ANITHA AND JASPER - MORIAH MINISTRIES
Pearls from the Bible
About Pearls From The Bible by Anitha Jebarani
Hello fellow believer in Christ, greetings to you in the name of the Lord. God, in His immense grace, has helped me find these pearls from the Bible. Whatever He revealed, I have written here. It has 31 devotions in total. You can plan to read one per day. May the Lord guide us continuously.
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MEDITATE
PRAY
PEARL 1
"May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
We are living in a world filled with tears. We can see wars in everyday news. Think about the prayers that go to God. We may think not to bother God with our small needs, which appear big to our eyes as God is handling big issues in the world. Let me tell you something: God not only cares about the big troubles that the world is going through, but He also cares about every individual. He cares about you, your little worries, your pain, your joy, your aspirations, and your dreams. Let me show you how God acts in the lives of Naomi and Ruth from the book of Ruth. Naomi felt like God had forsaken her when she lost everything that was meaningful in her life. God took her out of the land where she lost everything and planned a great future. He guided Ruth to Boaz and gave her the favor she needed. He provided for her needs. God gave Naomi a grandson and the family she dreamed of having again. Hey, friend, if you are going through losses and thinking that the Lord has forgotten you, renew your faith. We serve the God who faithfully remembers Ruth and Naomi, and He remembers you and me. Be ready to receive what you have lost in the past. He restores and cares about your story.
PEARL 2
He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does.
Ecclesiastes 3:11.
With our technology we have grown a lot and have come to the era where we can see things with many dimensions. For example the virtual reality technology makes you to walk through virtual places and will make you feel as if you are really there. But how muchever we try we are unable to know our future. At the same time as human beings we have the longing to know about it. But God has preplanned all and has set a timing for everything. In such a case all we need to do is try to know His heart and walk closely with Him by trusting Him. As Solomon says, in Ecclesiastes 3:14 "And one thing God does is to make us stand in awe of Him". Because at the end of the day. We will stand in awe at what he does in our lives. Yes, weeping ends and joy will come in the morning. He will never fail to surprise us.
PEARL 3
It is so amazing to know about a man like Job. He lived a life with which God challenged Satan. God said, "There is no one on earth as faithful and as good as Job is." From the Book of Job, we can see how he lived to earn such praise from God. He was a worshipper, prayed over his children, kept his thoughts and eyes pure. In Job 29, we can see that he helped the poor, the orphan, the men in deep misery, and the widows. He was like eyes for the blind, feet for the lame, and protected the victims from the hands of cruel men. God saw everything and was like a friend to Job; God watched over Job and honored him. Everyone respected him, including young men, old men, and leaders who kept quiet and listened when he gave them advice. They took his words like the sand absorbs the rain. He was like a compassionate king. But a time came when he was in utter pain, losing every good thing he had gained in his life through God's favor. My friend, if you are going through a path like Job's, take courage; God is your Redeemer, God is your Judge. Say boldly, as Job said, "My Redeemer lives," and trust God through it all. He will restore the joy, respect, loved ones, the beauty, the health and riches you lost doubly. Only remain faithful to Him. Let God boast about you before the enemy. Wait under His mighty hands until He lifts you up again.
PEARL 4
We might have heard the saying that dogs are faithful. Now, the Bible shows a donkey that is undeniably faithful. It was the donkey of Balaam. In the book of Numbers, chapter 22 onwards, we can see the following: Balaam was sought by Balaak, the king, to curse Israel. But God told him that is not happening as Israel is blessed by Him. Balaam was a man whose eyes were on the rich gifts from the king rather than the Lord. He prepared his donkey and went to curse Israel so that he could get some money. The Angel of God appeared before him to kill him on the way. Balaam's donkey was able to see the angel but not Balaam. The donkey tried to avoid the angel of God to save his master. But Balaam hit the donkey thrice. Then a miracle happened; God opened the mouth of the donkey. The donkey said that the angel of the Lord was standing before them to kill Balaam. Balaam didn't think for a minute that his donkey was talking to him and he talked back to the donkey. His mind was so corrupted that he didn't even think about the miraculous interventions of God happening around him to stop him from sinning against the Lord. Finally, the angel of the Lord said he spared his life only because of his donkey. Dear friend, guard yourself from sinning against the Lord. Keep your eyes on the things of heaven and not on acquiring the things of the earth. Ask God to keep your eyes and ears wide open to listen and see His will for you. Ask God for a heart thatsteadfastly clings to Him. From God's perspective, the donkey was better than Balaam. Are we wise? Are we aware of God's presence, or are we foolish like Balaam, moving forward towards sinning without understanding the deadly end before us? May God open our eyes. Let us watch for His divine intervention in everyday life. Let us be on God's side.
