Author: SanMan

Dreams To Diamonds

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech stands out as one of the most iconic speeches ever. It instills hope for a better future for America. The Bible talks about another man who was a dreamer: Joseph.

 Genesis 37:5 (NIV): Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.

Shattered Dreams, Shatter-proof Faith
The story of Joseph starts with two hope-inspiring dreams given by God. But the events that followed certainly were challenging and difficult.

Imagine Joseph’s emotional condition as he sat in a pit, when he was loaded on strangers’ chariots to a foreign land, or thrown into an Egyptian dungeon. His hopes and dreams seemed shattered.

However, through it all, Joseph held onto his faith in God and believed that God who gave him the dreams would someday come through for him. Here are some ways that he shatter-proofed his life:

  • Life without complaints: Joseph’s life was full of instant reversals. From favorite son to slave, from Potiphar’s house commander to prison, he went through the highs and lows of life. However, we never see Joseph complaining.
  • Life without compromise: Being accused of doing wrong when being faithful to God can throw any believer into a state of depression, and potentially turn our hearts away from God. Joseph chose to do the best he can in the sight of God and man, regardless of his circumstances.
  • Life without revenge: One of the hallmark characters of Joseph’s life is that he chose to forgive. Whether sold by brothers, imprisoned by Potiphar’s wife, or forgotten by the chief butler, he chose forgiveness. In fact, he even named his first son Manasseh, which means “God has made me forget entirely my troubles and my father’s house.”
  • Life without pride: In the latter part of Joseph’s life, he rose to an unimaginable position, going from a pit to a palace. Despite this, he remained humble and did not boast about his achievements. Genesis 50:20 is a beautiful summation of his selfless life:
    You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Dreamer to Visionary
When Joseph chose to acknowledge God’s presence and His plan in every aspect of his life, God chose to change this dreamer into a visionary. While it was two dreams that were the root cause of his chaos, God caused two dreams to become the stepping stones to his crowning as prince of Egypt!

Dreams that chase after you
We’ve all heard people say “chase after your dreams.” But the Bible gives us a different perspective: God given dreams will chase after you, as long as you remain faithful to God. Psalm 23:6 says: “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.”

Life Application
You may be in the midst of some shattered dreams and lost hope. Perhaps the last year, or the last decade, did not go as planned. Don’t give up! The words “The Lord was with Joseph” echoes four times in one chapter! That means, God was with him in the pit, in the chariot of the Midianite traders, in the house of Potiphar, in the prison, and even in the palace. In life’s trials, when the enemy tries to make you feel lonely and dejected, remind yourself that God’s Word says that He will never abandon us. He knows the count of every hair on your head, and is aware of your dreams and your detours. So, take heart and trust in Him. He can transform dungeons into diamonds, problems into prizes, and pain into pleasures.

Spanish version: Los Sueños a Los Diamantes – Dew Drops of Manna

Hindi version: http://tinyurl.com/ycy33ard

Walking Over Waves

The mere mention of a ‘Storm Warning’ sets off a nationwide frenzy, with people scrambling to secure milk, bread, and essentials. Storms have a way of unsettling our hearts with feelings of helplessness and fear. Let’s look at a journey through the unexpected storm faced by a group of 12 individuals.

Mark 6:48-50 (NKJV)- Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea … And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out… But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Opposition after obedience
Fairness, to us, means rewarding those who follow authority. In earlier verses we see that, Jesus urged (compelled) his followers to cross the Sea of Galilee, and they obeyed. However, they faced a fierce wind mid-journey. God’s grand design sometimes hides the purpose of storms initially. Here, God’s plan was to strengthen their faith.

Fourth watch of the night
In the Jewish context, the fourth watch of the night occurs around three o’clock in the morning. The disciples found themselves caught in a storm, tirelessly rowing for about 8-9 hours.

Although Jesus was not physically present on their journey, His Presence was always there. He was fully aware of the challenges they encountered. When solutions to our storms seem delayed compared to our expectations, hold onto the promises found in God’s Word, confident that He will indeed come through!

Ego Eimi – It is “I AM“
Amidst the storm’s fury, their hands worn and blistered from ceaseless rowing, and their spirits sinking in despair, the disciples couldn’t even recognize their Master. Yet Jesus was there to give them hope.
While the English translation renders Jesus’ words as “It is I,” the original Greek, “Ego Eimi,” carries a deeper meaning— “It is I AM.” This echoes the same divine expression God used in Exodus Chapter 3 during his conversation with Moses. In the midst of the tempest, these words served as a profound reassurance to the weary fishermen, evoking memories of God’s past miracles. This declaration sparked faith by recalling the enduring legacy of God’s miracles.

