Amazing facts of the Bible : Nature at HIS Command!!!

Have you ever stood near the sea beach and thought that who controls the sea? Well scientists and scholars may have different views but ultimately we have to agree that God does have a role to play in the vast universe. God does control everything.
One such incident from the Bible will reveal that even the sea and the nature obey God.
Once when Lord Jesus and His disciple were crossing the Sea of Galilee by boat, a huge storm arose. The waters became turbulent and the boat was tossed to and fro. It was a heavy rain with thunder and lightening. No body in the boat could stay calm and steady. Every one was sick with fear and tried their best to stay cool but all in vain. Who can stay cool in the midst of an angry sea?
The disciples tried frantically to hold on to the helm and some were trying to throw the water out of the topsy-turvy boat.
One disciple suddenly noticed that Lord Jesus was not in the crowd. Where was He then? They found that He was peacefully asleep in the corner of the boat.perhaps He was tried after the days work. Every one was surprised. How could he sleep like that in the storm? Some of them shouted in the top of their voice and woke him up saying, “Master, why are you asleep, we are all drowning?”
Immediately Jesus woke up. He was only taking a nap. He stood up and raised His hand toward the sea and said, “Be still”. Within a few minutes the storm died down and the sea became clam like a sleeping baby.
Every one was amazed. It was beyond imagination. How can nature take orders?
It was then they realized the power and greatness of Lord Jesus Christ. He was not just any other human being doing some magic out of practice, but it was His divine character because of which even nature obeyed His command. Wow! Mind blowing.
We many not think about it seriously but think of it, if nature respects and obeys God then how much should we not regard and obey God?

THE FOOLISH COBRA

Zamba the Cobra lived with his wife Xena in the jungles of Sunderban. They lived happily in a big ant hill under a huge oak tree. Zamba used to go for food and Xena used to look after the children.
One fine day Zamba decided to shift their cozy little home to the outskirts of the village. He was bored with the forest food and was greedy after the food that human beings ate. Xena was unhappy because they were well setteled with their children in the dense forest. She knew there were far greater dangers of being caught or killed if they wandered across the village. The human being could kill them. Therefore she tried her level best to persuade Zamba from making the mistake.
“Let us be happy with what we eat in the jungle” she cried “this is our place. Why should we go break the rules and go near the humans?”
“You foolish woman,” hissed Zamba, “Stop murmuring, it is decide that we are going.”
After few days Zamba, Xena and their five young snakes arrived at the outskirts of the village. They settled down near a tree. Zamba was very excited because he had heard many stories from his friends about the human beings and their food habit. He was eager to taste chickens and eggs.
One sunny afternoon Zamba started in his adventure. Slowly he slithered among the dry leaves and neared a cottage from behind. There was no one around. Zamba wanted to inspect the place a little bit. He could see a small shed where many chickens were feeding and one of the bigger hens was crowing. Suddenly a boy came out from the cottage and carried a white object from underneath the hen.
“Is that the egg, which tastes wonderful?” Zamba thought.
Quickly he inspected the area and went back to his house. He planned to taste the eggs as soon as possible.
The next day as soon as the hen started crowing, Zamba moved smoothly into the shed and swallowed the egg. Then he quietly slide through an opening on the wall and went out.
The boy who came several minutes late was surprised to see the nest empty. There was no egg.
This went on for a while and Zamba was enjoying himself. Xena was begging him to stop this nonsense but his snake sense took the better of him. He was not ready to give up stealing even though it was dangerous. Xena was sure that some day her husband’s theft will end in disaster.
Sure enough the boy Toby who lived in the cottage with his father found out the mystery of the missing eggs. He was in for a big shock and trembled when he saw who the culprit was. Toby told his father and together they made a plan to teach the cobra a lesson.
The next day Zamba unsuspectingly entered the shed and swallowed the egg. The egg seemed unusually warm that day. Perhaps the hen has a high temperature, he mused. As usual he turned to leave through the opening. His routine was to go through the opening which was slightly bigger enough for his figure to pass through. So he used to twist his body a bit so that the egg would break inside his stomach and then he would go out
smoothly. To day as he twisted his body, the egg did not break inside his stomach. Instead he was stuck in the hole on the wall. His head and half of the body was outside and the rest with the egg was inside the shed. Zamba tried again. “hey! Why is the egg not crushing today? He thought?
Quickly Toby and his father moved form their hiding with strong club and weapons in their hands. Snap! Thud! Whoosh! Went their hands. Within a minute justice was done. Zamba was caught in the hole and could not free himself. As his eyes closed, he remembered Zena’s words: “Do not disobey the law of your forest. You will be caught one day”. It was too late now.
Toby and his father congratulated themselves for killing the foolish snake through a boiled egg.
(The story is a modified version of the story from “jungle book”)