PEARL 5
Some people surprised God in the Bible and were eventually blessed by Him. One such person is Phinehas. We can see his swift action toward saving the people from incurring God's anger in Numbers 25. The Lord God was angered when the Israelites went and worshiped the God of Peor and engaged in prostitution with their women. God told Moses to kill such men. While Moses and the elders were mourning and waiting, a man crossed them by going along with a woman to sin against the Lord. Phinehas never hesitated but went after them and did as God instructed. God saw the zeal he showed toward keeping the Lord's people holy and established him and his generation as priests to serve Him.
Similarly, Christ Jesus came and saved us from a life of sin and darkness. We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a holy life for God and to remove evil from our lives. Are we willing to act like Phinehas? Are we willing to work with trembling to guard the salvation we received from Christ? Stay bold, my friend. Use God's sword his Word to clean your tent. That is the body you live in. We are meant to eradicate every sinful thought and every sinful action through the Word of God. We serve a holy and mighty God. Let us live accordingly.
PEARL 6
Who is our Lord God? Simply, words are not enough to describe Him. Prophet Isaiah in chapter 40 tells us who He is. Our God measures oceans with His hand. He measures the sky with His hands. None can advise Him. Nations are like a drop of water before Him. Islands are like dust. He leads the stars like one who leads an army. He calls each by name. Do you know how the heart of this powerful God of ours is? Verse 11 says He takes care of us like a shepherd. He will carry us like a shepherd carries the lamb in His arms. He knows our troubles, He cares when we suffer injustice. He strengthens us when we are weak and tired. He knows we are like grass before Him, but He simply cares and could never ignore our little lives. Dear friend, if you feel that He might have forgotten you, take heart. Our God loves us, cares about every little detail of our lives. He is the only one who can be everything in our lives.
PEARL 7
"God does nothing except in response to believing prayer," says John Wesley. Here is a believing prayer of a man which God answered. Jabez was introduced in 1 Chronicles 4:9 as "the most respected member of the family." He had a painful past and a difficult beginning, but when he prayed, he believed God could write a hopeful chapter in his life. His life changed when he prayed to the Lord God. He asked God to bless him and be with him because without God's blessings, there would be no joy, only pain in what is so-called a blessing. He also asked for a significant amount of land, which is an earthly blessing that the heavenly God chose to grant. God gave him an expansion. Finally, he asked to be kept away from pain and evil. We know that pain is unavoidable in life, but Jabez's prayer was answered. God accepts such prayers. May God bless us with all the above in this new month as well. May He be pleased to stay close to us, expand us, and keep us away from pain and evil. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
PEARL 8
Hannah allowed her rival to take control of her emotions for a long time and was weeping, refusing to eat while enduring all the humiliating words she hurled at her. Verses 9-10 say Hannah got up. She decided not to let everyone around her to drown her in misery. Instead, she went to the Lord and told her prayers, which God answered. After finishing the prayer, when Eli misunderstood and confronted her, she gave a bold answer. She said, "Don't think I am a worthless woman."in verse 16. Her words about herself changed when she immersed herself in God's presence. Maybe you are going through a time of shame and insults, which ends up making you think you are worthless. Now, get up and go to the Lord. His presence will let you know who you are: "You are priceless to Him." Let's cling to God, as He never ignores any of our tears and prayers. He answers beyond what we could think. He gave Hannah six children. Let God answer you beyond your prayers. Dear God, we are coming to your throne seeking your presence. Help us to raise up from where we are and heal our hearts. Thanks for answering beyond our prayers. In Jesus' name, we thank. Amen.
PEARL 9
David writes prayers for everything that happens in his everyday life. Prayer is something very real and an everyday activity for him. In Psalm 55, he is talking about the problems he has with his friend who turned into his enemy. David feels worn out, terrified, gripped with fear and trembling. He feels so insecure that he wants a safe shelter. He cannot face the problems around him. He is broken by the fact that he is betrayed by his own friend. This can be seen in verse 13. Once, the same friend who is now causing distress to David worshipped God together with David, and they both had close conversations. We might have friends going through difficult times now. It is good that we have close conversations with them, attend church services with them, and create many good memories with them. At the same time, let us never turn against them at any time. Instead, let us be good friends who stand for each other in prayer during times of difficulty. May we be a source of comfort . Dear God, help us be genuine friends for our companions, colleagues, and friends. May we have a heart of compassion when they go through difficult times. Help us be friends to whom they can turn at all times. Bless our friends, Lord, with good health in every way. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
PEARL 10
"We are taught by our elders at church and by the Bible to live quiet lives wherever God places us. What if someone takes what belongs to us? Should we still need to keep quiet and wait? See the daughters of Zelophehad in Numbers 27. Women were not allowed any inheritance later on; it went to the males in the family. But they saw the situation and took their case to the Lord. The Lord was quiet until none took it to Him, but He did justice for them and gave the same as a legal right for the generations to come in Israel.
