A walk as a Christian

My First Steps with Jesus: A New Believer’s Journey

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Embarking on a journey with Jesus for the first time is like setting out on a grand adventure. It’s a path filled with new discoveries, profound experiences, and moments of deep reflection. As a new believer, you might feel a mixture of excitement and uncertainty, but rest assured, you’re not alone. Jesus walks with you every step of the way, guiding you, comforting you, and helping you grow in your faith.

When I think about my first steps with Jesus, I am reminded of the story of the disciples in the Gospels. These ordinary men left their old lives behind to follow Jesus, not knowing what lay ahead. They had questions, doubts, and fears, but they also had Jesus, who patiently taught and loved them. In the same way, Jesus is with you, ready to lead you on this incredible journey.

The first step in this journey is getting to know Jesus. Spend time reading the Bible, especially the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These books offer a firsthand account of Jesus’ life, His teachings, His miracles, and His profound love for humanity. John 3:16 beautifully sums up His mission: “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.” Understanding who Jesus is and what He has done for you is foundational to your faith.

Prayer is another essential part of your journey. Think of prayer as a conversation with God. You don’t need fancy words or a special formula—just speak from your heart. Philippians 4:6 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Through prayer, you can share your hopes, fears, and gratitude with God, and seek His guidance in your life.

Joining a community of believers is also crucial. The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. In a church or small group, you can find support, encouragement, and accountability. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Being part of a community helps you grow and strengthens your faith.

As you walk this path, you will encounter challenges and moments of doubt. Remember, even the disciples faced difficulties and questions. In those times, lean on God’s promises. Jeremiah 29:11 offers reassurance: “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.” Trust that God has a purpose for your life, and He is working all things together for your good.

Another important aspect of your journey is sharing your faith. As you experience God’s love and transformation in your life, you will naturally want to share it with others. Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 urges us, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Your story can inspire and encourage others to seek a relationship with Jesus.

Lastly, remember that your journey with Jesus is a lifelong adventure. There will be highs and lows, but through it all, Jesus remains constant. He is your Savior, your friend, and your guide. Continue to seek Him, grow in your faith, and let His love transform you day by day.

As you take these first steps with Jesus, embrace the journey with an open heart and a willing spirit. Know that you are loved beyond measure and that your life has a purpose in God’s grand story. Welcome to the adventure of a lifetime—walking with Jesus, learning from Him, and discovering the abundant life He offers.

How to Pray When You’re Feeling Lost

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Life can sometimes feel like a vast, uncharted wilderness. Moments of uncertainty, confusion, and feeling lost are inevitable. In these times, prayer becomes our compass, guiding us back to a place of peace and clarity. But how do we pray when we feel lost? How do we reach out to God when words seem to fail us? Here’s a guide to help you navigate through these moments and find solace in prayer.

1. Start with Honesty

When you feel lost, the first step is to come to God just as you are. Be honest about your feelings and struggles. God already knows your heart, and He welcomes your honesty. Psalm 62:8 encourages us, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Tell God exactly how you feel, even if your words are filled with pain, confusion, or doubt. Your honesty is a form of worship, showing your trust in His understanding and compassion.

2. Use Scripture in Your Prayers

The Bible is a treasure trove of prayers and promises that can guide you when you don’t know what to say. Scriptures provide a foundation for your prayers, giving you words when you have none. Verses like Psalm 23:1-4 can be particularly comforting: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Let these words become your prayer, reminding you of God’s presence and guidance.

3. Ask for Guidance

When you’re feeling lost, ask God to lead you. James 1:5 reassures us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Pray for wisdom, direction, and clarity. Ask God to open your eyes to the path He has for you and to give you the strength to follow it. Remember that seeking God’s guidance is not a sign of weakness but an act of faith.

4. Seek God’s Presence

Sometimes, what we need most is simply to be in God’s presence. In moments of feeling lost, focus on seeking Him rather than just solutions. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Spend time in quiet reflection, listening for His still, small voice. Worship Him through song, meditate on His goodness, and allow His peace to fill your heart. Being in God’s presence can provide comfort and a renewed sense of direction.

