Faith, Miracles and Healing

When Jesus was here on earth as a human being, He did all the possible things what a God in human form could do. In fact that is more than our thoughts and imaginations. Many of them were not written, as John says - John 20:30 NIV
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.

John 21:25 NIV

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

But what we need to understand is that what has been given to us through the scripture is for our edification and learning from it. Holy Spirit will enable us to understand everything as he will make us understand why we are given a particular message for our reference and what we can understand from that, how we should act to it, how those messages will affect our decision making and how we use it when we are at tough times. Holy Spirit will give us strength. The Word - That became flesh, Jesus Christ is our model, that we should mold our-self into his image.

The Healing, miracles and Faith proclamation of the people at the time of Jesus Christ is still alive in our hearts as we read through them, because it encourages us to be Faithful and to have Hope in him.

2 Peter 1:3 NIV
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.


In John, we see that the first miracle Jesus does is -

Turning the Water into Wine.

John 2:1-11 (NASB)
Miracle at Cana
2 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus *said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus *said to her, “Woman, [a]what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother *said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” 6 Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing [b]twenty or thirty gallons each. 7 Jesus *said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He *said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the [c]headwaiter.” So they took it to him. 9 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter *called the bridegroom, 10 and *said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have [d]drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This beginning of His [e]signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.


The Healing at the sheep gate pool

John 5 (NASB)
The Healing at Bethesda
1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in[a]Hebrew [b]Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [[c]waiting for the moving of the waters; 4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.]5 A man was there who had been [d]ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He *said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus *said to him,“Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” 9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.



Jesus' Miracles and Healing are more to do with the situations and circumstances, where people had very limited aspects to do something for themselves, but when it comes to the Faith... "The great Faith" that Jesus says about. Is either through humility or through the faith itself. Faith in God, Faith in the Healing or Miracle. As Jesus rightly points out,

Matthew 9:29 NIV
Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be done to you";

The Faith of The Centurion
Matthew 8:5-13 (NASB)
5 And when [a]Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, 6 and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.” 7 Jesus *said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 10 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. 11 I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; 12 but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment.

The Faith of The Woman having an issue of blood for twelve years
Luke 8:43-48 (KJV)
43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

Life's Most Difficult Questions - III

Faith has been a matter of Conscious choice, but there are question about it. The questions like, Is is predestined to be or is it my own will?

The question of predestination has one severe problem, the problem of choice. If everything is predestined, you had no choice of doing wrong. Because you have already been predestined to do wrong and you can escape from the blame of wrong choices in life, just by saying. It's already written.

The free-will on the other hand also has lot many problems. If everything is my choice, were is the choice for my joy, which am constantly chasing for. If I don't like what I get, I am no more in control of it. It should have been a destiny rather than just choices.

The word of God helps us understand this two difficult views and gives us the right understanding of what God wants us to understand.

Ephesians 1:5 NIV
he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--

Romans 8:29 NIV

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Predestined means. There is a consequence for our every action. Say suppose, "If we consciously chose to be the Disciple of Jesus, We will be called Sons and Daughters," More specifically. If we chose God we are destined to be with him forever.

The greatest Love that any person can show us is to allow us to be what we are, not the other way. God gave us that opportunity of free will to chose and worship him. Say, if God is controlling us each and every moment, we have no choice of selecting him, choosing him, seeking his kingdom first, repentance.... The Joy of Salvation, the Hope for our destiny, the meaning for our sufferings, the Son ship would have never been there. Freewill and choices of our life is the greatest gift, if only we know that he has given us so that we can consciously chose him and to obey him.


At the same time there are things which we have no control of, God made this way again only to chose and obey him. We had no choice of our color and origin. We had no choice of our nationality and race.We are clay and he is the Potter.

Jeremiah 18 (NASB)

The Potter and the Clay
18 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord saying, 2 “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will announce My words to you.” 3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. 4 But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 6 “Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. 7 At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; 8 if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it. 9 Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it; 10 if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it. 11 So now then, speak to the men of Judah and against the inhabitants of Jerusalem saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Behold, I am fashioning calamity against you and devising a plan against you. Oh turn back, each of you from his evil way, and reform your ways and your deeds.”’ 12 But they will say, ‘It’s hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’

13 “Therefore thus says the Lord,
‘Ask now among the nations,
Who ever heard the like of this?
The virgin of Israel
Has done a most appalling thing.
14 ‘Does the snow of Lebanon forsake the rock of the open country?
Or is the cold flowing water from a foreign land ever snatched away?
15 ‘For My people have forgotten Me,
They burn incense to worthless gods
And they have stumbled from their ways,
From the ancient paths,
To walk in bypaths,
Not on a highway,
16 To make their land a desolation,
An object of perpetual hissing;
Everyone who passes by it will be astonished
And shake his head.
17 ‘Like an east wind I will scatter them
Before the enemy;
I will show them My back and not My face
In the day of their calamity.’”
18 Then they said, “Come and let us devise plans against Jeremiah. Surely the law is not going to be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the sage, nor the divine word to the prophet! Come on and let us strike at him with our tongue, and let us give no heed to any of his words.”

