Pin It Now! It has been a great month with the 'April Showers of  Blessings' series. My sincere thanks to everyone who joined for Coffee with Jesus as much as you could! I hope and pray that it was as much blessing to you as it was for me. I am sure we can not see any source of water the same way as before, as each stream, rain, river and showers will remind us of our Savior and only Him!

As we wrap up on the series, let me remind you once again the same verse we started the series with:

"I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing." Ezekiel 34:26

Has His promises ever failed? Never! So, let's go enjoy the rest of the month :) Tomorrow we will be starting with a brand new month and of course a brand new series: "May Flowers of Blessings".

Here's some music for you with visuals of what we have been meditating this month. Have a great weekend; enjoy the sun while it lasts...

Pin It Now! He split the rocks in the desert and gave them water as abundant as the seas Psalm 78:15

One thing that truly amazes me is a Water Fall. It seems almost magical to see water gushing out between huge boulders. Does it not?

Similar thing happened during the Exodus - actually it was more magical because the water actually came from the rock in the desert, not just little bit - but as abundant as the seas! Can you imagine that? Same way our Lord can provide for our needs out of any rocky situation where there seems like no way out. Not just a little; but as abundant as the oceans!

Here's a video of a water fall to help us visualize that... This is exactly how our needs will be met! Amen!

Pin It Now! Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Revelation 19:6

In today's verse we read about a "water" that is no water at all - it is the sound of the multitude shouting "Hallelujah!". Wow! Isn't that wonderful? Yes, it speaks about heaven! Alright, in that case let us continue to read the next few verses to see what else was happening there:

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready.

Fine linen, bright and clean,

was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

Revelation 19:7-9

If you pay close attention to these verses, you will understand that the roaring sound like that of gushing water is of the multitude which will also include you and me, provided we are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb! I definitely want to be there; hope you do too...

Pin It Now! This is what the LORD says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 31:16

As part of our 'April showers of blessings' series we have been looking at all kinds of water such as rivers, showers, streams, rain etc and for today we will do a different kind of water - tears!

I can sense that today's verse is meant for someone for whom it is much needed! Whoever is crying continuously over something, this message comes from the Lord to you: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded".

King David cries out in Psalm 56:8: "You tell my wanderings: put you my tears into your bottle: are they not in your book?"  Indeed our every tear drop has been recorded and accounted for by our Lord.

In Revelation 21:4 we read, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

So, the message today comes loud and clear for whoever needs to hear: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded". Amen!

Pin It Now! "Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground." Joshua 3:15-17

If you haven't already read this passage that narrates the crossing over of the river of Jordan, I strongly recommend you take a few minutes to read it today. Click here to read online.

You will certainly be amazed at the wonderful hand of God as He prepared the way for the Israelites to cross over. You will notice that it was against all odds God stopped the river that day. Let's pay close attention as we read this passage once again. Few things that stand out are:

* Jordan was actually flooding that day (as it was harvest time)
* As soon as the priests' feet touched the water's edge, the upstream water stopped flowing. It was instantaneous, almost magical!
* It piled up in a heap at a great distance away, nowhere close to the people lest they be afraid
* The second half that flows into the sea was completely cut off - as if there was no river at all!
* The priests stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan
* The whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground

There have been similar 'flooding Jordan' situations we have passed through in our lives. If we look back now we will realize how the 'upstream water' had stopped flowing and the 'downstream river' was completely cut off and how we had passed through 'dry land' as if there was no trace of a 'flooding river'.

I can testify for it in my life and I am sure each one of you can too. Let us give praises to God Almighty every time we think of His wonders. From what we know of our past deliverance we can fully trust Him for our future too. Amen!

Pin It Now! "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." Isaiah 43:2

Today's scripture is a promise verse from God. We are familiar with the Israelites journey across the red sea and the river of Jordan. Just as how God was with them when they passed through these waters, He has promised to be with us also.

Here water represents turmoil or calamity or sudden danger or why not real water too! Whatever is the circumstances none of these waters can sweep over us. The waters may be too close, the rivers may seem too wild at times, the floods could overwhelm us, but remember these waters can never harm us. How can we say that for sure? Because that's exactly what our Lord has promised us.

King David sings in Psalms 29, "The LORD sits enthroned over the flood", which is true of any flood like situation too.

