Some Encouraging Thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel)

God’s sufficiency

• Good can come from anything when God is in charge. (Esther. 3: 5-6; Acts. 12: 1-3; 1 Sam. 18: 7).
• To receive God unconditionally is the greatest gift we can ever possess. (Luke 19: 6; Ps. 37: 5; Is. 30: 15).
• With the Lord we are never alone. Even in our greatest troubles He is with us. (Matt. 28: 20; Jer. 15: 18-19; Is. 43:1-2).

Character Improvement

• Instead of having our environment shape us, we are to shape our environment according to God’s guidance. (Rom. 8:35; John. 13:1; Gal. 2:20).
• Our creator takes hold of our shattered lives and shapes us in the way He wants. (Prov. 16:3; Ps. 37:5; 1 Pet.5:7).   
• God saves us not for what we are, but for what He can make of us. (Ps. 135:4; Eph.1:4; Ps. 33:12).

Relax in God

• It is such a comfort to drop the tangles of life into God’s hands and leave then there. (Ps. 55:22; Prov. 16:2; 1 Pet.5:7; 1 sam.2:3).
• If Christ holds the anchor of our life, we will always be in very safe hands. (Phil. 4:13; Ps. 55:16; Eph.6:10).
• Waiting upon God brings us to heights that we find impossible to soar. (Is. 8:20; 40: 31; Ps. 25:3).

Some Encouraging Thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel)

Hope

• God can convert your ‘bundles of burden’ into packages of joy’. (1 pet. 5: 7; Ps.66: 12; Matt. 11:25).
• All is not hopeless when your hope is in God. (1 Thess. 4: 13, 17; Prov. 23: 18; Rom. 5:5).
• “The promises of God are certain, but they do not all mature in ninety-days”. (Ps. 75: 2; John. 2:4; Luke. 1:13).

God’s Intervention

• “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God”. (Gen. 18: 14. Matt. 19: 26; Luke. 1:37; 18:27).
• The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still. (Ps. 43:5, 6; Matt. 11:29; Jer 15:20).
• God transforms trials into triumphs. (John. 16:33; 1 Pet. 4:12; 2 Cor. 4: 17; Job. 19: 26). 

Right Responses

• Telling others about our heavenly father’s dealings with us is a way of truly praising Him. (Ps. 62:1; 102:16-18).
• The nearest way to gain respect is to earn it by good conduct. (Josh. 3:7; 2 Sam. 5:10; Job. 22:21).
• The way to change others’ mind is with affection, and not anger. (John. 13:1-2; 15:9, 13).

Some Encouraging Thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel)

Faith

• Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Cor. 16: 13; Eph. 3:16; 6:10; 2Cor 12:9; Is. 40: 31;2 Tim.2:1).
• More prayer, more exercise of faith, more patient waiting, and the result is blessing in abundance. (Ps. 25: 3; Job.13:15; 1Sam.13:8; Is.8:17, 18; 30:16; Prov. 20:22).
• Whatever our faith says, God is and He will be. Faith that goes forward will triumph. (Mark. 5: 28; 10: 52; Luke. 7:9).

Prayer

• Delays are not denials. Jesus tests our faith before working out His good purpose in our lives. (Ex.32: 1; Matt. 25: 4; Gen.16:2).
• Prayer is a part of the armour of God, which a believer should put on. (2 Cor. 2:11; Eph. 4:27; 6:18; James. 4:7).
• God who prepares the answers to our prayers also prompts the asking. (Ps. 50:15; James. 5:14; Jude 20).

Facing Difficulties

• God, who cares for His children 24 hours a day, can sometimes get our attention only during thosesleepless night hours. (Matt. 25: 13; Rev. 16: 15; James. 5:7).
• Circumstances that look like obstacles are really opportunities when we let God work. (Acts. 11: 19; 2 Cor. 7: 10; Rev. 1:9).
• Christianity is a way of life marked by joy even in difficult situations. (Acts. 5:41; Is. 29: 19; 1 Pet. 4:2). 