Are we quietly enduring when peace is being taken away from the family? Are we quietly letting the enemy to steal every blessing like God expects us to have? Think about the times when the enemy steals kindness, love, respect, and understanding that you deserve to have. Where is the love between the parents and the children or between the couples under covenant? Why are we crying? Why do we need to struggle? There is no need. Get up, dear sons and daughters of God. Go to God, our Judge. Fight for the rights that the enemy stole from you. The Lord is even willing to create a new command for your sake. Take heart. God is still the same and will judge on our behalf. The only thing is, are you planning to endure, or are you planning to go and get your inheritance?
Dear God, help us live in abundance of peace and love in our families. May we receive what is ours. Be our judge and command goodness over us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."
PEARL 11
Many practical lessons can be learned from the letters in the New Testament. The letters hold strong advice against people who even attend fellowship meals but follow the ways of Cain, Sodom and Gomorrah, and, like Balaam, they show a selfish attitude. They speak terrible words against God, grumble, and blame others. They follow their own desires, boast about themselves, and flatter others to have their way. When you see these godless characters, be aware and separate yourself from them.
As Jude says in verse 20, pray in the Holy Spirit, build yourself in the faith, show mercy to others, and save others from eternal fires.He also warns us not even to touch sinful clothes. Finally, Jude praises God by saying that amidst all these challenges when you fight for your faith, in verse 24, he praises God as the one who is able to keep us from falling and keep us faultless and joyful in His presence. May we desire that faultless life.
Dear God, help us to be joyful, guard our words, keep us from falling, and may we be found faultless before you. We thank you for doing this for the sake of your matchless name. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
PEARL 12
Isaiah chapter 14 is one of the most powerful chapters in the Bible. It talks about the destruction of the king of Babylonia, who is considered cruel, an oppressor, one who persecutes the nations, shakes the earth, makes kingdoms tremble, and turns the world into a desert. He never frees his prisoners and lets them go home. We all are in a spiritual warfare and might have gone through this; we might be facing a cruel oppressor who never frees us from bondage. The Bible slowly reveals him as the bright morning star, which is Satan.
The war we wage in the spiritual realm is hard, but the Lord has written the end in verse 19 that he will be thrown into the Rocky pit. Verse 24 says, "What I have planned will happen, what I have determined to do will be done." We, as God's children, are freed by Christ and should walk with power, knowing the end of the enemy has been determined by the Lord. No bondage can hold you. The Lord is the Redeemer. Let us pray for everyone who suffers under cruelty, oppression, or bondage. Freedom is in the blood of Christ.
Dear God, we come before your powerful presence seeking the anointing, the protection, and the power you have stored for us in Christ. May we trample the enemy under our foot. May he tremble before us, and may we bind him. In the most powerful name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
PEARL 13
The Bible has recorded the lives of many people, young and old, rich and poor, wise and foolish. Here comes King Amaziah, the King of Judah. He was introduced in the Bible as the king who followed God but not with his whole heart in 2 Chronicles 25:2. There were many cruel kings and some good kings who ruled Israel and Judah. Some were completely bad, and some were extremely good. This man is in the middle. Before going to war, he had the wisdom to consult the Lord's prophet and acted upon it, but not every time. God gave him victory when he listened. He even followed the Lord's rule in the war. But he was not willing to face the consequences of acquiring Israel's soldiers for some price without asking the Lord. When he waged war without the Lord's counsel and help and went against Israel, he was captured. He shows how useless it is to follow the Lord without his whole heart. May we analyze ourselves and turn our ways to follow the Lord with our whole heart. We don't want momentary victory; we want to win it fully. Why do we need to fall and get up in our lives often? Be in complete reliance on God. May the Lord occupy every area of your life.
