Thursday 1 August 2013

The Optimist

The Optimist will say : THE GLASS IS HALF FULL
The Pessimist will say: THE GLASS IS HALF EMPTY


Think. Which one are you?
I think, Being optimist is the best choice. POSITIVITY makes everyone better. So, lets take this challenge of being optimist from now on.


“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”  Wiston Churchill
Good Luck Friends, Thash

Wednesday 24 July 2013

David with the heart of God

King Saul set David over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. It happened with time that David became more popular than him. Saul started getting angry and jealous.
Saul out of jeoulousy threw a spear at him. According to you what David did?

David escaped his presence and did not fight back. Why? Was it because David lacked courage? No, he demonstrated his courage in the battle against Goliath.

David was fully submitted to Saul and sought to serve him in every way. David knew the way to be blessed was to work hard and obey his boss. HE LEFT EVERYTHING IN GOD'S HANDS even though he was continously persecuted. He even had he opportunity to kill Saul but did not do it. He had a pure and humble heart. He was blessed by God. ( 1 samuel 17-26)

So, maybe you are facing injustces like David, people are being rude to you. Don't worry, do nothing to hurt them and take revenge. This will only polish your character. Blessings will come upon you. God is with you.
Good day, Thashiana

Divine purpose

Just because your situation uncomfortable and taking long to be restored, this doesnt mean that God is not working. He will never allow a difficulty unless he has a divine purpose.

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” (Exodus 13:17)

See in the case where God was leading the Israelites to the promised land. He didnt take them on the short route on purpose, because they were not prepared for war. He knew if they were sent there they would be defeated by the ennemies. He delayed the time.
This delay was designed by God for a particular reason. Maybe you are thinking why God is not answering my prayers, why the situation is like this and is not changing?
The Israelites also were complaining but to no avail. Its useless.
Here are the three reasons God uses delays in our lives.
1. God uses delays to prepare us.
2. God uses delays to test us.
3. God uses delays to train us

So rejoice, people of God, we grow in tough times. God uses difficulties to do a work in us. STOP COMPLAINING!


God bless you
Thash

Tuesday 16 July 2013

ARE YOU IN FAITH?

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU ARE IN FAITH?
Check if you are right with God and with his word.

One mistake that we usually do is LIVING IN ILLUSION. The illusion of being in faith while we are not.
So, today is an opportunity to analyse our life and see where our FAITH stands.
Go deep!


Monday 15 July 2013

Press towards the Goal

You have had a horrible past, bad experiences?
These are only STEPS for you to climb and reach higher.

You feel that you are weak, without hope and that you CAN'T do it?
Keep your eyes fixed on your GOAL.
NO one can reach perfection but the only thing we can do is : TO PRESS ON TO IT.

" Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 3:12-14)




God bless you

Monday 8 July 2013

Control it before it controls you







Think ~ ANGER ~
"Anger is the most impotent of passions. It effects nothing it goes about, and hurts the one who is possessed by it more than the one against whom it is directed. "Carl Sandburg
Are you fighting with anger? Or are you companion of a fury person?
STOP IT!
Hurting yourself displeases God. Everyone gets angry but few are the ones that control and do not keep it.
Everything starts inside of you. Stop it there and your anger will cease.
To stay safe :Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered ( Proverbs 22:24)
TRY IT!

Tuesday 30 April 2013

Sober in mind

 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. (Matthew 5:29-30)

Is it that Jesus is telling us to cut off physically our eye or hands?
Our eye or hand by itself cannot commit sin. Everything starts in the mind, in our thoughts, grows in the heart and is executed by the body.


But what does this parable means?

Eventually we must cut the members that sin, by stopping them from doing what is evil;

shutting our eyes to impure things, refraining our hands from doing evil acts, avoid letting our ears listening calomnies snd everything that can contaminate us, holding back our feet from going to places where sin is there, controlling our tongue to not curse, lie, judge and talk bad on others.


The secret and the only thing we have to do is to work from the INSIDE to control the OUTSIDE. That is, in order to stop our members to sin, we must first of all stop what grows in our heart. What we must understand is that evil thoughts come for everyone. The difference is not nurturing them; that is stop them right there and not allowing them to reach our senses.

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.(Matthew 5:28)

It is the only way, because, scientifically, our body works this way. Let me give you an example.

Imagine you are playing a game such as badminton. Your opponent hits the shuttlecock high over the net. You move effortlessly towards the shuttlecock, and in a matter of perhaps one or two seconds later you hit it back. This action seems unremarkable. But have you ever understood how it works inside your body?
Here it is:
Your eyes saw the shuttlecock and sent a message to the brain. The brain calculated how fast the shuttlecock was moving through the air and predicted where to move your body to. The brain then sent a message to the muscles in your legs and arms to move, bringing you to exactly the right place to hit the shuttlecock.