Some Encouraging Thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel)

Wisdom

You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair. (John. 14:1-2; Prov. 17:22; Ps. 37:4)

Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. (Matt. 23:14; Luke. 17:19; Mark. 5:19)

Christ seeks not the circumference of our life, but its very centre. (Prov. 23:26; 1 Cor. 6:17; Gal. 5:24)

God’s Sufficiency

Patience is enjoying the journey. It’s not climbing the mountain to get to the top; it’s climbing the mountain to enjoy the climb. Enjoy the process of your own life. (1 Pet. 5:7; Ps. 37:5; 55:22)

We may not always understand God’s ways, but He will illumine our path and prove to be a faithful guide. (Nah 1:3; Ps. 18:20; 32:8)

We need not fear the perils AROUND us as long as the eye of the Lord is UPON us. (Ps. 34:15; 32:8; 2 Chr. 16:9)

God’s Intervention

When God is going to do something wonderful, He begins with a difficulty. If He is going to do something really wonderful, He begins with an impossibility. (1 Thess. 5:18; Heb. 13:15; Job. 1:21)

God may not give us an easy journey to the Promised Land, but He will give us a safe one. (Gal. 3:13; Rom. 6:18; Ps. 59:15)

The world may ask you to hit-back and get it out of your system, but God asks you to sit-back and get Him into your system, allowing Him to handle things. (James. 5:10; Heb. 10:36; 5:8, 9)

Some Encouraging thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel)

Love and Sacrifice

• Preaching the gospel calls for a simple life style and a serious purpose. (2 Tim. 2:2; Luke. 14:26; John. 8:31)

• Serving the Lord, is saying ‘no’ to self will and ‘yes’ to His will constantly. (Phil. 4:2; 1 Tim. 1:18; Neh. 3:1)

• Real love does not calculate the cost. (2 Cor. 10:17; Matt. 25:21; 1 Cor. 4:2)

Relax in God

• The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still. (Jer. 15:19; 1 Sam. 17:47; Is. 41:12)

• More prayer, more exercise of faith, more patient waiting, and the result is blessing in abundance. (Luke. 18:1; 1 Thess. 5:16; Eph. 6:18)

• Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. (Job. 5:1; Like. 2:15; Is. 40:31; Ps. 37:7)

Character Improvement

•  It’s good to be battered, if eventually you’re bettered. (Jer. 18:1-5; Matt. 14:25; 15:25)

• Endure hardships as discipline; God is treating you as His son. (Acts. 14:22; 1 Tim. 3:12; 1 Pet. 2:21)

• The turning-lathe that has the sharpest knives produces the finest work. (Rom. 8:30; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 2:10) 

Some Encouraging thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel)

Hope

• The glory of tomorrow is rooted in the drudgery of today. (John. 15:2; Acts. 14:22; Esther. 8:15)

• Can I call it suffering when the Lord is there to comfort and guide me? (Is. 40:1; 1 Chr. 7:22; Rom. 15:4)

• We don’t know how the Lord works; but of one thing we’re sure, He works! (Is. 35:3-4; 55:8-9)

Faith

• Delayed answers to prayer give us opportunities to honor God through our steadfast confidence in Him under apparent repulses. (Job. 42:1-3; Deut. 8:2; Ps. 11:5; Job. 23:10) 

• Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 3:16; 6:10; 2 Cor 12:9; Is. 40:31; 2 Tim. 2:1)

• If you start something in faith, keep the faith. Your faith will win out in the end. (John. 5:24; Acts. 14:22; Heb. 6:12; Heb. 12:2-3)

Prayer

• Prayer is the telephone system between my heart and God. The Bible is His way of communicating with me. I need both. (1 Pet. 21:1; James. 1:22; Jer. 23:19)

• Allowing God to answer our prayer in His own way, in His own time, is well worth the waiting. (Ex. 33:20; Deut. 3:26; 1 Cor. 12:8)

• God is there to hear us when we have a special need. But how pleased He must be when we come to Him just because we want to talk. (1 Chr. 16:11; Ps. 63:1; Ps. 119: 2-4)

Some Encouraging thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel)

Right Response

• The Spirit will work within us to the degree that we permit it. ‘The choice is ours’. (Eph. 3:16; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Tim. 2:1)

• The way you live, reflects your view of God. (Rom. 8:7; Eph. 5:14; Gal. 1:10)

• Don’t complain about the mud if you prayed for rain. (Acts. 14:22; Ps. 31:10; Is. 41:19)

Wisdom

• LIFE IS SHORT, MAKE THE MOST OF IT. You can’t change the past, but you can ruin a perfectly great present by worrying about the future. (Eccles. 12:1; Matt. 16:26; 6:25)

• When worry walks in, strength runs out, but strength returns when we let God in. (Josh. 10:25; Ps. 64:4; Matt. 1:20)

• God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him. (Luke. 1:38; Rom. 8:28; John. 2:3)

Love and Sacrifice

• A true friend always loves and corrects us when needed. (Prov. 17:17; 27:14; 28:23)

• Dying for the sake of the Gospel is not a tragedy, but a triumph. (John. 12:11; 2 Cor. 1:8; Acts. 5:40)

• Have a passion for God and compassion for people. (Eph. 5:20; James. 2:13; 1 John. 2:10)

Some Encouraging thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel)

