LOOKING BACK - EBENEZER

Phew, its been ages since I posted something. Writing is my passion but somehow I lost my fire along the  way. I must admit that the fire had gone off completely in-between. Although I have felt like fueling back the fire a thousand times, something made me feel unworthy. Just that feeling discouraged me from posting. I genuinely feel so bad for not being able to post anything all these lost years. However, a lot has happened in the past few years. After Jaden was born, I was with the busy with baby duties and then covid happened and then I had a miscarriage and then Ethan was born. And a million things!. To be completely honest, this journey of motherhood has not been easy for me. I don't really know how moms across the world do it. But one thing i know that if not for His strength and grace, I would not be alive today.

Some thing that keeps me going in this journey of life is gospel music. One song that I kept listening to often was a tamil song called - Ebenesarae. It truly blessed my heart. The word Ebenezer means "Thus far the Lord has helped us". And that's so true in my life. Without Him I would'nt be alive. 

I was listening to a sermon and the speaker spoke about Ebenezer and I couldn't belive how God kept reminding me that it is He who helped me thus far and will continue to help me in the days ahead.

If you are facing a battle today, whatever it is, I just want to encourage you that the Lord is your help. The term - Ebenezer originates from 1 Samuel 7:12. It is a stone set up by Samuel to mark the spot where God helped the Israelites defeat the Philistines, translating to "Thus far the Lord has helped us". If God can help God's people defeat their enemies, He can help you fight your battle too. Nothing is too hard for Him. He is God for a reason! All things are possible with Him! Trust Him and the victory is yours!

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THOUGH

It’s been more than more than 10 days I went to work. This was one of the longest I have been sick. First it was dengue and then wheezing. More than anything, I’m beyond blessed for my family and in-laws who took care of me.

Through the storms of sickness God has been with me. At one point of my sickness I literally cried out to God saying, “Into Your hands I commit my spirit, Lord”. Such was the intensity of uneasiness I went through. But God was gracious to me and walked me through this storm. I would like to share with you few scriptures that encouraged me.

3 Declarations that can be done when you walk through storms of difficulty:

1. I will trust Him
Job 13:15 THOUGH He slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.Job went through one of the worst illness, but he declares THOUGH God slays me, yet will I trust in him.

2. I will fear no evil
Psalm 23:4 Yea, THOUGH I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. David too went through difficult times and he said even THOUGH I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

3. I will rise
Micah 7:8 THOUGH I have fallen, I will rise. THOUGH I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Here also we read that the Micah says, THOUGH I have fallen, I will rise. THOUGH I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.

If you notice all of these scripture portions have the word, THOUGH. Which means even THOUGH something happens, the author says he will trust God.  The meaning of the word THOUGH is despite the fact that; So despite the fact that something bad happens we need to put our faith in God and trust Him. And also fear no evil cause God will walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death. And even if we fall, we should rise and give glory to God.

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THY WILL BE DONE

As I was thinking about few families who have been going through a tough situation during this pandemic, I felt like updating this post and encouraging someone who may have either lost a loved one, or a job or just depressed. These few days have been draining me emotionally. It's challenging to stay cheerful when there is so much happened around the word. The only thing that keeps us going is our faith and hope in Christ. Good music can also bring comfort and healing. This song has personally touched me when I was going through a personal struggle. I have heard it over hundred times. I wish it could comfort you like it did to me. 

This is the most personal song by Hillary Scott who is popularly knows as Lady Antebellum. She penned to God after a devastating experience. She had a miscarriage which really broke her. "Thy will be done" from Mathew 6:11 in the Message Version says "Do what’s best". God is best in what He does. Even when I can't see the end of the tunnel, I'm holding on to this truth - Thy will be done! Hope this song encourages you.