Dear God, help us to follow you with all our hearts. May nothing remain in our lives where you ought to be. We submit our lives to follow you fully. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
PEARL 14
Walls are supposed to protect us from enemies, natural disasters, or sudden attacks. The Book of Nehemiah tells us that Nehemiah was sad when he saw that Jerusalem, God's city, had broken walls. God gave him grace in the eyes of the king, and he went under his protection to build the walls. He faced numerous threats when he and his people tried to build the walls. He set up battle stations, and they fought against men who tried to destroy the walls. Nehemiah, the relentless leader, took charge and encouraged his people, saying, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." When his close friend tried to deceive him, he escaped the trap. Finally, he finished what he had started.
Hey, friend, do you see broken walls around you in your life? Keep watch and pray, as Nehemiah said to his people, "Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). When we lose our strength during difficult times, we cannot be victorious in finishing our mission. Let us stay joyful and praise God through our difficulties, building our walls and protecting our friends and families, keeping them under the blood of Christ.
Dear God, open our eyes to see the broken walls in our lives and help us build them wisely. May you empower us to build them. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
PEARL 15
When there came a fight between Lot's servant and Abraham's servant, Abraham didn't desire the lush green land but chose what was left by Lot. Being an elder, he decided not to choose but to take what was left from Lot. When he left, Lot, God blessed him, telling him he would give every side of the land that he sees.Lot lost his sensitivity in doing this to his brother and went back to live in the land of his choice among sinners. He was once again rescued by his brother Abraham when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were at war and lost. Lot didn't regain his sensitivity to leave Sodom after what he had gone through and went back to live in the land of his choice again. He nearly lost everything but didn't leave Sodom.Then again, when the Lord went to destroy Sodom, Abraham requested the lives of a few righteous if there were some, and God showed pity to Lot. When the people outside Lot's house wanted to violate the visitors, he talked foolishly to them. His situation was very pathetic. He said in verse 19:6, "Friends, I beg you, don't do such wicked things." He was foolishly willing to give them his daughters. Finally, the angels made those men blind to avoid any evil happening at Lot's house.When Lot went to the men whom his daughters were about to marry and asked them to get out of Sodom, verse 14 says, "They thought he was joking." When the Lord again asked him to go to the hill, verse 16 says he hesitated. The whole family witnessed all these delayed obediences of Lot before God, and they became utterly insensitive to go against God's word. His wife looked back and became a pillar of salt.Lot's daughters were watching everything and again wanted to bring back the sins of Sodom into their own family, polluting their generation by giving birth to their father's children. Lot was a complete failure in every way, unable to save his house, possessions, wife, or daughters from evil because he chose to dwell amongst evil. He left Abraham to get a land that is pleasing to his eyes.Dear friend, where are you now? If you are with friends who are leading you into sin, do not hesitate like Lot. Run away from there. Don't hesitate and ask for a small town near Sodom when God is coming to destroy them. Go to the mountain. Do not look back. Turn your ways to save what is left for you. Obey God's word completely with a sensitive heart. Do not say, "I will follow my heart, I will make choices that are pleasing to my eyes." Run away from that and save your life and your family's life.
Dear God, give us a sensitive heart to listen and completely obey your words. Help us be like Abraham in our choices. May we never go after what pleases us and not the Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
PEARL 16
Many of us might have been through interviews where they screen people with many rounds. In Judges chapter 7, we can see God screening people through many rounds to add them to His army. Our God is a different kind of captain. He wants to reduce as many people in His army so that glory belongs to Him. When God takes a war in His hand, it is He who fights. God told Gideon to reduce men from 22,000 to 300. God gave dreams to the Midianites to instill fear about Gideon and his army. The sword of Jehovah and of Gideon is the cry of the soldiers who were with Gideon when they reached the battlefield. The enemy army was so afraid that they fought among themselves. When the Lord enters the wars, it is the Lord who wages the war. You just have to walk in His victory. Dear friend, whatever battle you are in, give it to God and simply walk in His victory.
Dear God, we submit every thought that wages war in our minds to you. We submit every struggle in our lives to you. May you help us walk in your victory as you helped Gideon and his army. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
PEARL 17
Do we know our God? God shows how Israel was when it did not know its God. In Jeremiah Chapter 9, we can see how people who call themselves God's children will live when they don't know the Lord their God. The situation is no different from what we are living now. God calls them unfaithful and a mob of traitors. They were not faithful to their friends, brothers, or neighbors. God judged them accordingly. But, in the end, God says that when they do not know their God but boast about wisdom, strength, and wealth, it is of no use. Anyone can live a fruitful life only if they know who their Lord God is. Verse 9:24 says, "Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things, I delight," declares the Lord. All these are written so that we get closer to our God. Think for a minute about who we are to God. Will He say that we know Him? May we be found trustworthy by our friends, brothers, and neighbors and by our Lord God. May we live as if we know our Lord, as nothing is worth more than knowing Him personally.
