PROOF OF ANSWERED PRAYERS

Sadly, my birthday month is coming to an end! Oh, how I love July! 😊 beside the month of July, October and December are my favorites too! Days are flying the fastest ever, isn't it? In fact, the first half of this year has been like a blink of an eye! Amidst the pandemic and all the weird things happening on earth, I am somewhat at peace, knowing that the supreme God is in control of EVERYTHING!

Like every year, I pen down my birthday verse or something that I have been meditating during my birthday month/ week and asking God to give me that Rhema from heaven. This year I’m super excited to share with you the same. I was reading Psalm 34, on my birthday and verse 4 stood out to me so clearly. It says,

“I sought the LORD, and He answered me.”

When dad prayed for me also he mentioned the same lines of the verse. Immediately I knew it was my birthday verse, with that as a confirmation. I have been meditating of how God has been so good to me. Indeed, that’s been my testimony the whole of my life. I have had so many answers to prayers. Some super silly ones like, “Lord please give me a smiling baby” to “Lord please give me a fossil watch”. And I have got both. I think, I kind of tell God very specifically what I want. I have even told God I want a husband like my dad. It’s super funny how Solomon and my dad have some exactly similar answers to some of the conversations I have with them. God is a PRAYER ANSWERING GOD. He loves to hear His children.

Just like I listen to my baby; God listens to us, His babies. My biggest answer to prayer is Jaden, my son. We named him JADEN, meaning “God has heard” in Hebrew. Every time we call Jaden, it’s a reminder that God indeed hears and answers our prayers. Having said that, I want to encourage you all to wait on the Lord. In His time, He will answer your prayers according to His will. Meanwhile, make your silly requests specific like I do 😉

This picture is a proof that God answers prayers!

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him. I Samuel 1:27

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THE BUMPY JOURNEY

My month by month bumpy shots :)

Well, it ’s taken me few days, on and off to compile all my bump shots, and considering I have a little gentleman who loves to snuggle, I’d say I’m finally here to post my story. It’s crazy looking back at my belly month by month and realizing that was our little Jaden growing in there. It boggles my mind how life can grow inside a belly so small. The Creator is excellent at His creation!

I’m so glad I have this to look back at one day and show Jaden these (if he’s interested). Of course, he will have to listen to his mom's 11-hour labor story for the rest of his life :)

Like few mothers, I was dreading about the labor pain that I had heard about. I always used to think what if I die during the labor? Who will look after the baby and all kinds of questions kept popping in my mind? Until one night I dreamt like someone was telling me, "Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.". When I woke up, I googled and found out that it's from Isaiah 41:10. And that week, dad also spoke about this verse in a random sermon. Later, I saw this verse on someone's facebook wall. It was like a confirmation that God was saying, I am with you. So I decided that I will embrace every uncomfortable position, every heartburn, every contraction, every hip pain, back pain, all the tossing and turnings, sleepless nights and all that comes with being pregnant. As it is worth it!

As I type, I am reminded of all women who would give the world to be in my place. Who perhaps couldn't get to full term, who maybe haven't been able to get pregnant, who are aching at every pregnancy photo they see. THIS IS FOR YOU:

“SOMETIMES WHEN YOU ARE IN A DARK PLACE, YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN BURIED, BUT ACTUALLY YOU HAVE BEEN PLANTED.”

Although I had a very hard journey of conceiving and super painful labor, God was with me throughout this journey. God wanted me to go through this to encourage someone going through a similar bumpy journey as mine. Like I always say, His promise still stands!

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A DAY TO REMEMBER

It was the day before my sister's wedding. My husband woke me up while I was still sleeping and he said can you do the pee-test? My answer was NO. I don't want to spoil my mood since I had done the pee-test several times before and it was negative. It was a happy atmosphere at home that day. My relatives had all arrived for my sister's wedding and I didn't want to be down and depressed.

My husband and I have been praying for a baby for a while now. But this time something was different. Even before we took the test, he kept telling congratulations the whole month. However, he forced me out of bed that morning. I unwillingly did the pee-test and didn't even bother looking at the result. I was looking out of the window and then I went back to throw the stick. But...wait a min... guess what...It had TWO LINES which means positive. I just couldn't believe my eyes! How could it be? My mind became blank! I went and called my husband and showed him and he started crying! We had been waiting for this for so long. We hugged each other. I told him until I get the blood test, let's wait. We quickly arrived at the clinic and they confirmed that indeed I was pregnant!

