There was once a man, Thomas, who lived a life that many would envy. He had a great job, a beautiful home, and a loving family. Yet, a gnawing dissatisfaction followed him everywhere. He was always chasing the next promotion, the bigger house, the perfect vacation. He believed that once he got these things, he would finally be happy. But with each new achievement, the happiness was fleeting. The promotion brought more stress, the new house felt empty, and the memories of the vacation faded fast. He started to resent his colleagues who seemed to get ahead faster, and he grew frustrated with his family when they didn't appreciate the things he worked so hard for. His desire for more became a fire that consumed him, leaving behind a trail of frustration, anger, and disappointment. He was fighting battles on all fronts—at work, at home, and most of all, within himself. This constant struggle made him sick and miserable. Then one day, Thomas stumbled upon a profound truth in the book of James in the Bible: “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:1-3 NKJV). It was a revelation. He realized that all the acrimony and misunderstanding in his life wasn't caused by others, but by his own unfulfilled desires. He was fighting and coveting because he wasn't getting what he wanted, and he was trying to get it for all the wrong reasons. The scripture went on to say that the reason we don't have what we need is because we either don't ask God for it, or when we do, our motive is simply to satisfy our own pleasures. Thomas realized that he had been trying to fill a God-sized hole with temporary things. He understood that for God to provide what he truly needed, two things had to happen: he had to ask, and his motives had to change. But how? He found the answer in the words of Jesus, who taught His disciples to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever”  (Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV). The prayer started with, “Our Father in heaven.”  Thomas understood that before he could ask for his daily bread—the things he truly needed—God had to become his Father. The key to receiving from God was a relationship with Him. So, how does God become your Father? The Bible gives a simple and clear answer. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 NKJV). Thomas was humbled. He realized all his fighting and striving was for nothing. The only way to true peace and fulfillment was to stop fighting and to start believing. He knelt and prayed a simple prayer from his heart: “Father God, I come to You today. I believe that Jesus Christ died for me and rose again, and that He is seated at Your right hand in heaven. From this day forward, Jesus Christ, You are my Lord and Savior.” In that moment, a profound peace settled over him. The gnawing dissatisfaction and constant struggle were replaced with a sense of security and belonging. He finally understood that he didn't need to fight for what he desired. All he had to do was ask his new Father in heaven, and He would provide for his every need. From that day on, Thomas’s life wasn’t without challenges, but his approach was completely different. The fights ceased. The anger and frustration melted away. He found true contentment not in what he had, but in the One who had him. He had found the greatest treasure of all—a relationship with his heavenly Father. What are you fighting for today? Is it time to stop fighting and ask Jesus Christ to become your Lord and Savior

The waves crashed against the small fishing boat, each one a hammer blow against the wooden hull. Rain lashed down, blinding and cold, as the wind howled a terrifying song. For the disciples, seasoned fishermen who knew the temperament of the Sea of Galilee, this was no ordinary storm. This was a monster, a maelstrom intent on swallowing them whole. Water poured over the sides, filling the vessel, and fear, cold and sharp, gripped their hearts. In the midst of the chaos, something seemed out of place. While they bailed and shouted and fought for their lives, their master, Jesus, was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. A deep sense of betrayal and panic seized them. "Teacher," they screamed, shaking Him awake, "do you not care that we are perishing?" Jesus awoke, His presence a sudden island of calm in the tempest. He didn't rush or panic. He simply stood, faced the raging storm, and spoke two words that echoed with unimaginable power: "Peace, be still!" And just like that, the wind died. The waves flattened. A great, stunning silence fell over the sea. The storm, which just moments before had been a force of nature, was now a memory. Jesus then turned to His disciples, not with a look of triumph, but with a question that cut deeper than any windstorm. "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" This ancient story is not just a tale from the past; it's a mirror reflecting our own lives. Your life, like that boat, is on a journey. You have a destination, a purpose. But along the way, the windstorms come. Maybe your "windstorm" is a failing marriage, where the waves of conflict threaten to sink your family. Maybe it's a financial crisis, a health diagnosis, or a deep-seated fear that keeps you from finding peace. These storms are real, and they can leave you feeling as though you're perishing, bailing frantically with no end in sight. Like the disciples, you may have tried everything you know to calm the storm, only to find your efforts are not enough. You may feel like no one cares, like you’re alone in the boat while the waves crash over you. But Jesus is still with you in your boat. He is not indifferent to your suffering. The same Jesus who commanded the wind and the sea is alive today, and He is waiting for you to call on Him. "For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved’" (Romans 10:13 NKJV). He can speak “Peace, be still”  to your financial troubles, your health anxieties, your broken relationships, and the fear that is filling your heart. When you call on Him, He will answer and save you, not only from your current storm but for all eternity. Are you ready to stop perishing and start living? Are you ready to invite Jesus to be the captain of your boat? If you are, pray this simple prayer with a sincere heart: "Jesus Christ, I call on You to save me. Forgive me for all my sins. I want You to become the Lord of my life, from this day forward and forever. Thank You for hearing my prayer." If you prayed that prayer, you’ve just experienced the most profound peace you will ever know. Jesus is in your boat, and He has already calmed your storm. Now, go and share your story with someone. The world is full of people perishing in their own windstorms, and you now have the power to show them the way to peace.

