Spiritual Nuggets 4 U

4. Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5. But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed. Is:53:4,5

The 4th verse starts with a ‘Surely’, surely HE bore our griefs and sorrows. When we compare our pain with what HE experienced is absolutely nothing. HE dint have to die on the Cross yet HE gave HIMSELF, HE dint have to take our punishment but still HE did, HE dint have to bear the insults but HE patiently endured and took all our sufferings grief,offences,sinfulness and sickness upon HIMSELF.

That historic Friday some 2000+ years ago, HE experienced every pain the whole of mankind would ever experience in their entire life time only to a very small fraction, but  HE took it in full capacity – loneliness, rejection, extreme stress, hunger, insults, cursing, extreme violence, abuse, emotional trauma, physical impairment, torture and finally death itself. You name anything that you are going through right now, He has already taken it upon HIMSELF.

Cheer up, your pain and agony is so little compared to what HE went through on the Cross.   You might be going through some kind of valley right now, be assured HE is standing next to you and comforting you saying-  “My Child I feel your every pain and every sorrow because I already carried them upon myself”. HE is closer to you right now than your very breath!

JESUS knows your pain so rejoice and have a great day!!!

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Mark:1:35

The greatest example JESUS set is a life of Prayer. Being GOD Himself, HE taught us the crucial importance of Prayer. Throughout HIS ministry we read that JESUS went to a solitary place to pray.

Prayer leads to intimacy with GOD, it is nothing but talking or pouring out your heart to GOD. Many are still in the notion that prayer means a specific time, a specific pattern and specific words. That’s not the truth, prayer is talking to GOD anywhere and at anytime.

Prayer doesn’t have to have a format, nobody gives you lessons to talk to your own dad. It is the same with prayer. You can just talk to HIM. Talk to HIM as to who HE is and what HE has done and whats in your heart.

All that GOD desires is a honest heart and not made up words.

Lets see some of the scriptures that JESUS taught us about Prayer,

1. Humility in Prayer-

⁹ Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.¹² I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ ¹³ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”Luke:18:9-14

2. Private prayers-

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.Mt:6:6

3. Without repetitions-

⁷ And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Mt:6:7,8

4. Model Prayer-

⁹ In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
¹³ And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

5. Forgiveness is mandatory-

¹⁴ “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Mt:6:14,15

6. Don’t Stop-

Pray without ceasing. I Thess :5:17

Above all JESUS prayed every time and everywhere, before HE started HIS day, late at night, for water to be changed to wine, for the sick, the dead or possessed, before eating, for the storm, for the children, for HIS disciples, for those who crucified HIM and for the entire mankind.

And before HE was crucified, HE prayed for Peter who denied HIM, HE prayed for strength before HIS agony, HE prayed for forgiveness, HE prayed for help, in fact HE never stopped praying.

Nobody else in the Bible has ever emphasised on prayer than JESUS, who is GOD Himself. The very key to GOD in our lives is prayer and communion with HIM.

Many of us when faced with trials and temptations, avoid prayer for so many reasons, but JESUS’s life teaches us that the only life line we can hold onto is Prayer.

Pray when you are happy, blessed, sad, discouraged, depressed, sick, helpless, in loss, faced with tragedy, in the impossible nothing but prayer can revive you and keep you closer to GOD.

The biggest lie of the enemy is to keep you away from prayer especially when you have sinned. We see the example of Judas and Peter’s lives. Judas realised his mistake but never returned to GOD while on the other hand Peter realised his mistake and repented and it changed his life forever.

Specially when you are put in a difficult or helpless situation, the best you can do is run back to GOD in Prayer and seek HIS help and shelter. Never ever underestimate the power of prayer.

A while ago I heard someone speak about the power of prayer, GOD showed that person, that when a believer prays, its as if an atom bomb has gone off, that’s the effect it has on the Spirit world, its shakes the earth. David beautifully describes how GOD reacts to our Prayer in Psalms 18.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalms+18&version=NKJV

And finally never cease to pray no matter where you are and what you are doing. Keep a constant connection in prayer with GOD.

I wish and pray that you grow into a more closer relationship with GOD through your prayer walk.

Have a prayer filled day!!!

One of the aspects of meekness includes Submissiveness.

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. John:6:38

JESUS was submissive to GOD the FATHER even to death. HE did not do anything on HIS own but whatever the FATHER taught Him, HE did that.

So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. Jn:5:19

He was also submissive to HIS earthly parents by obeying them when HE was a little boy.

Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. Lk:2:51

So what made JESUS submissive to GOD’s will and how did HE sacrifice HIMSELF to accomplish the will of the FATHER?

The Bible says in Hebrews:5:8, that HE learnt obedience through the suffering HE underwent.

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. 

I was really amazed while writing this blog about the number of verses I came across that speaks of the obedience of JESUS. When you want to develop your character focusing on JESUS’s character, the best thing to do is to read and meditate on the particular topic scriptures. In today’s context let us meditate on submissiveness/obedience based scriptures.

