Why “Salvation” through Cross is such an important decision and how lethal it can be if ignored!!

A demon possessed man encounters JESUS in the region of Gergesenes (or Gadarenes), who has been living in the tombs. He was without clothes, very violent often breaking the iron chains he was chained with and he cut himself with stones. He was very scary to look at.

As soon as the demons saw JESUS, they recognize HIM, so they fall at the feet of JESUS saying – Son of the Most High GOD, have YOU come to torture us before the appointed time? (Mathew 8:29,  Mark 5:7, Luke 8:31). When JESUS asks the person his name, he replies “Legion” because there were many demons inside him. (It's the demons who speak through the man as the man is in their influence - possessed).

For the reader's understanding, demons are the agents of 'satan', who is referred as the prince of air in the Word of GOD (Bible). He is the chief adversary of human race. He was already condemned by GOD for his sin of pride - he thought of rising above GOD - The GOD who created him. He had an evil desire to receive worship to himself. He will be judged at the end of times and will be thrown into the "Eternal Lake of Fire" prepared for him and his evil agents. He was a beautiful angel in GOD'S presence once but due to his sin, he was thrown out of heaven. He turned away some more angels from GOD who were also thrown out, and they all together  became adversaries to man. This is because GOD desired to fill their place with man (created lower than angel). The satan is full of fury and jealous towards man and is putting all his efforts to push man into sin so that he is condemned in his guilt. The righteous GOD then have to punish man too and appoint him to take part in "the Lake of Fire" along with satan. This is satan's goal. That's another story which can be known from the Bible.

They beg JESUS not to order them to go into the abyss (a bottomless pit probably prepared for the demons before judgment). There were a large herd of pigs feeding on the hill side and the demons beg JESUS to let them go into the pigs and JESUS gives them permission to go into the pigs.

The man gets delivered from the demons and returns to his normal state. The people of the town come to see the man. They find him sitting at the feet of JESUS, dressed, completely cured and in his right mind. They couldn’t believe what they were seeing and get utterly amazed.

What could be the reason the person became demon possessed in the first place?!?

There can be one or more reasons. More likely due to some of the following:

• Personal Sin
• Weakness
• Fear
• Ancestors evil or wicked practices

Satan cannot attack or take dominion over a person without GOD’S permission. Even Job was tormented by satan only after satan took GOD’S permission first. Job was referred to as a righteous person in Bible, who had to undergo a test given by GOD and satan gets permission to hurt him physically and mentally (Job 1: 6-12). Satan is granted permission when a person is in sin or has weakness in some areas or has fear of anything in life or there is sin/ evil/ wickedness which is following him/ her from ancestors/ parents. Sometimes, GOD allows satan to tempt a person to test him for his integrity as in Job's case. GOD tests a person especially when HE would like to delegate some important work to that person. If the person passes the test, blessing and protection comes from GOD. Satan cannot attack a person covered or hedged by GOD. However, he constantly looks for an opportunity to influence/ tempt every person and when the person yields, then attack him/ her.

It operates in different ways. It need not take possession of every person; it can influence a person’s thoughts without actually entering that person (on the basis of the person’s desires). It can torment a person through disease, problem, depression, etc.

Satan has no physical body. It is a spirit and it needs a body to operate – through a person’s body that has emotions, feelings, hatred, thoughts, hands and feet. Through that person, satan operates by stealing, killing and destroying. This is the nature of satan (John 10:10). Satan operates on the mind of a person, because it is here that the person is assessing or judging what is good and beneficial (OR) what is bad and not of use to him/ her. This is because of the fruit of "knowledge of good and evil" that man ate, now man is trying to act on his own judgment and will, and not of GOD.

GOD is also SPIRIT. To resist the works of satan, GOD also needs a body made of flesh and blood after the manner of men. This is why GOD sends JESUS as HIS Son, to be born in flesh and blood. JESUS was born through the HOLY SPIRIT, to a virgin, whose name was Mary betrothed to Joseph. That’s why JESUS is called the Son of the Most High GOD!! GOD gave JESUS “The Spirit” – “HOLY SPIRIT” without measure, so HE speaks only the words of GOD.

It’s written in the Bible (1 Corinthians 2:10-11) - The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹ For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

JESUS did not carry HIS glory or power or wisdom as GOD. HE kept aside HIS glory and came to operate in a body that's prepared by GOD for HIM, just like any other man. HE grew up learning and showed obedience to GOD in every aspect. JESUS is anointed by the HOLY SPIRIT without measure so HE was able to understand the mind and heart of GOD. HE had to operate in flesh and blood just as man, so HE needed the Spirit of GOD to help Him and guide HIM. HE became an example unto man how to have a continuous fellowship with GOD the FATHER, so that man can be anointed with the HOLY SPIRIT - to understand GOD’S mind and HIS heart, and also to do great things.