The story of how Jesus Christ was betrayed by someone in His inner circle for 30 pieces of silver is indeed a sad one; but also reveals to us what men can do when driven by greed and love of money. The love of money and greed can blind someone to do anything to get it. So let us watch it and run away from greed and love of money. 1 Timothy 6: 10 " For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, ...."

Isaiah50:4 "The Lord has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a Word in season to him that is weary, He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned" In the world we live many people are weary. To be weary means to be tired, worn out, exhausted, fatigued, drained, burnt out and shattered. A lot of things like career, parenting, finances, health, relationship cause weariness. People who are in this state need rest and encouragement. Jesus says He can give such people rest according to Matt11:28. It is not enough to say sorry, it will be alright to such people. We must learn to hear from the Lord how to speak words of hope, peace, rest and encouragement that will eventually lead them to Jesus.

Luke 15:11-32 11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ 20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. 25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ 28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ 31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”.  Jesus Christ told this story to illustrate who God is. The father in this story represents God.  The sons represent us, mankind. Just as the father in this story gave inheritance to his children, God has lavished us with life, health, home, etc. As the first son wasted his inheritance, so many of us waste what God has blessed us with but if we would  be sorry and repent and return to God, God will forgive and receive us.  As believers we should rejoice when our lost brothers return to the Lord. We should not judge them for their past misdeeds and think they do not deserve God's mercy and love. Rather, we should receive them in love realising that the Father love us the same

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Luke11:9-10

Luke 7:36-50 When I read this story there so many things that comes to my mind. When we see people with problem, do we offer solutions to them or condemn them People knew this woman as a sinner but none offered help instead people condemned her. This woman came to Jesus knowing he was full of compassion rather than being judgmental like the Pharisees This woman felt really sorry for her sins, she was weeping and wiping the Masters feet with her hair and applying the spice. And Jesus knew exactly what she wanted. She did not come to be healed of any physical diseases, she was sick in her soul, sin was her sickness, but she came to be forgiven of her sins. She did not say a word but the Master knew what was tormenting her soul. She recognized she had sinned much. Because of her repentance and love she was forgiven of all her sins. Just uses her story to tell a parable. He that is forgiven much loves much. Do we realize that Jesus has forgiven us much and that we should also love him much. God bless you as you ponder on these words!

Luke 7:36-50 When I read this story there so many things that comes to my mind. When we see people with problem, do we offer solutions to them or condemn them People knew this woman as a sinner but none offered help instead people condemned her. This woman came to Jesus knowing he was full of compassion rather than being judgmental like the Pharisees This woman felt really sorry for her sins, she was weeping and wiping the Masters feet with her hair and applying the spice. And Jesus knew exactly what she wanted. She did not come to be healed of any physical diseases, she was sick in her soul, sin was her sickness, but she came to be forgiven of her sins. She did not say a word but the Master knew what was tormenting her soul. She recognized she had sinned much. Because of her repentance and love she was forgiven of all her sins. Just uses her story to tell a parable. He that is forgiven much loves much. Do we realize that Jesus has forgiven us much and that we should also love him much. God bless you as you ponder on these words!