The same thing happens in our mind concerning sin. Sin starts in our mind people of God. Satan brings bad things or  evil situations in front of you and talks to your thoughts. But the reaction depends on YOU; whether you resist these thoughts or send them to action through your senses.
So, good people, do not let evil thoughts overtake you. It is better to sacrifice today than burn eternally. The devil will never stop trying.
 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

God bless you, Thash.




Thursday 25 April 2013

The unseen Staircase

Are you searching a victory and you are not seeing it happening?
Is it that you are afraid to go ahead because you have once tried and failed?
Is it that you feeling that you do not deserve big things?
Is it that you are feeling too small to go among the graduated?
Is it that you have to wait too long or have already waited?
Or is it that people are saying that you shall never get what you want, be where and who you wanna be?

One tip:
Fight your fear.
        Make the first Step.
 
        Try again and again

        And Believe in your Victory

This is called FAITH. The kind of faith that pleases God. The kind of faith he honours. The kind of faith he answers.

 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrew 11:6)

So, don't be emotional and stop complaining of  situations, difficulties and failures. Else, you shall try and try and never see victory. Use your faith, your confidence to achieve what you want.
Go ahead and do your part. And you gonna see the hands of God being manifested in your Life. 

Remember that Faith is taking the first step when you don't see the whole staircase (Martin Luther King, Jr)

God bless you, Thash

Thursday 18 April 2013

Take the risk

''Vision without execution is just hallucination"  Henry Ford


You have a dream, you want to realise something in your life?
Go ahead for it. Take attitudes. Take the risk.
With strength, perseverance, faith and belief in yourself and in what you are doing. 

Don't look at the tight moments and sacrifices, but seek Victory.
 It shall definitely be yours...


Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth,and if a tree falls to the south or to the north,in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. ( Ecclesiaste 11:1-4)

God bless you, Thash

Tuesday 16 April 2013

Ant Quality- Last part

                             

                             

Our God is amazing my friends. See the union of these little creatures. This is wonderful. We can agree with what Henry Ford said :
"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success"

How much more wonderful would it be if it was among we people of God?How the work of God would be of really great success.

How do ants work? Each ant member has a role to play in the colony that is the team. And each colony cannot survive very well without its leader( the queen). When teams are formed and even after they have existed for a period of time, it is necessary that each team member understand and be reminded in relation to their role and how they contribute to the team and the organization's goal (survival). The more clearly defined the roles of team members are, the happier team members will be and better they will perform.

 And, we christians?

See what the bible says:

Humble Service in the Body of Christ - Romans 12: 3-8

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

So, good people, for the Body of Christ to function perfectly, we need union between the members. Exactly like the ants. The Body represents the Church and the Head is Jesus. The only goal is building up the kingdom of God.
But how to grow the work of God if there is division, judgement, hatred, quarrels, superiority and jealousy?

1 Corinthians 12:21-26 tells you:
 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. ... 

Therefore, let us analyse our attitudes today and work in the same spirit to build the kingdom of God in saving souls. With love towards each other, collaboration. Let us avoid controversies and watch out for those who cause division and create obstacles.

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.(Romans 16:17-18)


Sunday 14 April 2013

Ant Quality- 6th Part


Today we will watch this video to analyse the 9th quality that ants have. It is PATIENCE.

Here, we can see that the ant's objective is to bring the small leaf to this colony. What draws our attention is how he struggles through obstacles, left the leaf for a while, tried again and finally  found a solution by calling his friends to help him out. He started his route and did not stop until he overcome.
But, we, good people, do we have such a virtue? We must say that patience is a virtue and not everyone has it.
What does this word truly means? Patience is "waiting without complaint" .It is a word and a concept that is used a lot in the Bible. An Old English word for patience is “longsuffering”.  Some other synonyms for patience are: tolerance and forbearance.

 To be clear, patience is a virtue that calls to other virtues, for e.g, self control, humility, generosity and forgiveness.
How to test if you have this virtue?
Imagine you have your supervisor at work. He is not christian and he persecutes you a lot. Regardlessly of how hard and exellent you work, he treats you without respect. He talk bad with you, at times even yelling and insulting you. What will be your reaction towards this?

Will you reply back and do the same to him?

If you are truly a person of God, born from the Holy spirit, your reaction will be contrary. You must not forget that patience along with all other virtues that follow are fruits of the Holy Spirit.
You will patiently bear his abuse. Why? Because you recognised that he is a fellow human being and do not have God in his life. Perhaps he feels threatened by his performance and is not at ease with himself. He wants to be like you and do what you do. But he is not being able. Or maybe, he feels low and weak. Instead of kicking a weak person and fighting back, will you not be compassionate?
If you bear his insults with a smile, he may gain confidence in you, see your difference and seek for this same light. One soul saved.
The problem why people are so impatient, is that they are first of all not patient with God.
How one finds patience in God? By believing and surrending all to the Lord Jesus. Its then that the Holy spirit fills up and grows in us the fruit of Patience.

