Greetings in the marvelous name of Jesus Christ! 💐🙂🌹

Topic: How We Start Is important; How We Are Pursuing Is More Important; And How We End Is Most Important. - Ben.

Offcourse, there are some who never even attempt or start because of fear of failure, lack of self confidence and faith in God. Their plans and efforts remain only on paper. God helps those who start first and work hard.

Be it pursuing studies, to aim something high, preparing for prelims and interviews, preparing to speak on a topic, aspiring to be be on top in profession or to be steady and successful in our Christian faith or walk with Christ, it's certainly very good, to have a good start. But how we are pursuing it is very important, and how we end up is most important. And the most important aspect in life is "how we end up or whether we complete the race in our spiritual life faithfully is most important.

The circumstances of life sometimes appear to contradict God's revelation concerning His power and purposes. We are unable to comprehend His plans for us.

In yesterday's devotion we saw Habakkuk the prophet started off with negative thoughts and struggles in his faith with complains and questioning right from the first few verses of the book. He wanted to know why God allows this growing iniquity to go unpunished. He did not understand that "God may be slow to wrath, but all iniquity will be punished eventually."

Habakkuk is a free thinking prophet who is not afraid to wrestle with issues that test faith. We need to understand that the prophet Habakkuk did not turn away from God when his prayers were not answered for long, but he persisted and questioned God in 1st chapter verses 2 & 3 we read yesterday. And he got reply from the Lord to his questions. We can read it in verses 5-11.

After getting the response, the doubts that still he harboured, the problem he could not understand, Habakkuk persisted again for the 2nd time boldly and asked God how the righteous God could punish His own nation, Judah with a nation that is even more wicked?

Even in the present world, we see wicked trying to dictate, or snub and overpower righteous as how the heathen nations punished Judah and Israel.

Habakkuk prayers though of complaining nature, were serious, sincere, purposeful, unselfish, and persistent The Lord God Almighty has rushed to answer Habakkuk instantly and enabled him to increase the understanding of the God Almighty sovereignty, the Omnipotent power and the plan of God.

He started off complaining, but pursued persistently without giving up. And how he ended, let us hear in tomorrow's devotion.

For complete devotion, let us watch this short devotional.

Have a joyful and fruitful new week!

Remember me as I'm sharing God's Word in a "Wedding Reception" at Bangalore today, i.e 24th Jan., Thanks!! Pl. also pray fir my safe travel. 🙏

#Jesus #God #dailydevotional

Greetings in the marvelous name of Jesus Christ! 💐🙂🌹

Topic: How We Start Is important; How We Are Pursuing Is More Important; And How We End Is Most Important. - Ben.

Offcourse, there are some who never even attempt or start because of fear of failure, lack of self confidence and faith in God. Their plans and efforts remain only on paper. God helps those who start first and work hard.

Be it pursuing studies, to aim something high, preparing for prelims and interviews, preparing to speak on a topic, aspiring to be be on top in profession or to be steady and successful in our Christian faith or walk with Christ, it's certainly very good, to have a good start. But how we are pursuing it is very important, and how we end up is most important. And the most important aspect in life is "how we end up or whether we complete the race in our spiritual life faithfully is most important.

The circumstances of life sometimes appear to contradict God's revelation concerning His power and purposes. We are unable to comprehend His plans for us.

In yesterday's devotion we saw Habakkuk the prophet started off with negative thoughts and struggles in his faith with complains and questioning right from the first few verses of the book. He wanted to know why God allows this growing iniquity to go unpunished. He did not understand that "God may be slow to wrath, but all iniquity will be punished eventually."

Habakkuk is a free thinking prophet who is not afraid to wrestle with issues that test faith. We need to understand that the prophet Habakkuk did not turn away from God when his prayers were not answered for long, but he persisted and questioned God in 1st chapter verses 2 & 3 we read yesterday. And he got reply from the Lord to his questions. We can read it in verses 5-11.

After getting the response, the doubts that still he harboured, the problem he could not understand, Habakkuk persisted again for the 2nd time boldly and asked God how the righteous God could punish His own nation, Judah with a nation that is even more wicked?

Even in the present world, we see wicked trying to dictate, or snub and overpower righteous as how the heathen nations punished Judah and Israel.

Habakkuk prayers though of complaining nature, were serious, sincere, purposeful, unselfish, and persistent The Lord God Almighty has rushed to answer Habakkuk instantly and enabled him to increase the understanding of the God Almighty sovereignty, the Omnipotent power and the plan of God.

He started off complaining, but pursued persistently without giving up. And how he ended, let us hear in tomorrow's devotion.

For complete devotion, let us watch this short devotional.

Have a joyful and fruitful new week!

