God's Yoke and Burden

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:30

The turn of events this eventide has created a lasting impression on me. The discourse with a friend inspired me to embrace God's yoke and burden in its entirety without an iota of displeasure. Many a time I watched the birds of the air but never so intently as this evening when a pigeon landed on the windowsill outside my living room. If the pigeon had refused to accept the wings that God bestowed on her, what would be her plight? Imagine a pigeon incapacitated from taking her flight, just for a moment.

A pigeon's wings are much larger than her entire body but the potential they provide to her is indescribable. She is liberated to explore the world in greater heights with these wings than without. Such is the yoke and burden of God for us. God's yoke and burden will empower us to explore the unknown and reach the heights He wants us to reach. By rejecting His yoke and burden, we are shooing away the opportunity to fly high in the sky.

What is God's yoke and burden on you? As I ponder this tonight, I can say my current toil with Multiple Sclerosis is God's yoke and burden to me. He has thus enabled me when I am disabled, to experience His tender mercies and grace. He is certifying me to fly high in the sky with His promise that His yoke is easy and His burden light! I march onward as a good soldier of Christ to fight this fight of faith with Him at the forefront. I am already a conqueror through Christ. Will you please accept God's yoke and burden without murmuring? Remember, He can lift that off if that is His desire for you.

O' soul

O' soul, art thou broken?
There is a healer who healeth thy broken soul
O' soul, art thou wounded?
There is a binder who bindeth up the wounded soul
O' soul art thou weary?
There is a rest-giver who giveth rest to thy weary soul
O' soul art thou heavy laden?
There is a load-taker who taketh the load from thy soul
O' soul art thou troubled?
There is a peace-giver who granteth peace to thy soul
O' soul art thou sick?
There is a super-physician who healeth thy sick soul
O' soul art thou needy?
There is a supplier who supplieth to thy needy soul
O' soul art thou defenseless?
There is a defender who defendeth thy soul
O' soul art thou humiliated?
There is a lifter who lifteth up thy humiliated soul
O' soul art thou afflicted?
There is a comforter who taketh the afflictions of thy soul
O' soul art thou weak?
There is a strong tower who giveth strength to thy weak soul
O' soul art thou rudderless?
There is a captain who hath the rudder for thy soul
O' soul art thou lost?
There is a cartographer who guideth thy lost soul
O' soul art thou helpless?
There is a helper who lendeth help to thy helpless soul
O' soul art thou hopeless?
There is a guarantor who guaranteeth hope for thy hopeless soul
O' soul art thou battling?
There is a conqueror who giveth victory to thy battling soul
O' soul art thou unprotected?
There is a protector who covereth thy soul
O' soul art thou saved?
There is a savior who saveth thy soul

Temptation

Temptation - a tactic the enemy brings
Attraction - a mockery the worldly prince projects
Deception - is all my foe possesses
Destruction - a banner the Satan hoists

Temptation - a deadly one the Lord of Lords says
Recognition - only through the divine wisdom my Master gives
Prevention - only by the armor my King provides
Jubilation - the height of joy the Lamb of God grants

Temptation - a dart from the predator, the winner resists
Fixation - eyes on nothing but Jesus, the winner fixes
Manifestation - power of the Holy Spirit, the winner experiences
Exultation - the ultimate cheer of defeating the devil, the winner so deserves

Based on James 4:7, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Vanity of Vanities

Vanity of vanities, all is vanity
Life we live and death we die, that is vanity
Knowledge we gain and sorrow we increase, that is vanity
Wisdom we run after and emptiness we experience, that is vanity
Race we finish and new race we begin, that is vanity
Love we long for and hatred we gain, that is vanity
Toil we on the soil and join we the soil soon, that is vanity
Reap we the harvest and hunger we the next day, that is vanity
Peace we say and wars we wage, that is vanity
Laughter we laugh and cry we all along, that is vanity
New rhyme we sing and lo, that was already sung, that is vanity
Satellites we launch and explored we nothing, that is vanity
Businesses we start and paupers we make, that is vanity
Intelligence we possess and nought we are, that is vanity
Sun we await for and notice we the setting, that is vanity
Stars we see and look we for a new star, that is vanity
Mansions we build and live we elsewhere, that is vanity
Behold, from start to finish, all is vanity
Clarity we need on who Christ is, for all is vanity

Achy-Baky

These nerves they ache and bake
Yet thou helpedst to rise as a sweet cake
Thy matchless grace has captured this hake
Now I behold thy precious make

A lump o' clay that toiled for desires so fake
Unworthy am I of thy take
Yet a vessel of honor thy fingers make
All meet for my Master's sake

O' Jesus thou art the lone lover of my soul
Thine am I and thine shall I ever be!

God's Angels

Psalm 91:11-12
“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”

June 10, 2010 is another memorable day in my life where I believe God has given His angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways. They did bear me up in their hands and prevented me from what could have been a worst accident. It was just a few days before that I had gained strength to walk alone a few blocks. God had kept me all through the remission and has progressed me far enough so I could walk alone a few blocks in the neighborhood.

My husband and son insisted that they would accompany for my longer walk on June 10th but I resisted and wanted to do it alone. After they both proceeded to my son’s martial arts class, I headed out to meet my very dear friend in Christ who returned from Australia and lives a few blocks away. The joy of meeting her and spending some time with her was much beyond words can say. I said a quick prayer for God’s protection and held a rose in my one hand and a purse in the other. After walking an avenue, I was getting ready to cross Northern Boulevard and half way down, I heard a car right behind me. Before I turned to look back, I was hit by the car and all I remember was me crashing down hitting my head against the bumper. I lost my consciousness briefly and the next thing I know I was in a woman’s arms safe and secure. I knew not the sense of pain at that moment but I desperately wanted to speak to my husband. Some one had already called the police and was ready to help me with placing a call to my husband. I spoke to my husband who said he will be there in just a few minutes. By then, I was shuddering all over and a gentleman covered me with something and calmed me down. It started drizzling and another gentleman held out an umbrella for me. A few folks sat next to me and held me in place. My dear husband came onto the scene, held me, planted a kiss on my forehead, prayed over me and said that God will help us out. I suddenly sensed peace welling up within me. The emergency police had arrived by then. My head was bursting with pain and when I touched it, I felt a very big bump which slightly scared me. The police tied me onto a board, with my head and neck in place. I started praising God for protecting me from death and very serious injuries. That was a busy hour (6PM) and the traffic was heavy yet God’s protection over me was heavier than anything.

After reaching the hospital, I had to go through a few tests with the head and neck braces on. I was ready to pull them out as the pain in my head and neck was nearly uncontrollable. A friendly family that lives across the street picked up my son from his class and brought him to the hospital to see me. As soon as he arrived, he kissed me and said he loves me. My son stayed that night at another wonderful family’s home. At the hospital every nurse that nursed me was gracious enough to lift me up as I could not move at all. All the tests and scans proved that there were no major injuries. What a joy and what a relief to me and my family members to know this! The doctor suggested I follow up with my PCP for further tests and discharged me. I said within myself that I will try and walk to the car. Little did I realize that the inflammation was severe and nearly numbing my entire right leg. When I placed my leg down and stood up I felt like my right hip and right thigh had just been smashed that left me almost lame. Immediately, a nurse brought a wheel chair and for the first time I was on a wheel chair pushed by my husband. I said in my heart, “Dear Lord, enable me to walk!” and cried bitterly. After reaching home, I gained strength to take a few steps to the elevator with my husband’s support. When I went into my apartment, I was overjoyed and started worshipping the King of Glory for bringing me back home safely. I just couldn’t sleep for various reasons and both of us prayed with tears rolling down our cheeks. We witnessed the hand of God operating mightily the whole of the previous evening and night. I could see God had given his angels charge over me. Through whom could the Lord keep His promises but us, His children? I said heartily, “Let your will be done in my life forever!” No need for fear or tear for God is in complete control over anything and everything that concerns us.

In a few weeks time, I had developed severe symptoms in my body. I went to the naturopath and he gave me a few medicines and advised me on a few things. I tried that for a week or two but the symptoms continued to worsen and a few times I could not lift my back up and needed support to get out of bed. I figured it is high time I see the neurologist. The neurologist mentioned that after the accident I seem to have developed new lesions in my spine and this wonderful man assured me that I will get better and put me through a course of treatment. Even in this, I could see God has lifted me up amazingly.

