Psalm 114
What we observe in Psalm 114 is a poetic description of the history of Israel.
The Psalmist penned this psalm to illustrate an important fact of history orchestrated by God.
As the people of Israel recounts their history 2 things happened – they worshiped HIM – felt HIS presence.
The psalmist recounts how God demonstrated HIS power throughout the history of Israel.
Remembering God’s history with HIS people leads to an awareness of HIS presence with us today.
Recounting history of Israel in the Scripture brings the Christian an awareness of God’s presence.
Verse 1 God desired a separation
God called the people of Israel to come out of Egypt – come out of the foreign influence.
Egyptian way of life is contrary to God’s will and purpose so also many non-christian religions today.
God called them to get separated from the sinful and idolaters’ world.
We are also called to get separated from the world and its ungodly influences.
Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the (thought) pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”.
Verse 2 - God sanctifies by HIS presence
Throughout Israel's history Israel experienced God’s presence with them.
During Israel’s history they saw many temples around them – even so today.
For sure we know that God was not in any one of those temples then or now.
The Most High God literally dwelt among Israelites in the Tabernacle or the Temple. 
After Lord Jesus resurrection, Holy God made HIS dwelling in the hearts of believers.
God initiates the process of sanctification after our justification.
Israel became the sanctuary of the Living God – God was with them – God with us now.
Israel became HIS dominion –God’s possession – God’s authority – God’s very own.
Verses 3-8 God demanded obedience and conformity to HIS will and purpose.
The power of God was seen on behalf of people of Israel not only enabling them to enter into the Promised Land but also to establish them in their possession.
HE wanted them to depend upon completely – trust HIM with unwavering faith.
When they obeyed HIM without any reservations HE was with them – protecting them – overcoming all challenges from other countries – granted them victories.
So also HE grants us the ability to succeed if we are willing to surrender to HIS authority.
The Exodus story is the best example of how the gentile people trembled at the name of the Desert God – the God of Israel.
They heard stories about HIS awesome power exhibited in the exodus journey.
We also heard God’s mighty power at work in the lives of many men and women who obeyed and faithfully followed the Lord Jesus Christ.
Just 12 illiterate men shook the world and changed the world’s history forever.
Verse 8 is a direct reference to our Lord Jesus Christ –as we read and understand that HE is our Rock and HE is the living waters. 
God has called us to live separated, sanctified and surrendered lives as HIS very own.
It is of great importance to every believer to know  the power of God at work with people of Israel in their history.
It is of utmost importance for us to know that God works through our lives and shakes the world around us for HIS glory.
The unbeliever will be influenced and enabled to come to know Lord Jesus through our separated, sanctified and surrender lives.

Today is Father's Day in USA.
“Father's Day was founded in Spokane, Washington at the YMCA in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was born in Arkansas.
Its first celebration was in the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910.
In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day.
Six years later, the day was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.”
In the four books of the Old Testament, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus and Deuteronomy we see a beautiful relationship unfolding between Moses and Joshua.
Joshua became the next leader to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land.
He was also responsible for distributing the land amongst the 12 tribes.
Joshua became Moses aide attending mundane chores – always at his side –paying utmost attention and observing him.
Watching Moses Joshua began to learn leadership qualities and understanding the dynamics involved in leading such great mass of rebellious people.
Eventually Moses became his spiritual father.
Joshua had opportunity to observe the following character traits in Moses:
A. Man of God
Moses feared God obeyed HIM with unwavering faith.
Joshua understood that God’s hand was upon Moses.
B. Man of Prayer
Joshua saw Moses pleading with God – praying to God on behalf of the Israelites.
Joshua watched Moses closely pouring out his heart before God.
His prayers resulted into miracles after miracles as God provided the needs of Israel.
Joshua witnessed to the power of prayer in Moses life first hand.
C. Man of Courage
Moses was the most courageous man to undertake such responsibility of freeing the people of Israel from Egyptian bondage.
He also led the people out of bondage and struggled with them throughout their desert journey.
Joshua watched every bit of it and developed that courage to lead the people after Moses death.
D. Man who saw God face to face
Joshua watched closely and understood Moses was having an encounter with the Living God.
He saw the two tablets first hand written by the finger of God.
Joshua feared Moses for the very fact that he was with God for such a long time alone.
Joshua knew within his heart that Moses had an intimate and very deep personal relationship with God Almighty.
This truth impacted Joshua greatly and he also sought God's presence and HIS power.
Moses was indeed his spiritual father guiding him, teaching him many things.
Joshua learnt that Moses was humble, obedient, trusted God with unwavering faith, and willing to do extra-ordinary things in life.
Joshua understood what it takes to be leader, not just a leader but also a spiritual leader.
Today many men are in the position of influencing the young in many ways.
The question is how matured men are helping the young people with their own life examples.
Many men don’t have to be real fathers – any God fearing man can be a spiritual leader to the young to teach them lessons of life.
From Moses and Joshua relationship all men can lessons to become spiritual fathers.
Are you man of prayer, man of courage, man of God and living always in the fear of God?
We the grownups don’t know who are observing us and trying to follow our footsteps.
May the Lord grants us the privilege to nurture, mentor, and counsel the young to reach their potential as spiritual fathers. 