19 Do give heed to me, O Lord,
And listen to what my opponents are saying!
20 Should good be repaid with evil?
For they have dug a pit for me.
Remember how I stood before You
To speak good on their behalf,
So as to turn away Your wrath from them.
21 Therefore, give their children over to famine
And deliver them up to the power of the sword;
And let their wives become childless and widowed.
Let their men also be smitten to death,
Their young men struck down by the sword in battle.
22 May an outcry be heard from their houses,
When You suddenly bring raiders upon them;
For they have dug a pit to capture me
And hidden snares for my feet.
23 Yet You, O Lord, know
All their deadly designs against me;
Do not forgive their iniquity
Or blot out their sin from Your sight.
But may they be overthrown before You;
Deal with them in the time of Your anger!

Hard Questions of Life - II

The Questions about life after death.

1 Corinthians 2:7 NIV
No, we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.


God is eternal. The most important question that anyone will have in life is about death. In fact is there life after death?
John 14:3 NIV
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

The Bible always confirms us that this life is much like a temporary assignment. The life that Jesus always speaks about is the life after this.

John 16:33 NIV
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."


There are many other world views that looks at this life as a supreme form of being that has been attained just by the chance of an overlap on the hierarchy. Many other world view thinks that this life is the end and there is no hope for any to have an everlasting life. The other world view states that there may be different form of life after this.

But Christian world view is the only one which states the argument differently. Jesus did not say that this life will not be difficult, but he did confirm, that this life will be difficult. He took all the sorrows and pain. The sin that would cost our lives, he took it on the cross, giving us an HOPE for an EVERLASTING life. No other world view claims such profound statement of TRUTH.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Hard Questions of Life

The skeptics question as to why God did not make it easy to follow him by making everyone to believe in him, rather why did he gave the choice?

The answer is difficult to answer, but this one thing is very much required. Once we know who God is, we should understand he has made all the efforts to make us understand who he is, we did not chose to... The choice may be ours, but as the potter has all the ability to mold and make, he created us in a particular way.

In this way if we chose to dishonor him, by saying why he has not made other in the way, we are sitting in the Judgmental seat and ordering God what needs to be done, or do we have such intelligence to do so? Our only aim is to be like him, loving and caring others. Most of the time we look at these problems of life rather than helping to solve it.

If there is a valley there should be a hill. How can one justify Bad, when there is no Good? There has to be certain plan behind all these, Say for example - In the Old Testament God says to Moses-

Exodus 10:1 NIV
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them

Job's Suffering is an other example from the Old Testament:

In the New Testament, Jesus says about unbelief:

John 12:37-50 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 “He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them.” 41 These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. 42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.

44 And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46 I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”

Many does't want anything to be in control. They need freedom for their wrongdoings:
John 1:5 NIV
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Many because of the Fear of rejection and Fear of their identity:2 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.


The Parable of the Sower explains much better of the fact as to why some may chose to obey the Word of God and why other reject or why is it so that some have their hearts harden.


Matthew 13:1-43New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Jesus Teaches in Parables
13 That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. 2 And [a]large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach.

3 And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 Others fell [b]among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. 8 And others fell on the good soil and *yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 He who has ears, [c]let him hear.”

An Explanation
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11 [d]Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 [e]In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,

‘[f]You will keep on hearing, [g]but will not understand;
[h]You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;
15 For the heart of this people has become dull,
With their ears they scarcely hear,
And they have closed their eyes,
Otherwise they would see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return,
And I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

The Sower Explained
18 “Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the [i]word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. 20 The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the [j]word, immediately he [k]falls away. 22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the [l]world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 23 And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”

Tares among Wheat
24 Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven [m]may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed [n]tares among the wheat, and went away. 26 But when the [o]wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. 27 The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? [p]How then does it have tares?’ 28 And he said to them, ‘An [q]enemy has done this!’ The slaves *said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he *said, ‘No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

The Mustard Seed
31 He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; 32 and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the [r]air come and nest in its branches.”

