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