Updated on Mon, Dec 17, 2012 at 04:51 p.m. (EST) & 03:21 p.m. (IST),  DEC 2012 Edition

Ramesh Dad's Memoriam:


 Please Support PS:

 PS  Interest Survey

  Like us on Facebook

 

Home |Expressions |Impressions |Hotpressions |News| Greek Life |Education |Entertainment |Multimedia |Sports | Food |CulturalLife |Features| Archives | Top 5

EXPRESSIONS

Custom Search

“Inspirationally Messiah Makes All Now Understand Emmanuel's Love! (I.M.M.A.N.U.E.L)"

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel'-- which means, "God with us.” (Matthew 1:22-23, NIV)

APPROACH QUESTION:
When do you know God is with you?

OBSERVATIONS:
I asked myself what did the Angel of the Lord say the child will be called?
1.  They will call Him Immanuel'-- which means, "God with us.”

INTERPRETATIONS:
I asked myself why is it so significant that the Angel of the Lord tells Joseph that they will call the child Immanuel-which means, "God with us?"

For more than 400 years or so, the Jewish people did not hear from the prophets and many might have even felt God abandoned them. Yet still, though they did not feel the presence of the Lord or hear from the Lord through the prophets, the priests continued to give incense and sacrifices at the altar. These times of 400 years were known as the SILENT YEARS from the time of the Old Testament. Now, the Angel of the Lord comes with such significant news about the impossibility happening to show that God had not abandoned the people. But more than that the angel wants Joseph to know that the child born to the virgin Mary will be called 'Immanuel-- which means, 'God with us!'. This alone shows that God would come down to earth as God-incarnate to be with His people. This is what Jesus would become. He would be God-incarnate to those around Him so they would never have to feel that God abandoned them. For whether they feel God's presence or not, they can know that God is right with them in Jesus.

IMPLICATIONS:
I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?
The implications for my life are profound in two ways for me. First, when I believe in Jesus, I will actually be believing in God. Belief in God can be proved by Jesus, who became God-incarnate to live among us. John 1 shows that the Word became flesh to dwell among us. In the Gospel of John, I remember Jesus also using 'I AM' during 7 different conversations to point to the people that He is 'Immanuel-God with us'. This is how the Lord had revealed himself to the prophet Moses when the Lord said,
'I AM that I AM'.

Not only that but when the Angel of the Lord promised Joseph that God will be with them in Jesus, the Angel of the Lord is even letting me know when I have Jesus in me, I will have 'Immanuel-God with us'in me. That is so exciting and awesome to know that the Creator of the Universe loves me so much that He came down to earth to live among us to love and serve us and made the Ultimate Sacrifice by laying down His life for us so that we could be saved. Thank you so much Jesus.

I ask you now dear friend, what does Immanuel mean to you?
Dear friend,  five years ago today on December 17, if there was a day that we needed Immanuel more than any other day,  it was on that day! For on that day our beloved dad, who was married to my more for more than 3 decades, went to be with the Lord.  It was the worst day of our life to lose our daddy [My Dad's Memoriam:] for four of us his sons (Ravi, Raj, Rohit myself), our mother, and all those he left behind.  If my daddy were alive today, he would have loved being a grandpa to baby Esther who turned 11 weeks old yesterday and would have loved his precious daughter-in-law Chandraleela's care for him.

My dad's death occurring in the Advent season 8 days before Christmas was very painful too. When I was compiling the Christmas specials, I got a call from my mommy that my dad went to be with the Lord Jesus. In the season, where we sing 'O Come O Come Emmanuel' come ransom us from our captivity,  the words to this song should have been sang at my dad's funeral because, it is Emmanuel who saved our daddy from spiritual death. On the night he was going to leave this earth, my beloved dad wanted Jesus to be with him so He called upon the Name of the Lord Jesus to save him and become his Immanuel so God was with him even while he was leaving this earth to the place God prepared for Him.  So even though this was the worst day of our life and season to remember because of what happened to our daddy, it also became the best day of my dad's life. He knew that Christmas season for the first time in His life, He would spend it with Jesus in Heaven and celebrate the Christmas season with Jesus!

We knew that 'Immanuel - God with us' was right there with us in our tragedy and sorrow. It could have been so easy to ask ourselves where was God when my dad was about to die, but He was right there welcoming daddy into His bosom of love. In our sorrow and suffering God was right there with us too.

Jesus' words to me from John 11 became more living than ever when Jesus said, "The purpose of his illness is not death but for the glory of the Lord!"

So I thought to myself that the Lord Jesus will keep my dad alive and He did even though it was not physically but more important spiritually. So one day when I leave this earth, I can be reunited with my papa and Father God in person. Thank you Jesus. We are thankful that the Lord Jesus gave us 70 extra days with our papa after he was in the ICU. In those 70 days, my dad got to experience God's Word from Psalms, Matthew-Revelation as my mom would read to him. Thank you Jesus.

