My Notes

Morality Standards A picture is painted of a potter fashioning clay to his liking. And this animated picture brings life to the clay, with the clay protesting the Potters's design. This surprised Potter asks "Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?" Jeremiah 18:5 NIV It seems completely reasonable and moral that the Potter is allowed to shape the clay to his design and liking. Conversely it is unreasonable and immoral for the clay to protest the Potter's design.   "You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!" Isaiah 29:16 NIV And yet, we continue in our unreasonability and turn things upside down. Why does mere clay (or humankind), protest the Potter (or God) on morality. There is no rational position we can take, that justifies our objections. And it is funny that our objections always start with  "If there were a God, He would not have ordered.... Destruction of all living things in the land of Cannan ...

Financial Awareness Day 2025 Financial Awareness Day, observed annually on August 14th. Financial awareness is important because we navigate through life using money/finance as one of the tools. As part of the awareness, there is one practice, we all need to stay clear off - Financial Impropriety. The term Financial Impropriety encompasses a range of unethical behaviour related to handling money. And this was the first sin of the church and is something that is most overlooked. We see this story in Acts 5  Ananias and Sapphira The story of Ananias and Sapphira is told and interpreted where the couple paid for their lies (related to money). While this is true, most people don't investigate why this came about. This didn't originate with this couple. The church violated a principle, which is the root of this problem But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3) The church decided acknowledge Barnabas' contribution ...

It is finished! We often associate victory with life to those who are in battle. The Good Friday story is the only victory story that was of death. The victory statement is small voice "it is finished" In the moment of this quiet victory, Jesus had other declarations to make.  Verse: John 19:26-27 [26] When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “ Dear woman, here is your son. ”  [27] And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.  Jesus was nearing death and yet he was mindful of his earthly duty. He was a son and he asked for his mother to be taken care of.  Often times, when faced with abandonment from those who you love, we don't have the ability to love others. But this declaration speaks loud of our responsibilities. We need as Christians to follow Jesus' example and care for those in our family and our church. You are probably going through a hard time. But ...

Mentoring The Sense of Destiny in our Lives Verse: Philippians 1:6 [6] And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Certain/Confident - means firmly persuaded or convinced - in Trustfulness in God's power and love. This power helps us to do good works. It God is behind this, then it is not our effort that makes this happen.  God began it and God will perfect - the good works The language will suggest that this is an ongoing work until we reach heaven. There is a completion to this work. And that responsibility for this completion is on God .... because God started this work. Has God started work on you? Then know for sure that God will not abandon you until he finishes the work. The work is too big that you cannot rely on man.  God began the work of grace in the soul. What is soul? It is thoughts, decisions you make, and actions related to the decision - The soul is the ...

 True Gift of Christmas Christmas is all about the greatest gift to mankind. The expensive gift is not measured by quantity or quality but how much it cost the person who gave. It costed the heavenly father to send his Son Jesus - The reason for His coming - none of us are too young or too old. There were two people who was waiting for Jesus Birth in the Bible.  Simeon Luke 2:25 Anna Luke 2:36 And yet these people seem to be missing at our making of the crib. God has not neglected us. God has not forsaken us. God has not forgotten us. God is with us.  Christian gospel is not based on circumstances Meaning of Christmas - I am redeemed by him and transformed through him so that we can live for Him - That is Christmas The story of Christmas didn't happen in the perfect time or perfect place. The story goes that Jesus was born in a time when the Roman Empire was in control. There was no room for the baby to be born.  The greatest need If our greatest need was education ,...

Joy of Hope "When you ae at the end of our rope, tie an knot and hold on" ... Roosevelt Hope is holding on to God's promise everyday. Tiqvah (in Hebrew) Hope is more than just a dream, but rather an expectation and strong expression of Faith Hope and Change is great political sloan, but is only Christian hope that anticipates the radical change God will bring to pass that will last for all eternity  Verse: Jeremiah 29:11 [11] For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.   Hope is unique to the living. Those who are dead have no hope.   Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:4 [4] There is hope only for the living. As they say, “It’s better to be a live dog than a dead lion!” Hope is not wishful thinking. Biblical hope not a hope until you have the 100% assurance Verse: Zechariah 9:11-12 [11] Because of the covenant I made with you, sealed with blood, I will free your prisoners from death in a wate...

