'NO GOOD THING WILL HE WITHHOLD'

"But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." (Gen 3:3).

The woman described the treee as 'the tree which is in the midst of the garden' instead of 'the tree of the knowledge of good and evil' as stated by God. Obviously, she speaks of the tree as being in the midst of the garden, because it was in the midst of her heart's lust. She might have also intended to convey that the best of God was in the midst of the garden and that she was debarred from enjoying it. By that she was questioning the love and kindness of God.

We know from the Word of God that all that was created on the earth was for the use of man (including the tree of knowledge of good and evil). But man was supposed to eat of the fruits of all the other trees first, and, after he was mature enough, to eat this fruit also. 'Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb 5:14). So it is very clear that the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil belonged to those who had 'full age', which our first forefathers did not have when they tasted it.

Let us not misunderstand the ways of God or doubt the plan of God for our life. Let us be filled with the love of God and place our trust in God. No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'

FLEETING HONOUR...:

The frightening fact about pride is that, not only will their life be miserable but their death and eternity too will be most miserable.

Look at Saul, the first king of Israel. Normally, people who sin ask pardon from God when they realize their sin. But look at what Saul said when his sin was pointed out - "I have sinned: yet honour me now" (I Sam 15:30). How sad that, instead of seeking forgiveness, Saul was seeking honour, knowing he had sinned against God. When a man seeks honour, it is a sure sign of the presence of hidden (unwashed) sins in his life.

When Saul was "sore wounded of the archers" he knew he was dying, and yet, instead of using the last few seconds or minutes to repent and prepare for his eternity, he was still seeking dignity and honour! (I Sam 31:4). Obviously he did not want anybody to say after his death that he had been killed by an uncircumcised person. Whoever it was who killed him, he was going to go to hell; but that appeared to be his least concern!

The armourbearer refused to kill him. Saul therefore took a sword and fell on it. But his suicidal attempt failed. He realized that even death was hating to kill him. The Amalekite stood upon him and cut off his head. In what pathetic backslidden state he ended his life!

Saul's end is a warning to every one of us. It proves how pride can make our life and death and eternity most miserable. Saul did not want an uncircumcised Philistine to kill him, but what a disgrace it was to have to ask an Amalekite - the Amalekites were worse and more abominable than the Philistined - to kill him. The honour of this world is like a shadow - the more we follow it, the more it flees from us.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in "Morning Manna"

DIE IN FAITH...:

"These all died in faith" (Heb 11:13).

All the heroes of faith died in faith. We need faith, not only to live a life that's pleasing to God, but also to die pleasing to God. The Old Testament saints died in faith although they did not receive the promises.

What is meant by dying in faith? Dying trusting in divine healing is, in a way, dying in faith. But all those who die without taking medicine may not die in faith. Many die filled with fear - tormented with the fear of death, fear of hell, or the fear of the devil. Dying in faith means dying fully trusting in God, without any fear at all. Some may have wonderful gift of faith - faith to heal the sick, raise the dead, etc. But that faith will not help them at the time of death. We need faith as a character, faith, the fruit of the Spirit.

When the founder of our mission, Pastor Paul, was about to die, the old priest of his former nominal church came to see him. Pointing to the boils on his body he said, "Look at all the pain you are suffering now." Then Pastor Paul smiled and said, "You are only looking there; you didn't look here (pointing to his heart). There is a lion roaring inside!" Even if the whole of hell rises against us, we should not be afraid. The righteous are bold as a lion. Even in the deepest trouble, even at the time of our death, we should be like a lion.

When Pastor Lazarus was dying he was extremely weak but his spirit was roaring like a lion. Raising his hand he was saying, "The gates of hell cannot prevail against the militant Church of God."

Some people may appear bold and may seem to have greater faith but when the time comes for them to die they are shaken. The heroes of faith stood for the faith, lived for the faith, fought for the faith, and also died for the faith.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, in 'Morning Manna'