While going to the funeral, my mommy would read from the Psalms to us and kept praising the Lord in her sorrow. Even at the funeral my mommy would make the focus on Jesus Christ who is with us.

Friend, whether you feel Jesus Christ in your life or not, know for sure that He lives in you when you give your life to Him. He will never abandon you nor leave you. He promises to be with you whether you feel His presence or not. We cannot go by feelings but on faith. There will be times sometimes for months and even years where we feel like we are in the wilderness and going through a dry season but the Lord Jesus, your Immanuel will never leave you or me when we turn to Him. This dryness sometimes becomes that much more serious when we face tragedy or sorrow but God is still there. He has not abandoned us in our sorrow.

So friend, whatever you are going through, come as you are in your pain, suffering, sorrow, or tragedy to the Lamb of God, to your 'Immanuel - God with us' who wants to walk with you and talk with you. He wants to comfort you and strengthen you in your pain. Help Oh Lord! Jesus loves you so much and will be there for you in your pain and sorrow. Yes, He will friend for He wants to be your Immanuel which means God with us. God wants to be with you whatever you are going through.

If you are struggling relationally, financially, academically, mentally, psychologically, emotionally, etc you can turn to the Lord for comfort and strength to get you through. He has not abandoned you no matter what the sorrow and pain you maybe going through or those you know are going through. He weeps with you when you are weeping. He wants to comfort you in His bosom of love. Yes, He does friend. Help rescue us Oh Lord!

This Christmas season, just as we remember the sadness of losing our papa, we can rejoice knowing He is with the Lord Jesus now and will someday be seen again. I want you to trust in the Lord Jesus whatever you are going through. Never let anyone make you ask yourself, 'Where was God?' in tragedy and suffering. He is right beside you suffering and weeping with you. We live in a sin infested world that is a deadly virus and only the love of Christ and His blood shed to ransom us from the captivity of sin and death can save us from the evil one.

One day all suffering and sorrow will cease as the evil one will be bound as the Lord Jesus will return. Until then we have to be vigilant wearing the Armor of God as mentioned in Ephesians 6 to fight evil. For evil is prevalent even to this day. We need look no further than what happened in China and Connecticut on the same day when children were  killed or stabbed.

It is in a world marred with sin that Jesus came to be God with us. He will be with you whatever you are going through. Let His Word comfort you and guide you as you read and pray the Psalms.  Yes, friend.

This Christmas season bring the wounded and suffering to  Jesus, Friend of a Wounded Heart. He will be with you comforting you with the comfort we can never know. His comfort will show that He is looking after you. Help Jesus. Thank you Jesus.

May you experience Immanuel in your life now and forever more this Christmas season!

"Inspirationally Messiah Makes All Now Understand Emmanuel's Love! (I.M.M.A.N.U.E.L)"/"What does Immanuel mean to you?"

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you so much for becoming our Immanuel - God with us. You Oh Lord are right with us. It is amazing to know that the God of the Universe, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, came down into this world to become one of us but with so sin to ransom us held in captivity to the evil one. We pray Oh Lord for those in the prison of the evil one, that you Oh Lord would come and deliver them. Please Oh Lord. Thank you for your love. Oh Lord, evil hates love and will try to destroy it. We saw that happen in Connecticut and China. Oh Lord, we saw that almost happen to our dad when he went into cardiac arrest. But you did not let Satan take him. Thank you so much Jesus. Thanks so much for giving your Word to my dad for 70 consecutive days at which point He gave His life to you and met you in Heaven. Thank you for the cross and the power of the cross. Come comfort the wounded and broken hearted with your love. Help us to always feel your presence and even when we don't thank you Lord that you keep your Word and are always with us. In Your Precious Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Lord Jesus, You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace, Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! (Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help!

No matter who you are, it is not ever too late to join a Bible-believing church or a college fellowship. I highly encourage each of you to come to Transformers Small Group on Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. and Oakland International Fellowship on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. for prayer, 11:30 a.m. for worship, 10:30 a.m. for Sunday School, and 12:30 p.m. for fellowship lunch.

May the Lord's presence and peace fill you with His love now and forever! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Express Your View

 

 

ADVENT 2012 DEVOTIONALS:

Matthew 1:22-23: "How can P.R.O.P.H.E.C.Y make you believe in Jesus?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 15, 12, 09:12 a.m.)

Matthew 1:21: "Who are you depending on to S.A.V.E you?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 13, 12, 12:44 p.m.)

Matthew 1:21: "What significance do you give a N.A.M.E in life?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 12, 12, 1:27 p.m.)

Matthew 1:20: "Why expect a M.I.R.A.C.L.E. in your life this season?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 10, 12, 10:40 a.m.)