I would like to conclude this note with a word of gratitude to all those who supported me and encouraged me during my recovery from the accident. I am continuing to recover by God’s never ending grace. Journey with Christ is one that is never boring, ever challenging and forever transforming. If you are in your life’s journey without Christ, take heed and allow Him into your life. He is standing at the door of your heart and waiting for you to open it for Him. His love is ultimate; His grace is sufficient; His mercy is enduring; His peace passeth all human understanding; His protection is constant; His everlasting arms are larger than you can ever imagine; His comfort can soothe any torment or turmoil you are experiencing now or you may experience in future! Make Christ your Lord and Savior and life will never be the same. You will live your life like a King or a Queen as the King of Kings adorns your heart and pleases you at all times.

The Rose of Sharon and The Lily of the Valleys

Song of Solomon 2:1
I am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the valleys.

Jesus Christ is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the valleys.

The Rose of Sharon: The Rose is the most beautiful flower of all the flowers. Sharon is a pristine and fertile land at the foot of Mount Carmel. The Rose of Sharon is the flower that blooms and blossoms in the fertile land of Sharon. The fertile land represents a heart well-grounded in Christ. No matter what befalls, albeit a behemoth, the heart stays fixed on Christ. This heart waits on God, nurtures on the Word of God, goes by the Will of God, does not rely on its own understanding, acknowledges Christ at every turn and surrenders to Christ completely. Such fertile land is mentioned in the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4:20 where it says, “And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.” If the seeds (the Word of God) sown fall on a good ground (heart in Christ) the fruit is a certainty! The fruit may vary from person to person. Some may be thirtyfold, some sixtyfold and some hundredfold. No matter what, the fruit is a definite result!

The phrase “Rose of Sharon” signifies that the beauty of the budded flower (Rose), on the most fertile grounds of Sharon, is incomparable to any other flowers of the field. The red color of the Rose represents the blood of Jesus Christ that is holy and divine. When we are adorned by the precious Blood of the Lamb of God (Jesus), the perfection and loveliness is delightful to the beholder. Does your life reflect the Rose of Sharon? Can people see you and get a glimpse of the glorious Lord, you say you so love? Does your walk reflect the Living Lord? I weighed on these questions for days and meditated on this verse. I sought the face of the Lord. I deeply desire that His face should shine on me. To my Lord I surrender and let Him have His way in me! Will you allow Him to transform you as well?

The Lily of the Valleys: Lily is one flower that symbolizes purity, grandeur and holiness. In Matthew 6:29 it says, “... even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these (lilies).” The lilies are arrayed so spectacularly that there is none on the earth that is arrayed like the lilies, not even Solomon in all his glory was. Even in the deepest valleys the lily stands out for its flagrant beauty and sweet fragrance. Now, Christ is that Lily of the Valleys. Valleys signify the rock-bottom times when we are facing fiery trials. From the fiery trials, Christ the Lily of the Valleys, shapes us, makes us and transforms us into His awesome image.

Take a look at the petals of the Lily; they hang down in complete humility and yet have the extreme beauty. Yes, Jesus Christ humbled down Himself and took the form of the most humble human being, carried the transgressions of the World, nailed all our iniquities on the Cross of Calvary, rose again from the dead and ascended into heaven. He took the shame and guilt of all of us by humbling Himself and is yet the King of Kings and the Prince of Peace! Let us humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, for who are we before the Most High that we should consider ourselves worthy? Christ, the Lily of the Valley was able to bear all our griefs and sorrows through His humility.

Do you know this Christ personally? If not take a moment and seek Him. You will find Him and He will embellish you with the free gift of Salvation. Make Him your Savior today!

A Panting Soul

Psalm 42:1-5

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

The above picture was captured by Ms. Carmie Rowell from her beautiful home and she courteously permitted me to use it for my devotional. As I was gazing at this marvelous picture of the deer above, I sensed that this deer was content strolling on the green pastures. I wondered how a panting deer would appear in its state of utmost expectancy to find the water brooks. This instantly reminded me of the song “As the deer panteth for the water…” and the Psalm 42. I dwelled on these five verses for quite some time and I positioned myself in place of the Psalmist.

A panting deer would have no desire other than an intense longing to find the water creek just so he may quench his thirst. The Psalmist is saying that his soul is panting after God in a similar fashion. His soul is panting for the Living God; not an idol that fails to hear, see, understand or sense the human longing. Yes, this Living God is the one who is all-pervading, the great I AM, the Alpha and Omega, the Creator, the Omnipotent, and the all-sustaining God of Ages! He is my Rock, my Shield, My Protector, my First-Love and the Bishop of My Soul. My soul hungers and thirsts for the selfsame Living God all-through. While the mundane concerns of this life may try to divert my focus for a moment, the deep passion and longing for my Savior pulls me like a magnet. Oh, how my soul longs to inhabit the courts of the Lord forever!

The Psalmist seems to have been terribly troubled by the countering question, “Where is thy God?” Perhaps he felt forsaken at the point in time for he was in a foreign land farther away from his own. In this foreign land he was deprived of this awesome privilege of worshipping with his people in the House of God. When we go through times like these, where we sense an abandoning in the spirit, that is when the divine longing intensifies and the power of God manifests in a supernatural way. When we are satiated in all spheres, the need for the King of Glory is very minimal or may be nil. The Psalmist is pouring out his soul in himself and crying within. The cry of his heart is to be in the house of God where he had once worshipped with the voice of joy and praise.

In the next verse, he is addressing his soul by saying, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” This is where we should exactly land on. Our hope should be in the Lord. Why should our soul be disquieted in us? We should be uplifted because our hope is neither in us nor in the people around us but in the Lord alone. Just as the Psalmist felt strange in a foreign land where his dwelling was only temporary, we should feel while we are here on earth. The earth is a foreign land for us because we are strangers sojourning here for a while preparing to meet the King in the everlasting life afterward. Even when we go through a time of despondency, well before it takes us, let us rejoice and praise the Lord for the help of His countenance. Seek His face that is so fulfilling than fixing eyes on the temporal passions that are sure to fade away! When we are filled with God’s eternal expression of joy, we will be exactly like the deer that is well satisfied in the picture above. Yes, our panting for the Lord will be quenched when we commune with Him. While a soul that doesn’t pant for the Lord is casting eyes on things that are mortal, the soul that pants for the Lord is seeking the things that are spiritual and everlasting. This panting soul for the Lord will feast on the divine manna and drink from the fountain of the Living Waters.

Ms. Carmie Rowell’s Healing Testimony

The above picture was taken by Carmie from her home. The splendor of this image speaks of God's glory unto us!

I have met Carmie Rowell on Facebook. Something about her made me visit her wall every now and then. When I visited her wall three days back, she had a part of her testimony typed in as a response to her friend's post. I wanted to hear more of her testimony. Here it is as she shared it with me. I was thoroughly blessed by her testimony and I believe it will bless you as well.

I have been a christian for 30 years. We came under a strong word of trusting God not only for our salvation and finances but also for our sicknesses. I came into the walk with chronic colitis which I had since I was 19 years old. I then started to hear teachings regarding God's will that His children be well and that I was no longer under the curse of the law (Deuteronomy 28 lists the curses and the blessings). I learned that while I had this illness it ought not be there. I was new in the Lord then and of course there was much fear. For some reason God allowed the most violent of trials (sicknesses) in the earlier years of my walk with Him. I was newly married. I remember that I wished to trust Him but it was more of a legalistic trust because I do not believe I was fully persuaded of the scriptures regarding His will to heal yet I felt pressure to trust. Nevertheless, He met me. I had suffered in this sickness which got very bad and I remember people at my house praying that I would be healed. I trusted His words "that He would put none of these diseases upon me that he put upon the Egyptians that He was the Lord who healed me" (Exodus 15:26). I tried to ignore the circumstances as best as possible as Abraham who was strong in faith considering the circumstances He was more persuaded of God's word for Him (Romans 4) and what He would do for Him (heal His reproductive organs). One must renew their mind with His word. Get the concordance out and look up all the scriptures on the area you need His promise in. In my case it was healing! I stepped out in faith and also learned to hold fast in spite of what I felt or what the circumstances dictated. This is faith (Hebrews 11). "What things soever you desire when you pray BELIEVE you HAVE RECEIVED and it shall be given” (Mark 11:24). The hard part is not doubting (James 1) because if one is wavering in His faith and does not stop he will not receive. You can repent of doubt and just get up and move on. I learned faith through my struggles with sicknesses.

