Sreedhar's Journey

I once had the privilege of meeting an Ambassador of Israel to a foreign country at a private party some years ago. It was the first time I met an Israeli government official. As a Malaysian this was a rare experience given that Malaysians have heavy restrictions on dealings with Israel. We spoke at length about our countries and what Israel had to offer Malaysia. It was evident that Israel has excelled greatly in turning dry arid desert areas into fertile land growing all kinds of revenue generating agricultural products. This has been offered to Malaysia before but rejected due to the sensitivity of anything Israeli in Malaysia. One thing I confirmed from that conversation is that Israel excelled in many things. And it extends beyond agriculture to science and technology. Now their technology "travels" without any government being able to stop it. This is a fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy. Jeremiah 33:7-9 And I will cause the captives of Judah and the captives

Buying properties is significant. It gives you the right to do what is permitted under the conditions of the property title on that property. Basically you are the little Lord under the rule of Lords of the country to do what you wish. Some countries are very strict and some are almost lawless. Whatever the case it is a place you have some authority over the property unless the Lord of the country changes and makes new rules. Jeremiah 32:8-9 Then Hanamel my uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the Lord, and said to me, ‘Please buy my field that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin; for the right of inheritance is yours, and the redemption yours; buy it for yourself.’ Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord. So I bought the field from Hanamel, the son of my uncle who was in Anathoth, and weighed out to him the money—seventeen shekels of silver.  Jeremiah bought property in the land of Benjamin with hard cash while he

When we are coming up to the end of the year, we are usually compelled to do a review of our accomplishments and our plans for the next year.  It is a good place and time to "take stock".  In the work that I do, we request leaders to set goals for 6 areas of their lives: Ministry, Family, Spiritual, Intellectual/Professional, Physical and Financial.  Some of you are familiar with Paul Meyer's goal setting framework.  This is an adaption from his framework with permission.  Whatever season of your life you may be in, I believe God has a special and unique plan for you.  Mistakes are in the past, but God is prepared to restore if we come back to Him just like the people of Israel. Jeremiah continues the message of restoration in chapter 31.  Jeremiah 31:33-34 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My p

On a regular basis I used to prayer walk on Bukit Kiara. It used to have a well surfaced road to walk on through the hill, but there was a time when they cut it up for some water pipe laying. It made the walking a bit challenging as you avoided the pot holes and construction debris. But eventually the road was wonderfully restored. Beautifully leveled and tarred. Jeremiah 30:10 ‘Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,’ says the Lord, Nor be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar, And your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, And no one shall make him afraid. Jeremiah in this chapter speaks of the Jewish people being restored to their promised land. Yes, much healing is needed for seemingly incurable wounds but for God nothing is impossible. He will restore. Wait on Him.  Yes, with the Lord nothing is impossible. He will restore.  Lost money.  Lost opportunities.  Lost promotions.  Come back to Him

Over 30 years ago I was contemplating my plans for the future while helping a dear Brother in the Lord do some minor repairs around the house. Nothing serious was moving in my applications for jobs in Canada or the US. At a Monday night College and Career Bible Study at Stone Church , Toronto, I got my direction through this passage and some other information God placed there that night. And so within a week I bought my one way ticket to Malaysia. That was a significant move for me as a 23 year old.  Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. The move to Babylon was probably quite significant for the people of Judah that were taken captives and there was great uncertainty as to when they could eventually return to their homeland. Jeremiah was clear. Be ready to stay for a while. You are going to stay in Babylon for a bit. Just like the people of Judah, God can take us

People generally look for positive statements about themselves or their circumstances. It makes them attracted to listen more to a person making the positive remarks, even if that person may have an ulterior motive. It could be a salesman trying to make a sale, a politician trying to win votes, or a person trying to get to a position of authority in a community, like a prophet. Hananiah may have been no different.  Jeremiah 28:11 And Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Even so I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years.’ ” And the prophet Jeremiah went his way. It was a positive thing to say that everything would be restored within 2 years without considering whether that is what the Lord is saying (The Lord had specifically said and was fulfilled that the people of Israel will be in captivity for 70 years). Jeremiah came out rebuking him greatly by sayin