Love and Sacrifice

• The pain we go through can become a blessing to us and others too. (Gal. 3:13; Phil. 4:19; 2 Cor. 8:9)
• Never fear to risk our lives when it comes to glorifying God. (Job. 1:21; Rom. 4:21; Ps. 34:1)
• The Lord Jesus is so great that no one can separate us from His love. (1 John. 4:18; Eph. 3:17; Rom. 8:35)

Right Response

• Passive faith praises in the light, when sun shines. Active faith will praise in the darkest night. Which faith is yours? (Is. 38:5; Ps. 42:8; Dan. 6:6)
• When I cannot enjoy the faith of assurance, I live by the faith of adherence. (Luke. 17:5; Acts. 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:13)
• He never comes too late; He knows what is best; so, vex not yourself in vain until He comes – REST. (Luke. 1:20; 1 Pet. 5:6; Gal. 6:9)

Facing Difficulties

• When the skies grow dark, the stars begin to shine. (1 John. 2:8; Is. 45:1; 60:1-2; Col. 1:12)
• Knowing that God is in control can keep us from being discouraged as we face difficult situations. (Is. 51:22; 58:11)
• You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair. (John. 14:1; Phil. 4:6; Col. 3;12)

Some Encouraging thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel)

Love and Sacrifice

• True love is always ready to make sacrifices. (Rom. 8:31-35; John. 3:16; 1 Cor. 13:6-8)

• We should ‘die’ for God here on earth to ‘reign’ with Him in Heaven. (John. 12:24; Phil. 3:11; Heb. 11:25-26)

• Belonging to God involves willingness to sacrifice. (Luke. 9:23; Heb. 11:8; 1 Cor. 9:25)

Hope

• No man ever sank beneath the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow’s burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than we can bear. It is delightfully easy to live one day at a time. (1 Pet. 5:7; Matt. 11:28; 6:34)

• When it’s time to die, make sure that’s all you have to do. (John. 9:4; 2 Cor. 5:8; 2 Tim. 4:7)

God’s Intervention

• It is not for us who are passengers to meddle with the chart and compass. Leave the all-skilled Pilot alone to do His work. (Heb. 3:6; Job. 19:25; Luke. 21:36)

• Your guide will keep to no beaten path. He will lead you by a way such as you have never dreamed your eyes would look upon. He knows no fear, and He expects you to fear nothing while He is with you. (Is. 40:11; 58:11; Ps. 23: 1-2; 80:1)

• The things which are impossible with men, are possible with God. (Gen. 18:14; Mat. 19:26; Luke. 1-37; 18:27)

Some Encouraging thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel)

Right Response

• Have you ever been waiting upon God, dear troubled one, during long nights and weary days, and have feared that you were forgotten? Nay, lift up your head, and begin to praise Him now for the deliverance which is on its way to you. (Ps. 34:1; 61:1; Is. 57:10)

• Passive faith accepts the word as true- but never moves. Active faith begins the work to do, and thereby proves. (Luke. 17:5; Acts. 14:22; 1 Tim. 4:1)

• Passive faith praises in the light, when the sun shines Active faith will praise in the darkest night. Which faith is yours? (Is. 38:5; Ps. 42:8; Dan. 6:6)

God’s Sufficiency

• “Human need is the key that unlocks the storehouses of God’s provision for the children of men”. (Ps. 62:8; 66:20; 68:19-20)

• When God says, “Ask anything”, He does not expect us to be selfish, but to be grateful. (gen. 18;25; 1 Cor. 3:8; Rom. 14:10)

• If nothing is too hard for the Lord and if we, His children, are controlled by Him, then nothing is too hard to believe. So trust Him. (Prov. 20:24; Ps. 31:14; Is. 49:6)

Character Improvement

• Trials, when very heavy, kill little people. But they make great ones. (2 Tim. 2:3; Gen. 22:1; Deut. 8:2)

• Do not be afraid of His Prisons. Get into His purpose for you, and you will grow stronger and more patient there. (Ps. 142:3; Gen. 31:12; Rev. 2:11)

• Delayed answers to prayer are not only trials of faith, but they give us opportunities to honor God by keeping our steadfast confidence in Him under apparent repulses. (Mark. 4:40; John. 20:14; Luke. 24:17) 

Some Encouraging thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel)

Faith

• My God will accomplish all that my faith has laid on Him. (Phil. 4:19; Ps. 37:5)

• Christ said, “Let us go to the other side”, not into the middle of the lake to be drowned. (Ps. 139:7; 116:15; 36:7; 1 Sam. 25:29)

• No, dear suffering child of God, you cannot fail if only you dare to believe to stand fast and refuse to be overcome. (2 Sam 17:2; Ps. 138:3; 2 Chr. 15:7-8; Deut. 20: 4, 8)

