Dear Father, It’s easy to assume that some areas of life may be too fleshly to be engaged by a spiritual person or approached from a spiritual standpoint. For instance, politics seems to be a dirty game, so why should spiritual men engage in it? Doctors often work on Sundays; isn’t that profaning the law of the gathering of the brethren? Beauty pageants are no place for a true believer. Yet the story of Esther teaches us differently. First, she became queen through a contest, and then, concerning matters of politics, she tells Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise.” Who would have thought that a queen who lives in a palace would see a relationship between politics and spirituality, and seek Your face in the face of the impending destruction of her people? Perhaps a position is not made carnal by the field to which it belongs, but by our interpretation of it. Perhaps politics is called a dirty game because those with clean hands have refused to play. Perhaps we can be queens and still be godly. Perhaps worship is not exclusively reserved for Sunday gatherings. We’ve come a long way, choosing withdrawal over meddling, holding firmly to the belief that, “To remain holy, I must be set apart.” But if spiritual men would rather preserve themselves from the rest of the world, what do we do when our race is under attack and all our Esthers are found in the church? Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #Estherstory #power #politics #positions

Dear Father, It’s easy to assume that some areas of life may be too fleshly to be engaged by a spiritual person or approached from a spiritual standpoint. For instance, politics seems to be a dirty game, so why should spiritual men engage in it? Doctors often work on Sundays; isn’t that profaning the law of the gathering of the brethren? Beauty pageants are no place for a true believer. Yet the story of Esther teaches us differently. First, she became queen through a contest, and then, concerning matters of politics, she tells Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise.” Who would have thought that a queen who lives in a palace would see a relationship between politics and spirituality, and seek Your face in the face of the impending destruction of her people? Perhaps a position is not made carnal by the field to which it belongs, but by our interpretation of it. Perhaps politics is called a dirty game because those with clean hands have refused to play. Perhaps we can be queens and still be godly. Perhaps worship is not exclusively reserved for Sunday gatherings. We’ve come a long way, choosing withdrawal over meddling, holding firmly to the belief that, “To remain holy, I must be set apart.” But if spiritual men would rather preserve themselves from the rest of the world, what do we do when our race is under attack and all our Esthers are found in the church? Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #Estherstory #power #politics #positions

Dear Father, It’s easy to assume that some areas of life may be too fleshly to be engaged by a spiritual person or approached from a spiritual standpoint. For instance, politics seems to be a dirty game, so why should spiritual men engage in it? Doctors often work on Sundays; isn’t that profaning the law of the gathering of the brethren? Beauty pageants are no place for a true believer. Yet the story of Esther teaches us differently. First, she became queen through a contest, and then, concerning matters of politics, she tells Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise.” Who would have thought that a queen who lives in a palace would see a relationship between politics and spirituality, and seek Your face in the face of the impending destruction of her people? Perhaps a position is not made carnal by the field to which it belongs, but by our interpretation of it. Perhaps politics is called a dirty game because those with clean hands have refused to play. Perhaps we can be queens and still be godly. Perhaps worship is not exclusively reserved for Sunday gatherings. We’ve come a long way, choosing withdrawal over meddling, holding firmly to the belief that, “To remain holy, I must be set apart.” But if spiritual men would rather preserve themselves from the rest of the world, what do we do when our race is under attack and all our Esthers are found in the church?

Dear Father, There's a concept I'd like to discuss that may or may not be applicable in every regard: manifestation is often strengthened by ample time and fervency in preparation. When Jesus was twelve years old, He went with Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem, where He went missing. The Scripture records that, “After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” I initially intended to assume that Jesus began preparing for ministry when He was twelve years old. But if, at twelve, the doctors were already astonished by His responses to their questions, then there was more to His preparation than the Scripture tells us. And it gets interesting because He began His ministry at thirty and ended it at thirty three. So perhaps, it took Him eighteen years, plus the time that was not stated, to prepare for what lasted for three and a half years. And it is easy to think, “Why should I be surprised by Jesus’ display of wisdom at twelve?” But the Scripture tells us “He grew in wisdom and understanding.” I believe I can take from this that the greater the assignment, the more time may be required for preparation. This revelation can help us in seasons when we grow weary because it seems as though the world has moved on and we are stuck, all the while preparing and watching others soar. Every assignment carries its own appointed time in destiny. Perhaps we would be more intentional about how we prepare if we remain aware of the magnitude and uniqueness of our assignment, rather than allow ourselves be consumed by the length of time it requires. Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #planning #destiny #seasons #time