Write it down or memorize, do whichever works best for you. The more you meditate, the more you will start working towards it. The more you work at it, the more you will change internally. Persistence is the key, the Word of GOD is the resource and the greatest Teacher who is ever present with you is the HOLY SPIRIT!

The 3 main categories of submission are,

1. Submit to GOD–

“Submit to God, and you will have peace;
    then things will go well for you. Job:22:21

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James:4:7

The key things that happen when you submit to GOD are first, you will have peace, second, all things will go well with you and thirdly James says when you submit to GOD the devil will flee from you. Let doing GOD’s will be your top priority. When you submit everything into HIS hands and ask for HIS Will to be done, you will not only be assured of HIS peace but at the same time, you will know that all things will work out for good when HE is in control.

 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Rom:8:28

2. Submit to Authority–

¹³ For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, ¹⁴ or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honour those who do right. I Peter:2:13

It’s very important to submit to your authority if you are a child submit to your parents, if married submit to each other and if you are working submit to your boss. Being in submission holds us accountable.

Here are some scriptures to meditate,

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Rom:13:1 

Honour all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the king. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle but also to those who are unreasonable. I Peter:2:17,18
3. Submit to One Another–

And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Eph:5:21

Finally, it is very important to submit to one other. I love the below scripture, it summarizes the entire concept of submissiveness into one. JESUS being GOD humbled Himself, we all should likewise try to be humble like HIM.

Phil:2:5-11

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.6 Though he was God,
    he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
    he took the humble position of a slave
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8     he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour
    and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Here are few other Bible verses to meditate,

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Eph 5:22-24

I hope these scriptures encourage you in your day to day life. Please do write to me at spiritualnuggets4u@gmail.com and let me know how these blogs on Meek and Lowly have helped you so far in your walk with GOD and how far you’ve been successful.

GOD bless you and have a great day!!!

So far we have seen what is meekness and we have meditated on the below verse on how JESUS invites us to learn from HIM. We have also seen biblical examples and some general ones.

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Mt:11:29

Today we are going to see how we can practise meekness in our day to day lives. This can only be done with the help of the HOLY SPIRIT.

We would fail if we tried to be meek by our own efforts.

Firstly let’s see, the qualities of meekness are –

Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophecy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands. Mk:14:65

Though the people insulted JESUS, beat him and he was humiliated like no other human ever had experienced before, yet HE never opened HIS mouth. The very Source of life, whose breath was in the people accusing HIM, HIS very creation, HE kept quiet. HE never defended HIMSELF. In fact, if you read in Revelation it says,

From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. Rev:19:15

He is an all-powerful GOD through whom everything was created that ever existed. What humility, what an example of meekness, that’s the very reason HE invites us to learn it from HIM.

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Mt:11:28-30

I was reminded of the below story which I had read while in college years ago and its a great lesson of how you can learn from JESUS. And when you encounter this humility, it will forever change your life.

St. Francis of Assisi’s ministry begins with this incident, which changed his life completely. GOD changed a rich young man who hated lepers into a meek and humble man whose life drastically

Like most of his contemporaries, Francis felt disdain for lepers and avoided them at all costs. One day, before his conversion, Francis was riding his horse alone in the countryside. As he moved along the road, he caught sight of a leper walking toward him. Francis’ instinct was to turn back or move off to the side to avoid contact with the poor wretch. But Francis instead rode directly toward this man with parts of his face and hands eaten away by this dreaded disease.

Francis dismounted his horse and warmly embraced and kissed the leper tenderly. In his Testament, Francis writes, “When I was in sin, the sight of lepers nauseated me beyond measure; but then God himself led me into their company, and I had pity on them. When I had once become acquainted with them, what had previously nauseated me became a source of physical consolation for me. After that, I did not wait long before leaving the world.” Francis eventually came to realize that he had actually embraced none other than his Lord, Jesus Christ.

Francis soon found himself living with lepers and caring for them. His meeting and embracing the leper was the best preparation Francis could have had for the founding of a new order in the Church, whose highest ideal was to serve the poorest of the poor.

Let us pause and take a moment to just meditate on JESUS’s humility and try our best to follow HIS example by not condemning others, loving those who hate us, doing good to our enemies, making room for mistakes and not judging others.

43“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy. 44But I say, love your enemies!^s Pray for those who persecute you! 45In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47If you are kind only to your friends,^t how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.48But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Mt:5:43-48

GOD bless you!!!

“Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” Mathew :21: 5

JESUS left HIS glorious abode to come down to die for all humanity. Whenever I think of HIS birth I wonder why din’t HE chose a Palace or any rich family to be born into. Why did the Great Creator -for whom and through whom everything was created that ever exist not pick a comfy posh place to be born.

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. John:1:3

Even in HIS birth we can witness HIS humility and meekness. HE chose to be born through a poor virgin girl, HE chose a manger instead of a comfortable house, HE chose the lowest of all places. There was no room for them, the King of Glory was laid in the manger.

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke :2:7

I can’t even wrap my mind around this thought, how did JESUS do that? I mean if I was in HIS place I would have chosen the most luxurious place on earth and probably the richest family. But HE never sees it that way, HE looks at the heart and for HIM one of HIS characters is meekness.