Strolling On Stormy Waves
The term used for type of walking Jesus did, is similar to a leisurely and relaxed walk on a beach. Jesus was walking in confidence, knowing that this storm just needs a word from Him. After having spent the preceding hours in prayer and communion with His Father, there was no need for Him to panic. He wanted to teach the disciples that they too could look at the storms of life and walk over them in faith.

Life Application
As we face our storms of uncertainty, sickness, financial burdens, mental turmoil, and sleepless nights, here are some lessons we can learn:
1. Remember His promises: In Matthew’s narration of this event, we see that the last command He gave was, “cross over to the other shore.” Know that if God directed you to a situation, He is also able to complete what He has begun.
2. Remember His Presence: When the roaring of storms tries to instill fear, remember that His Presence has gone before us and is with us always. Deuteronomy 31:8 says:
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
3. Remember His past wonders: Take a moment to remember what God did for you in the past storms of life, how He parted your Red Sea, and brought down your walls of Jericho. He is writing your story and testimony through these storms!

May this year be the one we walk in the freedom of knowing that Jesus has overcome the world, and He is always with us. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Resolutions For A Lifetime

With the dawn of a new year, resolutions to eat right, exercise more, and doing good things are almost universal. But often most of these resolutions fall apart within weeks. Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution that lasted a lifetime?

Let’s look at one example of a person who did that: Daniel.

Daniel 1:8 (ESV) But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.

Decisions in Difficult Days
Daniel chose to remain holy despite the pagan king’s orders. Let’s explore these tactics, as they are still used to distract and lead young people away from godly principles.

  • Isolation: Nebuchadnezzar separated them 900 miles from their homeland, making it impossible to be near family, friends, or their synagogue. All chances of godly association are now gone.
  • Identity change: Nebuchadnezzar changed the names of four Hebrew boys. Their original names, Daniel and Mishael, connected to El-Elohim, and , Azariah and Hananiah, connected to YAHWEH (“IAH” is short form for YAHWEH), were altered to reflect names of Babylonian gods.
  • Indoctrination: Nebuchadnezzar wanted to ensure that these young men were completely transformed so he put them through the Babylonian training program for three years.
  • Instant promises: After they completed their training, they were promised things that would lure any young person today: great jobs, great positions and access to the king himself.


Decoding the Enemy’s tactics
We may think Daniel made a big deal about a small, trivial thing like food and wine. But Daniel knew that in Babylonian culture, they ate and drank as if it is always a religious party. Complete with offering the food to idols, and menus full of non-kosher food, these had all the signs of being a pagan event. To participate in these events, meant that they’ve assimiliated themselves with the new culture.


Divine Destiny for the Dedicated
Daniel 1:17, 19 (NKJV): As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king.

Daniel’s commitment and determination to serve God despite his circumstances enabled him to be an advisor to four kings (Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, Cyrus).

Decisions made by Daniel and his three friends, were rewarded by God in majestic, supernatural ways. No other person in the entire world has survived being in lions’ den, or have walked out of a fiery furnance, unharmed.

Daniel’s decision to serve God at a very young age, resulted in him becoming one of the greatest prophets the world has seen. The Book of Daniel has a lot in common with the Book of Revelation in the New Testament. Interestingly, did you know that they are both the 27th books of the Old and New Testament, respectively?

Life Application
This year let us embark on a journey marked by transformative “but Daniel” moments, shaping a legacy of strong faith and unwavering principles. Take a moment of introspection and consider whether we have the courage to gracefully stand up for our godly principles, especially amidst the world’s various tactics.

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV): For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

Let us make a resolution this year that we will be wholly committed to God, no matter what comes our way. That will be the best new year resolution we’ve ever made!

Restorer Of Lost Years

In the world of advertisements, promises to restore damaged things are many. From restoration of old photographs, to restoration of flooded homes, the possibilities seem endless. However, they all lack one thing: the ability to restore the years that are lost.

In the Bible we see a time when the Israelites needed a restoration. Locusts swarmed in, wrecked their hard-earned harvest, stole their daily food, and even took a bite out of future harvest by devouring the seeds.

In the midst of these seemingly unending years of disaster, depression, and destroyed hope, the word of the Lord comes through prophet Joel:

Joel 2:25-26 (ESV): I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten …And my people shall never again be put to shame.

