Lead, Kindly Light

Confession Checklist

2014-04-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

PREPARATION FOR CONFESSION
During Great Lent, and the other fasts of the Church Year, it is customary for all Orthodox Christians to go to confession to their priest. Properly this should be done several times a year, the exact frequency depending upon how often one is blessed to receive the Holy Mysteries and on the counsel and blessing of one's spiritual father. As a preparation for this sacramental confession and to help one examine one's conscience before coming to confession, the following questions are sometimes distributed in parishes and, although of course the list is not exhaustive, it may be a help to those of our readers who are Orthodox Christians.

Sins Against God

Do you pray to God in the morning and evening, before and after meals?
During prayer have you allowed your thoughts to wander?
Have you rushed or gabbled your prayers? or when reading in church?
Do you read the Scriptures daily? Do you read other spiritual writings regularly?
Have you read books whose content is not Orthodox or even anti-Orthodox, or is spiritually damaging?
Have you pronounced the name of God without reverence, joking? Have you asked God's help before starting every activity?
Have you made the sign of the Cross carelessly, thoughtlessly? Have you sworn? Have you murmured against God?
Have you sinned by forgetting God?
Have you been slack in attending church?
Have you consecrated even part of the feast days, particularly Sundays and the Twelve Great Feasts, to God?
Have you tried your best to attend church on these days? or have you spent them more sinfully than ordinary days?
If unable to attend church for some reason, have you nonetheless tried to devote some part of these days to prayer and spiritual reading?
Have you joined with people not of the Faith in prayer, or attended their worship services?
Have you kept the fasts?
Have you behaved irreverently in church, or before the clergy and monastics?
Have you laughed or talked in church, or moved about unnecessarily, thus also distracting other people from prayer?
Have dressed modestly and in a becoming manner when in church?
Have you tried to pay reverent attention to the readings, hymns, and prayers in church?
Have you striven to pray with the service, crossing yourself, etc., or have you rather simply stood and day-dreamed?
Have you prepared for the services beforehand, looking up the Scriptural readings, making sure you have the texts to follow the service etc., especially if the service will be in a language you do not readily understand?
Have you ever left church after the Divine Services, and particularly after receiving the Holy Mysteries and immediately engaged in light talk and thus forgotten the blessings and graces you have received?
Have you been ashamed of your Faith or the sign of the Cross in the presence of others?
Have you made a show of your piety?
Have you used your Orthodox Faith or its teachings merely to browbeat others or belittle them?
Have you used it as a shield or excuse for your own inadequacies rather than humbling yourself?
Have you believed in dreams, fortune telling, astrology, signs and other superstitions?
Do you give thanks to the Lord for all things?
Have you ever doubted God's providence concerning yourself?
Do you at least try to perceive His purpose in all the things that come upon you?

Sins Against Your Neighbours

Do you respect and obey your parents?
Have you offended them by rudeness or contradiction?
(These two apply also to priests, superiors, teachers and elders.)
Have you insulted anyone?
Have you quarreled or fought with anyone? Have you hit anyone?
Are you always respectful to old people?
Are you ever angry, bad tempered or irritable?
Have you called anyone names? Do you use foul language?
Have you derided any that are disabled, poor, old or in some way disadvantaged?
Have you entertained bad feelings, ill will or hatred against anyone?
Have you forgiven those who have offended you?
Have you asked forgiveness from those whom you have offended?
Are you at peace with everyone?
Have you left the needy without help when you could have helped?
Have you attended the sick or elderly when they have asked you to do so?
Have you shown kindness and attention to all, remembering that God is expecting just such an attitude from you?
Have you hit animals without a cause or been cruel to them, or neglectful of those in your care?
Have you stolen anything?
Have you taken or used other people's things without asking?
Have you kept money or things that were lent you without returning them?
Have you wasted your employers' time or resources? Have you taken things from work for your own use, used the firm's phone or other facilities for your own purposes without permission or repayment?
Are you obstinate, and do you always try to have your own way?
Have you been inconsiderate of other people's feelings?
Have you tried to have your revenge against those who have offended you?
Have you harboured resentment? Have you deceived people?
Have you gossiped?
Have you told untruths?
Have you judged and condemned others?
Have you taken pains before approaching for confession to be reconciled with all?

Sins Against Yourself

Have you been proud? Do you boast of your abilities, achievements, family, connections or riches?
Do you consider yourself worthy before God?
Are you vain, ambitious? Do you try to win praise and glory?
Do you bear it easily when you are blamed, scolded or treated unjustly? Do you think too much about your looks, outward appearance and the impression you make?
Have you sinned in thought, word or deed, by a look or glance, or in any other way against the seventh commandment? (Adultery, fornication, all extra-marital sexual relationships with others, masturbation, engaging in unnatural sexual acts, fantasizing, pornography, etc.)
Have you envied anyone anything? Have you been over-sensitive?
Have you been lazy? Have you done your duties heartily?
Have you wasted your time, energy or abilities in things that do not profit the soul?
Have you become obsessive about anything? Have you been despondent or listless?
Have you had thoughts of committing suicide?
Have you brought a curse on yourself or others or ill-wished them, being impatient?
Have you a weakness for alcohol? Have you drunk too much, or become dependent on drink?
Have you taken drugs, other than necessary medicines? Have you smoked?
Have you watched television too much or indiscriminately? Have you given yourself up to any other similar pastime which wastes your time and energy and might have harmed you?
Have you been greedy, either with regard to food or to possessions?
Have you indulged in comfort-eating? Have you become accustomed to eating between meals?
Have you been picky about your food, or wasteful of foods, forgetting that so many people are without proper nourishment? Have you been extravagant? Have you been wasteful?
Do you care for and seek first the salvation of your soul, the spiritual life and the kingdom of God, or have you put earthly considerations in the first place?
Is there any other sin, which burdens your conscience, or which you are ashamed to tell?

Anyone preparing for confession must ask God to help his resolve to tell all his sins. A penitent should prepare for confession and collect his thoughts regarding his sins at least a day before confession. The most valuable thing in the eyes of God is the confession of the sin which weighs most on the conscience.

The questions listed are intended to help the Orthodox Christian examine himself and identify the symptoms of his spiritual ills; they should not be taken as some kind of test to ascertain how well we are doing as if there was a certain "pass-mark." Before God's perfections, we shall always fail. It is for that reason that, as believing Christians, we throw ourselves on the mercy of the Lord and do not trust in our own righteousness.

Remember that our sins can never outweigh God's love towards us. Even if we should seem to have failed with regard to all the points mentioned above and more, we should not lose heart but confess our sins unshamefacedly, we should regret the wrongs we have done, be resolved to make amends, and receive whatever remedy our confessor should be guided to lay upon us. Most of all, one should be assured of the blessing of God which these endeavours will bring upon you.

Source : http://www.saintstevens.org/Great%20Lent,%20Holy%20Week%20and%20Pascha/Penance.htm

Thanks to RJV for sending this.

The power of Proverbs

2013-11-10T12:02:00.002-08:00

Started reading a book named "The Richest Man Who Ever Lived". This was a gift from Pinks for my birthday in August 2012.
The instruction in the first foreword is this -
"Every day, at the start of each day, read the chapter in Proverbs that corresponds to that particular date. Read two chapters on the last day of months that have only thirty days. Do that every day, month after month, and I guarantee that within two years you will be smarter than all your bosses. Do it for five years, and I'll bet you become a millionaire."

I started reading the book last week and am in Chapter 6 right now.

