pupaulson

[pupaulson]

The Royal Prophets

Many of us may not know that two of the sixteen classical prophets in the Old Testament were from royal families.By the way, classical prophets is a technical term for the prophets whose names we have books, like Isaiah, Amos, Jeremiah, etc. At the same time, despite their antiquity and prominence, Elijah, Elisha, Gad, or Nathan do not fall in this category since we do not have books in their…

[pupaulson]

What Does "Delivering to Satan" Mean?

What does delivering a person to Satan in 1 Corinthians 5:5 mean?

What does delivering a person to Satan in 1 Corinthians 5:5 mean? Paul said this regarding the person who lives with his father’s wife or stepmother, a sin considered particularly grave in the Christian context. This sin is not found among those who have not known Christ. Paul says such a thing is “not tolerated even among pagans” (1 Cor 5:1). When he heard about this, Paul wrote to the…

[pupaulson]

Detours in Life are in God’s Will

A devotional thought for the day.

God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt” -Exod 13:17 God considers our strengths and weaknesses when he maps our journey with him to eternity. There will be hurdles on the way, but he will not…

[pupaulson]

The Math of Generosity

“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want” (Prov 11:24). In terms of finance, this verse is an absurd proposition. It seems highly unlikely that any finance expert or someone with average skill with numbers would admit that the more one gives, the more one will have. It is common sense that the numbers will be negative if the…

[pupaulson]

When Only God’s Word Remains

“The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times” (Psa 12:6). Words are not tangible objects like precious metals purified in a crucible. However, the metaphor of the Lord’s words purified seven times in a furnace affirms purity. Simply put, it means the Lord will do what he has assured us he will do. Note that this confidence in the…

[pupaulson]

The Secret of Victory

The content communicates a deep reflection on the themes found in Psalm 21 and provides valuable insights into the significance of trusting in the Lord.

“He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever” (Psa 21:4). Psalm 21 thanks the Lord for answering the prayer for victory that the people prayed in Psalm 20 as the king set out for the battle. The people had confessed that it was not their military strength but the Lord’s might that made their army win the war. Now, the king and the military have come back…

[pupaulson]

Serve with Power, Love, and Self-discipline

The content provides a thoughtful reflection on the importance of utilizing spiritual gifts for serving others. It emphasizes the need to actively cultivate and use these gifts for the benefit of others, drawing on biblical references to support.

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:6—7). Paul wrote this letter towards the end of his life to his young colleague Timothy, who will continue the ministry by caring for the churches they founded. Paul advises Timothy to…

[pupaulson]

Re-wiring Minds for Eternity

A powerful message about the Christian faith and the need to focus on heavenly things.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col 3:1—2). Christian faith is not just a set of beliefs but involves experiencing the Lord daily. Growing in faith means experiencing more and more of our Saviour and Lord and becoming increasingly…

[pupaulson]

Praying at the Face of Threats

The content provides a detailed analysis of Psalm 20 and its historical context, emphasizing the trust in the Lord despite the military challenges.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright” (Psa 20:7—8). Read Psalm 20:1—9. Wishing the king success as he set out for military campaigns was a significant part of the life of nations in the ancient world. Only one party wins any battle. Defeat is the last chapter in the life of that nation. The…

[pupaulson]

From the Stars to God’s Story

The content reflects a deep reflection on the beauty of nature and the revelation of God through the stars and the scriptures.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psa 19:14). The starry sky over a village on a dark day is a treat for the eyes, but the city’s sky, polluted with light from automobiles, street lights, and high-rise buildings, dims this view. Stunned by this display, the psalmist lying on his back outside his house muses:…

[pupaulson]

Praying in the Storeroom

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). Read: (Matthew 5:5—15). Every book or blog on prayer has advice on the best time to pray, the most suitable place for prayer, and the best posture for prayer. Jesus advised that the best place to pray is the dark storeroom, with…

[pupaulson]

Grace over Technology

In life's struggles that Christ-followers face, what matters is not their resources, but the fact that the Lord of the universe is with them.

“… and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hand” (1 Sam 17:47). Read: 1 Sam 17:1—58. When the epic duel between David and Goliath was staged, the Philistines had a monopoly over iron technology. They had the weapons and did not allow their enemy to have the knowledge to make either weapons or…

[pupaulson]

When the Tents Wear out

“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor 5:1). Wear and tear are normal and cannot be avoided, even in the case of the human body. As we age, our body weakens, the joints pain, the skin wrinkles, and daily chores become more difficult. We realise it is time to leave the body to…

[pupaulson]

Our Prayers are Incense before the Lord

Where do our unanswered prayers end up?

“And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” (Rev 5:8). I have not yet seen heaven and the throne of God; my sight can not reach that far. However, John the Apostle had a celestial journey to the presence of God, though in a vision, to…

[pupaulson]

Roaring Lion and Safe Stronghold

“The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earthquake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel” (Joel 3:16). The Lord never accommodates sin in any shade, but he acts to stop it, and he also protects his people. Like the prophet Amos, Joel portrays the Lord as a roaring lion (Amos 1:2). As the lion roars to make…

[pupaulson]

Surviving in the World of Lies

“I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly” (Psa 52:9). Read Psalm 52:1—9. As we live in a world where lies and falsehood have a tight grip on its affairs, the Lord makes his people survive and thrive despite the moral pollution surrounding them. This psalm explains how the Lord handles the world that has sold out…

[pupaulson]

Being Rich toward God

“So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”(Luke 12:21). Read, Luke 12:13—21. The destiny of the people who put all their trust in their earthly possessions without regard to matters that decide their eternal destiny is miserable. Here, Jesus defines what is real wealth. A man approached Jesus to advise his brother to divide the property with him. In ancient…