Happy Men's Day! Celebrating people is important because it builds community, strengthens relationships, and creates a culture of gratitude and appreciation. We all celebrate Women's Day. However, men often are not excited about any kind of celebration meant for them. That is because we are already having such a good time.... and every day!!! We don't need a special day. Here are some examples Men can call upon higher powers to validate their claims.  With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it."  (Romans 9:1) This is very helpful in situations where our plans fail. So we compare our word, to unwavering Word of Jesus himself 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says.  (1 Corin...

Transformational Heart - Mark 7 Embracing Discernment and rejecting deception Verse: Mark 7:14-15 [14] Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “All of you listen,” he said, “and try to understand.  [15] It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.” When Jesus is calling to listen carefully, he is really telling them to listen with the heart. Discernmenet is the key in guarding our heart His leading A discerning heart listens to the Lord The Lord alone can peel the layer of deception and help us diagnose the real agenda behind the heart. His approval A discerning heart is content heart with the Lords approval He does not give in to superficial praise or seek attention. he is at rest in knowing who he is, his place in the plan, and God's purpose. He is content with his heavenly father's aproval. He does not fall for human approval or flattery. His guidance A man or woman with a discerning heart is straightforward in h...

Carry the Glory Kabod is "glory" in Hebrew. It means weightiness. It is means the glory is visible... it is also felt!!! Some of the biblical creatures are described as glorious. It is important to distinguish between the real glory and what is not. And so in Hebrews our training for this distingushing comes from the Word of God. Verse: Hebrews 5:13 [13] For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.  [14] Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. Solid food or the constant use the word of God is to train yourself to distinguish and discern. Spend time to learn the Word of God. Blameless - Key to see the GLORY Lucifer was one such creatures. God created him to carry His Glory. Lucifer was created for a purpose (to praise). And the glory bestowed on him helped him fulfil his purpose. He would be in the presence of God and fill the surrounding with ...

Warning against Soulishness Soulishness could be defined as somethig that appeals to our senses. And when the appeal goes out of our control we are tempted. And temptation leads to sin ‭ Verse: Genesis 3:2-6 [2] “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied.  [3] “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”  [4] “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.  [5] “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”  [6] The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.   In the garden of Eden, the devil appealed to the senses and lead Adam ...

Theology of the body      God created man and woman in His image. And Jesus died on the cross so that we can be restored to what God wants us to be. We all fell short because of the fall. And hence Paul is pleading with the church to worship God with your bodies.  Verse: ‭Romans 12:1 [1] And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.   Because of the fall, we tend to do the wrong. These are the works of the body (flesh) Verse: ‭Galatians 5:19-21 [19] When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,  [20] idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,  [21] envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you agai...

The Scarlet Thread Verse: Genesis 38:28   [28] While she was in labor, one of the babies reached out his hand. The midwife grabbed it and tied a scarlet string around the child’s wrist, announcing, “This one came out first.” Tamar was desparate to have children. And she resorted to deception. This deception probably painted a negative picture for the family. Judah (who was the father) was exposed. Tamar almost got stoned. And probably no one wanted to be associated with them. Tie the Scarlet Thread In the midst of this ostracization, there was an un-named woman who was a mid-wife. And as the child was being born, she bound the scarlet thread to the baby. The scarlet thread can be compared to the Blood of Jesus. This scarlet thread removed the shame of sin and the child was born into a world of forgiveness.  What does the Blood of Jesus speak? It speaks of forgiveness instead of vengence and death. Verse: ‭Hebrews 12:24 [24] You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new...