5. Pray with Thanksgiving

Even when you feel lost, there are still blessings in your life. Philippians 4:6-7 teaches us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Thank God for His faithfulness, for the times He has guided you before, and for His promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you. Gratitude shifts your focus from your problems to God’s provision and love.

6. Lean on the Community

Don’t walk through this season alone. Reach out to your church family, friends, or a mentor for support and prayer. Galatians 6:2 encourages us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Sharing your struggles with others can lighten your load and provide new perspectives and encouragement. Let others pray with you and for you, reminding you that you are not alone.

7. Trust in God’s Timing

Feeling lost can make you anxious for quick answers, but God’s timing is perfect. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Trust that God is working in your life, even when you can’t see it. His plans for you are good, and He will lead you out of the wilderness in His perfect time.

8. Pray for Peace

Above all, pray for God’s peace to fill your heart. Isaiah 26:3 promises, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Ask God to calm your anxieties and fears, to remind you of His love and faithfulness. His peace will guard your heart and mind, helping you to trust Him even when the path ahead is unclear.

A Prayer for When You’re Feeling Lost

Heavenly Father,

I come before You feeling lost and unsure of my path. I pour out my heart to You, knowing that You understand my struggles. Guide me with Your wisdom, and open my eyes to see the way You have prepared for me. Help me to trust in Your timing and Your plans, even when I cannot see the way forward.

Thank You for Your constant presence in my life. Fill me with Your peace that surpasses all understanding, and remind me of Your unfailing love. Surround me with a supportive community to walk this journey with me. I place my trust in You, knowing that You are my refuge and strength.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Remember, when you feel lost, you are not alone. God is with you, and He will guide you back to the path He has for you. Trust in His love, lean on His promises, and find peace in His presence.

If God is so loving, Why can't he forgive Satan?

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“Father God, please guide me as I write this article based on Your Word. Help me to write this to glorify You, and let Your words bring clarity to those who seek You. May Your truth help people discern and embrace correct beliefs. I pray and seek everything in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

In 2014, I found myself pondering a theological question that led me to delve deeper into the nature of God and His forgiveness. The Bible portrays God as loving, merciful, and kind (1 John 4:8). His mercy has no limits, and His love has no bounds (Ephesians 3:18). This prompted me to ask myself a seemingly unconventional question: Can God forgive Satan? My journey in search of an answer has been both thought-provoking and illuminating.

I couldn’t help but wonder: If God forgives an ordinary person like me, picking me up whenever I fall (Psalm 37:23-24), can’t Satan also receive the same forgiveness? As I immersed myself in the Word of God, things slowly began to make sense. The answer, as I discovered, is more complex than a simple yes or no.

To understand why Satan cannot be forgiven, we must first grasp the concept of the “unforgivable sin.” Disobedience is a sin, and committing it with full understanding is an even greater sin (James 4:17). This was precisely the case with Satan. He sinned with full accountability and knowledge of the consequences (1 Timothy 5:24).

The scriptures teach us that Satan’s sin was pride, leading to his rebellion against God and his desire to be like God (Isaiah 14:12-15). Satan’s deliberate disobedience and his role in leading others to sin demonstrate the gravity of his actions. He continues to deceive and lead people astray, especially those who are unaware of their sins (Revelation 12:9).

Jesus Himself warns of the gravity of causing others to sin in the Book of Matthew, saying, “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

Furthermore, the New Testament sheds light on the existence of an unforgivable sin known as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-29). While the exact interpretation of this sin is debated, it is generally understood to involve a deliberate and persistent rejection of the saving work of the Holy Spirit, an unrepentant and hardened heart towards God.

This understanding of the unforgivable sin helps us grasp the severity of Satan’s actions. His ongoing defiance of God and his continued deception of humanity make his sin qualitatively different from the sins of humans, which can be forgiven through repentance and faith in Christ (Acts 3:19).