Let us repeat the verse to ourselves and claim it as our own today: When I pass through the waters, God will be with me; and when I pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over me. Amen!

Pin It Now! "...this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ..." 1 Peter 3:21

"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:22

Happy Resurrection Sunday to everyone! He Lives! Indeed He lives! Through Him we live also!

As part of our April Showers of Blessings series I would like to bring your attention to water baptism today. What is baptism? Baptism is a conscious oath made between an individual and God in the presence of fellow believers; It is an outward manifestation made willingly of an inward acceptance of Christ as personal Savior. Also, it is a symbolic representation of how we are dead to sin, buried (immersed in water) and resurrected as a new creation in Christ.

Can't stress enough on the importance of baptism in our faith walk. Jesus Himself took water baptism. If you do not recall when you were given baptism, the chances are it was not a conscious oath made between you and God. It is time you start thinking of an outward manifestation of your faith before the church. It is time we are buried to our sins and resurrected in Christ.

No better time to meditate about baptism than on the Resurrection Sunday. You may hear a lot of arguments for and against baptism. The answers are found in the Scriptures; not in any church doctrines. Study the Word of God to understand what it says about baptism and then choose to obey it.

In your clear conscious if you can recall your outward manifestation of your inward change of heart to follow Jesus, then you are good. If you have the slightest doubt, kindly think about taking baptism. God bless you!

Pin It Now! As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. Psalm 84:6

It is commonly understood that Baca stands for weeping or lamenting and hence the term Valley of Baca is understood as Vale of tear. It could mean a tearful journey or a fearful valley. Either way we can cherish it becoming a place of springs where the autumn rain also covers it with pools. It shows God can make a way out for us even when there is no possibility.

There is a mention of a similar valley in a very familiar psalm: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

King David relates to many such valleys as he was mostly on the run - running for his dear life. He kept praising the Lord even as he walked through these difficult valleys and in the end God brought him victory! Praise can make our valley of tears to be filled with springs and autumn rains and pools.

What then is stopping us from doing just that?! Let's praise Him; shall we?!

Pin It Now! Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. John 19:34

Today being Good Friday I thought we will meditate on a scene from Golgotha. I know many of us are devastated remembering the sufferings our Lord bore on our behalf. Rest assured He is alive and well! Indeed He overcame the sting of death!

John accounts for an incident at the cross. As part of making sure Jesus was dead, one of the soldiers pierced a spear through Him bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. Medical terms explain this to be a ruptured pericardium membrane which surrounds the heart. Clearly He suffered much deeper than our common perception of just the nails to the hands and feet and the crown of thorn. His body was literally torn... It's all for me, for you, for us, for humanity... to once for all atone for our sins!

There is a striking similarity to this scene in the old testament which reads, "Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank" Numbers 20:21

Let us pray that not a single drop of His blood go wasted but save the mankind for which it was shed. He is our Rock and Living Water flows from Him. Let us pray that not a single drop of this flowing water go wasted but refresh the weary souls of the mankind. Let us remember His sufferings not just today, but every single day!

Pin It Now! Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." John 19:28

I was pondering over the scene of the cross where Jesus was bruised and beaten to the point where not an inch of His body was spared. In addition to it all, he also suffered the agony of thirst! Why was it necessary to suffer Him thus even with thirst? Few thoughts that crossed my mind I wish to share with you here:

* So that the following Scriptures which were foretold about Him will be fulfilled:

- They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. Psalm 69:21 &
- My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Psalm 22:15

* To prove beyond doubt He was 100% human
* To prove beyond doubt He gave His very last for our redemption from sin.
* He expressed his thirst for our love.

 Remember, the same Jesus is also called the Living Water and says, "To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life." Revelation 21:6

Whatever you are thirsty for today, He is capable of fulfilling it. But first, can we make an effort to give our hearts to Him to quench His thirst at the cross?

Pin It Now! By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. Psalm 137:1

River by default refreshes ones soul; however, here we read of a river that is not a refreshing sight but one of great mourning. In order to understand this verse, we need to understand the context of Psalm 137.

Looks to me this is not one of King David's psalms but one of a later time when Israelites were taken as captives to Babylon - modern day Iraq. The captors are forcing the captives to sing songs of Zion but they can only cry thinking of their Zion they had left behind. They refuse to sing their joyous songs by hanging their harps on the nearby plants and sitting down to cry. We do not know how many captives were there - but I am sure they were a multitude of people. Imagine all of them sitting by the river side, crying in loud voice, remembering their home land... what a tragic sight it would be!

