for a mending of the relationship with God and mankind. It was a reminder to me, as I reflected on the "rekindled" relationships over the past weeks. May our Lord Jesus Christ restore back to me the years the locus had eaten.

Perfect world?

Unfortunately God didn't take us out of this world as soon as we received Him as Lord and Savior. He kept us here so that we can be the light and salt to this "lost and dying" world. It is both a horizontal relationship with mankind and a vertical relationship with Him, that is what God expects us to have. Therefore, this horizontal encounter with mankind includes both the "lost" and the "found" human race. This practice alone, I am convinced, will ensure an almost perfect world.

"Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself, incorruptible in your teaching, your words solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around" Titus 2:1-8 Msg

Titus is a short but very insightful letter from Paul and it shows us how we should behave as matured people, whom others look up to. My own life's motto is not to stumble others and so I try to live a life which is peaceable and quite with God's help. Although I must admit that I don't succeed always. I am also alert that others are watching my behavior because of my role. If for example, I defend a certain cause, like giving, then it should reflect in my attitude not only when people are watching but also when they are not watching.

The above passage talks about older men and women guiding younger men and women to be models of goodness. Modeling good behavior will ensure a change in the societies we live in and I pray I will always be doing just that!

Elijahs arise!

How well God must like you--you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road, you don't go to Smart-Mouth College. Instead you thrill to GOD's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. You're not all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust--Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people. God charts the road you take. The road they take is Skid Row. Ps 1 Msg


This is the amazing first psalm that has been mentioned over my life time and again. God loves to warns us to stay right with Him. Today I heard it again and I looked it up in the Message version. The verse, "You are replanted ....." makes a lot of sense! In Revelation we see the Tree of Life which bears fruit every month, its 12 varieties and the leaves were for the healing and the restoration of the nations. There is a striking similarity in Gen 2:9, if we "see or hear in the spirit" what God is saying to us. God Himself requires this posture of us when He said, "He who is able to hear, let him listen to and give heed to what the Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). To him who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant to eat (of the fruit) of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. (Rev 2:7)".

Although there was a warning in today utterance, the timeframe is unclear. Whether it is past or present is not certain. The prayer was for an Elijah anointing, as a forerunner to the call for preparation, in anticipation of the Bridegroom's return. Also mentioned was Jezebel and Ahab who will be there to taut this assignment, in fact, to cut it down....the tree!


In the Hebrew custom, the bride is bethroned to the groom a year or more in advance, of the consummation of the marriage. The cup is presented to the bride and if she drinks of it then the vows are taken and she will remain faithful till the groom returns for her. The father of the groom prepares the home for his son and bride to be, possibly an extension to their existing home. Only when all is completed will the father allow the groom to return for his bride which is usually done at an hour close to midnight and she is "stolen" away from his in-laws and taken back to the wedding feast at the groom's home. The guest will then celebrate whilst the groom takes his bride into his home to consummate the marriage. What a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ coming back for His bride, the church.

The question to ask is, will I be faithful and ready at the hour, (which only the Father knows) He returns?

Back to basics

dsc01355
Originally uploaded by chandrangopalan

I am sitting at a seminar conducted to prepare pastors for the work of ministry. I have had attended a couple of these sessions over the past 2 years. What I have observed is that the better teachers are the ones who have had major challenges in their lives and usually much older too.

During the last couple of days we surveyed the Old Testament and this is a lot for a 4 days seminar. Our brains could not take in all that is taught but what is important is the impartation of truths in the Spirit.

Some of these truths take us back to the basis of our understanding of Scripture. An example is the learning I had received about the armor of God.

The Word reads, "Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Therefore take to yourselves the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Therefore stand, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching to this very thing with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."

I used to pray the words to the affect that I spoke the literal putting on of the armor, one piece at a time, on myself. This I used to feel, protected me for the day and no demon was going to win any battle against me. Remembering our battles are against the powers of darkness, I should have know better, it is not the words but my very being that protects!

Let's think about this for a moment....if I had no understanding of God's word and had lived a life which didn't glorify God, which was a common occurrence. How was I, running out the door praying my rushed early morning prayer, going to get protection against the "open doors" of sin I had in my life. Logically this doesn't make sense, how can we think spiritually it can happen.

I now have to starting living a life completely surrendered to the LORD JESUS CHRIST changing the dimension in which I "see" HIM. All of the spirituality I need has to be in my inner most being not mere words. I need to start living a life worthy of this calling .....not an imaginary armor on my physical body.

The WORD need to be etched in my reconstructed mind and my heart has to live out the convictions which the HOLY SPIRIT has impressed upon me. My prayer is that I will not waste this life away with unfruitful pursuits!

Hidden revelation

dsc01351
Originally uploaded by chandrangopalan

Creator's creation

Growing faith?

Faith comes by hearing, so when do we stop hearing? The answer could be found in Timothy's epistle where Paul draws in his concluding few paragraphs, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

So this essentially is a journey, of hearing and transforming by the renewing of our minds, for the heart to believe, so that the mouth can confess. And this is the work of the Holy Spirit's conviction. Another way to put this is, with the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame....whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Remember when, if you are a believer, you first called on Him when you trusted in Him! A new baby in God's family but we need to grow up from this infant state to a young person and finally an adult.

