Tag: jesus

Broom Tree Inn

Have you ever achieved that long awaited goal—graduated from college, scored that promotion, bought your dream house, or celebrated a major victory—only to wake up next day feeling empty or exhausted? One moment you’re celebrating, and the next you’re wondering why your heart feels heavy. Elijah, one of the greatest prophets, walked through something very similar.

1 Kings 19:3-7 – Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba …while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it, and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

[Note: King James Version says “juniper tree,” but the Hebrew “rotem” is actually a small desert broom tree, the only shrub giving shade in Israel’s wilderness. New King James Version refers to it as broom tree].

Depressing News

Elijah had just celebrated a huge victory on Mount Carmel. He watched God send fire from heaven. Most of us would call this moment unforgettable. But when he got home, there was a letter in the mailbox – a death sentence from Queen Jezebel. Elijah knew that she had the power and the resources to end his life. He was afraid, desperate, and feeling hopeless. He fled south to the desert of Beersheba, about 80–100 miles away.

Dry Broom Tree Inn

Exhausted and afraid, Elijah collapses under a broom tree. This is a small desert shrub. It’s not impressive and majestic like the cedars of Lebanon or the tall oak trees. It was a simple and often ignored little shrub. But it provided a little shade, and rest for the weary Elijah. In our world, “Broom Tree Inn” would get zero stars on a Google Review. It wasn’t a comfortable place, it didn’t have even the basic necessities. All it had was a little shade. But the broom tree has something other trees don’t: survival skills. Arborists (plant study experts) say that it survives because it develops deep root systems to tap into underground water sources.

God often meets us in small, quiet ways before great breakthroughs. Perhaps from the most unexpected places, you received a comforting word, song, or scripture that revives your spirit. Or a friend or family member who sends you a text with a verse that encouraged them. Don’t discount these as insignificant occurrences while you face tough situations in life. Perhaps those are the unexpected “broom trees” that God has provided for you to take a breath, and reflect back on the situations of life.

Depression to Divine Intervention

At his lowest, Elijah asked God to let him die. But God didn’t scold him. Instead, He sent an angel with breakfast at the Broom Tree Inn and simply said, “Get up and eat.” That moment shows God’s heart—He cares for our basic needs before calling us to anything big. Elijah was so drained that he ate and went right back to sleep. The angel returned again, reminding us how patient God is and how deeply He understands the exhausted and the overwhelmed.

Depression and desperation are hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t walked through them. They make you feel alone, rejected, and painfully lost. The enemy uses those moments to drag you into darker places and push you toward hopelessness. Elijah—who was destined to never taste death—was so crushed that he begged for it. That’s what depression can do.

But Psalms 34 says the Lord stays close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit. The Holy Spirit who hovered over the empty, dark earth in creation is still near you today. He’s not just hovering—He’s right beside you, holding your hands, steadying you, comforting you.

The bread and water Elijah received weren’t just food. They pointed to Jesus, the Bread of Life and the source of Living Water (John 6:35; John 4:14). And just like the angel spoke to Elijah, Jesus still whispers to every weary soul today: Get up. Be nourished. Keep going—your journey isn’t over.

Destiny Emerging from Despair

After that simple meal under the broom tree, Elijah found the strength to walk 40 days to Mount Horeb. This was the very place where Moses once met God. It was also where Israel’s story was shaped. We would think that Elijah was wandering aimlessly. But instead it was God leading him, step by step, back to the place where divine purpose was revealed.

Elijah thought he had failed. He thought his story was over. But God was quietly positioning him for what came next. He would anoint a new king. Jehu was appointed for specific tasks. Elisha was called to continue the ministry. It seemed like rock bottom. In reality, it was the sculpturing process. The Master was creating something beautiful from a rock.

Divine works in Deserts

The desert is more than an empty, dry land. In Hebrew,”midbar” shares a root with “dabar”, meaning “to speak.” Oftentimes, when we are ripped out of our comfort zone, we are thrown into a seemingly hopeless place. We don’t understand that this place can also become where God speaks most clearly.

Moses was called into leadership in a desert.
Jacob wrestled with God in the night wilderness.
Hagar heard God in the desert of despair.
Philip met the Ethiopian eunuch in a deserted land.

