A GENTLE HEART
By Paul Dhinakaran
Above
all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of
life. (Proverbs 4:23)
Dearly beloved,
God will give you a new heart!
The Lord Jesus said, “I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29). So we must have a heart like that of the Lord Jesus!
"…Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matthew 15:19): this is the definition of a defiled heart as spelt out in the Bible.
The Bible relates, "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there" (Matthew 12:43-45).
What these verses imply is that certain hearts are rid of the stains of the sin, cleansed by the blood of Christ; then the hearts are empty and clean, completely cleared of the deeds of the evil one. Immediately they should be filled up by God’s Spirit and thoughts fulfilling His will. If not, the evil one, with its seven fold evil forces, will enter into the vacant heart and wreck the man’s life.
Only for this reason, God tests our hearts to see whether they are gentle and lowly or vacant and subject to any evil design. This is the situation in which everyone should analyze his own heart. As an example, consider what David the Psalmist did: He praised God saying, “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me” (Psalm 16:7). Moreover, he lamented: “…my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered” (Psalm 73:21). Apart from that, he said, “Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind” (Psalm 26:2).
When we want to know why God tests our hearts, we will find the answer in what He says in Jeremiah 17:10: "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Understanding God’s ways, Jeremiah himself cries out: “Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise” (Jeremiah 17:14).
Let us open up our hearts and surrender ourselves at His feet, pleading with Him all the while: “O Lord, help me to keep my mind worthy of Your standard.”
The Bible says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Set your heart on the right path so God’s goodness will fill your heart and flow out to others, bringing glory to His name.
God will give you a new heart!
The Lord Jesus said, “I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29). So we must have a heart like that of the Lord Jesus!
"…Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matthew 15:19): this is the definition of a defiled heart as spelt out in the Bible.
The Bible relates, "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there" (Matthew 12:43-45).
What these verses imply is that certain hearts are rid of the stains of the sin, cleansed by the blood of Christ; then the hearts are empty and clean, completely cleared of the deeds of the evil one. Immediately they should be filled up by God’s Spirit and thoughts fulfilling His will. If not, the evil one, with its seven fold evil forces, will enter into the vacant heart and wreck the man’s life.
Only for this reason, God tests our hearts to see whether they are gentle and lowly or vacant and subject to any evil design. This is the situation in which everyone should analyze his own heart. As an example, consider what David the Psalmist did: He praised God saying, “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me” (Psalm 16:7). Moreover, he lamented: “…my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered” (Psalm 73:21). Apart from that, he said, “Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind” (Psalm 26:2).
When we want to know why God tests our hearts, we will find the answer in what He says in Jeremiah 17:10: "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Understanding God’s ways, Jeremiah himself cries out: “Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise” (Jeremiah 17:14).
Let us open up our hearts and surrender ourselves at His feet, pleading with Him all the while: “O Lord, help me to keep my mind worthy of Your standard.”
The Bible says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Set your heart on the right path so God’s goodness will fill your heart and flow out to others, bringing glory to His name.
BLESSEDNESS OF MERCY
By Paul Dinakaran
Be merciful, just as your Father is
merciful. (Luke 6:36)
Dearly beloved,
The Lord Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7).
What is ‘Mercy?’
Mercy is the kindness exhibited by God to one who doesn’t deserve it according to the norms of nature and the laws of the world. It is only ‘God who shows mercy’ (Romans 9:16). Several names have been ascribed to our Lord God of mercy in the Bible!
In America, from the Niagara waterfalls extending to several miles at a high altitude, water is flowing down throughout the year. We may see a wrecked ship destroyed by the huge and forceful flow of its waters; that shattered ship is a symbol of the might of the waterfalls!
What is the source of the water-flow throughout the year?
It boasts of not one water-source but five; the five sources for the water-flow are five huge lakes located in America and Canada which do not get dried up.
In a similar manner, the mercy of God originates and flows from the five wounds sustained by the Lord Jesus on the Cross; wounds caused on His hands and His feet which were nailed on to the Cross, wound caused by the piercing of His side with a spear, bruise on His head heavily pressed by a crown of thorns! These five wounds never dry up!
Why did the Lord Jesus undergo this torture, which inflicted wounds on His body, on the Cross?
The Bible answers, “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). It also states, "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases" (Matthew 8:17).
We have so far escaped destruction as His endless mercies flowing from His five wounds through our entire lives. Those who carry this abundant mercy in their souls and in their lives are blessed; they shall obtain mercy and be comforted. This is what God has declared.
God has chosen us as His vessels to carry forth His mercy to the people; by His power, He transforms us into merciful people!
The Bible says, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). God gave His only Son Jesus Christ as a sacrifice on our behalf in order to save us and grant us eternal life. That is mercy! Just as God forgave us and showed us mercy, let us also be forgiving and merciful to others.
The Lord Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7).
What is ‘Mercy?’
Mercy is the kindness exhibited by God to one who doesn’t deserve it according to the norms of nature and the laws of the world. It is only ‘God who shows mercy’ (Romans 9:16). Several names have been ascribed to our Lord God of mercy in the Bible!
In America, from the Niagara waterfalls extending to several miles at a high altitude, water is flowing down throughout the year. We may see a wrecked ship destroyed by the huge and forceful flow of its waters; that shattered ship is a symbol of the might of the waterfalls!
What is the source of the water-flow throughout the year?
It boasts of not one water-source but five; the five sources for the water-flow are five huge lakes located in America and Canada which do not get dried up.
