Christ the Greatest Gift of All

 Today let us look into the facts of Christmas, Christmas without Christ in it is nothing but a religious festival. But, Christ is the reason for the celebration.

Christ the Greatest Gift of All.

True Meaning and The Truth of Christmas.

Christmas is not only about the Gifts, Cakes, Trees, Santas, etc. But it is about “Jesus Christ”, The Greatest Gift of All.

We see that Christmas gives us Joy, Peace and Meaning to our lives. But, this Truth is not known by many people. Let us look into some of the basic questions that are a hindrance for many to accept this Greatest Gift.

Some may question, How can Jesus claim to be God or the Messiah? They even may say anyone who was born at the time in Bethlehem in David’s Bloodline could have claimed to be The Messiah, but Why Jesus?

The answer is, We see that it was not only the Birthplace of Bethlehem or the Bloodline of David, but the irrefutable act of God through the Holy Spirit enabled Mary to conceive and give birth to Jesus.

Now, this claim of birth through a virgin is an impossible act of any human, as no one is born to a Virgin except for Jesus and, the Historicity of the scriptures proves that Jesus was born to a virgin, not only the historical records but also the “Prophecies”. Prophecies that date back to the creation and some 700 to 1000’s of years before the birth of Jesus.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Note: The Child is not given, but the Son.

This Son is an Everlasting Son of God, Who was with God and Was God - Jesus Christ

Many years ago now a couple of guys, Peter W. Stoner and Robert C. Newman wrote a book, “Science Speaks”. Their book was based on the science of probability and confirmed by the American Scientific Affiliation. It calculated the odds of any one man in all of human history fulfilling just eight of the 60 major prophecies fulfilled by the life of Christ. The conclusion they reached was that the probability that Jesus Christ of Nazareth could have fulfilled even eight prophecies would be 1 in 1017. That's 1 in 100, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000. That’s a lot of zero’s!.

Did Christianity Copy Earlier Myths?

Skeptics claim Christianity, including the vlrgln birth, is merely a repackaging of pagan "mystery 

religious." Not true, says apologist Alex McFarland. Contrary to mythology,"the New Testament 

deals with actual persons and historical events open to investigation,” he said.

Researcher Gretchen Passantino agrees that Christ's birth is radically different from these 

mythological tales."For example, Instead of a virgin willingly conceiving by the invisible power of God, the myths gave us lurid tales of lusty gods having forced sex with women," she said. "Instead of the Incarnation, the myths gave us half-human, half-divine superheroes subject to the same weaknesses, sins, and frustrations as we are."

Albert Schueitzer said those who claim Christianity was derived from these myths "manufacture out of the various fragments of information a kind of universal mystery religion which never existed." And C. S. Lewis confirmed Christianity originated "in a circle where no 

trace of the nature religion was present."

We also see “Unlikely Characters, less respected in the society who were chosen in God’s plan for Christmas. God chose Mary, Joseph and the Angel appeared to the “Wisemen” and also to the “Shepherds”.

Now, let us look into the Gospel writers, as these were the ones who by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote to us the “Birth, Life, Death and Resurrection” of Jesus.

Matthew, A Tax Collector, comes probably only next to “judas iscariot” in the cultural standards and was chosen to write the Gospel of Matthew, which happens to be the first book in our Bible’s New Testament.

Mark & Luke were not the Eyewitness Disciples, but Luke was a gentile. But yet God chose them to write the Gospels.

Mystery of Q

The Q source (also called Q document, Q Gospel, or Q from German: Quelle, meaning "source") is a hypothetical written collection of primarily Jesus' sayings (λόγια : logia). Q is part of the common material found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke but not in the Gospel of Mark. According to this hypothesis, this material was drawn from the early Church's oral gospel traditions.

Undeniable Historical Evidence for the Existence of Jesus 

Comparing Bible/Ancient History: Alexander

We see that Alexander’s first record was almost 400 years after his death, written by Plutarch in 60 AD, whereas Jesus’ was by his own disciples within a period of 20-80 years and the number of manuscripts are also around 5,000 Gospel Manuscripts.

