Bible Blessing-150

But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy, and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public custody. But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out, and said, "Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life." (Acts 5:17-20)

By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people after Pentecost. More believers were added to the Lord. They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some of them. Great multitudes also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people, and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed. The rulers were unable to control the works of the Apostles, so they put them in prison. But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out, and said, "Go stand and speak in the temple to the people........"

Despite oppositions, the work on the kingdom of God has progressed from Pentecost until today. Many have become martyrs for the Lord; others have labored and have entered in to glory after their work and time on earth were over.

The baton has been passed on to our generation by them who have preceded us. Despite sufferings, persecutions and hindrances, the Word of God has gone to most corners of the world. The Holy Spirit of God is guiding believers in to the work that needs to be yet done. God is using his chosen vessels and large numbers are being added to God's family each day.

Are we fulfilling our calling? is a question that we should ask ourselves.
At the end of our earthly journey, will we be able to hear the sweet voice of the master say.....
'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' (Matthew 25:23)

Blessed are they who know even now, that they will hear this from their wonderful Savior when the time comes.

Bible Blessing-149

Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, because he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. (Daniel 6:3-5)

Daniel's enemies examined his life to find some fault, so that they could bring accusations against him to the king, but they could find nothing. They found that he was faithful and without error. Yet, they did not stop there. They knew that Daniel was a true Israelite and worshiped his God faithfully, so they devised a plan to trap him in that aspect. They made the king sign a royal statute that whoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except the king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

Daniel did not swerve from his devotion to Almighty God and prayed and worshiped him, as was his routine; as a consequence, he was thrown in to the lion's den. His enemies were happy and thought that, that would be the last they saw of Daniel, but God Almighty had other plans; plans of not only rescuing Daniel and destroying his enemies, but more importantly, making his power and glory known to a gentile king.

Daniel had a testimony; the king had a decree to proclaim....

Daniel said......My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me; because as before him innocence was found in me; and also before you, O king, have I done no hurt.(Daniel 6:22)

The king decreed.....in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and steadfast forever, His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed; and his dominion shall be even to the end. (Daniel 6:26)

End of story......Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. (Daniel 6:28)

If God has blessed and exalted you, know that the enemy is jealous of you and would want to put you down, as he did in the life of Daniel, but be assured that the plans of the enemy will not materialize for you have found favor with God. Another blessing awaits you.

Bible Blessing-148

The Lord watches over you; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.... (Psalm 121:5)

When Abraham stayed in Gerar, he said of his wife Sarah, "She is my sister." So Abimelech, king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her. But God came to Abimelech in a dream one night and said to him, "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman." Abimelech had no bodily relations with her, so he said, "Lord, I am innocent. The man told me she was his sister and she said, 'he is my brother', 'I have done this with a clear conscience'." Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her. Now return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all yours will die."

Abimelech and his men were very afraid. When Abimelech confronted Abraham as to why he had lied to him, Abraham replied, "I said to myself, 'I see no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife. Moreover, she is my sister as we have the same father."

"Then Abimelech brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him. And Abimelech said, "My land is before you; live wherever you like." To Sarah he (with some sarcasm) said, "I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated."

Abraham and Sarah had their limitations and short comings. They harbored fears. They tried to rely on half truths to protect themselves. Yet God was watching over them for their good. Things could have gone wrong very easily, but God was in control of the situation here, for Abraham. As he told Abimelech, "I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her."

God is watching over us too,...and at all times. He is there to intervene on our behalf in all situations of our lives. The one who has called us in to the fellowship with his son, Jesus Christ is faithful. Let us look to him each day and sing what the Psalmist sang, "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.(Psalm 121:2)

Bible Blessing-147

But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. (Nehemiah 9:31)

What a great privilege it is to serve a merciful God! 
Nehemiah writes about God's "great mercy" towards his chosen ones. Despite their unfaithfulness and stubbornness, God did not put an end to them or abandon them.
He did punish them for their rebellion, but did not put an end to them or abandon them. 

His promise to "never leave nor forsake" remains true even for us. No doubt, as believers in Jesus Christ, he disciplines us for our sins, yet he shows mercy.