Christmas is a time for celebration, and also a time for deep reflection.  Jesus coming on earth was met with great surprise because the shepherds who knew little of the Holy Scriptures were met by a host of angels celebrating the baby born in a manger.  When the wise men of the East came it was clear that only the shepherds and the prophets knew that Jesus was born, the whole world knew.  Many today associate Santa Claus with Christmas, and nothing wrong with that.  But many civilizations and communities in the world need to know that the objects of their adoration and worship needs to lead them to Almighty God, and He has a message for all of us. Jeremiah 27:5 I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are on the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me.  Jeremiah had much to contend with during his days. Firstly it was the kings of Judah that were stubborn, and then the many prophets who seem to be speak

In 2016 I was listening to a message from a preacher who spends much time on end times research and dialogue. One thing that caught my attention was that if we had prophets like the days of Jeremiah in today's times especially the presidential election year in the US, there would be chaos.  There was great chaos then. Jeremiah 26 2 Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word. 12 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the princes and all the people, saying: The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city with all the words that you have heard. It is evident from the reading of this chapter that there were many other prophets and these did not prophesy along the lines of the way Jeremiah did. Jeremiah was bold to do it in the temple. Another prophet spoke against Judah and he was caught and k

In our history books we have read and discussed the two world wars of the last century and labeled them World War I and II respectively. The reason we do that is because it involved most of the civilized world at that time. But were there other wars before that we can characterize as a world war? I think we can. Jeremiah 25:8-9 “Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Because you have not heard My words, behold, I will send and take all the families of the north,’ says the Lord, ‘and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and will bring them against this land, against its inhabitants, and against these nations all around, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, a hissing, and perpetual desolations. Jeremiah 25:11 And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. The Middle East, or as some prefer to refer to as West Asia, was truly regarded as the civilized part

There is a harsh phrase that is used on people that have no hope, "You are a basket case". Based on some quick check it probably came about during World War I when the US government denied that there were any soldiers with both arms and legs amputated thus requiring them to be carried out in a basket. But here in Jeremiah 24, there is a possibility that you are a basket case but a case for good.  A good basket! Jeremiah 24:6-7 For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up. Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart. The good figs are in the good basket. These are those that God takes away into exile and they stay faithful to God and will one day return to the promised land to start a new. The bad figs refer to those who rej

Someone wrote about comfort food and so I checked out what it meant. I may be wrong in my research but it ultimately means something that has high levels of sugar or carbohydrates that gives immediate gratification and sense of satisfaction quickly. I suppose it is sort of like walking or driving through your favorite fast food place and getting one of essentials of life (food) that gives immediate gratification but may not be very healthy. Please don't get me wrong. I love my ice cream and apple pies from McDonald's but the fact is they are unhealthy. God was dealing with this very thing in Israel. Jeremiah 23:16-17 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the Lord. They continually say to those who despise Me, ‘The Lord has said, “You shall have peace” ’; And to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own

Growing up, my parents always concerned themselves with the type of external influence I had. We were very conservative and I did not mix much without supervision from my parents. It was only in my teenage years that I got to do things independently, like taking the bus and going for scout camps. I praise God these teenage years were wonderful periods for me to learn leadership and most importantly to discover God. Jeremiah 22:8-9 And many nations will pass by this city; and everyone will say to his neighbor, ‘Why has the Lord done so to this great city?’ Then they will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God, and worshiped other gods and served them.’  The Kings of Judah also had influences from their neighbors. Some of them are mentioned in this chapter. Much of that influence led to them straying from the Lord and caused them to suffer severe consequences. Prophets like Jeremiah were used to speak to the kings and the people, but they were i