Clearly the captives were not trying to please their captors but on the otherhand they even provoked more  anger by refusing to sing. The psalmist goes on to insist the reader to remember Jerusalem - the Zion. Here is few more verses in the same context:

* Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. Psalm 122:6
* "Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her Isaiah 66:10

Take away for today: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! We are Zion bound too so let's sing some songs of Zion today... No need for us to mourn as we are set FREE of our captivity by the blood of Jesus Christ!

Pin It Now! For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3

"Water" in today's scripture clearly stands for the Holy Spirit.Whoever is thirsty for it, will be filled. This leads us to a question of What really is Holy Spirit?

Holy Spirit is the third person in the Divine Trinity. Trinity is a hard subject to grasp, but the easiest way to understand is, even we humans are a form of trinity - body, mind & soul - three unique forms of the one individual - person. Same way, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are three unique forms of the one and only God Almighty!

Father God is our Father in Heaven, the Alpha, the Omega, the beginning and the end - whom no one has seen face to face except for Jesus Himself. Jesus Christ is the Son who was born without sin in human form to die for the sins of you and me. Jesus was crucified as a flawless lamb, as a sacrifice for our sins, resurrected the third day, ascended to heaven and lives forevermore intermediates between us humans and Father.

Father God has given the name above all names 'Jesus' to His son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Days before Jesus was taken in to the clouds, He had promised of a Comforter who will be sent after Him to guide and lead the believers through this journey called life. That Comforter is the Holy Spirit.

Every person when they accept Jesus Christ as their Savior receives the Holy Spirit who abides in him guiding him in the paths of righteousness. However when the believer does not follow the directions of the Holy Spirit or gets overwhelmed with worldly pleasures of life, Holy Spirit could depart him. When we repent, leave the old ways and get back to God, we are infilled again with the Holy Spirit.

That's what today's scripture talks about. When we thirst for the refilling of the Holy Spirit in us, God will pour it abundantly on us. Not only that, He will also pour out the Holy Spirit on our children and children's children, all because we thirst for it.

Holy Spirit is a must have in our Faith journey without which we cannot successfully complete the walk. Let's stop now to get some. On our part all we need to do is to be thirsty for it...

Pin It Now! The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. Psalm 29:3

Thunder surely feels like God's voice, does it not?! If you have some time today, please read Psalm 29 and see whatelse God's voice is capable of doing. This is a beautiful passage.

When I visited Niagara Falls for the first time, I was so filled with the Holy Spirit that I was only speaking in tongues and praising and worshipping the Lord - the creator of such a magnificient thundering water fall! That's when I truly understood the meaning of this verse.

Many times we talk about only the love of God and forget how powerful He really is. He is Almighty! All Powerful! Yet loving! Isn't that something?! Psalm 81: 7 says, "You called in trouble and I rescued you; I answered you in the hiding place of thunder...". Let's remember this as we start a new week today.

Pin It Now! Hello everybody! Good "Son"day morning! Just thought we can enjoy some music for a change. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did... Suggested reading for today: Ezekiel 47

It is hard to understand if Ezekiel is talking about a literal river or as some people interpret it if it is a symbolic river. To tell you the truth I believe it is a literal river which is going to change part of the dead sea into a fresh water. How it will come about, I have no clue, but since the Word of God says it will come true, I believe it will!

Google search doesn't reveal much which makes me wonder why, but I am sure God is in the works however strong man tries to keep Him under covers. His words are Ye and Amen!

As we listen to the song here, let us believe for the spiritual river of God in our lives today!

Pin It Now! He turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water. Psalm 114:7,8

Remember the incident in Exodus when the Israelites were very thirsty God gave them water to drink out of the rock? Well, that's the exact scene King David is referring to here in today's scripture from Psalm.

Isn't this true in our case too? There have been times when we were so pressed for a need and out of nowhere God provided help at the eleventh hour. When we thought there were no possibilities of how a certain need could be met, God made a way for us somewhere somehow... I can recall many many many such incidents.

