2 Kings 16:7 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath–pileser king of Assyria, saying, I am thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.

“I am thy servant and thy son:come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel.”

How different would the life of Ahaz had been- had he said these words to the LORD, had he cried to the LORD, had he submitted to the LORD. If we read in vs.5 of this chapter, we see that “they besieged Ahaz, but could not overcome him.” Why could they not overcome Ahaz?  Well, I would think that it’s a picture of grace. Despite all that Ahaz had done, the LORD was gracious and merciful towards him. But Ahaz failed to see this.

He saw the danger but not the true deliverer, He saw the might of the enemy but not the Almighty, He submitted to man rather than God. BUT we must always remember what the Psalmist says- “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”(Psalm 118:8)

Next we also see Ahaz calling himself the Assyrian king’s servant and son and as we read on we discover how he revered and resembled him. As a servant he lived to please the Assyrian king all the days of his life, he revered the king in paying him tributes and we see till the end he lived to please the Assyrian king more than God, (vs.18) “And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king’s entry without, turned he from the house of the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.” BUT  let us again remember what the Psalmist said and may we also be able to say so- “O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.”(Pslam 116:16)

Next, as a son he resembled the king of Assyria, he imitated him. We read in (vs.10) “And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath- Pileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.”  BUT today we are God’s children, we have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry- Abba, Father (Romans 8:15) So let us resemble Him.

 

So let’s live for Him and not compromise on the truths that have been revealed to us and- “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”(Matthew 5:16)

I would like to add one more thing here-  as I was reading through a commentary on this chapter I came across something that really struck me,  It said- “The name Ahaz is a contraction for Jehoahaz. It is by the latter name that the king is known on Assyrian inscriptions. The prefix “Jeho” stands for Jehovah, and doubtless the Holy Spirit omitted it purposely because Ahaz was an apostate.” 

Ahaz was definitely not a believer but how sad would it be if we as believers don’t have a good testimony before the world. So, my exhortation would be that may we not compromise on the Word of God, yes we are indeed imperfect and waiting for the day when we will be with the Lord and be like Him, but even during our life here on earth may we strive to be more like Christ.

Remember, it pleases our Father when we revere Him, when we Resemble Him 🙂

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

“And we know” but- we doubt. “And we know” but- we fear. “And we know” but- we’re not really convinced that our circumstances are perfect to produce that which God has purposed. The struggles seem so great that the promises of God seem to fade. 

God didn’t just create us and let us be, but He also has called us, and guess what ? He didn’t leave us there, He is continually with us, He cares for us and He has a purpose for us. “The counsel of the Lord stands forever; the plans of His heart to all generations.” (Psalm 33:11) 

Warren W. Wiersebe wrote- “Note the phrase- ‘the plans of His heart.’ It takes care of any nightmares you may have about merciless masters, heartless robots, and faceless machines. Since the will of God comes from the heart of God, then His will is the expression of His love.”                                                                     

God plans, designs and holds our life and God is not man, God is, ever faithful God and what He promises-He fulfills. But we would say- NO, it doesn’t seem so! everything is messed up. I am going through tough times, I don’t understand why?     See, that’s the problem, we want everything understood, but the truth is- we won’t understand, God’s plans are always, higher, greater and better. Remember your finitude and His infinitude! “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.”For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughtsthan your thoughts.”(Isaiah       55:8,9) Oh! if only I could see a little glimpse of the safe and sound future, I would be so much better. Really? Would we be any better? Because we already have the Word of God, it’s God breathed! And it tells us- “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11) If we can trust this, then trust me, we will have peace of mind in the most chaotic circumstance.                                               

I recently went through a similar situation, where I started worrying and questioning the plans of God. I may have not directly questioned the Lord but the “worrying” said it all. I grew restless, felt useless, was constantly trying to figure out things, couldn’t see any good in what was happening, and in the midst of all these God’s word spoke to me-“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) And I should’ve felt better but no !! That fear of the future, just wouldn’t go, I was letting it occupy my mind more than allowing the Word of God to touch my heart. But God spoke again and this time more intimately- “I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;” (Isaiah 42:6)

 And thus, I decided to write this blog.