Chapter 1 : How the richest man who ever lived can make you happier, more successful and wealthier - There are examples of how rags to riches stories of people who followed principles that Solomon outlined in Proverbs. The main message is - 'read the book of Proverbs'
Chapter 2 : The key to winning every race - Diligence
Chapter 3 : The activity that creates extra ordinary success - Vision
Chapter 4 : Solomon's power secret for turning dreams into reality - Hope
Chapter 5 : The key that opens any door - Communication
Chapter 6 : The great accelerator - The key to maximum success in minimum time - Partner/Counselor

It is a great inspiration. I thought I will start by reading the book of Proverbs. Since today is 10th, I'll read 10 chapters today and blog whenever I get time.

May God Bless you.

Day 945 - Matthew - Chapter 16

2012-12-25T14:29:00.000-08:00

Matthew 16 :

The Demand for a Miracle
1 Some Pharisees and Sadducees who came to Jesus wanted to trap him, so they asked him to perform a miracle for them, to show that God approved of him.
2 But Jesus answered,
When the sun is setting, you say,
We are going to have fine weather, because the sky is red.
3 And early in the morning you say,
It is going to rain, because the sky is red and dark. You can predict the weather by looking at the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs concerning these times!
4 How evil and godless are the people of this day! You ask me for a miracle? No! The only miracle you will be given is the miracle of Jonah.

So he left them and went away.

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees
5 When the disciples crossed over to the other side of the lake, they forgot to take any bread.
6 Jesus said to them,
Take care; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
7 They started discussing among themselves,
He says this because we didn't bring any bread.

8 Jesus knew what they were saying, so he asked them,
Why are you discussing among yourselves about not having any bread? What little faith you have!
9 Don't you understand yet? Don't you remember when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand men? How many baskets did you fill?
10 And what about the seven loaves for the four thousand men? How many baskets did you fill?
11 How is it that you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? Guard yourselves from the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!

12 Then the disciples understood that he was not warning them to guard themselves from the yeast used in bread but from the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Peter's Declaration about Jesus
13 Jesus went to the territory near the town of Caesarea Philippi, where he asked his disciples,
Who do people say the Son of Man is?
14
Some say John the Baptist, they answered.
Others say Elijah, while others say Jeremiah or some other prophet.

15
What about you? he asked them.
Who do you say I am?

16 Simon Peter answered,
You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

17
Good for you, Simon son of John! answered Jesus.
For this truth did not come to you from any human being, but it was given to you directly by my Father in heaven.
18 And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it.
19 I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.

20 Then Jesus ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Jesus Speaks about His Suffering and Death
21 From that time on Jesus began to say plainly to his disciples,
I must go to Jerusalem and suffer much from the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law. I will be put to death, but three days later I will be raised to life.
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
God forbid it, Lord! he said.
That must never happen to you!

23 Jesus turned around and said to Peter,
Get away from me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my way, because these thoughts of yours don't come from God, but from human nature.

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples,
If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me.
25 For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it.
26 Will you gain anything if you win the whole world but lose your life? Of course not! There is nothing you can give to regain your life.
27 For the Son of Man is about to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each one according to his deeds.
28 I assure you that there are some here who will not die until they have seen the Son of Man come as King.

Day 943 - Matthew - Chapter 15

2012-07-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

Matthew 15 : Teachings about what makes a person unclean, Canaanite Woman's faith, Feeding of the 4000

Jesus says that we must follow Gods commands and not our own.
What makes a person unclean is not what goes into his/her mouth but what comes out. We should really guard our mind and tongue and mind what we think or say.
Jesus heals a Canaanite woman of great faith.
He feeds 4000 with 7 loaves of bread and few fish. We had a sermon about this topic last week. Achen said this incident is different from that of feeding of the 5000. Both took place at different times in different areas.

Chapter from the Bible
Source : http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+15&version=GNT

The Teaching of the Ancestors
1 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the Law came from Jerusalem to Jesus and asked him,
2 Why is it that your disciples disobey the teaching handed down by our ancestors? They don't wash their hands in the proper way before they eat!
3 Jesus answered,
         And why do you disobey God's command and follow your own teaching?
4 For God said,
         Respect your father and your mother, and
         If you curse your father or your mother, you are to be put to death.
5 But you teach that if people have something they could use to help their father or mother, but say,
         This belongs to God,
6 they do not need to honor their father. In this way you disregard God's command, in order to follow your own teaching.
7 You hypocrites! How right Isaiah was when he prophesied about you!
8 These people, says God, honor me with their words,
      but their heart is really far away from me.
9 It is no use for them to worship me,
      because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!

The Things That Make a Person Unclean
10 Then Jesus called the crowd to him and said to them,
         Listen and understand!
11 It is not what goes into your mouth that makes you ritually unclean; rather, what comes out of it makes you unclean.
12 Then the disciples came to him and said,
         Do you know that the Pharisees had their feelings hurt by what you said?
13 Every plant which my Father in heaven did not plant will be pulled up, answered Jesus.
14 Don't worry about them! They are blind leaders of the blind; and when one blind man leads another, both fall into a ditch.
15 Peter spoke up,
         Explain this saying to us.
16 Jesus said to them,
         You are still no more intelligent than the others.
17 Don't you understand? Anything that goes into your mouth goes into your stomach and then on out of your body.
18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these are the things that make you ritually unclean.
19 For from your heart come the evil ideas which lead you to kill, commit adultery, and do other immoral things; to rob, lie, and slander others.
20 These are the things that make you unclean. But to eat without washing your hands as they say you should—this doesn't make you unclean.

A Woman's Faith
21 Jesus left that place and went off to the territory near the cities of Tyre and Sidon.
22 A Canaanite woman who lived in that region came to him.
         Son of David! she cried out.
         Have mercy on me, sir! My daughter has a demon and is in a terrible condition.
23 But Jesus did not say a word to her. His disciples came to him and begged him,
         Send her away! She is following us and making all this noise!
24 Then Jesus replied,
         I have been sent only to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.
25 At this the woman came and fell at his feet.
         Help me, sir! she said.
26 Jesus answered,
         It isn't right to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs.
27
         That's true, sir, she answered,
         but even the dogs eat the leftovers that fall from their masters' table.
28 So Jesus answered her,
         You are a woman of great faith! What you want will be done for you. And at that very moment her daughter was healed.

Jesus Heals Many People
29 Jesus left there and went along by Lake Galilee. He climbed a hill and sat down.
30 Large crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the dumb, and many other sick people, whom they placed at Jesus' feet; and he healed them.
31 The people were amazed as they saw the dumb speaking, the crippled made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they praised the God of Israel.

Jesus Feeds Four Thousand
32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said,
         I feel sorry for these people, because they have been with me for three days and now have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away without feeding them, for they might faint on their way home.
33 The disciples asked him,
         Where will we find enough food in this desert to feed this crowd?
34
         How much bread do you have? Jesus asked.

         Seven loaves, they answered,
         and a few small fish.

35 So Jesus ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.
36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks to God, broke them, and gave them to the disciples; and the disciples gave them to the people.
37 They all ate and had enough. Then the disciples took up seven baskets full of pieces left over.
38 The number of men who ate was four thousand, not counting the women and children.
39 Then Jesus sent the people away, got into a boat, and went to the territory of Magadan.