I walked out tremendous times not wanting to eat but forcing myself as this affected my stomach. It was never as bad as it was when I gave up the medicine in trusting God. He delivered me then after some time. I remember a release of the worse part of this illness. He showed me over the years that whenever I worry or have anxiety it would start in my bowels. As time went on I gained total victory over my mind and thoughts. I could tell when I was in distress and worry and that I was to immediately give the burden to him. "Casting all my care on Him for He cares for me" (1 Peter 5:7). I have not had this problem reoccur again but I must be on guard with my thoughts and the thoughts affect the bodily functions especially if one is in anxiety. God wants us to put on the shoes of peace it is part of our armor (Ephesians 6).

The next trouble was after I had my first child. I did not want children. I lost the first child with a miscarriage and did not get pregnant for three years because I was in such fear of not wanting a child. I used no birth control. When I had my first child and had submitted my will to God's in this area, I developed a black spot on my right leg which got larger and larger and gradually opened to a very large wound which stunk. I did not know what this was. I did not question God. For seven months my leg started to rot and it spread all the way around this leg. I lived in fear not faith. I was afraid to go to the hospital. Every time I looked at it, I was in fear. I wanted to be in faith and not doubt but every time I considered the circumstances, I doubted and feared. Doubt and fear are the devil's biggest tactics against the Christian. I had help with someone coming in to care for my child. I probably could have gone to the hospital looking back but was serving God in a more fearful way then. I would hop painfully to go to the bathroom and getting out of bed was horrible. People would tell me from our church that I needed to go to the hospital because I was not in faith and that I needed to walk to act my faith. This was not right. Acting one's faith must come from within and the fact that I was laying there was acting my faith really. I did what I could do. I was scared to go to the hospital because the wound was large and I didn't know what would happen. I made a decision to have my husband carry me and no longer tried to walk and hop to the bathroom. I stayed on the couch and did not go to bed any longer. I saw the scripture in James 5 that said to call for the elders especially since I was bedridden and that the prayer of faith would heal the sick and that I would be raised. I remember calling them and they came and anointed me with oil and prayed. This was seven months later. I believe I released faith when I called. God honored that.

The next day when the two ladies came to wash the leg which could not be touched for the open wounds when I put the leg down instead of excruciating pain there was no pain! I knew He had touched me and from that day forth it slowly manifested. It took a long time. The people from my church later told me it was gangrene. I did not know. I borrowed a crutch to hop around on once this started to manifest and probably should have used one in the beginning. I also had started to have problems with my joints and started getting arthritis in my joints. It started at this same time. Over time the Lord showed me the cause was bitterness toward my first child because I could not play with Him and felt he did not love me. There was resentment there. It took some time before I realized this was the cause. This illness went on for six years though I believed God to heal me right away but especially when I repented and realized sin was blocking the healing. Still the enemy had a foothold in my life and did not want to give up easily. While this was going on some days better than others, I had a second child. After five weeks I noticed black spots again on my right leg and this time on my left leg too. Oh, I was horrified and knew another trial was about to begin. Oh dear I have two children now. The black spots started to open and the wounds became larger and again it seemed like it would go on perhaps again. This time though the difference was that I believed God and did not understand why it had to happen again though. I remember going over scriptures on doubt and God immediately gave me the grace to not doubt once during the time of this trial. It was His grace. The thoughts would come in and I would pull them down immediately no matter how logical they were. The loins of my mind actually ached with such strong warfare and that is where the battle is won or lost. I had joy this time and knew He heard me and knew He healed me. I was able to ignore the circumstances. I had the same lady to help with my children while my husband went to work. Our small church assembly fasted and prayed for three days for me and I had such an expectation that I would see a change in my body. I thought of Elijah sending his servant to check for rain...it was not in unbelief but in total belief and expectation. I remember the next day looking at my legs and seeing no sign of a change but the following day looking and noticed that there was a change just an overall look that it was turning. It had been a while since this started. I remember it to be some months. This manifested and I became pregnant again. Arthritis got very bad my husband having to cut my meat and dress me. Getting out of the bed was horrific one painful step at a time. He would go to work and I had my two boys home. It was most difficult. I would confess the word in faith thanking Him I WAS healed WHEN I PRAYED many years before. When this started to manifest remember I had repented of sin and it was some time later before it even began to manifest.

One morning I remember I went to sit on the edge of the bed which was very difficult because my knees had been swollen for four years and my joints pained me so. I remember getting up from the bed and my knees did not hurt!!! The pain was gone the swelling was gone! I also kept my confession for my other joints and some would manifest while some had not yet manifested. I remember one arm would manifest and I would just keep thanking Him that I would not give up until all He paid for me to have was mine...it was destroyed at the cross. Jesus paid for the whole man. Isaiah 53 said, "with His stripes we were healed". Matthew 8:17 being a fulfillment of Isaiah 53, "Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses". Mark 10:18 part of the great commission says, "they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."

I had also had all four children at home with two ladies from our small assembly in attendance. This too is by faith. My first labor was 47 hours but He caused me to endure. We need to understand roots of fear and that it is the devil that would bind us with fear. Any fear as a stronghold is from the pit and needs to be overcome by renewal of the mind with His truth in the area you are struggling with. We need to realize this is a ploy and tactic to steal our faith and our inheritance. I also remember nursing trials that I went through believing God would not open my womb and got persuaded of the scriptures in this regard not saying anything to anyone not wanting to hear any negative information of doubt and unbelief from other Christian women. We never used birth control and I believed God to keep my womb closed. This took a real walk of faith and also the devil by fear would tell me I had not enough milk and I would nurse each time crying out to God and learned in a major way that fear was a feeling and not the truth and that I could resist the devil even though my mind was under tremendous assault. This was a major trial.

I remember one night my breast was swollen but would not tell anyone and I would force my child through the pain to nurse anyways and confessed the victory for days until the pain would leave. I had learned of a woman in our church that had a problem with this but did not get the victory. I remember this condition tried to come on me one night and I was awakened and cried out to God that this would not start again and refused to let it get worse; in my spirit I laid hold of God. I remember actually seeing the swelling go down!! I want you to know that the spacing between my second and third child was 3 1/2 years and so it was between my last two!! This was all by faith. I would watch women getting pregnant around me and their children being so close together in birth and hear their lack of expectation and no belief for anything in this area. It does take a great cost and each time I got pregnant I knew I had to endure a daily mental battle with this fight for another three years and what I believed was one of His many promises. It doesn't come cheap. God is faithful if we are not in willful sin and are fully persuaded of His promises. Do not move until you are persuaded. If you know it is His will as revealed in His word then get your minds renewed (Rom 12:1, 2) and please step out a little at a time. God will encourage you in love and not fear. He will never condemn us. This is the devil.

While I was going through the first leg trial my son also was afflicted with hernia and would cry in pain so often my husband holding him and praying. God over the years has delivered our children from much sickness. I remember my second son being sick for five days not eating and just believing God. Even recently my daughter now 17 had serious flu symptoms and some even said if you don't take her to the hospital she could die if it is swine flu. It was several days of prayer and pushing down negative thoughts. She was even aware that when I or my husband would stand against fever that it would go. It would come and it would go. "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." (IICorinthians 1:20) So be it!!

The Wise Woman of Tekoah

II Samuel 14:13-14

And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished. For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

Absalom was King David’s third son (II Samuel 3:3), and he was the most handsome young man without a blemish (II Samuel 14:25). David’s oldest son Amnon, involved in an evil act against Absalom’s Sister Tamar. Absalom avenged his sister Tamar by killing Amnon, his half-brother. After this, Absalom fled and went to Geshur and was there three years (II Samuel 13:38). King David’s soul longed for Absalom but the King forbid his son’s re-entry into Jerusalem.

Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was the captain of King David’s army. He perceived that the King’s heart was toward Absalom (II Samuel 14:1) although he was guilty of fratricide. In a way, David banished his son Absalom from entering the kingdom and did not extend his grace for the return of his son. Joab came up with a plan to fetch home King David’s banished son, Absalom. He appointed a wise woman from Tekoah and put the right words in her mouth to explain King David the importance of bringing Absalom back into Jerusalem.

The wise woman of Tekoah feigned herself as a widow mourning the loss of her husband and one of her two sons. She narrated a story wherein her two sons revolted against each other and one slew the other. The whole family rose up against her to deliver her only living son so that they could kill him. She won the favor of the King to protect her only heir, who alone has the potential to leave her husband his name. The King promised that he will not allow one hair of her son to fall to the earth. Having won King’s favor, she sought his permission to speak unto the king.

She boldly says that by judging this the king was guilty for not bringing home his son Absalom. She brought home the point that King has to make an effort to bring back his banished son. She further explains that one day every human being has to die. We are all like water spilled on ground that cannot be gathered again. But God doesn’t operate that way. He gathers us back even when we go astray. Adam and Eve committed the sin of not heeding the commandment of God to refrain from eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. By disobeying God they committed what is called “SIN”. Sin separates man from God. They were banished from the beautiful Garden of Eden by doing so. Although all our actions are only worthy of separation from God, God still loves us so much that He longs to see us abiding with Him forever. God so loved us that He sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ so that we could be united with God forever. Christ paid the price on the Cross once for all, for the entire human race so that we through Him might gain eternal life. God’s plan of salvation brings us (the banished from the beautiful Garden of Eden) back in communion with God eternally!

The Wise Woman of Tekoah says, “For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.” This speaks that this wise woman discerned the heart of God, His love for us, His enormous grace unto us, and His desire to bring us in unison with Him. She articulated her speech so well that she was able to home in on the mission, just perfectly. Joab chose the woman who was best fit for this mission. This woman was the mouth of God to King David and is also unto us. She carried the message of salvation in this simple speech. God is not a respector of persons (Romans 2:11) and that His will is that none should perish but that everyone should come to the knowledge of repentance and embrace the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ! Will you be the mouth of God to the people around you?

We all should be the mouth of God by speaking the words of life to everyone, we should be the hands of God by helping those in need, we should see each other with the eyes of Jesus Christ, we should refrain from evil thoughts and our entire being will be transformed by God if we yield to His work in our lives. Yes, we are all human beings that are prone to wander from our First Love (God), yet when we reflect on God, He will expose the areas of our lives that need God’s refining process. Are you yielding to God by resisting the enemy (Satan) or are you resisting God and yielding to the enemy? This message spoke to my heart directly and I long to die to my flesh everyday so that the Spirit of God will manifest in me. Lord, have your way in me and in all of us! Selah…

God’s Grace in my Recent Trial

I am in awe of God and His goodness in my life. Looking back I can see God walked me through various trials of my life. He extended His gracious hand and lifted me up when I knew I was in the miry clay and could not see a way out. The quagmire of problems that surmounted me at several points in my life taught me lessons that I cherish from within. I am here today, jotting down a little about my recent trial. I am able to do this merely by God’s grace and mercy! As I start typing this, I am filled with mixed emotions of happiness, utter gratitude for my life, and worship to God in toto; God so graciously is walking me through this new journey of mine. His immense grace is simply sufficient, for He is with me all through.

Seven months back on September 12th of 2009, I woke up with a weird numbness in my legs. I tried stretching and walking a bit. I tried striking my legs to relieve me of this numbness. No matter what I did, the weird feeling intensified and my anxiety joined in a chorus. All this started on a day when I so wanted to go to church and meet my cousin’s husband that afternoon. I prayed within my heart and managed to get to church and later had a memorable time with my cousin’s husband Mr. Enoch Era. He shared some of his poems and his book with me. I finished reading the book the very night. Just before it was time to go to bed, I again prayed that God would give me a good night’s rest so I could be at work in the morning.

I struggled in the bed with numbness, creepy sensation in my legs, pain in my back and right then a sudden surge of fear rushed in me. My husband, who was noticing me, knew that something was terribly wrong. We both prayed together just so that we could pass that night to see the doctor next morning. Amazingly enough, God gave rest to my weary body and soul.

The next morning I informed my gracious boss and colleagues about my situation. I took an appointment with my neurologist and he checked me that evening. Initially, he and I thought it was some spinal problem and a few compressed nerves. After several weeks of physical therapy, I did notice some improvement in my condition but the weird feelings in my legs and arms did not fade away. A few times I noticed that I had to think a lot to express myself. On several occasions, my speech was slurry and I struggled to speak clearly. I groaned many times with intense pain and soaked my pillow with tears. But when I lifted my voice and praised the King of Glory, He filled my heart with anthems of praise that made me wonder where these praises flew from. Two nights I had tremors in my body and I thought it was due to cold temperatures outside. I shook violently and needed help to stay calm. My husband, a man of great patience, stayed by me and I knew there was nothing anybody could do but my God.

One morning when I was in shower, I prayed a sincere prayer from the depth of my heart, with tears gushing through. This was my prayer… “Lord, reveal how you will bring healing to this aching body. That day you healed Naaman by using a little servant girl. Today how are you going to heal me? My God, forgive me, cleanse me, heal me and make me whole”. After this prayer I had a great relief in my Spirit even when my body was suffering greatly. The next evening, I called up my cousin Dr. Sunil Mahanthi in India. While speaking to me, my cousin said, “God healed Naaman using a little servant girl. He is using me to heal you now!” This was a confirmation for my prayer. This man is a man after God's own heart. His prayers and support reached me at a time when I needed the most! My cousin administered homeopathy medicines to me without seeing me or without knowing what my exact condition was. After using the medicines my condition definitely improved. But, I could see that there was something wrong with my body. I was getting tired easily and my body was not the same any more.

I had to go through several tests even while I was taking homeopathy medicines. I had MRI of cervical spine, brain, thoracic spine, lumbar spine and some had to be repeated with contrast. Every time I went into the tunnel (although the first time I was scared), I felt like God covered me under His protective umbrella. Even though the equipment made all sorts of scary sounds, right in the tunnel I dozed off several times. I know not how this happened but some special warmth always surrounded me there. I had a spinal tap late December 2009. God put me in the hands of a compassionate doctor, Dr. Brian Apatoff, who prepared me mentally and gave me ample time to rest before and after the test. Spinal tap confirmed that I had Multiple Sclerosis. On Jan 7th 2010, the doctor confirmed that it was Multiple Sclerosis and he put me on corticosteroids for ten days. I started taking Copaxone shots starting on Feb 1st 2010. My cousin sent homeopathy medicines for Multiple Sclerosis to me and I am using them.

Shortly before I started Copaxone, I woke up one morning with “Collard Greens” on my lips. I asked my husband to get collard greens and started having them. God spoke to me about diet through this dream. After this dream, my friend Ruth Jen Wright spoke to me about Juice Fast and on bitter herbs. I did not know how I should do this. As I waited on the Lord and sought His guidance, He guided me with His eye and led me by His hands thus far. I was always a conscious eater but I had to make substantial changes in my dietary habits to cope up with my MS symptoms. Another friend of mine, Kathy Houghton mentioned to me about toxins and the Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. I gained some understanding in this area as well. A very dear friend in Christ, Shelly Krull, spoke to me about avoiding specific grains. Later I got to know how a gluten-free diet could benefit an MS sufferer. I can say that all this is still a work in progress but my Master, the Super Physician (God) has touched me and I have touched the hem of His garment. Every bit of change I have made is helping me.

When I couldn’t go to the House of God to worship, God brought the messages to me right in my bed through “The Healing and Resting Place”. Pastor Troy Clerk delivered messages that addressed my need directly. Although he wasn’t aware of my situation personally, God used Pastor Troy Clerk to speak to me the great words of comfort from the Holy Word of God. The Healing and Resting Place has become a ministry very dear to my heart and all my family members as well.

I cannot thank enough all the dear friends in Christ who cried and prayed with me. The list of family, friends and colleagues that were with me during my tough battle is never ending. There are some that I haven’t met personally but I will meet them some day here on earth, God willing (if not in heaven for sure!). The support rendered to me by my parents and in-laws is inexpressible. My heart wells up with deep gratitude for everyone in my family starting with my siblings and their families, my uncle, my cousins, aunts, uncles, friends far and near. God brought well meaningful men and women my way through this ordeal. Special heartfelt thanks to my boss and colleagues who are very understanding and highly cooperative; God blessed me with wonderful colleagues who are all full of grace!