If you can believe the facts about Alexander, you can believe the facts about Jesus.

May God Bless you in this season of Christmas.

Merry Christmas

Perspectives of Christmas from a different angle

We will look into different Perspectives of the First Christmas from various angles. We observe some most common responses from different people to the Good News. Good News for All the People, but Bad News for few.

Perspectives. Christmas from a different angle.

The Birth of Jesus. One of the most significant events in human history.

We will look into different Perspectives of the First Christmas from various angles. We observe some most common responses from different people to the Good News. Good News for All the People, but Bad News for few.


To Mary and Joseph the earthly parents, When they were told that the birth will be by holy spirit, what was their response?

Mary was greeted by an Angel in Luke 1:28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

Joseph was Faithful as the scripture says in Matthew 1:19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

They did have a hard road, no place for the baby. The God who created the Universe, now in a manger.

To the Shepherds. They were awaiting for the Messiah, they do know about Angels. But, when all things happened suddenly they too were afraid. 

Luke 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

The Gospel was preached to the Shepherds and this shows us that God is concerned about the least.

The Shepherds were also so responsive, they were awaiting for the Messiah, when they heard Angel’s news they did not sit quietly but went in search of the Baby and then they spread the News not just holding on to it, ultimately they returned “Praising and Thanking God”.

Blessed are the pure in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.

Now, the next person in the list and his perspective on the birth of Christ was a shock and a threat for his power and position. King Herod

The Shepherds were Joyful. But, Herod and all the officials were troubled. Shepherds said, let us go and see what the Angels said, but Herod inquired and said, bring back to me, that I may come and worship Him also?

We also see the wise men... They too when they saw they were exceedingly Joy. But, initially they went to the Palace to look for the King.

We see some unusual aspects of Christmas

Angels - Spoke to Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds. 

Star - Showed the Path for the wisemen.

Dream -  Came as a warning to the wisemen.

Angel in a dream - to Joseph

We see the Hardening of Heart, Herod Troubled, Angry.... And Dead.

James 1:15 says Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Commercial Aspects of Christmas...

Now, today how do people receive this Good News of Great Joy for All People.

We still have Mary and Joseph for whom the birth of Jesus may be Joyful, but may have to undergo some trouble, some difficulties. But, as Jesus said, 

John 16:21

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.

The humility and obedience:  Philippians 2:8 

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Shepherds: Let’s go and they spread the word... The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God.

Simeon: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

    you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

31     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

    and the glory of your people Israel.: “This child is destined to cause the falling(AC) and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Anna: 36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Commercial aspect of Christmas:

Christmas - Today many people think about what can I gain through Christmas? Christ a threat to my business, my progress, my destiny as a sole owner of my life? So there is a manipulation of worship, Christmas is just to get my own things? Hardened heart, never repentant, Angry, rebellious, leads to evil schemes and finally death. 

Proverbs 21:2 

A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.

Proverbs 14:12 

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Proverbs 16:25

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Today there are many who say, “I don't believe in Virgin Birth, though Jesus may be a savior. I don't think he is my God and Savior..etc

But, let us be like Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, Simeon, Anna etc and celebrate Christmas, Christ’s Birth, receive him with humility, humble ourselves and Spread the Good News to All the People, Praising And Glorifying God, no matter what the situation we are in, If God is for Us who can be against us?

We ultimately see that the King of Kings - Jesus gives up his life for the “Children”. A complete contrast in the objective, even before his death, Jesus washes his disciples feet - A completely different perspective of “Leadership” that Jesus teaches us is called “Servant Leadership”.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, May God Bless You

Parallels in Christmas

 Today we hear about an alternative for the evolutionary concept as “Parallel Universe”, where did the atom come from? And the answer most probably will be, “From some other planet”.

