Sreedhar's Journey

As human beings we have a way to look at the world through our paradigms or frame of reference. It is difficult to break from them because it will take us out of our comfort zone. We may break from it for a short while, but we tend to return to it because it is painful to make the shift. Someone who follows Jesus Christ struggles with the same. 2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. The situation Peter is talking about indicates that people were mixing in their old beliefs with the purity of what God had done on the cross and the resurrection. It is interesting that this was happening in the first century. Of course we see and feel the effects in, among others, the teachings of the Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and the fastest growing religion in the world. I am reminded yet again tha

Can I show off a little bit? Lee Yen and I got married almost 30 years ago. By God's grace we will celebrate our 30th in December. It was quite unusual because I am of Indian origin and Lee Yen is of Chinese origin. I made it a point to seek permission from her family to court her. Our journey together has been very adventurous. We have seen much together, including living in 3 countries, and traveling to a number more. She is the one that ensures everything stays in shape at home, including the husband. I just prayed for her to live over a hundred years so that she can be a blessing to many more.  I dedicate this passage of scripture to us as a couple, and to those reading this post. 2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and pre

When I was in senior high school I studied about ecosystems. As part of the study, we had to investigate a square meter of ground and understand what goes on in that space. It was quite fascinating if you got the right area. If you had a fertile area where there was good growth of grass you could say much about how this ecosystem thrived. God has the perfect human ecosystem for us as well. 1 Peter 5:5-7 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. For the ground there are a few things needed to maintain a good ecosystem, the main one being, good soil. For humans one of the greatest attributes would be humility. Peter writes about the need for leaders to be responsible for those that they

My first job after finishing graduate school was in management consulting. I did that for the first 12 years of my career and enjoyed it thoroughly. It was not without its ups and downs. Every assignment was different though the thought process and frameworks used may be similar. These were times I would reach out to God continuously for the right answers to some difficult questions on the job. Praise God, He answered. 1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. If you are reading this and you have worked with me in any way, let me say this, "My success, if any, are totally because of God's intervention and wisdom". There are times I have made mistakes, but God has taken me from that to the next thing. I needed to continuously seek Him for His dir

Have you been to an expensive restaurant? Through my years in corporate life I have enjoyed being invited and hosted at meals fit for a king. I love food and I am adventurous. That is how this chapter feels to me. 1 Peter 3 is so rich and expensive. It is full good advice and teaching. I must make it a point to memorize it. 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. As of writing this post, I have been married to a wonderful woman for the last almost 30 years (we celebrate our 30th in December). She is the best. With her, we are raising 4 wonderful children aged 28 through 15. We have traveled crazy miles together. She is of Chinese origin and I of Indian, born and raised in Malaysia. Now speaking into the nations. This chapter also talks about suffering. As Lee Yen and I have traveled the miles, we have faced many chal

John Knox is a name that you must know. If not, you have missed a great history of Scotland's revival. This impacted the UK and the whole British Empire. The Queen of Scotland has been quoted as fearing the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe. He prayed the famous prayer, "Give me Scotland or I die". In a similar fashion, Peter asks us to make a difference in our land.  Pater states the following beautiful statements of cheer and clear standing that we have as followers of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the kin

We go through life with our view of the world and many things assumed, and a given. We don't think about them. We don't challenge them. We accept them for what they are and build other experiences on them. When you meet Jesus for the first time, this changes because you suddenly realize there is something different, unexpected and better. We realize there is the perfect hope. 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; Yes, the challenges of life may be there, but you have a more certain understanding of what the future holds. The early Christians were greatly persecuted for their faith but held on because of the reality of the message. Are you questioning the authenticity of the Bible and the truths that lie within? Don't struggle with this. 1 Peter 1:12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things wh

"Are we there yet?" is a familiar question to most parents when on a journey with children. You can either respond with vigorous reprimand, or use the opportunity to help the child learn a few things. The obvious ones are time, distance, maps, landmarks and car games. There is another one that is related to character. Patience! Are we known for our patience? James has something to say. James 5:7-8 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. When we look at the issues of life and the turmoil in the world, we tend to wish that Jesus returns quickly. The early Christians suffered greatly for their faith and the same is true today for people all over the world. The suffering may come in different forms, but we suffer.  We are urged to be patient. In