Day 942 - Matthew - Chapter 14

2012-07-11T07:04:00.003-07:00

Matthew 14 : Death of John the Baptist

John the Baptist is beheaded at the request of Herodias' daughter.
Jesus goes to lonely place to pray. People follow him and since they have come far from their homes, disciples ask Jesus to send them away to eat food. Jesus feeds 5000 using 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.
Everyone goes away and Jesus stays back to pray. In the night, he walks on water towards the boat that the disciples are in. Peter comes out of the boat and also is able to walk but starts drowning when there is a wind. Jesus pulls him out of water in time.

Chapter from the Bible
Source : http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+14&version=GNT

The Death of John the Baptist
1 At that time Herod, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus.2
He is really John the Baptist, who has come back to life, he told his officials.
That is why he has this power to perform miracles.
3 For Herod had earlier ordered John's arrest, and he had him tied up and put in prison. He had done this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.4 For some time John the Baptist had told Herod,
It isn't right for you to be married to Herodias!5 Herod wanted to kill him, but he was afraid of the Jewish people, because they considered John to be a prophet.

6 On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced in front of the whole group. Herod was so pleased7 that he promised her,
I swear that I will give you anything you ask for!

8 At her mother's suggestion she asked him,
Give me here and now the head of John the Baptist on a plate!

9 The king was sad, but because of the promise he had made in front of all his guests he gave orders that her wish be granted.10 So he had John beheaded in prison.11 The head was brought in on a plate and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.12 John's disciples came, carried away his body, and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
13 When Jesus heard the news about John, he left there in a boat and went to a lonely place by himself. The people heard about it, and so they left their towns and followed him by land.14 Jesus got out of the boat, and when he saw the large crowd, his heart was filled with pity for them, and he healed their sick.
15 That evening his disciples came to him and said,
It is already very late, and this is a lonely place. Send the people away and let them go to the villages to buy food for themselves.

16
They don't have to leave, answered Jesus.
You yourselves give them something to eat!

17
All we have here are five loaves and two fish, they replied.

18
Then bring them here to me, Jesus said.19 He ordered the people to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, and gave thanks to God. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.20 Everyone ate and had enough. Then the disciples took up twelve baskets full of what was left over.21 The number of men who ate was about five thousand, not counting the women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Then Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people away.23 After sending the people away, he went up a hill by himself to pray. When evening came, Jesus was there alone;24 and by this time the boat was far out in the lake, tossed about by the waves, because the wind was blowing against it.
25 Between three and six o'clock in the morning Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water.26 When they saw him walking on the water, they were terrified.
It's a ghost! they said, and screamed with fear.

27 Jesus spoke to them at once.
Courage! he said.
It is I. Don't be afraid!

28 Then Peter spoke up.
Lord, if it is really you, order me to come out on the water to you.

29
Come! answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus.30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water.
Save me, Lord! he cried.

31 At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said,
What little faith you have! Why did you doubt?

32 They both got into the boat, and the wind died down.33 Then the disciples in the boat worshiped Jesus.
Truly you are the Son of God! they exclaimed.

Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret
34 They crossed the lake and came to land at Gennesaret,35 where the people recognized Jesus. So they sent for the sick people in all the surrounding country and brought them to Jesus.36 They begged him to let the sick at least touch the edge of his cloak; and all who touched it were made well.

Day 941 - Matthew - Chapter 13

2012-07-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

Mathew 13 : Parables of the Sower, Weeds, Mustard Seed, Yeast, Hidden Treasure, Pearl, Net

Jesus preaches to people using parables. Parables are simple stories that people understand, they are very interesting so people listen and they also have lot of insight which make people think about the meaning many times afterwards.

Chapter from the Bible
Source : http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13&version=GNT

The Parable of the Sower
1 That same day Jesus left the house and went to the lakeside, where he sat down to teach.2 The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it, while the crowd stood on the shore.3 He used parables to tell them many things.

Once there was a man who went out to sow grain.4 As he scattered the seed in the field, some of it fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.5 Some of it fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. The seeds soon sprouted, because the soil wasn't deep.6 But when the sun came up, it burned the young plants; and because the roots had not grown deep enough, the plants soon dried up.7 Some of the seed fell among thorn bushes, which grew up and choked the plants.8 But some seeds fell in good soil, and the plants bore grain: some had one hundred grains, others sixty, and others thirty.

9 And Jesus concluded,
Listen, then, if you have ears!

The Purpose of the Parables
10 Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked him,
Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?
11 Jesus answered,
The knowledge about the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.12 For the person who has something will be given more, so that he will have more than enough; but the person who has nothing will have taken away from him even the little he has.13 The reason I use parables in talking to them is that they look, but do not see, and they listen, but do not hear or understand.14 So the prophecy of Isaiah applies to them:

This people will listen and listen, but not understand;
they will look and look, but not see,
15 because their minds are dull,
and they have stopped up their ears
and have closed their eyes.
Otherwise, their eyes would see,
their ears would hear,
their minds would understand,
and they would turn to me, says God,
and I would heal them.

16 As for you, how fortunate you are! Your eyes see and your ears hear.17 I assure you that many prophets and many of God's people wanted very much to see what you see, but they could not, and to hear what you hear, but they did not.

Jesus Explains the Parable of the Sower
18 Listen, then, and learn what the parable of the sower means.19 Those who hear the message about the Kingdom but do not understand it are like the seeds that fell along the path. The Evil One comes and snatches away what was sown in them.20 The seeds that fell on rocky ground stand for those who receive the message gladly as soon as they hear it.21 But it does not sink deep into them, and they don't last long. So when trouble or persecution comes because of the message, they give up at once.22 The seeds that fell among thorn bushes stand for those who hear the message; but the worries about this life and the love for riches choke the message, and they don't bear fruit.23 And the seeds sown in the good soil stand for those who hear the message and understand it: they bear fruit, some as much as one hundred, others sixty, and others thirty.

The Parable of the Weeds
24 Jesus told them another parable:
The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man sowed good seed in his field.25 One night, when everyone was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.26 When the plants grew and the heads of grain began to form, then the weeds showed up.27 The man's servants came to him and said,
Sir, it was good seed you sowed in your field; where did the weeds come from?28
It was some enemy who did this, he answered.
Do you want us to go and pull up the weeds? they asked him.29
No, he answered,
because as you gather the weeds you might pull up some of the wheat along with them.30 Let the wheat and the weeds both grow together until harvest. Then I will tell the harvest workers to pull up the weeds first, tie them in bundles and burn them, and then to gather in the wheat and put it in my barn.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed
31 Jesus told them another parable:
The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man takes a mustard seed and sows it in his field.32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows up, it is the biggest of all plants. It becomes a tree, so that birds come and make their nests in its branches.

The Parable of the Yeast
33 Jesus told them still another parable:
The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A woman takes some yeast and mixes it with a bushel of flour until the whole batch of dough rises.

Jesus' Use of Parables
34 Jesus used parables to tell all these things to the crowds; he would not say a thing to them without using a parable.35 He did this to make come true what the prophet had said,

I will use parables when I speak to them;
I will tell them things unknown since the creation of the world.

Jesus Explains the Parable of the Weeds
36 When Jesus had left the crowd and gone indoors, his disciples came to him and said,
Tell us what the parable about the weeds in the field means.
37 Jesus answered,
The man who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man;38 the field is the world; the good seed is the people who belong to the Kingdom; the weeds are the people who belong to the Evil One;39 and the enemy who sowed the weeds is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvest workers are angels.40 Just as the weeds are gathered up and burned in the fire, so the same thing will happen at the end of the age:41 the Son of Man will send out his angels to gather up out of his Kingdom all those who cause people to sin and all others who do evil things,42 and they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where they will cry and gnash their teeth.43 Then God's people will shine like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Listen, then, if you have ears!