Dear Father, There's a concept I'd like to discuss that may or may not be applicable in every regard: manifestation is often strengthened by ample time and fervency in preparation. When Jesus was twelve years old, He went with Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem, where He went missing. The Scripture records that, “After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” I initially intended to assume that Jesus began preparing for ministry when He was twelve years old. But if, at twelve, the doctors were already astonished by His responses to their questions, then there was more to His preparation than the Scripture tells us. And it gets interesting because He began His ministry at thirty and ended it at thirty three. So perhaps, it took Him eighteen years, plus the time that was not stated, to prepare for what lasted for three and a half years. And it is easy to think, “Why should I be surprised by Jesus’ display of wisdom at twelve?” But the Scripture tells us “He grew in wisdom and understanding.” I believe I can take from this that the greater the assignment, the more time may be required for preparation. This revelation can help us in seasons when we grow weary because it seems as though the world has moved on and we are stuck, all the while preparing and watching others soar. Every assignment carries its own appointed time in destiny. Perhaps we would be more intentional about how we prepare if we remain aware of the magnitude and uniqueness of our assignment, rather than allow ourselves be consumed by the length of time it requires. Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #planning #destiny #seasons #time

Dear Father, Today, I pondered the story of Samson. When his hair was shaved and he was tied up by the Philistines. The Scripture says, “Delilah said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” His words revealed the confidence he had in his ability. If shaking himself was what he had always done to obtain victory, then shaking himself was what he believed he needed to do again. This, I believe, is the subtlety of strength: when the confidence of a man rises in unhealthy proportion to the mastery of his abilities, causing him to believe that his strengths are strong enough to stand even in the absence of discipline and structure, often upholding the mindset that continual victory is sustained by his past record of victory. Apostle Iren advised that we must be people of discipline, even in areas where we are not struggling. This stands out to me because it is easy to think that discipline belongs to areas of weakness, and that with matters of strength, I would simply shake myself. But the very best are not still standing on the strength of their abilities, but on their commitment to the structures that have sustained them. Samson became so accustomed to demonstrating strength that he was careless with the structure You had laid down for his preseveration. And today, I ponder the structures I should uphold but do not, for the sake of mastery in my abilities. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #structures #discipline #selfsufficiency #strength

Dear Father, Today, I pondered the story of Samson. When his hair was shaved and he was tied up by the Philistines. The Scripture says, “Delilah said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” His words revealed the confidence he had in his ability. If shaking himself was what he had always done to obtain victory, then shaking himself was what he believed he needed to do again. This, I believe, is the subtlety of strength: when the confidence of a man rises in unhealthy proportion to the mastery of his abilities, causing him to believe that his strengths are strong enough to stand even in the absence of discipline and structure, often upholding the mindset that continual victory is sustained by his past record of victory. Apostle Iren advised that we must be people of discipline, even in areas where we are not struggling. This stands out to me because it is easy to think that discipline belongs to areas of weakness, and that with matters of strength, I would simply shake myself. But the very best are not still standing on the strength of their abilities, but on their commitment to the structures that have sustained them. Samson became so accustomed to demonstrating strength that he was careless with the structure You had laid down for his preseveration. And today, I ponder the structures I should uphold but do not, for the sake of mastery in my abilities. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #structures #discipline #selfsufficiency #strength

Dear Father, There’s a part in the life of Queen Esther that we rarely speak about. Before she was appointed as queen, she was scheduled for a time with the king, as were the other ladies, and the Scripture records that, “Whatsoever any of them desired was given to her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.” However, “She required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed.” Sincerely, Father, if I had the opportunity to make requests for what I thought would aid my success with the king, I definitely would go with my preferences. But there’s more to this story than preferences. Perhaps, the king’s chamberlain had been with the king long enough to know better than any of them what might increase their chances of success. And I am persuaded that the Bible did not state by chance that “Esther required nothing” if it did not intend to pass a message to us. And today, I pondered the wisdom in sufficiency. Truly, a once in a lifetime opportunity with the king can create tension within us, causing us to believe that what we were given is not sufficient. But this story teaches that she was not given less than what was required, to be who she was called to be. If the king’s chamberlain was not mistaken about the king’s preferences, and the other requirement was what she did with what she was given, will You, then, who sees the hearts of men and designed our purposes, be mistaken about what You have entrusted to us? Perhaps lack is not necessarily what prevents us from attaining our crown, but what we believe is sufficient for the journey ahead. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #sufficiency #purpose #provision #Theomniscient