Many times in life there will come situations which will break you, but God will never leave you, your pain may be so obscure to others but God knows exactly how you feel and He will comfort you. No matter how hard the enemy tries- he cannot frustrate God’s plan for your life. Trust God’s timings. Amid all this, rest in this- God knows your circumstances and He is in control. God sees the whole picture, not just a piece of the jigsaw puzzle. Rest in knowing that God is all knowing and in His greater wisdom He knows your circumstance and is working it all for your good and it perfectly befits His plan.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”(Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

Picture via: Pinterest

“1 Samuel 15:22And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

Picture via:

https://goo.gl/images/a6TPzj

I’ve been reading from 1Kings and that’s where I got the idea of writing on obedience.
Considering the life of Elijah that’s what came to my mind. Every time the Lord commanded- He obeyed (1Kings 17 onwards), he is also called “a man of God.” Elijah, a man of God was marked by obedience. His simple steps of obedience to God always resulted in divine intervention from God to the glory of God.

Today, our challenge is, whether we, like Elijah are ready to obey, and by doing so be more like Christ and live to please God.

Not very long ago in our assembly, one of our elders preached saying- give the little you have to God and God will bless it. Yes, give the little you can and God will definitely bless. Remember? The lad ? Who had 5 barley loaves and 2 fishes? And God blessed it! So much so that it fed 5 thousand and 12 baskets were leftover!

The lad gave the little he had and God blessed it! He gave all he had, the little he had, first it seemed all was gone but- later the abundance he saw must have surely startled him! He must have surely been glad that he took the first step of giving before receiving  🙂

So too, today let us offer God our obedience, let us do the little we can and God will verily bless it! 

 You won’t regret anything that you do  for God.                                                          We don’t always understand the things of God but that’s the very moment you need to exert faith.

And as you obey and walk in faith -God will work wonders just as he did for Elijah. Our God is an unchanging God, the same God who used the ravens to feed Elijah, who intervened and raised the widow’s son, who sent fire to consume the burnt sacrifice is today ‘for’ you and me!

What a blessed promise to rest upon! Does He not deserve our obedience? We very well know the answer, but it’s time to experience it.

May God help us to do so.

If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.C.S. Lewis

#Christian-blogging #Gospel

Admission test!!! You need to prepare..! Exams approaching!! Study, prepare!            Job interview!! Prepare! Prepare!

We’ve all been preparing, haven’t we? Preparing for tests, for exams, for interviews, trying to give it our best, isn’t it? 

You’ve been so busy competing in reaching out to success. You have your own ambitions and your minds focused in getting to the goal. You are all set for life.

My question is – “Are you prepared for death?” 

Are you all set for the final examination that you’re going to appear for? Death is inevitable. Not matter how rich, how poor, how educated or uneducated you may be, death is inevitable. With every passing second you are approaching toward it, but there’s one problem you see. You don’t know the date! So when do you get serious? 

That’s the problem! You don’t get serious because you don’t know the date and you take it for granted thinking- there’s still a lot more time! How do you know, when you don’t know? 

Graves are of all sizes; People die at all ages.

Don’t you think, you’re too young. 

So how do we prepare? What do we do? We don’t know the date and we don’t know the solution. So what next?

There is a solution, the only solution: GOD

John 3:16

[16]For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

You just read the solution. Yes ! You did and now you need to believe and you’ll not perish but have everlasting life! That doesn’t mean that you’ll live forever on earth but what it means is that, yes, though you’ll die- that death won’t destroy you! You are safe, eternally secured in the hands of God! You won’t see the second death! You won’t go to hell! You don’t have to fear separation from God! You won’t be judged for you sins! Isn’t this wonderful?

And how is it possible? Why should a sinner gain all of this? Because :

Romans 5:8

[8]But God commendeth “his love” toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, “Christ died for us.”

