Psalms 36:1-9
King David provides a contrasting portrait of wickedness of men and goodness of God.
First 4 verses are a snap shot of a sinful heart showing the progression of sin.
It is appealing for the sinful heart to rebel against God.
The wicked people are mostly self-centered, self-fixated, self-absorbed and ultimately consumed with nothing but self.
The wrong attracts them, lures them to have a heart for it and compels the wicked to taste it.
What they desire in their hearts, infects their minds and pollutes their actions because at the root of it is that they have a heart problem.
That root cause of the wickedness in human heart starts with no fear of God in them.
Sinful heart ignores the fear of God – avoids the fear of God – does not acknowledge the fear of God in them.
The wicked does not understand the holiness of God and no knowledge of who God is.
The sinful heart thinks God is a good God and not judgmental and punishing.
Sin flatters the sinner into thinking that a person is not a really bad sinner, and so one should not mindful of the little sins one does. 
So the wicked excuse themselves of lying, lust, greed, gossip, and other small sins as these are more common and convenient sins.
Often a person tends to think that he/she is not a bad sinner after all because he/she does other good works to balance out the little sins.
Lord Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Mat 12:34)
They cannot act wisely because their hearts are so wicked and deceitful.
They cannot have sound sleep because constantly manipulating  mind how to create more problems for others – how to put down someone – how to harm someone.
Such people commit their entire life to a sinful course and embrace what is wrong.
Now we come to the other side of the coin so to speak.
The contrast of wickedness – God is always good
Verses 5-8 paint a beautiful portrait of a loving and good God.
God’s love for us is always coupled with HIS faithfulness.
Love and faithfulness go together.
God’s love is so immense and so vast that it extends to the heavens.
God is faithful because HE always loves.
David explains that these qualities are immense or inexhaustible. 
God Himself is the standard for what is righteous, ethical and moral. 
He always wills what is right and does what is right. 
To say that His righteousness is like the highest mountains of God is to say that His standards are imposing and immovable.
God’s judgments in this context refer to His rule and authority over His creation. 
The word priceless means one cannot arrive at a price –it is beyond any human understanding of value.
God’s unfailing love is priceless because God’s love for us is not measurable.
HIS love is so personal and immense even beyond the love of a mother.
God’s unfailing love is so deep to grasp – it is unfathomable.
God’s love invites us to take refuge under His protective wings, as baby chicks hide under their mother’s wings.
The fountain of life suggests an unending supply – unending eternity.
Lord Jesus is the source of eternal life for all who believe in HIM.
Under the light of Lord Jesus we can see our sin and understand that we need HIM.
This longing for life and light is fulfilled in Lord Jesus.
John 1:4 - In HIM was life, and the life was the light of men. 
In the absence of the light of Lord Jesus we tolerate sin, we become comfortable with sin, get used to it – ultimately becomes a part of our life. 
Only under the light of the Lord Jesus Christ we can see clearly who we are.

Proverbs 3:1-8
Today’s blog is specifically addresses the students going far away from parents and familiar surroundings to join Universities.
In our growing years, our parents or elders told us what to do – our teachers told us what to read and study
At one point in our life every one of us thought we know better than others and we stopped listening to the elders – doing what we thought, is right for us.
That right may prove to be a big mistake – that person has to live with consequences of that mistake.
A moment comes in every person’s life for a wise counsel to a desperate situation.
So where would you go? 
We would never ask a stranger for advice something very serious we are struggling with.
We will only trust someone whom we know very well intimately who can understand us.
Away from home and friends who can you trust except our God.
We tend to forget our Lord Jesus Christ in times crisis in our life.
Here wisdom assumes the role of a father to teach some important lessons in life.
In every one’s life there are precepts or principles which promise of something good happening for obeying them.
You work hard and study well you stand a good chance to get a good GPA.
What we see in these few verses is the wonderful concept of a precept followed by a promise.
All eight verses have a PRECEPT and a PROMISE.
If you obey the principle there is a promise of God that will unfold in your life.
First Precept: You should not forget the teaching from the WISE - the commands or the instructions of the LORD in your heart.
First Promise: They will protect you from harm, grant you peace at heart and make you prosperous.
Peace of heart in the midst of pressures of study and deadlines.
Second Precept: You should never stop loving God – being faithful to HIM always.
Love for God and Jesus Christ should never diminish in your life.
We love God because HE loved us first – redeemed us from sin through Lord Jesus.
Faithfulness is reflected in your day to day activities and always giving God # priority every day without fail.
Love and faithfulness towards God must be part of your inward being.
Second promise: You will win favor and good name in the sight of God and others.
Third Principle: You should trust God completely without wavering because your own understanding is limited and shallow.
In all walks of your life submit to God and Lord Jesus Christ
Third Promise: God will make your paths straight.
Crooked road looks straight – impossible becomes possible – hopeless becomes hopeful – unmanageable becomes manageable – tough situations become easy.
Fourth Principle: You should not be wise in our own eyes – Don’t think you are smarter than others – there is always room for learning.
Fear of the Lord keeps you away from wrong company, unhealthy temptations, evil thinking and impulsive decisions.
Fourth Promise: A healthy body -  a healthy life – productive life – vibrant life – joyful life.
As you embark on a journey alone to a place of learning (University) remember that you are not alone because the Creator of this Universe is with you every step of the way.
Trust HIM with all your heart, faithfully obey HIS instructions, read HIS Word daily and keep talking to HIM as often as possible.
The Holy Spirit will be your partner, present help and counselor.
May the Lord God bless you and watch over you and grant you success in your studies as you faithfully obey HIM and trust HIM..

