Exodus 4:24 (NIV) “At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met Moses and was about to kill him.” Meaning in its immediate setting What has just happened (4:18-23): Moses has finally accepted God’s call at the burning bush (chapters 3-4) and is on his way back to Egypt with his wife Zipporah and their sons. God has told him what to say to Pharaoh and has warned that judgment will fall on Egypt’s firstborn if Pharaoh refuses to let Israel (God’s “firstborn son”) go. The crisis (4:24-26): Suddenly the LORD confronts Moses and intends to kill him. Zipporah “took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. ‘Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,’ she said. So the LORD let him alone.” What the text itself explains: Verse 26 concludes, “(At that time she said ‘bridegroom of blood,’ referring to circumcision.)” The LORD’s lethal anger is therefore linked to the boy’s lack of circumcision. Why uncircumcision was so serious: Genesis 17:9-14 (NIV) records God’s...

Indian Govt. leaders decided to introduce reservation system based on caste as a reparation justice. Can we review this decision in the light of the principles of Christ as we can read and understand from the bible? Reviewing a government policy like the caste-based reservation system through the lens of Christ's principles requires careful consideration, as the Bible does not provide a direct blueprint for modern governance. Instead, it offers timeless principles of justice, mercy, and human dignity. Using the bible, we can explore principles that both support the spirit behind such a decision and offer cautions regarding its implementation. Principles Supporting the Spirit of Reparation Justice The motivation behind the reservation system—to provide justice and uplift communities historically oppressed for centuries—finds strong resonance with core teachings of Christ. 1. Championing the Poor and Oppressed Jesus began his public ministry by quoting the prophet Isaiah, making it h...

Imagine this simple exchange: A worried mother, whose daughter is away at college, calls a Christian brother from a local church. "I got your number from the pastor," she says. "Can you take my daughter to church with you?" The Christian brother's response is warm and immediate. "Yes, we can. There are also other believer families who can take her on some days." On the surface, this is a beautiful moment. A need is met with a willing heart. But is it the  best  possible response? This simple conversation opens up a wonderful discussion about what it means to help with both love and wisdom. The Heart of the Matter - A Wonderful Willingness Let's first look at the Christian brother's response. His instant "Yes" is a perfect reflection of a heart living out its faith. The Bible encourages believers to practice hospitality, share with those in need, and love one another. In that moment, he did exactly that. He saw a need and immediately o...

  Significance of the Lord's Supper - An Explanation of 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 In 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, the Apostle Paul addresses a serious issue within the Corinthian church regarding their observance of the Lord's Supper. His correction, rooted in the foundational teachings of Jesus and the nature of the church as the body of Christ, reveals the deep meaning and significance of this ordinance. By examining this passage in the context of the bible, a comprehensive understanding of its importance and format comes to light. The Problem in Corinth - Division and Disrespect Paul begins with a sharp rebuke, stating, "your meetings do more harm than good" (1 Corinthians 11:17).  The core problem was division. When the church gathered, "there are divisions among you" (1 Corinthians 11:18). These divisions manifested during what was meant to be a communal meal of remembrance. Instead of practicing unity, the wealthier members would go ahead with their own privat...

How to use Money? Luke 16:1-13 Luke 16:14 Luke 16:9 Ephesians 5:8-9 Matthew 6:19-21 Luke 12:15 Hebrews 9:27 Principle of giving      Luke 16:9 Matthew 6:20 Principle of faithfulness      Luke 16:10 Principle of learning      Luke 16:11-12 “If you’re not trustworthy with what belongs to someone else, why would anyone entrust you with things of your own?” John 3:12 Proverbs 11:25 Principle of loving     Luke 16:13 Luke 15–17: Immediate context (Luke 16:1-13)      Jesus has just told the parable of the shrewd manager. The point isn’t to praise dishonesty, but to insist on wise, faithful stewardship of “worldly wealth.”       Verses 10-13 make a chain: faithfulness in little things → trust with greater things; faithfulness with worldly wealth (another’s) → trust with “true riches” (your own); you can’t serve both God and money.       Verse 12 drives home that how you handle resource...

Following is a conversation thread among a group of friends.  V: bros how are you all coping with the nearing expiry date. R: nearing ‘expiry date’? I’m looking for organ donors V: Ha ha. R: V, on a serious note, the % of days that I wake up and feel old is slowly increasing - constant aches and pains don’t help either. R: And I keep thinking I should make a will one of these days before it’s too late. V: Yes man and the news of apparently health folks dying of cardiac arrest in their 40s is not helping either.  Looking for some tips to cope S: yes after u go. what if you are in hospital and funds are needed and you are not awake? M: Cope with such news or cope with heart attacks? 😬 V: Open with the impending end… looks like none of you are effected or have come to terms J: Does it really matter, V? The way I figure, may be 3 or 4 people would think of me for any period longer than a day or so after we kick the bucket, and after that, except for the inconvenience caused becau...

  Few years back, my understanding of accountability and judgement got mixed up. If you had asked me a question related to what I did & why I did, I'd immediately think that you were judging me. And, I'd feel vulnerable in responding openly and transparently to your question. I'll often want to know why you want to know & how you are going to use the information.  But the grace of God overflowed for me. Holy Spirit showed me how these worldly principles had been set in my heart causing my passive aggressive behaviors.  Passive aggressive behaviors are the subtle and shrewd things I did or said to smartly avoid answering difficult questions.   Then, I dug into bible to learn the principles of Christ related to accountability in a church community.   Accountability is the fact of being responsible for what I do and able to give a satisfactory reason for it, or the degree to which this happens. Several bible verses speak to the concept of accounta...