Dear God, may we know you and boast only about you. May we live a life where our friends, neighbors, and brothers can trust us. May we know your constant love and justice. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
PEARL 18
"We all would like to have a life that is like heaven on earth. Is it even possible? We want someone to help us and get us out of trouble; we want a strong hero to rescue us when our life has storms or winds. We want to feel secure all the time. All of us definitely do not want to die. Is it even possible? Proverbs chapter 1 says this is possible when you let wisdom into your life. You should let it reprimand you when you are wrong, let it correct you, and never ignore it when it gives you advice. Then you will possess the life that is a heaven on earth. Yes, who is wisdom for us to listen to? 1 Corinthians 1:24 says, 'But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ Jesus is the power of God and the wisdom of God.' Yes, let Jesus (the wisdom) into your heart. May he guide you, embrace you, and give you the security for life and even afterlife that none can give under heaven. Dear loving Jesus, be our strength, be our power. Thank you for being our wisdom. We receive every good gift that you have in store for us as we embrace you. In Jesus' name, we thank. Amen."
PEARL 19
Jesus, during his time on Earth, faced numerous enemies determined to disrupt his alignment with God's will. He didn't conform to the conventional teachings of the Pharisees and Saduccees. Despite being well-versed in the Holy words, these scholars failed to recognize Jesus as the Living Word, the embodiment of God's promise—a profound irony. Their extensive knowledge didn't enable them to identify Jesus, leading them to question and attempt to discredit Him, as seen in Matthew 22:34 to 40 when they probed about the greatest commandments in the Law. Jesus replied, emphasizing the essence of loving God wholly and loving one's neighbor as oneself. Had the Pharisees focused on loving God and their neighbors rather than mere study, they might not have opposed Jesus, the embodiment of God Himself. Are we simply memorizing God's word or encountering it daily? Can we recognize Jesus and understand His people? Do we truly love them, or do we unintentionally judge their spiritual standing based on our biblical knowledge? Let's reflect. A kingdom divided against itself cannot flourish. Let us know our God, recognize His people, and respond as Jesus did—with calmness toward those who fail to perceive God's truth. Let us pray for open eyes and hearts to always discern God's presence, remaining composed when questioned about Him or His word. May we genuinely love God and the people He's placed in our lives. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
PEARL 20
Have you ever wondered why things are happening in the world in the way that they are happening? Ecclesiastes 8:9-16 goes like this: King Solomon tries to understand the world and finds these truths. Here in this world, some are given more power, and some suffer under them. Even evil men receive praise after their death. We can see the life of both the sinner and the righteous. At times, sinners flourish and the righteous die young. Yes, not everyone who dies young is bad or has done something wrong. Sometimes the wicked are rewarded and the righteous get punished. In verse 16, he says, however much he tries to understand what God is doing, he cannot understand. One thing we can do: we can trust God for the one single step that we are going to take now. Like we all know, God is not a joke; He is a friend but also the all-powerful creator. Like Job says, no one can question Him. If you are confused about the things that are happening around you, quietly surrender yourself to God, saying He knows everything. He never makes mistakes. I know it is tough to trust God with all our might when life gives you an unexpected blow. But our God, like a father, is always close to us. He turns sadness into joy; let us take every step of ours as a step of faith when we are in the unknown. May the God who guides us in the light guide us in the dark also. Dear God, strengthen us to face every unknown path in our life. May we never forget that you are always with us in the midst of all our questions. And may our faith grow and not get weakened at the difficult times. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
PEARL 21
"Our hearts will be glad and filled with praise whenever God does something special to make us happy, and we pray a lot then. Here is a man who took God for granted when God showed him His heart but regretted it when he was in distress. I'm talking about Jonah and his prayers in chapter 2. At church, there will be songs where we sing that we'll trust him in good times and in bad times, in ups and in lows, in joy or in sorrow. Hey, I'm not talking about the vow between a husband and wife who are united in the Lord before Christ. I'm saying that we have the same kind of relationship with God; that we should stay, cling on, and never leave both when we like or don't like what he asks us to do, asks us to go to some places, or be with some people. Because in the end, we will definitely see that God is so good, filled with love, and harms none. Jonah prays in verse 7: 'When I felt life slipping away, then, O Lord, I prayed to you, and in your holy temple, you heard me.' In verse 9, he says, 'Salvation comes from the Lord.' However much we struggle to accept hardships or do the Lord's will and obey His words during times where we feel like there is no hope, stay hopeful, as our God will hear us even when we are in the depths, inside the fish, praising instead of complaining. But hopelessness or an end where you will be cut off is never, ever for anyone who trusts the Lord. Dear God, may I always know and testify that you are faithful and true in all your ways. Thank you for being the embodiment of Love, grace, and mercy. May I remember the above when I am in the depths. I know you will answer my prayers. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."