I'm so confused

I know I heard you loud and clear

So, I followed through

Somehow I ended up here

I don't wanna think

I may never understand

That my broken heart is a part of your plan

When I try to pray

All I've got is hurt and these four words

Thy will be done

Thy will be done

Thy will be done

I know you're good

But this don't feel good right now

And I know you think

Of things I could never think about

It's hard to count it all joy

Distracted by the noise

Just trying to make sense

Of all your promises

Sometimes I gotta stop

Remember that you're God

And I am not

So

Thy will be done

Thy will be done

Thy will be done

Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is

Thy will be done

Thy will be done

Thy will

I know you see me

I know you hear me, Lord

Your plans are for me

Goodness you have in store

I know you hear me

I know you see me, Lord

Your plans are for me

Good news you have in store

So, thy will be done

Thy will be done

Thy will be done

Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is

Thy will be done

Thy will be done

Thy will be done

I know you see me

I know you hear me, Lord

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SUN STAND STILL

It’s a beautiful sunny morning. I just got to work and to my surprise the house-keeping lady got me a big piece of water melon. It was so refreshing. Isn’t it a nice morning surprise?  Well, summer is finally here! Yaay!

I was inspired this morning to keep believing in big miracles, those things that are totally impossible in our own strength. I was reading from the book of Joshua chapter 9 and 10. This has been one of my favorite stories in the Bible. I'm always astonished of how Joshua could stop the sun. Can you believe someone could actually say “O SUN, STAND STILL”? And it happened! The sun actually stood still and delayed going down about a full day! WOW! Also I heard that it's proved historically that the sun stood still during the time of Joshua. I'm actually tempted to stop the sun :P nah, just kidding!

How bold was Joshua? All though the Gibeonites and Joshua had made a mistake God was still with them and they won the battle. God is the same today. Our dreams and visions need to be big and bold. If our need is too big for us to handle, it’s just the right size for God. We serve a big God. We need “sun stand still” miracles. We need faith to move on and trust God without wavering. Even when we have made mistakes God is gracious and helps us win the battles.

Nature is waking up to spring and summer. I’m encouraged by summer and by the story about Joshua, and I hope you will be encouraged, too. God has a “sun stand still” miracle for you and me, whatever we need, but we have to ask for it!

Say hello to summer!!!

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LOVE IS PATIENT

Oh, how I wish I had more patience. Whether it's loosing those extra kilos or waiting for the right person in your life or even waiting for promotion at work place. It requires lot of patience. I’m prone to impatience. I can’t honestly blame this merely on my temperament or in this fast moving world of everything being so instant. I’m not sure why “Love is patient” is the first thing in the list in 1 Corinthians 13. Forget the rest of his list for a moment. God has been teaching me to be patient. Waiting patiently is so hard. Here are few things on patience.

Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Impatience is a fruit of selfishness. Selfishness seeks its own private happiness at the expense of others. Love seeks its happiness in the happiness of the beloved. Love is patient because patience is a dying to selfishness.

We are to be:

• “Patien[tly] bearing with one another in love,” (Ephesians 4:2)
• “Patient with them all [the idle, fainthearted, and weak]” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
• “Reprov[ing], rebuk[ing], and exhort[ing], with complete patience” (2 Timothy 4:2)
• “Patient in tribulation” (Romans 12:12)
• “Patiently endur[ing]…sufferings” (2 Corinthians 1:6)
• “Patiently enduring evil” (2 Timothy 2:24)
• “Imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12)
• “Still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7)
• “Patient…until the coming of the Lord” (James 5:7)

We are to be patient with people, pain, evil, and God.

Patience requires both faith and humility. It requires that whenever things go differently than we wish, we believe that God is working all things for good, that he will complete all the good things He begins and that we can trust Him.

Ultimately, love is patient because God is patient!

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SPRINKLE A BIT OF FAITH

I was raised conservatively (and that’s an understatement believe me). I went to Christian schools from kindergarten to college. I could say that I grew up knowing God. It’s only when I was in my 20′s though when I got to know Him on a deeper, more personal level. I used to know Him only in theory, until life became a little dramatic and I felt and understood that theory. God is love, He is nearer when we are heartbroken, He provides our needs, His plans are far better than ours.