Transformed to Serve Life has just begun after your Jesus Experience. You are saved from sin.... there is a transformation on the inside and this moment is glorious! And out of this glorious moment births a life of sacrifice and actual living. This is because God intended this for you... He created you for his purpose and his glory. Verse: Romans 11:33,36 | 12:1-2 33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! 36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory . All glory to him forever! Amen 1 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice —the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b]  2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will...

Renewed Mind ‭Verse: Romans 12:2 [2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. The renewal of the mind is changing the way we think. God has given us salvation in our hearts. And this should cause a difference in the way we think. Caleb was one person who had the renewed mind. The mindset caused him to encourage people inspite of negative report from his other companions Verse: ‭Numbers 13:30 [30] But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” Caleb's other companions said that there was no hope.... the grasshopper mindset Verse: ‭Numbers 13:33 [33] We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” Humanly speaking, we tend to make our problems ...

 Relational Transformation When we talk of a transformation, we talk of a fullness that affects heart, soul, mind, body Verse: ‭Matthew 22:37-38 [37] Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’  [38] This is the first and greatest commandment.   Hence the transformation on the inside will show on the outside. And our relationship with God will reflect with relationship with people. The garden of eden was a place where God and man hung out. It was a place of conversation. It was a place of relationship. And we are also called to have godly relationships in the world. What does it mean to have godley relaionship Walking with Jesus Knowing Jesus Intimatly Living with Jesus Walking with Jesus We have the capacity to change our environment because of relationship with Jesus. The walk with Jesus as we walk into our world will create the garden of Eden There was sevaral people who walked with God.... Enoch walked with ...

Brighton Session2 Just like the physical body needs exercise, your mental being also needs exercise.  And exercise intensity is increased gradually. So there are stages in Emotional Intelligence  Emotional Intelligence Stages Self Awareness - Aware of your own emotions and how you affects others Self Regulations - Managing your emotions and understanding triggers Motivation - Being motivated to succeed and keep going (help - God, Godly people). If you are able to reach out for help vertically (God) and horizontally (Godly people), we approach the Cross Empathy - Understand the feeling of others - Seeing the perspective from other person's shoes Social Skills - Ability to communicate effectively and build relationships. This helps you to be successful. 

 Ben Session 1 Important Pointers from morning session You are free to choose but you are not free to choose the consequences of your choice Love your neighbor as your self.... It is important to love yourself. Identity (?) Emotional Regulation We are discussing "Emotional Regulation". What is "regulation"? It is to manage it.... You can't stop your emotions. You can hide your emotions for some time. But you can stop it. So you need to find a way to direct your emotions in the right away. Uncontrolled emotions will hurt the ones you love the most.  Example: You are angry and someone who cares for you comes by and says, "Calm down". That may often blow the lid off on your anger. Even though you know that they are right. But you hate them for being right! This is all the more important because 80% to 90% of our decisions are based on emotions rather than logical reasoning.  Emotions can be anger, anxiety, happiness, fear, guilt, sadness. The wheel of emo...

Emotional Transformation We keep at our effort transformation until we reach a completness. The should affect our spirit, soul and body.  Verse: ‭1 Thessalonians 5:23 [23] Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.  The different areas of transformation Spirit Emotions Relationship Intellect Vocation Phsical Health and Wellness Resource Stewardship Emotional Transformation - How do we achieve this? There is so much of depression, suicidal tendencies in our society today.  Where do we see ourselves in matters of Emotional Transformation.  The heart is the seat of emotions, affections, sensibilities, desire. passions. And where should our heart be as per Jesus.  Verse: Matthew 22:37 [37] Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’   When our heart is not in right place, there is pain in t...

Resurrection This event in history is the most important event. It is all the more important for those who believe in Christ because the resurrection is the evidence of this belief. Verse: ‭1 Corinthians 15:20 [20] But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. This event spurred the apostles and the Christians of today to take this truth to the ends of the church.   Let us go through why the resurrection is an uncontested event in history. This is uncontested because of this passage - 1 Corinthians 15. This is the early credel tradition. How early was this? This is dated back to 31 AD as per Bart Ehrman (Historian). This is within the first year of  Jesus crucifixion.  Compare this with people who existed in history - Alexander the Great. His writing (evidence) was dated 450 years after his death. And this source for Alexander the Great is credible. Hence the credibility of 1 Corinthians 15 far superseds o...