Not forgetting that our patience is also tested through trials and tribulations. How much are you persevering in faith? Is it that you are not being able to withstand the longsuffering?Is it that you are only complaining to God?

Probably the best known story of patience in the Bible is the life of Job. To prove Job’s faithfulness to the Lord, God allowed the devil to destroy everything Job owned (Job 1). Job was a wealthy man. He lost his crops, property, cattle and servants. But most devastating of all was when Job lost his children. However, Job did not blame God. He accepted that God had a plan and would be patient for God to reveal His plan.
Job’s friends came to council him. They tried to find out what great sin Job had committed to deserve the punishment he received. Job would not admit to any sin. He perservered in faith and finally got victory.

Today, let us analyse our attitudes in situations which call for our patience. Let us be sincere and have this true encounter with God. 

God bless you, Thash.

Thursday 11 April 2013

Ant Quality- 5th Part

Today, let us analyse the 8th quality that an ant has. This is the most important aspect that we must consider.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS


Relationships between ants and other organisms are numerous and varied.


Ant/Ant: Some species of ants are extreme in their dependence upon other ant species. They feed and help each other.

Ant/Other Insect: These relationships are many and diverse, ranging from commensual to parasitic. Aphids and ants have many species relationships where both the ants and aphids benefit (mutualism).

Ant/Plant: These relationships are also known to be abundant. Some carnivorous plants allow ants to hunt herbivores on them. In turn, the ant protects the plant from the herbivores eating their plant tissue.

Here we can all agree that these little insects are very sociable. But, we, people of God?


Here we will only consider the spiritual part of the situation. We will be talking of  the relationships( like the ants) that a person must have. But one thing is to be noted: The first one is primordial and is the root of all the others.

Here they are:
  1. RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
  2. MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP
  3. PARENT/CHILD RELATIONSHIP
  4. RELATIONSHIP AT WORK
  5. RELATIONSHIP WITH PEOPLE OF THE SAME FAITH
  6. RELATIONSHIP WITH PEOPLE WHO NEED TO BE SAVED
 When we talk about "relationship", we must understand what this word means? The dictionary definition says that "relationship" is the condition or fact of being related; connection or association. So, a relationship needs unity  and involvement for it to be called so.

So, if you tell me you have a relationship with God, but you do not consider his word or will, we cannot say you are associated with him.
Or if you tell me you have a relationship with your husband, but there is no communication or unity between both of you, we cannot say that you are connected with him. 
Or, if you tell me that you have a relationship with people of the same faith of you, but there is division and hatred among you, we cannot say that you are all related to each other.
Nor, if you tell me that you have a relationship with your mother, but when she commands you, you rebel.

This is what we have to understand, when we say we have to build relationships, we must add to it perfect relationships, because most of us, misunderstand the true meaning of this word. But, which is more amazing, is that the ANTS, are completely aware of the real signification of this great word; RELATIONSHIP.

In their relationship, there is comprehension, unity, dependance,patience, love, humility, mutualism, care, kindness and  free from superiority. Though so many differences between them.

It is in this way that we, intelligent people, must build relationships.
First, it is the RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. Without it, sure, all the others will be lacking in your life.
This is why Jesus said:
  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:23)
We must be connected to God, have a relation with him. Understand his ways and humble ourselves in the mighty hands of God. Knowing to know God, will help you know your close ones and other people. It is then that you would have true relationships: like the ants. With complete submission, love, and all the good things we mentioned above.
Your relationship with God is the base of all other relationships you have. Seeing the way you are at  with your parents, your husband, your teacher, your boss, your friends, and people around you, defines who you are with God.

This is the thought for today. Let us build first of all this GOOD and PERFECT relationship with God. And all your relationships will be blessed.

God bless you, Thash

 

Monday 8 April 2013

Ant Quality - 4th Part

Here today, we shall talk about the next two ant qualities which are: being CAUTIOUS and DEFENSIVE.
I shall talk about the two together because no one can be defensive without first being cautious.

How ants are cautious and defensive?

Soldier ants use their heads to plug the entrances to their nests and keep intruders from gaining access.
In certain ant species, the soldier ants have modified heads, shaped to match the nest entrance. They block access to the nest by sitting just inside the entrance, with their heads facing out like a cork in a bottle.
Ants employ a fascinating variety of behaviors to communicate and defend their colonies.

Leafcutter ants cultivate a bacteria with antibiotic properties to keep unwanted fungi from growing in their nests. Some ants use a modified ovipositor to sting, like their wasp cousins.
Some ants  produce formic acid, an irritating substance they can squirt as they bite. Bullet ants inject a strong nerve toxin when they sting.

All these show us how intelligently these little insects defend themselves and their colony by being cautious and attentive. Keeping aside all the scientific knowledge, let us debate on how to use these qualities in our spiritual life.