Remember me as I'm sharing God's Word in a "Wedding Reception" at Bangalore today, i.e 24th Jan., Thanks!! Pl. also pray fir my safe travel. 🙏

Greetings in the most Omnipotent name of Jesus Christ!! 💐🙂🙋

Topic: "How Long Must I Pray And Cry And You Don't Answer; Why You Are Silent?" Are The Two Questions Always In Human Mind.

Habakkuk 1 : 2 & 3.

O Lord, how long shall I cry, And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, And You Will not save? Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to trouble.

When Habakkuk is asking God a question, "How long shall I cry?" Means, it's been long enough God has not answered him. He was tired of living in a violent, immoral, idolatrous, unholy and lawless society and we see he is tired of talking to such a lawless society. Habakkuk struggles in his faith when he sees men flagrantly violate God's law and distort justice on every level without fear of divine intervention. He was tired of asking God and hears nothing in return. And hence this question, "How long O Lord?..." He wants to know why God allows this growing iniquity to go unpunished.

Habakkuk asked God the kind of question that so many of us have pondered, “Why do you force me to look at evil,/stare trouble in the face day after day?” (Habakkuk 1:3 MESSAGE). We have all seen the evidence of evil in our lives. We’ve all been touched by it. And we bear scars at various stages of healing. Surrounded by evil as if we are trapped in a dark prison cell of our own making, we are often downtrodden by our poor choices and our fallen world. This honest anger at God is not rare in the Bible. Job also felt that God was absent in the midst of his trials.

God has been merciful and gracious to all of us even though we too fragrantly trespass into iniquity knowingly, and he doesn't punish us immediately like how He did not answer Habakkuk plea, as why He is allowing sin for so long...

It's because of His grace. If we persist in sin, then we are in for trouble and consequences.

However, the book of Habakkuk reminds us that no place is too dark and no wall too thick for God’s grace to penetrate in a powerful and life-affirming way.

For complete devotion, let us watch this short video!

Have a blessed and fruitful day!🙂💐🌹

Benedict James

Greetings in the marvelous name of Jesus Christ!🙋🌹💐

Topic: Let Us Allow God's Plan In Our Major Decision Making So That We Don't Regret Later..

Many Christians have taken important decisions in their lives in carnal way neglecting God's will and sorely regretted later. Often times God was kept as a stepney wheel without allowing Him to touch the steering wheel..

Jerm. 29:11 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.

Many times when we say we are seeking God’s will, what we are really wanting to say to God is this: “OK, God, here’s what I’m planning to do. Now I need you to rubber-stamp this, all right?” I must tell you that this is not really effective in finding His true will. Before God will begin to reveal His will to you and me, we must be committed to doing whatever it is that He desires for us to do. God will likely be slow to show you His plan if He knows you will likely not do that plan anyway.

Let us seek God's will and plan for our lives through obedience, prayer, and listening to the Holy Spirit. We need to use the Word of God to know the will of God, and to gain a better understanding of His plan for our lives.

People sometimes sentimentalise over the constant changes and thwartings of plans and the disappointments of life. They grow morbid over them and sigh, "vanity of vanities" or they ask "why is the Lord dealing so sorely or bitterly with me when others are flourishing?" The success or non success of our earthly plans is of very little consequence in comparison with building up of "Christ likeness" in our souls. Life on this planet is short. It's a sojourn. We are pilgrims in this world.

Do not be suprised if you fail to have your own way at many a point. He does not give you what you desire, simply because it's not His will.

God would teach you and me that true success lies in the doing of His will, not our own, and the realising of His plan for our life, not our plan.

For complete devotion, Pl watch the short video!

Have a blessed and joyful day!!🙋🌹🙂

Benedict James

Greetings in the majestic and wonderful name of Jesus Christ! 🌹💐🙂

Topic : "Expect Great Things From God; Attempt Great Things For God." - William Carey.

A Sickly Boy, A Cobbler - God Blessed Him And His Work, And Was Later Popularly Known As "The Father Of Modern Missions."

He is none other than William Carey. His Most Famous Quotation often used,

1 Sam. 16:7. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

The Lord saw the heart of William Carrey. He was sincere and pure in the sight of God to serve His Master.

When we love God and have desire to serve Him, He will surely fulfil His plans in us. And we too will be blessed like this great man of God.

"When we love anything other than God first, our weakness and regret will emerge." - Ben.

William Carey during his childhood was a sickly boy. But he loved the Lord. He was born in England in 1761. He was born to a humble and poor family. His future did not look bright. But yet he loved the Lord. He had passion to serve the Lord.... Then he was also teaching as a teacher for his livelihood. The cobbler, discovers the joy of joining the Redeemer in quest for souls. He was later shepherding a church and became a full time pastor in the year 1789 of Harvey Lane Baptist Church at Leicester, England. It was thriving under his shepherding. He was led by the Lord to move to India. Because of his obedience, the Lord blessed him and his work in India and he brought incredible social reforms and translated the Bible into several languages. Since he loved God, he loved the people of God in India and has accomplished many things for God.