Parallels in our life gives us an understanding about the things which we can relate to. Note Parallels are not comparisons like the Israelites who complain to God for Mean, Fish, cucumbers,  melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 

Exodus 16:3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”


Numbers 11:5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.

But, even if they have to compare, they should look at God and say confidently like David, in 1 Samuel 17:37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.”

Virgin Birth:

The Virgin Birth: Plausible, if God Exists

The Apostles’ Creed, an early creed of the Christian faith, affirms that Jesus Christ “was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary.” If this belief is true, it means that Jesus’ entrance into human history isn’t just a tad different, but completely unique.

We can’t, of course, make the same kind of historical argument for the virgin birth that we can make for the resurrection. In the case of the resurrection, numerous eyewitnesses saw Jesus die and also later saw Him come back from the dead. But no eyewitness can attest to how Mary became pregnant. If Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, that event was private.

Atheists, of course, declare it to be a “biological impossibility” for a virgin woman to give birth. In one sense they’re correct: humans, like other mammals, are normally incapable of parthenogenesis (a word that derives from Greek words meaning “virgin” and “birth”). But in another sense they’re completely wrong.

Affirming the virgin birth of Christ as “miraculous” does not mean having to believe that the laws of nature have been broken or violated. Just because a virgin birth is not naturally possible doesn’t mean we rule out the possibility of there being a God not bound by the laws of nature.

Herod’s brutal Murder:

Herod’s brutal order to “kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under” (2:16) parallels the order of Pharaoh, “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile” (Ex 1:22). The similarity is not lost on Matthew. Through these events in his early life, Jesus is a new Moses, prepared in Egypt to lead his people into the Promised Land and thus to fulfill the blessings of Abraham.

Psalm 50 - A psalm of Asaph. God the Judge of the Righteous and the Wicked.

 Psalm 50

New International Version

Psalm 50

A psalm of Asaph.

1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord,
    speaks and summons the earth
    from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
    God shines forth.
3 Our God comes
    and will not be silent;
a fire devours before him,
    and around him a tempest rages.
4 He summons the heavens above,
    and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 “Gather to me this consecrated people,
    who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
    for he is a God of justice.[a][b]

7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak;
    I will testify against you, Israel:
    I am God, your God.
8 I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices
    or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall
    or of goats from your pens,
10 for every animal of the forest is mine,
    and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird in the mountains,
    and the insects in the fields are mine.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you,
    for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
    or drink the blood of goats?

14 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
    fulfill your vows to the Most High,
15 and call on me in the day of trouble;
    I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

16 But to the wicked person, God says:

“What right have you to recite my laws
    or take my covenant on your lips?
17 You hate my instruction
    and cast my words behind you.
18 When you see a thief, you join with him;
    you throw in your lot with adulterers.
19 You use your mouth for evil
    and harness your tongue to deceit.
20 You sit and testify against your brother
    and slander your own mother’s son.
21 When you did these things and I kept silent,
    you thought I was exactly[c] like you.
But I now arraign you
    and set my accusations before you.

22 “Consider this, you who forget God,
    or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,
    and to the blameless[d] I will show my salvation.”