One thing we must keep in mind, good people. Your fight and defense is not against your family, your husband, your friend or anyone else. Your fight is against your enenmy : THE EVIL. It is him who brings problems in your life, him who uses your dear ones to rise against you, him who bring on your way temptations. But what do you have to do?

1 Peter 5:8 gives you the answer:
 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Being alert and sober means being cautious and vigilant, attentive. Exactly like the ants.
TO WHAT?
To the attack of your enemy: the devil.

HOW? 
 By understanding and identifyning intelligently the wiseness of the evil, that HE is behind everything which goes to contradict your faith and his only motive is to make you weak and snatch away your faith and salvation.
One example the bible gives us is in Matthew 16:21-23. Jesus was said he was going to make his sacrifice on the cross, whereby Peter said:
 “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!”
But Jesus intelligently understood that this was not Peter but Satan behind these words. See how he defend himself.

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”


This is exactly HOW we must do it.

WHERE?
In your weaknesses. So, analyse your weaknesses and harden yourself.
One example is Matthew 4: 3 where satan tempted Jesus to change the rock into food because he knew Jesus weakness at that moment. Jesus was hungry because he fasted for 40 days without eating. 

WITH WHAT?
One tool the ants use to defend themselves: THEIR STING FULL OF TOXINS.

But, we, people of god, what is our defensive tool?
It is OUR FAITH.

1 Peter 5: 9:
  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

No faith, No weapon against our enemy. What will be the consequence? DEATH.

So, good people, do you want to have eternal death in the bottomless pit or rejoice eternally in God's presence?
The only way is to be ALERT and SOBER and stand firm IN FAITH.

God bless you, Thash

Monday 1 April 2013

Ant Quality- 3rd Part

Here comes the 5th Ant quality - Perseverance

Observation
I had once seen some ants carrying a big dead insect, walking quickly from one side to another. Suddenly, I decided to play a joke on these little ants. I used my finger to throw the insect. To my surprise, several ants had still bitten the insect tightly though the insect was turned over. A moment later, other ants came to surround the insect, carried it again and then went on walking.
This is called perseverance.

 Story

This is story of an Ant named ‘Tinki’ who was 13 year old, she was very poor and her father died in an accident few years back. Her mom was suffering from a disease and could not work properly. Tinki was a strong Ant. She used to travel day and night in search of food to take care of her mother.

One day her mother’s health worsened. It became tough for her to breathe. Tinki got scared and went to her best friend to ask for help. Her friend told her to go and search for a dead insect and feed it to her mother. After which she will never fall ill.

There was one very big problem; this type of insect was found on very high mountains. Still, Tinki decided to travel to this highest peak to save her mom. She left home early morning on her journey.
On her way to the mountain, there was a forest of wild Animals, Tinki was very careful as she was tiny and could be stamped under Elephants feet anytime. Thankfully she crossed the Jungle and then started walking up the mountain. It was 12 hour journey.

She reached the top of the mountain very early and was very tired. But, she continued her search for the dead insect and to her luck she found one!

The insect was very heavy. She tried carrying the insect on her head. As she dragged the insect along, she failed thrice. She could not move as the weight of the insect was very heavy. She again tried. She failed.  She was very disappointed with herself and sat quietly for 10 minutes. After that she again tried, this time she was able to carry along the insect at her back.

She finally reached home after 5 long days! Her friend was there with her mother. They gave the insect to her mother after which her mother’s health improved. Tinki was very happy, but she broke her back. She did not tell this to her mother. After few days her mother was on her toes! Tinki was very happy. Now her mother looked after her and they loved happily ever after!

So, just like Tinki Ant, no matter what happens, never stop trying and move ahead. Whatever you may go through, don't lose faith but persevere! The evil will try to distract you in your conquest to salvation; through persecutions, calomnies, people will talk bad of you and your faith,through  temptations and injustices. 
Believe in God's Greatness and Promises and Persevere.

 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

God bless you, Thash.

Ant Quality- 2nd Part

Today, we will talk on the next two Ant qualities- Hardwork and Strength

Ants are strong and hardworking. They are noted for carrying objects that are bigger than them. Science proved that ants are capable of carrying objects 50 times their own body weight with their mandibles.This is only made possible through sheer hard work and determination.They are not scared of heavy task, but rather take pleasure in lifting these objects to their colony.

The same quality  must be applied in our daily and spiritual life.Today we will not talk about physical hardwork at work, at home, and at church, but we shall consider the spiritual part.

Our spiritual life needs hardwork to overcome and mental strength to bear the effort and pain.  If you want to grow and be in good spiritual health you must, like the ants, go out of the colony and go among the predators, the dangerous routes and obstacles to go and find your food. The food that you will presently eat and stay alive during winter times. This is called hardwork. But let me tell you one thing, when you reach the destination of where the food is find; it is then that the task become tougher. It is then that you shall lift the food however heavy it is upon your back and go through the same dangerous routes to return home. Exactly like the ants. It is then that you will be in need of strength people of God.