By pushing man into sin, satan is able to gain authority over man. To condemn the works of satan, GOD needed a man who is blemish less and without sin, who is willing to shed his righteous blood so that because of the righteous blood that was shed, man can be saved.

It’s the principle that no righteous person should ever be punished unfairly. Even though many unrighteous persons may escape punishment, no righteous person should suffer unjust punishment. When this principle gets tampered, when a righteous person receives punishment for no offense, then, sinful man can be saved through the blood of this righteous person. The injustice done to the righteous person can alter the laws. GOD did not find any righteous person on planet earth who can fit HIS plan. Hence HE HIMSELF had to come down in the form of ‘SON’, born of HIS HOLY SPIRIT to a virgin. Hence we know how JESUS CHRIST got manifested on Earth born to a virgin woman – Mary. JESUS means “HE will save HIS people from their sins” (Mathew 1: 21).

Why Virgin..?

Adam fell when he was tested. The original Adam (first man created by GOD in the Garden of Eden), was blameless when created, later became sinful by his disobedience to GOD’S commandment and eating of the forbidden fruit (from the tree of knowledge of good and evil). When he fell, he carried sin in his body – in his DNA. This is carried in the DNA of every human since then. By birth, man is born in sin. His sinful traits show up even from infancy – showing disobedience – for example – a baby shows up curiosity to do those things that her parents/ elders forbid (disobedience). JESUS, hence, cannot be born in the natural way as the sin will be inherited in this way. GOD brought Him into this world through “The HOLY SPIRIT”, born without sin, but tempted in all ways as Adam or just like any other man is tempted. However, JESUS withstood every trial and temptation, HE did not fall like every other man though HE was in nature same as any other man and was open to the same emotions, feelings and flesh.

JESUS stood strong and blameless because of the continuous fellowship HE maintained with HIS FATHER in heaven.

This is the reason GOD chose a virgin woman to carry out HIS righteous plan. JESUS is not born in the natural way where sin can be inherited. HE was born by the overshadowing of the HOLY SPIRIT upon Mary, who is still a virgin.  

For a person to take privilege of this “free gift of Salvation” that has been offered so benevolently by GOD, the person has to believe upon GOD’S benevolent act of mercy and truth, HIS great plan of escape that HE made available to mankind through the blood of HIS righteous begotten SON – JESUS CHRIST – born of The HOLY SPIRIT to a virgin woman.

By the blood that was shed by this righteous person “JESUS”, one can get saved by confessing that he/ she is a sinner and that he/ she has committed sin knowingly or unknowingly against GOD, by the sinful nature that’s prevailing in man and ask for GOD’S forgiveness. This is the simple act of confession that GOD desires from every person so that HE can save them from GOD’S wrath and judgment. It’s HIS plan to save all mankind from hell.

Upon doing this, GOD is expecting the person who is saved to also show the same forgiving nature towards others who hurt him/ her consciously or otherwise. This is because the person received great forgiveness from GOD. If the person wants himself/ herself to be forgiven by GOD, the person also should show the same mercy towards others.

Through "Salvation", GOD is also empowering man with power and authority in HIS name to defeat satan’s plans, trials and temptations. For this purpose, JESUS came into this world to make "Salvation" available to everyone freely, in HIS name, by HIS righteous blood.

The blood of JESUS sets us free from every sin and sickness and worry. Now, JESUS, after accomplishing this righteous act upon the cross of Calvary, has risen from the dead on the third day just as HE had been saying from the beginning. After spending some time with HIS disciples and empowering them to preach the good news of Salvation to the ends of the world, HE is now ascended unto HIS FATHER in heaven and sitting on HIS right hand side awaiting HIS return to earth.

Now that HE has made available such a great gift – “Salvation” to mankind, HE will return back to settle account and sit for judgment. Those who are not saved through HIS grace have to face HIS wrath because HE is righteous, so HE judges righteously. Every person's acts and thoughts will be judged. Intentions behind every act will be judged. A person may have some good works to his/ her account but the intentions behind these works are weighed. And then, who can stand in the judgment - in the balance? It’s very difficult for a man to save his/ her soul through his/ her own works, having denied such a great gift from GOD. It's almost impossible to meet the high standards of righteousness that GOD had set. If the standards are not met, the punishment would be "the Lake of Fire" after judgment, shared with satan and his agents.

Salvation through Cross is getting saved by the grace of GOD and not by one’s own works. (Ephesians 2: 8-9) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.