Do not fear that the Lord will abandon you, even if you have strayed from him. He is the one who leaves the 99 faithful sheep in the open country and goes searching for the one lost.

Luke, the Physician writes,
"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' (Luke 15:4-6)

O lost sheep, your Shepherd seeks you. And when he finds you, he intends to joyfully put you on his shoulder and rejoice; so great is his mercy.

Good Shepherd Jesus, we love you, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

Bible Blessing-146

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing... (Ezra 1:1)
Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites; everyone whose heart God had moved, prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. (Ezra 1:5)

It's very evident from these two verses, that God, in his sovereignty, moves the hearts of people, whether they be of royal lineage or commoners. A fine proverb concerning this goes in this manner....
The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. (Proverbs 21:1)
How wonderful!

The KJV version says, "the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia.."

God moves the hearts of people or stirs up their spirits, so that his divine purposes are accomplished. God's people were in captivity in Babylon for 70 years and it was time for their deliverance. The prophesy that they would return to their homeland was to be fulfilled and God began moving hearts; first the heart of Cyrus, the Persian king, to make a proclamation (he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah; anyone of his people among you; may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel ) and then the hearts of his people to build the temple.

God can choose anyone to fulfill his purposes in your life too. Your prayers will be answered according to his ways. You may wish that God answered your prayer in a certain way, but he is Almighty and he will do it his way.

Many blind came to Jesus for healing, but he healed them in several ways...to some he spoke healing, some he touched, he spat in to one man's eyes, to another he applied dirt and asked him to wash it in the pool of Siloam. They all received their sight, but as he choose.

Remember this day, that he can move the hearts of people in your favor, answering your prayers and fulfilling his purposes in your life.

Bible Blessing-145

I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. (Leviticus 26:9)

How blessed it is when God looks on us with favor and it is so for all who have been chosen by him to be a part of his heavenly kingdom.

Here God promises the Israelites who were in the wilderness that he was going to make them fruitful and increase their numbers and also that he was going to keep his covenant with them.

We too need favor of God in these difficult times that the world is going through. At the present moment there are more than 50 million people living in refugee camps and some without even these kinds of shelter. 

Amidst all the chaos around us, God is still able to make us fruitful and will maintain his love and faithfulness with those who have placed their trust in Jesus.

In a godless generation in the ancient past, we read of one man finding favor with God. The Bible says,

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. (Genesis 6:8, 9)

Are you walking with God? If so, you will find favor in his eyes and he will make you fruitful.

An exhortation from the writer of Proverbs tells us exactly how we can find favor with God and with men....

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3, 4)

Let's take this exhortation to heart and find divine favor and be fruitful always.

Bible Blessing-144

Leviticus 23:42-43 NIV Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’ ”

What we read above are the instructions given by God Almighty to the Israelites regarding the Feast of Tabernacles.
Leviticus 23:39-41 NIV “So beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the Lord for seven days; the first day is a day of sabbath rest, and the eighth day also is a day of sabbath rest. On the first day you are to take branches from luxuriant trees-from palms, willows and other leafy trees-and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. Celebrate this as a festival to the Lord for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come; celebrate it in the seventh month."

In this context, all Christian believers must remember that they also are living in temporary shelters here on earth. Perhaps in our lifetime we may move in to different houses at several junctures of our life, but we must always look forward to our permanent home which is Heaven.

Regarding Abraham, the author of Hebrews writes, Hebrews 11:9-10 NIV "By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."

O, what a day that will be when each one of us for the first time beholds that city whose architect and builder is God!
Revelation 21:1-3 NIV
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God."

O believer in Christ, you have a future in heaven for sure, there in those mansions sublime. So, be strengthened this day and praise God.

Bible Blessing-143

3 portions of Scripture........

1. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. (Luke 7:37,38)

2. While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. (Matthew 26:6, 7)

3. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (John 12:3)

3 women, 3 acts of love, reverence and worship. 

There were people who were not pleased with what they were doing, yet they did not hesitate in doing what they intended to do.

