Ashes-Capsule(ps 84:11)

Psalm 84:11: For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

 

Thought 1: The Psalmist gets a great vision of who the Lord God is. At one point He notes the Lord God as the sun, from where we derive all benefits He specifically states the “rays” of grace and glory that comes from Him. Child of God, Our Lord is a sun to us. As earth cannot have existence without the sun, we too frail humans cant exist without God as our sun. He bestows grace and glory. In His light we glow, In His grace we live. But are we deriving the rays falling on us? As the plants exhibit photomorphism,do we “intentionally” protrude to get the rays from the Lord through prayer and feeding His word? Do we grow because of the rays from HIM???

 

Thought 2:The second revelation, Psalmist gets from the Lord is that He is a shield. A shield who blocks the evil rays from the devil. Child of God, do you recognize that you are in a battlefield and constantly being targeted by the devil,who wants to threaten your finance,job,family.Yet you are alive and safe.Its because of the Lord being our shield. Shout a big hallelujah to your shield.He is for us.He is our shield. He acts a s filter also. He filters wat comes to you. He blocks the evil designs and plans and acts of the enemy, but will not withhold any Good thing from you.He will not! hallelujahI!Iwhen you walk uprightly,no good thing will He withhold.

 

Introspection

1)Did you receive the rays of grace and glory from the Lord your God ,your sun??

2)Do you exhibit the growth as required when He is your sun and shield??

 

Application

1)Understand what it is to walk uprightly and mend our lifestyle

2)take steps on how to constantly be under the light of the sun and His shield

 

 

Ashes-Mourning to Morning

That night Mordecai must have gone to sleep with a burdened heart,I amgine he would have sung with David" I will both lie down in peace and sleep;for you alone,O Lord make me dwell in safety".The thoughts of His people and Him being killed by the enemy must have put him in lot of pain.Next morning,something unusual happened,Haman was knocking his doors,he must havepinched himself ot see whether he was dreaming or not.At the entrace stood the Royal Horse on which the emperor rode,he was asked by haman to put the ROYAL GARMENTS and also the Royal crown.He could not believe what was happening.He was escorted through the streets by Haman tellng"This would be done to the man whom the Kings wishes to honor".The reason was when Mordecai was resting at night,his keeper was not sleeping!!

 

The Israelites were in anguish,they murmured to Moses asking him why he brought them from Egypt while they were near the bowls of meat and had so much to feast on.They were perplexed by the sight of Pharoah and his army chasing them and the red sea was roaring in front of them.They could not do much during the night,but their  keeper could.He drove an east wind over the red sea all through the night.At the morning watch,they could see a new way paved for them.

 

King Hezekiah also will not forget to narrate His experience.He faced a strong enemy who threatened him for days.The enmy breathed out heaps of insults and demoralized the people of God.They were silent because that was the order from hezekiah.The king rent His garments and went to the presence of God with the cruel inhumane threatenings from the enemy.With a heavy heart they went to rest at night.Morning they saw 1,85,000 dead bodies lying around them.One angel of God went through the enemy's camp.

 

CHild of God,are you facing a difficult situation in your life,be careful not to sin against God by your words.Allow Him to work.Though the weeping  may last for a night JOY comes in the morning.Your morning is coming!!Hold on!!

 

 

Ashes-Say Thy Word and Save our World!!

The wedding house at Cana was so attractive from outside,guests were pouring in,and  as they were coming in the wine was going out and noone seemed to care abt the situation in the house.They had invited Jesus and His disciples for the wedding and His mother also was there.Fear set in there was a panic all around,people were asking for wine but the wine was over.Mary came and told Jesus because she knew who Jesus was and also knew that if Jesus was told something,He will do something about it.Sher went and asked the people in the store," WHATEVER HE SAYS  TO YOU DO IT".

 

A centurion met Christ on the way and asked Him to heal His Servant.Christ said" I will come and Heal Him".The centurion full of faith said a  "LOrd,AM unworthy to have you under my house,Say a Word and my servant shall be healed".Prayer of faith acknowledges Him as Lord,it also expresses our unworthiness in His presence ,but RELIES ON THE POWER OF HIS WORD.The centurion like Mary understood that His word can do great things,it can travel upto any distance,it  accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent.Let me add one more thing,even the angels are so keen on hearing and obeying His word.When God sents a word unto us,I also imagine a host of unseen angels being sent to fulfil His word regarding us.Hallelujah!!

 

Jesus and His disciples faced a tempest at the Sea and when the disciples saw the master sleeping,they got afraid.They woke Him up and cried"lord we are perishing".Jesus woke from the sleep and asked them "where is your faith"??He spoke"peace,be still"And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.The disciples then said to one another"Who can this be,that even the wind and sea obey Him!!".His word changed their world!!!!

 

Child of God,Lets pray O GOD SAYTHY WORD AND Save OUR WORLD!!!

 

Thanks and With Best Regards,

Ashley Benjamin,

Infosys Technologies,

Trivandrum

Cell:9961497670

 

Ashes-Speak thy word and Change our World!!