Dear Father, There’s a part in the life of Queen Esther that we rarely speak about. Before she was appointed as queen, she was scheduled for a time with the king, as were the other ladies, and the Scripture records that, “Whatsoever any of them desired was given to her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.” However, “She required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed.” Sincerely, Father, if I had the opportunity to make requests for what I thought would aid my success with the king, I definitely would go with my preferences. But there’s more to this story than preferences. Perhaps, the king’s chamberlain had been with the king long enough to know better than any of them what might increase their chances of success. And I am persuaded that the Bible did not state by chance that “Esther required nothing” if it did not intend to pass a message to us. And today, I pondered the wisdom in sufficiency. Truly, a once in a lifetime opportunity with the king can create tension within us, causing us to believe that what we were given is not sufficient. But this story teaches that she was not given less than what was required, to be who she was called to be. If the king’s chamberlain was not mistaken about the king’s preferences, and the other requirement was what she did with what she was given, will You, then, who sees the hearts of men and designed our purposes, be mistaken about what You have entrusted to us? Perhaps lack is not necessarily what prevents us from attaining our crown, but what we believe is sufficient for the journey ahead. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #sufficiency #purpose #provision #Theomniscient

Dear Father, I pondered on the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman. I was particularly struck when she said, “I have no husband,” and His response to her, saying, “Thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband...” Five husbands?! What exactly fueled this drive? Should I call it a need, an obsession, or the air she thought she must keep breathing to stay alive? How was she able to seek more after having two, even after having five? I may never know the exact reason she kept trusting that, after five failed relationships with men, what she still needed was a relationship with one more, but I see a case of fitting wrong solutions into unrelated problems. And sadly, some of us are guilty as well--of seeking perfection in imperfect things. We may not go seeking and obtaining a list of husbands and ex-husbands, but perhaps we have obtained a list of certificates and still seek more, whose acquisitions may not be bad in themselves but are still faulty because of our motives for acquiring them: to be better or to feel complete? In this context, there is a need to distinguish between fulfilment and complements: people and material things can become complements to what You are doing in our lives, but they are not designed to be the source of our fulfilment. So the issue arises when we strive to find fulfilment in complements, and with temporary satisfaction, we seek even harder, seeking the right things in the wrong places. I pondered again on the various areas of my life where I may be found wanting. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French in comments Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #fulfilment #completeness #perfection #solutions

Dear Father, I pondered on the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman. I was particularly struck when she said, “I have no husband,” and His response to her, saying, “Thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband...” Five husbands?! What exactly fueled this drive? Should I call it a need, an obsession, or the air she thought she must keep breathing to stay alive? How was she able to seek more after having two, even after having five? I may never know the exact reason she kept trusting that, after five failed relationships with men, what she still needed was a relationship with one more, but I see a case of fitting wrong solutions into unrelated problems. And sadly, some of us are guilty as well--of seeking perfection in imperfect things. We may not go seeking and obtaining a list of husbands and ex-husbands, but perhaps we have obtained a list of certificates and still seek more, whose acquisitions may not be bad in themselves but are still faulty because of our motives for acquiring them: to be better or to feel complete? In this context, there is a need to distinguish between fulfilment and complements: people and material things can become complements to what You are doing in our lives, but they are not designed to be the source of our fulfilment. So the issue arises when we strive to find fulfilment in complements, and with temporary satisfaction, we seek even harder, seeking the right things in the wrong places. I pondered again on the various areas of my life where I may be found wanting. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French in comments Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #fulfilment #completeness #perfection #solutions

Dear Father, I pondered on the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman. I was particularly struck when she said, “I have no husband,” and His response to her, saying, “Thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband...” Five husbands?! What exactly fueled this drive? Should I call it a need, an obsession, or the air she thought she must keep breathing to stay alive? How was she able to seek more after having two, even after having five? I may never know the exact reason she kept trusting that, after five failed relationships with men, what she still needed was a relationship with one more, but I see a case of fitting wrong solutions into unrelated problems. And sadly, some of us are guilty as well--of seeking perfection in imperfect things. We may not go seeking and obtaining a list of husbands and ex-husbands, but perhaps we have obtained a list of certificates and still seek more, whose acquisitions may not be bad in themselves but are still faulty because of our motives for acquiring them: to be better or to feel complete? In this context, there is a need to distinguish between fulfilment and complements: people and material things can become complements to what You are doing in our lives, but they are not designed to be the source of our fulfilment. So the issue arises when we strive to find fulfilment in complements, and with temporary satisfaction, we seek even harder, seeking the right things in the wrong places. I pondered again on the various areas of my life where I may be found wanting.

