I am in His thoughts...

I am a student pursuing my PGDM at a reputed B-school. As a part of the curriculum, we have to do an internship at a corporate this summer.

The college had its own placement process, but students could also try outside using their own contacts. By nature, a very shy person, the Group Discussion round marked my exit when any company came to our campus. Even 3 months after the process, I didn't get placed in any company. I had no contacts, so I couldn't try elsewhere.

One day in January, a good company offered me a placement without any group discussion or interview, just because they wanted freshers based in Chennai. I was grateful for this internship. It wasn't the profile I wanted, but I knew God had His ways...

Two weeks back, I just happened to meet an alumni of my college. (He accompanied his boss who delivered a speech) . He worked for a reputed firm. I wanted to meet him after the talk (to get details regarding an internship at his firm), but the speaker and the alumni left the hall soon after the speech. Angry at myself for not approaching him earlier, I left the hall, only to go out and find the alumni waiting at the car park because the driver was late. I rushed to him and inquired about the internship. He gave me his visiting card and left the place.

I mailed him and there was no reply. Two weeks passed, and I gave up hope of working for this firm.

During these two weeks, I enjoyed my walk with God. There were times when he filled me with His love. There were also times when I felt no trace of His presence. But there was a divine peace in my heart, throughout. I felt like praising God during this time. But I also remembered that there will be times when I will not want to pray. I kept asking God to remind me during those times that 'He always works for the good of those who love Him', that 'God is good, all the time', and that even if I couldn't feel His presence, God was with me, watching my every move, and loving me all the time. I prayed that God helps me trust Him when things are not working the way I want them to. I prayed that God gives me the grace to stand on His side when times are tough.

Today, being Valentine's Day, I saw many of my friends receiving surprises from their loved ones. With childlike faith, I asked God to surprise me today. Lord, please surprise me today with something, I asked him. But towards the later part of the day, I lost contact with God. I didn't feel so close to Him. There was a pang of guilt too. I didn't know what to do. I didn't feel like praying or praising Him. Those times had arrived.

It was then that the reflections of the past two weeks came to my mind. I knew God loved me and was working for my good. I kept reflecting on these thoughts.

When I checked my inbox this evening, there was this mail from my alumni's secretary asking me to attend an interview at their office on Wednesday. I was surprised and......happy! That alumni hadn't even replied to the mail I sent him. But unknown to me, he had actually made arrangements for the interview.

I haven't attended the interview yet, and I know not its results. This isn't a reflection saying I hope to get through the interview or that I'm believing a miracle will happen.

Its just that I realize God has been working on this internship even when I had forgotten about it, and (I assumed) the alumni too.

There have been so many instances, when I have asked God for something and thought he forgot about it, and soon after forgot it myself, but God has surprised me saying He remembers.

He remembers even the simplest and smallest thing we asked Him, even the most childish wish we have. When it is in accordance with His will, He will give it to us in His time.

No, don't get me wrong... This reflection isn't to say that always God hears our prayers (of course He does), and that He will give us what we ask him.

I am amazed and fascinated to think that God has been thinking of me all this while. And He has been making a way for me me all this while. For my creator, to have me in His thoughts always, what more could I ask for?

God is love

"What does it mean that God is love?"

Let’s look at how the Bible describes love, and then we will see a few ways in which God is the essence of love. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a). This is God's description of love, and because God is love (1 John 4:8), this is what He is like.

Love (God) does not force Himself on anyone. Those who come to Him do so in response to His love. Love (God) shows kindness to all. Love (Jesus) went about doing good to everyone without partiality. Love (Jesus) did not covet what others had, living a humble life without complaining. Love (Jesus) did not brag about who He was in the flesh, although He could have overpowered anyone He ever came in contact with. Love (God) does not demand obedience. God did not demand obedience from His Son, but rather, Jesus willingly obeyed His Father in heaven. “The world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me” (John 14:31). Love (Jesus) was/is always looking out for the interests of others.

The greatest expression of God's love is communicated to us in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Romans 5:8 proclaims the same message: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We can see from these verses that it is God's greatest desire that we join Him in His eternal home, heaven. He has made the way possible by paying the price for our sins. He loves us because He chose to as an act of His will. Love forgives. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

So, what does it mean that God is love? Love is an attribute of God. Love is a core aspect of God’s character, His Person. God’s love is in no sense in conflict with His holiness, righteousness, justice, or even His wrath. All of God’s attributes are in perfect harmony. Everything God does is loving, just as everything He does is just and right. God is the perfect example of true love. Amazingly, God has given those who receive His Son Jesus as their personal Savior the ability to love as He does, through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1, 23-24).

( from gotquestions.org)

When you're disappointed...

Disappointments are like road humps, they slow you down a bit but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards. Don't stay on the humps too long. Move on!

... I am... discouraged, but I will remember you... (Psalm 42:6)

'When God doesn't do what we want it's not easy;

it never has been, and it never will be.

Faith is the conviction that God knows more than us... and he'll get us through.

Disappointment is caused by unmet expectations...

and it's cured by revamped expectations...

Don't panic... don't give up... be patient... God's in control.

It ain't over till it's over.'

So, when you're disappointed:

1) look inward.

David asked, 'Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?... ' (Psalm 42:5).

Admit how you feel.

You can't deal with what you don't acknowledge.

Ask God to show you the root of the problem. Is it pent-up anger? Envy? Unforgiveness? Pride? Lust? Physical and mental fatigue?