The wedding house at Cana was so attractive from outside,guests were pouring in,and  as they were coming in the wine was going out and noone seemed to care abt the situation in the house.They had invited Jesus and His disciples for the wedding and His mother also was there.Fear set in there was a panic all around,people were asking for wine but the wine was over.Mary came and told Jesus because she knew who Jesus was and also knew that if Jesus was told something,He will do something about it.Sher went and asked the people in the store," WHATEVER HE SAYS  TO YOU DO IT".

 

A centurion met Christ on the way and asked Him to heal His Servant.Christ said" I will come and Heal Him".The centurion full of faith said a  "LOrd,AM unworthy to have you under my house,Say a Word and my servant shall be healed".Prayer of faith acknowledges Him as Lord,it also expresses our unworthiness in His presence ,but RELIES ON THE POWER OF HIS WORD.The centurion like Mary understood that His word can do great things,it can travel upto any distance,it  accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent.Let me add one more thing,even the angels are so keen on hearing and obeying His word.When God sents a word unto us,I also imagine a host of unseen angels being sent to fulfil His word regarding us.Hallelujah!!

 

Jesus and His disciples faced a tempest at the Sea and when the disciples saw the master sleeping,they got afraid.They woke Him up and cried"lord we are perishing".Jesus woke from the sleep and asked them "where is your faith"??He spoke"peace,be still"And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.The disciples then said to one another"Who can this be,that even the wind and sea obey Him!!".His word changed their world!!!!

 

Child of God,Lets pray O GOD SPEAK THY WORD AND CHANGE OUR WORLD!!!

 

 

 

 

Thanks and With Best Regards,

Ashley Benjamin,

Infosys Technologies,

Trivandrum

Cell:9961497670

 

Ashes-Capsule(Ps48:14)

Psalm 48:14:For this is God,our God forever and ever;He will be our guide even unto death

 

Thought 1:What a verse is this!!A verse that expresses an eternal relationship.He will be our GOD forever and ever.We need God who can control things beyond our control.From our inner lives to the outer galaxy we need GOD.A God who can cleanse us from sin,heal our diseases,give us peace,joy and happiness.We need a God who has control over the earth we live,the sun rise,sunset,rains at due time,protector from calamities.Imagine what is God to you.Child of God ,He never shirks from His responsibility.HE IS OUR GOD,FOREVER and EVER.He never changes.He is God.hallelujah.

 

Thought 2:This God not only is God,but our guide.He is so interested in each step we take.He guides us.He speaks to us.His word guides us.We read in Psalm 32:8.He will guide us with His eye on us.Dear Reader,If He is your God,He will guide you.Have you made Him God of your life.Have you entered into an eternal relationship with Him??This eternal relationship will prove to be very vital in our day to day life.Invite Him into your heart.Give Him room.Dont worry about what situation you are in right now.HE IS YOUR GOD-the one responsible for your birth,responsible to guide you,responsible to lead you to eternity.

 

Introspection

------------------------

1)What experiences do you have with GOD??

2)Have you ever cherished that eternal relationship??or are you iterested in temporal relationships that you forget the eternal relationship??

 

Application

---------------------

1)Write down your experiences with God in a diary.This will encourage you later and be a blessing

2)DO your maximum this weekend and henceforth in cherishing the relationship with your God.Talk to Him,walk with Him.Read His word.May He guide you

 

 

maranatha

Ash

http://ashleybenjamin.blogspot.com

 

 

Ashes-Capsule(ps84.5)

Psalm 84:5:Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee,in whose hearts are highways to zion

 

Thought 1:We live in a world that robs our strength.We long for strength to move on in this world.God does not want us to be weak and dejected all the time.He wishes His people to use Him as their energy source,from where they derive their strength.AM thankful that the Bible does not say"blessed is the man who has strength,power"..It says when we are dependent on God for everything,we are blessed.He does not want us to live independent of Him.He wants us to be dependent on Him.The Bible says.."The eyes of the Lord run to and fro the whole earth to show HIMSELF strong on behalf of them whose hearts are blameless towards HIM"

 

Thought 2:For us to derive strength from God,we need to have a way within our heart that reaches heavens.The first time we ask God and receieve mercy,I imagine a road being opened from your heart to His throne.The  times you pray,the road becomes more bigger...Its not a struggle.When faced with weakness,lets take that HIGHWAY of faith from our heart to heavens,lets not again be in that narrow struggling road of doubt in our heart.Child of God,are u facing a critical moment,is anxiety and worry draining ur energy.Search in your heart,look that road which was built when you prayed the first time and He answered you.Its a wide road,you will reach the destination.Get your strength.Move forward in Life

 

Introspection

------------------

1)Do you think that God wants you to live independent without Him??

2)When you are weak,what do you normally do??Do u have that way of prayer in your heart or have you closed that path??

Is that way a HIGHWAY??

 

Application

--------------

1)Maintain a diary that records your prayers and the ways He answered you

2)Draw strength from Him by attending fellowships,feeding His word and meditating and praising Him.You are blessed

 

maranatha!!

