11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
He who cares...
Reference : Jeremiah 29:11
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Faith - Episode 5
From the author..
It is not important how the disciples died. What is important is the fact that they were all willing to die for their faith. If Jesus had not been resurrected, the disciples would have known.
No one would die for something he knows is a lie. The fact that all of the epostles were willing to die horrible deahs, refusing to renouncetheir faith in Christ is tremendous evidence that they had truly witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I hope this answers many questions that might arise after reading some books or watching some movies which are against the christian faith. Let those information not disturb you, for we have a cloud of witnesses around us and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Reference : Hebrews 12
And let us hold onto our faith, come what may!
It is not important how the disciples died. What is important is the fact that they were all willing to die for their faith. If Jesus had not been resurrected, the disciples would have known.
No one would die for something he knows is a lie. The fact that all of the epostles were willing to die horrible deahs, refusing to renouncetheir faith in Christ is tremendous evidence that they had truly witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I hope this answers many questions that might arise after reading some books or watching some movies which are against the christian faith. Let those information not disturb you, for we have a cloud of witnesses around us and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joyset before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Reference : Hebrews 12
And let us hold onto our faith, come what may!
Ends.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Faith - Episode 4
Peter :
Was crucified on a X-shaped cross. He told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die the same way as Jesus Christ. So he was crucified upside down!
James :
James, the head of church in Jerusalem, was thrown down a hundred feet from the south-east pinnacle of the temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, the enemies beat James to death with a Fuller's club!
John :
Was thrown into a boiling pot of oil. But he remained unharmed. So he was sent to the mines of Patmos.
He was the only disciple to escape violent death!
Thomas :
Was killed with spearhead. He was attacked in his hide-out at 'Little Mount'. From there he crawled bleeding and dying towards what is now called as 'St. Thomas Mount', with his enemies at his back. And there he was stabbed, where he died hugging a cross that he had engraved before!
Would our faith stand as long as theirs?
Was crucified on a X-shaped cross. He told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die the same way as Jesus Christ. So he was crucified upside down!
James :
James, the head of church in Jerusalem, was thrown down a hundred feet from the south-east pinnacle of the temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, the enemies beat James to death with a Fuller's club!
John :
Was thrown into a boiling pot of oil. But he remained unharmed. So he was sent to the mines of Patmos.
He was the only disciple to escape violent death!
Thomas :
Was killed with spearhead. He was attacked in his hide-out at 'Little Mount'. From there he crawled bleeding and dying towards what is now called as 'St. Thomas Mount', with his enemies at his back. And there he was stabbed, where he died hugging a cross that he had engraved before!
Would our faith stand as long as theirs?
...to be continued
Faith - Episode 3
Andrew : Andrew was crucified on a X-shaped cross. After being whipped severely by seven soliders, they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. When he was led to the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words - "I have long expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it". He continued to preach his tormentors for 2 days until he died.
Simon :
Called as Zealot, travelled widely and was crucified in Brittainnia (Europe), what is today called Britain.
Barthelomew :
Also known as Nathaniel had his ministry in areas including Armanea and India. He was beaten, whipped and then his skin was totally peeled off before he was crucified on the cross head down.
Sources say that Barthelomew was killed in India.
Would our faith stand as long as theirs?
...to be continued
Faith - Episode 2
James, the brother of John :
He was put to death when he was beheaded with a sword by Herod Agrippa in 44AD.
Philip :
Reportedly suffered martyrdom in Helipolis, Phygria. He was severely flogged, imprisoned and later crucified.
Jude :
The brother of James, often called Thaddeus was crucified to death at Edessa in 72 AD.
Mathias :
The one whom the disciples selected to replace Judah Iscariot after the death of Jesus, was stoned and then beheaded at Jerusalem.
Stephen :
He is said to be the first Martyr for Christ. About 2000 christians along with Nicanon, one of the seven deacons also suffered martyrdom during the great persecution that arose after the death of Stephen.
Paul :
He was tortured and beheaded (also rumours of being torn by wild animals in the arena) by the emporer Nero in 67 AD.
Would our faith stand as long as theirs?
Footnote : This is not my original work. I received these info as a set of 7 episodes SMS from my church youth fellowship friend. I wanted to share it on the net. Such a wonderful collection of information that reinforces Hebrews 12:1 and makes us to live a life worthy of the calling.
He was put to death when he was beheaded with a sword by Herod Agrippa in 44AD.
Philip :
Reportedly suffered martyrdom in Helipolis, Phygria. He was severely flogged, imprisoned and later crucified.
Jude :
The brother of James, often called Thaddeus was crucified to death at Edessa in 72 AD.
Mathias :
The one whom the disciples selected to replace Judah Iscariot after the death of Jesus, was stoned and then beheaded at Jerusalem.
Stephen :
He is said to be the first Martyr for Christ. About 2000 christians along with Nicanon, one of the seven deacons also suffered martyrdom during the great persecution that arose after the death of Stephen.
Paul :
He was tortured and beheaded (also rumours of being torn by wild animals in the arena) by the emporer Nero in 67 AD.
Would our faith stand as long as theirs?
...to be continued
Footnote : This is not my original work. I received these info as a set of 7 episodes SMS from my church youth fellowship friend. I wanted to share it on the net. Such a wonderful collection of information that reinforces Hebrews 12:1 and makes us to live a life worthy of the calling.
Faith - Epsiode 1
Reference : Hebrews 11
Faith is similar to the belief of the farmer whose eyes sees a thousand sheaves of wheat in the handful of grains like these..
