Father’s unconditional love

The Bible talks about God's love for mankind which is displayed in various ways. There are many parables used to exemplify and illustrate this love.

The parable of the prodigal son(Luke 15) is a very familiar story. This story aims to help us understand God's unconditional love for the human race, in all the scenarios.

In the parable, the younger son demands the share of his inheritance when his father is still alive. An insulting demand especially in those times, where it is equivalent to saying, " I'm tired of waiting for you to die. Just give me my share." The audacity of the boy does not end there; he travels far off and squanders all the wealth that he received. The sinful behaviour of a son which separates him from his father.

Towards the end of the parable, we see another character. The older son who has stayed faithfully by his father's side. This man has always served his father never disobeying any of his commands showcasing himself as a righteous son. In the end, he is angry at his father for accepting his younger brother who had left them. He does not understand the father's love and refuses to enter home.

But in both the cases, we see a father whose heart goes out for both his children. When the younger son returns home even after making the insulting demand, the waiting father runs towards him and embraces him. He forgives all his mistakes and accepts him.

It was the same as the elder son too. When he is grumpy and angry, the father comes and appeals to him. His heart goes out for the elder son too.

“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." (Psalm 36:5)

Both sinful behaviour and self-righteous attitude take us away from understanding the love of our Father in heaven. But He still seeks for us and takes us back in His arms. His unconditional love and mercy embrace us by making us a new being.

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Ansu Susan Oommen

Ansu is a student of Delhi University and a youth leader in Crossway. She can be reached at ansususan9828@gmail.com

You are loved

The story is told that one day a beggar by the roadside asked for alms from Alexander the Great as he passed by. The man was poor and wretched and had no claim upon the ruler, no right even to lift a solicitous hand. Yet the Emperor threw him several gold coins. A courtier was astonished at his generosity and commented, "Sir, copper coins would adequately meet a beggar's need. Why give him gold?" Alexander responded in royal fashion, "Copper coins would suit the beggar's need, but gold coins suit Alexander's giving."

John 21:4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

So Peter had decided to go back fishing. Several other disciples were not better. Even they decided to follow Peter and give up on Jesus. But Jesus did not give up on them. If it was for any other master, it would have been the end of it. But God the loving father is the God of second chances and He is always in the habit of going out to meet the lost Sons and daughters.

While many times we go away from God we think we can manage our lives. Unfortunately, when you are called by God for His purpose you won't excel anywhere. Unless you walk his way, you will have all the expertise and skill, but there won’t be a catch. Because true success in any field comes from God and God alone. So Daddy out of his love comes to the shore again, this time only to remind about the call. You are loved.   

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Stanley Thomas Isac

Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at stanleytisac@gmail.com

Let’s not be disappointed

Former heavyweight boxer James (Quick) Tillis is a cowboy from Oklahoma who fought out of Chicago in the early 1980s. He still remembers his first day in the Windy City after his arrival from Tulsa. "I got off the bus with two cardboard suitcases under my arms in downtown Chicago and stopped in front of the Sears Tower. I put my suitcases down, and I looked up at the Tower and I said to myself, 'I'm going to conquer Chicago.' "When I looked down, the suitcases were gone."

John 21:3a “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them,

Peter was one of the most zealous disciples of Jesus. In fact, he was so passionate and full of zeal that he had committed himself to be with Jesus and even die with him. Even though Peter was zealous and had the call of God in his life. He was called to be fishers of men. But throughout the journey, he had so much of faith in himself and even had so many plans of his own. He was so sure that Christ would conquer the Roman authorities and bring down the Jewish leaders and probably that created the zeal, passion and even the commitment. But things did not work the way he expected. So the wrong expectation led to disappointment. Eventually, he was so disappointed that he did not consider himself fit for ministry and went back to his old job.

Now there is nothing wrong in earning your bread by a profession. But in Peter’s case he was called to be the fisher of men and now he had compromised. Many times we have so many wrong expectations that we are bound to be disappointed. When we are low and not in the right spirit we often take the wrong decisions. Peter and the other disciples were clearly told that Jesus would rise up on the third day and they were supposed to wait in Galilee. But they just couldn't accept what had happened and lost all control over their lives. They were told to believe and obey. But they had so much wrong expectation which led to disappointment. Let’s not be disappointed.  

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at stanleytisac@gmail.com

Lead well

As a train was about to leave a large railroad station, the conductor began to take tickets. Looking at the ticket of the first passenger he remarked, "Friend, I think you're on the wrong train!" "But," replied the man, "the ticket agent told me this was my train." After a little discussion, the conductor decided to check with the ticket agent. Before long, it became clear that the conductor was on the wrong train! When the leader is lost, how can the followers be going on the right track?

Joshua 24:31 Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel.

If you are a godly leader then you will lead your people to the Lord. Well, that summarizes the whole of the book of Joshua. If the leader is right with God, then he is fit to lead and show them the right path. Joshua as a leader, chosen by God was faithful to the call on his life and disciplined to fight every battle and lead the people effectively.

Most of us want to be leaders, but very few are willing to give what leadership takes. A Godly leader has to obey God and follow him in every move, discussion, and battle. There is no turning away from the fact that God is the ultimate leader and one better follow him. The discipline to be a leader is of utmost importance as well. But above all one is leading the followers into the larger purpose. To Know God and to make Him known. If that’s not happening, then our leadership is of no use. Lead well.

http://xfiloz.blogspot.in/

Stanley Thomas Isac

Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at stanleytisac@gmail.com