PEARL 22
The only person who knows us fully is God. I wouldn't even say that we have a better understanding of ourselves. God knows our past, present, and future. When God revealed His plan to David for Solomon, son of David, David couldn't control his gratitude towards God. In 1 Chronicles, chapter 17, verse 18, David says, 'You know me well and yet you honor me, your servant.' Upon hearing the blessings God had in store for his descendants, David humbled himself. He found himself unworthy to receive anything from the Lord God. He went to the Lord's presence, sat down, and prayed. David was the king when he did this. No wealth, power, or victory gave him more satisfaction than the Lord's presence. Can we take a moment to think: are we separated from God just because of the small earthly job that we do? Do not lose your appointment with the King of Kings because of the job we do on earth. Are we thankful for everything God has done so far in our lives, even if we are waiting for a miracle, for divine intervention in some parts of our lives? May we develop the attitude of David, continually returning to the Lord and offering our thanksgiving. Only after he thanked God did he pray for the fulfillment of His promise to his descendants. He gathered his courage and prayed for them. Are we humbling ourselves like David to receive what God has in store for us and our descendants? Because we worship the same God who favored David. Dear God, we come to your presence seeking not just blessings but satisfaction in your presence. May we find joy there and, like David, thank you for every favor you have shown to our family and descendants. In Jesus' name, we thank you. Amen.
PEARL 23
We can learn tons of practical lessons for our everyday spiritual life from the teachings of Apostle Paul.
In Paul's letter to the Philippians, Paul warns the people not to follow Jewish external ceremonies. He even says to keep him as an example and imitate him in Chapter 3, Verse 17. If somebody has to boast about becoming righteous by following the Jewish tradition, Paul says it is him. He calls himself a pure-blooded Hebrew who followed all the rules in his past. But after he came to know Jesus, he stopped following the unnecessary traditions and focused on moving forward in becoming spiritually mature. Let us not develop any self-righteousness as we do the things we ought to do as Christians. Let us not get used to it and call it our righteousness. May we strive every day to win the race by trying to imitate Christ. May we keep ourselves before His throne of grace, analyze ourselves, and develop and grow in godly habits and characteristics. May God give us the boldness to say, 'imitate me,' as Paul said. May those who see us see the Christ that we wear over us and not the self-righteousness that comes through any tradition.
Take a moment and think, are we able to say that we are not mere Christians by tradition but by being born again in the spirit? If we are prey to this self-righteousness, it is definitely very hard to come out of it. We can find ourselves always accusing or arguing with others by clinging onto following certain religious standards that we have been following for years. We would have lost the clarity to understand that we are at fault. There is no place for humbling ourselves because of our firm, useless beliefs. May God, by His power, raise us from such a deadly pit.
There is yet another dangerous pit where you find some people. They will not follow traditions, but will expect you to accept every wrong thing they do in the name of "Love". They are the prey for excessive teaching of grace or extensive believer of human love. Too much of anything, as we know, is good for nothing.
Beware of both pitfalls and ask discernment from God to give you the wisdom to balance. Like in Mathew 7:15, you shall know them by fruits. If you watch closely they expect love for
they do and there will be no shade of agape love(God's selfless love) which has its main element as sacrifice.
Dear God, thank you for giving us the knowledge of knowing Christ, which is above EVERYTHING in the world. Dear God, let us not consider anything, any tradition as valuable than you. May we have a heart that considers only you as a profit and nothing else. Help us to become more like you every day. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
PEARL 24
God has given us all choices to make in life. Choices give us freedom and add more spice to living. For example, we decorate our home in a way we like, but we need to always align it with God's will.
Here comes a man who is God's choice. Wouldn't he be the best? Yes, Saul was God's choice to become the first king of Israel. What a glorious thing it is to be chosen by God himself. But this Saul started to disobey God one after another. When God asked him to completely destroy the Amalekites, he didn't do it. This broke God's heart. In 1 Samuel 28, we can see him talking with a woman who was a medium (verse 8). Just a few verses before, in verse 3, it says Saul forced all the fortune tellers and mediums to leave Israel. But now, as he is talking to one (a woman who was a medium), it means that he didn't clear them completely. Saul proves again and again to be a man with unfinished business.
