Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Greetings to you in the sweet name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Once in one section of a market place, a man shouted to call the attention of the people there. He called everyone to come and watch a show. It was a conversation between two dolls. He was standing behind the screen doing all the talking drawing attention. It was a comical entertainment that lasted for ten to fifteen minutes. At the end, he sought help or alms from the onlookers. He thanked those who helped him and went ahead. Thus, people of this world call the attention of the people around to seek their help and blessings from them. But Jesus Christ invited others to come to Him in a different way. He assures them peace, joy and rest.
The Lord God who created us in a perfect manner protects, provides, and performs miracles to those who come to Him. He does not change. Jesus Christ called those in need and performed miracles. He is the same today. He is faithful to those who respond to His call to come to Him. You may come to Him with your problems for any blessings which He does in a supernatural way when you make your appeal to Him. He never forsakes anyone who comes to Him. The Lord God blesses all those who come to Him with blessings of this world as well as spiritual blessings in high places. Because the Lord Jesus Christ blesses all those who come to Him with physical and spiritual blessings, they attain an exalted status of happiness and joy in Him. Jeremiah 31:12 says, “Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the Lord— For wheat and new wine and oil, for the young of the flock and the herd; Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all.” These blessings are given free. This includes all types of blessings pertaining to this world, both physical and spiritual. They are available only when we go to Him. Wheat, oil and wine refer to spiritual blessings; the young of the flock and the herd refer to the blessings of this world, riches and wealth. The Lord Jesus Christ came to this world and lived a sinless life and bore our sins, afflictions, diseases and sorrows on the cross for our sake. When He lived on earth, He went about doing good. Acts 10:38 says, “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Further Psalm 85:12 assures us, “Yes, the Lord will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase.” He will fill you also with goodness in your life and boundary and make you happy.
Curse came into this world when the original man sinned and lost the image of God. But God had love for us and wanted to transform man who ought to spend his eternity in hell by sending His Son Jesus Christ to this world. The first miracle He did was transforming water into wine in a wedding feast. In the same way Jesus Christ transforms all the afflictions, curses, and other works of the devil and brings about a change in the lives of persons and fills them with peace, and joy.
TRANSFORMATION ON COMING TO THE LORD
1. Sorrow Turned to Joy
“...For I will turn their mourning to joy...” (Jeremiah 31:13)
The Lord Jesus Christ brings about a transformation in the lives of people who come to Him. Today man lives in sorrows in the midst of various struggles and tribulations. This leads very often to depression in the face of lack of hope. They even resort to wrong decisions to end life. But when a man comes to Jesus Christ, He transforms his sorrows into joy. One family was going through such a situation of sorrow in the midst of lack of income, hopelessness staring in their face, lack of love in the midst of family members, and the father going astray. They were put to severe strain in relationship. They had no peace in the family. One advice was given to them – to seek the presence of the Lord as a family. They also sought the presence of the Lord as a family. From that day the Lord God began to work. Their sorrow turned to joy.
Today you may be disturbed by repeated happenings and you might have come to the end of life. You may have questions on why you should live at all. You may be upset over your birth in a family and may be seeking a new leaf in your life. You may feel like an orphan. Dear child of God, you may be with no one to care for you. The Lord wants to work in your life. He will never forsake anyone who comes to Him. He said so and will be so. He will work a miracle in your life and do away with all miseries and thereby you would have peace and joy.
2. Darkness to Light
The Lord God wants to bring about a change in your life engulfed in darkness. For that purpose, He sends his ministers. Acts 26:18 says, “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” There are many people today living in darkness. When we come to Jesus Christ, the darkness in us leaves and light fills us. Isaiah 9:2 foretells, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.” Whatever be the kind of darkness – might be darkness due to sin or the darkness of death – it leaves as you come into the light of Jesus Christ. You would have brilliant life. Jesus Christ said: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). Jesus Christ has the power to transform your life. He will make light to shine upon your life. “That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world” (John 1:9). He will turn a life of darkness into one of brilliance.