All three did their acts of worship in different ways. One wet his feet with tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. Another poured the perfume on his head and Mary, Lazarus' sister poured the pure nard on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair.

Jesus was supportive in his attitude towards these women amidst the criticisms from people and responded by showing mercy. 

Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." (Luke 7:48)

When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. (Matthew 26:12)

"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. (John 12:7)

A merciful Savior is who we have, understanding our situations and responding with mercy and kindness.

Jesus says, 
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Blessed are they who find their rest in Jesus.

Dr. Johnson Cherian MD. PhD.
Website: Free Christian Resources And Downloads
Blog: Christian Freebies
Graphics: Free Christian Graphics
Radio: Malayalam-English Christian Radio 
E- Mail Me: johnson3570@gmail.com

Bible Blessing-142

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:14)

One of the chief attributes of Jesus Christ was the compassion that he had for the people who came seeking him for diverse needs. The gospel writers frequently mention this wonderful trait of his. And what's more; with the compassion that he had, he did many marvelous things. To name a few--

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. (Mark 6:34)

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. (Matthew 15:32, 36, 37)

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 6:36-38)

He taught people regarding God's provision of salvation through him and the importance of the kingdom of God in their lives, he healed their diseases and provided for their immediate needs. To a man who was demonized and delivered from the demonic possession by him, Jesus had a piece of advice......

"Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." (Mark 5:19)...and we read...

....he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis (ten cities) all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. (Mark 5:20)

He made an evangelist of a person on whom all had given up hope....

Such is Jesus, the Savior of the world.

A Savior, you can always depend upon.

He has compassion on you this day.

Dr. Johnson Cherian MD. PhD.
Website: Free Christian Resources And Downloads
Blog: Christian Freebies
Graphics: Free Christian Graphics
Radio: Malayalam-English Christian Radio 
E- Mail Me: johnson3570@gmail.com

Bible Blessing-141

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. (Jeremiah 31:25)

Jeremiah Chapter 31 is full of promises and blessings for a people who had suffered a lot because of their own sins. They were punished by God for their unruly ways, but he was willing to restore them because of his compassion for them.
And one of the promises was that God would refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.

Almost all believers go through distressing situations in their lives, some of which last for long periods and their heartfelt desire during those periods is that the Lord would refresh them.
And refresh he does, in ways which only he can. 
Are you going through such a phase where you are tired and fed up of all things?
God has compassion on you and wants to refresh you.

Perhaps you have stopped praising him because you feel things are not changing whatever you do. Well, let me assure you this day that things will change, because Jesus is interceding on your behalf in the presence of the Father.
Remember, his promise is that he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Trust in him and his promises.
Meanwhile check your life as to whether there is is anything in your life that does not line up with the Word of God or is displeasing to God. However trivial you think it may be, if it is displeasing to God, cast it away, with the help of the Holy Spirit of God.

God loves you and sent his son Jesus to the cross for your sake.
Be faithful in prayer, meditate on the Word of God regularly and worship God.
He is sending you times of refreshing..............
You will find favor from God.....God will give you rest.....God will lead you beside streams of water on a level path where you will not stumble......God will redeem you from the hands of the enemy......God will satisfy you.....you will be filled with God's bounty......your work will be rewarded.

Dr. Johnson Cherian MD. PhD.
Website: Free Christian Resources And Downloads
Blog: Christian Freebies
Graphics: Free Christian Graphics
Radio: Malayalam-English Christian Radio 
E- Mail Me: johnson3570@gmail.com

Bible Blessing-140

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? (Matthew 9:4)
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. (Matthew 12:25)
Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. (Luke 9:47)

Everyday 1000's of thoughts pass through our minds and often by the end of the day, we do not even remember many of them. Some good thoughts, some bad, some evil and several others.

The Psalmist says,
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. (Psalm 139:2)

Yes, every thought that passes through our minds is known by the One who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth and under the earth i.e.Jesus. He, during his earthly ministry of 3 and 1/2 years knew exactly what each person was thinking when he dealt with them.
In 3 different situations that we read in Matthew 9:2-7, Matthew 12:22-28 and Luke 9:46-50, we read of Jesus knowing the thoughts of certain people. In the first 2 instances, there were people questioning and passing judgement on his deeds. In the third instance, his disciples were arguing among themselves as to who among them would be the greatest.

