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Hard to believe a month is over in the New Year! No doubt, at this speed the year will be over very soon too! Shall we take a moment to praise the Lord this morning?

Let us praise Him for His mercies. Let us thank Him for the countless blessings in our lives. For the joy of salvation. For the daily providence. For being our constant companion. For guiding us. For molding us. Let us thank Him sincerely for all the good things in our lives.

Say, thank you, thank you, thank you! No number of thank you's would ever be sufficient for all that we have received. So, say it more; say it often; and mean it too!

It is also a weekend. I don't know about you, but for me this week seemed extremely long and difficult. Let us thank the Lord it is finally over. He was with us in our going out and our coming in. He paid our bills. He took care of the meals. He clothed us fine. His grace was sufficient for us and ours. Let us remember it all and say a sincere thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

As we start a new month tomorrow, let us pray for His continued mercies in our lives. Let us seek new heights in our spiritual walk in the new month. Let us rejoice in His presence more and more in the coming days.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

Amen! Have a relaxing & safe weekend. See you next month! I mean tomorrow! :)

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The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
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.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. ~ Psalm 23

A very familiar psalm indeed! But for once, let us take the time to actually let these words sink in! Word by word, sentence by sentence, how beautifully Shepherd David has written about Our Good Shephered - the Lord!

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Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool--why die before your time? Ecclesiastes 7:17

Agree, this doesn't quite fit in for the morning devotion. However I am urged in the Holy Spirit to share this. Seems to me there is someone among us who is often having suicidal thoughts. This is a direct message from the Holy Spirit for that person.

Whatever is your burden it cannot justify your "solution".

God has the solution for all your problems. He invites you with open arms: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

You need to do just that! Take all your burden, all your tears, all your frustrations, all your failures, all your disappointments, the heaving heart, the broken spirit, the hurting body, everything, all - bundle them up, drag it to the cross and toss it there! Now do not carry them back.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ died on the cross for it all. He died so that you can live. He gives you rest. He grants you peace. He fills you with joy! He loves you unconditionally. You are set FREE! The price has been paid for.

What more do you need? Why die before your time?

Rebuke the wicked thoughts in Jesus's name. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.(James 4:7)

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Don't ever miss the crown over few trials. Your reward in heaven is greater. Amen!

Jesus says, as recorded in the Gospel of John: 

"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:9-11

Wishing everyone joined at this coffee table, this life in full that God has given us. Remain happy in the Lord!

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"He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm" Mathew 8:26 (KJV)

"He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm" Mark 4: 39 (NIV)

"He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm" Luke 8:24 (NIV)

Welcome one and all, let's have Coffee with Jesus. For some of us, there could be something more than a coffee brewing right now. We could be experiencing a great storm in our lives at this very moment. It may look like the storm may never end; the wind might seem to have the upper hand; that we are about to sink into the depth of our sorrows. I encourage you to please meditate on the verses above, where Jesus rebukes the storm and the wind and it was "completely calm" or "a great calm" or "all was calm" as the Gospel authors put it.

Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever! Amen! Is He not powerful enough to calm your storm? Does He not have the authority to rebuke your wind? Why are you afraid? Why do you doubt Him? Repeat these words, "Quiet! Be still!" against all your stormy situations.

Be it peace in the family, joblessness, financial difficulties, health conditions, disobedient children, abusive relationships or bondage to sin - whatever your storm may be, however strong your wind may appear, when you call unto Jesus He will say "Quiet! Be still!" Soon there will be a great calm. He will fill you with the peace from above. You will start rejoicing in the Spirit and before you know it, the storm will subside and the wind will die down! Hallelujah!!

Let us pray, Our Father in Heaven! We come to your presence in one accord, as one family Lord. You see some of us are struggling with huge storms Lord. Please command against our storms Lord so that there will be complete peace and a great calm Lord. Please help us rid of all our doubts Jesus! Please help us overcome our fears Jesus! We trust and believe you are still able to rebuke our storms Lord. Thank you for the complete deliverance you are granting us Lord. Thank you for the peace from above Lord, for the joy of salvation Lord. Thank you that we are soon going to praise your name seeing the calm you have ordered Lord. Bless this day for each one of us Lord. We completely surrender us at your feet Jesus. In Jesus mighty name we pray, Amen!

Remember to share your prayer requests and praise reports, we will join hands and pray for all needs.

Have a good day!