Acts 11:19-26
Act of the Apostles is important for every Christian to know the beginnings of the Church.
1: Ascension of Lord Jesus Christ
2: Pentecost – Holy Spirit upon the disciples - Peters long sermon
3: Apostle Paul’s encounter with Jesus and conversion experience
4: All those who believed in the message were baptized – an important factor
Baptism is like placing a stamp on them for the Lord – An envelope with postage
The first gentile converts to Christianity were Cornelius and friends.
Today’s focus is on Antioch where the disciples of the Lord Jesus were called Christians.
We notice 4 things in this verse as a result of Stephen’s death.
• scattered - dispersed
• persecuted - hunted 
• traveled – run for their life 
• Spreading – preaching the Gospel only to Jews
Lord Jesus commanded the Church to take the gospel to all people – but the early Christians were hesitant to do so.
Stephen’s death triggered the momentum for the movement
Anonymous people such as men from Cyprus and Cyrene came to Antioch a Greek town to share the good news of Jesus.
No human intellect or wisdom or vocabulary or oratory can describe the Gospel – because it is a very simple message. 
The good news is the Gospel of Jesus Christ – that Jesus Christ died for their sins – paid the penalty for human sin on the cross as one payment – raised from the dead – the first to be raised from the dead – now living in heaven as well as in the heart of every believer – HE is coming back for every believer to be with HIM forever in heaven.
The same unadulterated message of the Gospel is being transforming the lives millions around the world today – That is the power of the Gospel at work today.
Great gentile Church was born at Antioch - +500 thousand city
An obedient life with faith and the Holy Spirit provide the power needed to begin any new evangelistic movement.
We have seen many humble ordinary men and women traveled across the globe to serve the Lord all over the world.
Sent by the Church at Jerusalem, Barnabas saw something wonderful here at Antioch - Grace in action.
God’s love for sinful human is grace – HE came down to redeem the sinner – Everyone born to a woman is a sinner – we cannot save ourselves from sin no matter what we do.
The salvation of Gentiles was clear evidence of the grace of God then and now. 
Because of his obedient faith and burden for the Gospel, many people came to the faith.
In every age we have people like Barnabas to extend their life in the work of Gospel.
The disciples of Lord Jesus Christ were called Christians first at Antioch.
It is purely the work of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God that bring people to Christ.
The people with obedient faith preached the Gospel and taught the Word.
I may add the church that preaches different gospel as Apostle Paul says is not part of the Church universal of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Always grace of God is in action in those who believe, put their faith in Jesus and trust HIM only for the forgiveness of their sins.
There is no other way left.
It is by faith in Lord Jesus Christ and through grace of God we are saved from our sins.

Colossians 2:1-7 
We live in PC world (Politically Correct) – many words we use to say or communicate are now removed in USA – children are forbidden to read Bible in their lunch or free time.
Of course prayer is already removed from the public schools – now it is an offense to pray before start of a game or sport.
In such PC world the question comes to my mind is what it means to be a Christian.
What is our real Christian identity?
When we see divisions in the denominations and differences in the doctrines, deceptions from the pulpit, we are compelled to think about the real identity as a Christian.
First three verses speak of Apostle Paul’s concern for the church he did not establish.
He expresses his desire to unite them in love, a desire in heart to comprehend the mystery of God in Christ.
In Christ the Christian will discover all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge to understand his/her own identity.
Because it is our identity in Christ that defines who we are and how we think and act.
In the absence of sound teaching; distortions of truth will always rush in to fill the vacuum.
“Apostle Paul expressed the hope that his teaching of believers would establish them in faith firmly enough to enable them to distinguish between Christian doctrines and human philosophies parading as religious teaching.”
Human teachings based on worldly values are always deceptive.
He was warning against such people in the Church including clergy who use logical, appealing words to deceive and misguide the church flock.
When a Christian is shallow in the Word of God he/she is vulnerable to believe all garbage thrown at them.
The stability in our faith walk is always the result of our discipline and deeper understanding of who we are in Christ.
Our daily walk should be consistent and reflect our conversion experience.
Paul says “live out your salvation” – salvation is one time experience – but the change must reflect in everyday of our life.
It all begins when we submit to the Lordship of Christ.
7th verse is a beauty-all verb to magnify every aspect of Christian living shaping our identity.
Rooted in Christ   -   indwelling Christ
As long as we are deeply rooted in Christ, HE will deal with all issues of our life.
HE will influence our values and our priorities on day to day basis.
That is why it is important for a Christian to continue to live in Christ by being rooted in HIM.
Built up in Christ   -   character building
Our identity in Christ is reinforced every day when our lives are built on the firm foundation of God’s Word.
Our identity in Christ becomes stable and unshakable.
Strengthened in the faith   -   unwavering faith
The result of deep roots and strong foundation our faith gets stronger and stronger.
Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ withstands every test of the time.
Our identity is further secured as we are strengthened in the faith in Jesus Christ.
Overflowing with gratitude   -   grateful heart
A Christian is always grateful for receiving and accepting the gift of salvation.
The spirit of gratitude overflows in our lives and is visible to the world.
The best characteristic mark of a growing believer is ‘overflowing with gratitude’.
“Living for Christ is a purposeful expression of what we do in our life. Living in Christ speaks of a positional expression of who we are.” 
Our identity is not something we imitate, create, find or adopt.
Our identity begins when we have received  the Lord Jesus Christ into our heart and accept HIM as Lord and Savior.
Paul wrote in Galatians 3:26-28 “You are all Children of God through faith in Christ Jesus… there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”