The Leaven
33 He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three [s]pecks of flour until it was all leavened.”

34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

“I will open My mouth in parables;
I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”
The Tares Explained

36 Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the [t]tares of the field.” 37 And He said, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 38 and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the [u]end of the age; and the reapers are angels. 40 So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the [v]end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom [w]all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, [x]let him hear.

Looking at the Big Picture of Life

What will happen if all our beliefs were found to be false? Say our Faith in God. Today's world is pulling us down to look for that option, things like, "What if the Faith is a lie". But, we will have to understand that in old testament when there were sever opposition on Faith, People have given their life to protect, So its not uncommon in the history of the world.

If my Faith seems to be false what I am about to lose is much better than what I may lose if I do not Believe at all. Though I may not find answers for all the doubts and troubles the world faces because of Faith, I will still hold on to my God, who will reveal it to me on that day, when I finally make it to heaven.

The Hope for that Day:
Its not just only the Hope for an everlasting Joy and Happiness, but also for those answers, for those difficulties that we may have faced during these days in the world. He will wipe our tears. Where ther is no thief to steal or rob our Joy, belongings.

That Day:
We does't know when the time or the day will be like, when heaven invades the earth. But we should be always confident of that Hope. We should Watch & Pray. We should be prepared.

The Body is the Temple:
Our bodies are considered as Holy, Not because of our flesh, but because of the Spirit of God's dwelling place. Our Body is called as "The Temple of Holy Spirit".

Mend your Mind like that of a Child:
Jesus said, Matthew 18:3 NIV
And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.


Paul says four things to attain the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:10-11 New International Version (NIV)
10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

I want to know Christ - His is the Son of God, God manifested in flesh.

Power of Resurrection - Life Everlasting, Jesus said John 11:25 NIV
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;

Participating in his sufferings - 1 Peter 2:21 NIV
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Becoming like him in his death - Jesus said -
John 12:24 NIV
Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

Also in I Corinthians 15:35-58 Paul says about, "The Resurrection Body".

Those little things that matters

Luke 16:10 NIV

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

The Cause and Effect - The Butterfly Effect

Chaos theory studies the behavior of dynamical systems that are highly sensitive to initial conditions—a response popularly referred to as the butterfly effect. Small differences in initial conditions (such as those due to rounding errors in numerical computation) yield widely diverging outcomes for such dynamical systems, rendering long-term prediction impossible in general.

If only we know that there is an eternal consequence for our motive and action we will be very much aware in what we speak and in what we do.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 NIV

When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people's hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.

In the Parable of Tares, We see  that there is a day of harvest when the Tares will be separated and burnt. In the Parable of Goats and Sheep also, When God separates the Goats from the Sheep... Many will come and say, "Lord we have promised in your name, we have healed in your name." But God says, "I never know you". This is because they have not done things as per the will of God.

Any act of human will have a consequence, if only we obey his commands and follow his footsteps. Ask him for forgiveness and do everything as according to his will, we will be saved. 

Matthew 5:25 NIV

"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

Our Judge is God and the only one we have to fear. We need to repent and allow him to take control of our life, we need to make decisions that will be of his will.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

so let us be mindful of what God wants us to be like and transform by the help of Holy Spirit.

Luke 18:16 NIV
But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Watch and pray

When the Disciples were tired and needed rest, Jesus said...

Matthew 26:41 ►
Parallel Verses
New International Version
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Then Jesus went and prayed, How can a God sent his one and the only son for the sins of the world? and not bother to take care of him.

Why should Jesus say, "Father, If it is your will, Please remove this cup from me, not according to my will, but let yours be done".

When we see the Prayer in Gethsemane, The Holy Bible tells us that His tears were like blood. He prayed and prayed. Asking the Father. Having a conversation.

How often do we pray? When we see the trouble coming our way or is it always that we have conversation with the Father or When we are full of Joy, to remember God how graceful he is or how graceful he was. He always is a gracious God, we never know the cost of the sin that made him to take the cross and he took care of us... years ago even before I could ever imagine the way he lived and died and rose again for my sins. How wonderful is it... his plan for the redemption, not that I should consider it as any other thing least or only at a certain point of time, but to think about it every moment of my life. To live a life that he only likes. To be his best. To be his Disciple.

I wonder why Jesus said "Watch and Pray". He did say to Peter earlier... Peter, "Satan has asked you that he would shift you as a wheat, but I Prayed"... Now he asks all the Disciples to pray, for the things that are to come.... Peter's Denial, Judas' Betrayal.... and later after the resurrection we see the Doubt of Thomas.