God cannot entrust us with any responsibility if we don't finish our work fully.Let us inspect ourselves and look for things we have to completely let go of. Sins we have to overcome completely. Let us look for places where we have unfinished business and finish it completely. God has many sincere people like the shepherd boy David to do it for Him every day. May you keep your crown. Let it not be taken away from you. Do not be deceived by the lies of the enemy and play with your choices and responsibilities.
Dear God, may we be your people who would completely do the work that you have assigned for us. May we be responsible people who can be trusted by you to do the King's job. Guard us, Lord. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
PEARL 25
We are all living a life that has plans of God which were predestined. God gave His plans to Joshua in the book of Joshua, chapter 1. In verse 3, He says, 'As I told Moses, I have given you and all my people the entire land you will be marching over.' Then, in the following verse, God even names the would-be borders in the North, South, East, and West. In verse 5, He says, 'Joshua, no one will be able to defeat you as long as you live.' Thus, God predestined victory and possessions for Joshua and the people of Israel. God didn't ask Joshua to grow his arms; He asked Joshua to keep the commandments given by Moses. Yes, it is indeed a physical battle, but the victory depended on how prepared you are spiritually. As we prepare ourselves spiritually, God commands us to be determined and confident. Put your trust in God, study the law day and night. God has already minutely designed your future days, wars, and victory. Dear Jesus, help us not to worry about any challenges that are before us, as nothing can reach us without passing through Your hands. Thank you for the future You have predesigned for us. Help us to possess all without any single doubt. Strengthen us, Lord, in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
PEARL 26
Everyone's last word on Earth will be treasured by their loved ones. I clearly remember my dad's last word; it is 'Yesuve.' Our Lord and Saviour Jesus' last cry when he was hanging on the cross is remembered by the whole world till date. That includes the words from Psalm 22:1, which says, 'My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?'When any of us go through a painful path, our first and last hope is God. It is utter hopelessness that will make you say the above words. But the same psalmist who started the Psalm like this and poured His heart about the despise and scorn he is getting from people around him finishes by saying in verse 24, 'He does not ignore the poor or ignore their suffering; He does not turn away from them, but answers when they call for help.' In verse 31, he says, 'People not yet born will be told: "The Lord saved His people."'Yes, our Lord Jesus went through everything (at the cross) as has been described in this Psalm prophetically. And Yes, He saved us. Our God has gone through everything and earned salvation for us and for the generations that are yet to be born. May the love of Christ cover us and change every hopelessness into hopefulness in our lives.May none of our suffering be unanswered as Jesus went through the same to comfort us in our sufferings.
Dear God, thank you for saving us; thank you for your sacrifice on the cross. Thank you for being our comfort when we go through suffering. May the story of salvation be told everywhere. May none we know perish but have eternal life. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
PEARL 27
It is a noble character to always remember the people who did good things for us in the past.
In 1 Chronicles 19 we can see the following:
On hearing the news of king Nahash's death ,the king of Ammon, king David tried to do good to Nahash's son Hanun. David showed support by sending his men to meet Hanun.
But Hanun, the son of late king Nahash, was surrounded by ill-advising men in his court. Hanun trusted their advice and humiliated the men of David who were sent to him. David was quiet and didn't act in a rush. He chose to be quiet when humiliated.
Soon, we see Hanun, the son of Nahash coming to fight against David with help from paid Syrian armies. Nahash's son Hanun did more evil when he tried to cover his wrongdoing of insulting David's men. However, King David was always prepared and ready to face anything.
In the battlefield, we can see David's army was led by two brothers, Joab and Abishai. These two decided to divide their troops into two teams in the war.
In verse 10, Joab said to Abishai, 'If you see that the Syrians are defeating me, come and help me, and if the Ammonites are defeating you, I will come and help you.'
Joab and Abishai are shown here as an example.of how we should be helping each other as brothers and sisters in Christ when we go through any kind of challenges.
Joab and Abishai decided to fight the enemy from two different places, but they made sure they were aware of each other's situations so they could run to help each other.
We as sisters and brothers in Christ may be far apart, but are we aware of what struggles we are facing and giving support to our brothers and sisters in christ when they need our help?
Dear God, help us to never forget people who helped us in the past and let us do good to them like David.
May we have wisdom to identify the people who give us wrong counsel.