But, how can we explain and understand this parable?

You are the ant. The food is Jesus and his word.

For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum. (John 6:55-59)

"Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Luke 4:4)
This food is necessary to live eternally with God in his kingdom.The predators are the demons and the dangerous routes is the narrow road Jesus asked us to take and the obstacles are the Tribulations.

 Your hardwork is when you take the word of God and practice it in your life however hard it is or how much you need to sacrifice.The route will be difficult, sure. The devil will try to prevent you from getting your food, but if you are determined like these little ants, victory and salvation shall be yours. There will be predators that will try to kill and eat you, and obstacles that you will have to overcome.At times discouragement will come and situations will at times tell you to deviate way and go back. But your strength comes from the Holy Spirit. It shall fill you with strength and courage to carry your food and reach the colony.
So, today let us search this strength and determination from God. Let us be like these ants.

Keep faith, Thash


Friday 29 March 2013

Thursday 28 March 2013

Ant Quality- 1st Part

Ants are social insects. In many ways, they can outwit, outlast, and outplay humans. Their complex, cooperative societies enable them to survive and thrive in conditions that would challenge the individual. Especially, the spiritual one. Here are 10 fascinating qualities about ants that just might convince you to take their examples and apply them in your life. They are:
  1. Wise
  2. Intelligent
  3. Hardworker
  4. Strong
  5. Perseverant
  6. Cautious
  7. Defensive
  8. They build relationships
  9. Patient
  10. They love team work
These only make them successful in all their ways. Even the bible praises these small insects and advises us to be like them; physically and spiritually.
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise( Proverbs 6:6)

Today, let us analyse the first two qualities of the ants: being WISE and INTELLIGENT.

The ants are so wise , that they only gather food in harvest time. They are not idle in the days where everyhing is fine. They go everywhere to fetch anything that can be eaten and store them in their nests. And so, when winter comes, the ants are not starved. They lay in their nests and have plenty to eat.

Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer (Proverbs 30:25)

Intelligent. How?
Ants are the most successful species on earth. They have survived and thrived for millions of years; they have conquered and colonized every continent and environment. Ants can be found in burning deserts, in jungles, and in cities. Ants exhibit many behaviours consistent with intelligence and civilization: they build cities, farm, communicate, and accomplish tasks through collective, highly organized goal-driven behaviour. 

But, the butterflies are much prettier than the ants. They have beautiful wings but are poor. Why? Because they are not as wise as the ants. They fly among the flowers and enjoy themselves during summer. They never think of gathering food for the winter. Foolish they are, because they have no colony or place to reside. They only keep flying, going from place to place very contrary  the ants.
 But what happens when winter comes? The poor butterflies all die, while the ants still live.


The same happens in the lives of many people. They enjoy the pleasures of this world like the butterflies, do everything that pleases them, but forget that they have a soul. They forget that the soul needs care. They forget that one day the body will die but the soul never will. Where will my soul go when I die? They are not wise enough to consider this question. When they are still alive and everyting is favorable, their only motive is to do whatever they want, contradicting whatever Gods says and sins in every way. They are conformed to the world and its ways. These people are foolish to think that winter too will be favorable. But what they don't know, they shall suffer death in the pit of fire  like these butterflies.

The wise and the intelligent are only those who care for their soul and get prepared for winter. Winter period, good people,is Death. They thrive though hard to maintain their body, mind and spirit pure before God, away from sin. They resist their flesh, the desire to enjoy their freedom, will and the pleasures of this world. They overcome the temptations the evil put in their way. They think of the time to come.  They are WISE to seek God, his presence and will, and to obey his word. And, INTELLIGENT, in knowing how to build their spiritual life on a solid defensive foundation in communication with God. Happy  are they because they shall not suffer death.


"The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death." ( Revelation 2:11)

The wiseness of the ants can also be contrasted to the parable of the 10 virgins who was judged by their wiseness( Matthew 25):
 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.   
The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

So, people of God, are you an Ant or a Butterfly? The wise virgin or the foolish one?
Winter time is near, and the bridegroom is coming. To fetch everyone? No, only those who were wise enough to take care of their soul and awaits his coming. 
 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.( Revelation 3:11)

Tomorrow we shall talk on the next two Ant Qualities: Hardwork and Strength

God bless you, Thash

Tuesday 26 March 2013

Keys of death


Jesus made the way for our spiritual immortality by giving his life on the cross. As death can no longer affect him, it can no longer affect the true christian either ;The one reborn in him with the mark of the Holy spirit.

Today, let us seek sincerely the presence of God.

God bless you.

A living Sacrifice

When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the Lord Almighty. (Malachi 1:8)

At that time, the people were giving sacrifices, but they gave the worst of their flocks. The ones that were less valuable, that they would not be able to sell nor eat as food. They were aware that God demanded from them the best they had, but because they could not see him they did not pay attention to what they were offering. They thought that it was a waste to do so. Some gave by obligation and they forgot that at that time sacrifices to God was for repentance,praise  and communion with God.