Thanks and With Best Regards,

Ashley Benjamin,

Infosys Technologies,

Trivandrum

Cell:9961497670

 

Ashes-Capsule(ps 34.8)

Psalm 34:8:Oh Taste and see that the Lord is good;blessed is the man who trusts in Him

 

Thought 1:This Psalm is written in one of the most horrible circumstances in David's life.This as prelude He invites all the people to TASTE n See that the Lord is good.The Bible is a book that contains many stories.Its not just STORIES but HOW GOD dealt in those STORIES is what should be noticed.Many a time we feel the BITTERNESS of life that we forget THE GOODNESS of the Lord.When faced by unforeseen circumstances,when facing bitter experiences in Life,do remember ITS TIME TO TASTE AND SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD THAN THE BITTERNESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCE.Its not feel God..its tasting Him...that you keep going on being thirsty for the tasty !!!

 

Thought 2:He also notes here,BLESSED is the man who trusts in this Good GOD!!...Blessing starts from your heart of trust in God, not in the bank balance you have.We all love to be blessed.We look at the worldly situations and commend"See how much He is blessed"...Even when Jacob had a large group of herd and cattle and servants and wives and children,IN PENIEL HE Cried to God..UNLESS YOU BLESS ME I WONT LEAVE YOU..Then we see the night of fear being turned into a blessing!!His name changed,That heart that cheated His dad and Uncle was changed by od's touch and blessing and brokeness of His body.Psalmist understood this great truth and proclaimed BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO TRUSTS IN HIM

 

Introspection

------------------

1)Are you in a bitter situation??how can you tase the the goodness of the Lord

 

2)What is your definition on being "blessed"??

 

Application

-----------------

1)Write down those moments of bitterness where you TASTED the goodness of God in a diary and thank Him

 

2)Trust God in whatever situation you are in and confess that "I AM BLESSED BECAUSE MY HEART DOES NOT TRUST IN THE CIRCUSTANCE BUT ON GOD WHO IS THE GOD OF THE CIRCUMSTANCE"

 

 

Thanks and With Best Regards,

Ashley Benjamin,

Infosys Technologies,

Trivandrum

Cell:9961497670

 

Ashes-Capsule(Psalm 121:1-2)

 

Psalm 121:1-2."I lift up my eyes to the hills-from whence comes my help?My help comes from the Lord,who made heaven and earth

 

Thought 1:Help ..we all need it.We need it when we cannot move further,we long for a hand that holds ours,that shouldres our burden and here we see the Psalmist also in a "helpless" situation to which He does one thing.He lifts His eyes!!

Child of God when feeling helpless we often tend to put our faces down discontented,disappointed,but we get encouragement from this verse.I LIFT UP MY EYES TO THE HILLS...!!!A child whom I know was trying to lift up a weight tht she could not bear,she knew that I was standing nearby,she tried a lot to take that "heavy toy".At last she made it and suddenly it fell down from her hand and there she with tears in her eyes looked upto me.When helpless its not time to put our faces down,its time ,I said ITS TIME TO LOOK UP  AND SEEK OUR EVER PRESENT HELP AND FIND AN ANSWER IMMEDIATELY!!HIs help is timely and Immediate!!

 

Thought 2:The Psalmist ends the question is verse 1 with an answer in verse 2 and then we see the qualities of the Helper He found!!We also need to pen down the HELP that He provides in our OWN terms as we move through the paths of life.

He says MY HELP COMES NOT FROM THE HILLS,BUT BEYOND THE HILLS FROM THE ONE WHO MADE THESE HILLS, FROM THE ONE WHO MADE THE SKIES AND THE UNIVERSE.My Helper is My Creator!!When we try looking to various locations for help,do not miss the PERSON who created THOSE.We dont get help from where our eyes see,we get help from the INVISIBLE GOD WHO DWELLS IN  THE UNAPPROACHABLE LIGHT,THE ONE WHO CREATED THE UNIVERSE!!David must have known the scripture Moses wrote "Genesis 1.1:In the beginning God created Heaven and the earth" and David added to that verse"My Help comes from the LORD who created,who made the Heaven and the Earth"

 

Introspection

--------------------

1)When was the most recent time when you needed a help desperately??What was your immediate response?

2)How do you approach God when you need Help??Do you find Him evry present to you??

 

Application

---------------

1)Write down what God means to you as YOUR HELPER from HEB2.18,4.16,13.6,Psalm 46.1

Thanks and With Best Regards,

Ashley Benjamin,

Infosys Technologies,

Trivandrum

Cell:9961497670

 

Ashes-Capsule(Ps84.3)

Psalm 84.3.Even the Sparrow has found a home,and the swallow a nest for herself ,where she may lay her young-even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,my King and my God

 

Thought 1:As the Psalmist gazes into God's presence He himself with awe.How lovely are your dwelling places and He expresses His deep longing to be in His presence,here he writes this verse even the Sparrow has found a home.Now the difference between us and the Sparrow is evident.Sparrow has found a home in the altars of God.We rather become visiters.We often use God's presence like a travel inn..after becoming weary and tired we reach His prsence.Still by grace He touches us.Now why not we like those little sparrows make His altars our Home???Remember when you make His presence as your home,its safety for your young ones too.........!!!