God has been so good to us in this painful journey! Solomon and I have cried a lot of times together. When everyone else around us had babies, we felt heartbroken. We prayed to God every night.  Needless to say, those were some really dark days. But looking back, something that could have torn us apart became our biggest strength. We clung together for strength and for understanding. We asked God for help and depended on Him like never before. God is a God who hears and answers our prayers. God indeed showed His mercy on us. I strongly believe that there is a purpose behind every pain.

God showed me a few reasons why we had to undergo this journey:

1. So that we depend on God and He gets the glory
2. So that we encourage and empathy others going through this journey
3. So that we value the child and not take this gift lightly
4. So that we get closer to Him and close to each other.
5. So that we testify His miracle-working power.

Every sequence of that day is fresh in our memories. Ever since that day till now whomever, we shared it with had rejoiced with us.

It is a day to remember all our lives!

I would like to encourage whoever reads this post. Whatever may be your problem, God is able to do the impossible. Keep praying, keep trusting, you will have a day to remember too!

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I WANT TO DIE

"God, enough is enough!" Have you ever felt that way? When life hits hard some of us feel like giving up on living. Whether due to physical pain, disease, emotional struggles, or relational problems, it is easy to become frustrated with life and wish for something different. Sometimes when I tell my friends the experiences of my life, I tell them I was so depressed that I wanted to die and they say that they have also had that thought when faced with extremely painful situations. How do we deal with “what to die” situations?

We read some cases of Prophets in the Bible who also have had a desire to die.

1. JONAH

In Jonah 4:10-11, we read how Jonah sat outside the city to await God's judgement upon the people of Nineveh. When it did not happen, Jonah was upset and wanted to die. Not the best example to follow.

Jonah was so self centred on his situation that he did not think about the whole town returning to God. Sometimes when we are self-centred and not God-centred we might miss our focus. Nevertheless God was not angry with Him, in fact God spoke to Him.

Takeaway point: God can speak to you even when you are depressed!

2. JOB

Job was one person who went through the toughest time in his life. Although he was a good man, he had a terrible disease, his children were dead, his wife told him to curse God and his friends blamed him. In such time Job says, “What strength do I have, that I should still hope? I have nothing to live for. I don’t have strength to prolong my life.”(Job 6:11). In other words Job wanted to die.

Then Job said, “Though God slays me, I will trust Him. Blessed be His name. God, I am broken inside this doesn’t make any sense, I don’t have any other hope, but I am going to hope in you”. In the end of the story we see that God restored double of everything in Job’s life.

Takeaway point: Trust God when your current situation makes no sense!

3. ELIJAH

We read of how Elijah had done a big miracle and Jezebel wanted to kill him and he was running in the wilderness. He sat down and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”( 1 Kings 19:4)

God then sent an angel to provide him some cakes and water twice. Elijah was then strengthened by that food, and he continued his journey to the mountain of God.

Takeaway point: Even in the wilderness, God wants to strengthen you!

4.  MOSES

 When Moses was leading the people of Israel from Egypt to the promise land, the people started grumbling and complaining against Moses. Every family then started wailing at the entrance of their tents. Moses was troubled and told God, “If you are going to treat me like this, please kill me right now if I have found favour with you, and don't let me see my misery anymore.” (Numbers 11:15)

Later we read that Moses prayed, worshipped and kept going. Of course, God did many miracles and heard Moses’ plea on behalf of the people.

Takeaway point: When life hits hard, get up, dust off, worship God and keep going!

If you are in a dark phase of your life, I urge that you cry out to God saying, “God, this doesn’t make sense, I am hurt, I am broken, I don’t have another hope so I’m gonna hold on to you, I’m gonna trust you. Even though my heart is breaking, I believe your word for my current circumstance. I’m not moving from what You told You will do in my life. I’m holding on to Your promises. I know you are in control. I belong to you. Let Your will be done!". When you pray such prayers, God will give you peace in the midst of the storm.

I hope this blog encourages you. And if at all we have ever prayed, God let me die and He did hear our prayer, no one would be alive on earth!  Sometimes it’s better God doesn’t answer our silly prayers! :)

Pray when everything else fails

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ENCOUNTER WITH STEVEN FURTICK

Ever since I was a child, I have been blessed to have encountered so many preachers in my life.  I couldn't agree more to the fact that the main reason I have had this opportunity was since my dad himself is a preacher. Most of his friends are also more or less in the same kind of field.

And me too like everyone have my favorites. I haven't met all of them but I cherish their teachings.