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
44 The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man happens to find a treasure hidden in a field. He covers it up again, and is so happy that he goes and sells everything he has, and then goes back and buys that field.

The Parable of the Pearl
45 Also, the Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man is looking for fine pearls,46 and when he finds one that is unusually fine, he goes and sells everything he has, and buys that pearl.

The Parable of the Net
47 Also, the Kingdom of heaven is like this. Some fishermen throw their net out in the lake and catch all kinds of fish.48 When the net is full, they pull it to shore and sit down to divide the fish: the good ones go into the buckets, the worthless ones are thrown away.49 It will be like this at the end of the age: the angels will go out and gather up the evil people from among the good50 and will throw them into the fiery furnace, where they will cry and gnash their teeth.
New Truths and Old

51
Do you understand these things? Jesus asked them.
Yes, they answered.

52 So he replied,
This means, then, that every teacher of the Law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who takes new and old things out of his storage room.

Jesus Is Rejected at Nazareth
53 When Jesus finished telling these parables, he left that place54 and went back to his hometown. He taught in the synagogue, and those who heard him were amazed.
Where did he get such wisdom? they asked. And what about his miracles?55 Isn't he the carpenter's son? Isn't Mary his mother, and aren't James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas his brothers?56 Aren't all his sisters living here? Where did he get all this?
57 And so they rejected him.

Jesus said to them,
A prophet is respected everywhere except in his hometown and by his own family.58 Because they did not have faith, he did not perform many miracles there.

Day 940 - Matthew - Chapter 12

2012-07-09T07:10:00.000-07:00

Matthew 12 : Question about Sabbath, Jesus's miracles

Pharisees accuse Jesus' disciples of violating the Sabbath and Jesus sites the Biblical example of David and his men eating bread offered to God when they were very hungry.
Jesus heals a man with paralyzed hand and casts out demons and evil spirits from other people.

Chapter from the Bible
Source : http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12&version=GNT

The Question about the Sabbath
1 Not long afterward Jesus was walking through some wheat fields on a Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began to pick heads of wheat and eat the grain.2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Jesus,
Look, it is against our Law for your disciples to do this on the Sabbath!
3 Jesus answered,
Have you never read what David did that time when he and his men were hungry?4 He went into the house of God, and he and his men ate the bread offered to God, even though it was against the Law for them to eat it—only the priests were allowed to eat that bread.5 Or have you not read in the Law of Moses that every Sabbath the priests in the Temple actually break the Sabbath law, yet they are not guilty?6 I tell you that there is something here greater than the Temple.7 The scripture says,
It is kindness that I want, not animal sacrifices. If you really knew what this means, you would not condemn people who are not guilty;8 for the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.

The Man with a Paralyzed Hand
9 Jesus left that place and went to a synagogue,10 where there was a man who had a paralyzed hand. Some people were there who wanted to accuse Jesus of doing wrong, so they asked him,
Is it against our Law to heal on the Sabbath?
11 Jesus answered,
What if one of you has a sheep and it falls into a deep hole on the Sabbath? Will you not take hold of it and lift it out?12 And a human being is worth much more than a sheep! So then, our Law does allow us to help someone on the Sabbath.

13 Then he said to the man with the paralyzed hand,
Stretch out your hand.

He stretched it out, and it became well again, just like the other one.14 Then the Pharisees left and made plans to kill Jesus.

God's Chosen Servant
15 When Jesus heard about the plot against him, he went away from that place; and large crowds followed him. He healed all the sick16 and gave them orders not to tell others about him.17 He did this so as to make come true what God had said through the prophet Isaiah:

18
Here is my servant, whom I have chosen,
the one I love, and with whom I am pleased.
I will send my Spirit upon him,
and he will announce my judgment to the nations.
19 He will not argue or shout,
or make loud speeches in the streets.
20 He will not break off a bent reed,
nor put out a flickering lamp.
He will persist until he causes justice to triumph,
21 and on him all peoples will put their hope.

Jesus and Beelzebul
22 Then some people brought to Jesus a man who was blind and could not talk because he had a demon. Jesus healed the man, so that he was able to talk and see.23 The crowds were all amazed at what Jesus had done.
Could he be the Son of David? they asked.
24 When the Pharisees heard this, they replied,
He drives out demons only because their ruler Beelzebul gives him power to do so.

25 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and so he said to them,
Any country that divides itself into groups which fight each other will not last very long. And any town or family that divides itself into groups which fight each other will fall apart.26 So if one group is fighting another in Satan's kingdom, this means that it is already divided into groups and will soon fall apart!27 You say that I drive out demons because Beelzebul gives me the power to do so. Well, then, who gives your followers the power to drive them out? What your own followers do proves that you are wrong!28 No, it is not Beelzebul, but God's Spirit, who gives me the power to drive out demons, which proves that the Kingdom of God has already come upon you.

29 No one can break into a strong man's house and take away his belongings unless he first ties up the strong man; then he can plunder his house.

30 Anyone who is not for me is really against me; anyone who does not help me gather is really scattering.31 For this reason I tell you: people can be forgiven any sin and any evil thing they say;[a] but whoever says evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.32 Anyone who says something against the Son of Man can be forgiven; but whoever says something against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven—now or ever.

A Tree and Its Fruit
33 To have good fruit you must have a healthy tree; if you have a poor tree, you will have bad fruit. A tree is known by the kind of fruit it bears.34 You snakes—how can you say good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.35 A good person brings good things out of a treasure of good things; a bad person brings bad things out of a treasure of bad things.
36 You can be sure that on the Judgment Day you will have to give account of every useless word you have ever spoken.37 Your words will be used to judge you—to declare you either innocent or guilty.

The Demand for a Miracle
38 Then some teachers of the Law and some Pharisees spoke up.
Teacher, they said,
we want to see you perform a miracle.
39
How evil and godless are the people of this day! Jesus exclaimed.
You ask me for a miracle? No! The only miracle you will be given is the miracle of the prophet Jonah.40 In the same way that Jonah spent three days and nights in the big fish, so will the Son of Man spend three days and nights in the depths of the earth.41 On the Judgment Day the people of Nineveh will stand up and accuse you, because they turned from their sins when they heard Jonah preach; and I tell you that there is something here greater than Jonah!42 On the Judgment Day the Queen of Sheba will stand up and accuse you, because she traveled all the way from her country to listen to King Solomon's wise teaching; and I assure you that there is something here greater than Solomon!

The Return of the Evil Spirit
43 When an evil spirit goes out of a person, it travels over dry country looking for a place to rest. If it can't find one,44 it says to itself,
I will go back to my house. So it goes back and finds the house empty, clean, and all fixed up.45 Then it goes out and brings along seven other spirits even worse than itself, and they come and live there. So when it is all over, that person is in worse shape than at the beginning. This is what will happen to the evil people of this day.

Jesus' Mother and Brothers
46 Jesus was still talking to the people when his mother and brothers arrived. They stood outside, asking to speak with him.47 So one of the people there said to him,
Look, your mother and brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak with you.[b]
48 Jesus answered,
Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said,
Look! Here are my mother and my brothers!50 Whoever does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother, my sister, and my mother.