Bless us with brothers and sisters in Christ who stand with each other when we go through any challenges. May we be aware of what our brothers and sisters in Christ are going through. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
PEARL 28
Throughout our lives, we have encountered all sorts of people: those who love us, those who do not like us, those who adore us, and those who despise us. The same scenarios are depicted in 2 Samuel 16. When David went up to the mountain weeping, as Absalom joined Ahithophel and rebelled against David. On his way, David meets two people. One is Ziba, the man who gave two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred bunches of fresh fruits, and a leather bag full of wine. He cared for and comforted David in his life's toughest situation. The other man who came to meet David is Shimei. Verse 6 says he started throwing stones at David. He was not afraid of David's bodyguards and cursed him. David had no energy or mind to revenge against that fellow as he was in too much pain and humiliation. For David, the actual pain of being hunted by Absalom was painful, not Shimei's words. David was calm when he was given gifts by the first man, and he was also calm when he was insulted by the second man. David left his case to God. Hey friend, if you are seeing both of these people in your life at the same time, praise God for the good ones and leave the rest in God's hands. David was so sure that God knew what was happening in his life at the time of his weeping. One surprising thing about the world is the promises of people who say they will never leave our lives. But God will allow us to see through our tears those who truly stand. More than that, through all our weeping, God never leaves and stands with us. Dear God, may we never be shaken by the reactions of everyone around us. May we always be assured that your love is consistent. May we have the courage to stand with people when they weep. May we always keep ourselves away from cursing anyone. Like you have taught us, may we bless them. Help us to live your teachings, dear Jesus. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."
PEARL 29
Children are a blessing from the Lord. Some children in the Bible were anointed by God before they were even born. The Holy Spirit, God, is the one who helps us live a spirit-filled life. On our own power, it is not possible to please God, but when we are filled with the Spirit, we will be fruitful. How are we praying for our children? We may be waiting for them to be born, or they are already here as children, adolescents, youth, or even adults. Yes, we want them to be successful; we must have prayed for the blessings. But see how God blesses the children of His chosen people, His servants. Isaiah 44:3 says, 'I will pour my Spirit on your children, and my blessing on your descendants.' God will not withhold His blessings, but, most importantly, He wants them to be filled with the Spirit. May this be our prayers too: Let our children be filled with the Spirit; only then will our descendants be blessed. The spirit-filled life brings blessings along with it. May we thirst after it, as God is the God who gives water to the thirsty land.
Dear God, may the children whom you are going to bless or have blessed us with be filled with your Spirit. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
PEARL 30
God is the one who formed the idea of family. God created the universe, then created Adam, and after that, he made everything he would need from a place to live (Eden Gardens), food to eat (fruits of the trees), and a job to keep (Garden keeper). Finally, and most importantly, a companion for life. In God's perfect plan for any family, the provision is there even before the need started. God took utmost care to provide for their needs. This same God also gave them the challenge of not eating the fruit of knowledge in the middle of all blessings; this was the only restriction. Similarly, God in His faithfulness is good and able to provide all our needs as He is our creator.
Are we aware of the tree of knowledge in our lives? Do we have clarity on what we should avoid as a family? Is our family having any restrictions to keep the presence of God in our lives? In those days of Adam and Eve, it was only the forbidden tree and its fruits. These days, we face a lot more challenges in our society that can keep us away from God. May God give us strength and knowledge to identify every challenging element in society and keep us closer to Him. Let us not allow anything to steal His presence away from us.
Dear God, thank you for your amazing plans for our families. Help us to stay aware of everything in our family. Let nothing forbidden by you be in it. Let your abundant presence fill our families. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
PEARL 31
The Lord God created everything. When He created Adam and Eve, they were not born in sin. However, when the Snake was introduced, it was described as the most cunning of all animals. Was Eve merely deceived by an animal known for its cunning? When God cursed the snake in Genesis 3 verse 14, He said, "Her offspring will crush your head." Paul, in the Book of Romans, also mentions, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (16:20). Eve saw the snake and conversed with it as if it were just another animal, but Paul clearly states that we, as sons and daughters of God, will crush Satan, not just a snake. The prophecy about the snake refers to Christ crushing its head.
As children of God, are we aware of who we are? Or do we unknowingly engage with the devil, mistaking it for just a snake? We are supposed not to not talk, chat, look, or think about anything that separates us from God, we are to crush its head. It cost God His own son to redeem us from its (sin's) clutches. Let's be vigilant about anything in disguise around us. It's not just another animal; it's sin, it's Satan.
Dear God, grant us the wisdom to identify anything that tempts us. Be it in any disguise, let us not succumb to it. Help us live a glorious life on earth, not hurting the Holy Spirit within us or trading Him for anything. Protect us, Lord; surround us with a circle of fire. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.