“Salvation through Cross” is the gift of GOD to mankind, HIS unimaginable and incomparable love He has expressed through the death and suffering of HIS righteous and only begotten SON on the Cross. This is GOD for man and not man for GOD.

The blood of goats and oxen can only cleanse a person from his bodily ailments but the conscience of a person is purged and cleansed only by the righteous blood offered by a guiltless and blameless person with a clear and un-defiled conscience before GOD (Hebrews 10:4, 9:13-14). That is JESUS CHRIST – the Messiah - the Savior of the world.

Once a person believes in JESUS CHRIST and GOD’S plan of Salvation, it is GOD’S work to cleanse and purge a person and his/ her conscience. We can see great things and amazing miracles manifest in our life when we believe in the name of JESUS and fellowship with HIM daily.

May GOD purge every one’s conscience and bless every one with wisdom to take the right decisions in life and  empower with strength to overcome difficult situations, amen

Is there any red pottage in “your world” ….?!!

It was written that Esau “despised his birthright”, just for a pottage of lentils. Esau was sure hungry but not to the point of death as he claimed to Jacob. (Genesis 25:29-34).

Esau could have waited and ate what his mother would have prepared for him.

When Esau saw the red pottage, the color of it overcame him so that he craved for the same red pottage. He craved to the point that he sold off his birthright without realizing what he was doing. He lightly esteemed it when it was of utmost importance. He gave up his GOD given privilege for flesh related element.

That’s why the Holy Spirit has used the word “despised”. Esau despised his birthright because he craved/ loved the red pottage more than his birthright.

This is written not to just ponder upon the foolishness of Esau, it is also written for everyone who read and hears about this. This is written so that everyone would realize how they also have despised or are despising the more important privileges and blessings of the LORD for the less important ones or for those of the world or of the flesh.

-Check your priorities – 

-Check your responsibilities –

The priorities are all set and written in the “Word of GOD”. GOD need not come down to tell each and every person what to do and what not to do. The priorities never change according to situations and according to persons. GOD equips everyone properly to align accordingly to the priorities. It is “we” who search out reasons to go after other things other than GOD set priorities. . When we align with GOD’S Word, it is GOD who will direct us and take up our responsibility.

Eventually, Jacob became Israel instead of Esau.

Aligning with the “Word of GOD” walks us into our GOD set destiny and GOD set blessings. 

It’s never too late. We tend to delay our blessings without realizing that it is not GOD who is delaying. Align with GOD’s priorities and be blessed, amen.

Is our Creator a Blood-Thirsty God...??!!

Hi Shalom every one.... By the grace of our Saviour Jesus Christ and His inspiration...I was able to bring out a book for His glory... The main aim is to throw light on the sacrificial aspects of God’s love and many unknown facts and truths about Jesus. This book is a good gift to people who have little or no knowledge about Christ. It brings to their notice many aspects which they do not know about Christ as Saviour. This can be gifted to friends, relatives and colleagues – even those who already know Jesus; there are some answers to questions which will be helpful to Christians as well.

Please send your addresses so that I can post them to you. 

If you are happy with the book, then order for few more copies to gift to others. It is a good gift to friends and family members with whom you would like to share the good news. Need your prayers for every good work on our part. Check out the Cover Page, Back Page and Contents.

Yours in Christ,
Joycee

Telugu Worship Songs

Your first love is JESUS!! 

Beauty, glory, honor, wealth and wisdom belong to HIM. Do not compromise anything or anyone in this world for your first love.

Submit yourself completely to your first love and HE will bring all these to you. THEN you can be sure and secure in your life because these can never leave you. 

Trust HIM now!!

Why repent later when GOD gave you a chance to realize, repent and act now itself?!!

Worship and Inspiration Songs - 2

There is a difference between knowing the King and being with the King

There is a difference between knowing the King and being with the King. 

A discussion was going on in a classroom about a famous person. The teacher casually asked the students if they knew this person. Almost 90% in the classroom raised their hands. Then the discussion turned to a point where the famous person was accused in newspapers of indulging in something. The teacher asked the students to tell their opinion. Most of the students said that it is really a sad thing for such person whom they adored to have been involved in this controversy and some were saying the person might have committed and some were saying that the person might not have committed such a grave offense since it is not his character. But there was one student who stood firm saying that the person didn’t do it. The teacher was surprised why this student is so confident. The teacher asked the same thing and to the surprise of the whole class, the student revealed the person being his very own uncle whom he watched from close quarters and lived with him. This student has seen him so close, he understood him better than others because he saw this person, his priorities, what are his feelings to others, how he would react to circumstances, etc. He knew the person’s character and nature so well, he knew that the person wouldn’t commit an offense like that, no matter what, so the student stood by what he said. (Sorry I forgot that person’s name).