Be open to what He reveals.

2) look upward.

David said, '... I will... hope in God! I will praise him... ' (v. 5).

Instead of focusing on your discouragement, focus on the One who knows the way out.

3) look backwards... and remember God's past faithfulness.

David said, 'I am... discouraged, but I will remember you.'

Through every trial Joseph clung to the assurance that God still controlled his destiny.

Recalling God's faithfulness builds your confidence that He'll continue to provide.

4) remember, you don't have to understand.

Just because you can't figure out what God's doing right now, doesn't mean it won't make sense later.

He '... causes all things to work together for good to those who love [Him]... ' (Romans 8:28)

5) don't give in to bitterness.

When your hopes are dashed, resentment can set in.

'... If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31).

Regardless of how deep the pit may seem,

God is on your side!

TRUST Him today!

(by Irma Raymond)

Making great decisions...

We are like teabags whose true strength comes out when put in hot water.

When problems upset you, just think you must be God's favorite cup of tea!

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3)

If you are presently at any cross-road, here are a few thoughts on decision-making:

(1) Trust the "still, small voice."

Even after you've prayed, done your homework and made your best call, if your spiritual gut says "no," ... pay attention! The Bible says: "We should make plans, counting on God to direct us" (Proverbs 16:9). Henry Ward Beecher wrote: "Wisdom means finding the way in which God is going, and going that way too." During the American Civil War somebody asked Abraham Lincoln if he was sure that God was on his side. "I haven't thought much about it" he replied, "I just want to know I'm on God's side!" Isaiah says: "He that believeth shall not make haste" (Isaiah 28:16).

God sees your whole life, not just your tomorrow. So listen for His voice, adopt His pace and don't rush things. Remember, He's directing your steps - and your stops! (See Psalm 37:23).

(2) Let it go!

Once you've made your final decision, fear and faith will both sail into your harbor. Allow only faith to drop anchor! Paul said: "Forgetting what is behind... I press on" (Philippians 3:13-14). Once the die is cast, let it go! It's normal to speculate about how you'd like things to turn out, but you can't control the future, and unfulfilled expectations only create misery. Plus, when you're overly focused on how things should be, you miss out on how they are - which is usually much better than you imagined!

Listen to His “still small voice”: “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 a hope and future.”

(by Irma Raymond)

May God bless you in all the decisions you take today!!!

Could it be you?

I acknowledge my transgressions. (Psalm 51:3)

In one of his sermons the great preacher Charles Spurgeon said: "I have known some who preached the Gospel with power, but lived to depart from it altogether. I have known some who discharged the duties of deaconship and eldership with considerable diligence, who have afterwards given way to their evil passions. I have thought some of them to be... the holiest of men. While they have been praying I have been lifted up... to the very gates of heaven; If anyone had said... these would one day fall into gross sin, I would not have believed it. I would sooner have believed it of myself. Those who seemed stronger than we ......have fallen! What about me then… weak as I am!

Our Lord's disciples who sat at the table with Him, when they were told that one of them would betray their Master, each enquired: 'Lord, is it I?' That was a very proper question. There was not one who asked, 'Lord, is it Judas?' Probably not one of them suspected him.

And it may be that the worst hypocrite in this assembly... is the one upon whom there does not rest at this moment a single shade of suspicion. He has learned to play his part so well that his true character has not yet been discovered."

If those words describe you.... Run to the arms of Jesus.

Don't walk. Run!

Run to the One Who loves you with full knowledge of your sins and struggles, whose blood can cleanse you, whose grace can lift you, and whose power can help you to live an overcoming life.

Remember: Every Saint has a past, Every Sinner has a future!

( by Irma Raymond)

Quote for the day

"To love to preach is one thing; to love those to whom we preach is quite another." - Richard Cecil

Quote for the day

"What others think of me is becoming less and less important; what they think of Jesus because of me is critical." -Cliff Richard

Beat stress the smart way

Stress has become a common word today. Many undergo it and seldom know how to overcome it.

Usually when someone goes through a stressful season, his mind would be full of himself. “Look at me, why am I going through this? Why has God allowed this? No one cares for me. Oh, poor me!” In other words, his eyes are stuck on himself and his challenges.

It’s not completely wrong thinking about one’s challenges. But when someone’s mind is full of himself, he tends to think that he is the only one on this universe going through such challenges! But the truth is, there are a whole lot of people going through similar – even worse – issues.

If not handled properly, this attitude can lead him to self pity and isolation. This would make the problem more complex. But there is a way out!

To some it may appear as naive while some others may consider it as burdensome. But here’s that smart way for you to break stress: try reaching out to others!

How does it work? Simple: it compels you to take your eyes off of yourself and fix your gaze on somebody else who is hurting. Though the initiation may seem to be hard or idiotic, in the process of doing so, you forget your troubles and would have the satisfaction of helping someone who was in real need.

Check this out: “If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight” (Isaiah 58:10 MSG).

If I want to get into somebody else’s shoes, I got to do something important – I must get rid of my shoes! This is one of the smart keys to overcoming stress.

When you find stress making you a “friend request”, push the “don’t know” button and “chat” with somebody who is hurting or “retweet” an encouraging word to a discouraged soul! You could even help the hungry with a food packet or help the needy financially. This will burst stress and you could handle your challenges with a clear mind. And that’s smart living!

( by Joe Abraham, taken from turnbacktogod.com)