Without insurance huge medical needs for my in-laws were met miraculously. When there was no hope of finding a solution at work for an issue, I fasted and prayed for three days and you won't believe the third day just minutes before our management was going to announce to our clients that we can not provide them the solution, God gave me the solution through a simple change in my code! When we were almost giving up on hopes of selling our home which was in the market for nearly a year, an offer came through the very same night! When there was no more hopes of finding a full time job for me, God blessed me with the finest job I could ever imagine, I could add more and more to the list.

I am sure, all of us are living testimonies of how God can indeed turn the rock into a pool and the hard rock into springs of water. Let us share our testimonies today to edify the glory of the Lord. God bless you all and enjoy your weekend!

Pin It Now! "When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance." 1 Kings 8:35-36

This scripture is from King Solomon's prayer of dedication as he dedicated the newly built Temple in Jerusalem. I suggest you please read this chapter in full to get a complete understanding of the context:

It is one of my favorite prayers from the Bible. I know, I have way too many favorites in scriptures; it can't be my fault if the Bible is full of favorites, can it?!

King Solomon considers a wide range of requests in his prayer at the dedication. He is standing at the alter, in front of the whole congregation of Israelites, attired in his royal clothes and the royal diadem, his hands raised upwards towards the heavens, his face lifted up, his voice loud and clear as he submits his requests one after another,  which also includes requests to send rain for his people and his land.

A King praying for his citizens is hard to even imagine. Imagine the leader of our respective countries praying for you and me! Prayer comes from deep within ones heart, which only implies how dedicated King Solomon was for his nation and his people and how eager he was pleading on their behalf for their rain.

He prayed: when God has shut up the heavens from rain because of the people's wrong doing, and if and when they repent and come back to Him, then God should be merciful to forgive them of their sins and open the heavens of rain.

I absolutely love how he ends this passage. He prays: "Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance."

I can't help relating his prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ's plea to the Father intervening for us. Which means that even in this modern age we have a King pleading our case. Let us live up to His expectations and get forgiveness from the Father so that our rain won't delay any further.

Pin It Now! "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10,11

Once again a beautiful scripture here on "rain" but this time rain is symbolized as the Word of God. It is not a mere interpretation by man; but by God Himself through Prophet Isaiah, which makes it even more special.

The message is simple: Like how rain and snow flourish the earth and brings us yields, the Word of God always brings us its bounty. Both never return empty. Rain and the Word of God will both accomplish what God desires and achieve the purpose for which He sends it.

It is safe to rephrase it as: When there is no rain, there will be no yield. Sameway when there is no consumption of the Word of God, there will be no yield from within us. If we were to bear fruits, we need to drink from the rain of the Word of God. It is not a once in a life time kind of rain or a seasonal rain. It has to be our regular practice.

Let us consume the Word of God to be yielding fruits to our Master. Remember not one of the Word is in vain, including this very message. It is like a double edged sword which is sent to fulfill a definite purpose in our lives. I plan on getting wet today, how about you?

Pin It Now! He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1: 3

Who is this promise for? Who is like a tree planted by streams of water? Whatever who does prospers?

The answer is in the same psalm. We see that this person who is called "blessed" DOES NOT:

* Walk in the counsel of the wicked
* Stand in the way of sinners
* Sit in the seat of mockers

Also, this blessed person who is the recipient of the promise today DOES:

* Delight in the law of the Lord
* Meditate the law of the Lord day and night

If we follow these Do's and Don'ts surely the very same blessing will be ours. We will be blessed; like a tree planted by the streams of water yielding our fruits in season and our leaf will not wither. Whatever we do will prosper. Amen!

Pin It Now! You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. Psalm 65:9

Living Water is yet another name for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is no wonder there are so many scripture verses referring to this refreshing Living Water. The water that flows from Him does nourish our body, mind and soul.

He cares for the land (us) and waters (provides) for it. When He blesses it is not by human measures; He enriches us abundantly! I would like to insist blessing is not always in material form. Blessing is the joy, the salvation, the peace, the faith, the walk, the leading, the slow still voice, the daily providence, even our very breath, the fact that our systems work the way it should, etc. Don't we have these things in abundance? Are we not enriched by countless blessings already?! Amen!

And of course, blessings are not always spiritual form. There are these material blessings too such as the house, the job, the children, the vacation, the bonus, the new tires in the car, the flowers your special someone brought, the robins that visit your window sill, and the rest in those lines. Remember, the streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain.

As long as our focus is on the One who blesses us and not the blessings in itself, we will continue to be blessed. Stay blessed today!