Prayer

• When God says, “Ask anything”, He does not expect us to be selfish, but to be grateful. (Rom. 7:24; Luke. 2:27; Ps. 116: 16, 17)

• God hears many and varied requests. And yet, He never makes a mistake in answering any of them. His answer may not always be our way, but His perfect way is best. (1 John. 3:20; Heb. 13:9; 1 Thess. 3:13)

• How much does prayer really mean to us if we can so easily set it aside? (Ps. 105:4; Is. 55:6; Acts. 17:27)

Facing Difficulties

• The burden of suffering seems like a tombstone hung about our necks, while in reality, it is only the weight which is necessary to keep down the diver while he is hunting for pearls. (Luke 15:18; 1 Pet. 4:16; Col. 3:12)

• “The blue of Heaven is larger than the clouds”. (Ps. 91:14; 1:29; Heb. 12:5)

• The storms of life prove the strength of our anchor. (Ps. 27:3; Acts. 27:23; Matt. 7:24)

Some Encouraging thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel)

Faith

• Even though we come to the end of the rope, we never come to the end of our hope. (Jer. 29:11; 2 Cor. 4:8-9; Col. 1:27)

• Praise God in all circumstances, whether they seem good or bad. Trust God for His wonderful plan for your life. (Ps. 34:1; 22:23,24; Acts. 16:25; Is. 42:10) 

• “The things which are impossible with men, are possible with God”. (Luke. 18:27; 1:37; Jer. 32:27; Gen. 18:14) 

Prayer 

• You have not always promised me rest from my burden, but You have always offered me rest in my burden. (Prov. 6:4; Ps. 106:43; 2 Kin. 17:39) 

• Don’t pray with sympathy, pray with power. (Rom. 8:35; Acts. 27:25; Eph. 6:10) 

• “The promises of God are certain, but they do not all mature in ninety-days”. (John. 11:6; 2 Pet. 3:9; Ps. 69:3) 

Facing Difficulties 

• Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds. (2 Cor. 4:8; Ps. 34:19; Ps. 119:71) 

• Though winds are wild, and the gale unleashed, my trusting heart still sings. (2 Tim. 1:12; Rom. 8:28; Ps. 140:12) 

• “When each earthly prop gives under, and life seems a restless sea, are you then a God-kept wonder, satisfied, calm and free?” (Prov. 22:12; Ps. 18:23; Jer. 2:25)

Some Encouraging thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel) 

LOVE AND SACRIFICE 

• If worldly men can suffer for a worldly cause, how much more we should, for a Heavenly cause? (Acts. 14:22; 1 Pet. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:12) 

• God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas, but for scars. (Rom. 5:3; Ps. 119:71; John. 5:3) 

• Life is not to be salvaged out of the world, but an investment to be used in the world”. (Luke. 15:32; Acts. 16:10; 2 Tim. 4:11) 

• Amidst my list of blessing infinite stands this foremost, that My heart has bled for you. (1 Pet. 1:18; Rom. 5:9; Eph. 2:13) 

• “The heart that serves, loves, and clings, hears everywhere, the rush of angel’s wings”. (Gen. 39:5; Num. 25:8; 2 Sam. 9:3) 

• “There is no high hill but beside some deep valley. There is no birth without a pang”. (Prov. 22:4; Num. 12:3; Mark. 6:8) 

Some Encouraging thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel)

GOD’S SUFFICIENCY

• More prayer, more exercise of faith, more patient waiting, and the result is BLESSING IN ABUNDANCE. (John. 15:7; Ps. 66:18; Is. 59:2) 

• When we have nothing left but God, we find that God is enough. (Ps. 72:20; Ezra. 14:3) 

• THINK POSITIVE-BE AN OPTIMIST.
  Say to yourself every morning, “Today is going to be a great day. I can handle more than I think I can. Things don’t get better by worrying about them. I can be satisfied, it I try to do my best. There is always something to be happy about. Today I am going to make someone happy”. (Heb. 2:18; Ps. 70:1; Job. 22:30; Num. 25:8)

 CHARACTER IMPROVEMENT

• God develops our spiritual power through pressures. (Rom. 5:3; Heb. 12:10; 1 Pet. 2:20) 

• “He hath acquainted Himself with my beaten path. When He hath searched me out, I shall come out shining.” (Job. 23:10; Deut. 31:6; Ps. 139:23) 

• Some things cannot be done in a day. God does not make a sunset glory in a moment. (Ps. 142:7; Jer. 52:3; acts. 12:11)