God compared this situation with how they shall offer something to the Governor. At that time, a governor was ruling the country. To please him, they would offer him gifts. So, they would not dare to give them a defective gift or the worst they found. This would insult him and the honour that should be given to him.

Let us contrast that situation with what is happening nowadays.

Today the sacrifice that God asks from us is our LIFE.

  Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

But, how many people today are behaving like the ones of the book of Malachi?
How many people are giving only 50% of their life on the altar and are retaining the other 50%?
How many people are sacrifying only what they think is right and denyingwhat God is asking from them?
How many are still conformed to this world and is hesitating to be 100% converted

The problem of these many people is that they do not BELIEVE. They doubt the POWER of the lord and what is wriiten to bless their life. They are unwilling to take the risk of giving their life fully on the altar fearing not to see the result. They do not trust in God's presence but are accounted to his invisiblity. What lacks in these people is FAITH. Hebrew 11:1-4:
  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did.
 By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

They sacrifice only part of their life and what is easy. Maybe they are faithfull in giving the best in the tithes and offerings, but forget to clean their heart or vise versa. Or maybe they give the tithes, have a clean heart but refuse to abandon the friends, the girlfriend/boyfriend of the world. Or maybe abandon the friends, have a clean heart, give the tithes, but is unable to stop smoking.

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." (Matthew 23:23)

These people are Hypocrites, they want the 100% of God in all aspect of their life but refuse to sacrifice their life fully on the altar. They love it and fear of losing it.
Let me tell you, good people, that God hates this type of sacrifice. Because he is the Lord Almighty, everything on this earth belong to him. When Jesus gave his life on the cross, he did not only gave one leg or an arm. His whole body was crucified. He gave everything to save us, eventhough that was hard and reluctant to his own will and flesh.

But how hardhearted from our part to give only 99% of our own for him? Without forgetting giving 100% of our life is never in vain, we only benefit from it.

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. (Matthew 16:25)
 So, good people, do not fear to lose your life. Instead give everything of yourself to the Lord. You shall be filled with his presence and receive the greatest reward which is Your Salvation.

God bless you, Thash

Monday 25 March 2013

PARABLE OF THE SOWER- LAST PART

"And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold." Luke 8:8

Here, the seed fell on good soil. Soil which is neither hard, rocky,nor thorny. It is productive, soft and perfect to receive the seed deep and let it grow into a fruitful plant.

Let us see how Jesus explained this parable. In luke 8:15 he said,

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

So, people of God, here is the reason why some people bear the fruits of the word of God in their life while others don't. This is only because the heart is different. The good ground is the sincere heart, the one who is humble, and free from sin. It only absorbs the word of  God, let him grow fruitfully with care and prevent it from being uprooted by the evil.
The listerner having this kind of heart is the one who hear and practice the word of God, the one who have roots and resist temptations. He preserves what he sowed,and waters his seedling until it grows into an adult plant full of good fruits.
This person has a pure heart which makes of him a sanctified person; free from sin. Only the heart defines who a person is. If he is really a person of God, sanctified or a sinful one. Matthew 15:19 says:

"For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. 
 Here we are defining a sinful person who  have their sown along the hard path, in the rocks, and among the thorns.

But what defines a person who received it in the good ground? The good spiritual fruits he bears eventually...

But WHICH GOOD FRUITS?
  • The fruits of REPENTANCE and REBIRTH 
Jesus said in John 12:24, 
"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone, but if it dies, then it bears much fruit."
while in 1 Corinthians 15:35-36, it is explained:
  But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.
  
So, people of God, one of the good fruit is to die for this world, repent from all what you did wrong and reborn in Christ with a new life.
  
  •   The fruits of RIGHTEOUSNESS
If we sow correctly the seed of the word of God in our life, we were promised in 2Corinthians 9:10:
 "God will increase the harvest of your righteousness in order for us to be  "filled with the fruit of righteousness" (Phillipians 1:11)

 This means that we must live in reconciliation and peace with God and the people around us. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:17-18)
This person avoid fighting, quarelling and all fleshy desires against others. He lives in and for justice. He is right in his ways because he is in peace with himself, God and the people around him.

  • The fruits of THE LOVE TO SAVE OTHERS
In matthew 9: 28, Jesus said to his disciples: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

And in John 4, 35-36 it is explained: 
 
You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!


This person brings others to Eternal Life.

  • The fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT 
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galates 5, 22-23)
  • The fruit of OUR WORDS
 From the fruit of his words a man receives benefit, but the treacherous crave violence. (Proverbs 13:2)

Matthew 12:33-37 gives us a clear explanation:

 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.  Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.  But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

So, good people, here are the fruits of the good and honest heart. But how to get such a heart?
The only way is to live in humilty and being sincere to yourself. First recognise that your heart is corrupted. Then, comes the step to change it and search your dependance on God, his help and his presence.