In my previous post I spoke about food made with "tongue twisting double taste". Today, let me talk about how two things cannot mix. Oil and water. We have all done that experiment and realized that oil is impenetrable by water. However, dispersants used to clean oil spills are able to break up oil. In the same manner the ways of God and our human tendencies tend to be in conflict. James in the early part of the chapter today talks about it and comes very strong with this statement. James 4:7-8 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. I am sure you have seen how a stray drop of oil recombines with a larger pool of oil. The oil stays together, and likewise, we need to reconnect with the Lord. There will be "dispersants" that try to break us from God, but as we pursue His presence we find peace, love and joy. Nothing

One of the Chinese dishes that is famous world over is "sweet and sour". You could have it as fish, pork or, with a little bit of variation, "lemon chicken". As you bite into the dish your tongue is tickled with both the sweet and sour tastes. It tricks the tongue and gives you a special sensation. Getting hungry?  I am! Well this is something you put into your mouth. There is also that which comes out of your mouth. James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. A teacher is listened to carefully and has to watch what he or she says. Even if it is not recorded on an electronic media, it is recorded in the hearts and minds of people. The tongue is powerful and, in human history, it has shown how minds can be changed and movements created for either good or bad. James 3:8-9 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we c

You have probably heard the expression, "put your money where your mouth is" many times over. If you speak so well about a certain product, do you use it? Do you actually get the benefits that you say it provides? There are many celebrity endorsed products out there and I wonder if they really use the products they promote. Promoting your relationship with God is the same. This chapter in James says much about faith and works. James 2:19-20 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? A great example of this is given with the life of Abraham, our patriarch of faith and father of nations. He was shown the promise of the stars and he believed and proceeded to act on it.  He may not have figured how God was going to accomplish it through him, but he believed God could do it.  He had faith even to the point of being prepared to sacrifice the only legitimate heir that

Are you well fed and fat. I feel like that. I know I need to lose a few pounds to get to my ideal weight. I need to "do" more. I believe the issue is not the food. I eat like anybody else. I need to lead a more active lifestyle that ensures every part of my body is ready to live a 100 years. James is saying the same thing about our spiritual health. James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Please do not mistake me for saying that "doing" is more important than "being". Embedded in the doer of the Word is "being". Many of us hear sermons after sermons, attend conferences after conferences, but never do anything.  Excuse the expression.  We sit on our backsides, watch others do something, and we become "armchair" critiques. I am involved in a training work that is measured for effectiveness and challenges the graduates to be doers with the training that they have received. The worst thing that can

The world has changed so much in my lifetime. I still remember how we learnt to write good letters, and some even went on to find pen pals over the oceans. Is this this a lost art? I believe it does not have to be. We just have to practice the same disciplines in our email and social media writing. As the writer of Hebrews comes to the conclusion of his letter, you can see how he ends it with a positive note. Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Much can be saved and communicated with a well written letter, email or message. Thinking through the communication may in fact create a legacy for not just a lifetime but eternity, as did the writer of Hebrews.  The writer had a great discourse of a

We walk not with a spirit of fear because we are children of God. Everybody that lives in this family has nothing to fear except God himself. Even then, this is a different kind of fear. It is a holy reverence that gives peace and joy. Our lives cannot find peace with the absence of God.  I have tried to find a parallel to explain what it means to have God absent, but I could not. God being in our lives is so "out of this world" and yet it is part of our DNA and our life ecosystem.  Many meditate, but without the living Savior.  The experience is incomplete and the soul deserves better. Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right h

We can go through life so quickly and forget to be thankful for all the obvious things. The first of which is our life. We only think of it when we are dying. Or, when we have a near death experience. In the same way we do not think about God until we are at wits end. What is the problem? Maybe it is because the existence of God and a loving relationship with Him is too good to be true and we default to second best. Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. The rest of the chapter in Hebrews is so full of stories of God blessed people through the ages. The writer of Hebrews calls them elders.  The Old Testament is full of this rich history of God's continued involvement with man.  This chapter aptly summarizes the faith journey of these elders from different periods of history. They did not see all the promises of God fulfilled in their lifetime because God operates outside time