 

Thought 2:Altar is not a "good" place.Its a place of slaughter and blood shed,where sacrifices are done.But here we see the altar as the home for the sparrow.Child of God we are not destined to be in the outer courts.Are we Living in His altars??A life of sacrifice that's pleasing to God??When it is done,it will be so so beautiful.Only when you present yourself on the altar, the devil will not alter you from fulfilling the divine plan.

 

Introspection:

1)Are you a visitor to God's presence or have you made that your HOME??

 

2)Have you enjoyed the safety God's presence provide??

 

Application

-----------------

1)Enjoy God's presence each and every moment of your life.Identify those "tactics" of the devil that prevents you from making His presence as your HOME....

 

2)Sing songs of surrender whenever possible in your heart like "All to jesus I surrender","I just wanna be where you are"

 

 

Thanks and With Best Regards,

Ashley Benjamin,

Infosys Technologies,

Trivandrum

Cell:9961497670

 

Ashes-Servants of God vs Masters of His blessings

Elijah burst into the scene from nowhere.We see Him warning King Ahab that unless He tells its not going to rain in Israel.We see later in James 5 that Elijah came into the scene from His "prayer room".He explodes in front of the evil king ..he says As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.Elijah knew whom he served.The blessings of the land are dependent on the Servants of God.These days we see Masters of His Blessings and very few Servants of God.In Carmel He prayed like this" Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command".

 

Daniel was a young hebrew lad who experienced God's presence and favour in midst of great emperors like Nebuchadnezzar,Belshazzar and Darius.A law was passed by Darius to put anyone who worships any other God in the Lion's den,but Darius knew the God Daniel served.He woke up early in the morning and ran to the lion's den and cried loudly

 O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?.

what an example!!Those who serve the eternal almighty God needn't fear the temperory LIONS..God of the Lions is your God!!

 

St paul was in a ship that faced a great hurricane called "northeaster".He also knew the God whom He served.In midst of all fears and turmoils and tensions in the ship,Paul was encouraged to say this to those in the troubled waters."But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' 25So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me

 

Child of God...Will you take a decision that can change your way of life as Joshua said"As for me and my house we will serve the Lord".The rains on the land,the lions in the den,the hurricane of the sea wont destroy you as long as you serve Him with all of your heart ,mind and soul.

 

 

Thanks and With Best Regards,

Ashley Benjamin,

Infosys Technologies,

Trivandrum

Cell:9961497670

 

Ashes -Capsule(7)

1 Cor 10:1-5

MoreOver Brethren,I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud,all passed through the sea,All were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,All ate the same spiritual food,And all drank the same Spritual drink.For they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them and that rock was Christ.

But with most of them God was not well pleased,for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness

 

Thought 1:The Provision we enjoy when we are stuck,the new doors we see whenever we find all exisiting ways are closed all reminds us that we have a SPIRITUAL ROCK that follows us.He follows us wherever we go .When faced with hunger and thirst,when we long for something new to happen always see the Rock that is following us.He is our shepherd.he is our rock.Rock of our provision

 

Thought 2:The spiritual and worldly provision we enjoy is not a sign of God's pleasure in us.ITS WHAT WE DO WITH THOSE THAT COUNTS You may have the greatest of houses and cars and jobs.You may be speaking of great Spiritual gifts and exercising them,but listen to this..."All ate the same spiritual food,And all drank the same Spritual drink.For they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them and that rock was Christ.

But with most of them God was not well pleased,for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness"..Jesus is coming soon,we are almost nearing the promised land.IS GOD PLEASED WITH YOU..what are you doing with the Job He has given you,what are you doing with the "palaces" and "luxuries" He has given you....Rather than being people who enjoy God's gifts based on grace Lets be people who please GOD IN EVERYTHING WE SAY AND DO...

 

The most significant part of the life of Jesus was when heavens opened and the voice of the Father said"This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased"..

 

Introspection

1)Is your life pleasing to God???

2)Are you thinking that God's blessings are for your pleasure and heavens are not thinking how wisely you use it??

Is the heavely Father happy for the blessings He has given you and the productivity you have??

 

Application

----------------

1)See Heb 11.6,13.16,Rom 12:1-2,2tim 2.4.......write those specific subjects through which God will be pleased in you

2)Pray this prayer

Psalm  19:14...Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight,O Lord ,my strength and my redeemer.

 

 

Thanks and With Best Regards,

Ashley Benjamin,

Infosys Technologies,

Trivandrum

Cell:9961497670

 

Ashes-Lets Sing!!

King Jehoshaphat was facing a great crisis in His life as He saw a multitude of enemies coming against Him.When He looked at His resources He felt so inadequate,but then He turned His eyes to the one who provides resources,who gives victory.He adopted a military strategy which no other ruler in the entire world History employed.he sent a group of musicians in the front of the army,they sang the song which was familiar in every hebrew family's house..I believe this song was resonating from the smallest child to the oldest person."O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD ,HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER"...