RELAX IN GOD       

• Thou hast not always promised me rest FROM my burden, but thou hast always offered me rest IN my burden. (Ps. 55:22; 57:2-3; 1 Pet. 5:7) 

• Wait for the Lord; be strong, and take heart, and wait for the Lord. (Ps. 33:20; 106:13; 123:2) 

• Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance that the Lord will bring you today. (Ex. 14:13; Ps. 34:4)

Some Encouraging thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel)

HOPE

• Even though we come to the end of the rope, we never come to the end of our hope. (PS. 119:31; Is. 30:16; Job. 35:14) 

• God’s road is all uphill But do not tire; Rejoice that we may still keep climbing higher. (Rom. 4:21; Phil. 4:6; Is. 61:3) 

• “Not a single shaft can hit till the God of love sees fit”. (Ps. 4:1; 2 Cor. 7:6; Rom. 15:16)

GOD’S INTERVENTION

• God takes you through a way that you do not understand temporarily. It is only by going through spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God wants for you. (Is. 55:8; 2 Sam. 22:31; Prov. 3:17) 

• When we trust in Him, He will work miracles in our lives. (John. 11:40; Acts. 3:6; Luke. 7:10) 

• If we trust in God, He will make the impossible possible, and will do only what is best for us. (Gen. 26:24; 1 Kin. 17:13; Acts. 27:24)

 RIGHT RESPONSE

• If losing physical weight is a matter of concern, then how much more, the losing of spiritual weight! (Ps. 55:22; 57:2; 1 Pet. 5:7) 

• The world may ask you to hit-back and get it out of your system, but God asks you to sit-back and get Him into your system, allowing Him to handle things. (James. 5:9; Hab. 6:15; Rev. 1:9) 

• Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (Ps. 57:1; Prov. 3:34; Ex. 33:12, 19)

Some Inspiring thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel) 

Faith 

• When God is going to do something wonderful, He begins with a difficulty. When He is going to do something really wonderful, He begins with an impossibility. (John. 11:4; Dan.3:25; 1Pet. 5:10)

• When facing difficulties we should have the faith that the Lord is with us. We can handle them easily. (Ps. 23:4; Ps. 46:1; Mat. 1:23)

• If we trust in God, He will make the impossible possible, and will do only what is best for us. (John. 11:40; Ps. 125:1; Jer. 17:7; Heb. 11:1) 

Prayer

• God’s intervention is often the result of our intercession. (Gen.18:30; Deut.9:8; Mat. 15:27) 

• What shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour. Father, glorify your name!” (John 12:27, 28.)   
As a saint of God, my attitude towards sorrow and difficulty should not be to ask that they be prevented, but to ask, “God protect me so that I may remain what you created me to be, inspite of all my fires of sorrow.” (Ps. 70:5; 2 Sam. 22:23; 1king. 18:10)

• God may delay His plans, but He will never desert them. (Job. 8:20; Ps. 89:33; 2 Pet. 3:9-10) 

Facing Difficulties

• God may not give us an easy journey to the Promised Land, but He will give us a safe one.(1 Thess. 3:3; 1Pet. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:12) 

• The world may ask you to hit-back and get it out of your system, but God asks you to sit-back and get Him into your system, allowing Him to handle things. (2 Cor. 2:14; Rom. 1:28; Col. 1:10) 

• “Even the most tempestuous wind cannot disturb the quietness of the stars.” (Heb. 7:25;2; 2 Tim. 1:12; Dan. 3:17)

Some Inspiring thoughts from Johny (Late John George Samuel)

 Faith

¨     God expects His children to be confident in Him so that in any crisis they become 

       reliable.(Heb. 13:5,6; Is. 41:10; 43:2, 18-20)

¨      Look, He is coming with the clouds.(Revelation 1:7)

If there were never any clouds in our lives, we would have no faith. They are a sign that God is there. What a revelation it is to know that sorrow, bereavement, and suffering are actually the clouds that come along with God! (Mat. 17:21; Ps. 58:11; Eccles. 8:11; Heb. 12:11)

¨     We also can do marvellous things by trusting in God.(2 Sam. 22:29; 2 Kin. 3:16-23; 2 Chr. 20:22)

Prayer

¨  Time spent in prayer gives more power to overcome temptations(Mat. 14:23; Mark. 14:32; Luke. 22:40)

¨  When I come into contact with the every day occurrences of life as an ordinary human being, is the prayer of God’s eternal Son being prayed in me? (Ps. 51:17;  Rom. 8:8; 15:1-3; Heb. 11:5)

¨  The point of prayer is not to get answers from God, but to have perfect and complete oneness with Him. When you seem to have no answer, there is always a reason.(John. 15:7; Ps. 66:18; Mark. 11:24)