Because of His love and His son! Not because of anything I have or I am but all because of Him. Yes, His Son the Lord Jesus Christ paid the price that we should’ve paid. No one could take a sinner’s place except the sinless:

1 John 3:5 tells us:

[5]And ye know that he [The Lord Jesus Christ]was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

And so He alone is able to save you from death and give you eternal life. Not money, not religion, not education, not any other being, but The Lord Jesus Christ! Christ Jesus did not come into the world to preach a new religion, there were already plenty, if religion could save a person from going to hell then there was no need for Him to come.  Mark 2:17 tells us why He came –

[17]When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

He came to call sinners to repentance, to seek the lost, to save the spiritually dead. And even as you are reading this post, I tell you this, it is not a mere accident but God wants you to know and believe and not be ignorant about the truth. The Lord Jesus also said in John 14:6

[6]Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Don’t be ignorant about His word, and please don’t harden your heart. God’s love has already been displayed. God is a loving God but remember He is also a just and holy God, unless you have your sins forgiven, you cannot enter heaven. The Lord Jesus Christ defeated death and rose on the third day. He himself is life and so He can give you life and He is willing too, but you need to reach out your hand to take it.

Death is approaching and so is judgement

The Bible also tells us that :

Hebrews 9:27

[27]And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Remember, God is love and where there is love, there is freedom. He won’t force you to believe but it is your own individual choice. What you choose today will decide where you go tomorrow. Make your choice wisely and make it while there’s time.

2 Corinthians 6:2

[2](For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

God doesn’t judge based on your education qualifications, your status or how good or bad you lived on earth. For Him, there’s just one thing that matters: Did you accept Christ our you didn’t. That’s all that matters to Him. 

You don’t need anyone to pray for you, you don’t need to be eloquent in your prayer, just a simple prayer of true repentance from the heart is what God looks for. Just believe and by faith accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

Romans 10:9

[9]That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

John 11:26

[26]And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. “Believest thou this?”

Jeremiah 32:27 [27]Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

#Christian-blogging #encouragement

Is anything too hard for the God who has bought you salvation by the blood of His own Son? Have you ever thought, like “really thought” what eternal life means? I have, and believe me I couldn’t think for long. I cannot contain in this little mind of mine – The things of God. So if we’ve gotten this life eternal in Him, do these earthly things even compare to the heavenly things? No! A big no! 

So how can you not trust God with earthly things when you have : ‘with the heavenly things?’

Isn’t it ironical that you could trust God for your salvation but not for your daily lives? Well, it is! Why do you want to take everything in your own hands? Do you not know that it pleases God when you depend on Him? No, not just for your salvation but for everything. Always remember that what’s important to you is important to God. Yes, it is! No matter how trivial or insignificant you or anyone may find it. If you are concerned God is definitely interested. He is the all knowing God, He knows your circumstance and He knows it better than you do, yes He does.

And so take everything to Him in prayer, talk to Him. He might ask you to wait or say a no or give it to you but in all that He does, know this – He is a God of goodness and he will never give you anything less than the best! Acknowledge your weakness and His greatness. You will find peace, peace that passes understanding:

Philippians 4:6–7

[6]Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

[7]And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

He promises to give rest: Matthew 11:28
[28]Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

And Remember who ‘He’ is. None of your ‘problems’ can be greater than our LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!

Jeremiah 32:27

[27]Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Hello !

So here I am writing my first post 🙂

A little introduction to begin with : My name is Sagarika (aka Grace) Grace because I am saved by Grace 🙂 I am a student studying English literature. I love baking and I love to write as well, so here I am.

My blogs are all going to be spiritual, related to God. If you are a believer then it will be a word of encouragement and for the unbeliever, the good news that is the gospel of Christ.

I hope that the posts will help you all enjoy your spiritual life and add a little bit of encouragement to your daily spiritual warfare.

I’ll leave it here for now.

Will post soon. Till then Bye and I hope to come up with some spiritual help through God’s help!

🙂