Christ is the Reason for this season  !

We are in the month of December !   Everywhere you can see activities of Celebration and Joy, marking the Advent of Christmas !    Christmas is celebrated as a Universal celebration, rejoicing on the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.   Amidst the celebrations, it is important that we meditate on the basis of this celebration.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born in this world as a Man for all of us.   Yes, the Creator who created the entire universe, took the humble form of a man and came to live in this world as a man, to pay the price for the sins of mankind on the Cross of Calvary and thereby assuring us of Deliverance from Sins and paying way to Eternal Life.

The Birth of Christ, which is celebrated as Christmas, has in fact got 3 dimensions, among all the various impacts on mankind.

1)      History Creation :

Christ’s birth is the most significant event in the history of mankind.   Yes, we can see that the History was divided into BC and AD, only on His birth.   The greatness of God which is indescribable, taking the form of a lowly mankind, was just amazing and it marked a new beginning, not only in history, but in the true sense to mankind.

2)      Transformation of Man :

Man, who was entangled in sins and entitled for punishments, received a new hope by the birth of Christ.    Christ by His birth, paid the huge price for our sins on the Cross and thereby assured mankind of the hope of forgiveness, to those who accepted Him and repented for their sins.     Man was transformed from a sinful and guilt-filled entity moving towards death to a new forgiven and hopeful entity, walking towards Eternal life.

3)      Good News :

The Good news of Peace to all men and Joy in the world, irrespective of their nationality, background, caste, creed, gender or any other differences was proclaimed by the birth of Christ.     An assured Peace, promised by the Prince of Peace Himself, and not just ordinary peace but His own peace and Peace that the world cannot give and cannot take.

Oh !  What a true joy to celebrate Christmas remembering what Jesus has done for us !   Also,  we need to spread this joy across the mankind, who are still ignorant of these facts and live in a vicious circle of life.    A true deliverance and joy, promised by God, should mark our Christmas celebrations.

May God bless you and a Happy Christmas !

Jesus said that He was “lifted up from the earth,” and that in Hebrew terminology meant that He was accursed. For anyone, hanging to die on a tree or on any piece of wood was a shameful and utterly humiliating thing. Such hanging between heaven and earth was considered in those days as dying an accursed death. Galatians 3:13 says,  ‘‘Cursed is anyone that hangeth on a tree’’. When Jesus spoke of being ‘lifted up from the earth’, he was indicating the kind of death he would die (John 12:33). He was dying for sinners. ‘‘For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God’’. (Romans 3:23) Jesus was offering the ultimate service and showing the full extent of his love (John 13:1& Rom 5:7-8).  The love being demonstrated by the Saviour was truly beautiful.

The cross is a magnet, drawing people of every culture, unto his redeeming love.

One of the criminals, witnessed the sufferings of Jesus and acknowledged Jesus as saviour and asked Jesus, ‘Remember me’. It was an 11^th hour conversion. He begged the Lord to just remember him, when He enters heaven. But Jesus promised him that he will be in paradise with Christ. ‘’Verily I say unto thee, today thou shalt be with me in paradise’’ (luke23:42&43). Even on a cross a man may call on Christ and be saved.

The Roman centurion would have witnessed many executions, but to him the death of Jesus was different. He  saw the sun became blotted and it was dark and cold. He heard the heart –rending cry and utterances of Jesus. He was spell-bound as Jesus handed His spirit back to the Father. All his doubts flew away and he confessed, ’’Truly this man was the son of God’’. (Mark 15:39)

Jesus was lifted up in Crucifixion, lifted up in Resurrection, & lifted up in Ascension to render us pardon, peace, hope, new life and eternity with Christ. He is now glorified. Jesus promises His followers that He will return to gather them in rapture and take them into glory with Him (Rom 8:16-17, John 14:1-3, 1Th 4:16-17). If we remain faithful to Christ, we will be “glorified with him” (Rom 8:16).