He was not only an English Christian missionary, but a Baptist minister, translator, social reformer and cultural anthropologist who with the mission was instrumental in establishing the famous Serampore college in 1818 and got the status of University in 1829. He was also known as the "father of modern missions." He translated the Bible into Bengali, Oriya, Assamese, Marathi, Hindi and Sanskrit languages. A foreigner not only learning Indian languages but translating them is indeed praiseworthy and glory to God! He ia also called as a great reformer and illustrious Christian missionary. His passionate insistence also resulted in founding the Baptist Missionary Society.

Here we see today's devotional verse, the Lord rejected all the the seven handsome sons of Jesse. And he did not even bother to call the youngest son, David. After Samuel enquired with the father, he brings him. The rest is history. God chose him to be the king of Israel. Because God saw the heart of David was right in His sight, like William Carey.

For complete devotion, Pls watch the short video.

Have a blessed and joyful day!!💐🌹🙂

Benedict James

Greetings in the Omnipotent name of Jesus Christ!🌹💐🙋

Topic: Is Failure The End Of Life?? Failure Is Very Real, But It's Not An End Destination..

Prov. 24:26. For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again....

Experiencing one failure or 100s of failures does not make failure. Everytime we fail we become more strong and confident not to repeat but move forward. Failure is part of life.

"If we don't fail we dont learn, if we don't learn, we remain stagnant."

Failure! It can be in an interview, in the studies, in marriage, in pursuing higher goals in profession, orbit can be in pursuing higher level of holiness and spiritual growth. We see sometimes the pain and regret of poor choices in life...

"But the day we stop pursuing because of "fear of failure" is the true failure."

These Failures Ultimately Lead To Success only when we pursue instead of giving up.

If we see the lives of great men of God who had poor choices but turned the failures into success by not giving up :

1) Foremost comes to our mind, the sin of David, the adultery, not only coveting his own loyal army officer, Uriah's wife, Bathsheba, and not satisfied, murdered him too. But, once Prophet Nathan confronted David, unlike King Saul, he truly repented of his sins and raised his level of holiness in the sight of God. God made him one of the most powerful kings in Israel. We often don't repent completely and so, bear nothing but dryness and fruitlessness and then blame God often.

2. Gideon, when God told him to lead Israel. Depending on his own strength he said, "The lord has forsaken us, my family is the weakest in Manasseh." He gave up. But he did not quit when the Lord assured him His sovereignty. He rose and with just 300 men he destroyed the vast armies of enemies of Israel and became the judge of Israel.

3. Saul the persecutor of Christians became "the apostle Paul" who wrote more than 60% of the new testament.

4. Timid Peter became the most courageous Peter and leader amongst the apostles after the resurrection of Christ.

For complete devotion, let us watch the short video.

Have a blessed and joyful day!!💐🌹🙂

Benedict James

Greetings in the most loving and blessed name of Jesus Christ!💐🙋🌹

Topic : "People May Hear Your Words, But They Feel Your Attitude." - John Maxwell. Virat Kohli, Greatest Indian Cricket Captain But Poor Role Model To Emulate Or To Respect Him...

Virat Kohli as per the statistics is the greatest captain In the history of Indian cricket, and third greatest captain in the world after Steve Waugh And Ricky Pointing. Ironically, all three are not Role Models To Emulate.

1 Tim. 4:12. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

To be admired or respected, our talents must match with our Leadership in order to be a good Role Model. Otherwise people in the longer run will not Respect.

Gautam Gambhir, former Indian Cricket batsman comments on the Indian Captain, Virat Kohly. He said, "Virat Kohli is very immature and that as an Indian captain cannot be an idol or a role model to youngsters."

No doubt Viral Kohli is among the greats based on his performance as a captain as well as his batting. But he got the "bad boy" image in the world cricket for his over aggressive outbursts ruined his image completely.

Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar too are not only world's great cricketers but great ambassadors of the game.

When the decision was overturned by the third empire using technology, in frustration Virat Kohli kicked the air in the dust. Then went towards the stumps microphone and made sure his sarcastic comments was caught by the mic.

Michael Vaughan, former England captain comments on🙏 Virat Kohli's outbursts on the pitch on 13th January during the final cricket test match played against South Africa at Cape Town, South Africa, "It's so important that International Cricket Council steps in to discipline.... It's absolutely right to get frustrated. We have our emotions. But, when you act like that as a captain and as a leader of the game, ICC has to step in. Virat Kohli needs to be fined, he needs to be suspended."

Evil persons and poor role models in leadership mentioned in Bible :

1. King Herod who tried to kill Jesus when he was born. And thereby massacred innocent children for his selfish ends and power.

There are several leaders who destroy the growth, sanctity and the power of holiness by making selfish decisions.