Lisa and Her Eating Spree

Eating is a process that is important for the growth of our body. When a baby is born, others feed him or her, but as the baby grows he or she soon learns to eat food by him or herself.
It depends on us how we develop our eating habits. There are people who eat very less and starve themselves in order to maintain a good figure whereas there are others who do not care what and how much they eat. Both the attitudes can lead to problem. We should eat enough to keep ourselves healthy and strong and we should always eat food that is good for our bodies.
Well, to days story is not about what to eat but it as all about food manners.
There was little girl Lisa who loved to eat, so much so that she never bothered if others at home ate or not. Every day when Mummy cooked food, she was the first one to eat out of the container. She could never wait for others or for the mealtime. Such was her habit. Well this kind of behavior does not seem awkward when you are a small little girl at home but as Lisa grew up she still continued with her habit. Each time food was cooked Lisa would sneak to the kitchen when one was aware and eat some of the curry. Every one thought she was greedy, selfish and without any self control. She never listened to Mummy’s advice. Lisa never thought that such manners were bothersome and ugly. All she thought was to eat.
One afternoon, Mummy had left some mango pickle on the table. Lisa came back from the school and immediately she wanted to eat something. Mummy gave her some snacks and bourn vita and then she went to visit the Aunty next door who was very sick. Before leaving the house, Mummy clearly instructed Lisa not to touch the pickle on the table. But as she left, Lisa could not control her self. She wanted to taste some pickle.
“Why did Mummy said not eat the pickle? Of course I will eat a little of it and no one will know.” Lisa thought to herself.
After a while her greed got the better of herself and she ate some of the pickle. Well, as soon as she tasted the pickle, Lisa jumped. The mango pickle was spicy hot and tasty that she could not stop herself.
After a while Mummy returned and she wanted to take the bowl of pickle to give it to some one. Alas! The bowl was half empty. She knew immediately that it must be Lisa’s work. Mummy was very upset because she had promised to give her maid some pickle so that the poor maid and her family could eat rice with pickle.
That night Mummy spoke to Lisa very sternly. “God has given you enough to eat yet you have no self control over your greed. That pickle was meant for the maid. Don’t you feel ashamed Lisa that your eating habit has become so uncontrollable that you are no more able to share with others?”
Mummy’s eyes were watering. She was not happy with her daughter’s habit, which was day by day developing into a selfish act.
Lisa felt ashamed. She promised to herself that she would learn to share the food at home and wait for others too. She asked God to help her become self-controlled. Nothing can be set right without the help of God.
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Wrong Decisions…….

Mohan and Manish were two friends who lived in the village of Anandapur. Theirs was a small village yet it had all the facilities for education, medical, entertainment, transportation etc.
Mohan was the son of the local schoolteacher and Manish’s father was a veterinary doctor in the village. They studied in the high school, which was at the far end of Anandapur. Both loved spending time with each other. Mohan was quiet in nature where as Manish was the talkative and active one. He loved playing football where as Mohan would sit under the banyan tree and watch him play. Even though with different taste, both were equal in their studies. They loved to do their homework together and encouraged each other for studies. Yet there was a major difference in their temperaments. Mohan was the cool type where as Manish was the aggressive one.
One afternoon Mohan and Manish visited the city, which was 13 kilometers from the village. Manish’s father had asked them to get some medicine for his practice. The parents of both the boys had strictly asked them to return early before it was too dark. The last bus from the city to their village was at 7’O clock in the evening and they were supposed to come back even early if possible. After finishing the errand, they wandered the whole evening in the city. Mohan wanted to get back early but Manish insisted on staying back for the last bus. As there was nothing else to do Manish suggested that they enter into a movie theater and watch a movie just to pass the time. Mohan was not very convinced because he knew that the movie would end late and he did not want to miss the bus. But Manish dragged him to the theatre. Being his best friend, Mohan had to comply with his friend.
As they settled down in the movie hall, Mohan started feeling sleepy after the days walk around the city. No sooner had the movie started, Mohan drifted of to sleep. Manish was enjoying himself. At half past six, Manish woke up Mohan and they started from the movie hall to the bus stand. As they were coming out of the theatre, suddenly a man ran passed them speedily. He seemed to be in a hurry as if running away from some one. He bumped into Manish who was holding the bag full of medicine for his father’s clinic. Manish was very angry and he shouted at the man but the man did not wait nor apologized for his behavior.
Mohan and Manish reached the bus stand and were about to board the bus when a police van arrived and few police man jumped from the back of the van. Every one was wondering what was happening. Mohan and Manish were also curious. One of the police started giving orders that every one should be searched. They were searching for something. By and by Mohan and Manish’s turn arrived to be searched. They were not at all afraid but rather worried that there bus would leave. So they showed signs of hurry. The police misinterpreted their behavior and was suspicious. Not only they were searched but also the bag full of medicine was also searched. Suddenly one of the policeman straightened up, came near Manish and Mohan and slapped Manish’s cheek. The two boys were totally taken by surprise. What have they done? Some kind of white powder packets were found among the medicine packets. They were a kind of drugs called brown sugar. Having to do anything with these drugs is a serious crime. Immediately Mohan and Manish were arrested and taken to the near by police station. No one was ready to listen to the boys’ frantic appeal for innocence. Shocked, the boys did not know what to do. They were locked in the custody. It was very shameful for both of them. They did not expect to be caught as drug traffickers, but no one believed them. What would they do now? How would they inform their family at the village?