Over years I have had many severe pain experiences. In 2002 when I had my first attack with a stabbing pain in my right shoulder, God brought me closer unto Him. The orthopaedic surgeon in El Paso gave me a cortisone shot that brought some relief to me. After my diagnosis, I can see some explanation to the various pain episodes I have had. I can say gladly that all these years my body was waning but the inner man was renewed by the Spirit of God, during and after each and every ordeal. I fix my eyes on my Savior, Jesus Christ who died on the cross to bring spiritual and physical healing to our hearts and mortal bodies. By His stripes I am healed and so are you!

Jesus Christ, my All in All!

Jesus Christ, the Son of God
Sacrificed His heavenly abode
Walked the earthly ground
To make me His co-heir

Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God
Carried my guilt and shame
Nailed it to the cross
To make me a child of God

Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd
Covered me under His cross
Protected me from the wiles of the enemy
To give me a secure shelter

Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World
Wiped my tears away
With His bleeding hands
To make His face shine on me

Jesus Christ, my only King
Crucified in my place
Resurrected and stomped the enemy
To make me a victorious being

Jesus Christ, the lover of my soul
Showed His love for me
Carried me, when none could
To make me lie by the eternal still waters

Jesus Christ, my all in all
Healed me by His stripes
Cleansed me with His precious blood
Made me whole forever!

Thy Deliverer

Psalm 91:14-16

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

This is a wonderful Psalm of deliverance! Again the deliverance comes to those who set their love upon the Lord God. When you love the Lord, you long to spend time with Him, you sit at His holy feet, you take time to talk to Him, praise Him, worship Him, you seek His precious face and you honor Him with all your heart!

The Lord will set you on high, because you have known His name. When the Lord sets you on high, the world and its traps will not harm you. You will rise up high like an eagle with strong wings, you will run and not be weary, you will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31). His name is Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14), God with us, Jesus (Luke 1:31), the Son of the Highest (Luke 1:32), the Son of God (Luke 1:35), the Savior of the World, the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8), the Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and the list goes on and on.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. This promise of deliverance is so comforting! Yes, He will answer our prayers; the cry of our heart is well heard by the Master even before it is presented. He is and will be with us in our trouble. Amidst the storm so raging, take heart, He is with you to deliver you and honor you. Endure and stay focused on the Lord. Fix your eyes upon Jesus and the cares of the world will not bother you.

He promises to give us long SATISFYING life and will show His salvation unto us, His children, and the crown of His creation! These promises of deliverance are there for us to claim and stand on. To God be the glory… Amen!

What is thy habitation?

Psalm 91:9-13

Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

The promises in these verses are for those who have made the LORD their refuge and their habitation. If you have made the Lord your habitation, you dwell there and seek His refuge at all times. These are perilous times and the adversary like a roaring lion, is walking about, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8-9). Resist the enemy and he will flee away from you. If you have made the Most High your habitation, He will enable you to resist the devil for He has made us conquerors in Christ Jesus who first loved us (Romans 8:37)!

Promise 1: There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. This promise is actually two-fold. What an amazing promise this is! No evil shall befall those who dwell with the Lord and make Him their habitation. All the wicked plots of the enemy are destroyed as the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard against the enemy on our behalf (Isaiah 59:19). No plague shall come near thy dwelling. Plague is a pestilence or an epidemic disease. Who does not desire this promise? We all need good health, free of disease or calamity of any kind. This promise is for His children who dwell with the Lord! I have claimed this promise for me and my family.

Here, I would like to state that God tests His children and tries their faith. I Peter 1:7 says, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” Our faith should be in the right place at all times; that is upon God and His precious Word. When you claim a promise of God, you stand on His Word in steadfast faith and the Lord’s Word will come to pass in His time, you will see the salvation of the Lord, you will rejoice at His deliverance and give God the glory! Remember, we are the living epistles read of all men (II Corinthians 3:2-3). When we are tested and our faith is tried, God works in our hearts and changes us into His image from glory to glory (II Corinthians 3:18) as we yield to Him.

Promise 2: For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. This promise states that He commands His angels to keep us in all our ways. We can always ask the Lord to give his angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways. When you or your loved one head out of the house, start a new task, go out into the deep sea (world) to share the good news (gospel of Jesus Christ) and stand for the truth, seek the Lord to give His angels charge over you. The angels shall bear thee up in their hands and will not allow your foot to dash against a stone. When your foot dashes against a stone, it hurts. The hurt some times is bad and the other times it is not so bad. The angels will see to it that you are not hurt. What a mighty protection! Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were cast into the fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar, yet the fire had no power on them, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them (Daniel 3:20-27).

Jesus Christ was tempted in the wilderness after He fasted for forty days and forty nights using Psalm 91:11-12. Jesus Christ, the Lord God left His heavenly abode and was born through Virgin Mary, lived the life of a humble human being, tempted in every way like as we are, yet remained SINLESS and HOLY. This holy Lord alone could go all the way to the cross of calvary to redeem us and provide salvation unto us human beings. Hebrews 2:3 says, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.”

Promise 3: Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. This promise says that God will give us power and authority to tread upon the lion, the adder (venomous viper), the young lion and the dragon. The Lord Jesus Christ has given this power to the seventy that He sent out to spread the gospel. Luke 10:19 says, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” The power that we have is over ALL the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt us!

a) The adversary, devil is referred to as the lion. We are given power over the devil and so we don’t need to be afraid of the attacks of this evil one. God has got us and so the enemy has no power over us.

b) The adder was the snake that tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. This tempter will come in a very cunning way and so we should be cognizant of its deceptive tricks. Christ defeated the enemy on the CROSS and so we through Him will defeat the enemy!

c) The young lion is a cub or a youngling and soon and very soon it will grow out to be a lion. The same power of the lion rests in this young lion. We should be aware of the young deceivers as well.

d) The dragon is a legendary creature that is featured in myths. It is a fictional character. Lord has given us power over tricks of the devil to deceive us through our imaginations.

Are you ready to enjoy these promises of God? If so, have you made the Lord God’s holy dwelling as your habitation? If not, dwell in the secret place of the Most High and claim these wonderful promises in your life today!

Next: Thy Deliverer

The Shadow of the Almighty

Psalm 91:1
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91 is full of promises for God’s children. I have recently finished reading a book called “Psalm 91” by Peggy Joyce Ruth and God opened my eyes to the many promises embedded in this wonderful Psalm. This is also a Psalm of deliverance!
Who shall abide (rest per NIV) under the shadow of the Almighty? The answer is, only those that dwell in the secret place of the Most High! Abiding under the shadow of the Almighty means to rest under His shadow where you are protected from the snares of the wicked one.

This reminds me of my experience walking from school in the street on a very hot summer day back home in India. When I walk under the shadow of a tree, it felt like heaven. Just standing for a few minutes under the cool shadow of the tree was an amazing experience. I used to look for the trees all along my way until I reached home. This tree only protected me from the scorching heat of the sun but when you rest under the shadow of the Almighty, you are protected from the fiery darts of the wicked one all through your life. You don’t get to rest under the shadow of the Almighty if you don’t dwell in the secret place of the Most High.

Dwelling in the secret place of the Most High means you made the secret place of the Most High your shelter. You constantly (24*7) commune with Him, seek His face, His counsel, His direction, His guidance in your everyday walk of life, praise and worship Him, love Him, adore Him, trust Him and He is your everything! Your will for life is in alignment with His will for yours.

Are you dwelling in the secret place of the Most High? If not make the secret place of the Most High your dwelling place and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. He is Omnipotent God of the Universe and there is NONE in comparison to Him. He desires to protect you and cover you under His precious and mighty wings. With all that we are witnessing in the world today around us, it is high time you seek to dwell at the right place. The only right place to dwell is the secret place of the Most High to be under His shadow!

Next: What is thy habitation?