Prayer Lessons from Gethsemane The Jews sang Psalm 113 to 118 on the day of passover. It is likely that Jesus also sang this song on the day he was crucified. ‭ Verse Psalms 118:24 [24] This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. The Lord ordained this day of suffering for Jesus. It is said of this day that "it pleased the Lord". This day started with the prayer at Gethsemane. ‭ Verse: Mark 14:32 [32] They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.”  What can we understand about the prayer? Practice of Prayer Posture of Prayer Purpose of Prayer Perseverance of Prayer Power of Prayer Practice of Prayer Jesus prayed all through out his journey on earth. Verse: ‭Luke 5:16 [16] But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.  Here are some quotes from men of prayer "We pray when there is nothing else to do, but God wants us to praye before we do anything at all"  ... Oswald Chambers "No...

 Prayer Prayer is ascension. Just like the critical part in a flight is the take off, the ascending into prayer is a task. We need to reach a certain altitude in prayer. Only then we will see the benefits in prayers.  ‭‭ Verse: Psalms 24:3 [3] Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? In order ascend (climb), we need to understand Cosmic Geography Verse: ‭‭Ephesians 6:12 [12] For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Jermiah prophesied a lot of doom. And he as unpopular because of his message even though this was the truth. But his message was not all doom. He talked about a return after 70 years. It was a message of revival. How long before we can see our revival? And during this time of waiting, there was Ezekiel, Daniel who travailed in prayer. Are we patient in prayer like Danie...

 God's Ways Deception is everywhere. This is because all man has sinned and we all have the sinnful nature in us. And realization of deception if realised late, causes damage. And often deceptions goes unnotices. And so the writter of Hebrews warns us ‭ ‭Verse: Hebrews 3:12 [12] Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.   God's Way is good! The context is when Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt. They witnesses great miracles. But they never understood God and His ways. They murmured because of the unbelief in the heart. His ways lead them through times of hunger and thirst. Please remember that the way of God involves testing and teaching. Why was God trying to teach the Israelites? He wants our focus to be on things that are not of this world. We need to be heavenly minded. And God may lead us through this way but God is good! And his ways are good! When we realize th...

 Transformation - Reset the Mindset The methodology that people follow for inculcating change is to reward after the change has been achieved. But not so with Jesus. Jesus gave us salvation and then worked with us for this change. The change message was the first he preached on. "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand" The change/transformation was so radical... from Fishermen to Fishers of men. That is what Jesis did.... but this transformation took time and almost impossible 2 Cor 5:17 "the old has passed away and the new has come" Mat 19:26 "... with people it is impossible... with god all things are possible" There are several people who Jesus changed in his direct interaction with people. There were people who were prostitutes, tax collectors.... the scum of society. They were changed miraculously. They were the people that society had given up on. But Jesus went out of his way ... stopped by the tree and said, "Zaacheas come down". And ...

Willing Spirit God is called us to live life and live life abundantly. That abundant life comes from the Spirit of God that renews our Spirit. And hence David is making this prayer to be willing, to receive the source of this abundant life. ‭‭Verse: Psalms 51:10-12 ‬‬ [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.  [11] Do not banish me from your presence, and‭ take not your Holy Spirit from me [12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. That yielding of the will of man happened in the life of Paul on the road to Damascus. And so we need to be willing to obey to enjoy life. ‭‭ Verse: Isaiah 1:19 [19] If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat. When Jesus was on earth, he lived a life suject to the will of the Father. Let us look at three points Willing Spirit Right Spirit Holy Spirit Willing Spirit Make me "willing to obey you" (Psalm 51:12) . This means that you are inclined to the Lord. This is a spiritu...