Sreedhar's Journey

Have you been stopped by a policeman unnecessarily or for reasons that don't make sense? There may be a "nice" reason for it. In many countries corruption is rife and it happens because you have both a giver and a taker. It started with a giver who made a decision to do wrong and felt that he could get away with it by paying a bribe to the policeman who caught him. This vice of man is present the world over, including in Jesus' days. Paul was being held in Caesarea by Governor Felix. He was waiting for the Jewish leaders to come and make their accusations. Even though Paul explained himself and showed that he was innocent, Felix would not release him. He saw him many times hoping for "something". Acts 24:26 Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him. There was no reason for Paul to be put in captivity and Felix knew this. He gave instructions that pe...

Pandemics, protests, civil unrest, riots, anarchy and the like are continuing to be a common feature in these modern days.  Why so?  Has not science taught us what is good?  Are we not using the latest technologies to help us from conception through child birth, through the school system, through work and family life, and on and on and on?  Since these challenges of human living are still there, it is only logical to assume that we are missing something. Nahum 3:1-3 Woe to the bloody city! It is all full of lies and robbery. Its victim never departs. The noise of a whip And the noise of rattling wheels, Of galloping horses, Of clattering chariots! Horsemen charge with bright sword and glittering spear. There is a multitude of slain, A great number of bodies, Countless corpses— They stumble over the corpses As I read today's final chapter of Nahum, I am drawn to modern day Syria and its situation in recent times. It has been a virtually impossible position....

Do you believe that we came from nothing? That no one had a hand in your existence? That a complex being like you, with the ability to procreate evolved from a less complex being? It is simply amazing that people believe these ideas. But this is not the end of their ideas. They use this to give excuses for "open relationships", gender confusion or diversity, and many other things that assumes that God does not exist, and there are no moral standards. Psalms 83:18 That they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, Are the Most High over all the earth. Soon, the above statement in the Bible may be classified as hate speech and deemed treason. However, if you dig deep into the state of the issues playing out, it is strongly influenced by a small few that have the big money to command media, governments and content. This explains the co-existence of liberal groups and faith groups that have differing views on women rights, LGBTQ, creation and many other things. As fol...

We walk daily with a possibility that some harm may come against us. An accident, a sickness, or a person having ill will against us. These things can play on the mind and make us stressed. We live in a constant state of anticipation that drains us. Not an easy place to be. But, thankfully God is in control. Psalms 75:7 But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another. God decides on matters. He has the final say. His love for us says He will take care of it. He continually processes everything for our good. Nothing escapes Him. He is the Alpha and Omega. The beginning to the end. All "possibilities" are in His hands. There is no fear in God's perfect love. Father, I know you always take care of me.

As the Russians start to "occupy" Venezuela and take advantage of the turmoil to establish a "beachhead" for themselves in South America, you can sense that the old ideas from the Cold War are resurfacing. This adds to the conflict in the middle east and the terrorist activities around the world. It seems hopeless, but God is still in charge. Psalms 68:17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, Even thousands of thousands; The Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy Place. Nations will continue to use power play to coerce others for their benefit. Much of it has to do with political and economic power. Nothing to do with anything else, especially religious motivations. Though many twist religious ideas to support their actions for aggression. But, God will have the final say. The nations will finally be wanting to keep peace. Psalms 68:31 Envoys will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God. Father, I will always remember t...

Have you been sick before? Did you ever fall accidentally and hurt yourself? Did someone knock into you while driving? I have experienced all these things. Why do they happen? We can never understand why specifically, but we know that God is still in control. Job had a strong perspective that we should have good and adverse experiences. Job 2:10, But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. I am reminded that with the fall of man we live in an imperfect world that will constantly challenge us physically, emotionally and spiritually. The evil around us never ceases as long as Satan prowls the earth. But God has a destination for Satan, and He does not want us there. The adversities we experience are a reminder of the sin, and our need for God. Job 2:13, So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spok...

Are you having sleepless nights? Some of my friends use that time to read books. Others, who have the wealth, power and/or liberty, would wake everyone up and read a book to them. This happened to King  Ahasuerus. Esther 6:1, That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. The king was not having a novel read to him. He had the history books of the kingdom read. Anything noteworthy would have been recorded in these books. The King had totally forgotten the details. But God had not. God orchestrated the whole thing so that Mordecai would be exalted at this point in history. I can just imagine Hamon when he was told that he needed to honor Mordecai. It would have been a great embarrassment for him. And now he's about to enter into a banquet hosted by Queen Esther and the story develops with more interesting outcomes. It's amazing how God can use circumstances and turn them around ...

We Malaysians love food. Much of our hospitality is around food. When someone visits, we make sure they do not leave without first being well fed. When I was growing up, this was our practice at home. Sometimes the cooking can go quite late because of late guests and we children have to wait in hunger. There was another great feast about to happen. The king (based on this I see that the king does consume wine eventhough he does not force others to drink) has a banquet of wine with Haman hosted by Queen Esther. Esther 5:6, At the banquet of wine the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!” Esther now invites them back for a full banquet. Haman is besides himself. He is elated and boasts about his standing with everyone, including the queen. However, he is very disturbed by the presence of Modercai. He is ready to kill him and was urged to build the gallows for him. Esther 5:14, T...

I love food and I need to be careful about over consumption. I am Indian by descent, born and raised in Malaysia, spent 7 years in Canada, and have traveled to many countries of the world. This has contributed towards my ability to appreciate many foods and love them. But Isaac had a special meal that he loved and in his dying years he wanted that served. Genesis 27:4, And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.” Isaac knew he had to bless his son and had doubts as to who was before him that he was about to bless. He had fading eyesight and could not only feel and smell his son. Once he was satisfied that it was the "right son" he proceeded to bless him. This resulted in Jacob being blessed. Genesis 27:29, Let peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, And let your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, And blessed be those who bless yo...