Somehow our whole lives seems to be a catch up game for what is important. Having amassed over 50 years of wisdom, I am going to do things differently. This requires much prayer and decision making. Most importantly, a plan of action. However, the people of Israel lost the plot and are at the point of no return.  Jeremiah 21:13 “Behold, I am against you, O inhabitant of the valley, And rock of the plain,” says the Lord, “Who say, Who shall come down against us? Or who shall enter our dwellings?’ As I read this portion of scripture I am reminded how we need to hear and obey God early. King Zedekiah sent his priests to inquire of the Lord from Jeremiah about what is to come for the people of Judah. It was not good news. Jerusalem's fate was sealed. They were going to be defeated. The people rejected God and this was the consequence. But they could still surrender and live. God's instructions for us cover both general commands that are in the Bible, and specif

I am thankful for my friend, brother and fellow Haggai Leader, Pastor Soon Lee of FGA Kepong, for the opportunity to minister at his church some years ago. I had been researching and reading much on evangelism and discipleship and had the opportunity to share some of this at his church. Having shared all, it is clear that as you go and make disciples, many will reject the message and the message bearer leading to people not wanting to associate with you, and perhaps even wanting to kill you.  Jeremiah felt the same way. Jeremiah 20:9, "Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not."   It is clear he was under tremendous pressure to stop speaking God's Word but could not hold back. Later in the chapter he wished he was not born. He must have come against tremendous opposition. But he carries on speaking with God on H

When someone speaks to you they may be communicating or they may not be at all. As we have learned in media communication lessons, the problem could be the communicator, the communication receiver, or the communication medium. It is so important that we speak and listen well. Also, choose the right way to communicate.  Jeremiah 19:10-11 Then you shall break the flask in the sight of the men who go with you, and say to them, Thus says the Lord of hosts: Even so I will break this people and this city, as one breaks a potter’s vessel, which cannot be made whole again; and they shall bury them in Tophet till there is no place to bury. Jeremiah, by God's leading, continued to communicate His message to the people of Judah. This chapter shows how Jeremiah goes to a valley with a flask and shows what is going to happen to them because of their unfaithfulness to God and their continued worship of Baal and their practice of human sacrifice.  In all that was going on, I don

Husbands are generally stubborn. Apologies. Maybe I am the stubborn one. I have the tendency not to listen to my wife's counsel and go full speed ahead into things. Husbands, wives are a gift from God. They may nag (sometimes the only way to get through to you) and they may get emotional (because you fail to listen) but they are an important part of the Godly union that you are a part of. Jeremiah 18:14 Will a man leave the snow water of Lebanon, Which comes from the rock of the field? Will the cold flowing waters be forsaken for strange waters? But there is group people that were stubborn. They gave up something that is paralleled with the snow fed waters of Lebanon. They are pictured as clay that needs remodeling because it is out of shape. The people of Judah continue to pursue that which is worthless when something priceless is there in front of their very eyes. Stubborn! God is offering you and me a relationship that is divine and unparalleled. Stop and consume

Once I read about one of the longest commercial air flight in the world. Yes, it is a cool almost 19 hours from Auckland to Dubai. I can almost hear every child on the plane asking the same question. "Are we there yet?"  In life's journey we tend to ask the same question. This question becomes even more desperate when we are going through tough portions of our personal journey. There seems to be no hope for us. Jeremiah 17:7-8 says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit".  The words of the Lord that says "I will take care of it" keeps ringing in my ears. Truly this verse powerfully speaks of the hope God gives us in the midst of uncertainty and great upheaval. The stresses of life

I read the news each day and I read how man thinks he can control his destiny. I suppose I should not fault them when they have chosen to believe that there is no God, or God is disinterested in the affairs of man. What a LIE! Again no surprise when man has conveniently ignored facts and information that does not fit their predispositions.  Jeremiah chapter 16 s full of God's pronouncement of judgement against the Jews. The part that jumps out at me is the fact that they will no longer be referred to as the people that came from Egypt but a people that came back to the promised land from being scattered all over the world starting with the North (verses 14 and 15). Jeremiah ends with an interesting statement about the Gentiles in verses 19-21, "O Lord, my strength and my fortress, My refuge in the day of affliction, The Gentiles shall come to You From the ends of the earth and say, “Surely our fathers have inherited lies, Worthlessness and unprofitable things.”  Will