 

Daniel knew that a law was signed against praying to the Almighty God.He was a free person whe it came to puring out His heart before God.Though there is no law agaist prayer in our lands and terriritories we find it very difficult to pray.When the Law was signed against Him,He got onto His knees and the Bible says.He gave THANKS to the Lord as He was doing before three times a day with His windows opened towards Jerusalem.I imagine he must have sang this HYMN"O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD,FOR HE IS GOOD,HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.."...

 

Our blessed Lord Jesus as He stood before the 5000 odd men with 5 loaves and 2 Fish.He lifted His eyes towards Heavens and we read He thanked the LORD.Same thing He did when he stood before the tomb of lazarus.

He lifted His eyes to the heavens and thanked His heavenly father.He did the same bofore going to the garden of gethsamane.He must have sang"O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD,FOR HE IS GOOD AND HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER"

 

CHild of God,Thanksgiving in the present for the present will result in a miracle in the next moments.I wish this song will be so familiar in our mouths.In sorrows,through difficulties,through pain,when faced with shortages,when laws are passed against you.,lets sing O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD,FOR HE IS GOOD AND HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES

Ashes-Something Personal.Something Beautiful,SOMEtHing EterNal

Blind Barthimaues, in the road side of Jericho heard that Jesus, the son of David is passing by.Someone must have taught him about Jesus who would heal the sick,who would be the KING.A ray of hope hit his blind life.He never knew what it  was to be with sight.From the time He was born,he could not see anything.He was just acquinted with sounds and sounds only.

He immediately visualized inside his heart, what is needed from Him from not letting JESUS pass by.Yes the time approached as he heard a huge crowd walking by Him.He perceived and cried "JESUS SON OF DAVID HAVE MERCY ON ME".He wanted to have a healing personally which the world didnt want him to have.The world asked him to shut up.CHild of God only Jesus can sympathize with you  ...so make use of every   energy u have to catch His attention and let Him do something personal in us.THE WORLD WILL REBUKE U BUT JESUS WILL CALL YOU TO HIM and do something Personal in your LIFE!!

 

Mary broke a precious jar of ointment and anointed Jesus on His head.Judas Iscariot led the crowd in condemning her."Why did she waste this much money,the ointment could have been sold and given to the poor".Jesus knowing the love that broke that jar and anointing Him told the crowd gathered there that she has done a "beautiful thing" unto Him.

The world will not know the beauty of a broken heart,but God knows.he values every tear drop that comes from your welled eyes.World may look at the amount wasted,but the Lord will look at the jar broken.Something beautiful for the Lord,world will keep you from doing that.

 

Mary of bethany sat at the feet of Jesus.Her Sister Martha was busy preparing food for Christ.She was all alone in the kitchen but mary was too busy with the Lord.We often feel lonely,anxious and we look for someone who would help us out with the "cooking".She complained to the Lord and the Lord said,Martha!One thing is only needed and Mary has done the right thing and noone shall take it awy from her.The times at the feet of Jesus contributes to something ETERNAL.There also people will blame you!!

 

So remember the world will always prevent you,condemn you from something personal,beautiful and eternal to happen in your life.Take a decision...out of love..blind eyes He can open,Broken hearts He will not despise,At His feet everything is sweet.

maranatha

 

 

Ashes-Capsule(6)

Psalm 23.4:Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and Your staff they comfort me

 

Thought 1:The valley of shadow of death is where we see darkness all around. These are times where we smell ‘”evil” around us. We feel so lonely we lose sight of the way we need to take. But Psalmist still says “I WILL FEAR NO EVIL”. The reason is because the good Shepherd is with the sheep in this dark path. The good shepherd is still in control. The shepherd who led the sheep to the green pastures, the shepherd who led the sheep to the quiet waters is still the shepherd. He knows what he has to do. What an assurance we get from this verse. Thus the sheep is encouraged not because of the absence of the dark valley but just by the presence of the good shepherd

 

Thought 2.In those valleys of darkness, there is a chance that we might miss being in the shoulders of the shepherd. We feel directionless, it is at that time that we fear an enemy more closer than the shepherd. Suddenly there comes an attack. We lose sight of what’s happening! but we hear the sounds that terrify us, sounds of danger, we just stand still not too long till we hear the sound of a rod that hit the lions’ the enemy’s head. a silence all around. Suddenly the tip of a staff familiar to the sheep takes hold of its neck and guides it gently back to the road it has to be. The road of safety and peace. The tip of the staff also guides the sheep back to the shoulders of the shepherd who leads it close to His heart. The shepherd smiles at the sheep,encourages,wipes the tear of fear from the sheep. whispers gently” all is well my dear, no one can do anything to you. Am still your shepherd” what a comfort it is for the little one !!!and again puts the sheep back on the road of life.Oh the tip of God’s protection and guidance provides comfort to us many a time when we feel that the shepherd is no where near

 

Introspection

1)Were there dark valleys in your life? Was it fearful??