The desert isn’t a sign that God has turned His back on you. I’ve learned that God often chooses these unlikely places to teach and meet with you. He speaks with you in ways you couldn’t hear anywhere else.

Life Application

Maybe you’re reading this right in the middle of your own “Broom Tree Inn” season. The days seem long and heavy. It could be a diagnosis you never imagined that keeps echoing in your mind. Or the job you counted on suddenly disappears. Or grief quietly sits in the corners of your home because someone you love is no longer there. Or when the hurtful words and actions of others make you feel small and unseen.

If that’s where you are, take heart. James 5:17 reminds us that Elijah was a man just like us. One of Scripture’s greatest prophets—yet the Bible doesn’t hide his exhaustion, fear, or desert moments. Elijah had his broom tree season too. But everything changed when he heard God’s gentle whisper. And remember this: we only whisper when we’re close. God wasn’t distant in Elijah’s despair—He was right beside him.

As our own family walks through our season of grief, we can honestly say: the Lord stays close to the brokenhearted. His steady presence lifts us. It carries us and gives us the strength to keep serving Him with renewed courage each day.

So, take heart. You are not forgotten. You are not lost. You are exactly where God is able to meet you. And like Elijah, you will rise again—not in your strength, but in His.

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Kernels Eternal

What’s the most precious or expensive thing you’ve ever had? Maybe it was something or someone you saved for, longed for, prayed for, cherished dearly when you got it, and thought you could never live without. Now imagine losing it completely—gone in a way you could never retrieve it. At first, the loss feels painful, even pointless. You feel the heart wrenching ache of knowing that it is gone forever. But the Bible tells us that there is still hope.

John 12:24 -“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” 

These words are spoken by Jesus at as He is in his final week before the cross. He’s in Jerusalem for Passover, and the crowds are buzzing—some are hailing Him as the Messiah with palm branches, but others are whispering doubts. Greeks (Gentiles) have just approached Philip asking to see Jesus, signaling that His message is spreading beyond the Jews. In response, Jesus starts talking about His “hour” coming—the time of His glorification through death and resurrection.

Kernel that stands.
When Jesus spoke about a kernel of wheat, He revealed that death isn’t the end—it’s the doorway to multiplication. Think about a kernel while it’s still on the stalk, alive in the field. It’s safe, wrapped in a protective shell. It looks smooth, whole, and beautiful. It sways in the soft breeze, enjoys the gardener’s daily care, and draws steady nourishment from the soil. Life seems secure. Yet even in all these favorable conditions, one thing remains true—it stays alone. Its potential is locked inside, never released. And if it never falls and breaks open, that potential dies with it. In time, the kernel may wither on the stalk or be eaten, leaving no legacy behind.

Kernel that falls.
But when the kernel of wheat falls to the ground, everything changes. It separates from the stalk, buried in dark, unseen soil, and breaks open—dying to its former form. Hidden away, it no longer feels the soft breeze, basks in sunlight, or enjoys the gardener’s daily care. At first, it seems lost in obscurity. Yet in that very process, life begins. Roots push downward, a shoot rises, and slowly a harvest emerges. The kernel releases the life hidden inside, and what was once a single seed multiplies into many. Its purpose is fulfilled: producing fruit, blessing others, and sustaining life. Through death comes abundance, through breaking comes growth, and what seems lost becomes a legacy.

Jesus – the first kernel
Jesus is the first kernel that fell and died, yet in His death, He brought life to the world. Like a single seed, He left the glory of Heaven to enter the world, fully human yet fully God. On the cross, He “fell to the ground” in death, appearing defeated to the world. For three days it seemed that all hope was lost, and that death has indeed won. But this was not the end—just like a kernel in the soil, His death unlocked life. Through His resurrection, Jesus produced the ultimate harvest: salvation, eternal life, and the promise that anyone who follows Him can bear fruit beyond what they could imagine.

Kernel named Paul
In Galatians 2:20, Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Paul died to his old life as a Pharisee, took on the unglamorous task of being a missionary, faced shipwrecks, beatings, and imprisonment. But in the end churches sprang up all over the Roman Empire.