Tamil, Psalms 50 1   வல்லமையுள்ள தேவனாகிய கர்த்தர் வசனித்து, சூரியன் உதிக்குந் திசைதொடங்கி அது அஸ்தமிக்குந் திசைவரைக்குமுள்ள பூமியைக் கூப்பிடுகிறார். 2   பூரண வடிவுள்ள சீயோனிலிருந்து தேவன் பிரகாசிக்கிறார். 3   நம்முடைய தேவன் வருவார், மவுனமாயிரார்; அவருக்குமுன் அக்கினி பட்சிக்கும்; அவரைச் சுற்றிலும் மகா புசல் கொந்தளிப்பாயிருக்கும். 4   அவர் தம்முடைய ஜனத்தை நியாயந்தீர்க்க உயர இருக்கும் வானங்களையும் பூமியையும் கூப்பிடுவார். 5   பலியினாலே என்னோடே உடன்படிக்கை பண்ணின என்னுடைய பரிசுத்தவான்களை என்னிடத்தில் கூட்டுங்கள் என்பார். 6   வானங்கள் அவருடைய நீதியை அறிவிக்கும்; தேவனே நியாயாதிபதி. (சேலா.) 7   என் ஜனமே, கேள், நான் பேசுவேன்; இஸ்ரவேலே, உனக்கு விரோதமாய்ச் சாட்சியிடுவேன்; நானே தேவன், உன் தேவனாயிருக்கிறேன். 8   உன் பலிகளினிமித்தம் உன்னைக் கடிந்துகொள்ளேன்; உன் தகனபலிகள் எப்போதும் எனக்கு முன்பாக இருக்கிறது. 9   உன் வீட்டிலிருந்து காளைகளையும், உன் தொழுவங்களிலிருந்து ஆட்டுக்கடாக்களையும் நான் வாங்கிக்கொள்வதில்லை. 10  சகல காட்டுஜீவன்களும், பர்வதங்களில் ஆயிரமாயிரமாய்த் திரிகிற மிருகங்களும் என்னுடையவைகள். 11  மலைகளிலுள்ள பறவைகளையெல்லாம் அறிவேன்; வெளியில் நடமாடுகிறவைகளெல்லாம் என்னுடையவைகள். 12  நான் பசியாயிருந்தால் உனக்குச் சொல்லேன்; பூமியும் அதின் நிறைவும் என்னுடையவைகளே. 13  நான் எருதுகளின் மாம்சம் புசித்து, ஆட்டுக்கடாக்களின் இரத்தம் குடிப்பேனோ? 14  நீ தேவனுக்கு ஸ்தோத்திரபலியிட்டு, உன்னதமானவருக்கு உன் பொருத்தனைகளைச் செலுத்தி; 15  ஆபத்துக்காலத்தில் என்னை நோக்கிக் கூப்பிடு; நான் உன்னை விடுவிப்பேன், நீ என்னை மகிமைப்படுத்துவாய். 16  தேவன் துன்மார்க்கனை நோக்கி: நீ என் பிரமாணங்களை எடுத்துரைக்கவும், என் உடன்படிக்கையை உன் வாயினால் சொல்லவும், உனக்கு என்ன நியாயமுண்டு. 17  சிட்சையை நீ பகைத்து, என் வார்த்தைகளை உனக்குப் பின்னாக எறிந்துபோடுகிறாய். 18  நீ திருடனைக் காணும்போது அவனோடு ஒருமித்துப்போகிறாய்; விபசாரரோடும் உனக்குப் பங்குண்டு. 19  உன் வாயைப் பொல்லாப்புக்குத் திறக்கிறாய், உன் நாவு சற்பனையைப் பிணைக்கிறது. 20  நீ உட்கார்ந்து உன் சகோதரனுக்கு விரோதமாய்ப் பேசி, உன் தாயின் மகனுக்கு அவதூறு உண்டாக்குகிறாய். 21  இவைகளை நீ செய்யும்போது நான் மவுனமாயிருந்தேன், உன்னைப்போல் நானும் இருப்பேன் என்று நினைவு கொண்டாய்; ஆனாலும் நான் உன்னைக் கடிந்துகொண்டு, அவைகளை உன் கண்களுக்கு முன்பாக ஒவ்வொன்றாக நிறுத்துவேன். 22  தேவனை மறக்கிறவர்களே, இதைச் சிந்தித்துக்கொள்ளுங்கள்; இல்லாவிட்டால் நான் உங்களைப் பீறிப்போடுவேன், ஒருவரும் உங்களை விடுவிப்பதில்லை. 23  ஸ்தோத்திர பலியிடுகிறவன் என்னை மகிமைப்படுத்துகிறான்; தன் வழியைச் செவ்வைப்படுத்துகிறவனுக்கு தேவனுடைய இரட்சிப்பை வெளிப்படுத்துவேன் என்று சொல்லுகிறார்.