In conclusion, while God’s love and mercy are boundless, there are limits to His forgiveness. The case of Satan serves as a reminder of the consequences of unrepentant rebellion against God and the importance of accepting His gift of salvation. As the apostle John writes, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Will infants go to heaven

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“Father God, please guide me as I write this article based on Your Word. Help me to write this to glorify You, and let Your words bring clarity to those who seek You. May Your truth help people discern and embrace correct beliefs. I pray and seek everything in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

I have been burdened to write about this topic for sometime.

How can we convince a parent who lost an infant.

There is a strong belief that child of a saved parent will go to Heaven. We can take David’s son as an example.

What about the unbelievers, will their children go to heaven?

This is where I like to address the group of people who believe such infant can’t go to heaven. As JESUS is the WAY,. The only way. While quoting this scripture, we are just sharing one image of God. While God is Loving and Righteous all at the same time. He is also Gracious, Merciful, Kind which we fail to acknowledge by quoting scriptures related to salvation, which is written with reference to adult who are in ‘age of accountability’. It is unfair to portay one attribute of God while ignoring other attributes. Hence am sharing my observations below with respect to the collective attributes of God.

Romans 3:23-25 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

– Jesus’s Sacrifice was an absolute necessary as it what gave us a right standing with our Creator.

John 3:16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

– When our God can be so gracious towards sinners like Me and You, wouldn’t he be more gracious towards an infant who havent attained ‘age of accountability’.  Certainly He will.

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

– If God is patient for my sake, I am certain the same God will be more patient

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

– Pure in heart will see God.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”

– This clearly depicts the image of our Saviour Lord Jesus Christ. He address the elders not to stop the children to come to him. Instead by nature Children have the tendancy to go towards the Father. Kingdom of Heaven belongs to the children (of both believers / unbelievers alike) those who are like these children. I strongly believe this, as this incident was way ahead before Jesus’s resurrection. Jesus resurrection enabled sinners like Me to be saved by accepting Christ.

Psalm 139:13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

– God knew every child before he formed them in their mother’s womb.

Matthew 18:10 “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.

– Angels of the children are always in the presence of the God.

Genesis 17:20 As for Ishmael, I will bless him also, just as you have asked. I will make him extremely fruitful and multiply his descendants. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.

– Though Ishmael was son of Abraham and was born of Human efforts and not by God’s Promise. Yet God was gracious towards the child and blessed him. This gives the clear picture of God’s image.

Since God is Gracious, Kind and loving all the time, He will always be merciful towards the one who he created. Though there is no verse that guarantee that infants will go to Heaven. But God’s Mercy and Grace seen consistently throughout the Holy Bible, It is encouraging to believe thet God will be Merciful towards them. 

Mustard Seed

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We have come across Bible verses that draws comparison with Faith and Mustard Seed. What is the significance of this seed? Why Jesus draw comparison Faith and Mustard Seed in more than one occasion. 

Lets have a look at the places where the Mustard seed is mentioned in Bible
Matthew 13:31-32
Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”
Matthew 17:20
“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
Mark 4:30-32
Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”
Luke 13:18-19
Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches.”
Luke 17:6
The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!
Size of a mustard is very small. So even if we have a little faith as the size of the mustard seed, it will be sufficient enough for God to work on our faith and make it Grow. That is the usual conclusion we come to. 
Is there anything more than that? 
Yes. 
If we look at the Hebrew Names Version of the Bible, the same verse is given as
Luke 17:6
The Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would tell this sycamore tree, ‘Be uprooted, and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
It is indeed given as ‘like’ and not ‘even as small as’. 
This is the significance that is lost!
What is the lost significance? Both looks the same and gives the same meaning.
No.
Let’s have a look at mustard seed. 
Appearance of a Mustard Seed:
Tiny and perfect round shaped
I believe apart from the size of the Mustard seed, it is also important to notice the shape of the mustard seed, Perfectly round shaped. Our Faith should be similar to that, in perfect shape. In other words, flawless or perfect. we cannot find a little imperfection in mustard seed. Faith should be like that, without doubts. 
Even if we have 99.99% Faith it is still not perfect. that .01% of doubt makes the Faith imperfect. God wants us to have Faith without Doubts. 
I believe there is more to it, in HNV version,
Matthew 13:31-32
He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches
Birds of the air come and lodge in its branches. We almost forget this part since we get a significant amount of information from the first part of verse. The birds might not signify anything but add weightage to the statement for how big the tree can grow. But considering that, this parable was said by Jesus. I liked to know if there is more meaning in this parable.
Lodge in its branches, when one’s faith is grown into the size of tree, it can accommodate others who need a shelter. When our faith is fully developed, we can help others and be a shelter or a shade for someone who needs the faith. 