Jehovah-jireh

Genesis 22:11-14

And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

Abraham withstood the test of faith! His test demonstrated that Abraham’s love for God superseded his love for his only son Isaac. Do you have something or someone before God in your life? If so now is the time to give that place to God. The first and the foremost place in your life should be to God and God alone. Abraham was asked to offer his only son as a burnt offering not anywhere close to his home but in the land of Moriah atop a mountain. Moriah represents the lonely place where you and I are tested by God and we are all alone with Him. Moriah is the same as the wilderness experience of Israelites before they reached the Promised Land. If you are at Moriah with God, you are at the best place. Surrender everything to Him and depend on Him for His divine provision. After your Moriah experience you will certainly see the salvation of God and His provision for you will bring out the best praise possible from your heart.

Let us take a quick look at Genesis 22:5. It says, “And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” These are the words of Abraham to his two young men that accompanied him and his son Isaac. Abraham is asking the young men to stay with the donkey while he and his son proceed to the place where God wanted him to offer Isaac. Special attention needs to be paid to the fact that only Abraham and his son Isaac proceeded to this place. Also notice Abraham’s words: “I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and COME AGAIN TO YOU.” He is certain that both, he and Isaac will come again to the young men. He is stating that he and Isaac will go there and WORSHIP and return as opposed to saying that he will offer Isaac at that place. This place that Abraham and Isaac were headed to is the place of WORSHIP, a place of total SURRENDER to God, a place of enjoying God’s divine provision, a place where Abraham will experience a new dimension of God and a place where he will come victorious withstanding the test of his faith!

Isaac asked his father a very genuine question as to where the lamb for the burnt offering is. See Abraham’s response in Genesis 22:8. “And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.” Abraham was certain of God’s provision of himself as a lamb for a burnt offering. This is a great picture of the salvation of the Lord God through His only son Jesus Christ who was offered as a lamb instead of us. Yes, we are all worthy of crucifixion but God crucified His son Jesus Christ instead of us. Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God. John 1:29 says, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

In his heart Abraham knew very well the covenant that God established with him. The covenant that God made with Abraham is through his son Isaac. Genesis 17:19 states: “And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” Abraham knew that God will and has to make a provision for a lamb in order to keep the covenant. His faith was on God’s word and His covenant promise! Do you have faith in God’s Word and His promises for you? Are you wavering in your faith or do you have steadfast faith in God and His Word? If not now is the time to stand in complete faith like Abraham’s. Hold onto God’s promises even when everything around you seems unpromising to you. What appears to you before your eyes will change if you stand on God’s promises in firm faith!

Abraham was ready to offer his son as a sacrifice. Genesis 22:10 says, “And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.” Just when he was about to do this, the angel of the Lord stopped him by calling him out of heaven. The angel is commending Abraham for not withholding his son, his only son Isaac from God. When Abraham lifted up his eyes he saw a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. Here is God’s provision for Abraham’s offering: a ram in place of Isaac. Yes, God’s eternal provision of salvation for us is Jesus Christ in place of our own lives. God loved us so much that He offered His son Jesus Christ for our sakes.

Abraham called that place Jehovah-jireh which is interpreted as “The LORD will provide”. He is our provider just as He was a provider unto Abraham. Through God’s provision for Abraham, God kept His covenant promise. Through God’s provision to you, God will keep His promises if you stand on Him and His promises. How will God prove Himself as a MIGHTY PROVIDER if you don’t submit to Him completely? He has to use you and me to implement His promises through us. Are you willing to completely surrender to Him and enjoy His divine provision today to praise Him in a NEW way with a NEW SONG? He is my Jehovah-jireh!!! Is He yours?

Next: The Shadow of the Almighty

Sarah Gave Birth to Isaac

Genesis 21:1-6
And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.

The Almighty God is a promise-keeper! If He has promised us something, even though it doesn’t come to pass right away, it sure will come to pass in God’s time. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.” No man can find out the awesome work God does from the beginning to the end. Look at Genesis 21:1, it starts out saying “And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said and the LORD did unto Sarah as He had spoken”.

Sarah conceived and bare Abraham a son in his old age at the set time of which God spoke to Abraham. The set time is mentioned in Genesis 17:21 where it says, “But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.” When Abraham and Sarah had their son they both were well stricken in age. They had no hope in having a child at this age, yet God kept His promise and the promise came through at God’s appointed time. Abraham called his son Isaac just as God said (Genesis 17:19). Abraham kept the covenant between God and himself by circumcising his son Isaac when he was eight days old.

God truly made Sarah to laugh and rejoice just as Mary rejoiced in God her savior (Luke 1:46-47). See how beautifully Lord God blessed Abraham and Sarah in His time! Do you trust the Lord for everything and in everything? His promises to us, His children are all in the Word of God. If God said He will do it, He will! Put your whole-hearted trust in Him and do not entertain an iota of doubt. If it seems like an aeon has passed by and yet you are waiting on Him to see His promise fulfilled, just rejoice in Him, He will come through!

Next: Jehovah-jireh

From Sarai to Sarah

Genesis 17:15-16

And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

God made a covenant with Abram and called him Abraham instead of Abram. The covenant that God established with Abraham was that God will make Abraham a father of many nations. God established His covenant with Abraham and his seed and promised to be a God unto Abraham and his seed. Also God said He will give unto Abraham and his seed the land wherein he is a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession. God said He will be their God. God also asked Abraham to His covenant and that every male child should be circumcised. Yes, the God of Abraham will be our God as well and He desires that our hearts be circumcised. Today He is our God through Jesus Christ. When we commune with God, He exposes any sin in our life and when we rend our hearts we shall be forgiven and made whole. The blood of Jesus cleanses our hearts and sets us free. We cannot free ourselves by our own deeds or by our own goodness but by Jesus Christ God's only son are we set free. In Romans 2:29 Paul says, “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” What God desires of us is the circumcision of the heart, in the spirit!

At the same time that God established this covenant with Abraham, He promised to give a son unto Abraham through Sarah. Sarai, Abraham’s wife was called Sarah from that point forward. God promised to bless her and give Abraham a son through Sarah. Sarah was going to be a mother of nations and kings of people shall be born from her. Abraham was an hundred years old while Sarah was ninety. For Abraham and Sarah this looked impossible. But, with God all things are possible!

God is a God of all flesh and everything is possible for Him. Human mind cannot perceive, scientists cannot prove, doctors cannot understand but God is all powerful and can do what our feeble minds cannot figure out. He is the Creator of the Universe, the many galaxies, and many planets, asteroids, stars, meteors, comets within each galaxy are positioned in place and everything functions in its right order because the Creator is in control of these. He who controls the Universe is also in control of our body which is intricately made. No matter what, when God establishes a covenant, He keeps it! If today you are claiming a promise of God and that seems impossible to you, just believe and go forward with the promise of God. He keeps His promises. If you are facing a serious trial, know that He will walk you through your trial and provide His amazing grace by covering you under His protective wings. Psalm 91:4 says, “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Amen!

Next: Sarah Gave Birth to Isaac

Huldah, the Wife of Shallum

II Kings 22:12-20

And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying, Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us. So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her. And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched. But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.

Here we see King Josiah when he realized the great wrath of the Lord that should befall Judah because of how they heard not the words of the Law of Moses repents and receives the Lord's blessings. This book was only read on special occasions or so it appears. King Josiah however had it read for him and was eager to enquire of the Lord for him, for the people and for all Judah concerning the words of the book. For us today our standard is the Word of God and we should enquire of the Lord at every step of our life. Our prayers will definitely be heard, we will be forgiven and our lands will be healed. The Lord is available to us who seek His face. II Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

King Josiah sent his favored men: Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah to enquire of the Lord and they went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum. Shallum was the keeper of the wardrobe and did not hold a noble position in the kingdom. Huldah lived in Jerusalem and she was married to Shallum. An ordinary woman she was and yet was gifted with the powerful gift of prophecy. Lord bestowed it on her and her gift was recognized in that land and King’s men came to enquire of her. Her words were the words of the Lord God and how gifted was that land and how wonderful it is to see that the people of the land took advantage of this gifted woman. A King who held the highest position in the kingdom sought the Lord and sent messengers to bring back the message of the Lord. How much more should we commune with the Lord, seek His face continually, be in His mighty presence and consult Him in our life’s journey? Also, Huldah put her gift to use and for the benefit of her land; are we using the spiritual gifts that God has given us? We should not consider a spiritual gift bestowed on us as frivolous. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Huldah spoke the words of the Lord in truth and in love. She said to the King’s men “Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.” Huldah said that the Lord shall bring evil upon Judah and upon the inhabitants of Judah for a reason. The people have forsaken the Lord, worshipped other Gods simply going against the Lord’s very first commandment. Do we have any idols in our heart that we have placed before God? Time to introspect and see if we have any placed anything or anybody before God in our lives. If so, let us give the God of glory the first place in our hearts that He alone deserves. Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” While there is still time let us repent, turn from our wicked ways and surrender our lives unto our Creator!