Meaning of Meek –

Let us make this our goal in life to ask the LORD to teach us how to be humble and gentle like HIM. The best part is HE is willing and ready to teach, the question is are we making an effort to learn from HIM? We can learn this quality from JESUS by spending more time with HIM and by studying and dwelling on HIS word.

“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth”.Mathew:5:5

Today with the help of the HOLY SPIRIT lets practise meekness.

Have a blessed day!

The crux of Easter lies in this one verse,

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John:3:16(NKJV)

Even as I was meditating on JESUS, the cross and what I should write today, the HOLY SPIRIT reminded of the verse John:3:16 and somehow I couldn’t let go of the thought, that GOD ALMIGHTY so so so loved the world and its people filled with flaws, full of sin and so unfaithful and would willingly give HIS only SON to die so that we can have eternal life, that blows my mind away.

In fact, the Bible tells us that GOD had this plan even before HE created the world, even before the foundations of the world was laid. Oh, there is no limit to HIS unfailing Love.

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time–to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.2 Tim:1:9

So even as we step into this Lent, lets just soak in the very thought that GOD the Creator of Heaven and Earth, The Father of all Creation, The King of all kings whose throne is the Heaven and the Earth HIS footstool, his very breath melts the earth, at HIS voice Nations tremble, Lord of lords, Omnipotent, Omniscient and unapproachable yet revealed HIMSELF to us through HIS beloved Son JESUS to show us HIS unconditional love.

Years ago I heard our Professor say this and its so profound,

“JESUS brought an unreachable GOD into an embracing distance” 

Wherever you are today just feel HIS embrace and know that you are truly loved.

Have a great day!!!GOD bless!

Most of us know the meaning of Lent. Heres a definition,

Lent (Latin: Quadragesima: Fortieth) is a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later, before Easter Sunday.

Through the years I have seen many takeup a fast during Lent like skipping all 3 meals or just 1 meal, or giving up eating meat or alcohol or anything they fancy. More recently I have seen people giving up social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat etc. Some movie addicts give up watching movies for these 40 days.

Basically, in my opinion, I think giving up favourite things like food and entertainment is a good way to discipline ourselves. Its a great way to exercise selfcontrol and at the same time dedicating these 40 days exclusively to meditate on the sufferings of JESUS and agony of the cross is a great way to feed our Spirit man.

Yes all that GOD wants from us is obedience.When we obey HIS word, it shows that we truly love HIM.

“If you love me, obey my commandments.” John:14:15

If you have not planned on what you are going to give up this lent, here’s a list of things you can giveup,

1. Anger
2. Lie
3. Gossip
4. Bad Mouth
5. Bitterness
6. Jealousy
7. Pride
8. Ego
9. Selfishness
10. Addictions

Dying to one’s self is a great idea to start the lent. Make your own list and try to practise. Once you are sincere to follow through, I’m sure it will become a habit.

Also start practising the fruits of the HOLY SPIRIT,

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Gal:5:22,23

Lets put extra effort during this lent to willingly exhibit these qualities.

Have a fruitful Lent!!!

It was an eye opening message I heard in Church and thought it would be wonderful to share it.

Many times we struggle as believers to cope up with our weaknesses and choose to battle them with our own strength. But the best way you can go about your day is knowing “Who you are?” and to “Whom you belong?”

If you know the answer to these 2 questions, you will never again feel defeated or dejected.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.John:10:10

When you are constantly being bombarded with the lies of the enemy or the struggles of day to day life or the complications of relationships, the rock to be rooted in is JESUS and HIS Word.

Devil always tries to steal your joy, peace, time with GOD, health, relationship and everything you value, but he doesn’t have any authority unless you let him to.

“…He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John:8:44

Any time you hear discouragement of any sort know that its the liar’s voice. When you are bombarded with all these lies know that,

1.You are the righteousness of GOD

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. 2 Cor:5:21(NLT)

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.2 Cor:5:21(NKJV)

Your Heavenly Father sees you as a “Righteous person” because of what JESUS did.

2. You are precious because of CHRIST

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Rom:5:8

GOD knows that we are sinners and we fail from time to time, but every time you repent and go to HIM, HE always forgives and removes our sins as far as the East is from the West. No-one is perfect in this world don’t ever think that your actions will stop GOD from loving you. Your sins or your attitude can never make GOD love you any less.

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.Ps:103:12

3.You are a friend of GOD

You are my friends if you do what I command you. John:15:14

Its fabulous to know that the Creator of Heaven and Earth, The KING of kings and the Lord of lords is your Best Friend. I mean the very thought should help you throw your shoulders back and lift your head high and walk in confidence that nothing can ever change “who you are and whom you belong to”???

From today whenever you feel discouraged or good for nothing or a failure, always remember “Who you are” and “To whom you belong”.Give the enemy a black eye!!!

I would like to encourage you to take a printout of this list made by Joyce Meyer of the verses that tell ‘Who you are in CHRIST?’ and read it aloud everyday.

https://www.joycemeyer.org/everydayanswers/ea-teachings/knowing-who-i-am-in-christ

Have a Courageous Day!!!