Sreedhar's Journey

Anyone that murders another human being does this against his God-given conscience. Some time ago I saw the news of the 23 Coptic Christians in Egypt being shot and killed while traveling in a bus. This happened shortly after the murder incident in Manchester where 22 people were killed by a suicide bomber who had just returned from the Middle East. This is not only happening in these places, but in Western cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. The murderers can only do this if they are possessed by a demonic spirit. There is an urgency to bring people to Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. I have many friends who keep rejecting the claims of Christ. But if they were to do serious literature review, both Christian and other religious books, they cannot avoid the conclusion that Jesus died and rose again, and He is God. He is merciful and able to...

What is true faith? Many people go to great lengths to demonstrate their religious piety through various religious activities. It may incur great cost to them in terms of time and cost.  The view is that there is no cost too great to fulfill their religious duties. Their devotion is seen through the sacrifices that they make. Unfortunately, it comes to nothing if it does not help them through to eternity. Most are unclear about their future after death. Most hope that their good works and acts of piety will allow them to live life with success and die peacefully. Jesus is the only one that gives clarity on this matter.  No religious leader or founder of a faith or religion has this clarity for life, death and life after death. 1 Timothy 1:14-16 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Howev...

The worst thing you can do to a beggar that is in a good healthy condition is to give him money. Do you agree with this statement? Many need to be delivered from their unhealthy state of mind. Jesus healed many both in mind and body. The healing of the mind was mostly dealt with the deliverance from a spirit. Paul admonishes the church to not feed the people that do not work. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. The church performed a social welfare role and some were probably taking advantage of this. We ought to occupy ourselves with any work that pays, and not be complacent or lazy. This is Godly character. Paul encourages the church to continue being good...

Are you superhuman? You may qualify to be the great leader that needs to save the earth. Everybody is saying the earth will come to a tragic end in one way or another. Whether it is the environment, space rocks, religion or war, people are either resigned to these, or a minority are actively doing something to counter these time bombs. Satan has already planned for this superhuman. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Paul gives us a glimpse of what is to come. Revelations says more and I will soon be reading that this year. People think they can out think God. In the process they seek to be honored and worshiped as demigods. All this takes them away from the creator God and Satan knows tha...

It is natural for parents to take great pride in their children. On occasion they can embarrass you and you take immediate, and sometimes not so great, steps to correct the situation. We take it upon ourselves to make sure our children look good. We obviously want to look good as a family. Paul was likewise proud of his family in the Lord and brags about them. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure. But notice what Paul boasts about. Their patience and faith in the midst of persecution and tribulation. Yes, the steps to follow Jesus is simple but you could suffer greatly for it. But it is worth it. We experience the love and the presence of Almighty God in our lives. We have certainty ab...

Our human state has a tendency to complicate matters. We always feel that the better way to do something is another way, when there is a simpler way. So what way are you taking to know the certainty of your life after death. The first reaction or response is to say, "I don't know". To make sure there is no further conversation on the matter you may say, "And, I don't care". In actual fact you care and it matters. Paul here is giving a clear reminder of what God has in mind and what we have in Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is that simple. Follow Jesus and you will be saved. It is not complicated. It does not require deep analysis. All this has been done. Many who set out to disprove the Christian faith have ended up becoming Christians. You may raise objections, but a serious seeker will find the answers, and be faced with the penultimate question, "Since what J...

Our state of mind is determined by our relationships. It starts with the family, friends, and ends with the communities that we engage with on a regular basis. And yes, that includes your workplace. When relationships get disrupted, our state of mind gets disrupted and our entire wellbeing is also affected. This is not limited to human relationships. It extends to our relationship with the Creator. Paul makes some strong points about this. 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. The way we go about our daily lives can affect our relationship with God. When you are separate from the Lord, much of you gets into a state of uneasiness and unpredictability. You can only do so much and control so much. God is able to intervene in ways that we cannot ask or think. And so, I need to go to Him for everything. He will take care of it. Our relationship with o...