Matthew 1:20: "What has a D.R.E.A.M revealed to you in life?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 08, 12, 11:42 a.m.)

Matthew 1:19-20: "Why W.A.I.T through conflict in life?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 08, 12, 11:40 a.m.)

Matthew 1:18-19: "How has your L.O.V.E influenced others in life?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 01, 12, 11:32 a.m.)

Matthew 1:1-17: "What does God do with your G.E.N.E.A.L.O.G.Y in life?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 01, 12, 11:32 a.m.)

2012 DEVOTIONALS:

"What place do you give T.H.A.N.K.S.G.I.V.I.N.G in your life?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (Nov 22, 12, 9:05 a.m.)

"Who are you campaigning for and V.O.T.I.N.G for in your heart: Jesus Christ or Satan?” By Ramesh C. Reddy (Nov 04, 2012, 11:41 a.m.)

"What is your view of T.I.M.I.N.G in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 24, 12, 11:02 a.m.)

Mark 1:12: "How do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 22, 12, 10:10 a.m.)

Mark 1:12: "What determines your G.R.O.W.T.H in the Lord?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 19, 12, 08:46 a.m.)

Mark 1:9-11: "Who will you P.R.A.I.S.E publicly in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 13, 12, 06:16 a.m.)

Mark 1:9: "What do you S.T.A.N.D for in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 08, 12, 07:59 a.m.)

1 Thessalonians 1:3: "What does your L.A.B.O.R show in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 03, 12, 06:30 a.m.)

Mark 4:4-8: "Who do you P.O.I.N.T to in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 01, 12, 10:10 a.m.)

Mark 1:1-4: "How seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophecy?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 29, 12, 09:57 a.m.)

Mark 1:1: "Why bother with the G.O.S.P.E.L when you see yourself as a good person anyway?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 28, 12, 09:00 a.m.)

Mark 1:40-42: "How do you deal with the L.E.P.R.O.S.Y of sin?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 07, 12, 11:21 p.m.)

Mark 10:10-12: "When have you become an A.D.U.L.T.E.R.E.R in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 02, 12, 12:54 p.m.)

Mark 10:6-9: "What should your take be for M.A.R.R.I.A.G.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 02, 12, 12:54 p.m.)

John 6: "What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat to live forever?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 02, 12, 12:48 p.m.)

John 10:9: "What D.O.O.R is the only Door that will save you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 31, 12, 09:08 a.m.)

John 8:12: "How can the L.I.G.H.T impact your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 30 12, 08:28 a.m.)

Matthew 25:14-30: "What are you doing with the T.A.L.E.N.T the Lord Jesus has given you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 28, 12, 10:38 a.m.)

Matthew 22:36-40: "How are the dimensions of L.O.V.E in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 27, 12, 09:13 a.m.)

Matthew 18:12-14: "What hope is there for the L.O.S.T in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 26, 12, 09:50 a.m.)

Mark 4:22-23: "What happens to a sin you C.O.N.C.E.A.L in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 25, 12, 07:23 a.m.)

John 15:18-21: 'Is it better for you to experience H.A.T.E or love, why or why not?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 24, 12, 01:01 p.m.)

John 10:14-16: "Who will you make your S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 19, 12, 06:03 a.m.)

John 15:10-14: "What does it mean to remain in the V.I.N.E always?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 18, 12, 10:13 a.m.)

Matthew 18:21-22: "What stipulation do you put to F.O.R.G.I.V.E. someone?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 17, 12, 09:17 a.m.)

Philippians 4:20-23: "How do you see F.A.T.H.E.R in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 13, 12, 07:39 a.m.)

Philippians 4:19: "What are your N.E.E.D.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 12, 12, 08:51 a.m.)

Philippians 4:15-18: "Who will you F.I.N.A.N.C.E in ministry?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 11, 12, 05:42 a.m.)

Philippians 4:14: "How do you S.H.A.R.E in others troubles?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 10, 12, 08:30 a.m.)

Philippians 4:12-13: "Where do you need S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 09, 12, 08:59 a.m.)

Mark 5:24b-29: "Where do you need F.R.E.E.D.O.M to move on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 07, 12, 10:43 a.m.)

Philippians 4:10: "Why show C.O.N.C.E.R.N for others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 03, 12, 09:18 a.m.)

Philippians 4:9b: "How do you know your P.E.A.C.E is real?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 02, 12, 08:33 a.m.)

Philippians 4:9a: "What kind of S.O.L.D.I.E.R will you be?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 30, 12, 09:58 a.m.)

Philippians 4:8: What is your T.H.I.N.K.I.N.G based on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 30, 12, 09:56 a.m.)

Philippians 4:6-7: "How do you handle A.N.X.I.E.T.Y in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 28, 12, 08:05 a.m.)

Philippians 4:5: "What measure of G.E.N.T.L.E.N.E.S.S do you have?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 27, 12, 08:57 a.m.)