Modern Day Kernels


Charlie Kirk: On September 10, news from Utah broke our hearts—Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University. Only 31 years old, a young dad giving everything to inspire the next generation, he faced protests and attacks for boldly standing for faith, family, and freedom. He could’ve chosen comfort, but instead he “died daily” to ease, and in the end paid the ultimate cost. Like a kernel of wheat that falls and multiplies, his life is already bearing fruit. Turning Point USA has reached millions, sparking faith and activism among students, and now his story is igniting others to carry the torch. Pray for his wife Erika and their two little ones—may God turn their grief into purpose.

Graham Staines: In 1999, Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two young sons were burned alive in their Jeep by extremists in Orissa, India. The tragedy was unspeakable, yet just days later his wife, Gladys, publicly forgave the killers and carried on the mission for years. That courageous act planted seeds far beyond their loss. Today, the village where it happened has multiple churches, dozens have come to Christ—including some from the very mob—and the mission has grown with hospitals, hostels, and outreach programs. Their suffering became a harvest of grace and healing.

Kernels in Family
In my own family, I’ve seen firsthand what it means to live as a seed for Christ. My late grandmother, Alummoottil Ammachi, wasn’t a missionary, yet she served the Lord with a quiet, sacrificial heart. Widowed at just 45, she raised six children while still putting generosity first—often giving to others even if it meant her own family went hungry.

My uncle, the late Pastor M.I. Thomas, spent more than 50 years serving in Gwalior, India. Beatings, cuts, bruises, and crushing poverty were daily realities for his family. Yet through his endurance, the Lord planted churches that still stand strong across that region today.

And many of you may know about my daughter Hannah, who went to be with the Lord last year at just 16. She poured herself into serving right up until her final days. Though losing her has been our greatest heartbreak, her life has already inspired a wave of young people in our church to step up and serve.

Each story reminds me that the kernel must fall and “die” before it multiplies. Pain isn’t wasted in God’s hands—He turns sacrifice into harvest.

Life Application:
Whatever you’re walking through today—stress at home, a deep loss, or even health struggles—remember the “kernel.” A.W. Tozer once said, “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” Sometimes God allows us to be broken so new life can spring up.

Ask Him to help you die to fear, to personal ambition, to the pull of popularity or riches. Pray for courage to love others even when it’s risky, and to stand for truth like Charlie Kirk and so many others who planted their lives as seeds. Come alongside those carrying the weight of loss—whether it’s a grieving friend or a missionary family on the field. Your hidden seed, sown in tears, will never stay buried. God multiplies what we surrender.

Jesus promises, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” (John 12:26). The harvest is certain—more souls reached, more lives transformed, more joy than you can imagine.

So here’s the challenge: what “kernel” will you let fall this week? Share it in the comments—we’d love to encourage one another as we plant together.

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Leaving A Legacy: Tribute to Hannah

Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr.—names we remember not just for what they did, but for the legacy they left behind. For the most part, their lives were measured and honored after they were gone. But the Bible speaks of a man who evaluated his own life before the end came—Paul. Sitting in a Roman prison, he wrote with quiet confidence:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7

One of the greatest stories of the Bible is about how Saul the persecutor became Paul the apostle.  A man who was the murderer of Christians became the tool that God used to save many. Through shipwrecks, imprisonments, beatings, and rejection, he remained steadfast in his mission to preach Christ. His life was not easy—but it was poured out faithfully in service to his Savior. When Paul declared that he had fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith, he wasn’t boasting—he was affirming that a life lived in faithful obedience, even through hardship, leaves a legacy that outlasts suffering.

A Reflection: One Year Without Hannah

June 4th marks one year since our dear Hannah went home to be with the Lord. And as we look back on the 16 years God gave her to us, we do so not only with tears but with deep gratitude. For nine years, Hannah faced a health condition that reduced her blood platelet count. Her journey included blood transfusions, hospital visits, and many sleepless nights—but she endured it all with quiet strength. Her  life was not long by earthly standards, but she ran her race well. Endowed with quiet strength, a strong faith, and a servant heart, she lived a life that is an example to all. She truly fought the good fight—not just through her health challenges but in how she chose to live, love, and serve in the face of them.

Her absence is felt every day. We miss her laughter, her gentle reminders, her thoughtful help in every area of life. But even more, we continue to witness her legacy. Her fingerprints are still on our ministries, her influence still shapes our home, and her example continues to inspire others.