There is a list of 'heroes of faith' in this chapter. It starts with the Abel, and then moves on with Enoch, Abraham, Noah, .... upto Rahab.
To Think :
Would our names be listed in such a heroes' list, when we drop this robe of flesh to seize the everlasting prize?
Would our faith stand as long as theirs?
More to ponder :
How hard was their lives? How did they become the chosen heroes to be listed here? Is it because they were in a very preliminary era? Is it because they lived in BC times?? Is it because their lives were much simple and easy to live? Din't they face the pressures of life that we are facing these days?
Let's dig out why they were listed here soon...
But for now, lets consider people of another bunch of people who lived in the AD era, when the persecution was at its peek. Let us consider the brave messengers who carried the gospel from the mouth of Jesus to the entire world! Yea.. the trusted twelve!! the twelve disciples indeed!!
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Faith is similar to the belief of the farmer whose eyes sees a thousand sheaves of wheat in the handful of grains like these..
There is a list of 'heroes of faith' in this chapter. It starts with the Abel, and then moves on with Enoch, Abraham, Noah, .... upto Rahab.
To Think :
Would our names be listed in such a heroes' list, when we drop this robe of flesh to seize the everlasting prize?
Would our faith stand as long as theirs?
More to ponder :
How hard was their lives? How did they become the chosen heroes to be listed here? Is it because they were in a very preliminary era? Is it because they lived in BC times?? Is it because their lives were much simple and easy to live? Din't they face the pressures of life that we are facing these days?
Let's dig out why they were listed here soon...
But for now, lets consider people of another bunch of people who lived in the AD era, when the persecution was at its peek. Let us consider the brave messengers who carried the gospel from the mouth of Jesus to the entire world! Yea.. the trusted twelve!! the twelve disciples indeed!!
...to be continued
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Waiting for the right time..
Reference : John:7
Jesus was persuaded by his brothers to come to the feast of the tabernacles. They are true and speak because of their true love for him. These are what they tell him :
* Come to the feast of the tabernacles.
* Perform miracles in the sight of all people,
* so that all people will know who you are.
*
As a human, he might be convinced of the valid points laid before him. But did he accept what they said? No.. Why so? What did he reply them?
His reply :
"My time has not come yet."
Why :
He said so because he knew it was not the right time to be publicly active. Such knowledge of judging the time is not from human brain. It's by God's leading or being very shrewd. But even in shrewdness such knowledge should come from God.
How was he able to tell him :
He was in such a intimate relationship with God that he was able to strongly tell them that this was not the right time even though the brothers had valid reasons.
He was sure of God's leading.
Results:
* This way he escaped from the hands of people who were trying to kill him.
* Confusion amogst the pharisees and teachers originated. Some among them also came to know ab him (the temple guards, Nicodemus)
How should we be :
* Should have a close relationship with God.
* Should read the Bible regularly.
* Must have a good meditation time on th eword of God.
This way we will also know what the Lord wants us to do and when.
Most importantly, wait for the Lord to talk and work. Don't jump in before it's the right time.
Jesus was persuaded by his brothers to come to the feast of the tabernacles. They are true and speak because of their true love for him. These are what they tell him :
* Come to the feast of the tabernacles.
* Perform miracles in the sight of all people,
* so that all people will know who you are.
*
4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world
As a human, he might be convinced of the valid points laid before him. But did he accept what they said? No.. Why so? What did he reply them?
His reply :
"My time has not come yet."
Why :
He said so because he knew it was not the right time to be publicly active. Such knowledge of judging the time is not from human brain. It's by God's leading or being very shrewd. But even in shrewdness such knowledge should come from God.
How was he able to tell him :
He was in such a intimate relationship with God that he was able to strongly tell them that this was not the right time even though the brothers had valid reasons.
He was sure of God's leading.
Results:
* This way he escaped from the hands of people who were trying to kill him.
* Confusion amogst the pharisees and teachers originated. Some among them also came to know ab him (the temple guards, Nicodemus)
How should we be :
* Should have a close relationship with God.
* Should read the Bible regularly.
* Must have a good meditation time on th eword of God.
This way we will also know what the Lord wants us to do and when.
Most importantly, wait for the Lord to talk and work. Don't jump in before it's the right time.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Am baffled...
Reference : Romans 5
When you are so down that you could feel yourself being walked over in many aspects...
When you feel that what you have done has resulted fultile...
When you feel totally lost...
When you feel sour...
Expectation for deliverance is quite natural. I look up to HIM for deliverance, security, consolation and comfort. But look at HIS words...
I need to rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Abraham waited for 15 yrs for his promise fulfillment. Am I not Abraham's daughter!!!
Lord, as I endure, bless me with fine perseverance, refine my character and help me to hold onto your hope.
Let me hold on...
Footnote : This is one of my posts in my personal blog. Jus' thought it might also reside here. So if you come across the same content in another blog, it's only because you have found your way into my personal blog! So return back here ;)
When you are so down that you could feel yourself being walked over in many aspects...When you feel that what you have done has resulted fultile...
When you feel totally lost...
When you feel sour...
Expectation for deliverance is quite natural. I look up to HIM for deliverance, security, consolation and comfort. But look at HIS words...
says Romans 5:2-5.
2 And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. "
I need to rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Abraham waited for 15 yrs for his promise fulfillment. Am I not Abraham's daughter!!!
Lord, as I endure, bless me with fine perseverance, refine my character and help me to hold onto your hope.
Let me hold on...
Footnote : This is one of my posts in my personal blog. Jus' thought it might also reside here. So if you come across the same content in another blog, it's only because you have found your way into my personal blog! So return back here ;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