Day 939 - Matthew - Chapter 11

2012-07-08T08:03:00.000-07:00

Matthew 11 : The Messengers from John the Baptist

John the Baptist is in prison and his disciples visit Jesus and ask him if he is the one John said would come. Jesus told them about the miracles and asked them to judge themselves if he is the one or if they should wait for someone else.
Jesus says about John in verse 11 - "I assure you that John the Baptist is greater than anyone who has ever lived. But the one who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John."
There are many towns that do no believe Jesus even after the miracles. Jesus says that if the miracles were performed in Sodom, it could have been in existence even today.
Then Jesus thanks Heavenly Father for everything that has happened.
Jesus says - "Come to me and Rest".
See verse 28 - "Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest."

Chapter from the Bible
Source : http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011&version=GNT

The Messengers from John the Baptist
1 When Jesus finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he left that place and went off to teach and preach in the towns near there.
2 When John the Baptist heard in prison about the things that Christ was doing, he sent some of his disciples to him.3
Tell us, they asked Jesus,
are you the one John said was going to come, or should we expect someone else?
4 Jesus answered,
Go back and tell John what you are hearing and seeing:5 the blind can see, the lame can walk, those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor.6 How happy are those who have no doubts about me!

7 While John's disciples were leaving, Jesus spoke about him to the crowds:
When you went out to John in the desert, what did you expect to see? A blade of grass bending in the wind?8 What did you go out to see? A man dressed up in fancy clothes? People who dress like that live in palaces!9 Tell me, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes indeed, but you saw much more than a prophet.10 For John is the one of whom the scripture says:
God said, I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.11 I assure you that John the Baptist is greater than anyone who has ever lived. But the one who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John.12 From the time John preached his message until this very day the Kingdom of heaven has suffered violent attacks, and violent men try to seize it.13 Until the time of John all the prophets and the Law of Moses spoke about the Kingdom;14 and if you are willing to believe their message, John is Elijah, whose coming was predicted.15 Listen, then, if you have ears!

16 Now, to what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group shouts to the other,17
We played wedding music for you, but you wouldn't dance! We sang funeral songs, but you wouldn't cry!18 When John came, he fasted and drank no wine, and everyone said,
He has a demon in him!19 When the Son of Man came, he ate and drank, and everyone said,
Look at this man! He is a glutton and wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and other outcasts! God's wisdom, however, is shown to be true by its results.

The Unbelieving Towns
20 The people in the towns where Jesus had performed most of his miracles did not turn from their sins, so he reproached those towns.21
How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible for you too, Bethsaida! If the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have long ago put on sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on themselves, to show that they had turned from their sins!22 I assure you that on the Judgment Day God will show more mercy to the people of Tyre and Sidon than to you!23 And as for you, Capernaum! Did you want to lift yourself up to heaven? You will be thrown down to hell! If the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would still be in existence today!24 You can be sure that on the Judgment Day God will show more mercy to Sodom than to you!

Come to Me and Rest
25 At that time Jesus said,
Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned.26 Yes, Father, this was how you were pleased to have it happen.
27 My Father has given me all things. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest.30 For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.

Day 624 - Psalms : Chapter 147

2011-08-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

Psalm 147 : In praise of God the Almighty

God is in control of everything. Praise the Lord since he is the source of everything.
He blesses us since we know his Laws.

Chapter from the Bible
Source : Bible Gateway : http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20147&version=GNT
    Praise the Lord!

   It is good to sing praise to our God;
      it is pleasant and right to praise him.
2 The Lord is restoring Jerusalem;
      he is bringing back the exiles.
3 He heals the broken-hearted
      and bandages their wounds.

4 He has decided the number of the stars
      and calls each one by name.
5 Great and mighty is our Lord;
      his wisdom cannot be measured.
6 He raises the humble,
      but crushes the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing hymns of praise to the Lord;
      play music on the harp to our God.
8 He spreads clouds over the sky;
      he provides rain for the earth
      and makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives animals their food
      and feeds the young ravens when they call.

10 His pleasure is not in strong horses,
      nor his delight in brave soldiers;
11 but he takes pleasure in those who honor him,
      in those who trust in his constant love.

12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
      Praise your God, O Zion!
13 He keeps your gates strong;
      he blesses your people.
14 He keeps your borders safe
      and satisfies you with the finest wheat.

15 He gives a command to the earth,
      and what he says is quickly done.
16 He spreads snow like a blanket
      and scatters frost like dust.
17 He sends hail like gravel;
      no one can endure the cold he sends!
18 Then he gives a command, and the ice melts;
      he sends the wind, and the water flows.

19 He gives his message to his people,
      his instructions and laws to Israel.
20 He has not done this for other nations;
      they do not know his laws.

   Praise the Lord!

Day 503 - Psalms : Chapter 26

2011-04-29T07:20:00.000-07:00

Psalm 26 : The Prayer of a Good Person

Good person always does what is right. God is his(her) constant guide. He doesnt keep company with evil and wicked people. He loves the house of God and is safe from all dangers since God loves him.

Chapter from the BibleSource : Bible Gateway : http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2026&version=GNT

1 Declare me innocent, O Lord,
      because I do what is right
      and trust you completely.
2 Examine me and test me, Lord;
      judge my desires and thoughts.
3 Your constant love is my guide;
      your faithfulness always leads me.

4 I do not keep company with worthless people;
      I have nothing to do with hypocrites.
5 I hate the company of the evil
      and avoid the wicked.

6 Lord, I wash my hands to show that I am innocent
      and march in worship around your altar.
7 I sing a hymn of thanksgiving
      and tell of all your wonderful deeds.

8 I love the house where you live, O Lord,
      the place where your glory dwells.
9 Do not destroy me with the sinners;
      spare me from the fate of murderers
    10 those who do evil all the time
      and are always ready to take bribes.

11 As for me, I do what is right;
      be merciful to me and save me!

12 I am safe from all dangers;
      in the assembly of his people I praise the Lord.

Day 502 - Psalms : Chapter 25

2011-04-28T06:54:00.000-07:00

Psalm 25 : A Prayer for Guidance and Protection

God is our only protection in times of trouble. We need to constantly pray for divine guidance. This Psalm in an excellent prayer.
I look to the Lord for help at all times and he rescues me from danger.

Chapter from the Bible
Source : Bible Gateway : http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2025&version=GNT

1 To you, O Lord, I offer my prayer;
   in you, my God, I trust.
2 Save me from the shame of defeat;
      don't let my enemies gloat over me!
3 Defeat does not come to those who trust in you,
      but to those who are quick to rebel against you.

4 Teach me your ways, O Lord;
      make them known to me.
5 Teach me to live according to your truth,
      for you are my God, who saves me.
      I always trust in you.

6 Remember, O Lord, your kindness and constant love
      which you have shown from long ago.
7 Forgive the sins and errors of my youth.
   In your constant love and goodness,
      remember me, Lord!

8 Because the Lord is righteous and good,
      he teaches sinners the path they should follow.
9 He leads the humble in the right way
      and teaches them his will.
10 With faithfulness and love he leads
      all who keep his covenant and obey his commands.

11 Keep your promise, Lord, and forgive my sins,
      for they are many.
12 Those who have reverence for the Lord
      will learn from him the path they should follow.
13 They will always be prosperous,
      and their children will possess the land.
14 The Lord is the friend of those who obey him
      and he affirms his covenant with them.

15 I look to the Lord for help at all times,
      and he rescues me from danger.
16 Turn to me, Lord, and be merciful to me,
      because I am lonely and weak.
17 Relieve me of my worries
      and save me from all my troubles.
18 Consider my distress and suffering
      and forgive all my sins.

19 See how many enemies I have;
      see how much they hate me.
20 Protect me and save me;
      keep me from defeat.
      I come to you for safety.
21 May my goodness and honesty preserve me,
      because I trust in you.