Society is brainwashing us into thinking that when we reach a certain age, we need to be married unless we want to be considered as outcasts/rejects/losers. What a silly idea. My faith keeps me from following such folly. My faith prevents me from becoming desperate and hastily jumping into wrong decisions. It teaches me to see my worth not the way the world sees me, but the way the One Who truly knows me does.

10 things about FAITH:

1. Faith allows me to celebrate my friends’ marriages and babies without envy, knowing that God is preparing the best for me.
2. Faith assures me that in my loneliness, in my pain, in my emptiness, God is enough for me.
3. Faith keeps my eyes on the reward and lets me ignore the obstacles along the way.
4. Faith keeps me strong when I’m about to give up and question God’s plans.
5. Faith lets me stand firm despite the discouragement and criticisms thrown at me.
6. Faith allows me to wear a smile on my face like nothing ever happened.
7. Faith also led me to other beautiful people who share the same beliefs and are with me in this journey.
8. Faith makes me whole. My faith completes me. My faith makes my life better, easier and more awesome.
9. Faith keeps me sane in this crazy world.
10. Faith gives me courage and boldness to take the path less traveled.

How much does my faith affect my relationships and relationship status? Big time! It’s not easy, but that’s okay. I’ve got power in my faith. I believe and I trust Him!

I'm going to sprinkle a bit of faith into my world and hope a little magic comes my way

“Faith it till you make it”. I don’t know who came up with that quote but I love it. Basically its saying to keep the faith until the manifestation of God is done. It’s hard to stay faithful when all in the natural feels so hopeless. Giving up is easy, real easy! Anything worth having sometimes requires a fight. Keeping the faith and waiting and allowing God to work things out takes more strength, but it is so worth it in the end. Keeping the faith sometimes means not knowing what the exact outcome will be but you are trusting that God’s will is greater than your own. But as human beings having our own freewill we want things when and how we want them and conforming to other’s will is hard. Which means surrendering to God can be hard too. It’s like, God can you just do it how and when I say do it? Why do I have to wait so long? Why don’t you do it this way and not that way? But thank God that “for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8). God knows what is best. Keep the faith regardless of how hopeless you feel the situation you’re facing may be God has it all worked out. “Faith it till you make it!”

Hebrews 11:1- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

-The praying women

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LEARNING FROM CRISIS EXPERIENCES

After Daddy's accident, God has been teaching us lot of things. This morning Daddy just told me to type this, felt like publishing it here. Hope it blesses you if you are going through some crisis.

Sometimes or the other in our life we face Crisis Experiences. Serious sickness, unexpected death of loved one, or even accidents can be a Crisis Experiences to some. For others it could be marital unfaithfulness, break away of relationships, financial crisis or a spiritual crisis. In Gods economy we all can learn life lessons in these Crisis Experiences. The following are the three important life lessons that we can learn in Crisis Experiences.

1.LEARNING FROM THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

Whatever the crisis experiences we may face, we can always learn something about the Sovereignty of God. God is Sovereign. He is the controller of the Universe. It is true we may not understand God’s Sovereign dealings. But we can always believe in the Sovereignty of God. King Nebuchadnezzar had a very serious Crisis Experience. He became like an animal. He had this Crisis Experience for seven long years. But he learnt a precious lesson on the Sovereignty of God. We read about it in Daniel 4:35, “He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’”. Learning about the Sovereignty of God in our Crisis Experiences is a life lesson.

2. LEARNING NOT TO TRUST IN OURSELVES

This is a very important life lesson that many miss out in normal life situation. We all have a strong self-will. Watchman Nee says most believers do not learn this important lesson before going to heaven. Once you learn this you will be dynamite for God. When Apostle Paul was in the province of Asia, he has a series of Crisis Experience. Kindly note the lesson that he learnt through it all. “Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”- 2 Corinthians 1:9. Learning not to trust in ourselves in our Crisis Experiences is a life lesson.