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* The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:6
* In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11
* In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? Psalm 56:4

I absolutely adore the total confidence in which King David sings about his trust in the Lord. No, these are not just words he wrote to fill up his page; he speaks from the abundance of his heart. The scripture says in Luke 6:45: ...of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Very true of King David otherwise we will not find the consistency in his words across the different psalms.

He is not just sitting idle either. If we look at these verses closely we can see what more he did for his part:

1. The Lord is with him - Or in other words, he is with the Lord
2. In God he trusts - not on his own strength
3. He will not be afraid - of any man
4. In God, whose word he praises. - he reads the word of God and praises based on the word of God.
5. He trusts in the Lord - all over again
6. He will not fear of man - he is determined not to fear men.
7. He understands mortal man is no match for his Immortal Lord. - Amen!

If we follow in his foot steps, we too need not fear any man. We can boldly say:

* The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
* In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
* In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

Happy Monday everyone! Let us rejoice in His presence rest of the week!

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Yet these may you eat of every flying creeping thing that goes on all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap with on the earth Leviticus 11:21

Leviticus chapter 11 titled Clean and Unclean Food  lists the clean and unclean birds, animals,fish and insects that are considered edible and that which are an abomination to eat.

However, in Acts chapter 10 we read of an account of Peter's vision that contradicts these very law that were given by Moses to the people of Israel. The point here is that keeping the law should not be the priority over accepting people from different faith, culture, race, religion, wealth, caste, stature, etc.

Many Christians or I should say people who call themselves as "christians" are keen on associating only with Christians; worse yet - only with believers of their own race, culture, church & social background! They hesitate to make friends with anyone who is not of their faith.

Jesus Christ during His life on earth set a perfect role model when it comes to making friends. He was friends with all kinds of people, from all walks of life and even many "sinners". Sin He hates but sinners He loves! Everyone who came in contact with Jesus was influenced by His love for them.

How can we influence someone for Christ if we choose to be safe? How can we be a light if  we shun from people who are in the darkness? How can we love the Lord if we lack love for fellow human? How can we ever follow the great commission to go and make disciples if  we do not want to get out of our comfort zone?

The voice that Peter heard in Acts 10:15 still calls out today - to each one of us believers - "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."

Are we ready to accept every one in Christ?! If so, go for it; if not, leap forward!

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* And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Matthew 24:31
* In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.1 Corinthians 15:52
* For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:27
* For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17

The most important event we as Christians ought to look forward to on a daily basis is the The Last Trumpet Call!!

What is meant by the last trumpet call? The last trumpet call is the imminent return of our King and Savior Jesus Christ at the least conceivable time to gather His Church in mid air. The dead in Christ will rise and the faithful living will be transformed to be caught up with Him. This is also widely refered to by the term 'pre tribulation rapture'.

When will the last trumpet call be? No one knows the exact date/time/hour of the last trumpet call - which makes it all the more difficult to be ready for it.

What does it take to be ready? Knowing Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour and having our name written in the Book of Life is all it takes to be rapture ready. When Apostle Paul was in prison, a jailer asked him, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul's answer was: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts: 16: 30-31) If we believe in the Lord, we will be ready.

Are you ready?

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Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:2

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:16

When was the last time you feasted on the Word of God? Can you relate to the verse above where Prophet Jeremiah says he ate His words which were his joy and his heart's delight?

It is not just Jeremiah who enjoyed the words of the Lord...

King David sings:

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103

The ordinances of the Lord are... sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. Psalm 19:9-10

Job too loved them, he said: I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. Job 23:12

Jesus in response to the temptations by satan, answered: "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

Peter instructs: Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation... 1 Peter 2:2

It is a true joy reading/meditating the Word of God. Shall we make it our regular habit too, both morning & night? Then we shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water and whatever we do will prosper. Now, isn't that enough motivation?!

Taste and see that the LORD is good. Psalm 34:8

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Blessed is the man who does not sit in the seat of mockers. 
Psalm 1:1

Different translations use different words for mockers such as, scoffers, scornful, pestilence, scorners, etc. We have an idea who a mocker is however, it doesn't hurt to start with the dictionary; does it?

Who is a mocker?

Webster's online dictionary defines a mocker as, a person who causes repeated emotional pain, distress, or annoyance to another.

Another gives this detailed explanation for the term 'mock':

* To treat with ridicule or contempt; deride.