We have much to learn from the life of Jesus. He was so humble and gentle in his ways, but at the same time he demonstrated the power of God with his amazing deeds.
His thoughts were always aligned with that of his Father, wanting to do his Father's will at all times.
And to be in a frame of mind as him, what we need is Holy Spirit power.
God wants to give us more of the Holy Spirit. 

The Bible says,
For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. (John 3:34)
....how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13)

The Holy Spirit will help us in becoming more and more like Jesus; he will guide us in to all truth as we meditate on the Word of God. He will change our thought processes to think more of godly things.

And what is godly thinking all about?
The Apostle Paul writing to the Philippians says,
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable; if anything is excellent or praiseworthy; think about such things.(Philippians 4:8)

Such a thinking can come to a believer only when he or she is willing to submit to the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives. 
So, let's pray to the Father in heaven everyday for granting us more of the Holy Spirit and a willingness to submit to the Spirit's leading's, so that our thoughts may be continually pleasing to our Father in heaven

Dr. Johnson Cherian MD. PhD.
Website: Free Christian Resources And Downloads
Blog: Christian Freebies
Graphics: Free Christian Graphics
Radio: Malayalam-English Christian Radio 
E- Mail Me: johnson3570@gmail.com

Bible Blessing-139

"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city." (Revelation 22:14)

In these materialistic days, it's so important that believers wash their robes and be ready for their Lord's coming. With all the stress at work and busyness at home, believers tend to forget that their Lord is coming back soon to take his faithful ones home. 
Holiness matters to the Lord Jesus Christ more than anything else, so we must make it a point to check our lives continually and keep ourselves clean for the Lord's coming.

Regarding this matter, the Apostle Paul writes, 
"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24)

God will sanctify them who have accepted his call.....and how?
Paul writes......he will sanctify them through and through....
And if we have difficulty in washing our robes ourselves, the Apostle says, "...he will do it"
God wants us to be blameless and holy at the Lord's coming and so he will sanctify us for that.

With all the liberal theological views going around, exhortations like the one that we read below seem to have few takers....
...........continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, (Philippians 2:12)

But it is very important for us to discern the times that we are living in.
Jesus said,
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth........ (John 16:13)
The Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit will guide us continually, if we seek his help.

Even in the Old Testament times, holiness was so very important to God.
His command to the Israelite's was, "Be holy for I am holy."

The Apostle Paul, exhorting the Church at Corinth wrote,
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)

So let's make it a point to check our lives continually and do the Lord's bidding in this matter. The Holy Spirit of God will help us. 

The bottom line being.....
...........without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14) &
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)

Dr. Johnson Cherian MD. PhD.
Website: Free Christian Resources And Downloads
Blog: Christian Freebies
Graphics: Free Christian Graphics
Radio: Malayalam-English Christian Radio 
E- Mail Me: johnson3570@gmail.com

Bible Blessing-138

The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' (Luke 10:35)

How far can the hands of mercy be stretched? Actually, it depends on how far one is willing to stretch it. Jesus spoke about a Samaritan who was willing to stretch it all the way, perhaps till it hurt. He had found a wounded man, almost dying. He could have passed by and not bothered to do anything, like a priest and a levite who passed by earlier did. No, but he was different. Actually he had no status in society in that period of time and no one would have complained if he ignored the half dead man, but he chose to be different. He bandaged the man's wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him

His merciful act could have ended there, but no; he was willing to go further. That's clearly seen in the words that we read in the title verse above. 

Jesus once said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)

The question that we can ask ourselves is this...How far can we stretch our hands of mercy?
Sometimes, we hold ourselves back thinking of what others would think and sometimes, we limit ourselves in being merciful. Sometimes we put on our judgmental glasses when we see others suffering. Sometimes we look to see whether the suffering one is one of us, so that we may show mercy.