Dont give up on your desires that has been put into you.

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Dear God,

Give me strength to share the words that you intend for me to share. Let your words touch a hurting soul and heal. Father, you are the greatest comforter. You chose us when you planned creation. Let us know you more and fill our hearts with you. I ask for the peace that comes only from you. We ask in the Mighty name of Jesus Christ.
Amen

Now, I like to share a message about not giving up.

Giving up on desires.

Giving up on Desires that has been put into our hearts by God.

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

Yes! The desires which we sometimes give up thinking, It might not be God’s Will for me.

How sure can we be on this?

This is something almost every new believer who started submitting to God in the earlier stage used to experience. We give up on our dreams just because we failed at times.

It is written in Holy Bible, God gave those desires.

How to differentiate if our desire came from God or out of our own will. Here is a simple trick. Think about it. If your desire satisfies flesh. It is not from God.

If it satisfies soul, there are chances that, It might be from God.

How to be even more sure.

We can have a set of conditions like,
Does my desire, glorify God?
Does my desire help others apart from me.
The outcome of my desire, will it benefit other children of God?
Then it might be from God.

If then, is it right to Give up on our dreams?

It is good if we submit everything to God. And let him do everything on the right time. But discouragement doesn’t come from God. If we give up on a dream because of certain discouragement. We are losing something. And if we are staying bitter, that our dream failed. Its not the right way as well. It actually takes us away from God. God has created us to be filled with Joy! It has been repeated throughout Psalms, How David held on to God in spite of his troubled times.

I like to share some example. Abraham, Job, Joseph, David who saw through their dreams come to pass.

Discouragement. Even Jesus, was discouraged. The Holy Son of God once prayed.

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

We as humans, sometimes gets discouragement. Its one of satan’s strongest weapon formed against us. But, we can get over it by Believing. We should believe what God has put into us. He put a dream of hope inside everyone of us. Lets pray that our dreams come to pass on God’s timing. Till then we will pray for his strength to stand and hope!

Isaiah 60:19-22 “No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set; your moon will not go down. For the Lord will be your everlasting light. Your days of mourning will come to an end. All your people will be righteous. They will possess their land forever, for I will plant them there with my own hands in order to bring myself glory. The smallest family will become a thousand people, and the tiniest group will become a mighty nation. At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.”

How to overcome unbelief

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Today’s topic is about not having faith in God. When God promised something it will come to pass. Because God never changes. He is the almighty. Praise the Lord!

When our plans doesn’t work or when it doesn’t happen on the right time. We tend to lose hope, faith and we may find ourselves sinking in unbelief. Its natural. We are imperfect. We can ask God’s help to become a strong believer. He will give to whoever asks.

And about the promises getting delayed. Trusting God also involves in trusting his timing. He planned your promise that will come to a pass on the best timing. Accuser uses this delay to manipulate things and take away our faith, hope and beliefs. How to overcome this?

Here is an example from the Holy Bible

Mark 9:23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

This particular verses is about a boy possessed by a demon. The father of the boy says “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” If we can make a note. Father of the boy wished his son to be healed. He had hopes, he had faith. But believing was hard. Yes… believing is hard. We can easily believe a miracle for others. But when it comes to us. We fail to believe. Because we are trapped to our world. We are closer to our world and that makes us far from God. If we see from God’s perspective, our issues are nothing. He can make it disappear without a sign of it. […Another reason for expecting miracle for others and not expecting it for ourselves is guilt, guilt is a weapon of accuser. All your sins are forgiven 2000 years ago by the blood of christ. In God’s perspective all are equal. If anyone can have a miracle. Why not us? That’s the right attitude…]

Lets read the following and lets try to figure out some more meaning.