Facing Difficulties

¨    Trials, when very heavy, kill very few people. But they make great ones.(2 Tim.2:3; Heb. 11:17; Job. 42:5)

¨ The path of sorrow and that path alone leads to the land where sorrow is unknown.(Heb 12:10; Gal. 5:24; Jer. 9:7)

¨  “The glory of tomorrow is rooted in the drudgery of today”.(John. 9:1-3; Ps. 34:19-20; Is. 26:16)

Raise Your Line of Limitations Part II

Raise Your Line of Limitations Part II

Continued from previous blog…

Johny’s scar was a skin burn caused while he was cyanosed for over two hours in June 1996. A team of a dozen people, including doctors, tried to revive him, as the attack happened during the day. Among the many things they used to treat him, was a hot-water bag to warm up his chest. It resulted in severe skin burns both on his chest and back. For several weeks, he could only lie down on his side.

I was away when the cyanosis occurred—the worst and the longest he experienced in all his years. When I returned from my trip abroad, I found him sitting on a stool (with no skin across large areas of his chest and back) and writing, “even when everything looks bad, God is good”.

Later I found another thought, in his diary, “God chooses what we go through, but we choose how we go through it”. Surely, it is our choice whether to praise God for all things at all times, or curse and murmur and think negatively.

The skin burn on his chest was healed in about six weeks. But the burn on his back persisted. After two months, we took Johny to the hospital for skin graft surgery. When everything was ready, the Doctors found severe bacterial infection on the skin that was to be peeled off from his thigh for grafting onto his back. So he was sent home with medication for three weeks to control the infection.

On our way home from the hospital, Johny told me, “Perhaps we are giving a little more time to God to heal me without surgery”. He was willing to undergo skin graft surgery, although he would have preferred being healed without it. Anyway he was happy that the surgery was postponed.

After three weeks, we checked with the hospital about bringing him back for skin graft surgery. This time, the hospital informed us that the surgeon was on sick-leave. By the time he returned, we found that the burn on his back had been covered with a thin layer of skin. There was no need for skin graft after all! Since then, we began to say, “Let us give a little more time to God”—instead of jumping into a sudden and hurried course of action.

Raise Your Line of Limitations

Raise Your Line of Limitations

As they grew up, my sons, Johny and Ronnie (who were diagnosed with CF) spent most of their time at home. Although Johny could study only up to the sixth grade in school and Ronnie up to the eighth, they both continued their studies using a home-study program called the ACE program. Elizabeth, my wife was always with them, ready to take care of their needs.

She was very alert in monitoring their condition. Both the boys would become cyanotic and unconscious (breathless and blue); both were susceptible to infection, and tended to lose sodium when they were unwell or when they perspired in warm weather. They had to be watched for vomiting and diarrhea.

Annie was doing a Masters program in Computer Applications, and so was home only during the week-ends. She was a great help to her brothers. She was the one who woke us up when the boys required help at night. It became a habit to check the boys whenever we woke up.

Everytime, they suffered an attack, we tried our best to revive them by giving them artificial respiration. Above all, we prayed. The first thing we made them utter when they became conscious was “Praise the Lord”. Very often we felt we were at the “end of the rope”; but it was never the end of our hope.

The boys never allowed their illness to defeat them. When someone commented on the thin and weak hands of Ronnie, his response was that he placed his feeble hands into God’s able hands. When Elizabeth fell ill, I was naturally concerned about her as well as the care of the boys. But they came to me and said, they had discovered that they were able to do many things that Mommy had been doing for them all these years. They even began to help Elizabeth.

Johny’s positive attitude, in particular, carried him through the most challenging of times. At one point, he had to undergo foot surgery. The wound failed to heal, and two years later gangrene set in and the doctors were forced to amputate his leg. We did not know what to do—he seemed to have so many problems to face. Yet Johny found an appropriate thought to encourage us.

“When God is going to do something wonderful, He begins with a difficulty, and when He is going to do something really wonderful, He begins with an impossibility”.

Johny put together such encouraging thoughts in the book, ‘Precious thoughts for better living’. In the introduction, he wrote “This book is an evidence of how the impossible can be made possible… my threatening illness need not be a barrier to success”.

Just before the amputation of his leg, he wrote a book titled, “Impossible… but for God”, He said that God had a plan for his life, knowing well that he might not live another day. He remarked, “While God is interested in the ‘stars’ of achievement in some people, in others He is looking for ‘scars’ – because God Himself bears the scars of crucifixion”.

To be continued…

Pushed into Blessing… Part II

Continued from previous blog…

By now, my travel schedule was in tatters. I would not able to reach the international airport in time, the next morning. The next available flight would leave on Friday, by which time my meeting in Los Angeles would be over. This meant that there was no point in continuing my journey, as all hope of reaching the airport in time, was gone.