But here is what our Lord says, 
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

We are not perfect, but the Lord Jesus urges us all believers this day to be like our Father in heaven. He says,
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:36)
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.(Matthew 5:48)

Perfection may take a lifetime, but we can start today and learn from our Savior Jesus Christ, who stretched forth his hands of mercy towards us that we would not perish in our sins but have eternal life by believing in his finished work on the cross.

Jesus Christ has shown us the path of being merciful; let us all follow in his footsteps.


Dr. Johnson Cherian MD. PhD.
Website: Free Christian Resources And Downloads
Blog: Christian Freebies
Graphics: Free Christian Graphics
Radio: Malayalam-English Christian Radio 
E- Mail Me: johnson3570@gmail.com

Bible Blessing-137

The man of God replied, "The Lord can give you much more than that." (2 Chronicles 25:9)

Amaziah, king of Judah, hired a hundred thousand fighting men from Israel, for a hundred talents of silver. This was to increase the size of his army. But a man of God came to him and said, "O king, these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the Lord is not with Israel. Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow."

Amaziah was worried about the loss of money that he would be bearing, if he excluded these hired Israelite's from his army. He asked the man of God, "But what about the hundred talents I paid for these Israelite troops?" That's when the man of God gave the reply that we read in the title verse here.......The Lord can give you much more than that......

Amaziah obeyed the counsel of the Lord though he suffered a loss, but the Lord gave him victory when he went to war against the Edomites.

The Lord will give us victory when we are obedient to him. He is a good God and he honors faith and obedience.

But obedience to God has to be a continuous process and not a one time happening.

Look at Amaziah. God gave him a great victory in the war against the Edomites, but when he returned from war, he brought back the gods of the people of Seir. He set them up as his own gods, bowed down to them and burned sacrifices to them. God was angry with him and he sent a prophet who asked him, "Why do you consult this people's gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?" 

Amaziah was angry and he dealt badly with the prophet. His downfall started as a result of this. In his arrogance, he challenged the king of Israel to war and he lost and was captured and his treasures plundered. 

His downfall came as a result of his disobedience.

We, as believer's have words of exhortation in this regard from the Apostles...

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do..(1 Peter 1:14, 15)

Dr. Johnson Cherian MD. PhD.
Website: Free Christian Resources And Downloads
Blog: Christian Freebies
Graphics: Free Christian Graphics
Radio: Malayalam-English Christian Radio 
E- Mail Me: johnson3570@gmail.com

Bible Blessing-136

The Lord said to Moses on Mount Sinai, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a sabbath to the Lord. For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a sabbath of rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest. (Leviticus 25:1-5)

No sowing or pruning or reaping or harvesting for a whole year. That would have sounded preposterous to the Israelite's and many of them would have started calculating losses or imagining their families going hungry. The Lord knew the thoughts that would run through their minds; so he gave them the solution before they encountered the so called problem. God spoke to them and said,

You may ask, "What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not plant or harvest our crops?" I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years. While you plant during the eighth year, you will eat from the old crop and will continue to eat from it until the harvest of the ninth year comes in. (Leviticus 25:20-22)

Amazing, just amazing! They were going to have a yield in the sixth year that would last for 3 years i.e. till the harvest of the ninth year came in. 

So what's that problem that you are worried about today? Some job opportunity that slipped through your hands? Some financial gain that you thought you would pocket but it didn't materialize. Relax; God has the solution in place. Not to worry, child of God. Carry on serving the Lord faithfully and you will see God provide all things needed at the right time. He is El Shaddai, God Almighty. He will do great miracles for you and satisfy your righteous desires. 

The God who promised great blessings in the 6th year to the Israelite's still bestows wonderful blessings on his children. Trust in him.

Remember,

......God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

NEVER EVER DOUBT HIS FAITHFULNESS. 

Dr. Johnson Cherian MD. PhD.
Website: Free Christian Resources And Downloads
Blog: Christian Freebies
Graphics: Free Christian Graphics
Radio: Malayalam-English Christian Radio 
E- Mail Me: johnson3570@gmail.com

Bible Blessing-135

Go and tell Hezekiah, 'This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. (Isaiah 38:5)

Hezekiah, king of Judah, became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah went to him and said, "This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover." 