In a similar manner, the mercy of God originates and flows from the five wounds sustained by the Lord Jesus on the Cross; wounds caused on His hands and His feet which were nailed on to the Cross, wound caused by the piercing of His side with a spear, bruise on His head heavily pressed by a crown of thorns! These five wounds never dry up!
Why did the Lord Jesus undergo this torture, which inflicted wounds on His body, on the Cross?
The Bible answers, “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). It also states, "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases" (Matthew 8:17).
We have so far escaped destruction as His endless mercies flowing from His five wounds through our entire lives. Those who carry this abundant mercy in their souls and in their lives are blessed; they shall obtain mercy and be comforted. This is what God has declared.
God has chosen us as His vessels to carry forth His mercy to the people; by His power, He transforms us into merciful people!
The Bible says, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). God gave His only Son Jesus Christ as a sacrifice on our behalf in order to save us and grant us eternal life. That is mercy! Just as God forgave us and showed us mercy, let us also be forgiving and merciful to others.
Darlene Zschech - At the Cross
Oh Lord You've
searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me
Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now
You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now?(x2)
You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done(x2)
And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me
At the cross I bow my knee
Where your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now?(x2)
You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done(x4)
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me
Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now
You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now?(x2)
You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done(x2)
And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me
At the cross I bow my knee
Where your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now?(x2)
You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done(x4)
GOD SENDS ANGELS
By Paul
Dhinakaran
Dearly
beloved,
The Lord says, “I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). According to this verse, in this new month, may God grant you double fold blessing which He has prepared for you.
Even before the foundation of the world, the Lord has ordained that all His will should be perfected in His children’s lives only for the good. This is His decree! In order to fulfill this, He dwells with you to bear witness that you are God’s child. He has prepared all good gifts for your life so that goodness and mercy shall always follow you.
To lead you into this good plan, He sends His angels along with you. He promises, "See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared” (Exodus 23:20). When you give your life to the Almighty God, He appoints an angel for you, to take you to the place or position that you need to receive the blessing that is in store for you. The devil can never push you away from this path. The Lord Jesus has said, "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven” Matthew 18:10).
Several years back, my father Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran saw this in heaven. He was standing before the throne of God. He saw thousands of angels coming up to heaven from the earth. Each angel was carrying the incense of prayer offered by the people of the earth. The Lord at once came to know of everyone’s prayer request and looked at them. Within a moment, He gave the answer and blessing to all those prayer requests brought by the angels according to each one’s request. What a wonder!
In Genesis 28:12-15, we see how the angels appeared to Jacob. When Jacob was fleeing from his brother out of fear for his life, he sees a dream in the wilderness. In that, he sees a ladder set up on the earth; its top reached to heaven. The angels of God were ascending and descending on it and above that the Lord stood and spoke to him about his future that He had decreed for him. Accordingly, Jacob who left home with just a staff in his hands returned back with double fold blessing (Genesis 32:10).
Dear one, today you may be troubled saying, “Oh, I don’t know what my future would be?” But the Lord keeps on witnessing about you that you are God’s child. He brings you to the place of goodness which He has already ordained for you, through His angel. From now, He is going to lift you up in such a manner that you will carry double fold blessing. You shall have double honour and blessing in the same place where you were ashamed. He is going to honour you in such a way that all the people are going to witness about you, saying, “He (she) is God’s child. God Himself brought him/her to this exalted position.”
In Psalm 91:11 we read, “He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” As said in verse, God will order His angels to carry you safely in all your paths and bring you to the place of blessing.
The Lord says, “I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). According to this verse, in this new month, may God grant you double fold blessing which He has prepared for you.
Even before the foundation of the world, the Lord has ordained that all His will should be perfected in His children’s lives only for the good. This is His decree! In order to fulfill this, He dwells with you to bear witness that you are God’s child. He has prepared all good gifts for your life so that goodness and mercy shall always follow you.
To lead you into this good plan, He sends His angels along with you. He promises, "See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared” (Exodus 23:20). When you give your life to the Almighty God, He appoints an angel for you, to take you to the place or position that you need to receive the blessing that is in store for you. The devil can never push you away from this path. The Lord Jesus has said, "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven” Matthew 18:10).
Several years back, my father Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran saw this in heaven. He was standing before the throne of God. He saw thousands of angels coming up to heaven from the earth. Each angel was carrying the incense of prayer offered by the people of the earth. The Lord at once came to know of everyone’s prayer request and looked at them. Within a moment, He gave the answer and blessing to all those prayer requests brought by the angels according to each one’s request. What a wonder!
In Genesis 28:12-15, we see how the angels appeared to Jacob. When Jacob was fleeing from his brother out of fear for his life, he sees a dream in the wilderness. In that, he sees a ladder set up on the earth; its top reached to heaven. The angels of God were ascending and descending on it and above that the Lord stood and spoke to him about his future that He had decreed for him. Accordingly, Jacob who left home with just a staff in his hands returned back with double fold blessing (Genesis 32:10).
Dear one, today you may be troubled saying, “Oh, I don’t know what my future would be?” But the Lord keeps on witnessing about you that you are God’s child. He brings you to the place of goodness which He has already ordained for you, through His angel. From now, He is going to lift you up in such a manner that you will carry double fold blessing. You shall have double honour and blessing in the same place where you were ashamed. He is going to honour you in such a way that all the people are going to witness about you, saying, “He (she) is God’s child. God Himself brought him/her to this exalted position.”
In Psalm 91:11 we read, “He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” As said in verse, God will order His angels to carry you safely in all your paths and bring you to the place of blessing.
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