Have you been told off for speaking your mind. There have been occasions where I have been told off. But I am grateful to many of my leaders that were ready to hear me out over the years of my journey of faith. For this reason I try to make sure that everyone is heard. Even the most junior person in the room or meeting. Forgive me if I have acted to the contrary.  The sins of Judah were so great that even if Moses or Samuel was to plead their case God will not listen. The interesting observation here is not about how great the sins of Judah were, but the fact that God singled out Moses and Samuel in this verse. Perhaps besides studying God's ways through His Son Jesus Christ, we should study well the life and works of these two great men. Jesus had no failings and was the perfect Lamb of God. But, Moses and Samuel were ordinary men chosen by God to carry out works of God. They were like us. How can we learn from them? Jeremiah is also a person to learn from. He suffered mu

During my consulting days we used the term rainmaker to refer to somebody that was skilled in bringing in new work and this was an important criteria to be made a partner of the firm. I was doing very well and was a year from being considered for partnership when I felt the Lord leading me to a new season in my life.  In Jeremiah 14 you see in verse 22 it is said, "Are there any among the idols of the nations that can cause rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are You not He, O Lord our God? Therefore we will wait for You, Since You have made all these."  God is our perfect rainmaker. The people of Israel were desperate. As they reflected on their predicament, they realized only God can deliver them from the drought. We may strife in our academic, professional or business work but the real ingredient for success is our God. I will look to the REAL Rainmaker. He is the source of all good success.  I attribute my career successes to God. He brought on the elevations

Are you a belt person? What I mean is that you always need to be wearing a belt. I suppose it has become a necessary accessory for men due to the way pants are designed with belt loops. Your attire looks incomplete when you are missing a belt. It is sometimes a fashion statement with a uniquely designed buckle. This accessory in various forms and material existed in ancient times as well. Jeremiah 13:3-5 And the word of the Lord came to me the second time, saying, “Take the sash that you acquired, which is around your waist, and arise, go to the Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole in the rock.” So I went and hid it by the Euphrates, as the Lord commanded me. God continues to hammer home the fact that the Jews have become useless.  This time using an object lesson of a linen sash that becomes useless in performing its function in making a person's clothing presentable.  The interesting thing is that Jeremiah is already in Babylon as he was asked to go to the Euphrates to bur

Have you gotten upset with anyone?  I have.  My children.  In the interest of seeing grow and mature well, as parents we take on the stress of seeing them through life's journey.  There are so many decision points and so many external factors that you do not control.  I have therefore learned that prayer is most important you can do.  I need to let go and let God. Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are You, O Lord, when I plead with You; Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously? Jeremiah pours out his grievances before God about how the wicked seem to prosper against His people. But God said that they stopped being His people because of all they have done. Baal is mentioned again here. But after all that, God still returns to bless them and take care of them as mentioned at the end of the chapter. Jeremiah 12:15 Then it shall be, after I have plucked them out, that I will return

Have you tried my favorite remedy and stay well "tonic"?  You guessed it.  Apple Cider Vinegar has been my daily thing for many years.  In my days as a student in Toronto I used to experience a sore throat at numerous times.  One day the doctor said why don't I take mouthwash.  It helped some, but then I discovered saltwater.  Eventually someone showed me Apple Cider Vinegar and now this keeps me from the doctors for any cold or flu.  What a blessing! Jeremiah 11:5 says, "that I may confirm the oath that I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day.” Then I answered, “So be it, Lord.”" Land flowing with milk and honey. A Jewish rabbi explains it well here <click here>.   Overflowing in economic wealth would be another way of seeing it in a contemporary basis. Many are jealous of the success of the Jews in commerce and many other sectors. A friend of mine is discovering some unique elements in the Jewish