What does one do when dire tidings such as this comes? The verdict was given. No, it was not from the doctors, but from the Most High. Who could or what could challenge it?
Yet, Hezekiah made one last and desperate plea to the one who controlled all.

The Bible says,
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, "Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. (Isaiah 38:2, 3)

God heard and he saw, and he changed his decision. He decided that the prayers and tears were worth another 15 years of productive life. Praise the Lord.

The Lord sent Isaiah the prophet back to the king to give him a brand new prophecy.
He would live...15 more years.
The equation looks wonderful..
Prayers heard+Tears seen=15 years of life.

The prescription for his illness also came from the prophet, as given from heaven...
Isaiah had said, "Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover." (Isaiah 38:21)

None can challenge the verdict of heaven, but heaven opens up to prayers and tears; that is for sure.

Miracles....
It has happened before, it can happen in your lives now.

Believe in the one who said,
"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27)


Dr. Johnson Cherian MD. PhD.
Website: Free Christian Resources And Downloads
Blog: Christian Freebies
Graphics: Free Christian Graphics
Radio: Malayalam-English Christian Radio 
E- Mail Me: johnson3570@gmail.com

Bible Blessing-134

Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth." (1 Kings 17:24)

The woman in question here (1 Kings 17:8-24) had already experienced a great miracle in her life; yet she waited for another miracle to acknowledge the integrity of the prophet.

Elijah came to her home, sent by God, at a time when she thought that she was going to have her last meal and then die. The prophet prophesied blessings and they happened. When the land was gripped with famine, she and her son were provided for, miraculously by God. The promise prophesied by the prophet was this.....

"The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land." (1 Kings 17:14) 

AND

The outcome of the promise, recorded in the Word of God, is this....

So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.(1 Kings 17:15, 16)

Was not this miracle enough for her to believe that Elijah was a man of God?

Later her son died and God raised him from the dead when Elijah interceded for him; that was when she exclaimed that...

"Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth."

How many miracles does it take for one to believe?

Did not the food that she and her son ate during the famine inspire her to believe? No, it did not, because when her son died, she accused Elijah and said, "What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?" (1 Kings 17:18)

Perhaps she spoke from the bitterness of the tragedy, yet there seemed to be ingratitude inside of her towards the prophet.

God loves a grateful heart.

We must meditate on the miracles God has already done for us, be grateful to God for them and God will bless us again.

God is good and his promise is that he will never leave us nor forsake us, if we have trusted in Jesus Christ's sacrificial work on the cross and are living a life obeying the Word of God.

Also, we must learn to respect them who pray and intercede for us.

As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. (Psalm 16:3)

Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God..................... (1 Peter 2:17)

Dr. Johnson Cherian MD. PhD.
Website: Free Christian Resources And Downloads
Blog: Christian Freebies
Graphics: Free Christian Graphics
Radio: Malayalam-English Christian Radio 
E- Mail Me: johnson3570@gmail.com

DBB-133

Because the Lord kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelite's are to keep vigil to honor the Lord for the generations to come. (Exodus 12:42)

How wonderful to read that the Lord kept vigil for his children. The Lord stayed alert to guard them, watching carefully and protecting them.
Do you believe that God is keeping vigil over you and your family each day?
The Psalmist says,
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. (Psalm 34:7)
Do you fear the Lord? meaning "do you honor him and his Word and have you committed yourself to lead a holy life?
If yes, the Lord is keeping vigil over you.
Moses once exhorted the Israelites in their wilderness journey in this manner.....
For the LORD your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you. (Deuteronomy 23:14)

The faithfulness of God who delivered his people is evident in this testimony given by them..
It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our fathers up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled.(Joshua 24:17)
Notice the words....He protected us on our entire journey.......