Huldah also said to the King’s messengers to take back a wonderful message unto King Josiah. Her message to King Josiah was: “Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place.” The Lord God is full of tender mercies and loving kindness. He sees the heart of the man, the cry of such a heart is heard and His forgiveness is always available unto us. The Lord saw the tender and humble heart of King Josiah. He saw his broken spirit and contrite heart. So, all that the Lord spoke will befall Judah and its inhabitants will not happen in King Josiah’s time. He pardoned the King, the people and the land from such a desolation and curse because of King’s repentance.

Yes, He readily forgives us and accepts us just as we are if we repent of our sins! Godly sorrow works repentance to salvation (II Corinthians 7:10). Though our sins are red as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). What this means is that He will wipe out all our sins with the precious blood of Jesus that was shed for our sakes 2010 years ago. His grace is all encompassing. So, if you are wondering if ever your sin as dark as it may seem to you will ever be forgiven, take heart! Yes, it will be forgiven. Remember where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (Romans 5:20). See how wonderfully God heard Josiah’s sincere cry and blessed him saying that he shall not see any evil and shall go to grave in peace. This is the same kind of blessing He gives to any who repents with a true heart! Let us seek His forgiveness and repent with all our hearts and turn away from any darkness in our lives. Grab His wonderful blessings and enjoy the eternal life!

Next: From Sarai to Sarah

The Lord at our Right Hand

Psalm 16:7-9

I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

David says “I will bless the Lord, who has given me counsel.” Counsel is given as a result of consultation for advice. We can clearly understand that David sought God’s advice and therefore was given the counsel. David, a King of Israel was God’s anointed one who was a man after God’s own heart. He praised God in a magnificent way and his psalms speak of the relationship he enjoyed with Lord God. When such a high and mighty king sought God’s advice, we at our every step should wait and seek His counsel. He sure will direct our every step (Proverbs 3:5-6).

David says that his reins instruct him in the night. In other words, even while David is resting, he is led by the Lord God. The Lord does the same to us if we, like David set the Lord always before us. Even when we sleep at nights His still small voice speaks unto us, His loving arms will lead us, His tender heart will care for us, His blood covers us and His light shines on us. The Lord is at our right hand and therefore we need not be moved. “He is at our right hand” means He is available to us at all times. It is us humans who fail to look up to Him or seek His counsel. Psalm 121:5 says, “The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.” The Lord is our keeper and He is our shade upon our right hand. Just like shadow goes with us wherever we go, the Lord God goes with us.

Let us rejoice and be glad in the Lord. Rejoice evermore for He is our strong refuge and mighty tower. Just like David’s my flesh shall rest in hope!

Next: Huldah, the Wife of Shallum

Ravens and Lilies

Luke 12:24-29

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

For the past few days, I was directed towards these verses by the Spirit of God. The Lord God who cares for the ravens and lilies, how much more should His care for man and woman be? He created us in His own image. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them”. Should I or anyone of us fret about anything? Absolutely NOT! I Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Let us cast all our care upon Him for He cares for us more than we can care for ourselves! He who formed us in the palm of His hands, with His precious fingers and bought us with the highest price on the Cross of Calvary will certainly cherish in His most important creation, YOU and ME. Here I render my heart to you alone and surrender myself wholly to your care, my Jesus. Last night I was immensely blessed by the visit of my cousin’s husband Mr. Enoch Era and he sang a beautiful song in my native language Telugu just on the verses above. Truly His care for us is not to be undermined.

Ravens, the fowls of the air neither sow nor reap, neither have storehouses nor barn but they are fed by God. We are far better than the fowls in God’s eyes. In fact we are given the dominion over this fowls of the air (Genesis 1:26). We cannot even add a cubit to our stature; then why even take a thought for the rest?

Lilies, the flowers of the field, neither toil nor spin but how wonderfully we see them grow. King Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these lilies. The splendor of the lilies was greater than that of King Solomon’s. If God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and withers tomorrow, how much more will He clothe us? Let us keep up our faith and trust the Lord wholeheartedly. Let us not entertain an iota of doubt when it comes to trusting God.

Next: Michal – Part III

Pray without ceasing

I Thessalonians 5:17

Pray without ceasing

These three words kept ringing in me last night so loudly that I woke up today to put the message right away. These are powerful and we are asked to do it. This means we have to keep praying continuously; no pausing; no taking a break; no resting. When we cease, the enemy tries to take its ground against us. Especially if we are living in Christ, walking closely with Him, abiding in Him, loving Him, serving Him, seeking His face and taking a stand against the enemy in the powerful, matchless and mighty name of our Savior, the enemy is waiting to pull us from our first love, our Lord Jesus Christ! Let us realize that the enemy waits on us and longs to see us losing our ground in Christ! This should make us even more vigilant, sober and watchful. I Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”.

Last night, I was wrestling in prayer and pleading His precious blood on my body for I really didn’t know where exactly I needed the touch of His bleeding hand. All I could cry was I most badly needed His peace and rest from the torment in my body. Yes, I was given that rest and peace a couple hours later. I sought the Lord to use my hour of need to cry out to the many people suffering either in body, from a natural disaster (Ex: earthquake in Haiti), suffering children with various diseases, to the ones in authority so on and so forth. He helped me rise above my body to concentrate on Him and intercede. I was basking in His immense love and at the same time could feel the enemy’s battle to pull me down. But, God has got us and so we need not fear the attacks of the enemy.

These are perilous times and we should not take a moment to wink at the world. The other day, one of my colleagues mentioned “It is time to get mad at the devil”. This came to my mind last night and I was greatly burdened in my heart to intercede on various matters i.e. family, children, relatives, friends, colleagues, people enslaved in sins etc., I Timothy 2:1 says, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men”. The key is “ALL MEN”! Jesus did not love you or me alone, He loved everybody! We are asked to do the same. Love everyone like Jesus did.

Next: Michal – Part II

Eunice and Lois

II Timothy 1:5-6

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Eunice is Timothy’s mother while Lois is his grandmother. These two women always impress me every time I read about their faith. Lois and Eunice had unfeigned faith. “Unfeigned” means sincere and genuine faith. There is no fake representation in such unfeigned faith. This faith is unshakeable and does not get upset no matter how the circumstances look like. This same unfeigned faith that was in Timothy’s grandmother and mother was in Timothy as well. Paul is speaking that he is calling to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in Timothy. Paul addresses Timothy as his dearly beloved son (I Timothy 1:2, II Timothy 1:2). That tells us that Timothy was much younger to Paul. Paul must have enjoyed the goodness of Timothy’s mother and grandmother and so was able to speak of their faith with such an honor. Paul also says that without ceasing he remembers Timothy in his prayers night and day (II Timothy 1:3). These two were united in their mission to teach no other doctrine but that which is good and godly edifying in faith (I Timothy 1:4).

Paul says “wherefore” which means therefore or for this reason! So for the unfeigned faith in Timothy, Paul is asking Timothy to stir up the gift of God which is in him by putting on of Paul’s hands. Stirring up the gift of God is to put the gift of God into action by igniting it with the Spirit of God. In this case putting on of Paul’s hands symbolizes the bestowing of a spiritual responsibility on Timothy by Paul.

I would like to urge us all to consider the unfeigned faith that existed in Eunice and Lois that was found in Timothy. See this unfeigned faith was a wonderful spiritual quality that was inherited by Timothy from his mother and grandmother. Let us also think about the generations to come through us and let us make efforts to set up good examples to our children and grandchildren. Remember: the little eyes observe, the little ears hear, the little hearts ponder, the little hands do, the little legs walk and in no matter of time they would make an impression on people around them. Let us ask the Lord to help us lead exemplary lives completely dedicated for God’s honor and glory in full reverence unto Him and with unfeigned faith!