Her Legacy: Lessons from Hannah’s Life

1. Serve Quietly but Faithfully

Many people knew Hannah for her role in AWANA ministry on Friday nights. But her true service began on Thursdays, typing up songs, planning details—and extended to Saturdays for the post AWANA management tasks of the week. Her consistency behind the scenes taught us this: legacy isn’t built in the spotlight but in faithfulness. If you’re looking to make an impact, don’t wait for a platform. Find where the ministries of the church need help, and start by serving quietly and wholeheartedly where you are.

2. Support Others with Encouragement

Hannah wasn’t just a daughter—she was an encourager. Whether proofreading devotionals for Dew Drops of Manna, helping record audio, translating content, or simply reminding us of God’s promises, she had a way of lifting others up.

Hannah’s gift of encouragement reached beyond her family and friends—it touched the halls of the public schools she attended. Her impact was so profound that, even four years after she left elementary school, her teachers still remembered her kindness and service. After her passing, the school created an award in her name to honor exemplary service, now given at every graduation. Among her peers, she was a quiet light. A classmate wrote us a heartfelt letter, sharing how Hannah had been a source of hope during a difficult time. If you want to leave a legacy, be someone who encourages—especially when others are going through hardships.

3. Prioritize God’s Word

Over 2,200 days. That’s how long her YouVersion Bible reading continuous streak ran at the time of her passing. She treasured God’s Word above all, making time for it every day, no matter how she felt. That’s a legacy anyone can build—no special skills required, just daily commitment.

In her room, we discovered a precious notebook, lovingly handwritten each Sunday. Page after page—75 in all—were filled with thoughtful and detailed notes she took from the Sunday morning sermons preached by various pastors. It’s a beautiful reflection of her hunger for God’s Word and the quiet faith she nurtured week after week.

In a world full of distractions, sufferings and life’s challenges: anchor your life in Scripture.

4. Care for Home and Family

Hannah’s ministry began at home. At times she helped cook and bake, helped with her sisters’ schoolwork, reviewed their Sunday school memory verses, and handled many household chores when we were busy with church ministries. Discipline and avoiding procrastination were hallmarks of her life.  If you want to be used by God, start in your own home.

5. Live Counter-Culturally

She wasn’t drawn to trends or social media. She understood that her worth didn’t come from fitting in but from walking faithfully with Jesus. Her courage to be different—even in a world that pressures conformity—is a reminder that Godliness is still beautiful. A legacy worth leaving is one that stands apart from the world and points to Christ.

6. Courage from the Lord

Hannah was also a woman of quiet courage. Naturally reserved and not one to seek the spotlight, she wasn’t someone you’d expect to lead from a stage. But when the AWANA ministry needed direction, she stepped up. Relying on the Lord for strength, she became a steady guide—even to the adult leaders. When asked about her boldness, she said simply, “I was afraid—but there was a need, and God gave me the strength.” Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s trusting God enough to serve in spite of it. That’s the legacy Hannah left behind.

7. Served till the end.

Even in her final days, Hannah’s heart was fixed on serving. Sitting in her hospital bed with IV lines in both hands, she told the AWANA leaders she was ready to help with the upcoming anniversary event. Her body was weak, but her spirit was unwavering. After she passed, we found the last two notes on her iPhone—lists of preparation steps and tasks for the anniversary, written just three days before she went home to be with the Lord. Her life was a quiet, powerful testimony of faithfulness—right to the very end.

Life Application: Fight Your Good Fight

As we reflect on Paul’s words and remember Hannah’s life, we’re reminded that we all have a race to run. It won’t always be easy—life comes with trials, delays, and disappointments. But the goal isn’t to run fast—it’s to run faithfully. Hannah’s life showed us that even a short journey can leave a lasting impact when it’s lived with purpose and poured out for Christ. She served quietly, encouraged others, loved God deeply, and held fast to His Word—right to the end. Don’t wait for perfect conditions to be faithful. Start now. Pray steadfastly. Serve where you are. Encourage someone. Stay rooted in Scripture. Fight your good fight. Because one day, we’ll all reach the finish line—and what a joy it will be to echo Paul’s words: “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”

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Victories and Wounds – 25 Years

Living in a world that is constantly racing towards the next chapter of success, getting the best car and living in bigger houses, we often tend to forget the victories of the yesteryears. In the Bible we see a man named Samuel who was careful to pause, reflect and celebrate what God has done in the past.