Today's message at church by our Senior Pastor, was about Saul's conversion. Although his was a blinding experience in encountering Jesus Christ, it underlines some of the basic principles of discipleship and maturing faith. We need to see Jesus, serve Jesus and speak Jesus!

This "see" is not what Thomas one of his disciples said in doubt of Jesus' resurrection. Jesus' answer revealed this physical "seeing" when He replied Thomas eight days later, "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing."

Growing faith is then, in our Lord Jesus Christ, whom we don't physically "see", but we see, supernaturally! Thrown in free is His blessings. Amen

I can do ALL things in Him

I can do ALL things in Him
Originally uploaded by chandrangopalan

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul was reminding Timothy who was sick, "not to neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you".

In his second letter Paul further adds, "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Since 1995 my wife and I have received many prophecies and some have laid their hands on us too. We were put through different seasons of preparation, seasons of serving and seasons of wilderness experience. These experiences when they became tough caused me to be anxious.

A good example of tough times was when our season ended abruptly at the old church. We asked the leadership to pray for us to be released with their blessing. In God, all things work out for our good. We then, after visiting a few churches, attended our current church as mere congregation attendee. The Word brought strengthening to our body, soul and spirit and we grew here. I seldom spoke about my previous experiences.

The season of rest was about a year and I was moved into a role of Cell Leader. Here we started to use our giftings again. It will be 5 more years, before I was place back into the role that I functioned at old church. I have grown in maturity and have survived many seasons of testing and trials.

I am not perfect and so have made many mistakes in my journey. And thus today's devotional verse is very apt for me..."I can do all thing through Christ which strengtheneth me" Phil 4:13 KJV

The earthly journey of self gratification?

The newspaper paints for us, the new season of greater wickedness, in this journey we call "life". This is a current reality for all human beings but for the prebelievers who do not know Him, they may have an excuse. Unfortunately this will not be so for the believers, for us, there is a price to pay! The earth's current state is mainly due to mankind's need for self gratification which is evident if we reflect back through history. The Word of God says, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31KJV).

In my own journey in life, I too, had at times desired and seeked after self gratification. I started at the "bottom of the ladder" in my career, after completing Form 5 and climbed to a reasonable height of "next-in-line" for Country Manager. From the tender age of 18, I had observed "office politics" and seen its use and abuse. I had functioned at a local organization under a boss as a clerk and also at a MNC under a International boss as a Director and more recently, at church as a pastor.

Much of our problems come for our expectations. If I have had negative feelings it is because I have focused back on myself instead of giving God the glory. If in everything I am seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness first, then God will give me the desires of my heart. I need to follow after God solely because He is God and He is worthy!

We cannot change much outside our control but we can change our attitude towards it!

The Joy of Salvation

As I sat down to prepare the message for a wake service tonight, I recounted the first encounter I had with the deceased. She was a diabetic and had come in for an operation to remove the part of her foot that had gone "dead". Everyone prayed and many of the cell members visited the late beloved Aunty of "ours". Yes, "ours" is an appropriate word to use as we are a "body of believers" ministering God's love and guess what, her toe "lived" again.

Today, I had this scripture which I will be using later in the wave service.

John 14:1-6 Amplified Bible (AMP)

DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me. In My Father's house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way. Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. If you had known Me [had learned to recognize Me], you would also have known My Father. From now on, you know Him and have seen Him.

The Greek word for dwelling places (homes) is the same as abode and mansion. In verse 23 the Word states that both the Father and Jesus Christ will make their abode in us. Wow! that is a new understanding of this verse. The wake service is not for the dead, but those of us who are alive, so I pray God in His mercy through the conviction of the Holy Spirit will have new abodes to reside in tonight.

If you are reading this, pray along, for together will the angels we can rejoice. Unlike Thomas, who had to see the scares on Jesus' hand and feet, let us be those who believed despite not see Him in the flesh and be blessed. Pray also for me to be strengthen for this task.

Thank you for partnering with God for His glory to be revealed on earth, as it is in heaven!

Offences will come

Offences will come
Originally uploaded by chandrangopalan

I was excited to see a verse from Acts 17:30 in today's devotion, as our visiting speaker had just completed the earlier portion of this chapter over the weekend. But it quickly became a sobering reality as I read further down the pages.

The 3 verses in the devotion entitled "Refuse to be offended" read thus, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent" Acts 17:30
"And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another." Matt 24:10
"Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come; but woe unto him, through whom they come! Lk 17:1

God spoke to the author of Give Me 40 days, Freeda Bowers, asking her to repent for having been offended in the first place." The author continued to reflect and wrote that being affected by an offense could have hindered her prayer.

Recently I learnt about my own offenses which I had habored all through my life growing up when I attended a Inner Healing workshop. Being an insecure and shy person I was always "bullied" by the more aggressive personalities around me. My life was a struggle and I had to work hard to outperform everyone in my sphere of work. Fortunately my hard work and God's favor got me ahead of these personalities.

But this "struggle" left me with a "bitter root" of judging others unfairly. During the Inner Healing workshop, I learnt to let go of all my past offenses and gain healing from this "bitterness" in my inner being. God graciously released me from this bitter root and in its place I planted the right seed of choosing not to be offended by anyone.

My healing process and my determination not to be offended (with the help of the Holy Spirit) has guided my foot steps since the workshop I attended. The reminder this morning was timely, to stay focused on Him, The One whom we serve!