Next: Michal – Part I

Joanna, the wife of Cuza

Luke 8:3, 24:10

And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.

Cuza was employed as a steward in Herod’s house. He held a responsible position that needed his attention to domestic and finance matters in Herod’s house. Joanna was Cuza’s beloved wife. Luke 8:1 says, “And it came to pass afterward, that he (JESUS) went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him”. So Jesus was in His ministry going through every city and village preaching and showing the good tidings of the Kingdom of God. Psalm 145:13 says, “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations”. God’s kingdom is forever and His dominion endures throughout all generations. God is the same yesterday, today and forever; so, His Kingdom is an everlasting one; His throne is for ever and ever (Hebrews 1:8)! Jesus was completely engaged in this mighty act of preaching God’s Kingdom to all people. This should be our primary occupation as well! Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Let us make seeking the Kingdom of God as our first and foremost priority.

Along with Jesus and His twelve disciples, there were certain women like Joanna, the wife of Cuza, Mary called Magdalene, Susanna, and many others, which ministered to him (JESUS) of their substance (Luke 8:2-3). What is noteworthy is that these women ministered to Jesus by supporting them out of their own means. They chose to serve the Lord voluntarily from what they had not expecting to get paid for. I think what is commendable is their heart that is service-oriented for they knew very well their service was unto the King of Kings and in His ministry to preach good tidings of the Kingdom of God. Joanna was a woman among such women who submitted their lives for serving the Lord.

In Luke 24 we read about the victory of the resurrected Lord! Luke 24:1 says, “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.” Among they that came to the sepulcher were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them (Luke 24:10). These women brought spices that they had prepared. They put their hands to work to prepare the spices to embalm the body of their dear Lord Jesus. The spices they brought were definitely sweet smelling and the fragrance speaks their hearts’ very attitude towards the Lord. Now, our sweet spices to the Lord Jesus Christ are our heartfelt sacrifices. My one prayer to Lord God is to teach me how I can praise Him in a new way, a way that brings a chuckle to Him and causes Him to wait for more such praises from me. Joanna and the women chose to bring such a wonderful perfume to the Lord Jesus Christ. Joanna was among the women who took the news of the resurrected Savior unto the apostles although it was not received well.

What I would like to bring to our attention is the importance of serving the Lord with all our hearts, minds, bodies and souls. A heart fully submitted unto the Lord, yields to His desire and His desire for us is that we seek His Kingdom first. Joanna and the women who were with her supported the ministry of Jesus out of their own means. Joanna’s life speaks unto us that she was a Christ-centered woman who was married to a steward who worked in Herod’s house. Their living was not of high nobility but was one with simple humility. With humble hearts filled with reverence unto our Lord, let us love Him and serve Him!

Next: Eunice and Lois

Virtuous Woman

Proverbs 31:10-27

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Rubies are precious red stones that are expensive and pretty to look at. Any ornament that is made of rubies gets a look that is extravagant and simply superb. Who can find a virtuous woman? This says that hardly there are any virtuous women here on earth. This stuck a deep pierce in my heart few days before. The price of a virtuous woman is far worthier than rubies. Who would not be blessed to see a virtuous woman, who is far precious than rubies?

The characteristics of a virtuous woman are clearly laid out to lead the women to live such lives. The heart of a virtuous woman’s husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him well all the days of her life. Trust is a pivotal role in a marital relationship. Many marriages fail due to lack of this essential component. This should be two-ways. The virtuous woman does good to her husband all the days of her life and the husband safely trusts her. The trust is established in a beautiful relationship like this.

She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands. She works diligently with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar. Merchants’ ships carry cargo and fleet from one harbor to the other. A virtuous woman brings her food from afar. What this means to me is she considers the best food for her household and picks it up from a distance considering the nutritional benefits as well as the associated price. She rises well before the sunrise and prepares food for her household and leaves a portion for her maidens. So, she makes sure that the meat is available before anyone wakes up and also makes sure everyone gets their share of food including the maidens. She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She is good at gardening and farming as well. She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms. Girding up loins means to get ready by tightening the belt. When we tighten our belts, our movement at work becomes light and easy. She strengthens her arms by working vigorously with them; she perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night. She works till late in the night. She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. That is she works with wool and flax. She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy. Poor and needy are addressed as well. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”. Just like this virtuous woman, we should also take up the cause of serving the poor and the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. In other words, she is well-prepared for a coming storm. Everyone at home is provided the right equipment needed to protect them from a coming storm for she foresees the need and addresses it well ahead of time. She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her home is well decorated and furnished by her own hands. When the household members enter in such a home they feel the warmth of a beautiful home built by hearts, cared for by loving hands, and surrounded by beautiful furnishings that look appealing to the eye. There is no shortage for anything in a home where the virtuous woman is the mistress. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She strives to keep the reputation of her husband and he is known well among the elders in the land. She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant. In fact, she is her husband’s soulmate and helpmate from home to merchandise.

Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. Strength comes from endurance; endurance builds patience. When strength is a virtue of a woman, we can see what other beautiful traits she already possesses. Honor is to maintain dignity and reputation among the people of her land. I picture Ruth as one virtuous woman. Boaz says to Ruth in Ruth 3:11: “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.” How wonderful is Ruth’s reputation for all the city of Bethlehem knew of her honor! A virtuous woman opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. Proverbs 4:6-7 speaks of wisdom as: “Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” A virtuous woman is a woman of highest wisdom. She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness. She does not eat the bread of idleness nor wastes her resources. Proverbs 18:9 says, “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.”

Who wants to be this virtuous woman? I think it is high time that we women pray and seek God’s face to help us be virtuous women to serve the Lord, to care for our husbands, to keep our household going in the right direction, not idling our time, keeping God at the center of our hearts, bearing strength and honor as our ornaments and all the above mentioned qualities. Lord, this is the cry of my heart. Help me in my journey to strive to be this virtuous woman merely by your grace and strength. I am sure the Lord will regard our prayers and shower us with His grace and mercy in our desire to be virtuous women.

Next: Joanna, the wife of Cuza

Anna, a Prophetess, and the Daughter of Phanuel

Luke 2:36-38

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Anna was a prophetess and the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Aser and she was a widow. She was pretty old of about eighty four years of age. After her marriage, she had lived with her husband for seven years before his death. She chose to live in the temple of the Lord and departed not from there. She served the Lord God with fastings and prayers night and day. She prayed without ceasing as it says in I Thessalonians 5:17. Also she rejoiced in hope, was patient in tribulation with continuing instant in prayer (Romans 12:12). Her hope was in the coming Savior of the World, Jesus Christ; she was patient in her suffering; continued to pray faithfully. She was a young widow and sure many temptations would have come her way if she has chosen to dwell in the world. She chose the best place to live after she became a widow. Psalm 84:10 says, “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” What a woman of faith Anna was!

Isaiah 58:6 speaks of God’s chosen fast: “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” Such was the fasting and prayers that Anna did. For those that looked for redemption in Israel, Anna was a woman with prophetic ability foreseeing the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Was it a gift that she had? No, it was a divine gift bestowed on her by the Lord God who knew her heart. She allowed God to search and know her heart, try and know her every thought (Psalm 139:23).

The effectiveness of a fervent prayer goes a long way in our walk with Christ. James 5 speaks on the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man. It also speaks of the power of an earnest prayer like Elijah’s. Anna chose the feet of the Lord at a very young age and stayed there until she was very old. She chose the courts of the Lord. What are you after? Do you long to be at Jesus’ feet in earnest prayer or do you loiter in the world and long for the things of the world? The feet of Jesus are the best place to be at and pour out your heart there and cry out for the souls that need to repent, for nations to turn from their wicked ways, for the cities that are given to the lust of flesh and power, for the people to be redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, so precious… Anna gave thanks to the Lord and spoke about the redeemer to all those that sought the redemption through the Savior! She had a beautiful heart of praise and sacrifice. This year one of my earnest prayers to the Lord God is to help me praise Him in a way that my praises are a sweet aroma to His nostrils and a pleasant sound in His ears. I sure know He would teach me how to praise Him.

Next: Virtuous Woman