22 From all their troubles, O God,
      save your people Israel!

Day 501 - Psalms : Chapter 24

2011-04-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

Psalm 24 : The Great King

God is the great king who built everything in this world. He owns everything.
Those who are pure in heart will be able to enter Lord's hill and God will bless them.
Fling wide the gates and let the Lord come in.
It is a call for all of us to fling open the gates of our heart and let the Lord in. Once the Lord is within us, everything will be perfect.

Chapter from the Bible
Source : Bible Gateway : http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+24&version=GNT

1 The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord;
      the earth and all who live on it are his.
2 He built it on the deep waters beneath the earth
      and laid its foundations in the ocean depths.

3 Who has the right to go up the Lord's hill?
      Who may enter his holy Temple?
4 Those who are pure in act and in thought,
      who do not worship idols
      or make false promises.
5 The Lord will bless them and save them;
      God will declare them innocent.
6 Such are the people who come to God,
      who come into the presence of the God of Jacob.

7 Fling wide the gates,
      open the ancient doors,
      and the great king will come in.
8 Who is this great king?
   He is the Lord, strong and mighty,
      the Lord, victorious in battle.

9 Fling wide the gates,
      open the ancient doors,
      and the great king will come in.
10 Who is this great king?
   The triumphant Lord - he is the great king!

Day 500 - Psalms : Chapter 23

2011-04-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

Psalm 23 : The Lord is My Shepherd

Today is day 500 and it is a great co-incidence that I'm in the most famous, most inspiring and the most read chapter in the Bible. The Lord is My Shepherd, indeed !
"Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me. "

Yahanna daivamennidayanallo... is a great song.
Here is the full song lyrics in malayalam -> http://www.keral.net/msongs/Yahanna%20deiva%20mennidayanaho.pdf

Chapter from the Bible
Source : Bible Gateway : http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+23&version=GNT

1 The Lord is my shepherd;
      I have everything I need.
2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass
      and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.
3 He gives me new strength.
   He guides me in the right paths,
      as he has promised.
4 Even if I go through the deepest darkness,
      I will not be afraid, Lord,
      for you are with me.
   Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me.

5 You prepare a banquet for me,
      where all my enemies can see me;
   you welcome me as an honored guest
      and fill my cup to the brim.
6 I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life;
      and your house will be my home as long as I live.

Day 499 - Psalms : Chapter 22

2011-04-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

Psalm 22 : A Cry of Anguish and a Song of Praise

I just could not believe when I read this Psalm. These were the words by Jesus! "They gamble for my clothes and divide among themselves". Since we just finished Good Friday a couple of days back, this brought back into memory the whole day's service. The service in our church - the wordings in the songs and all the readings - they are very heart-rendering. You will feel as though you are taken to that moment.

The Psalm ends by saying that the Lord answers everyone's cries and helps all in trouble. Even the unborn would say - "The Lord saved his people".

Chapter from the Bible
Source : Bible Gateway : http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+22&version=GNT

1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
   I have cried desperately for help,
      but still it does not come.
2 During the day I call to you, my God,
      but you do not answer;
   I call at night,
      but get no rest.
3 But you are enthroned as the Holy One,
      the one whom Israel praises.
4 Our ancestors put their trust in you;
      they trusted you, and you saved them.
5 They called to you and escaped from danger;
      they trusted you and were not disappointed.

6 But I am no longer a human being; I am a worm,
      despised and scorned by everyone!
7 All who see me make fun of me;
      they stick out their tongues and shake their heads.
8 You relied on the Lord,
          they say.

         Why doesn't he save you?
   If the Lord likes you,
      why doesn't he help you?

9 It was you who brought me safely through birth,
      and when I was a baby, you kept me safe.
10 I have relied on you since the day I was born,
      and you have always been my God.
11 Do not stay away from me!
      Trouble is near,
      and there is no one to help.

12 Many enemies surround me like bulls;
      they are all around me,
      like fierce bulls from the land of Bashan.
13 They open their mouths like lions,
      roaring and tearing at me.

14 My strength is gone,
      gone like water spilled on the ground.
   All my bones are out of joint;
      my heart is like melted wax.
15 My throat is as dry as dust,
      and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
   You have left me for dead in the dust.

16 An evil gang is around me;
      like a pack of dogs they close in on me;
      they tear at my hands and feet.
17 All my bones can be seen.
      My enemies look at me and stare.
18 They gamble for my clothes
      and divide them among themselves.

19 O Lord, don't stay away from me!
      Come quickly to my rescue!
20 Save me from the sword;
      save my life from these dogs.
21 Rescue me from these lions;
      I am helpless before these wild bulls.

22 I will tell my people what you have done;
      I will praise you in their assembly:
23
         Praise him, you servants of the Lord!
      Honor him, you descendants of Jacob!
      Worship him, you people of Israel!
24 He does not neglect the poor or ignore their suffering;
      he does not turn away from them,
      but answers when they call for help.



25 In the full assembly I will praise you for what you have done;
      in the presence of those who worship you
      I will offer the sacrifices I promised.
26 The poor will eat as much as they want;
      those who come to the Lord will praise him.
   May they prosper forever!

27 All nations will remember the Lord.
      From every part of the world they will turn to him;
      all races will worship him.
28 The Lord is king,
      and he rules the nations.

29 All proud people will bow down to him;
      all mortals will bow down before him.
30 Future generations will serve him;
      they will speak of the Lord to the coming generation.
31 People not yet born will be told:

         The Lord saved his people.

Day 498 - Psalms : Chapter 21

2011-04-24T04:22:00.000-07:00

Psalm 21 : Praise for Victory

Happy Easter to everyone.
This Psalm continues from the earlier Psalm in which the Psalmist proclaimed that victory is for those who believe in the Lord.
The King is glad because the Lord has given him victory.
The King has long life and glory because the Lord has given them.
The King trusts in the Lord and so will always be secure and prosperous.
Even if his enemies plot against him, the Lord will cause their plans to fail and will protect the King.

Chapter from the Bible
Source : Bible Gateway : http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+21&version=GNT

1 The king is glad, O Lord, because you gave him strength;
      he rejoices because you made him victorious.
2 You have given him his heart's desire;
      you have answered his request.

3 You came to him with great blessings
      and set a crown of gold on his head.
4 He asked for life, and you gave it,
      a long and lasting life.

5 His glory is great because of your help;
      you have given him fame and majesty.
6 Your blessings are with him forever,
      and your presence fills him with joy.

7 The king trusts in the Lord Almighty;
      and because of the Lord's constant love
      he will always be secure.
8 The king will capture all his enemies;
      he will capture everyone who hates him.
9 He will destroy them like a blazing fire
      when he appears.

   The Lord will devour them in his anger,
      and fire will consume them.
10 None of their descendants will survive;
      the king will kill them all.

11 They make their plans, and plot against him,
      but they will not succeed.
12 He will shoot his arrows at them
      and make them turn and run.

13 We praise you, Lord, for your great strength!
      We will sing and praise your power.

Day 497 - Psalms : Chapter 20

2011-04-23T07:15:00.000-07:00

Psalm 20 : A Prayer for Victory

If we pray to God, he will surely give us victory.
Through David's life we know that God gives victory to people who believe in God.
There are people who believe in chariots and horses but they will stumble and fall. Victory will be to the believer.