1 Samuel 7:12 – Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

Prior to this incident, Israel went through seasons of happiness and seasons of hopelessness. Seasons that included losing the precious Ark-of-the-covenant to Philistines, times of lost spiritual identity, and years of utter chaos due to their disobedience. However, once they put away their idols and returned back to the Lord, they started enjoying the goodness and love of the Lord.

In 1 Samuel 7, the Israelites witnessed a miraculous victory—God Himself thundered from heaven, throwing the Philistines into chaos and delivering His people. It was clear: the Lord was fighting their battles. So Samuel took a moment to erect a monument. Unlike the monuments of our day that glorify the leaders of wars, this monument was a testimony for others to know about the Lord.

25 Years of Walking with God as a Family
This week, my wife and I celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. This anniversary is one that carries the glow of mountaintop moments and the weight of deep valley experiences.

Looking back, we remember eight long years of crying out to God for a child—years marked by heartbreak, miscarriages, and moments of crushing despair. The silence felt heavy, and the nights were often sleepless. At times, we wondered if God even heard us. But our God is faithful. In 2008, He answered our cries and fulfilled His promise—blessing us with our first child, a testimony to His goodness and perfect timing.

The next four years were filled with joy of raising our baby, while asking the Lord for another miracle that would complete our family. Following years of prayers and petition, the Lord miraculously granted us a set of sweet twins. When the doctors told us another child wasn’t possible, God whispered a different plan—and gave us twins. Two lives. Two signs that He is the God who brings life where there was once only impossibility.

During the birth of our twins, a hospital error nearly cost my wife her life. For 12 terrifying seconds, her heart flatlined. But God stepped in. He breathed life back into her—restoring her to be the incredible mother of our three children. All glory to the One who gives life and holds it in His hands.

In 2013, after 14 years at a top financial firm, I lost my job as the company moved jobs overseas. What followed were six hard years—jobless seasons, short-term work, and financial uncertainty. Yet through every low point, God proved faithful. He became our Provider, and we learned to trust Him like never before.

In March 2015, our daughter Hannah was diagnosed with a condition that severely lowered her blood platelets. It marked the beginning of nine long years of health struggles. Hospitals. Specialists. Sleepless nights. It was the kind of sustained trial that can weigh you down and test the very core of your faith. However, we saw the hand of the Lord through it all. Hannah was able to endure her trials with a grace that only God could give.

Deepest valley of pain
Last year, we had to go through the unthinkable: we said goodbye to our beloved oldest child at just sixteen years old. Nothing prepares a heart for that kind of loss. It has been a season of sorrow, with groaning of our hearts that only God can understand. But we feel the hands of Jesus holding us when we could no longer stand. Even here—especially here— we choose to believe that God is still God. Still good. Still with us.

Life Application
So, this week, we raise our Ebenezer and remember the goodness of the Lord. While it doesn’t portray a perfect, polished story, it shows that the Lord is good in every season of life. From the crucibles of suffering to the crowns of miracles, we’ve experienced the unchanging hands of God. Our marriage has held both miracles and mourning. And through it all, the Lord has helped us.

In the past 25 years, we have loved, had disagreements, wept, laughed, grieved, and persevered. We have learned that God doesn’t always deliver us from the fire—but He never leaves us in it alone. We’ve come to realize that while we all dream of lives as lovely as a bed of roses, it’s easy to forget—roses don’t grow without their thorns. Yet perhaps it’s in those thorns that God weaves His greatest lessons.

So today if you are going through rough waters, stormy seas, and painful seasons that seem unending, choose to trust the Lord that he is sovereign and his ways are always perfect. Even in our days of questioning why, we hold fast to the truth that He is our Ebenezer—our rock of help, now and always.

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Mara to Merry

Imagine preparing for an important life event—whether a promotion, buying a house, or a family milestone. You put in the time, effort, and dedication, only to fall short or face unexpected failure. What a disheartening moment! That’s how Naomi felt when her once-hopeful life was clouded by disappointment and grief.

Ruth 1:20 (AMP)- She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty has caused me great grief and bitterness.