3. LEARNING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT OTHER GO THROUGH

The Lord Jesus becoming human is to identify with what we go through. Therefore He was compassionate towards the Crisis Experience of humanity. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin.” - Hebrews 4:15. Just as our Lord understood what we go through in Crisis let us also understand others in their time of crisis. We understand others better when we ourselves go through the Crisis Experiences they go through. Learning to understand what others go through in our Crisis Experiences is a life lesson.

Amy Carmichael was a missionary in India, who opened an orphanage and founded a mission in Dohnavur in Tamil Nadu. She served in India for 55 years without furlough and wrote about many books. She had a Crisis Experience in 1932. She had a fall and severely injured. Carmichael remained bedridden for the final 20 years of her life. However, it did not stop her from continuing her inspirational writing, for she published 16 additional books, as well as revised others she had previously published.

Crisis Experiences in life need not paralyze our life for God on this earth!

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GOD IS ABLE

We dream our dreams

We prepare our plans

But God out dreams us every time!

And out plans us every time!

God's dreams are zillion zillion times above and beyond anything we could  ever dream for ourselves.

I say let's live His dream!

Well, I've noticed that when God desires something, He takes responsibility for it and provides for it. He was gracious enough provide me bike without borrowing any money from anyone. His money wasn't wasted in loans and interest rates and stuff like that in getting me a new bike. On top of that, He surprised me (just because He felt like it) with an awesome promise for this new year from Ephesians 3:20 which says , Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that at work in us

This verse kinda got a whole new dimension to my faith life. If we use that as a basis for understanding Ephesians 3:20, the possibilities are mind-blowing. Think about it. We don't know the depth and breadth or the scope of the things that we don't know. Our imaginations are restricted by the boundaries of our knowledge. This has to make you shout out loud with joy that we serve a God that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above anything we can ask or THINK. "Exceedingly abundantly above"? That phrase ventures boldly into the realm of the unknown. This is the God we serve. He can work in ways we don't even know how to ask Him to work because He works in ways that surpass our intellect, understanding and imagination. God Himself declares that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are higher than ours (Is. 55:8).

If we are mindful of that, then we will be able to trust God and that He will work in on our behalf in ways that are far past finding out. No situation is too hopeless for God to reach into and bring His transforming grace!
As we go through this year, let us covenant together to make sure that we don't limit Almighty God to work within the boundaries of our understanding and imagination. Our God is the God of “immeasurably more!”

Heavenly Father, I believe You can do immeasurably more in me.
Please give me eyes to see the immeasurably more you want to do through me!
In Jesus Name
Amen!

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TRUSTING HIS TIMING

Awesome reminder from TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria. Just what I wanted to hear today.

One thing I’ve learned is that God doesn’t always work on our time table. In fact, He rarely does. But, in a single moment, God can change your life! All throughout scripture, we see examples of how God was working behind the scenes and instantly turned things around for His people. Scripture tells us He is the same yesterday, today and forever which means if He did it for them, He can instantly turn things around for you, too!

You may be going through some difficulty today, but be encouraged because your times are in God’s hands. Trust that He has your best interest at heart. He wants to pour out His favor. He wants to take you further than you dreamed possible and work in your life in ways beyond what you have ever imagined.

Let this truth sink down into your heart today. Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing, keep hoping and keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. Have faith because your times are in His hands, and He will lead you in the life of victory He has for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, today I humbly come before You giving You all that I am. I trust that my times are in Your hands. I trust that You are working things out in my favor. I set my focus on You knowing that You are working things out for my good in Jesus’ name. Amen.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

My times are in Your hand...(Psalm 31:15)

To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day! (Habakkuk 2:3).

PS: 

Related article:

When God's Timing Is Taking Too Long by Joyce Meyer

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JUST TRUST

I don't know what to say and I dono what to pray for. I don't know whats happening right now. I'm so lost.