At around 5 in the morning both the Fathers of the two boys came running in to the police station. With them was another man whom Manish recognized as Uncle Akshya who was the Deputy Commissioner of Police. Mohan’s father looked at his son with sadness and anger. Was his son really involved in this business? He could not believe himself. Uncle Akshya made enquiries form the boys about what had happened the previous evening. They recollected the last evenings strange behavior of a man who had ran past them in a hurry. The police then asked them if they could identify the man. Last evening a man had been caught stealing from a jewelry shop. As the man was brought before them, Manish at once recognized him. Yes he was the man. The man who was a drug addict had ran past them in order to get away pick pocketing. He was actually trying to steal money in order to buy drugs. In the hurry, he dropped the packets into Manish’s bag. Later in the evening he tried to whisk a gold ring right under the watchful eyes of the jeweler and was caught.
Fortunately the man confessed and Mohan and Manish were given a bail.

The two boys returned home silently trying to analyze were did they go wrong. Can you find it for them?

Achan and His Gold Coins

Once upon a time, after the death of Moses, God chose Joshua to be the next leader of the Israelites.
Joshua’s task was to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. To accomplish this task, Joshua and his army had to wage battles against the enemies. All the campaign was carried out under the direction and supervision of God Almighty who was the real leader of Israel. God commanded that every citizen of Israel must lead an honest, transparent and holy life. They should have a life of integrity. Every one was bound to obey the Law, which was the Word of God. Slight deviation or disobedience lead to punishment of the culprit. God intended a clean and exemplary lifestyle from the nation of Israel because He had chosen them and loved them as His own people.
So Joshua was all set to invade and settle down in the Land. The fist campaign was the city of Jericho, which was a grand success under the clear guidance of God. Indeed it was a strange victory they had without any bloodshed. All they had to do was march around the city seven times for seven days and on the seventh day the walls of the city collapsed. Wow!
Joshua had commanded his people that no one was supposed to keep any loot for his own self. Every thing was to be deposited to Joshua. Later the spoil would be divided according to the instructions of God.
Achan was a soldier who was a little selfish and greedy. His only aim was to see his profit in everything. He wanted to do things for his personal gain only. Therefore his motives behind his actions were sometimes wrong. He was a man of weak character. He was not able to trust God Almighty for his needs. All that he bothered was to provide for his family and children. To do that he did not mind breaking God’s rule.
So as they were gathering the spoils, Achan happened to come across a huge iron chest where he found thousands of gold coins, fine garments and costly cloths. Achan was tempted. He wanted to keep a few coins for himself. He quickly looked around him. Yes! No one was watching him. Achan pocketed a few gold coins. The rest he carried faithfully to Joshua his commander. He was very sure that no one had seen him but missed some one who was constantly watching his every move.
Months passed by, Joshua planned the next campaign. It was a small city compared to Jericho. So Joshua took lesser soldiers to invade the city of Ai. Alas! At the nick of the moments, Joshua’s army lost the battle and was utterly defeated. Joshua was aghast. What went wrong? Was his strategy not according to God? Why did they have to face shame and defeat from a weak enemy?
With total confusion Joshua went to the presence of God. God said that there was some one among his solider who had violated His Law and therefore he has withdrawn His hand of blessing from the entire community.
Joshua was shocked. Who would have done that? Immediately, he sent for his people and asked his assistants to have a through search among all Israelites.
Achan was trembling when the search party entered his tent. What would happen now? And surely the few gold coins were found out.
Joshua was enraged. Because of the selfish act of a single man, the entire army faced defeat, not only that few lost their lives in the battle too.

