Popularity

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30 (ESV)

Summarize in a Word: Popularity

Key Principle: We live for Christ, no longer for ourselves.

Key Application: Allow Christ to be known and seen in you!

Main point of the Passage: Popularity of Christ over our own popularity

Illustration: John’s Attitude

Exhortation: Dare to risk your own reputation for the advancing of the name of Christ.

Everybody wants to be popular for different reasons, especially for good cause. Who among you does not want to have a hundred likes in a Facebook post? What Christian ministry does not want thousands of email subscriber?

Image Scripture: Proverbs 25:28

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

Should you care God exists or not?

[This is a repost of 2014 article, which was deleted by mistake]

For centuries, humankind has been debating about the existence of God. Most people say God exists; some say that God does not exist, and still, others say that nobody can know whether God exists or not. Friedrich Nietzsche went on to say, “God is dead.” Should you care God exists or not? If it doesn’t matter, one need not pay attention, but how does one know it matters or not? Let us define God first. Defining God exactly is impossible, for He is beyond definition and comprehension. But for this article God is the “maximally great being,” by which I mean He is the greatest, perfect, infinite, invincible, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent Being. Moreover, He is the Creator of the Universe and everything in it.

Enduring Adversities

 “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.”  Psalm 119: 92 (ESV)

Summarize in a Word: Enduring Adversities

Key Principle: God’s Majesty is inscribed in His words. 

Key Application: Meditate on the words of God

Main point of the Passage: All adversities look pale when we discover the Majesty of God in His words.

Illustration: If you can enjoy World Cup Football, you can enjoy God’s goodness too.

Exhortation: Would you treasure God’s word in your heart, in your blood; not on paper, not on phone, not on internet, but in your being?

We often have False View of God. Our view of God is revealed unprecedentedly when we are in adversities. We like to think of God as one who satisfies our desires, who will excuse all our sins by His grace. This is dead wrong if we don’t understand His Majesty – the Majesty, which should make us tremble before Him (Ps. 119: 120). God does not exist to serve you; rather you are created to serve Him 24 x 7 eternally (v.91).

Image Scripture Matthew 7:15-20

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

Great Christian-YouTube Channels for Subscription

Is there any internet user who has not spent hours and hours on YouTube Videos? Who has not benefitted from YouTube? At the same time, who among us is not guilty of excessive use? Like it or hate it, technology always comes with merit and demerit. Unfortunately, the nature of human is on the slippery slope of demerits. Moreover, there are YouTubers, who uploaded various versions of the original, and sadly many to out dislikes. Also, there are countless titles which are misleading. Today, I would like to mention some great Channels of YouTube (solid Christian resources) you may want to subscribe if you have not so far. And, do tell me your recommended channels too.

Rongmei Theological Society (RTS) Conference, Khoupum

Recently I have attended Rongmei Theological Society (RTS) Conference in Lubanglong Baptist Church, Khoupum. RTS has been around for many years convening conferences at least 18 times across Rongmei inhabited areas in North East India – Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland. It is my first time to RTS Conference, also to visit the Khoupum Valley. Like any first-timer, I do have few things to say about each of them.

Overcoming Jealousy

 “Do not let your heart envy sinners, ​But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; For surely there is a hereafter, ​And your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:17-18 (NKJV)

Summarize in a Word: Overcoming Jealousy

Key Principle: God Rewards the Faithful

Key Application: Delight in God

Main point of the Passage: Nobody is immune to Jealousy but those whose delight is in God shall overcome it.

Illustration: Successful Inmate in prison v/s Successful man in a free land

Exhortation: Do not be troubled by sinners, but be assured by God’s faithfulness.

Who is immune to Jealousy? It looks like we are hardwired especially when we are in desperate want. Jealousy is never a pleasant emotion. Unfortunately, I have seen many frustrations and anger in several families because they were jealous of neighbor’s successes.

Top 20 Websites for Biblical Resources

The title itself is hard to believe. There are more websites than we can explore. Certainly, you don’t expect me to evaluate each and every website available, and to defend my list without committing an error. I prepare this based on my theological background and my exposures to various websites those help me grow in the knowledge of God. If you are curious about my theological position: I am 7 points Biblicist. I believe the Bible – its authority, its sufficiency, its inerrancy, its infallibility, its inspiration, its reliability, and its effectiveness. Therefore, you can surmise which websites I would be inclined to list here.

1.              Grace to You It is the teaching ministry of John MacArthur. You can get almost all his sermons (video and audio), and sermons transcripts. You will also find articles, questions and answers, devotional insights, and much more. It always has been my top go-to website.

2.            Ligonier Ministries It is the teaching fellowship of R.C. Sproul. There are several articles and Lectures on various themes from various personalities of R.C class.

3.            Albert Mohler Even if you are not an American his briefing will help you to be an articulate Christian thinker. There are Articles, lectures, essays, sermons, and questions and answers.

4.            Answer in Genesis It is an apologetics ministry spearheaded by Ken Ham. It is a go-to website, especially for Science and Creationism.

Above are the top four websites. Here is another list:

5.             Desiring God It is a teaching ministry of John Piper

6.            Martyn Lloyd-Jones Recording Trust It has the recorded Sermons of the Doctor.

7.             One Passion It is the teaching ministry of Steve Lawson

8.            The Spurgeon Archive It is the largest archive of the works of Spurgeon online.

9.            Monergism It is a go-to the web of Reformed literature.

10.       CARM It is an apologetics ministry

11.         Alliance of Confession Evangelicals

12.        Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

13.        Association of Certified Biblical Counselors

14.        Biblical Training

15.        Sermonaudio

Other Helpful Sites

16.        Got Questions It attempts to answer any of your questions you probably want to know.

17.        Christianity Today It is like a newspaper, magazine, essay of Christianity today.

18.       Bible.is You can download various audio Bible from here.

19.        Hymnary.org You can get the lyrics, biography, scripture references and tunes.

20.      The Babylon Bee If you want some fun

If you are curious about any websites, which give bad theology look at what Phil Johnson has done for us in his bibliophile. If you happen to be reading any of the websites listed there, you better be discerning!

R. Solomon

Godly Thoughts

 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” – Hebrews 10:24 (KJV):

Summarize in a Word: Godly Thoughts

Key Principle: We are prone to evil thoughts

Key Application: We must think through the Scripture

Main point of the Passage: In all circumstances, we have a choice to feed our mind with evil plans or godly plans

Illustration: The Pharisee’s Prayer

Exhortation: Give an attentive scrutiny; fix your mind upon how to provoke, irritate them unto godliness.

   Many times, we see people hating others, and even harming others. Sometimes, we act like the Pharisee who said, “Thank God! I am not like them.” The moment we do that, we fall as short as they do. This stunning verse of Hebrews is teaching us to look in a very different way.