3. Defeat to Victory
When a person comes to Jesus Christ or Jesus Christ comes to him, all defeats would end. There would be success and exaltation. At a time, you are beset with failures, He comes with authority and power. He gives an appropriate counsel. If you obey His advice, all defeats would be transformed into success. He always makes us succeed in life. If you are upset with problems and defeats in life, come to Him. Do not think of anything else. Come. He will change everything. He has the power to do so.
A good family was blessed with a child after marriage. But for many years, the head of the family had completed the medical course but could not complete the house-surgeonship. The family was very much agitated. I could meet him once and talk to him about Jesus Christ and counsel him. As he accepted the advice, he succeeded in his studies in a miraculous way. When we come to the presence of Jesus Christ, He does miracles. He has conquered this world. He gives success. Be courageous. He does not change. It was said of Him that He would swallow death in victory. Isaiah 25:8 says, “He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people
He will take away from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken.” He has done it by His resurrection after death, “Having disarmed principalities and powers, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:15). He will do a miracle in your life in the midst of troubles and tribulations. Come to Him with faith in Jesus Christ. You would have success and past defeats cannot stay.
4. Comforted
“... For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
In the midst of tiring and trying circumstances, Jesus Christ encourages and comforts us to face problems of life. People live in disappointments and afflictions. They expect one thing but something else happens. They are bewildered as to why things happen that way. They are affected by unexpected happenings and live in despair. You may be one among them. Dear Brother/ Sister, you may be in tears. The Lord knows you. He will not forsake you. He will comfort you. Hold on to His promises. He will do things to comfort you and lead you. As you lament over past misdeeds, He will search your heart and comfort and encourage you. The Bible says, “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 66:13). Mother is the one who loves children most. Whenever children are affected by some illness or hurt, it is the mother more than anyone else who deals with concern and care.
A few days back we were invited to dine with a family. Their only son living in a foreign land had come home. The parents were godly and loving. The father had retired from service just then. He shared happily with us that he had good food those days as their son had come. They had prepared good food everyday making items according to a schedule. Why did they do so? It was all because of the love they had for the son. It was the love the mother had for her son. Even this love may change, but not the love of our heavenly Father. The Lord of lords has immense love on us that He comforts us in dire and critical situations created by our own misdeeds and iniquities. He tells you not to be dismayed or disheartened, He will make you walk in His ways by encouraging you.
This He does by His mighty acts. When you are confused and overburdened with worries about the future, He comforts you with His word. That is why it is said that His words are full of life and spirit. The words can heal the wounds in the heart and strengthen us spiritually to run the race set for us.
The Shepherd’s staff refers to the promises of the Lord with which you can reach the blessings of the Lord. A shepherd uses his staff to reach the top of trees to bring it down to his sheep which feed on it. Your life which seems empty and bereft of any sort of encouragement will be comforted by His Word as you trust in it and feed on it. The Shepherd’s rod is symbolical of the assurances of protection. The Bible promises: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper . . .” (Isaiah 54:17); “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways” (Deut 28:7). He is the One who will protect you as the apple of the eye. He says, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you” (Jer. 31:3). He will make you see miracles (Micah 7:15). He will be like a shepherd to you in protecting you from enemies. As a shepherd acts with his rod in protecting his sheepfold from wild beasts, he will comfort you with His presence and words of encouragement. He assures you, “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 66:13). Jerusalem is the place of sacrifice. When you commit yourself to the Lord as His child trusting in His goodness to serve Him, He dwells in you. Because Jerusalem is His dwelling place. He says, “‘I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem” (Zech. 8:3). Ezra 1:3 says, “Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem.” When you go to His presence trusting in Him, He will comfort you.