All I know that I'm gonna trust You God...

JUST TRUST YOU, LORD!

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LOGOS HOPE

While sorting through my photos and trying to organize my thoughts, I am reminded of numerous events and several divine connections that remain as fond memories on-board the ship, Logos Hope. Everything from the initial decisions and preparations to the return and wind down has brought with it a flood of emotions and excitement about what God is doing now and what He will do next.

Well, “they” say that a picture is worth 1,000 words… I have over 1,000 pictures which should translate to a million words… minimum! Those of you who have had to endure my picture uploads on facebook know that I have a difficult time “not uploading pictures”. I’ll try to condense my current thoughts into a word picture hoping it will translate for you an accurate analogy of what I experienced onboard.

It was energizing and exciting to  live with 400 crew members from over 45 different nationalities onboard. The common goal of the entire ship's company was to bring knowledge, help and hope to the people of the world. I had the opportunity to hear their stories and it was so encouraging to see God's providence and direction in bringing them to the ship. Many of them onboard have attended the Alpha Course in their respective churches and some were also saved by attending the Alpha Course.

One of the highlights of my trip would definitely be the 15 days of being on land teams during dry-dock in Srilanka. Some of us onboard had this opportunity of serving in a village called Kalladi. The community in the village have been victims of Tsunami and War. The recent flood has not made life easier either. It was moving to see that these people have just one meal a day and have just one mat in their four walled government provided-houses. But one thing that surprised me was that in spite of having nothing at all, they were so content. The joy I saw in their eyes was just amazing. I could see that they trusted God so much and they had their hopes fixed in Christ. That was really encouraging for me because living in big cities we are never content with what God has given us, and we always want more. They were so open to receive us and we could bring the message of hope and demonstrate God's love to people inspite of their circumstance, culture or background.

What makes the ship so unique is the community onboard that reflects God’s love so clearly. Receiving and giving love is what I experienced on the Logos Hope. The opportunity to go and show Christ's love is right where you are. Don’t go looking for it anywhere else. Look for it right where you are. Seize it! Take a step of faith to move forward. Trust God to show you someone today who needs the love of God. God bless you.

Logos Hope in 60 seconds:

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FAITH OF A LIL GIRL

I read a story of a little child whose father and mother had died, and who was taken into another family. The first night she asked whether she could pray as she used to do. They said: "Oh yes! So she knelt down and prayed as her mother had taught her; and when that was ended, she added a little prayer of her own: "O God, make these people as kind to me as father and mother were." Then she paused and looked up, as if expecting the answer, and then added: "Of course you will." How sweetly simple was that little one's faith! She expected God to answer and "do" and "of course" she got her request, and that is the spirit in which God invites us to approach Him. Is there something that you have been praying for? Can we just step up to that level of faith and trust God?

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YOU ARE GOD’S DREAM

Just a small tot that I wanna share with you. Have you ever dreamt? Do you get dreams? Well, I do dream a lot. Sometimes I day-dream and sometimes when I’m sleeping. For example, I dream about the day I would get married and the dress I would be wearing and about how my sis will be my bridesmaid or rather maid of honour and stuff :). We all have dreams... Don’t we? But something that touched me last week was that God also has dreams and YOU ARE GOD’S DREAM! Every dream God has had, has come true. God has a dream for you. He has great plans for each of us.

He says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans that I have for you, plans of welfare and not of calamity, to give you a future and a hope”. Can we claim this promise today and say “Lord, I believe that you have great plans and dreams for me. I choose to trust You. In Lord Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!”

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FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD

This is a small poem I wrote. Hope you like it :)

To talk to God, No breath is lost
To walk with God, No strength is lost
To cry out to God, No tear is lost
To run to God, No race is lost
To fight for God, No battle is lost
To shine for God, No light is lost
To sing for God, No voice is lost
To wait for God, No time is lost
To live for God, No life is lost
Believe in God, you wont be lost

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