Philippians 4:4: "When do you R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 26, 12, 09:26 a.m.)

Philippians 4:3: "How have you C.A.M.P.A.I.G.N.E.D for Jesus in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 25, 12, 08:58 a.m.)

Philippians 4:2: "How do you respond to a P.L.E.A.D in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 23, 12, 10:45 a.m.)

Philippians 4:1: "Where do you S.T.A.N.D on love in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 23, 12, 10:40 a.m.)

Philippians 3:20-21: "What C.I.T.I.Z.E.N.S.H.I.P should you desire the most?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 21, 12, 07:28 a.m.)

Philippians 3:18-19: "Why shed T.E.A.R.S for others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 20, 12, 08:37 a.m.)

Philippians 3:15-17: "Who or what are you willing to P.A.T.T.E.R.N your life after?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 19, 12, 07:30 a.m.)

Philippians 3:12-14: "How can you deal with the P.A.S.T in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 18, 12, 11:43 a.m.)

Philippians 3:1-11: "Why for R.E.F.O.R.M.A.T.I.O.N do you need the transaction of the cross?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 16, 12, 8:57 a.m.)

Philippians 2:25-30: "When will your H.O.M.E.C.O.M.I.N.G begin?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 15, 12, 6:43 a.m.)

Philippians 2:19-24: "How can you Q.U.A.L.I.F.Y well in other people's lives?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 14, 12, 8:18 a.m.)

Philippians 2:17-18: "How do you live out your F.A.I.T.H in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 13, 12, 6:58 a.m.)

Philippians 2:14-16:
"How is your B.E.H.A.V.I.O.R. in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 12, 12, 8:15 a.m.)

Philippians 2:13: "How do you W.O.R.K out your Salvation?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 11, 12, 8:36 a.m.)

Philippians 2:12-13:"What path have you taken for S.A.L.V.A.T.I.O.N in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 09, 7:50 a.m.)

Philippians 2:12-13: "What is the point of O.B.E.D.I.E.N.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 7:51 a.m.)

Philippians 2:9-11:"How do you handle the N.A.M.E of Jesus in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 7:47 a.m.)

Philippians 2:8: "Why should you make a C.R.O.S.S transaction in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 06, 7:26 a.m.)

Philiippians 2:5-7: "How do match Jesus' A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 05, 9:09 a.m.)

Philippians 2:3-4: "How do you respond to C.O.M.M.A.N.D.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 03, 6:19 a.m.)

Philippians 2:1-2: "What C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N are you in?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 02, 6:52 a.m.)

Philippians 1:29-30: "How do you handle S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (June, 01, 6:52 a.m.)

Philippians 1:27-28:"How do you C.O.N.D.U.C.T yourself in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 31, 12, 7:32 a.m.)

Philippians 1:22-26: What are your C.H.O.I.C.E.S based on?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 30, 12, 6:27 a.m.)

Philippians 1:21: "Why D.I.E for Christ?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 29, 12, 4:59 a.m.)

Philippians 1:20: "Where do you need to have C.O.U.R.A.G.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 25, 12, 8:08 a.m.)

Philippians 1:19:"Who do you C.A.L.L often in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 24, 12, 8:32 a.m.)

Philippians 1:19: "What reason do you have to R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 22, 12, 8:21 a.m.)

Philippians 1:15-18: "How are your M.O.T.I.V.E.S in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 22, 12, 8:21 a.m.)

Philippians 1:13-14:"What have your C.H.A.I.N.S done to others in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 21, 12, 9:04 a.m.)

Philippians 1:12:  "How can you feel so S.P.E.C.I.A.L when things are going so wrong in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.)

Philippians 1:9-11: "What is your L.O.V.I.N.G response in life based on?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.)

Philippians 1:8:   "How can your A.F.F.E.C.T.I.O.N grow towards others in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 17, 12, 6:32 a.m.)

Philippians 1:7: "Why cannot you be saved by G.R.A.C.E. alone?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 16, 12, 9:55 a.m.)

Philippians 1:6: "Where are you C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 15, 12, 10:54 a.m.)

Philippians 1:3-6: "How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in the Gospel?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 14, 12, 08:38 a.m.)

Philippians 1:3: "How will others R.E.A.C.T towards God when they remember you?" (May 11, 12, 09:53 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1-2: "When do you B.L.E.S.S others in life?" (May 09, 12, 7:30 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: "Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you when you are already a leader?" (May 10, 12, 9:01 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: "Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y instead of being a sinner?" (May 08, 12, 8:05 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: Who will you be a S.L.A.V.E to in life? (May 07, 12, 7:06 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

 

 

 
   
 

Copyright 2012 Pittsburgh Standard
Reproduction or reuse for profit prohibited without written consent from Pittsburgh Standard