I used to meet people who would ask, "What is your star?  We all know what star they are talking about.  And, you probably have an affinity towards talking about this.  However, thankfully our lives are not driven by the year, month, day and hour we are born in.  However, there are many people in the world that draw their personal income (and wealth) from being able to tell you the significance of such a thing.  Jeremiah 10 has a mention of this. Jeremiah 10:2-3 Thus says the Lord: “Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. Are we into astrology and horoscopes? Verse 2 specifically speaks against these. It says that these "customs" are vanity because God is in charge.  The rest of the chapter could be considered seditious but it is straight to

In these modern times the word "love" has significantly diminished in value and/or depth.  Sometimes the smallest of issues can cause a love relationship to suffer and many times break.  What happened to the phrase, "love endures" or "love perseveres".  No more?!  Many therefore have a hard time understanding the concept of divine love.  They try to connect it with human love, but you cannot.  It just does not compare.  Hence, when I learnt about the love of God, and understood it, I said Yes! Jeremiah 9:12-14 Who is the wise man who may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord has spoken, that he may declare it? Why does the land perish and burn up like a wilderness, so that no one can pass through?  And the Lord said, “Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice, nor walked according to it, but they have walked according to the dictates of their own hearts and after the Baals, which t

A double minded person always has a hard time being decisive. He cannot decide between two things because both seem to provide the same benefit but one in the wrong way. So we may ask, why choose the wrong way? Well, it may seem easier to do it the wrong way. Quicker results. Or, less pain. Or perhaps, more humanly possible. Jeremiah 8:6 I listened and heard, But they do not speak aright. No man repented of his wickedness, Saying, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone turned to his own course, As the horse rushes into the battle. Jeremiah is perplexed, along with God, about how the people of Israel can give up all the good things and pursue the wrong way to the "higher being". There is sadness and disappointment seeing that they have forsaken God and pursued not the Creator, but "the created". The absence of God opens us to sin and its wickedness. Father, I will not be double minded. I must look to You alone and maintain a growing relationship with

I must confess. I love chocolate. Once Shawn, my son, showed me his mug brownie that he had eaten for supper, I planned on a visit to a corner place to get some brownies. I consumed all of it and it was gone. There is a saying, "You cannot have your cake and eat it". Basically means I cannot take the brownie home if I had already eaten it in the shop. In other words, you cannot benefit in both ways. You have to choose. Jeremiah 7:8-10 “Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered to do all these abominations’? The people of Judah were literally being scolded for their ways. On the one hand they were loyal in going to God's house, but on the other hand they were worshiping other gods. Even to the extent of sacrificing their child

What is wrong with the world today.  I continue to read that people are killing Christians.  Are they animals to be butchered?  Is life without value?  Is there no conscience?  Actually this should come as no surprise.  This is an age old issue and history is repeating itself. Jeremiah 6:10 To whom shall I speak and give warning, That they may hear? Indeed their ear is uncircumcised, And they cannot give heed. Behold, the word of the Lord is a reproach to them; They have no delight in it. This chapter is giving the harsh realities of what is to come to a people that do not listen. They did not listen to the Lord. His warnings are brushed off. Prophets are ignored and persecuted. They are probably laughed and scoffed at when the messages from the Lord are given. Where are we in relation to hearing God's word and obeying it? I am again reminded that we live under His grace and mercy. We cannot be arrogant about our circumstances, because they can change very

"Full of themselves" is an American slang that means a group that the phrase is referring to think highly of their standing and/or abilities. Of course it is referring to them in a negative sense, and will lead to their eventual downfall. We know this but sometimes we are similarly caught in this trap. Jeremiah 5:7 “How shall I pardon you for this? Your children have forsaken Me And sworn by those that are not gods. When I had fed them to the full, Then they committed adultery And assembled themselves by troops in the harlots’ houses. The people of Israel thought they knew better and pursued other gods and false prophets, and perhaps were full of themselves. But history tells us that these gods failed them. God continued to remind them through Jeremiah of their need for Him. Twice in the chapter there is mention of God providing a little way out or a second chance. That shows God's tremendous compassion for the people. Jeremiah 5:22 Do you not f