Pin It Now! "I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs." Isaiah 41:18

Isn't this a beautiful scripture verse? In fact I love the whole passage and would love to share it with you:

“The poor and needy search for water,

but there is none;

their tongues are parched with thirst.

But I the Lord will answer them;

I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

I will make rivers flow on barren heights,

and springs within the valleys.

I will turn the desert into pools of water,

and the parched ground into springs.

I will put in the desert

the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.

I will set pines in the wasteland,

the fir and the cypress together,

so that people may see and know,

may consider and understand,

that the hand of the Lord has done this,

that the Holy One of Israel has created it. Isaiah 41:17-20

Pin It Now! Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. James 5:17-18

Few days ago we had read about the Elijah incident James is referring to in his preaching. What James is trying to emphasize here is the power of prayer. Elijah's prayer stopped the rain for 3 1/2 years and started the rain 3 1/2 years later. How powerful the prayer must have been?!

Bible mentions his exact words as he prayed for it to rain again, here we go: "Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

These are indeed very simple words, not eloborate in any form. However I believe the prayer was answered instantly because of what he stood for and not just his mere words.

Quick question: Did you pray today? True, we are getting ready to go to Church. But I don't think that is an excuse to not pray. As I write this, I am guilty myself.

Let us surrender ourselves to God in prayer so that the heavens give rain and the earth produce its crops. Enjoy the 'Son'day!

Pin It Now! "For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; ...The next morning, about the time for offering the sacrifice, there it was—water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water." 2 Kings 3:17-20

How's everybody doing with the rain scriptures so far? For those of you who missed the introduction, we are in the middle of a series called April Showers of Blessings in which we are looking at rain scriptures.

Rain as you would agree mostly represent blessings and we all look forward to our showers each new day. These "showers" are the resources needed for our living. Today's scripture is different from our traditional showers if you will.

If we read it again carefully it talks about how God can still provide even without the showers. I am sure you must have experienced it in your lives. There have been times when without jobs or income our needs have been met, our bills have been paid for, our health has been taken care of, our grain has been provided. How? Just as today's scripture says, This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord. He redirects rivers to fill our land with water. Shall we all rejoice in His love and praise His Holy name?! Amen!

Have a Godly weekend!

Pin It Now! "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain." I Kings 18:41

You must read Kings if you haven't read already, which is full of accounts of kings and prophets. The scripture here is a conversation as it happened between Prophet Elijah and King Ahab. Ahab was an evil king and he had married Jezebel who was a devote worshipper of Baal. Elijah had prophesied three years ago that there would be no rain on the land for three years until he prays for it again.

At the end of the three years, Elijah appears before Ahab and invites the prophets of Baal for a sacrifice of bulls. Baal's prophets were to sacrifice one bull and Elijah was to sacrifice another and whoever serves the true God their sacrifice would be accepted. We learn that Baal's prophets screamed and shouted and even hurt themselves but no answer to their prayers.

When it was Elijah's turn he prayed: "Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.  When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”

That's when Elijah tells Ahab, "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain". It comes true shortly that there is a mighty downpour of rain after three long years of famine and draught.

What I wish to point out for today's take away is that let us remove our Baals and any other idols such as money, fame or whatever else we are after and then our years of drought will be exhausted by abundant rain.

Pin It Now! The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:25

We are all familiar with the two builders Jesus spoke about in His mountainside preaching in Matthew 7. The wise builder built his house on the rock which withstood the heavy downpour of rain, floods and the wind. The other house which was built on the sand could not withstand these natural forces of elements and the builder is refered to as foolish.

In this context the rain, wind and flood relate to the day-to-day struggles of life. Jesus goes on to explain that anyone who puts the words of Jesus in practice is like the wise builder and others are like the foolish builder.

"Rock of Salvation" is another name for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You will be amazed to see how often King David refers to God as his Rock; for sure he was a wise builder. In Deuteronomy we read: Jeshurun (Israel) ...abandoned the God who made him and rejected the Rock his Savior. 32:15; surely he was a foolish builder.

What kind of builders are we?

Pin It Now! "Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God." Hebrews 6:7

Today's verse hits the nail strong and hard: The land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.

We are the land that drink the rain falling on us often. If we produce useful crops to Him who farms, then we will receive blessing of God. As we long for our abundant rain this season let us keep this in the back of our minds that our abundant rain should be a source of rain for someone less fortunate than us.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Wednesday!