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Blessed is the man who does not stand in the way of sinners. Psalm 1:1

What is the way of sinners?

In the Gospel of Matthew we read about two ways - a broad and wide gate that leads to destruction & a small and narrow gate that leads to life:

 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14

Clearly the majority of the folks prefer the broad way, which is the way of sinners. Broad way appears to be a lot more fun. Everything is acceptable. Tolerance is how they term it. Obviousely there is no fear of the Lord, no repentence of their sins, no turning back until it is too late.

The narrow path on the other hand is the way of the righteous, that we are all bound to be on. Heartfelt repentance and forgiveness of our sins, or in other words salvation, is our ticket for the journey. The Lord is our King. The Holy Spirit is our guide. The Bible is our road map. What the Bible calls sin is sin indeed and we are to shun from it. 

King David, often made sure he was on the right track. His constant prayer was:

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:24

Prophet Isaiah writes: Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

Let us make that our prayer as well. Let us be attentive to hear His instructions.

To reiterate, do not stand in the way of sinners but enter through the narrow gate that leads to life eternal!

God bless you all!

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* Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked. Psalm 1:1
* The counsel of the wicked is far from me. Job 21:16
* Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked. Psalm 64:2
* A city is exalted by the blessing provided from the upright, but it is destroyed by the counsel of the wicked. Proverbs 11:11
* One who acts wickedly pays attention to evil counsel; a liar listens to a malicious tongue. Proverbs 17:4
* For the LORD detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence. Proverbs 3:32

So, the first condition for the blessings we discussed yesterday, is not to walk in the counsel of the wicked.

The trouble we have, is recognizing the wicked!

What do wicked look like? How do we identify a counsel of the wicked?  Once we identify, how can we keep safe from them?

Interestingly, wicked look no different from us. They talk and walk very similar to us, which makes it all the more harder to recognize them.However, we have a great tool given in our hands, the Holy Bible, the Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit that can help us understand the wickedness behind their smooth talking.



A wicked person is an ungodly person. They could be explicitly ungodly or disguise as "godly". They have no godly counsel to give you. They are wise in their own eyes and consider us who trust in the Lord, a little foolish. They don't hesitate to say us so.


He/she has no regard for the Lord, no consideration for fellow beings, no fear for authority, no regret for their wickedness. They have hardened their hearts to do evil. They seek their own good.

We are not to be so. We are not to walk with such. Because the Scripture tells us:

... You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

Amen! We are different. We are special. We are called out of darkness into His marvelous light. 

Any counsel or advice or suggestions that is not in line with God's Word is wicked counsel of a wicked person. Period.  The only way we can be sure of this, is by knowing the Word of God ourselves and getting the understanding on it from God (Holy Spirit) Himself.  

We are called to be righteous, which is step one for becoming a 'tree planted by the streams of water'. 

Amen!

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We all want this blessing in our lives - that we want to prosper in whatever we do. The conditions behind the blessing seem to be quite simple:

* Do not walk in the counsel of the wicked

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"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Life can get weary sometime. The routine toil day after day could easily overwhelm us. Where will we go then? What will we do? How will we find solace? Only by taking it all to God Almighty and hear Him say these very words: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, I will give you rest".

Interstingly the invitation is forever open, it is us finding time to attend to it that prevents us from enjoying it's benefits.

In Matthew 6:33 we read: "Seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Often times our burden gets heavier because we have not sought after God first. Let us set aside a regular prayer time and list all our needs at His feet and see if His invitation stands true in our case.

I am 100% positive it is! Tested & true! Would you like to try it yourself?

Happy Sunday; I mean, 'Son'day!

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"How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." 1 Kings 18:21

We are not getting into details on the context of today's text. However, if you wish to understand the context, please click here to read the full chapter.

How many of us can relate to wavering between two opinions? What causes us to waver? When a promise is delayed we waver; when our faith is tested we waver; out of fear of someone or something we waver, to avoid conflicts we waver... To sum it all up, in plain and simple words, we waver between hope and fear.

We do want to believe in God's promises (hope) but at the same time we want to consider the 'what if it is not true' scenario (fear or doubt). The Scripture says: A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8

Wavering or being unstable has huge consequences. If you recall Reuben, he received curse from his father Jacob instead of blessing. Jacob's words in Genesis 49:4 goes: "Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel"

King David sings in Psalm 26:1 "I have trusted in the LORD without wavering". In his letters to the Hebrews Apostle Paul writes: Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm Hebrew 10:23 As part of His sermon on the mount, Jesus said: "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Matthew 5:37

Let me challenge you (& also me) this morning: How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him!