Chapter from the Bible
Source : Bible Gateway : http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+20&version=GNT

1 May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble!
May the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from his Temple
and give you aid from Mount Zion.
3 May he accept all your offerings
and be pleased with all your sacrifices.
4 May he give you what you desire
and make all your plans succeed.
5 Then we will shout for joy over your victory
and celebrate your triumph by praising our God.
May the Lord answer all your requests.

6 Now I know that the Lord gives victory to his chosen king;
he answers him from his holy heaven
and by his power gives him great victories.
7 Some trust in their war chariots
and others in their horses,
but we trust in the power of the Lord our God.
8 Such people will stumble and fall,
but we will rise and stand firm.

9 Give victory to the king, O Lord;
answer us when we call.

Day 496 - Psalms : Chapter 19

2011-04-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

Psalm 19 : God's Glory in creation

Everything around us - the sky, day, night .. reveals the glory of God. Everything in the world goes on with perfection without speech or word or sound. It is God's magic.

God's laws are very precious. They are perfect and more valuable than anything else in the world. If we obey them we will be greatly rewarded.

Chapter from the BibleSource : Bible Gateway : http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+19&version=GNT

1 How clearly the sky reveals God's glory!
      How plainly it shows what he has done!
2 Each day announces it to the following day;
      each night repeats it to the next.
3 No speech or words are used,
      no sound is heard;
4 yet their message goes out to all the world
      and is heard to the ends of the earth.
   God made a home in the sky for the sun;
    5 it comes out in the morning like a happy bridegroom,
      like an athlete eager to run a race.
6 It starts at one end of the sky
      and goes across to the other.
      Nothing can hide from its heat.

The Law of the Lord 7 The law of the Lord is perfect;
      it gives new strength.
   The commands of the Lord are trustworthy,
      giving wisdom to those who lack it.
8 The laws of the Lord are right,
      and those who obey them are happy.
   The commands of the Lord are just
      and give understanding to the mind.
9 Reverence for the Lord is good;
      it will continue forever.
   The judgments of the Lord are just;
      they are always fair.
10 They are more desirable than the finest gold;
      they are sweeter than the purest honey.
11 They give knowledge to me, your servant;
      I am rewarded for obeying them.

12 None of us can see our own errors;
      deliver me, Lord, from hidden faults!
13 Keep me safe, also, from willful sins;
      don't let them rule over me.
   Then I shall be perfect
      and free from the evil of sin.

14 May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you,
      O Lord, my refuge and my redeemer!

Day 495 - Psalms : Chapter 18

2011-04-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

Psalm 18 : David's Song of Victory

This is a Psalm of affirmation that we can read again and again. May be daily to strengthen us.
The Lord is our protector at all times. Danger was all around David but he came out of them only because the Lord was with him.
The Lord is faithful to those who are faithful to him. Lord is our light and dispels our darkness. He is the shield who protects the believers. Praise be to God forever.

Chapter from the Bible
Source : Bible Gateway : http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2018&version=GNT

    How I love you, Lord!
      You are my defender.

2 The Lord is my protector;
      he is my strong fortress.
   My God is my protection,
      and with him I am safe.
   He protects me like a shield;
      he defends me and keeps me safe.
3 I call to the Lord,
      and he saves me from my enemies.
   Praise the Lord!

4 The danger of death was all around me;
      the waves of destruction rolled over me.
5 The danger of death was around me,
      and the grave set its trap for me.
6 In my trouble I called to the Lord;
      I called to my God for help.
   In his temple he heard my voice;
      he listened to my cry for help.

7 Then the earth trembled and shook;
      the foundations of the mountains rocked and quivered,
      because God was angry.
8 Smoke poured out of his nostrils,
      a consuming flame and burning coals from his mouth.
9 He tore the sky open and came down
      with a dark cloud under his feet.
10 He flew swiftly on his winged creature;[b]
      he traveled on the wings of the wind.
11 He covered himself with darkness;
      thick clouds, full of water, surrounded him.
12 Hailstones and flashes of fire
      came from the lightning before him
      and broke through the dark clouds.

13 Then the Lord thundered from the sky;
      and the voice of the Most High was heard.[c]
14 He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies;
      with flashes of lightning he sent them running.
15 The floor of the ocean was laid bare,
      and the foundations of the earth were uncovered,
   when you rebuked your enemies, Lord,
      and roared at them in anger.

16 The Lord reached down from above and took hold of me;
      he pulled me out of the deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemies
      and from all those who hate meâ
      they were too strong for me.
18 When I was in trouble, they attacked me,
      but the Lord protected me.
19 He helped me out of danger;
      he saved me because he was pleased with me.

20 The Lord rewards me because I do what is right;
      he blesses me because I am innocent.
21 I have obeyed the law of the Lord;
      I have not turned away from my God.
22 I have observed all his laws;
      I have not disobeyed his commands.
23 He knows that I am faultless,
      that I have kept myself from doing wrong.
24 And so he rewards me because I do what is right,
      because he knows that I am innocent.

25 O Lord, you are faithful to those who are faithful to you;
      completely good to those who are perfect.
26 You are pure to those who are pure,
      but hostile to those who are wicked.
27 You save those who are humble,
      but you humble those who are proud.

28 O Lord, you give me light;
      you dispel my darkness.
29 You give me strength to attack my enemies
      and power to overcome their defenses.

30 This Godâhow perfect are his deeds!
      How dependable his words!
   He is like a shield
      for all who seek his protection.
31 The Lord alone is God;
      God alone is our defense.
32 He is the God who makes me strong,
      who makes my pathway safe.
33 (B)He makes me sure-footed as a deer;
      he keeps me safe on the mountains.
34 He trains me for battle,
      so that I can use the strongest bow.

35 O Lord, you protect me and save me;
      your care has made me great,
      and your power has kept me safe.
36 You have kept me from being captured,
      and I have never fallen.
37 I pursue my enemies and catch them;
      I do not stop until I destroy them.
38 I strike them down, and they cannot rise;
      they lie defeated before me.
39 You give me strength for the battle
      and victory over my enemies.
40 You make my enemies run from me;
      I destroy those who hate me.
41 They cry for help, but no one saves them;
      they call to the Lord, but he does not answer.
42 I crush them, so that they become like dust
      which the wind blows away.
   I trample on them like mud in the streets.

43 You saved me from a rebellious people
      and made me ruler over the nations;
      people I did not know have now become my subjects.
44 Foreigners bow before me;
      when they hear me, they obey.
45 They lose their courage
      and come trembling from their fortresses.

46 The Lord lives! Praise my defender!
      Proclaim the greatness of the God who saves me.
47 He gives me victory over my enemies;
      he subdues the nations under me
    48 and saves me from my foes.

   O Lord, you give me victory over my enemies
      and protect me from violent people.
49 (C)And so I praise you among the nations;
      I sing praises to you.

50 God gives great victories to his king;
      he shows constant love to the one he has chosen,
      to David and his descendants forever.

Day 494 - Psalms : Chapter 17

2011-04-20T06:48:00.000-07:00

Psalm 17 : Prayer of an Innocent Man

This Psalm teaches us that God protects innocent people. The innocent man in this pleads to God for help and knows that God will help him, that God will protect him even if enemies surround him.

Chapter from the Bible
Source : Bible Tools : http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/14105/eVerseID/14105/version/gnb/RTD/barnes

17:1   Listen, O LORD, to my plea for justice; pay attention to my cry for help! Listen to my honest prayer.

17:2   You will judge in my favor, because you know what is right.

17:3   You know my heart. You have come to me at night; you have examined me completely and found no evil desire in me. I speak no evil,

17:4   as others do; I have obeyed your command and have not followed paths of violence.