Pin It Now! "So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul— then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied."  Deuteronomy 11: 13-15

For those of you who are not aware we have started a new series called April Showers of  Blessing for this month which explains why we have a "rain" scripture everyday.

Today's scripture is self explanatory and so I am not inclined to explain it further. But just wanted to point out that the promise of rain is a conditional blessing.

If we faithfully obey His commands, He will send rain on our lands in its season. Let us stop worrying about the seasons that are going to come. Let us just obey in commandments; God will send us the rain even where it doesn't seem possible. He will provide for our retirement, for our children's education, for all our needs; in its season the showers will be sent from heaven.

So, let us stop worrying and start praising because that is our command!

Pin It Now! "Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before." Joel 2:23

Joel 2nd chapter is a beautiful chapter and filled with beautiful promises. Please read it if you have a minute today.

I want to leave you with just the verse today:

"Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before."

Have a blessed day!

Pin It Now! "... Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen." Jeremiah 3:3

If you were to understand the context in which these words were spoken, you must read Jeremiah chapter 3.

To put it in plain words, these are prophecy of God spoken through Jeremiah about the unfaithful Israel. Israel as a nation was defiled by foreign gods and foreign culture and things that are abominable to God. They kept falling away from the Lord who led them through the wilderness. Every time God forgave them they went back to old ways. That's when the fierce Word of God comes through Jeremiah that the Lord intends to withhold the spring rain.

Let's stop there and apply it in our lives. Are our actions the reasons why any rain has not fallen in our lives? Is our behavior stopping our spring rain? Are we faithful to the one who led us through our wilderness or are we forgetting Him and going after other "gods"?

The invitation a few verses below in verse 22 is open for us today: “Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.”

Let us revisit ourselves and make sure we remove the cause for the withheld showers and missing rain in our lives....

Pin It Now! "Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone" Zechariah 10:1

The message comes loud and clear - Ask the Lord for rain. Rain? What rain? Showers of blessings of course.Whatever pressing needs we have let us bring it all at His feet today. Ask and you will receive! Let us ask our Lord to send us the showers of blessings we have been longing for.

It could be a job, it could be a much needed vacation or financial freedom or spiritual freedom or physical healing or mental healing - whatever it is, you know your need. Let us together bring it all at His feet and pray over these days; let's hold hands:

Dear Father in Heaven! We praise your name as we begin the 4th month in this new year Lord. Thank you for your provisions in the last three months Lord. Thank you that you are going to provide for us throughout this new month too Lord. Dear Lord, the scripture asks us to ask for rain Lord. We are here gathered in your name - asking for the rain you have promised us Lord. Please send your rain at this very moment Lord, this very day Lord. Thank you Jesus! Please send the rain according to each need we have brought to your feet this morning Lord! Please Lord, we know you are mighty to save! We know your promises are ye and amen! We know you said if we ask we will receive it Lord. Now we are asking Lord. We do believe you are sending us the showers Lord. Please Lord, let the people not be disappointed Lord. Send them the much needed rain Lord! In your beloved son our beloved Savior Jesus Christ's name we pray, Amen!

Pin It Now! As we enter April, I thought it will be a good idea to discuss the many showers scriptures talk about in various aspects, hence the series: 'April Showers of Blessings'

Today's verse: "I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing." Ezekiel 34:26

This is a very interesting passage, you must read it if you have time. Here's the link: Ezekiel 34

To set the context, this chapter is a prophecy of Ezekiel who foretells that Israel will be scattered all over the world and yet God will bring them back together to the pastures of Israel.

It can also be applied to us - the Spiritual Israelites - that it is a warning or reprimand against Pastors (Shepherds) who do not take care of the sheep (the church) but take care of themselves, and the sheep (us) who are constantly fighting with one another and who are never content with what we have; not only that we trample down the left over pasture (word of God) and muddy the left over water (Spirit of God).

When we accept the reprimands and shun from wrong doing and get back to our Good Shepherd, then He will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. As you see here, the Lord reprimands the shepherds and the sheep alike, yet you can clearly see He has a soft corner for the sheep over the shepherds.

I understand reprimands are not a pleasure and it is hard starting a new month on this basis. But the love of our Good Shepherd is much stronger than this little scoldings. So, be encouraged it will be a great month! Happy April everyone!