During our conversation at the dinner table, the chief manager remarked on his need to reach the international airport by early next morning. I told him I had the same requirement, and that I would to go back home if I could not make my connection.

The junior manager immediately offered his car, filled with gas, and a driver to drive all night. After dinner we all got into the car and drove through the night. In the morning, when we arrived at the airport, they dropped me off right on time at the departure area!

Why did I say “Praise the Lord” when the stout man pushed me out of line and denied me my rights? I knew God was in charge, and that we must praise God at all times, for all things. As it turned out, God used this man and his ‘offense’ to work things out for me, to ensure that I would not miss the best. If I had gone in the taxi, I would have slept in the hotel and returned home the next day.

God wanted me to attend the meetings, and He knew I was standing in the wrong part of the line. God wanted to move me. I would not have moved on my own, since it was natural and logical to stay where I did. God knew this, and so He allowed someone to ‘wrong’ me that I might be blessed with His abundance and supply.

When we praise God during frustrating or difficult times, we are actually thanking and praising God for taking care of us and doing the best for us. In so doing, we can defeat our depressions and disappointments, and be set free from bitterness. Enjoying peace in such situations is advantageous to our physical as well as mental health. God does step in to help us. We can trust Him. We do not need to worry, even if all our plans are upset through unforeseen events. God is in control.

Of course, saying “Praise God” is not a magic formula. We may encounter difficulties that will not work out to our benefit. But even when our difficulties amount to suffering and inconvenience, we can be assured that God will be with us as we go through them. God has promised us His presence at all times. “I am holding you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God—and I say to you, Don’t be afraid; I am here to help you” (Isaiah 41:13). God has promised us His abiding presence, “that I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (Mathew 28:20). Why should we get upset when God  is close beside us? “Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way” (Psalm 23:4).

We are not suppressing our anger and resentment by praising God. We do not have to deny that we are hurt or upset. The more we pretend on the outside, the more harm it does within us. The anger will build, and we may end up taking our feelings out on people who aren’t even involved—our family or employees. We must not deny or suppress our frustrations, rather acknowledge it to our loving Father, and let it go, and simply begin to look at events and people with a different attitude, “I don’t like what has happened, but I know Who is in control. And I trust Him to work His will in this situation”.

Dear friends, be assured, God can turn even the worst into the best. “And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans” (Romans 8:28). Our trust in Him will not be in vain. He will be there for us.

Pushed into Blessing!

When I travel, I normally look for the least expensive tourist ticket, thereby exercising better stewardship of money. Often such tourist tickets oblige you to take a single airline on all legs of the journey. If you miss a particular flight on that airline, you have to wait till the next available flight on that carrier.

For one particular trip, I was to depart on a Tuesday morning from the international airport and continue with connections all the way to Los Angeles, where I was to attend meetings Wednesday through Friday. I would have to leave soon after the meetings on Friday night to get back home for some other programs. The entire trip would be canceled if I was unable to make it to the international airport on time that Tuesday morning.

To ensure I arrived on time, I reserved a seat well in advance on a domestic flight that would get me to where I needed to be on the night before departure. The domestic flight took off, on time on Monday evening. But then, trouble started. For some reason the flight landed in another airport. An announcement told us, we would not get to the international airport until the following day, meaning I would almost certainly miss my connections.

As usual, the ground staff distributed complimentary hotel vouchers for the night stay. But there was no ground transportation available. We were advised to take taxis in groups, according to the hotels assigned to us. Because of the sudden demand and the lack of late-night taxicabs, my group had to wait for a long time before a taxi was available.

Finally, my turn came—or so I thought. I had two pieces of luggage, while others in our group only had hand-carried bags. As I was about to load my suitcase, a stout man in the group pushed me out and allowed his friend, who was not in line, to get in. The taxi left without me.

As we were all strangers to one another, and everyone wanted to get some sleep in the hotel, no one bothered to interfere when my right to board the taxi was violated. I didn’t make any noise about it either. I quietly carried my luggage back to the very end of the taxi line, saying “Praise the Lord” in my heart as I was walking back.

“Praise the Lord”, I said again, a little more loudly this time, since we are asked to thank and praise the Lord for all things at all times (see Colossians 1:12; Ephesians 5:20). So there we stood, waiting for the taxis that occasionally showed up. By now it was getting very late at night. Suddenly I noticed a private car stopping near the line. A man got out to search for someone, and soon came to the end of the line and started talking to the two passengers behind me. Earlier, when I realized that they two had been given vouchers to stay in the same hotel as I was, I had asked them to join me for the taxi ride, since the taxi could seat four people.

