Has God Changed?

Let's take a look at these scriptures:

1. Malachi 3:6
"For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed."

2. Genesis 6:6-7
"And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. And the Lord said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.""

3. Exodus 32:14
"So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people."

4. Jonah 3:10
"When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it."

You might get confused and feel that God is contradicting Himself. When we see God changimg His mind, we look at it from a human perspective, which is limited. But if you ask God to help you understand the depth of these scriptures, you will realise that when God says He doesn't change, He is speaking about His nature and character. His nature will remain constant. But this does not mean that He cannot change how He works with people throughout history.

Since God holds our future in His hands, He knows it all. Yet He prefers to let us use our free will and He has another plan ready for us, with a hope that we will run back to Him. Hence, we have an everlasting hope in Christ. In the same manner, He also knows His plan of changing His mind. Like in the case of Jonah, God gave the people a chance to repent. Thus, His nature of loving His creation and hoping they would return to Him didn't change, only His approach towards the people changed.

God, as in His love towards us, His truth, mercy, grace, kindness....His character doesn't change. What changes is His way of working in lives. Just as we all differ from each other, so does His work differ in our lives.

Can you imagine if God worked in the same way on all our lives, would we have anything new and out of the box to share with each other, to encourage and uploft each other?
Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever!

Is Your Anointing Leaking Out?

Anointing leaking out! Sounds illogical?

It hit me hard as I heard the preacher give an example for it. It forced me to evaluate myself. Have I left any loopholes for my anointing to leak out? And can I lose my anointing?

The answer is, yes, we certainly can lose our anointing. King Saul was anointed by the Lord, but one act of disobedience cost him his anointing. David was anointed as king instead.

What could be the possible reasons for my anointing to leak out? It's really easy to play the blame game and say 'The Devil' is the only reason! How can the Devil enter without any open doors?  We let him have his way!

Compromising with the standards of God is the major reason we tend to lose our anointing. When I speak of compromising with God's standards, living upto the standards of this world will be your fist thought. But I've realised that it's much deeper. There are people who know and believe in God's word, claim to be walking in the light, yet live compromising lives by following incorrect doctrines. How can we find out if we are following something that's not right?

For example, God teaches us to honour our parents. If we are led by someone to leave them by themselves in their difficult times, you can very well understand that you are compromising with the word of God. You've allowed your anointing to leak.

It's a simple, yet a powerful statement. Something that should make you introspect. There are so many times we instruct the people weaker than us about the Do's and Don'ts. But what about people like us, people who are involved in the forefront of the ministry? Isn't it something we need to really think about?

The more we lean on the Holy Spirit for His guidance, the more wisdom will we receive to watch our steps. The more we empty ourselves before Him and let Him fill us, our cups will overflow. The anointing poured over you is precious, don't let go of it because of petty things - because of foolishness.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22Amplified Bible (AMP)

21 Now it is God who establishes and confirms us [in joint fellowship] with you in Christ, and who has anointed us [empowering us with the gifts of the Spirit]; 22 it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life].

Stand firm in the Lord and let Him guide your steps. Run to him first because He knows what's best for you. Listen to Him and do as He says, joyfully. When you understand the heart of the Father, following His will joyfully becomes easy. Walk in the anointing poured over you. You are His vessel. Don't give the Devil any chance to poke holes through your life and cause your anointing to leak.

A Letter to 'Myself"

Dear Self,

I'm sorry! I realize how much I've hurt you. 
I'm sorry for comparing you with others and making you feel that you're a failure. I'm sorry for not accepting you just as you are.
I'm sorry for the constant pressures you need to cope up with. Sorry for looking down upon you and not encouraging you to stand up strong each time you fall.
Sorry for making you feel that you're good for nothing. Sorry for being so negative towards you. 

And there are so many other things that I need to be sorry for. Despite it all, today, I want you to realize how important and precious you are.

People might label your physical being as 'fat', 'dark', 'short' or 'ugly'; but I want you to know that you are beautifully created. You are beautiful to the One who created you and that makes all the difference.

You are not defined by your past. You are a new creation and a better person. I choose to forgive you and let go all that has happened simply because I cannot condemn God's beloved.

You are not what your grades or education tells about you. You are not just all about your medals, achievements or loses. You're worth more than all of these.

Yes, you have failed a thousand times. But that's bound to happen as a you're just a human. That doesn't make you a failure. God doesn't see you as a failure. He loves you unconditionally. Each time you fall, you get to learn something that makes you a better person.

You are not a garbage dump. I'm sorry for letting all the negativity affect you so bad. You are a renewed mind full of hope, truth, trust and vision. People have let you down, but you are more than a conqueror each time you choose to stand strong and patient. God uses the weak to lead the strong simply because they are totally dependent on Him and His wisdom. So, remain that way. Wait on Him and you will renew your strength each day.