Famine and Famished
Naomi’s life began in the land of Bethlehem, which was also known as “house of bread.” Life was going exactly as she had planned: get married, have children and enjoy life as much as she can. But soon all that she had planned and imagined had come to a screeching halt when famine hit the land. Soon all that was beautiful turned ugly. Trees were bare, water was scarce, and all that was left were the empty baskets that once held abundance of bread.

Moving to Moab
Exhausted and dejected Naomi and her family left their homeland and went into the land of Moab. In our eyes it would seem like the next logical thing to do. Afterall, Moab was just 25 miles away and even if they had to walk there, it seemed doable. But in God’s eyes, Moab was an accursed land.

Deuteronomy 23:3-6: No Ammonite or Moabite shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of their descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall ever enter the assembly of the LORD, because they did not meet you with food and water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam … to curse you.

Naomi left God’s house in a time of famine. Sometimes we too go through this feeling of dryness. You can’t hear or feel God. Even coming to church doesn’t seem to help with the famine. So we turn to Moab where everything seems to be fun, laughter, and full of life.

Bread of Bitterness
Initially everything looked good in Moab. She was able to find enough food for her family’s sustenance. Her children, Chillion and Mahlon, grew up to be strong young men. They acclimatized themselves to the cultures of Moab. Soon they found themselves two Moabite women to be their wives: Orpah and Ruth, respectively.

But life in Moab did not turn out to be all that Naomi imagined it to be. Within a span of just 10 years, her husband Elimelech, and her two sons passed away. Naomi was left with her Moabite daughters-in-law. It is at this point Naomi realized that the temporary bread and pleasures that Moab had offered were in fact the bread of bitterness and sorrow. While urging Orpah and Ruth to go back to their own families, Naomi tells them: “It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!” (Ruth 1:13).

Returning to Bethlehem
She decided to return back to Bethlehem. This is the best decision that Naomi made. Even when the future was unclear, she knew she can find refuge in the land that God had initially had blessed. Orpah decided to return to her land, while Ruth clung to Naomi. If she stayed in Moab she would’ve missed out on what God had in store for her life. When going through painful seasons of our life, we can still trust God and run into His unchanging arms.

Name Change: Pleasant to Bitter
In the Bible, name changes often promise a hopeful tomorrow, like Abram turning into Abraham. But Naomi, whose name meant pleasant, said to her people, call me Mara, which means bitter. Life had battered her with grief, loss, and those heavy, lonely moments so many of us know too well. Naomi’s anguished plea to be called Mara, was a raw cry of her shattered soul.

Life Change: Bitter to Beauty
The story of Naomi’s life is that God was able to make something beautiful come out of something bitter. God had orchestrated Naomi’s life in such a manner that eventually she became the caretaker of Ruth’s newborn baby Obed. One version translates Ruth 4:16 as: “Naomi took the child and she held him near to her. She took care of him as if he was her own son.” God changed Naomi who once proclaimed that she has no son left in her (Ruth 1:14) into one that held a grandson in her bosom!

Our Mara Story
When our beloved 16 year old daughter Hannah passed away unexpectedly a few months ago, we felt the same way that Naomi felt. Our hearts were crushed and our hopes were dashed the moment we realized that our miracle baby has bid farewell to us, and has been taken to her eternal home. My family and I felt the crushing arrows in our hearts, and at times we too wanted to rename ourselves to some version of Mara. But when the waves of pain come like a strong tide, we find that God is indeed a present help in trouble. Taking refuge in Him does not remove the pain of losing our dear child. But the Spirit of God comes to us as a comforter. We know for certain that our daughter is now enjoying life, full of joy, in the presence of our Savior Jesus. We have the peace that only God can give as we live each day knowing that we will see her soon.

Life Application
One lesson we can all learn from Naomi’s life is that God is able to change any hopeless situation into a heavenly future. While Naomi was looking at how things had turned out in the past, God was orchestrating her mess to become a message for many. We may not understand the reason why the Mara situations happen in our life. But we can be certain that even through it all God is faithful to hold our hands and walk with us, every step of the way. As my family and I go through our “mara” moments, we are encouraged to see that many people have rededicated their lives to serve God, after they heard how Hannah served God even through her 9 years of suffering. We earnestly request your prayers as we navigate this season of our life.

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!