17:5   I have always walked in your way and have never strayed from it.

17:6   I pray to you, O God, because you answer me; so turn to me and listen to my words.

17:7   Reveal your wonderful love and save me; at your side I am safe from my enemies.

17:8   Protect me as you would your very eyes; hide me in the shadow of your wings

17:9   from the attacks of the wicked. Deadly enemies surround me;

17:10   they have no pity and speak proudly.

17:11   They are around me now, wherever I turn, watching for a chance to pull me down.

17:12   They are like lions, waiting for me, wanting to tear me to pieces.

17:13   Come, LORD! Oppose my enemies and defeat them! Save me from the wicked by your sword;

17:14   save me from those who in this life have all they want. Punish them with the sufferings you have stored up for them; may there be enough for their children and some left over for their children's children!

17:15   But I will see you, because I have done no wrong; and when I awake, your presence will fill me with joy.

Day 493 - Psalms : Chapter 16

2011-04-19T07:35:00.000-07:00

Psalm 16 : Confidence in the Lord

Yesterday was a great day. It was a special anniversary for me and Pinks. It was made memorable by dining with some extraordinary folks. Thanks for the blessing Lord. The event changed our lives.

Today's Psalm says that confidence in the Lord would give us everything that we need. When God is with us, nothing can shake us.

Chapter from the Bible
Source : Bible Tools : http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/14094/eVerseID/14094/version/gnb/RTD/barnes

16:1   Protect me, O God; I trust in you for safety.

16:2   I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; all the good things I have come from you."

16:3   How excellent are the LORD's faithful people! My greatest pleasure is to be with them.

16:4   Those who rush to other gods bring many troubles on themselves. I will not take part in their sacrifices; I will not worship their gods.

16:5   You, LORD, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands.

16:6   How wonderful are your gifts to me; how good they are!

16:7   I praise the LORD, because he guides me, and in the night my conscience warns me.

16:8   I am always aware of the LORD's presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me.

16:9   And so I am thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure,

16:10   because you protect me from the power of death. I have served you faithfully, and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead.

16:11   You will show me the path that leads to life; your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever.

Day 492 - Psalms : Chapter 15

2011-04-18T07:24:00.000-07:00

It was exciting to see movie stars so close at Pazhassiraja show yesterday.

Psalm 15 : What God wants

God wants us to do everything that is right - to say true words and be sincere, not slander others, not to give loans for interest, not be bribed to testify falsely.
This is passion week. Let's make that promise today. To live right one day at a time.

Chapter from The BibleSource : Bible Tools : http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/14089/eVerseID/14089

15:1   LORD, who may enter your Temple? Who may worship on Zion, your sacred hill?

15:2   Those who obey God in everything and always do what is right, whose words are true and sincere,

15:3   and who do not slander others. They do no wrong to their friends nor spread rumors about their neighbors.

15:4   They despise those whom God rejects, but honor those who obey the LORD. They always do what they promise, no matter how much it may cost.

15:5   They make loans without charging interest and cannot be bribed to testify against the innocent. Whoever does these things will always be secure.

Day 491 - Psalms : Chapter 14

2011-04-17T07:58:00.000-07:00

Psalm 14 : The Wickedness of Men

It is only foolish people who believe that there is no God. God looks down from heaven and sees that everyone has sinned. The wicked will be punished and the good will be rewarded greatly.

Chapter from The BibleSource : Bible Tools : http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/14082/eVerseID/14082/version/gnb/RTD/barnes

14:1   Fools say to themselves, "There is no God!" They are all corrupt, and they have done terrible things; there is no one who does what is right.

14:2   The LORD looks down from heaven at us humans to see if there are any who are wise, any who worship him.

14:3   But they have all gone wrong; they are all equally bad. Not one of them does what is right, not a single one.

14:4   "Don't they know?" asks the LORD. "Are all these evildoers ignorant? They live by robbing my people, and they never pray to me."

14:5   But then they will be terrified, for God is with those who obey him.

14:6   Evildoers frustrate the plans of the humble, but the LORD is their protection.

14:7   How I pray that victory will come to Israel from Zion. How happy the people of Israel will be when the LORD makes them prosperous again!

Day 490 - Psalms : Chapter 13

2011-04-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

Psalms 13 : A Prayer for Help

This Psalm is a plea to God to help in times of trouble.
Towards the end it assures us that God is a benevolent God who will be with us and help us.
God has a divine purpose in every challenge that he puts towards us. Let us not worry and come out stronger.

Chapter from The BibleSource : Bible Tools : http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/14076/eVerseID/14076/version/gnb/RTD/barnes

13:1   How much longer will you forget me, LORD? Forever? How much longer will you hide yourself from me?

13:2   How long must I endure trouble? How long will sorrow fill my heart day and night? How long will my enemies triumph over me?

13:3   Look at me, O LORD my God, and answer me. Restore my strength; don't let me die.

13:4   Don't let my enemies say, "We have defeated him." Don't let them gloat over my downfall.

13:5   I rely on your constant love; I will be glad, because you will rescue me.

13:6   I will sing to you, O LORD, because you have been good to me.

Day 489 - Psalms : Chapter 12

2011-04-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

Happy Vishu to everyone. It has been a great start due to a fabulous vishu kani prepared by my better half. Thank you Pinks and Thank you God for making all this happen.

Psalms 12 : A Prayer for Help

Today's reading is about what we see all around us. We sometimes perceive that everyone is a sinner and the world is wicked. Yes, there might be a lot of people like that. But we should never fall into their ways.

Lord assures that he will come and give security to the oppressed and the just.

Chapter from The Bible
Source : Bible Tools : http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/14068/eVerseID/14068/version/gnb/RTD/barnes

12:1   Help us, LORD! There is not a good person left; honest people can no longer be found.

12:2   All of them lie to one another; they deceive each other with flattery.

12:3   Silence those flattering tongues, O LORD! Close those boastful mouths that say,

12:4   "With our words we get what we want. We will say what we wish, and no one can stop us."

12:5   "But now I will come," says the LORD, "because the needy are oppressed and the persecuted groan in pain. I will give them the security they long for."

12:6   The promises of the LORD can be trusted; they are as genuine as silver refined seven times in the furnace.

12:7   The wicked are everywhere, and everyone praises what is evil. Keep us always safe, O LORD, and preserve us from such people.

Day 488 - Psalms : Chapter 11

2011-04-14T07:24:00.000-07:00

Today's reading is a message to all the righteous people to let them know that they are right in being good.

Psalms 11 : Confidence in the Lord

Even if someone says to you to run away since the wicked have drawn their bows, you should know that Lord watches everything and knows what people are doing. The Lord hates the lawless and sends down flaming coals on the wicked. The Lord loves the righteous.

Chapter from The BibleSource : Bible Tools : http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/14061/eVerseID/14061/version/gnb/RTD/barnes

11:1   I trust in the LORD for safety. How foolish of you to say to me, "Fly away like a bird to the mountains,

11:2   because the wicked have drawn their bows and aimed their arrows to shoot from the shadows at good people.

11:3   There is nothing a good person can do when everything falls apart."

11:4   The LORD is in his holy temple; he has his throne in heaven. He watches people everywhere and knows what they are doing.

11:5   He examines the good and the wicked alike; the lawless he hates with all his heart.

11:6   He sends down flaming coals and burning sulfur on the wicked; he punishes them with scorching winds.

11:7   The LORD is righteous and loves good deeds; those who do them will live in his presence.