You are God's masterpiece. You don't need to be like him or like her. You don't need to always be appreciated in the eyes of people. Maybe your work here is backstage. But remember, that nothing can be done without the invested efforts of the people working backstage. Your reward is far greater than what you expect it to be.

Give yourself a break. You just need to be 'YOU'- the way God has made you, the way God loves you and the way He wants you to be- simply 'YOU'.

God of the Impossible!

“Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!..”

-2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (New Living Translation)

“Then king Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven. And the LORD sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army with all its commanders and officers. So Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace to his own land…”

-2 Chronicles 32:20-21 (New Living Translation)

Sounds impossible? Well, our God is a God of the Impossible! This is not the first instance where you can witness God’s power to rescue His people. Throughout the Bible, He reminds us of his faithfulness, yet when we face an ambush by the enemy, we tend to doubt His presence.

If you go through the story of Hezekiah and understand the background of the verses I’ve mentioned, you will understand the challenge Hezekiah had to face. At one end the Assyrian army which was stronger than Hezekiah’s army; and on the other end the Israelites, who needed to be encouraged. But, didn’t Hezekiah need encouragement too? Wasn’t he in a more responsible position? He also would have panicked for that moment; but he was reminded of God’s great power. He believed that God was faithful and He was all that they needed. He rested in the fact that ‘God is Mighty to Save!’

You might face an ambush by the enemy. Maybe, you’re just not ready to face the storm raging towards you but it seems inevitable. People around you might no be helpful in lifting you up – maybe, they’re just pushing you even closer to the storm. What do you do at such a time? Do you question ‘God, where are you?’ or do you proclaim in faith ‘I know you’re here, God. I know that You will carry me through’?

It is easier said than done; but when we are rooted in Christ, keep consuming His word and His Truth, things become much easier to follow. Hezekiah was able to encourage his people because he knew that his God was able to help him achieve the impossible.

If you feel disheartened, let down, crushed or overcome, believe in God who can do the impossible for you. If things are not in your favor today, He will turn the tables for you at His right time, in His right way. As Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace, so will your situations change. God has called you to be the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). If you cry out to Him, He will answer you and deliver you. The only thing you need to remember is that faith and fear don’t go hand in hand. The more you keep focusing on His goodness in your life and the more you remember all the times He has delivered you, you will find it easier to trust in His faithfulness. Shift your focus from your storm to His goodness. Keep reminding yourself of His mighty works in your life. Keep encouraging yourself with the testimonies of fellow believers. Trust that your God can make a way where there seems to be no way. All you have to do is give your battles to the Lord, let Him lead you and guide you through. He will either win it for you without you doing anything (all you need to do is trust Him), or He will empower you through His Spirit to fight it out; the result will remain the same – You will emerge as a victor if you trust Him and obey Him.

It's All About Love ~ Part IV

How Long Can You Endure?

“It is not irritable,”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/1co.13.5.nlt

Now here comes the most difficult part! We all have that one point in life where we know we are about to explode. The only difference is that the boiling point of every individual is different. Some can be the epitome of patience while some can be so irritable that it takes only a small prank to get them to lose their patience.
Well, Paul clearly says that you will be extra patient if you have love. It simply means that you understand everyone here on earth is weak. We all have some weak areas that we struggle to deal with. Understanding that helps us to be patient. We give the other person time to deal with their weaknesses. We realise that we can't change a person, only God can. It's not our duty to change a person.
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/rom.3.23.nlt
We all have fallen short pf His glorious standard, yet He loves us; He is madly in love with us. He is patient with us and keeps accepting us when we run to Him. The story of the Prodigal Son explains it the best.

But then there's another side to it as well. There are people who are teachable and those who are not. There are people who are really struggling with their weaknesses and there are people who will try their best to provoke you. And the Bible clearly mentions not to provoke.
“Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:26‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/gal.5.26.nlt

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/eph.6.4.nlt

It's better to distance ourselves from such people and let God deal with them. But with people who are genuinely struggling, let's be patient just as God is with us.

All About Love ~ Part III

I Love You; But........

“Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way."
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/1co.13.4-5.nlt

Do we find it easy to rejoice with our loved ones when they are blessed with something that we wanted to have...and desperately have it? Well, the Bible clearly mentions that love is not jealous! Some versions also state the word envy.
Sometimes, we have been praying hard for a new job, a better salary, a good house, etc. And we see the answers to our prayers in the life of our loved one. What is the first thought that crosses over our mind? Are you really happy for your loved one? Let me put it in a simple example:
You have been wanting to go abroad and you've been praying hard for it. But things don't work the way you want it to. Your brother's passport gets done without any hassles and his visa also gets cleared. You surely would be sad in the first place, and that is a completely natural reaction. But do you continue sulking or decide to just be as excited as your brother is? There's a serious problem if you keep sulking, throw tantrums, don't help your brother shop and pack his stuffs, etc. In such a case, you need to sot in the presence of God and deal with it.
We need to realise that God knows what's best for us and He won't withhold the best from us. There are times when we block our own blessings because of disobedience and compromises we make in order to fit in this society. Even the 10th commandment says Do Not Covet. Wanting something that doesn't belong to us or envying the person for his/her blessings, is simply not love. If you truly love the person, you would rejoice with him/her as if you have been blessed. You will thank the Lord for working in his/her life. You will also introspect the hurdles you have created that are blocking your blessings or if you need to just trust God and His ways.