2)have you enjoyed the presence of the shepherd at those times??

Application

1.if you are in a valley, get encouraged because the shepherd’s rod and staff is your comfort even when you can lose sight of the shepherd who is with you

2.Sing songs of the protection and guidance the good shepherd can give you and increase your faith

 

 

Ashes-Weaknesses(spl)

OUR WEAKNESSES……………

 

We all have our own “weaknesses”. Somewhere in this journey of life we have had a bad time with that “weakness”. We feel wounded,guilty.Some people try to cover up by just moving on in life. Weaknesses can prove to be Devil’s stronghold in your life.

So deal with your “weaknesses” very carefully and only the creator who formed you can MOULD YOU strong. Only He can help you in your weakness.

Through this small exposition, I rely on the Holy Spirit to talk to you personally and intimately and perform the work for which the word is sent!!

Weakness can be in explained as that part of you that links you to the world. It will not allow God’s holiness to enter your life. It will cause you to be contented with your present spiritual condition, it enables you to forget your calling. an example from the bible. God exposes His Holiness in full force in Garden of EDEN and as we flip pages of THE BOOK we find exodus 3…God comes down. Moses turns to see the GREAT SIGHT of the bush burning and its not getting consumed. The Lord says’ REMOVE YOUR SANDALS FOR THE PLACE WHERE YOU STAND IS HOLY. What did the Lord exactly mean by this…Sandals link you with the earth….u tread upon this earth with sandal? but when it comes to the heavenly God expects you to be holy, sandals should be removed …When Moses removed his sandals what happened is God see Moses in His holiness. We can even imagine of a cleansing action happening in the life of Moses. The murders he committed, the thoughts all were cleansed as He stood in the HOLY GROUND! Sandals of Moses can be imagined to our weakness. These weaknesses wont allow God’s Holiness to enter our lives. Children of God Let Him Who have an ear Hear. The Lord says “ YE HOLY AS I AM HOLY”…not ur justification. He wants you to be like HIM…

 

*YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND YOUR WEAKNESSES AS WEAKNESSES

 

Many of us underestimate our weakness. in reality we take it so lightly that in fact as time goes this weakness will turn out to be the reason for our downfall. See what happened to Samson. He was enticed by sexual desires and he underestimated his weakness to be in the lap of Delilah!!Peter chose to be with those who crucified Christ that made him betray Jesus. Judas was “money-minded”. They didn’t recognize their weaknesses and surrender them to the Lord.

 

*DO NOT TEST YOUR WEAKNESS

Many of us try to test weaknesses by going to ‘testing places’. We know that we can get down and under but still we go there. Eventually it gives a temporary happiness but after say moments we get convicted.Beloved,Do not test your weakness. Understand that your weakness is to be strongly dealt with. Christ warned us WATCH AND PRAY. Understand the times where your weakness can spring up. When you know that you should be driven to your knees. We always Pray and watch.Child of God read clearly. the Lord asks us to watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation(Luke 22.40)

 

*FLEE TO BE FREE

When exposed to ‘testing environments’, its best to flee than to stay there and be in sin. Many a time we take diluted approach these days to nakedness. We love going to theatres though we know that we are knowingly or unknowingly ‘encouraging’ the enemy. We love browsing through sites and television channels for something that invokes our pleasure. Child of God, discipline your body, remove your sandals for without holiness no one can please God. It was very encouraging for me to see a young couple during my recent visit to a place taking a conscious decision, not to have TV at home. Do not test your weakness…FLEE YOUTHFUL LUSTS(2 tim 2.22)

 

*DO NOT CONDEMN YOURSELF BECAUSE OF YOUR WEAKNESS.

We should not condemn ourselves because of our weaknesses. We should learn to trust in God who delivers us with all of our heart. Self condemnation questions the power of God’s precious blood. No longer do we approach God based on our works. We approach Him like beggars claiming for grace totally undeserved. These days I see and cry because of lot of arrogance because of Grace. We sit in God’s precious presence as if He owns us something. I thank God for those who kneel down and pray in tears, who acknowledge the greatness of His presence and greatness of our sins, yet cry to Him for mercy. See (Heb 5.8)…There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus(Rom8.1)

 

*UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR WEAKNESSES ARE THE LOCATIONS WHERE GOD’S STRENGTH RESIDES.

You can overcome. The evil youthful passions should not allure you again. At this juncture let me also ask God’s people not to provoke people into sin.Love,marriage all is a part of life. these days we se public exposure of love, specially the clothing we wear, the way we walk. the acts we do…Come on child of God, kick of the devil.Know how to conduct yourself. Lets be wise. God warns us against every small idle word we talk because He has numbered our hair and for heavens sake DON’T JUSTIFY YOUR WRONG. evaluate your life based on His holiness. He is interested in the holiness of every cell you have in your body. Weaknesses exposes God’s power.2cor 12.9..My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in your weaknesses.