5. Rest
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Man, from his birth, experiences all sorts of troubles and worries. The Bible says, “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). In Psalm 13, David speaks about his “sorrows in heart daily”. When one lives away from the Lord and His ways, he would have sorrows and sighing and curses. “The Lord will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me” (Deut. 28:20). As you hear of suffering in the lives of persons dear to you, sorrow swell up in your heart. This we find in the king to whom Daniel was dear. Dan. 6:14 says: And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him.” When you are so upset, you should come to the presence of the Lord. Do not be dismayed. Trust in Him, in His power, and His love. Come to Him. He will do away with all your sorrows and sighing, and give you true peace and rest. He will make your life prosper. Without knowing this, the people of the world do many things to have peace and joy and get into difficulties. They invite troubles and tribulations into their lives by resorting to worldly ways. But when you come to Jesus Christ who invites you, you will experience a transformation and true comfort.
All bitterness would cease when you come to the Lord of lords. The Bible narrates how a woman who suffered from issue of blood for 12 long years came to Jesus Christ and received her healing. She had spent all her money in seeking a remedy from physicians. As a last resort, she turned to Jesus Christ for help and healing. She was instantly healed in a miraculous way when she touched the garment of Jesus Christ. Her faith was honoured. Mark 5:34 says: “And He said to her, ”Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Do not despair by the severity of your disease. He is able to heal you if you come to Him trusting in Him. You might have problems of fear, or of the devil or of your own making. If you would seek the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, you would have a miraculous deliverance through Him. Only come to Him. They brought several persons affected by the devil, and by diseases, some paralysed; Jesus Christ healed every one of them. Matt. 4:24 says, “Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.” If you would come to the Lord Jesus Christ, He will help you to have a good healthy life.
There are many persons experiencing the rebuke and reproach of peoples. Jesus Christ came to the earth to give a new life to such people. Isaiah 25:8 says, “He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken.” You may be under the scorn of people. Whatever may be the source of your problems, do not be dismayed. In Matt. 5:11, it is said: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” The Lord will take care of you. For you, He was spit. For your sake, He accepted the cross of Calvary and offered Himself as a blameless sacrifice. He was insulted with a crown of thorns. He was with all power and authority, and yet He suffered silently for our sake to wipe away our tears. He can give you a good new life. Come to Him. Seek Jesus Christ. You would have a wonderful, new blessed life.
6. Joy Abounds
“...and make them rejoice rather than sorrow.” (Jeremiah 31:13).
In the life that the Lord gives us, there is always joy. Life in Christ is not always filled with tears. True joy fills the life of His children. The Bible says, “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4). You would have fullness of joy in your personal, family, social, and spiritual realm. It is in no way incomplete. In Psalm 16:11, David says, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” He experienced it. The Lord God is the same today. We can also experience the same joy in His presence today.
Once an old man gave the money for booking the air ticket at the counter. The man counted it and found it more than the fare. He told him the price had gone down and so repaid the excess amount. The old man was dancing with joy, not knowing that he was in the airport. It was a joy that existed for some time. More than this, the joy that comes out of deliverance, forgiveness of sins, and restoration of health or lost things, and peace is immeasurable. This joy of salvation is great. Many do not know about it and do not seek it. When the lost relationship with the Lord God is restored, we are blessed in every way, resulting in true joy.
Once during night time, a few youngsters joined together and painted on the walls of a school and closed the door and applied concreted cement to the entrance doors preventing the opening of the door. This happened in a school in America. The next day, the Principal of the school opened the doors with difficulty. It was the last day of the academic year. A police complaint was lodged. The police traced the mischief-mongers and their finger prints and photos were taken to get entered in the criminal records of the country. But the parents prayed for those youngsters. The Lord heard their prayer and had mercy on them. They pleaded for forgiveness. They were also forgiven without any recording of their conduct. There was joy in the family because of deliverance. Dear Brother/ Sister, to give you real deliverance from hell fire, Jesus Christ offered Himself as a propitiation for our sins. He is the Redeemer of our souls. If you want to have this joy of salvation, come to Jesus Christ. He will bring about changes in your life, comfort and encourage you and you would have new life of joy. There would be no more tears; your sorrows and sighing will flee away.
May the Lord God bless you so!
In the service of Jesus Christ,
Bro. C. Ebenezer Paul.