There's no point in just talking about how much you love the person when your actions speak otherwise. If you really love a person, you'll take care that you don't hurt that person. You won't look down upon that person and uplift yourself instead. You will show them their mistakes with kindness. You will happily accept that you don't know it all and give some credit to the others. You would also want people to treat you kindly, with respect and love.
“Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:31‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/luk.6.31.nlt

And finally, love is about making adjustments for each other; not compromises. Each one has to bend a little in order to mend.
I've heard people say 'Don't get me wrong. I do love you, but I expected it to be done this way.' 'I want you to live upto your dreams and have the best because I love you; but I felt you should do this because I know things better than you. You're too young to know it all. I've seen worse days.' 'I Love you, but I can't do it your way.'
If it's with conditions, it's not love. Love is not meant to be sold with *Conditions Apply*
“Give as freely as you have received!”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/mat.10.8.nlt

It's All About Love ~ Part II

Patience and Kindness
"Love is patient and kind."
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4 NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/1co.13.4-5.nlt

Patience:
By the grace of God we can freely approach Him. Even when we do something wrong or when we sin, we can go to Him, with a true heart repent for what we have done and be cleansed by the blood of Christ. In the same way, we are expected to be patient with the ones we love. Being patient includes forgiving them each time they hurt you and encourage them each time they try hard to allow Christ to change them. Change is a gradual process and we need to be patient with the ones we love. The parable of the Prodigal Son explains it the best. Forgiving might not seem easy each time, but when you can see the person being determined to change ways, we must ask God to help us be patient with them not forgetting that He is patient with us too.

"So watch yourselves! "If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.""
‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:3-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/luk.17.3-4.nlt
As Jesus clearly says to forgive, He also says to rebuke the person who sins. And here is where 'Love is Kind' is applicable.

Kindness:
You will never want your loved ones to perish and that's why you would correct them when wrong. God has placed spiritual leaders over us to discipline us. Even God disciplines us. But the word discipline only helps us think about how to be harsh and how to use the rod to hurt and help someone realise how wrong the person is. But we often forget that: His rod and His staff comforts us. (Psalm 23:4)
Discipline doesn't mean to look down upon someone and hurt someone. It should bring comfort. Using the rod does cause a little pain, but when used with kindness can work as a healing balm.

Earlier people offered animals and birds as sacrifice. Jesus Christ became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins and restored our relationship with the Father. Through His sacrifice, we receive grace to boldly approach the Father. It is because of His grace that He easily forgives us and accepts us each time we approach Him. It His love demonstrated to us through Him being patient and kind with us. But that doesn't give us advantage to play around with the grace we have freely received.

"Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!"
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/rom.6.15.nlt

God's love for us knows no bounds. He gave His only son for us. Jesus paid a heavy price for our sins. And it is only because of His love for us that He can't let us ruin our lives by playing around with sin. We might end up losing patience with some people. We might not be able to display kindness. Such actions of ours will only be justified when we are aware that the person is stiff necked and doesn't want to mend ways. It is not our duty to change people, only Christ can; but when the person doesn't surrender to Christ willingly, the only way left with us is to pray for that person. Sometimes, remembering people in your prayers can be the best and the only way to maintain relationships. You might cut off every means of communication and yet display patience and kindness by praying without ceasing for them.

"Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices."
‭‭Luke‬ ‭19:45‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/luk.19.45.nlt
Jesus did lose His cool. You might also be aware of many scriptures where He wasn't very kind towards the Pharisees. Yet, He did not sin. Neither did He hate them. And I'm sure that if they would come to Him with a repentant heart, He would have gladly forgiven them and accepted them; but they didn't. Even when they knew that Jesus was speaking about them, they didn't bother to mend their ways.

"When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this parable, they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21:45‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/mat.21.45.nlt

Similarly, we might encounter such people. It is only the Holy Spirit who can help us discern to make the right choice.

Patience and Kindness go hand in hand. They are qualities that express love. We need to ensure that we aren't playing with the grace and love we receive not only from God, but also from people. At the same time, we need to be careful that people shouldn't exploit us because of the patience and kindness we show towards them.