Wherever you are at this point in your journey to the Heavenly Canaan, as a child of God remember that God is keeping vigil over you and your family. You need to stay in close fellowship with him. He will speak to you with his still small voice as you meditate upon his Word and seek his face.
Pray and cover yourself, your family and all that God has given you with the blood of Jesus each day. 

God is faithful. He will protect you on your entire journey.
For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever ............. (Psalm 37:28)

Dr. Johnson Cherian MD. PhD.
Website: Free Christian Resources And Downloads
Blog: Christian Freebies
Graphics: Free Christian Graphics
Radio: Malayalam-English Christian Radio 
E- Mail Me: johnson3570@gmail.com

DBB-132

Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey - whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? (Romans 6:16)

The question "Have you ever been a slave?" might bring about a smirk from the rich and a quizzical look from, others not so rich. The Bible though, is emphatic, in saying that we were and are slaves and we have masters. 

The Apostle Paul, writing to the Romans, explains how this happens to be. There are masters that we have all served and are serving. The masters here are sin and obedience. So now the question becomes easier to answer. Are we slaves to sin or to obedience?
Perhaps some of us were slaves to sin earlier but now have become slaves to obedience. There are others around us who are still slaves to sin. And there is a third category too. Them who are supposed to be slaves of obedience but are still serving as slaves to some sin that has caught hold of them.

The Apostle details what the ultimate results are of serving these 2 masters. Regarding being a slave to sin, he writes,
What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! (Romans 6:21)
If one is a slave to sin and does not repent and become a slave of obedience to the Word of God, his/her ultimate state is eternal death.

What about the one who is a slave to obedience? Paul writes thus, 
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. (Romans 6:17, 18)
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Romans 6:22)

The matter then is clear...
Slave to Sin....Without Repentance=Eternal Death
Slave to Obedience.....Slave to Righteousness.....Holiness=Eternal Life

What about you? Can you confidently say that you are a slave to obedience/righteousness?
If yes, the Bible calls you "blessed".....
But if you are still a slave to sin, God calls you to repent and become a slave of righteousness. Will you heed his call?
Remember,
.....the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Dr. Johnson Cherian MD. PhD.
Website: Free Christian Resources And Downloads
Blog: Christian Freebies
Graphics: Free Christian Graphics
Radio: Malayalam-English Christian Radio 
E- Mail Me: johnson3570@gmail.com

DBB-131

So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves. (Exodus 12:34, 39)

Must have been quite a sight; some of them carrying their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. And the first stop to bake unleavened cakes must have been exciting. The excitement of freedom coupled with that must have been exhilarating.

None of them knew then that this was going to be a long journey; one that would last 40 years. Some of them must have dreamed of settling soon in the land flowing with milk and honey, but it was not to be so easy or so near.

Hunger was one thing that the Israelite's could not cope with in their wilderness journey and often they grumbled about it on their long trek. Another thing that equally troubled them was thirst and a lack of water. 

Regarding this, Moses, who lead them had this to say before they entered the promised land. 

So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 8:3)

Also.....who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end. (Deuteronomy 8:15, 16)

God allowed them to hunger and thirst...what for....to humble them....to test them...and finally.....to do good to them in the end.

The question that haunted many in their walk through the wilderness was whether God would provide. Provide he did, but their doubts persisted, so they grumbled and were punished for it.

We, as believers, can learn much from the way that the Israelite's responded to their needs in the wilderness and also how God dealt with them and their needs. 

Moses had to bear the brunt of their verbal attacks and sometimes he grew weary. But God did not let him down when he cried out on their behalf. He responded with miracle after miracle, though sometimes he punished them for their arrogance and lack of faith.

You, as a child of God, must know that the Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself up on the cross for your sake will provide for you and your family in this wilderness journey of yours.

He promised,

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

Paul the Apostle, wrote to the believers in Philippi,

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

To the believers in Rome, he wrote,

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

You must remember that,

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9)

Trust in him; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Dr. Johnson Cherian MD. PhD.
Website: Free Christian Resources And Downloads
Blog: Christian Freebies
Graphics: Free Christian Graphics
Radio: Malayalam-English Christian Radio 
E- Mail Me: johnson3570@gmail.com