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The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans: 13:12-14

Dissension is defined as disagreement that leads to discord or quarrel. For some it is a regular habit to argue over anything and everything. You talk for something they will argue against it and you talk against something they will argue for it; such is their trend. If we argue for argument sake let's not do it; there is much to be achieved for the Lord instead of the time taken to argue over Biblical truth. Just by arguing we are not going to gain any insight.

Jealousy does not need any explanation; it is the aching pang we feel at heart, towards someone else's well being or our lack of it. In fact it is anger directed against God Himself for doing something good for someone else and not for us!

Quite honestly don't you see we are blessed much more than what we deserve? Then why do we feel jealous? It is unnecessary. When we develop godliness with contentment, it is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6.)

If we are not careful to nip off envy at the very bud, soon it will completely overwhelm us taking possession of our body, mind and even the soul. It is a parasite to be shunned at all cost.

Let us pray therefore to remove the "arguing spirit" and the "spirit of envy" from our hearts today. Let us praise God with a grateful heart for His many blessings in our lives this morning!

Have a blessed weekend everyone! Stop by if you can for some fresh 'coffee' over the weekend too :)

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"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15

What is greed? I am sure all of us know what greed means; however I thought it will be a good idea to start with the definition. Greed means: 'An excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth'.

We sometimes tend to wrongly measure our happiness against what we have, which causes us to envy others and greed for more. Some may ask what is wrong with greed as it only motivates us to 'be better off'? Is it so?

Well, if you think about it, greed makes us selfish, workaholics, spendthrifts, debtors and in the long run we will tend to lose focus on our priorities and run after things of this world soon forgetting the importance of the Eternal Glory we ought to be bound for.

Greedy people mostly look after only themselves. They don't spare for the poor. They are never satisfied with all the wealth they have acquired. They worship money, gold, fame, fortune and other forms of it. Soon pride is to follow.

That's the very reason why Jesus warns us to be on our guard against all kinds of greed. He also reminds us that the measure of our life is not in terms of our possession.

Here is another verse to set us on our track rest of the way.In I John 2:15 we read, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

King David shares in similar lines in one of his Psalms. In Psalm 62:12 he writes, "...though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them."

What do you think, is it hard to heed to these instructions?

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"Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." Luke 12:1

What is hypocrisy? A quick look up in the dictionary explains hypocrisy as "the practice of professing standards, beliefs, etc., contrary to one's real character or actual behaviour, esp the pretence of virtue and piety".

Hypocrisy or duplicity is the opposite of integrity. It could be unintentional at times but hypocrisy is something that will never go unnoticed in the sight of God who knows the depths of our hearts.

In today's Scripture hypocrisy is compared to yeast. Why so? Barnes's Notes on the Bible has a very good explanation which I would like to share with you:

1. Hypocrisy may exist without being immediately detected. Leaven mixed in flour is not known until it produces its effects.

2. Hypocrisy is insinuating. Leaven will soon pervade the whole mass. So hypocrisy will, if undetected and unremoved, soon pervade all our exercises and feelings.

3. It is swelling. It puffs us up, and fills us with pride and vanity. No man is more proud than the hypocrite, and none is more odious to God.

Barnes goes on to explain, "When Jesus cautions us to beware of 'the leaven of the Pharisees', He means that we should be cautious about imbibing their spirit and becoming like them."

Today let us take a moment to analyze our thoughts and actions and see if we have any "leaven" or "yeast" in us. If we do, let us work to get rid off it lest it fully leavens us...

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Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:13 

In the book of Joel we read of many end time prophesies and here in Chapter 2 a detailed description of an army of locusts. If you have some time today I encourage you to read the full chapter to get a glimpse of the impending danger by an invasion of locusts. It is dreadful to realize that such destruction could be caused by swarms of locusts. It is absolutely horrifying even to read.

The chapter does not end with just the warning; but goes on to explain how we can escape the ordeal. This clearly shows the love of the Lord to protect us from these calamities. In verses 12-13 we read:

“Even now,” declares the Lord,

“return to me with all your heart,

with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

Rend your heart

and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:12-13

You may ask, what does rending our hearts or repenting have to do with escaping the army of locusts. The answer is in verse 32: And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Joel 2:32 Amen!