James in his book, says "James 1:12 ►
Parallel Verses
New International Version
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Just a prayer is enough to overcome the temptations. We know the power of God, when he can directly access your heart and help you, rather-than you being unaware of what he could do in your life. If only you pray you will see the miracles of life. We could be remembered by someone somewhere in the world praying for us or we may also pray for someone, but when we can speak to our Father in Heaven directly we should be happy and surprised by this great privilege.

Hebrews 10:19 ►
Parallel Verses
New International Version
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,


Much much before the prayer at Gethsemane. Jesus told the most amazing words for the toil and sorrowful nature of human beings... for the unrest and tired ones.

 Matthew 11:28-29 New International Version (NIV)
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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.

Jesus was tempted by all the ways... but yet he resisted the temptations and overcame it by the power of God.

In The Temptations of Jesus Christ: Matthew 4:1-11 - When Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness, we see how Jesus was able to overcome such temptations.

In fact in other circumstances, like that one of the positional tests were Peter takes Jesus aside and rebukes him,

Matthew 16:20-23 New International Version (NIV)

20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Jesus Predicts His Death
21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”




Paul puts it in this way:

Hebrews 2:14-18New International Version (NIV)

14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[a] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

So the when the ultimate price has been paid already by Jesus on the cross. We are to be sure of the power that can save us from the evil. Jesus is the best example for us when we go through trouble, sorrow and temptations. God will enable us to overcome any of these problems.

I like this hymn, which much says about Prayer and Temptations....

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
   Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
   May we ever, Lord, be bringing
   All to Thee in earnest prayer.
   Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
   There will be no need for prayer—
   Rapture, praise, and endless worship
   Will be our sweet portion there.

Sight and Vision - Understanding from the things around us

Luke 16:19-31New International Version (NIV)

The Rich Man and Lazarus

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

The question of how one should understand his life from the experiences. Here the Rich Man was living his life without thinking about the poor, The poor was not far or was unavailable. The main aspect is that this Rich Man missed out his opportunity to help this poor and his mistake costed him much, he ended up in Hades and also see what this poor man's position after death was.

Many say everything changes in life, but until and unless anyone who is willing to change nothing happens. The opportunities are right at the front of this Rich man's eyes, but yet the life and the luxury dimmed his sight and he lost his vision. 

This man didn't giving up his mistakes when he asks Abraham to send Lazarus to get the dip of water and also to send him back to the world. Here his intention was not to get his thirst filled, but to test the possibilities of overcoming the boundaries And when he asked Abraham to send Lazarus back to world, here again his intention is neither to send him to save his brothers nor that he realized the truth. 

Loving to learn Learning to live Living to Lead Wednesday 07th Jan ...

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! - 2 Corinthians 5:17

New Year has always been an amazing time. Its a time to reflect upon the things happened in the past, all the success, learning and experiences to praise and glorify God. Thanking him for given us the gift of life and hope in him in the new year.

Paul when explaining about the reconciliation, he says that how we look at others when they were introduced to Christ or how a person will be when he is in Christ. He will be a new creation - The old has gone. The point of reference is that Jesus came to reconcile us from our sins. That he died so that we are made perfect, faultless and blameless before our heavenly father.

New Creation:
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]”

4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c]must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[d]

9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.[e] 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[f]15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”[g]

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Nicodemus came with a question, he thought he knew the answer - When he Questioned about The things God does and about the kingdom of God. For he started saying, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God."

In saying the next statement he undermines the presence of God,  "For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
Here he taught the God and his kingdom to be limited to his thoughts.

That is the time when Jesus replies, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.

Jesus then again uses three different approaches to display God's Glory and the real meaning about new birth.

First Jesus tells about the birth in water and the Spirit: 
God providence for his creation - The human body - The Temple of the Holy Spirit.

Second Jesus tells about the Wind: 
God's Sovereignty over his creation 

Thirdly Jesus tells about the limitations of man over God's power:
God's Love - His Heart for Man's misuse of his body. His Love that transcends all our understandings. 

In this New Year, Let us understand the God's Will for our life. His Sovereignty, His Power and His Love. Let our trust, hope be on him. Paul says that this worldly thought may come(Like that of Nicodemus, who thought the rebirth means - someone be born again in the physical existence -  “How can someone be born when they are old?” , but we are to be aware of it. As Paul continues in verse 16 -
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.