Mark 9:19-22 Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

Help us if you can. We can clearly see the mindset of the father. He wants any kind of help. He lost hope (can’t complain about it, we go through the same).

Mark 9:24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

After Jesus’s words. We see a transformed man. He not only starts believing. He also seeks God’s help to overcome his unbelief. Yes, it’s not wrong to ask anything. If we lack something, we can always go to our Father in heaven who never denies. Specially when we like to change ourselves for good.

How to overcome unbelief?
Answer: Ask the Father in heaven. He never denies.

-Shalom-

Further Reading – Mark Chapter 9
*verses taken from New Living Translation

How to differentiate our inner voice

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Today s topic is about how to differentiate the voice of Spirit and Accuser

This is the hardest thing for almost every believer.

When I started hearing about God. I believed every voice I heard in me was from God. And I believed that its only me and Holy Spirit having the conversation. For me the Satan is some creature busy in hell. Who doesn’t mind my work and only enjoys when I sin. There were only 2 options all the time. Either to hear God or do as I wished. Doing a good deed makes God Happy and when i fail that makes Devil Happy. It took me almost a decade to understand that the accuser had a very good control on my decisions. It was a shock. It was a revelation. But I thought I could easily defeat him by denying his words. Its not that easy. This is a lifelong warfare.

Let’s see it with the Holy Bible s perspective. We usually believe all God’s words, verses, scriptures, motivational messages comes directly from God. And whatever it says will be the decision we take. Yes… but… Satan can manipulate the same scriptures to manipulate, misdirect us. Here is an example.

Matthew 4:1-11 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.'” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.'” Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

Jesus was the Son of the Almighty God. He had strength and wisdom to understand the difference.
What about mere us?

To differentiate, let’s first hear the voice. If it encourage us to feed the flesh we can be sure that its not from God. Even if it sounded nice, encourage us or we get the goosebumps when it perfectly matches our situations. Think once. If we did it, will it take our peace? Or it ll make anyone lose their peace. Or will it sow a seed of hatred in someone’s heart or in ours. Better we can change thoughts and sit still. Its much better to do nothing than to do something that we might repent later.

Secondly to be a deaf to devil. Its hard… too hard. The more we try, more the devil ll lie. The war will get tougher and tougher.. Devil doesn’t knows to give up. Being a believer is facing harder battles everyday. And we do have a reward for facing all these trials. We can silence devil by feeding the spirit.

There is also an easier way. As taken from Amplified Bible

James 4:7 So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.

Step 1
Be subject to God – Submit yourself to God.
Completely submitting ourself to God. We must admit that we can’t do it on our own. We must acknowledge who he is. We must believe in his strength.

Step 2
Resist the Devil – Stand firm against him. Its easy to say no to devil once. But it doesn’t stop him from coming back. We must be firm on our stand.

He will flee from you. Yes he will.
As a believer we can win few times and fail few times. That doesn’t make us a failure. In God’s eyes. He cherishes every victory. Let it be a small one. Still that ll make our Father in heaven proud

How to differentiate the voice of Holy Spirit and Devil
Answer: If the voice encourages feeding the spirit it is from Holy Spirit. If it encourage us to feed the flesh it is from the Accuser

-Shalom-

*Verses taken from New Living Translation and Amplified Bible

Does God really loves me?