If we are intune with the Lord, we will be caught up in the sky when Christ returns to gather His Church before such calamities strike the earth. Praise the Lord!

We have been warned. Let us heed to it. It is time to return to the Lord with all our heart! Yes, today!

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Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Revelation 1:7

Amen! Our King is coming soon! Here's a beautiful song about it... The lyrics are given below the video so that you too can sing along. :)


These are the days of Elijah,
Declaring the word of the Lord:
And these are the days of Your servant Moses,
Righteousness being restored.
And though these are days of great trial,
Of famine and darkness and sword,
Still, we are the voice in the desert crying
'Prepare ye the way of the Lord!'

Behold He comes riding on the clouds,
Shining like the sun at the trumpet call;
Lift your voice, it's the year of jubilee,
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes.

These are the days of Ezekiel,
The dry bones becoming as flesh;
And these are the days of Your servant David,
Rebuilding a temple of praise.
These are the days of the harvest,
The fields are as white in Your world,
And we are the labourers in Your vineyard,
Declaring the word of the Lord!

There's no God like Jehovah.
There's no God like Jehovah!

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Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

We may have many new year's resolutions which is all good. Just also wanted to remind you about fixing our eyes on the ultimate goal - the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!

Barne's Notes on the Bible explains,"One running to secure the prize would not stop to look behind him to see how much ground he had run over, or who of his competitors had fallen or lingered in the way. He would keep his eye steadily on the prize, and strain every nerve that he might obtain it. If his attention was diverted for a moment from that, it would hinder his flight, and might be the means of his losing the crown.

So the apostle says it was with him. He looked onward to the prize. He fixed the eye intently on that. It was the single object in his view, and he did not allow his mind to be diverted from that by anything - not even by the contemplation of the past.

He did not stop to think of the difficulties which he had overcome, or the troubles which he had met, but he thought of what was yet to be accomplished."

It is easy to lose track of our goal with the overwhelming demands of the day to day life. It takes extra efforts on our parts to refocus on the goal and continue the race. So...

Ready, set, go!

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When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:19

Interestingly the Scripture here points out it is not the wealth or possessions that are considered the gift of God, but the heart that accepts our lot and remain happy in our work - that is a gift of God.

In his letter to Timothy Apostle Paul writes about Love of Money and says "Godliness with contentment is great gain". I Timothy 6:6. Indeed it is!

King Solomon was the richest king ever. He writes in Proverbs 28:25, "A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper." - which shows that his prosperity came from trusting in the Lord and not from greed.

How many of us are content this morning?! Praise God for all those hands that are going up! Let us continue to accept our lot! This is our gift from the Lord! Amen!

Now enjoy your weekend everyone! Coffee with Jesus will be brewing on the weekend too. Do join if you can.

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Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Isaiah 55:2

We all run after things bigger, better, designer wear,  gourmet meal, exotic vacations - but do these ever satisfy us? Sadly, never! We are only broke and exhausted at the end of the day.

There is however one thing that is truly satisfying - which is the joy of His salvation; and the only source it comes from is our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

There are multiple Scriptures on those lines...

I (Jesus) am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. John 6:51

Taste and see that the LORD is good Psalm 34:8

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. John 6:27

On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine -  the best of meats and the finest of wines. Isaiah 25:6

Now, have you tasted Him? Today?

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Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?

For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

“Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

The message is very clear this morning!. May be someone here needs to hear it. It is especially applicable for marriage decisions. Those who are at the cross roads, take heed to the Word of God!

Have a nice day folks. We have made it through Wednesday; weekend is just around the corner. Hang in there. God bless you.

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No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married. Isaiah 62:4

Anyone here whose name is Deserted, who lives in the land of Desolate? Well, this message is for you. The Lord will call you Hephzibah as He delights in you. Your land will be Married, no longer Desolate!

Praise the Lord.

The name Hephzibah equals us to the Bride of Christ, as the Bridegroom rejoices over His bride. Just imagine, the King of kings and Lord of lords calling you Hephzibah - my beloved! Isn't that absolutely overwhelming?! 

Indeed His love for us is overwhelming. And soon we will be married to Christ Himself. What a privilege!

Let us therefore get rid of our feelings of self pity, depression & doubts and celebrate knowing that His love for us is all the more stronger.

Have a blessed day Hephzibah! God's delight! Remain in His love.