In the same way, knowing our King JESUS is not enough because we hear many things about HIM, we believe them when we hear them, or we think that we believed every word said about HIM, but when the time comes when we need HIS help, we are not sure whether HE will help us or not. This is because we have not been with HIM, we just heard about HIM. To really believe what HE said, we need to spend time with this great KING. We need to take a walk with HIM, we need to stroll along with HIM to know HIS character, HIS love, HIS majesty, HIS forgiveness, HIS sincerity, HIS faithfulness towards us. Even to believe that HE really loves us and that there is no flaw in HIS love we need to understand HIM. We need to have faith to understand HIS love. 

Devil is always on the prowl to say all wrong things about HIS love to us. No matter what, even when we cheat on our King, even when we leave HIM for some time, HE continues to love us and is always with open hands to receive us back. Our King just needs us to turn back and look at HIM before going further away from HIM. HE wants us to know that HE is not angry with us. HE knows our frame, HE knows how our senses are weaker than the fallen angels who keep passing deceptive things before our eyes, ears and understanding. That is why HE is not angry with us. All HE needs is our trust in Him no matter what, that HE has already forgiven us, and will receive us back. Only we need to go back to him as soon as we fall any time. That way, we will overcome the passing deceptiveness of the devil easily. 

The devil is a liar, he tries to show our King’s love as conditional. The truth is HIS love is unconditional. If HIS love is conditional, then we cannot trust HIM at all times, and whatever JESUS did on the cross also would become invalid (because that is the ultimate love FATHER showed to us by sacrificing JESUS on the cross, and that is the love JESUS showed thru obedience to die on the cross for saving us from eternal damnation). If we are having a guilt feeling inside, that is enough because it means we know that we are wrong. That is enough for the LORD. The danger lies only when we think that we are not wrong or we continue in the sin saying it is fine I am not wrong or take advantage of grace. We need to claim this promise everyday…”I am the righteousness of GOD in CHRIST” (2 Corinthians 5:21). We are called righteous by GOD after accepting JESUS, so we should cling to this because this is the calling given to us by GOD and not by ourselves. The more we claim and believe the more we start living righteously and we produce fruits of righteousness from within us. We can no more call ourselves as sinners because that is the name devil uses to accuse us. We are now cleared of every accusation by the blood of JESUS, we should understand this.

Our King has clearly outlined HIS characters in the Bible, how HE submitted to the will of GOD, how HE humbled HIMSELF to come in the flesh, how HE bore, how HE suffered, how HE forgave every one even on the cross, how HE had compassion on every one HE came across and healed them, how HE did not get disturbed at others comments, how HE was bold, how HE proclaimed kingdom of GOD, how HE cared only for the things above and not for the words of the people, how HE prayed for others, etc because of which HE is now exalted to come back as King. So anything which we find against these characters within us, we have to immediately submit them at the feet of GOD and sincerely ask HIM to help us overcome these. The Bible says that HIS name is exalted above all other names and at HIS name every knee shall bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD to the glory of GOD the FATHER.

That is why JESUS said to forgive a brother who repents 70 times 7 … (Mathew 18:21-22) a number far beyond our expectation. Christians are all brothers and sisters in CHRIST. So if one repents we need to forgive them as many times as possible because our GOD is such that HE has already forgiven us, we need to only understand our mistake and turn to HIM, HE forgives us, no questions asked. HIS character is forgiving always!!

Since HE already bore on the cross our sickness, our infirmities, our lack and poverty, our insults which all came because of the curses which started from Adam’s time (the first man created as Bible says), He removed them from us till Adam, so we need only to claim this in HIS name, the power given to us. For that we need faith, we need to trust HIM no matter what. This trust will build up when we walk with Him every day. We need to spend some time in the King's presence to know more about HIM. We can meditate on the Word of GOD and keep asking/ raising questions to JESUS to help us understand what HE wants us to know from that particular scripture. We can talk to HIM while praying or pray while talking, just spend time with the King. We can feel our day filled with power and bubbling full of energy. The day we spend time with the King will be noticeable,...we do things fast and still find time for more, we finish our tasks quickly and beautifully, we will find favor with people, etc. So the famous song goes by,…When we walk with the LORD, in the light of HIS love, what a glory HE sheds on our way,…
 

Sing this song and see. Have you approached your KING today with praises and songs who would be more that delighted to see you coming into HIS presence with hope, new excitement, new energy…HE is more than ready to fill you with HIS anointing…so don’t forget to visit HIM, go ahead and take HIS appointment as early as possible …every day. GOD be with you.