 

 

*GO TO THE CREATOR DAILY,EXAMINE MINUTE BY MINUTE HOW YOU LIVED….

Read thses verses carefully..

1 thessalonians4.7-8:For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God ,who also has given us His Holy Spirit.

 

Thus please read and apply

The Psalmist cries in psalm 139:23-24:-Search me o God, and know my heart; try me ,and know my anxieties and see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

1 John 1.9.If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all our unrighteousness

Hebrews 4.15.For we do not have a High priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses. but was IN ALL POINTS tempted as we are ,yet without sin.

 

Child of God.Weaknesses,how do you deal with this? Do you like to linger in your weakness and lose your portion in heaven or do you like to take a stand as taught to you by the Holy Spirit. I can sense a powerful move of the precious blood of Jesus, Let Him wash us, cleanse us…hallelujah

 

Father I pray that thou may do thy sacred work as we surrender our lives before thee. Weaknesses in us tend to give the devil a stronghold. Help us to fight against sin. We know that thou would help us in this struggle against sin. Help us to come to thee in humility and Lord we pray that thy strength would be made perfect in our weaknesses. Help us to watch and pray,to pray continually.We trust in thee o God with all of our heart. Remove our confusions and diseases. Lord lead us like a shepherd.

We love thee and give thee our praise.For we know our prayers are answered when we ask in Jesus’ mighty name

Amen and amen

 

 

 

Thanks and With Best Regards,

Ashley Benjamin,

9961497670

 The mountains melt when His presence is Felt!!

 

Ashes-Nothing is Impossible

Nothing Is Impossible!!

---------------------

Sarah was told by the divine Visitors that she is going to bear a child within one year.

She laughed at the divine "joke”! The angel then asked her why she laughed knowing her unbelief and said

IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD??

What a truth! Contrary to her health, contrary to medical science...In other words the divine word was "Sarah

for you, THIS IS Impossible but look from the "Divine Angle"...We read in Romans about Abraham” He did not consider his own body, already dead and the deadness of Sarah's womb.” In short the Lord wanted Abraham to view his body in front of the Creator, which he did!!!

 

Mary was visited by an angel and said that she was going to be born in her womb. She could not "logically" believe that.

Again the angel says the truth “NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH THE LORD!!”..

Times changed, centuries passed by but the truth still remained and the angel reminded Mary.

NOTHING Is impossible with the Lord. for which She said” BE IT UNTO ME ACCORDING TO THY WORD”

 

 

Child of God, hear the word of God!!!Times may change, but His word never changes. What He said to Sarah and Mary

He tells you.."NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH THE LORD"

 

Are you facing a difficulty??a human IMPOSSIBILITY..place your problem in front of God…analyze what He can do..and let faith increase,Rather than being in doubt on what you can do!!!

 

 

 

Thanks and With Best Regards,

Ashley Benjamin,

9961497670

 The mountains melt when His presence is Felt!!

 

Ashes-Capsule(5)

Psalm 121:5:“The Lord is your keeper,the Lord is your shade by the right hand”

 

Thought1:Keeping things in a perfect order is a difficult task..we try to “keep” our belongings safe..in our homes we put gates,walls,grills to KEEP us and Our belongings safe. Here the Psalmist encourages us by telling..THE LORD IS YOUR KEEPER. He values you.He keeps you…Many a time we find it so difficult to “KEEP” ourselves.The pain in our body,anxious mind,troubled hearts,broken dreams,shattered hopes……..We find it so difficult to keep ourselves.But then through this capsule let me ask you to eat this truth..HE IS YOUR KEEPER…Isaiah says in chapter 26 and verse 3..”THOU WOULD KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE WHOSE MINDS ARE STAYED ON THEE”…

 

Thought2.The second part of this small verse talks about the SHADE God gives us by being at our right hand……The psalmist imagines to be in wilderness,where  he walks in the hot sun..where he looks for some shade to rest under..the journey is long..the way before seems to be so puzzling..!!!Then God inspires His senses..YOU have  shade to rest under and its by your right hand..You just need to open the “UMBRELLA” and rest.Yes the tedious journey in the wilderness demands us to have a shade at our right hand..DOnt look for Temperory trees along the way…don’t expect there trees to travel with you all the way…ALWAYS HAVE THIS ASSURANCE THAT WHEN THESE TREES HAVE THEIR LIMITATIONS IN LOCOMOTION..we have a locomotary shade……by our right hand..You just need to rest under His shelter….

 

Introspection

1)Were there times that you could not “keep” yourselves??

2)Have you looked on to the “temperory trees” that provide shade for sometime and lost sight of the shade by your right hand???

 

Application

1)Stay close to your keeper,so that He can keep YOU properly

2)Rest in His presence…He is your shade so close by your right hand..

 

Ashes-Experience(2)

Ashes-Experience(2)

1)These days if you look at Malayalam news channels, you get a video footage of a JCB(or bull dozer) demolishing “beautiful” buildings. The resorts in Munnar,streets of cochin,Trivandrum,almost all parts of Kerala, the JCB is in action. The reason is people have constructed huge buildings, resorts in government properties.

