“Delay is denial”, so goes the popular axiom. We also say, “justice delayed is justice denied.” Though this is true to a considerable extent in a worldly sense, the opposite is true in God’s Kingdom. Some examples from the Bible illustrate this point. Priest Zachariah and Elizabeth were righteous people in a way that pleased […]
Though I had been praying and waiting for a revival in my college it has not happened though I am retired five years after 23 years of service. It was my teacher who taught English at the same seminary who inspired me to pray for the revival. She was a Canadian Mennonite missionary. The college […]
It is most painful to be ignored. Ignoring someone is an unpardonable offense. This old church built with rock tucked away in the hills had only 10 pews that could squeeze in about fifty people. Still the church was not full that day as usual. More than half were kids of all ages. It was […]
The spiritual essence of human life is determined by the choice between two persons who demand our loyalty. One is God and the other is his antagonist, the Devil. The followers of Christ have already made their choice by choosing God and shunning the Devil. However, the Devil will not leave them so easily. He […]
The Psalmist prayed on behalf of her community “give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless” (Psalm 108:12). One of the reasons for this prayer is the psalmist’s confidence in God. The psalmist was sure that “with God we will gain victory, and he will trample down our enemies” (Psalm […]
The Bible is the story of people responding to God in faith but also of those who doubted him. Genesis is the book of the beginnings of many things. The origin of the created order, human life, sin, and the list could go on. But it also records the origin of faith and doubt. Sin […]
“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:20, ESV). Jesus spoke these words to his disciples about his death and resurrection. But the truth has greater significance than that historical event. He said this […]
Miracles are displays of God’s power over human body, and nature that he created at his will.
The cliché “exercise your faith” accentuates human effort, while miracles are purely what God does at his discretion. Nothing may happen however hard your exercise your faith unless God makes the move!
Cheerfully she soars, gleefully glides
Over roaring sea, despite raging storm
That’s the strength I need, Lord
To strive in today’s tumult.
(A poem on the sea gull).
Jesus taught that praying is committing to act; he expects us to commit to what we pray for. The disciples whom Jesus asked to pray for laborers are the first batch of laborers that he had in mind. They may pray for more laborers like them, but they cannot shun their personal responsibility to be harvesters that they prayed for. Praying for a cause is committing to that cause. Without that commitment prayer turns useless.
Paulson Pulikottil 