The verses preceding this provide its context, revealing that these events are God’s response to rebellion and disobedience. Even in seasons of punishment and correction, we can find assurance that it all rests under the careful control of our loving Almighty God.

The hope of restoration bestowed by God is unlike any the world can offer. His restoration process turns devastation into unparalleled beauty, leaving no remnants of its previous condition.

Let’s look at two examples of people whose lives were restored.

Abraham and Sarah

For a quarter-century, this couple patiently awaited the fulfillment of God’s promise for a child. Despite moments where they deviated from the divine plan, causing a delay, God’s faithfulness remained unwavering.

Genesis 23:1: Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah.

Sarah is the only woman in the Bible whose years are mentioned at her death. Have you wondered why? It is to demonstrate to us that Sarah had 37 years to spend with, to laugh with, to enjoy the promise of God – Issac!

Peter The Disciple

Peter’s walk with Jesus resembled a roller coaster ride, complete with moments of triumph and despair, including his denial of Jesus at the time of crucifixion. Yet, the Lord wasn’t done with Peter. On the shores of the Sea of Tiberias, where Peter had resumed fishing, Jesus appeared, initiating the restoration of their relationship.

John 21:17 (ESV): He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter…said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep”
John 21:19 (ESV): … And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Peter was given a second chance to follow Jesus, and this time he did not disappoint. Acts 2:17-41 describes the Day of Pentecost when Peter stood up and gave his first speech. Three thousand people were saved and became followers of Jesus!

Do you see the restoring power of the Lord? The man who denied Jesus 3 times, was asked 3 times if he loved Jesus, and in his first evangelism sermon, 3000 people signed the pledge card!

Peter writes in his epistle about the restoration power he experienced.
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV): And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ … will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Life Application
Maybe you’ve been the one who let Him down repeatedly, and you don’t feel like you can be restored. Perhaps life’s trials, loss of a loved one, ongoing ailments, or shattered dreams have made you lose focus on Him. God is still doing miracles and restoring lives. So allow the Master Renovator to restore your lost years. Regardless of why the years slipped away, He has the power to revive, refresh, and transform you into something truly beautiful.

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Prince Of Peace

Throughout the year, the desire for peace was universal. Each day, headlines unravel tales of conflicts, bringing tears to our eyes and burden to our hearts. The concept of peace, whether defined as the absence of turmoil, or calm in chaos, has been man’s enduring quest. Interestingly, the Bible unveils a profound truth—peace is not a distant idea; it is a Person!

Person of Peace
Isaiah 9:6 (ESV) “… and his name shall be called … Prince of Peace”
This verse is about our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Peaceless Birth of Peace
In our society, deliveries are carefully planned for the mother’s comfort. But the Prince of Peace, Jesus, had a different story. If he lived in our world, Joseph would’ve googled all the nearby Bethlehem inns, only to find the, “sold out” sign. Mary gave birth, swaddled, and placed her newborn baby in manger. Not quite the cleanest place to place a baby!

Peace Pierced and Crushed 
Have you wondered how the Prince of Peace became our peace? The process was certainly not peaceful. 
Isaiah 53:5: But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our Iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.

The Prince of Peace endured piercing and crushing so that we might attain peace with God.

Promise of Enduring Peace
John 14:27 (AMP): Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.
Jesus assured us that His peace is sufficient for any troubles or anything that makes us fearful.

Peace of God from God of Peace
So how do we ensure that our hearts are filled with the peace of God? Do we need to subscribe to an online course or subscribe to a YouTube Channel called “Peace?” No, but the Bible gives us clear instructions about how to attain perfect peace.

Philippians 4:6-8 (NIV): Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Let’s look two words from this verse:
Peace: Greek word: eirene. This word is often used to describe the calm feeling after a war is over and victory is declared.
Guard: Greek word: phroure, which often means protected by a military guard to prevent hostile invasion.

In this context we can read it as having tranquility knowing that we have given our problems to God, and now we can rest. We rest because we know that we have a military commander who will guard against the negative thoughts. We rest because we are confident about the outcome, regardless of what the current circumstances look like.

Life Application
This season, let us remember that greatest gift is not found under the Christmas tree. Allow the Prince of Peace to guard your anxious thoughts. Paul reminds us that “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” (Romans 16:20). He is our Prince of Peace!

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Best Forever Gift

Christmas is the most joyous season of the year, filled with parties and gifts. Everyone joins in the joyful pursuit of the perfect gift, coolest toys, and awesome gadgets. However, the most exceptional gift bestowed upon anyone is Immanuel—God with us.