My top 10 Preacher Heroes have been (in random order):

- Billy Graham
- Joyce Meyer
- Joel Osteen
- John Gray
- Steven Furtick
- Zac Poonen
- Robert D'roza
- Johnson Varghese
- R Stanley
- ED Chelladura( Not coz he is my dad but I enjoy His creativity)

So off late I have been crazily listening to Steven Furtick's new series called "Bars and Battles". I have been immensely blessed. I literally wait for the Sunday sermon to be uploaded on the site.

And guess what I had an encounter with THE Steven Furtick last night!

I heard that he was in this hotel guest house where I waited for him. He and his wife were about to leave the place when I walked up to him and...

Me: Pastor, can you please pray for me? (in a small voice)

Pastor Steven: What?(he couldn't hear me)

Me: Pastor, can you please pray for me? (still in a small voice)

Pastor Steven: kajgfuiehflkcnsalvosdjvclsdk. Amen

Me: (trying to understand what he meant - confused)

Pastor Steven: You didn't understand, did u? (smirky smile)

Me: (Nodding my head with a no - still confused)

Pastor Steven: I said "Lord Jesus, give her a boy and a girl!"

With excitement I woke from sleep! Oh what a dream!

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BEING CONTENT

It was a lazy Saturday morning. I was bored. I got dressed and decided to go shopping. Something in my head said, “You have already shopped way too much, the whole of this month”. But I wanted more. After 2 hours of shopping, my bags were full. I knew I didn’t need them now, but I bought them all. I wanted more and more and more. I was not content with my clothes. I felt guilty. I had spent so much money shopping unnecessarily even though I had so many new clothes in my closet.

Being content in today's world is not an easy task. Off late I have been struggling to be content. In a world that glorifies the attitude of “more, more, more”, it’s no wonder that I was a victim of wanting bigger house, new car, better job and more clothes.

Yesterday at the dinner table someone quoted this scripture. Paul said, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.” This verse struck in my head.  I said in my heart, “Lord, please help me be content”.

I have been studying few keys to help us live a content life.

1. Practice being grateful.  

I can go on counting the things that I have which I have taken for granted. I learned to appreciate what I had, instead of focusing on the things I didn’t have or didn’t like. I was grateful for my health, for the people in my life, for having food and being alive. I sometimes journal the things I’m grateful which helps me to be content for the things I already have.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

2. Stop comparing.  

People come at life with different assets and opportunities built in. I need not have everything that everyone has. Let’s stop looking at someone else’s situation and wish it were us. Don’t compare what you’ve accomplished with someone else. Enjoy where you are.

Don’t compare yourself with others. Just look at your own work to see if you have done anything to be proud of.
Galatians 6:4

3. See life in seasons. 

It’s true in nature and it’s true in your life. This is a season – it will change and you will change. Where you are today, you will not be tomorrow, next month or next year. You have a lifetime to pursue your dreams and goals. They don’t all have to be accomplished before you’re 35.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

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GOD HEARS! GOD ANSWERS!

 

"I STILL REMEMBER THE DAYS I PRAYED FOR THE THINGS I HAVE NOW".

I read this quote somewhere and couldn’t help but ponder on how true this has been in my own life. When I see how far I have reached, I reflect on those heart felt prayers where I'd ask God for some specific things in life. God is a prayer answering God. HE HEARS. HE ANSWERS. He is alive! There have been season of silence from God where I have thought to myself if God has even heard my prayers. But now I’m 100% sure that he hears every one of them. He even knows that small desire in my heart.

I remember praying for my prince charming for a very long time. I know the number of times I cried out to God that I want someone who will love me. And when I see how loving my husband is, I feel so in awe of how good God is to me.

I also remember praying for a job in a good company. As I joined Ericsson, last week I see how God has been so faithful to me in providing me a great job in this awesome company. He is a provider. He longs to surprise His children with blessings!

Even the smallest desire of my heart has been heard by God. Few months ago, I wanted to buy an iPhone for my dad. But it was just beyond my budget. When I nearly forgot about it, God didn't. Last month someone gifted my dad an iPhone 6 plus! Wow! Can you imagine that!  I could never think of buying such an expensive phone for my dad but I did have the desire. God fulfilled my desire! He is just so awesome!

AND NOW I STILL REMEMBER THE PRAYERS I PRAYED FOR THE THINGS I HAVE NOW...

HE STILL HEARS...HE STILL ANSWERS!

What have you been praying for?

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