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This is a major question for many believers. We know
God loves us. But still, we tend to forget it most of the times. Here is an
experiment. Father God, please forgive me
for putting it this way. I am saying this only to prove the way you love us.
Experiment:
Take
something you like. Try admiring it. Do it for a while. Keep on admiring. You will start loving it more. You
might even take an object that you consider to be a gift of God.
Observation:
You
will notice that object will be lost.
Conclusion:
God
‘ll never let you love something more
than you love him. He will take it away.
That
is why many preachers say put God first. Because they experienced God’s ways.
For
people who don’t have time to experiment. Or doesn’t like to face the wrath of God. Here is something to check. If we
think back, we would notice that we might have lost something in some part of the
time. That would have been our most
favorite thing ever at that time. Or it might be something that made us put God
second.
Exodus
20:4-5 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of
anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to
them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not
tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon
their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and
fourth generations of those who reject me.
Idol
not necessarily the real Idol. We should take the meaning behind it. Idol can
be anything from wealth, health, relations, wife, son or daughter.
Here
is a real-life incident. I have a friend
who was blessed with 2 baby girls. She
thanked and praised God for blessing her with those angels. But her love for
her babies was so much that she gave the
first priority to her kids. One of the baby
was weak and had injuries. The other was short-tempered
and that hurt her. The little kids never understood the mom s love. Her love
was ignored most of the times. That was her testimony that revealed that Idol
can be anything that we try to keep above God. Love for her daughters was the
Idol. And God made her come to the revelation
that he is first.
If
I love anything more than God. God will make me lose it. And why is that? Isn’t
it God’s given gift? Why he made me lose it? Doesn’t God’s gift stay forever?
Yes,
it came from God. Everything good comes from the Almighty God. Then why does he
take it back?
The answer is Love. God loves us. He loves us so much that he
can’t lose his first place. He wants to be our Alpha and omega. I tried to
analyze how he works. All I could come up with is this. Here is a small story
from imagination…
I
imagined myself to be a father of a 3-year-old.
My baby loved a bicycle on the street. And seeing the glow in her eyes. I
wanted to gift her by bicycle. I saved up my daily expenses for a
month and brought her the cycle in her favorite color.
On my way back home. I imagined my beautiful angel running towards me with her
huge smile and her warm hug. And I wanted to hear ‘thank you, daddy, love you’ in her sweetest voice. I
couldn’t wait till I see her reaction. And I could see my home from distance.
Since I wanted to show off. I horned from distance. As expected my baby ran
towards me. I could see her jumping. This is the moment I waited for so long.
She
came running towards me and said ‘Thank you,
Daddy’. She missed ‘I love you’. I was a bit disappointed but my child would
have forgotten in the excitement. She was
extremely excited. So I let her enjoy her moment. She loved her ride so much
that she forgot to take snacks. She wanted her mom to take pictures of her with
her new ride. She loves to show off 😉 whose kid is she, she inherited it from
me.
That
day she cycled so much. The moment she entered home (after safely locking her
cycle) in the garage, she went to bed.
She said ‘daddy, am not hungry’. And went to sleep. I missed her Hug, Goodnight kiss,
and our favorite Bedtime Story.
Its
official – am jealous of my new rival – the bicycle. I can’t see my daughter
love the cycle more than me. I skipped my lunch meal to get her this bicycle.
Does she know how much I worked hard to get this? I couldn’t stand it.
I went to the garage took the bicycle and sold it. I just want my daughter
back. I want to be her first priority.
This
is exactly how our Father in heaven feels. He loves us so much that he can’t
lose his place. If a small human like me can be hurt about losing my place to a
cycle. How much our heavenly father would be hurt when we loved his gifts more
than him.
If
God takes back a gift. Just know that He
was hurt because you didn’t love the way
you loved him before he gave you the gift.
Father,
Thank you for every blessing you showered upon me.
I
love you. Yes Father, am not shy about saying this anymore. I Love You. We love
because you loved us first.
1
John 4:19 We love each other because he loved us first.
-Shalom-
*verses
taken from New Living Translation

Asking without ceasing

by
Father, all praises to you.
Today am going to write about how to ask our wishes without ceasing. One of my friend was down and I suggested her to ask God her needs. She came and complained nothing worked. I tried to explain her this. When we carry on a life full of mistakes, sins and stupidity. And we expect everything to change over night. Yes, God is God of miracles. He will perform wonders to those who believe. God is God of impossible.
Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
So it’s perfectly fine to expect wonders. I suggested her to be patient. If she keeps on asking without ceasing. Am sure God will grant her wishes. It’s never wrong to ask your needs to God.
I will share two parables Jesus Christ told his disciples.
1 – Parable of the persistent widow
Luke 18:1-8 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'” Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”
2 – Teaching about Prayer
Luke 11:1-13 Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon.  Give us each day the food we need,  and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.” Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”