If you know of someone who still needs to be drawn to Jesus Christ, use the means He has given – the message of the lifted-up Saviour.  Let the message of the Crucified, draw them to His loving fold. It is the best evangelistic power in the world that you may use. It is the most potent of Gospel-preaching possible. As Paul once said it  “I preach Jesus Christ, and Him crucified! ’’( 1 cor-2:2) .

Whether a thief or a centurion, all has the need to acknowledge the love of Jesus and draw near to the cross to be saved.  It is late, but not too late.

He draws us to the CROSS
Where we behold his PASSION

He draws us to the TOMB
Where we behold his POWER

He draws us to the CLOUD
Where we behold his PROMISE

– Selvin

” So reach out and welcome one another to God’s glory. Jesus did it ; now you do it !  ” ( Romans 15:7 )

In these days, world is filled with frustration.  Love, Joy, Relationship has become rare commodity to find.  Everywhere you can see hatred, problems, lack of understanding and relationship with others is a big question. 

God created us to be in harmony with others.  You can get along with anyone with whom you want to get along! It’s possible to live peacefully because every person in your life you meet was predestined by God for a reason. Many times the other person has strengths that can support your weaknesses. Learn to work together with people that are different than you so that you can get more strength and fulfill God’s greater purposes.

Make it a point to understand and get to know the people around you. Find out what makes them happy or sad, find some common ground to stand on, and work at getting along. Do your best to live in Harmony with everyone that God has put in your life.

Jesus said ‘…if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me’. (John 12: 32)

                  It was the beginning of a new order. We would no longer need a priest or a prophet to stand between us sinners and God, to tell us what God was saying to us. For God came down to be lifted up and nailed to an old wooden cross for the sin of the world. And there Jesus hung; lifted up from the earth, on a cross; His back torn up already; His hands and feet nailed into the wood, a public display and spectacle for all to see. – Selvin

Friend in need is friend indeed, they Work on Your Dream

The Bible says:

• if you want friends you should be friendly (Proverbs 18:24)
• friends provide helpful advice (Proverbs 27:9)
• friends are valuable in a time of need (Proverbs 27:10)
• true friends are faithful (Proverbs 17:17)
• Friends provide helpful criticism (Proverbs 27:6).

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Living in Harmony not only helps us in relationship but also in fulfilling God’s purpose.

Surround yourself with good people who constantly remind you of the dreams of God. Put yourself in relationships with people who are not only like-minded, but are also seeking to honour God in their own lives.

If your friends don’t point you toward God’s goal for you, then they’re not very good friends.  Be around dream-builders, not dream-crashers !

When you correct your relationship like this, you are not avoiding or cutting relationship but you are making or remaking room for growth so that you can reach God’s best in life.

Be around dream-builders, not dream-crashers!   Also, evaluate yourself as to how you behave with others.   Be a dream-builder and a great Friend too ! – Selvin

Be Rooted in God’s Word

No one can be established through wickedness, but a righteous root cannot be moved” (Proverbs 12:3).

Have you ever feel tossed around by the storms of life?
Have you ever seen a tree in a heavy wind blow?

The winds and the rain blow the leaves from the branches, and sometimes the branches are fallen, or even the tree is up rooted. But the tree’s roots are protected and established deep in the ground will never be shaken.

The same is true in our lives.

If our thinking is not in line with the Word of God, we are affected during the difficult times. But when our thoughts are in line with God’s thoughts according to His Words, He plants a righteous root within us. We become firmly established. Our thinking becomes clear so we can be strong and overcome the storms in our life.

God wants you to be firm

• He wants you to be steady.
• He wants you to have an established life and character.
• He wants your roots to grow deep in His Word.
• He wants you to be righteous in Him.

 Ask the Lord today to show any areas of your thought life that might need to be firmly planted in God’s Word. As you grow deep relationship with the Lord you will grow deep spiritual roots and stand victoriously against the storms of life.

Be Rooted in God’s Word and be not uprooted. – Selvin