வல்லமையுள்ள தேவன்:
ஏசாயா 9:6 - நமக்கு ஒரு பாலகன் பிறந்தார்; நமக்கு ஒரு குமாரன் கொடுக்கப்பட்டார்; கர்த்தத்துவம் அவர் தோளின்மேலிருக்கும்; அவர் நாமம் அதிசயமானவர், ஆலோசனைக் கர்த்தா, வல்லமையுள்ள தேவன், நித்திய பிதா, சமாதானப்பிரபு என்னப்படும்.


"holy place" or "kingdom of heaven" 

God the Judge of the Righteous and the Wicked.

7 - தாவீதின் சிங்காசனத்தையும் அவனுடைய ராஜ்யத்தையும் அவர் திடப்படுத்தி அதை இதுமுதற்கொண்டு என்றென்றைக்கும் நியாயத்திலும் நீதியினாலும் நிலைப்படுத்தும்படிக்கு, அவருடைய கர்த்தத்துவத்தின் பெருக்கத்துக்கும், அதின் சமாதானத்துக்கும் முடிவில்லை; சேனைகளின் கர்த்தருடைய வைராக்கியம் இதைச் செய்யும்.

Might God, He is the one who Judges, He Judges everyone. Then God tells us what we need to do. About the Wicked.

What should we do?
Call upon the Lord...
Thanksgiving - sacrifice thank offerings honor me

Gideon

 Scripture Verse:

Judges 6:11-23  Gideon

11 Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash lthe Abiezrite, while his son mGideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And the nAngel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is owith you, you mighty man of valor!”

13 Gideon said to Him, “O 3my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And pwhere are all His miracles qwhich our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has rforsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”

14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, s“Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. tHave I not sent you?”

15 So he said to Him, “O 4my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed umy clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”

16 And the Lord said to him, v“Surely I will be with you, and you shall 5defeat the Midianites as one man.”

17 Then he said to Him, “If now I have found favor in Your sight, then wshow me a sign that it is You who talk with me. 18 xDo not depart from here, I pray, until I come to You and bring out my offering and set it before You.”

And He said, “I will wait until you come back.”

19 ySo Gideon went in and prepared a young goat, and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot; and he brought them out to Him under the terebinth tree and presented them. 20 The Angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread and zlay them on this rock, and apour out the broth.” And he did so.

21 Then the Angel of the Lord put out the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and bfire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the Lord departed out of his sight.

22 Now Gideon cperceived that He was the Angel of the Lord. So Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! dFor I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.”

23 Then the Lord said to him, e“Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.” 24 So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it 6The-Lord-Is-Peace. To this day it is still fin Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

Revelation 2&3

Good News of Great Joy for all the people

Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 

God came to the lowly of lowlys 

For King Herod, it is not a "Good News."

Even now, just like the King Herod. For many it's not a Good News, they outwardly reject the Gospel. 

God wants us to be happy

 Joy in the midst of suffering, the Bible is full of people who were Joyful even though they were in pain & suffering.

We haven't explored life so much with the gifts that we have and most often like Israelites complain God about the pain & suffering.

 Joseph in pit, Daniel in Lion's den, David in wilderness, Apostle Paul in Prison exhibited great faith, but also exhibited another important aspect in life and that is endurance or long suffering.

Matthew 24:13 KJV

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

What worrying does:

It brings down your energy level, it stops God's Blessing for your life. Often every Godly suffering is a blessing in disguise. If Joseph was just worrying and wondering about the pit or the prison saying the pit is this dimensions and the prison is for a misjudgment etc he wouldn't have come out of with the pit or prison to be the second only powerfully person. But, he was joyful in God, he was able to endure the sufferings.

The best of all examples is our lord and savior Jesus Christ's. Hebrew 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

all things work together for good to those who love God - Rom 8:28

 

Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. ... It says: “In everything give thanks.” Both “bad” and good.