2. The wicked and cruel Jezebel, wife of king Ahab.

3. Samson was chosen and ordianed as a leader and Judge if Israel. But failed to live upto the leadership with wrong decisions and lustful sins... Poor role model..

"The greatest day in your life and my life is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up. - John C. Maxwell.

For complete devotion, pls watch this short video.

Have a blessed and glorious day!!🙋💐🙂

Benedict James

#Jesus #God #dailydevotional

Greetings in the marvelous name of Jesus Christ!!🙂💐🌹

Topic : Faith Can Remove Mountains. Restoration And Healing Depends Upon Our Faith. Often Times It Is We Who Limit The Power Of God And Not God.

Matt. 08: 05 to 10. A centurion comes to Jesus and said "Lord my servant is paralysed & dreadfully tormented."

And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." And centurion answered and said "Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed."

The Lord said to the centurion, "Go your way, as you have believed, so let it be done for you." The same moment - split of a second his servant was healed.

Restoration depends upon our faith.....

For complete devotion, let us listen to the short Video msg.

Have a Blessed and Joyful Day! 💐🌹🙂

Benedict James

Greetings in the most compassionate and wonder working name of Jesus Christ!💐🙂🌹

Topic: Life Itself Is A Battle. We Are In The Middle Of The Battle.. No Journey Is Complete Before The Destination Is Reached. Never Quit Nor Give Up.

Every one of us are in the battle. Battles of different nature.

The world we trust loves you today and stabs you tomorrow, seeing the opportunity. Let us Trust in God and He will never disappoint us but appoints us.

When David lost his wife his families and everything was destroyed by enemies, David's own men turned against him. Turned against to stone him. He was at the brink of giving up.

Many of us today are unable to stand against the challenges in life, be it financial problem, loss of loved ones, prolonged illness, constant violance at home, children disappointing you for not being grateful to what you sacrificed, rebellion, list piles on..

You may be standing at the edge of faith. People who promised you might have betrayed you.

What did David do at this stage? His wives and his children were captured. His commanders and generals have left him. But David encouraged himself.

We need to encourage ourselves. We can bank on God and on trusted servants of God. I emphasis, trusted God's servants...

Word promises, "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." When you are up against the wall, we must know where is the source of power we need to draw from..

The problem with us is brooding over the past. Past failures, past defeats...past heartache...

Beloved! Let us refresh from the Word of God and declare... "The lord is my strength and shield." Let us remind ourselves the Word... "That we can do not few things but all things through Christ who strengthens us."

Let's remind ourselves from the Word that "No weapons formed against us shall prosper."

A time for introspection. We know about scriptures but in reality we do not know the scriptures. We know about Christ, but we do not know the Christ. That's why oftentimes we panic and do not experience His power when chips are down. It happened to me and happens to everyone. We know the importance about holiness, but we don't live a holy life to challenge the evil, to challenge the unholy, to challenge the darkness. It's so important to memorize the Bible verses. But it doesn't make any sense if we keep it in our head rather than in our heart and without implementing it.

We know about the love of Christ but really did not taste His love. Had we tasted His love, we do not waste time. We do not be in our comfort zones. That is the foundational problem in our lives. We always want to receive receive receive but but do not desire to give.

Life is a battlefield. Don't walk alone or else we will be blown away. Let's take the Chief Commander, Jesus beside us. And declare often His Word. It's a life time warranty. We Will Be Victorious, Joyful And Fruitful. So, why delay? let us seek Christ and let Him be our Commander in Chief.

For complete devotion, let us watch the short video.

Have a blessed and fruitful time!!💐🌹🙂

Benedict James

Greetings in the loving and comforting name of Jesus Christ! 💐🌹🙂

Topic : During The Time Of Grief We Must Never Quit Nor Faint - But Cling, Claim And Declare The Words of Assurance From The Divine Word Of God!

Ps. 27; 4 & 5.

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

For the last one week to 10 days at least seven of the known loved ones went to be with the Lord.

Grieving can be the most difficult time for people. Trying to balance the feelings of pain and loss is important.

But, our grief has a purpose. Grieving is the process God uses to bring us to a place of wholeness.

Nothing in life can prepare us for the death of a loved one. Whether death results from a sudden accident or a sustained illness, it always catches us off-guard. Death is so deeply personal and stunningly final, nothing can emotionally prepare us for its arrival. With every death, there is a loss. And with every loss, there will be grief.

Grief doesn’t come and go in an orderly, confined timeframe. Just when we think the pangs of anguish have stolen their last breath, another wave sweeps in and we are forced to revisit the memories, the pain, the fear. Sometimes we try to resist the demands of grieving.

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock.

Psalm 9:9-10. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Ps. 34:4

I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears.

Ps. 73: 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

For complete devotion, Pl listen to this short video.

Have a blessed and joyful day!!🙋💐🌹

Benedict James