Matthew 1:23 (ESV): Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).

Best Deal Ever-Two in One!
In our shopping-savvy world, snagging the best deals is a thrill. Two-for-One deals are always an attention grabber. Jesus’ arrival, though, was the ultimate two-for-one special. As fully God, He brought unmatched power, and as a human, He connected with our feelings, joys, and sorrows—making Him the perfect empathetic companion for our needs.

In The Past – Immanuel – Miracles Galore
Social media is full of people who do things that capture our attention. Jesus performed healing miracles, raising-of-the-dead miracles and calming of the stormy seas miracles. Large crowds of people gathered around Him to experience His power. While these showed His miraculous power, they were all done because of his compassion towards mankind. No one who came to Jesus went back empty handed without a miracle.

In The Present -Immanuel – The Miracles Continue
In a world buzzing with claims of miracles, followers often find themselves wanting. Acts of the Apostles unveils the journey of Jesus’ disciples, carrying forward His miraculous legacy. Envision Peter at the temple gate, declaring, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” In a miraculous moment, the man, lame from birth, leaps to his feet and walks!

Jesus is still performing miracles in the lives of people. Jesus said:
John 14:12-14 (ESV)“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

The Future: Immanuel – You can count on Him!
Matthew who presents us that fact that Jesus is the Immanuel, closes his book with a statement of hope from Jesus himself.
Matthew 28:20: …And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
The author of Hebrews states:
Hebrews 13:5: … “For He has said: I will never leave you nor forsake you.”


Eternity – Us With God
The grand finale of this is that Jesus will one day come back to take us to Heaven. If you have trusted Him as your Lord and Savior in this earthly life, He will come back in the clouds to take us home so that we can be with Him – forever!

Life Application
What a great promise we have in Christ Jesus! He is not just a baby placed in a manger. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In Revelation, we see that He is the Alpha and Omega. He holds the keys of life and death! No power on earth can come against you, because you are safe in His hands.

So today as you face your battles, and your storms, your depressions, and your temptations, remember that He is still Immanuel – God with us!

Christmas Chaos and Clarity

Christmas is a time of celebration and festivities. However, we are all familiar with the chaos that happens at Christmas time. Everything from delayed flights, delayed gifts and children getting sick, we’ve all had our share of chaos in the most wonderful season of the year. Did you know that the very first Christmas was filled with chaos beyond measure?

Meet a small town young girl named Mary. She lived a low-key lifestyle, kept herself pure, and served God faithfully. One day as she was going about her day, doing the mundane day-to-day things, she got the biggest surprise of her life: a visit from angel Gabriel!


News that rocked her world
Mary received news that turned her life upside down, throwing her into confusion and chaos. She learned she was chosen to be the mother of the Savior of the world, but there was a big problem—she wasn’t married yet! To complicate matters more, she was engaged to a man named Joseph. This revelation meant she was about to become the town’s hot topic, the target of jokes, and the subject of ridicule from family, friends, and neighbors. She may even be stoned, given the cultural and societal rules of the day. Her iPad calendar kept reminding her of things she had to do that day but she was now stuck in a dilemma.

Mary’s right response
Luke 1:34-35 (ESV): And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
It is important to note her response. She did not ask, “why?” She did not respond with: “why me”, “why now”, or “why not someone else.” Her response was apt and to the point: “How shall this be?” Mary’s response was the right answer God was waiting to hear. God knew that it came from a sincere heart that accepted the news but has a genuine question. Nothing like this has ever happened before (or ever after!)

Clarity in Chaos
Luke 1:35 (ESV): And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

Mary’s heartfelt painful question was answered with a soothing answer from God: you will be overshadowed by the Almighty! In other words, Mary you don’t have to do anything for this take place. Mary, you can trust the Almighty to take care of every step ahead for the fulfilment of this promise.

Results of surrender
Did everything go smoothly after she accepted the assignment? No. She still had to face an innkeeper with no room, find a manger to put her baby in, and move to another country because of King Herod. But she persevered, trusting God with His plans. The result of it all? Christ was born!

Life Application
1. Trust God: When faced with tough life-altering challenges we should accept the plan of God and ask Him, how we will He do what he has promised.

2. Talk to God: God doesn’t get angry when you ask sincere questions. He is there to answer every doubt you have.

3. Walk with God: Just allow the Lord to walk you through the process. Allow God to work out the details, allow Him to change the hearts that need to be changed, and let Him do what only He can do!

Doing so, you too can abide in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1) and have clarity in your confusions.