Achan was miserable when he was brought before the whole community. Every one looked accusingly at him. He could not control his greed and fell to his temptations. Above all, he lost the blessings of God.
Achan was severely punished which cannot be described for it is a sad ending. Yet we can be sure that no matter what we do, God is watching over not only our actions but also our thoughts. Achan failed to surrender his feelings at God’s feet and was doomed forever.

Uncontrolled Emotions Leads to Disaster.

Long ago, in the Kingdom of Israel, there ruled a King named David. He had several Queens and no doubt quiet a long list of children too. Among them one was a young lad named Amon.
Right from his childhood, Amon was a quiet child, reserved and aloof from the others. Unlike the other prince he would withdraw and play by himself. Eventually when he grew up he had few friends too. No one knew what went on his mind. Amon grew up hating all his brothers and sister whom, he thought were smart and good looking. He nurtured the idea that no one liked him because he could do no uncommon things like the others. Every other prince knew horse riding very well. They could sing very well. Their Father, king David was an excellent singer with the harp. Amon knew that he can never stand up to his Father who was also a mighty warrior and respectable King among all the neighboring nations.
Amon struggled with the idea that how he could draw attention of others and make others take notice of him. As he turned 18, Amon grew restless. Here was a lonely prince who was no ones heartthrob. His brother Absalom who was very tall and handsome had so many girls following him. What can he do to draw attention of the girls? Amon was experiencing so many new emotions within him that he could not control. Day by day he felt the urgency to have a girl who would love and admire him. But which girl would he choose?
Amon’s idle mind rested on a girl whom he had known long ago, in fact from her birth. She was none other than Tamar his own half-sister. Tamar was the only daughter in the family. She and Amon had the same father but different mothers. Well, the truth is that desiring a sister in a wrong way was a sin but Amon with his wrong pattern of thinking could not discern right from wrong. As the days passed by, Amon became obsessed with Tamar. He fantasized about her day and night. Amon felt it was all right to feel that way because he had no self-control. Truly his imaginations and cravings were getting out of control.
One day Amon devised a crooked plan to catch Tamar alone. Tamar being the only princes in the household was always surrounded by her aids. She was beautiful. She no longer jumped and played like before. There was a kind of shyness and restraint about her, which made her even more lovely and fresh.
Amon pretended to be very sick and asked his mother that Tamar be sent to Amon with food. The unsuspecting mother of both Amon and Tamar agreed to the proposal and Tamar was assigned the duty to take food for her brother.
The innocent Tamar went with food to his brother. Amon was overjoyed to find Tamar all by herself. Actually he was so much in love with her that he lost all reasoning. Yet he was careful not to give away his real feelings for Tamar. The beautiful Tamar served food with care and concern for her brother. Little did she know that her half brother’s intentions were not right?
On the third day, the palace was very quiet, as every one had gone out to see a fair. Almost every one was out except few guards and maids. Tamar was also dressed up to go to the fair with her friends. She asked them to wait outside the palace gate and quickly took the prepared food to be served in her brother’s chamber.
As she entered the room, Amon grabbed her and pushed her towards the bed. Tamar was shocked and was totally spellbound. Before she could find her breath to scream, she blacked out.
As Tamar came to her senses, she found herself in Amon’s bed, disheveled and defiled. She was too weak to walk. She could not speak, only tears rolled down her cheek. Her dreams were shattered. The world crashed around her.
But Amon was sitting with a rueful smile in his face. He was no longer in love with Tamar. The woman who seemed to have charmed his senses no longer seemed attractive. The person that lay before him was no longer Tamar but just a body.
Amon was not sure why and what was going in his mind. He thought he could achieve love by forcing some one but he himself no longer felt the same towards the person. What was wrong with him?
Amon’s beastly actions not only sealed his own doom, but also brought disaster in the family. The relationships were strained between both the queens. Tamar’s own brother Absalom nurtured revenge against Amon, and poor Tamar was never the same again. The king was grieved over his son’s conduct. It was a shame for the whole family.
All because of Amon who could not canalize his own feeling and emotions in the right directions.
………..From the Bible……….

A true friend who can find?