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Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him," declares the LORD. Jeremiah:31:20

Who is this Ephraim? Ephraim is Joseph's second son. Ephraim and his brother Manasseh were born to Joseph in Egypt before his father Jacob and his brothers came to him during the draught.

When Jacob sees Ephraim and Manasseh, he adopts them both as his own. (Gen 48:5) however Ephraim is set apart and seems like Jacob has a soft corner for him. Probably he recalls his younger days of being a second son to his own father and sees himself in Ephraim.

Very important point is that Ephraim became a blessing or greeting in Israel. People would bless their children, "God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh".

Later in Joshua we read, when Ephraim got his inheritance they (the tribe) did not drive out the Canaanites that dwelt among them (Judges 1:29)

Interestingly in Jeremiah 31:9, we read the Lord saying, "Ephraim is my firstborn"! In fact he was the second son to his father Joseph and the youngest if counted as a "son" of Jacob, yet he was as special as a first born in God's eyes.

You might be excited to know - as I am - that Joshua is a descendant of Ephraim! Plenty of other references can be found on Ephraim.

Why did God speak against Ephraim? I understand his main sin was not chasing away the Canaanites from his inherited land. I am sure he endured issues due to that.

Does it sound familiar? We too hold on to some "Canaanites" in our lives. Let us not take God's compassion on us for granted. It is true we are very dear to Him, but there are times as we continue to rebel, God's anger is directed towards us, but when we repent, almost immediately His mercy is revealed...

So, to sum it all up, we are God's delight; His dear sons & daughters! Amen!

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"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 1 Corinthians 5:17

A blessed morning folks! As you get ready for the worship of our Savior, here's a reminder that we - who are in Christ - are now new beings. Praise the Lord!

The old things are passed away. All things are new. This includes our dull/shy spiritual life of the past. We are now given a refilling of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Our walk will be swifter, up beat and so much better. We will be excited to share our testimony, set a good example, and lead many to Christ. Amen! We will not be ashamed to shine for His glory.

Let us keep the momentum going. Our Lord Jesus Christ is coming soon. Let us do our part to build His kingdom.

God bless you all. Go, enjoy the fellowship of believers. Happy "Son"day!

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“I am sending you grain, new wine and oil,
enough to satisfy you fully;
never again will I make you
an object of scorn to the nations.

“I will drive the northern army far from you,
pushing it into a parched and barren land,
with its front columns going into the eastern sea
and those in the rear into the western sea.
And its stench will go up;
Its smell will rise.”

Surely he has done great things.
Be not afraid, O land;
be glad and rejoice.
Surely the Lord has done great things.

Be not afraid, O wild animals,
for the open pastures are becoming green.
The trees are bearing their fruit;
the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.

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.
The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
the great locust and the young locust,
the other locusts and the locust swarm—
my great army that I sent among you.

You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed.

Then you will know that I am in Israel,
that I am the Lord your God,
and that there is no other;
never again will my people be shamed.

~ Joel 2:19-27

Amen! What powerful promises we have received this morning! Remember it is yea and amen for those who believe.

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He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:3

When do we need a new song? Only when the old songs aren't enough to praise Him. Which means that the latest deliverance or blessing we received from Him is so good that we don't find anything appropriate to sing and worship Him with. Our heart just opens up bubbling with a new song of praise.

It is a wonderful experience when you don't have anything but only gratitude for the Lord. When you come to His presence without the long to-do-list but only with praise and worship from a very grateful heart.

When we sing such new songs of praise, King David writes, many will see and fear and put their trust too in the Lord. What an awesome way to share our testimony - by being a living proof!

As we start a new year, let us for once forget our list of requests and only praise and worship the Lord with a grateful heart and a new song of praise. Then many will see and fear and put their trust too in the Lord.

God bless you all and have a great weekend!

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Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

As we embrace this new year let us make it a remarkable year in our spiritual journey.  Let us refocus our attention to getting closer to God Almighty. Let us recommit ourselves to do His will. Let us pray for restoring the joy of our salvation.

Let us repeat after King David's prayer for forgiveness and restoration and make it ours today:

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

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Happy New Year everyone!

May the Lord God bless each and every one of you gathered here at this virtual coffee table, in His name. It is such a joy sharing His presence with you.

Here's a beautiful promise from the Lord for the new year:

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 

Let us continue to enjoy His fellowship in the new year.