This is the way to get your place in the Kingdom of God. 

God bless you, Thash.

 

Saturday 23 March 2013

PARABLE OF THE SOWER- 3RD PART

Here comes the third type of path where the seed can be thrown. Let us see the result of having a heart similar to what we will explain.


Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. (Luke 8:7)

 At this point, the soil is neither hard nor storny, it is soft and productive.But, it is not pure because it contains several kinds of seeds. It is therefore a mixed vegetation in which the seed is mixed with thorny plants. These spines were probably not apparent when the farmer sowed. Over time, they have developed to invade the entire field. The seed had germinated but it was literally choked by the thorns which grew much stronger.

In verse 14, Jesus explained this parable:
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

This reaction to the word is perhaps the saddest. Here the Word of God has reached its goal, the heart of man, but it is stifled before it can has its effect in the person life. Stifled by what? The worries of everyday life, its pleasures, career and material things. The things that affect our spiritual life and prevent the word of God to be manifested in our life. Maybe the spiritual life of the person is not completely extinguished, but it remains as it is. It doesn't mature nor bear the fruits that Jesus wants. And what does God do to every branch that doesn't bear fruits? 

John 15:2 and 6 tell us:
  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful (V 2)

If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. (V 6)


This shows us that those who do not bear the fruits are thrown into the fire and burned. So, people of God, you who listen to the word of God and let the pleasures of this world take upon you, do you want to be burnt into this fire?
 How many christians started well and later fell because of the traps of evil and the pleasures of this world and their flesh? What is the end of these people? Do you think they shall inherit the kingdom of God?

No....

Today, is the opportunity for you who are in this situation, to leave behind the greed for this world and do not let anything take over your spiritual life. 

God bless you, Thash.

Friday 22 March 2013

PARABLE OF THE SOWER- 2ND PART

Today let us analyse the second type of path where the seed, that is the Word of God can be sown, and what is the result.

And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.( Luke 8:6)

The explanation that Jesus gave us for this part is in verse 13 of the same chapter:

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of  temptation fall away.

In this case, the soil is soft and moist. It is suitable for rapid germination. But unfortunately it lacks depth. There is only little soil found there. Growth of the seed is soon stopped by the rock that lies beneath. The first heat of the sun, it dries out because it has  no root, which should have provided water and minerals it needed.

This means that the listener's heart is sensible enough to hear and absorb the word of God. It germinates that is the person put what he hears into practice. But, because this person do not have a solid spiritual foundation and a true encounter with God, whenever tribulations and persecution come,and he is being scorched by the heat of the sun, he stops putting what he heard into practice. Instead he desists and fell.  He forgets what he heard only because the seed was sown and no roots were grown ; he believes only for a while, when everyting is good. When situations become tough, he discourages and abandons. The word of God withers in his heart.

He is the foolish builder. He builds his house on the sand. Matthew 7: 24-27 gives us the difference between the wise and the foolish builder ; and the result of how they construct their house that is their spiritual life:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”


So, people of God, maybe you are the one who heard the predication and receive it with joy. But when persecutions come and the wind blows contrary to your way, you desist and fell into evil's trap. Maybe you are living with an illusion thinking that walking with Jesus is like walking through the flowery road. No, walking with Jesus is hard, this needs sacrifice. 
The truth is that your faith is emotional. You receive the word of God with Joy like Jesus said but you put it into practice only in good situations. In fact you never had a true encounter with the Lord Jesus. You think you are born of God, but you never were. Maybe you were mistaken and you are still living in illusion. 

To know if you are this type of listener, identify yourself and  look at your attitudes. What is your reaction when temptation come? Is it that you fall again?

If so, today is the opportunity to change this situation. Search this true encounter with God and you will rise.
This is a personal experience.

God bless you, Thash

Thursday 21 March 2013

PARABLE OF THE SOWER- 1ST PART


While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable:  “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. (Luke 8: 4-5)

 This parable was announced by Jesus in order for his disciples to know about the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. Here the farmer is GOD through the one preaching, the seed is HIS WORD and the path (ground) is the HEART of the one listening. The heart of men of different types represent the four different kinds of ground (place) where the seed is sown. 

Jesus through this wanted to show us what were the results of sowing in these paths. What we must consider are three points:
  • The seed is the same for everyone : It is the ground that varies
  • The growth of the seed depends on the type of ground (place) ; the quality of the heart of the one listening
  • There are different ways of receiving the word of God in our heart but only one pleases God and let us inherit his kingdom : The one bearing the fruits

So, good people. Let us consider the 1ST PLACE where the seed is sown.

  1. "some fell along the path, it was trampled on, and the birds ate it" Luke 8:5
The seed fell along the path. This means that the that the ground was too hard for the seed to germinate, that's why it just fell onto it and was trampled on by passers.  It remains on the surface of the ground and become easy to be picked by hungry birds. This is why we often see birds fluttering around a farmer who is seeding. These birds are just waiting for the right time . Obviously, these seeds do not survive very long.