Today, as I was about to go to a place where we sought permission to distribute about 30 English NTs(New Testaments) yesterday, after reaching the place I realized that we didn't have enough NTs (had only 10-15) and the other box which I took was having only Kannada NTs, was so disappointed since I had also informed another Gideon to come to the place for distribution, He had already left home and has come to the place of distribution, but since we didn't have enough NTs we decided to seek permissions in the nearby Hotels and God helped us to get the permission from a Hotel which has 24 rooms in it. If in case we had the 30 English NTs with us, we would have only given those in this place, we might not have went to seek permission to the Hotels.

At the moment we got the permission, I just remembered the verse from Romans 8:28

Paul the Apostle wrote this Epistle to explain that salvation is offered through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Romans is the longest of the Pauline epistles.

Relying on God and His Word will enable us to see "Things working for Good", Note "All".

All and Everything:
I was little frustrated that I didn't have enough NTs, but asked God for his Wisdom and he helped us to go further to seek permission to the near by Hotels.

1 Timothy 1:17

New Living Translation

17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

Luke 4:16-30

 Luke 4:16-30 NASB

And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.” And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” And He said to them, “No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’ ” And He said, “Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown. But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, He went His way.

Luke 4:1-15 Jesus in the Wilderness

 The Temptation of Jesus

4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around [a]by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry. 3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

5 And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of [b]the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and [c]its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore if You [d]worship before me, it shall all be Yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”

9 And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; 10 for it is written,

‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard You,’

11 and,

‘On their hands they will bear You up,

So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”

12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.

Jesus’ Public Ministry

14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15 And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.



Questions to ponder about:

Describe this wilderness experience of Jesus.
Jesus was fasting for 40 days, the significance of 40 days in the Bible is enormous.

In What ways is he susceptible to Satan's attacks?
Physically Hungry, Alone without any one, No source of anything of the world like shelter.

At what times are you most susceptible to Satan's attacks?
In our highs and lows.

Compare the three tests Satan puts to Jesus as to 
a. specific content: Easu's example, if questions...
b. appeal to what aspect of human nature: Imagination, Deception, 
c. progression in intensity: From the inference of Jesus' response... "It is Written"..

Jesus' reply: 
Not only to physical or material...but Spiritual
We are not created to worship anything except to Worship God.
We are not to test God.

What is the real issue of the first temptation?
Real issue is "Spiritual" not "Physical".

How does the second test clarify your understanding for the problem of evil and world affairs?
Problem of evil and world affairs are "putting imagination instead of actual things", "distorting Truth", "Deception" 

Explain how Jesus' answer to the third test is a fitting response to Satan's challenge?
Jesus responded not only by saying "What is Written", but "What not to do". By this answer Satan left. Because if we are asked to "test" God and we don't that is the ultimate success. Testing God is "Not obeying his Word", "It is testing his patience and not being patience with him", "It is being insecure", "It is not trusting God"... etc So, everyday we are being tested to test God, but we as like Jesus should be shrewd enough to answer the evil.

Do you recognize temptation for what it is? 
Physical or Psychological
Imagination or Deception
Testing or Doubting

Are the issues here still temptations to the Christian church?
Yes, even more. Hebrews 12:16 - See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.

How are these temptations inconclusive(not leading to a firm conclusion or result; not ending doubt or dispute)? 
It is so inconclusive that only God can answer, God will not allow us to be tempted these way - 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken hold of you but such as is common to man. But God is faithful; He will not suffer you to be tempted beyond that which ye are able to bear, but with the temptation will also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

James 1:13-15

King James Version

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.


Of what value to you is knowing that Jesus has been tempted in every way you are?
Hebrews 4:15 - For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin.

Describe his return to Galilee. Imagine Satan's reaction to these facts.
v14-15 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15 And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.

the very reason the devil thought Jesus to stumble and fail, Jesus won it victoriously, his reaction will be very sad because by the power of the Spirit, Jesus' news spread through all the surrounding district. And Jesus began teaching in their synagogues and was "PRAISED BY ALL" - "Only God is to be Praised".