Proverbs 3:1-8
Today is a graduation Sunday – many churches celebrate their graduates
I would like to share few thoughts from God’s word for all graduating children/youth.
Third chapter in the book of Proverbs is a road map for all youth who are aspiring to move on to the next stage of their academic studies.
The wisdom Teacher assumed the role of a father to his students and tried to motivate them to learn and practice his teachings.
Though these verses addressed to a son, they are equally applicable to all daughters as well.
Within these 8 verses you can find nuggets of gold for building your character, inner strength, and motivation to excel.
The Teacher is like a father teaching his children requesting them not to forget his teaching – commanding them to keep them in their hearts.
If you keep them in your heart and remember them, you will have the benefits in your life.
They prolong your life; they bring peace and also prosperity.
The key is here ‘THE FEAR OF THE LORD’.
Prov 10:27 “The fear of the Lord adds length to life”
The blessing of long life is the result of fearing the Lord in one’s life.
The peace that the Lord gives does not depend upon the circumstances in life.
No matter what you and I go through we will experience peace of mind and peace in heart.
You will have peace in the midst of all anxieties, troubles, sickness, discouragements and desperation.
Prosperity comes to those who obey the Lord – it could be wealth, materials, and status.
Prosperity is also seen in the results of your hard work in studies.. 
Love and faithfulness are two important key biblical virtues.
Love springs out of our loving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Faithfulness is always based on trustworthiness, reliability and dependability.
These characters are the understanding and implementation of our obedience to HIS word.
Verse 4 as a result of our love for the Lord, HE will bless us with favor of other people.
We will enjoy good relationship, good friendship, and understanding with others.
Message bible verse 5 & 6:
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. 
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.  
As human beings, we are normally tend to trust in what we see, hear, feel, taste, and touch
We trust what we perceive – perception is a reality
In biblical sense trust is built upon truth.
We trust somebody of good character, integrity and honesty because they are dependable.
Trust leads to cementing the relationship.
You don’t depend on your thinking; you don’t count on your understanding; don’t rely on your judgment.
All decisions in life, all preparations in life, all plans in life, all thinking in life don’t figure out for yourself – it’s not only madness but also dangerous- very dangerous.
Just submit to the Lord with unwavering faith – God will lead you in a straight path.
Verse 7 gives you three cautions: Do not be wise in your eyes; Fear God and Shun evil.
Everything is based upon the fear of the Lord in a Christian’s life.
Pr 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”
Pr 8:13 “To fear the Lord is to hate evil”
When we have the fear of the Lord in our hearts we will definitely stay away from all that is contrary to the biblical principles.
Consider what the Teacher is saying and trust God always and depend upon HIM only.

Hebrews 10:19-25
Under the Old Covenant – in the temple worship the priests offer at the altar the animal sacrifice repeatedly and endlessly.
The blood of bulls and goats did not take away the sin and only served to remind them of their sinful condition.
They understood one thing clearly that the presence of sin in them causes lack of confidence in their relationship to a holy and righteous God. 
But they could not have confidence to stand in the presence of holy God.
I. CONFIDENCE
The writer of Hebrews encourages every believer to have the confidence to enter into God’s presence because of the atoning sacrifice of Lord Jesus on the Calvary cross.
Now we have confidence to come into HIS presence because we are redeemed people.
To understand the new and living way we must focus on Most Holy Place – Holy of Holies in the temple at Jerusalem– separated by a 4inch thick curtain.
Only the High Priest could enter there that too once in a year with blood which he offered for his sins as well as for the people.
When Lord Jesus gave up HIS life the curtain was torn from top to bottom opening the way to God’s divine presence.
The dreaded room of Holy of Holies is not restricted anymore but opened for all people of the world.
Through Christ we have a living way opened for us to walk into the presence of God.
Holy God’s presence is available to everyone individually as well as in corporate worship.
Lord Jesus connected us to the presence of God without the curtain that separated.
II. DRAW NEAR
22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 
1) We have to go before the Lord with a sincere heart
2) Our faith in Lord Jesus Christ grants us the full assurance of faith to draw close
3) Our salvation experience transforms our hearts and the shed blood of the Lord purges all the stain of sin.
We draw closer to God with hearts sprinkled clean from a guilty (evil) conscience 
4) Through immersion baptism we declare to the world our inward conversion.
III. HOLD FAST
Verse 23 encourages us to hold fast what we believe in our hearts.
We have not yet faced persecution in America but we are already seeing the signs of it.
So we should be ready for all situations in our future life’s journey with confidence as the ONE who promised that ‘hope’ is always faithful.
IV. CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER
Christian walk is not a solo walk.
We need each other to challenge, to encourage, motivating and to support.
An important purpose of our church fellowship is to "stir up love and good works"
The author noticed that some members of the church were not going to church.
He says it was a dangerous sign in a Christian to stay away from church fellowship.
Lord Jesus tore down the veil that separated God’s divine presence once for all.
We have now access to the holy presence of God in a split second.
But some are still have all sorts of veils that separated us from God.
We know what they are and we have to deal with them to gain access to the intimate, immediate presence of God.
No one can do it alone – we need the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God to approach HIM with a repenting heart.
Hang on to the hope we have because He who has promised is faithful.
We are given a mandate to encourage each other in the present day world as the Day of the Lord is very near.