In luke 8:11 -12 Jesus said:
“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.


This type of listeners are characterized by a hardened heart. When the word is announced to them it is as if it passes through one ear and leave through the other.  The word flow on their lives withot penetrating. The heart of these men is as hard as the floor of a path so that the seed has no chance to germinate. The evil, like the birds come and easily pick away the word of God which never penetrated the heart of these people. They are the easiest prey to satan.

They may regularly attend church and hear the word of God, but this has no effect on their hearts. Certainly, they have acquired some knowledge of the Bible, but they do not understand. These kind of people do not seek to obey nor repent: but are here only to ask from God. They are willing to receive but not to give. Their attitude combining to that of the evil surely will never make the seed to germinate.

 For this people's heart has grown dull and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’Matthew 13:15

So, good people, let us analyse this first situation. If you have a heart like we just talked, today maybe is the last opportunity for you to change it. And im sure you gonna be the one victorious and at the end inheriting the Kingdom of God.

God bless you, Thash

Tuesday 19 March 2013

You are what you eat



 So people, what kind of food are you eating everyday?
 Are you having a balanced and healthy diet or you are intaking an unbalanced one? Are you taking the nutrients your body need to maintain a good health or are you excessing in pleasing your mouth in eating what cause diseases?

Eating too much calories, fatty foods and carbohydrates everyday surely leads to diseases like heart problems and obesity. Health is deteriorated. But eating a balanced diet with all the good nutrients help in having a very fit and good health.

From this point of view, can we connect food and holiness?

Eventually, Yes. Foods, whether it is physical or spiritual , are always classified into two types: GOOD and BAD.
But, the question is, what type of spiritual food we are consuming? A mother will never give her children unhealthy food, instead she will take care of their health and even though that doesn't please them, she will insist. It is the same for God. God wants his children, that is us, to be healthy and fit. He wants us to eat what is appropriate for body for us to benefit from it.

All this means that we must keep away from all what is bad for our spiritual health : The sinful menus.
But we must control our envies, will and not having the eyes bigger than the stomach. In other words, keep away from the sinful world and obeys the follow the instruction of God and be obedient ; living a sacrificial life.
But are we obliged? Absolutely not. The choice is given to us. We choose what to eat.


When you go to the supermarket to buy food, we, as intelligent people,we, first look at the ingredients and labels. We see whether the ingredients are good, whether they are appropriate for the health., because we don't know what they put in it. We even consider the expiry date. We take time to consider these points before consuming it.

So, people of God, concerning your spiritual life, are you taking the time to analyse the ingredients of your spiritual food intake. Will these keep you healthy or make you ill? You need to analyse your own life and keep away to everything that harm your spiritual life.
No one loves to fall ill or die of a disease. Do you want to die spiritually?

Falling ill or dying spiritually means SUFFERING and NOT BEING SAVED.

The choice is yours.

My advice is to take time and analyse what is good and wrong; clean and unclean. Abandon the life of sin: adultery, fornication, immorality, calomny, jealousy, lies, negative thoughts and feelings, pride, hatred, etc...But to whatever is not written, your conscience is here to help you discern between what pleases God and not. Take this opportunity to detoxify your interior, your life and your conscience. Let God be the chef of all what you gonna eat. Maybe today is your last chance to avoid getting a disease and die ; Maybe today is your chance to be SAVED and conquer what God wants you to have;  SALVATION, JOY, and PEACE.

 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” (1 corinthians 6:12-13)

God bless you, Thash 

Exercised Faith

 "I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet " (Revelation 1:9-10)

Today let us analyse John situation. He was a man of faith and because of the word of God, he was thrown on the island of Patmos. He was an upright man and face many injustices because of the Romans.

On this island he was left alone and faced the harsh situations. Maybe John was thinking why is was thrown there for he was so faithful to God. Maybe he asked God so many questions why he was so much suffering. In other words,maybe, he did not stop asking God questions.

We see that in his difficult moments he seeked God only and he was angry. But he was IN SPIRIT : "On the Lord's day I was in spirit" and it is in those particular moments that John received the vision of the future. It is then that he received the revelations of God.

So Good people, we who are in spirit we are no different from John. Rejoice of the persecutions you are facing or will face because of your faith. Persevere to conquer your salvationa and resist till the end. Don't desist, because it is only in tribulations that we are able to hear better the voice of God. It is then that we are much more in spirit.It is by these isolated moments that we exercise our faith. 

John was suffering on this island, and he humbles himself in spirit. So, we must humble ourselves. It is then that God talks to us, reveals us his will and directs us. It is when we are most humiliated that we are able to hear him. The result is that we become stronger and stronger with an invincible faith.

The advice for today is to rejoice in persecutions and humiliations and ask God to speak to you.

God bless you, Thash
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