HOW SERIOUS IS ANY SIN TO GOD?

Whenever I buy fruits, it never occurs to me that eating fruit is bad or immoral or illegal or sinful.

Years ago, in the beginning, a couple in the Garden of Eden ate that fruit and God granted all types of sufferings we see in this world. That's how serious sin is to God.

First was the Separation from God that brings shame and guilt and fear.

The second was the Curses of God that brings all types of sufferings and pains!

The third was the Reality of Bloodshed and Death!

All these just because of eating that fruit!

10 Reasons Why Suicide is NOT the Solution:

Last night I read news about JarridWilson, a US megachurch pastor committing suicide. As my usual habit would have me, I quickly jotted down a few thoughts regarding Suicide and whatsApped to my circle of friends. I realized it was a bit lengthy for a typical WhatsApp post. Moreover, because of my quick typing, I had committed a few mistakes in it. So, I decided to have a minor edit and publish it on this blog.

So, here are the ten reasons (or as a friend of mine would have it) ’10 soothing truths to know for those contemplating committing suicide:’

1. Only God gives life and has the right to take life. (1 Samuel 2:6-7). The context of this passage is Hannah rejoicing in the Lord for an answered prayer after many, many years of bitterness, weeping and anguish of her soul!

2. Your life is not your life, especially if you are in Christ. Your past and even future accusations are already crucified. You are made blameless before God (Gal. 2:20).

3. The Loving-kindness of God is better than the PLEASURES or the PROBLEMS of life (Ps. 63:3). He has demonstrated that at the cross. The context is King David was made to flee away from his own son. He was betrayed and was desperately longing for God’s loving-kindness.

4. Everyone struggles with sins. He that is holiest feels the most wretchedness (Rom. 7). Battling sins and temptations (and even failings) with grief and convictions are actually the signs of growing in sanctification and are pleasing unto God.

5. Nothing can separate us from Jesus— neither sins nor mental retardation, Alzheimer, sickness, persecution, devils or anything. Trust Jesus for who He said to be, not because of what your circumstances made you feel (Rom. 8).

6. If there's any area in our life to consider, it's waiting on God for deliverance (Ps. 130). He often looked slow from our perspective, but He always delivered in a way that we normally don’t understand at the moment of crisis. The family of Moses waited 80 years to see the deliverance of God. Abraham waited 25 years for a promised child.

7. Suicide doesn't cure the struggle, rather the struggle is passed on and is often multiplied upon the survivors. It's one thing to be tagged as a selfish act, and another thing to make the loved ones miserable.

8. Btw, Suicide is sin like any other sins, but a sin that you could not repent of because life is over. However, even it cannot take you away from the fold of God. God’s provision is greater than the deception of Suicide. (cf. Psalm 139)

9. Our true happiness and purpose are found in pleasing the Lord— through knowing God more. And the more we live the more we experience God truer. In the end, nothing we do or don't do changes the election of God. He is able to keep his child from falling away forever (Jude 24).

10. You are not alone struggling it. Talk about it. Seek out for help! Biblical figures like Moses, Elijah, and Jonah anticipated death.

On the flip side, the world has lots of fun to explore such as Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon, marital love, etc., but yes, they fade away in comparison to the New Earth with Christ. Even then, we can live and are commanded to live anticipating for the imminent return of Christ, the Author of perfect and complete deliverance. We long for His return, and not we going our own way to Him.

NOTE: I do not know Pastor Jarrid Wilson. I am not writing about him nor about his struggles. I mention his name just because the news triggered me to write about Suicide especially when the world is observing World Suicide Prevention Day recently. As far as that news is concerned, I would encourage the readers to just pray for his wife and his children!

To a Friend Concerning a Friend

Why do we cry when someone has died?

Is it the company we miss by our side?

Is it for things we have not done?

Is it for the promise he has not begun?

Is it for things we will soon be denied?

Why do we cry when someone has died?

Yes, there's a lot we can do for someone,

Yes, this world offers a lot of fun—

The breathtaking grandeur of God's creation,

And also the beauty of human emotion.

But isn't he in a better place when he died?

Why this truth to the heart is not satisfied?

Death, we have no complaint against you,

It is the wage of sin each of us is due.

Lord, we know You are taking to the better place,

That, in deep solace we can embrace Your grace.

But we still cry when someone has died,

Because there's a pain deep inside.

The Lord on account of Lazarus cried,

He even for our eternal death died.

The Lord knows the grief and the pain of death,

He was, is, and always will be God, yet

He cried identifying our grief, 

Long or brief we cry, and shall find in Him a relief!

Lo! We shall meet again with no more tears,

We shall be together again for countless years,

Heaven and earth shall be ours; the road no more narrow!

No more sin, no more death, no more sorrow.

Unto that imminent reality, let us fix our hope

Especially when in such a situation we try to cope.

Sarimaya and Tuingamla (SSEU friends)

Sunday Night (1st September)

Staying awake this hour of midnight,

Lonely sitting without anyone,

For any kind of conversation,

In this big empty hall situation,

I feel despondent and abandoned,

As if there’s no more morrow’s daylight!

The dimly lit hall looks like my heart,

The bright day is gone, the night is long,

Sleep stays not and the mind is not calm,

Yes of the day’s work, there is a qualm,

What possibly could I have done wrong?

I long for the dawn for a new start!

The slow whirling fan seems to not care,

The presence of many or any,

Doing what it knows and is called for,

Cooling the summer heatwave indoor,

It makes me think, though ordinary,

To stay put without any despair.

Be Faithful! ­­– (Proverbs 5:18)

The Wisest King Solomon had 1000 wives, but he also said to ‘rejoice in the wife of your youth’ (Proverbs 5:18)

It means one wife, one husband till death separates (and no divorce). Faithful and committed.

He didn't find pleasure nor satisfaction nor meaning in multiple partners or in a polygamous relationship or in extra-affairs!

Don't be a fool to boast even in having lots of exes!

Be serious, be committed, and be patient!

Three Greatest Gifts A Man Can Receive

Thinking Through Tough Questions

When should one be found guilty:

when it sees no fruit?
when it sees no success?
when it gets no applause?
when it gets no response?
or when it gets boring?

When is the soul more distressing:
when you get angry and react?
when you presume the worst of others?
when all you hum is, "Does He care?"
when you claim the right to self-pity?
or when your action is inconsistent with your principle?

What is more loathsome:
when sin is preferred to stupidity?
when sin becomes appropriate?
when ‘to sin’ becomes a right?
when ‘to sin’ becomes a must?
or when one has a seared conscience?

What is more deceitful:
when you think you are busy to make it?
when you think it's difficult to make it?
when you see no relevance in it?
when you see no benefit in it?
or when you find it boring?

Preachers and Churchgoers

Preachers are not shopkeepers,

Churchgoers are not customers;

Church is not a market where you justify

Your right of anything to not buy.

Preachers are beggars

Telling other beggars

Where the bread is found!

Isn't that a charming sound?

You are a filthy beggar,

(So am I) dying of hunger.

We have no bragging right,

We must only receive with delight!

SINOMAG

Measureless Sky

When I was a child, I thought the sky ended on the other side of the hill around us. I climbed the hill, and there was another higher hill, and I thought the sky would really end there, but when I climbed that hill too, the sky kept on expanding.

That's exactly what I have come to discover concerning the warfare of 1John 2:16.

1John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1John 2:16 For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

1John 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

The battle keeps on unfolding. The more you conquer the enemy's Hills, the more you see the larger battle plains between and beyond the enemy's hills!

How easy it is, to often brag like a drunk rather than to commit like a soldier!