They “encroached” the government property and utilized it for their interests. The public was benefited ,but they thought the government wont ask them anything as such.

Now they have landed in losing  huge amount of money in addition to public disgrace.

We too many a time have taken God’s grace for granted, we build institutions and “resorts” in fact many are blessed, but we “encroach” the divine property. We take His name in vain, and we build our own “Resorts”…Remember the day of judgment is near….Lets give what is due to HIM TO HIM…Tithes belong to Him, don’t get slack in this. Glory and honor belongs to HIM alone…Let us not be culprits for “Divine resource encroachments”….

 

Jude 4..For certain men have crept in unnoticed,who long ago were marked for this condemnation,ungoldly men,who TURN the grace of our God into lewdness…

 

2)Most of us look forward to the weekend. I specially look forward as I will drive back home to be with the loved ones at home. When I go home ,I usually stop at a place for having a tea and Banana Fry..Over the days I made it a point that I will go there.My friend also will be there.Last week when I went and sat there, the teashopvaala came and served me the banana fry and tea without me asking Him.See though there was a gap of some days,this man noticed us coming once in a particular time every week…he knew what I needed.

I was imagining,only if we made it possible to go to our Heavenly Father frequently, at a particular time. We needn’t even ask Him, He will start His work of healing,deliverance.But Only if we  go to Him He can do that.Make it a point to got before the throne of grace!!

 

Matthew 6.8:For your heavenly father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him

 

 

 

Thanks and With Best Regards,

Ashley Benjamin,

9961497670

 The mountains melt when His presence is Felt!!

 

Ashes-Expereince(1)

God was pleased to give my family a maruti 800 car….and nowadays am using it.My dad asked me to ckeck with the Maruti workshop on whether we need to change the oil and when inspected we found the oil has turned black,and it was starting to solidify.!!This could have done the car a lot of damage if it was not changed..

The guys at the workshop changed the oil and washed the car so well that all dirts which was not removed by the “garden hose” in my house was removed by the professional equipments in the service center.Guys out there know better than me,but the point that I pondered was there should be a thorough inspection of our lives not by us..but by the Master who created us.He knows what to change,how to change and He got the required “equipments” that can make us ready to “run” in the world.Only if We pause in front of Him and hand over our life to Him..and ask Him to have His way..we would be very useful!!He will “renew” a “right Spirit” within us and wash us with HIS BLOOD and cleanse our impurities and dark spots…….!!!

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, o God ,and know my heart:Try me and know my anxieties;And see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting

The other day My pastor was here in Trivandrum to visit a patient in the Hospital.It was getting late and I had to drop him in the bus stand for him to board a bus at 8:10 P.M…Time passed by and by God’s grace I dropped him in the bus station at 8.We waited and waited the bus didn’t come.The officials in the bus station said that “THE BUS WILL COME”..though the scheduled time was over.A guy comes running at 9 and asked us “has the bus gone”..We said “NO”..He breathed a sigh of relief and at last the bus turned up five minutes later.The bus was early for the “late entry” but was “late” for early comers like us.

Jesus Christ is coming soon,He wants and waits for latecomers..for them He will be “early”..for us a bit “late”…………….So hold on……

2Peter3.9:The Lord is not slack concerning His promise,as some count slackness,but is longsuffering toward us,not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

capsule-Psalm 103;10

Psalm 103:10

he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities





Thought1:God’s character is not based on our nature



Here we see an unchanging God who does not treat us as our sins deserve…just imagine,how true is this!!The mankind is filled with evil and sin but also see that God is still letting the earth to “spin in its axis”.The sun is rising and setting…rains come and go..technological advancements.All these are God’s gifts that keep on coming to man.Even seeing ourselves,are we really worthy of all the blessings we enjoy??Our private sins,nagging thoughts,murmuring,grumbling,complaining…YES He does not treat us as our sins deserve,He is also not repaying us according to our iniquities…What an unchanging God we have whose character is not based on our “Sinful” nature.



Thought2:Our nature should change according to His character



The psalmist as he is thinking doesn’t want to remain in this realm,he wants to tread on new heights.as we keep reading the psalm we can get that.Child of God,we have sins we have our iniquities.But also remember that we need to renew our selves daily,as the sun rises we need to get new mercies of Him,ur heart and mind whould be renewed,our thoughts,acts,deeds should get confirmed to Him.Lets walk in the Spirit.

He is a loving God and He doesn’t deserve the “sin” treatment we give Him…lets come with a broken heart,contrite Spirit..to the cross and ask Him for His mercy…



Introspection

1)What are those personal sins in your life that must have grieved Him???



2)Are you willing to let go of these and come closer to HIM???





Application



1)Fight against those sins and iniquities which the Spirit is reminding you of….through prayer ,place it before the cross and ask Jesus to cleanse you with His precious Holy Blood and fill you again with His power



2)Sing those songs which you get reminded of …….songs like “create in me a clean heart”,”change my heart o God”..meaning every word you sing