As I listened to the conversation, I realized that one of them was the chief manager of a firm and that the man in the car was his junior manager in that city. During a telephone conversation, the junior manager had come to know that his boss was stranded at the airport. I saw the two passengers getting ready to go with him. I wished I could go too, since they were heading to my hotel. At that time of the night it would be much safer to ride in a private car than in a taxi.

Just when I had resigned myself to continuing my wait, the men looked at me and invited me to join them. I continued praising the Lord in my heart while I loaded my suitcase in the trunk. We all got seated comfortably, and proceed to the hotel. I thanked the Lord for the man who had crowded into the line a few minutes earlier. I thanked and praised the Lord for the ride and the company of those men.

To be continued…

What Motivates Us?

Is it possible to be ‘dead’ to applause and criticism?

Fame, Prestige, glory and adulation are difficult to handle—especially when they come suddenly. As a young man, I was not capable of handling unexpected fame and glory I received in my work and ministry. But God knew this and He met me in my place of need.

I was returning from a graduation function at Fuller Seminary School of Mission in 1986 after having received an award from the school as “Alumnus of the year”.

I stopped over in Singapore where I got the opportunity to hear a man of God share from His Word. What struck me hardest was what he said about Mary, the one who wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair. Mary did not use her hair, the speaker said, for lack of a towel. Rather, she wanted to serve Jesus with her most glorious asset. Surely, the hair of a woman is something glorious for her, and Mary used it in serving Jesus at His feet. I realized then, that all honors and awards are to be laid at the feet of Jesus. Otherwise they have no meaning.

The opportunities I was given to serve in the United Nations and in the scientific realm were actually God-given privileges to glorify Him. I was selected to do certain things, neither because I am great nor small and insignificant.

These days there is a lot of glamour associated with preachers and Christian organizations. The motivating factor for what we do in ministry, must be spiritual. In most cases, we suffer disappointment when the motivation comes from another source. Temporary applause and ego satisfaction soon vanish. But when we stand behind people and help them minister, we often find that they do a much better job than us. We need to recognize the importance of taking the back row and encouraging others to go forward. What should motivate us in all this is the constraining love of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:14).

Fame and Mosquitoes

My interest has always been twofold: first, to serve as a professional scientist, and second, to serve as a helper in spiritual affairs.

When I was actively involved in scientific research, I used to have many opportunities to help people spiritually. Although people are highly educated, I found that they are suffering from a lot of personal and interpersonal problems.

I was able to share certain spiritual principles with them and help them to change their attitude and find fulfillment. I have enjoyed the status and the positions associated with my profession. I also have enjoyed good friendships with my colleagues. It has been very satisfying to travel to many countries, getting to know people of various backgrounds and sharing with them the importance of the spiritual component in life.

In earlier days I was fully satisfied with a seat in a bus or in the unreserved compartment in the train during my travels. But as my status grew, so did my expectations. Just getting someplace wasn’t enough. Soon I was accustomed to first-class travel, and I began to see that as the most enjoyable kind of travel. For so long I had seen various “lucky” people standing in the line for check-in at the international departure areas. I remember thinking: Someday I will be flying to go abroad. When it finally happened, I knew I had arrived.

After a while though, I reached a point when I began to dislike traveling altogether, in spite of all the special assistance and priority services I received. I was simply tired of travel itself. The round-the-world travel several times a year, staying in different places, even in good and clean hotels, receiving the applause of people—these things were no longer a thrill.

Nowadays I try to avoid or limit such international trips. I have learned that these are not the most important things in life. It is all right to enjoy modern travel facilities, accommodation and restaurants. But they are not the things that count. What counts is whether or not these things have anything to do with the Kingdom of God. That’s what is important. I realized that a person is not going to become great by travelling in the first-class section of the plane, neither will one be diminished by traveling in the third-class compartment!

Of course, it may be difficult for those who are used to a particular lifestyle to go down to a lower standard. I still find it difficult to adjust to some things. In the past, for example, I was able to sleep in a room without any ceiling fan in spite of the mosquitoes feeding on me. I would only see the rashes of the mosquito bites the next morning. Nowadays, I find sleeping without a fan a little difficult. Even though my body and my ego might say no to some readjustments, I know I must be willing to accept whatever the Lord provides for me.

Sometimes He provides a room without even a fan. Sometime He provides nice, comfortable, mosquito-proofed and air-conditioned accommodations. I must be willing to accept anything that the Lord gives me—comfort or discomfort, sickness or healing. Whatever the circumstances, I know God’s grace is available in the midst of it. That is where true greatness lies- in seeing everything in the light of the Kingdom goal.