Dear Father, We all have desires and make requests to become better versions of ourselves. But sometimes, it looks as though we are not nearly as prepared for the responsibility as we are for the blessings that accompany it. The Scripture says, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” And so often, we believe in how much we must do in alignment with what has been entrusted to us. But very rarely do we discuss how much we must refrain from doing by virtue of the office we have been assigned. I believe the word in the passage, “require,” doesn’t just imply what we must give, but also what we must become. Because we rarely speak about the other side of the coin: that the blessing is expected to flow from the inside out; that we begin with being blessed by the blessing, to becoming shaped by the blessing. Perhaps only then can we wholesomely become a blessing to others. Like In situations where great wisdom is entrusted to us, it is required that we exercise discretion and establish the necessary controls around it. And this is where it gets difficult, because control may sometimes mean holding our peace when speaking could exonerate a person, but at the same time, put a stain on his office. Or when stewardship requires not just our undeniable talents, but also our character. What we must give, but also what we must become. This is, perhaps, the perfect blend.

Dear Father, We all have desires and make requests to become better versions of ourselves. But sometimes, it looks as though we are not nearly as prepared for the responsibility as we are for the blessings that accompany it. The Scripture says, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” And so often, we believe in how much we must do in alignment with what has been entrusted to us. But very rarely do we discuss how much we must refrain from doing by virtue of the office we have been assigned. I believe the word in the passage, “require,” doesn’t just imply what we must give, but also what we must become. Because we rarely speak about the other side of the coin: that the blessing is expected to flow from the inside out; that we begin with being blessed by the blessing, to becoming shaped by the blessing. Perhaps only then can we wholesomely become a blessing to others. Like In situations where great wisdom is entrusted to us, it is required that we exercise discretion and establish the necessary controls around it. And this is where it gets difficult, because control may sometimes mean holding our peace when speaking could exonerate a person, but at the same time, put a stain on his office. Or when stewardship requires not just our undeniable talents, but also our character. What we must give, but also what we must become. This is, perhaps, the perfect blend. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #assignment #stewardship #consecration #talents

Dear Father, We all have desires and make requests to become better versions of ourselves. But sometimes, it looks as though we are not nearly as prepared for the responsibility as we are for the blessings that accompany it. The Scripture says, “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” And so often, we believe in how much we must do in alignment with what has been entrusted to us. But very rarely do we discuss how much we must refrain from doing by virtue of the office we have been assigned. I believe the word in the passage, “require,” doesn’t just imply what we must give, but also what we must become. Because we rarely speak about the other side of the coin: that the blessing is expected to flow from the inside out; that we begin with being blessed by the blessing, to becoming shaped by the blessing. Perhaps only then can we wholesomely become a blessing to others. Like In situations where great wisdom is entrusted to us, it is required that we exercise discretion and establish the necessary controls around it. And this is where it gets difficult, because control may sometimes mean holding our peace when speaking could exonerate a person, but at the same time, put a stain on his office. Or when stewardship requires not just our undeniable talents, but also our character. What we must give, but also what we must become. This is, perhaps, the perfect blend. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #assignment #stewardship #consecration #talents

Dear Father, I love the teaching style of Jesus, particularly because He used parables to make illustrations, and from these parables, so much can be deduced. Today, I pondered the Parable of the Talents, which says: “The kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his servants and entrusted his goods unto them. He gave one five talents, another two, and another one. The one with five talents traded and gained five more talents, and he that had received two also gained two more. The last one did nothing with what he was given…” However, between the periods of receiving the talents and the reward lies a season of struggle. Such great conversions are not instantaneous; if they were, they would all have brought back returns. And perhaps the five talents measured as returns for the five given were not a literal representation of how his harvest was without losses. Perhaps, in the process of conversion, he gained some harvests and some lessons. And perhaps both the losses and the fruits are counted as gains in this kingdom. In seamlessly telling the story, He had no intention of bypassing the struggle; He left us to discern the various ways in which it applies: that both the fruits and the losses are counted as gains in this kingdom, so long as we proceed-- not to bury what has been entrusted to us, but to put it to use. I’d like to write You about the struggles and the losses I’ve encountered, and how all people see are the fruits. But do I need to? When most of all, You see how in the midst of all these, I’ve grown.

Are there Japan's in the house? 父なる神様へ 私はイエス様の教え方が大好きです。特に、イエス様がたとえ話を用いて物事を示されたことが好きです。そして、そのたとえ話から、実に多くのことを読み取ることができます。今日、私は「タラントのたとえ」について思い巡らしました。それはこう語っています。「天の御国は、旅に出る人が、自分のしもべたちを呼んで、自分の財産を彼らに託したようなものです。彼は、一人には五タラント、もう一人には二タラント、そしてもう一人には一タラントを与えました。五タラントを受け取った者は、それを用いてさらに五タラントを得、二タラントを受け取った者も、さらに二タラントを得ました。しかし、最後の者は、自分に与えられたものを何もしませんでした……」 けれども、タラントを受け取る時と、その報いを受ける時との間には、苦闘の季節があります。このような大きな変化が、一瞬のうちに起こるわけではありません。もしそうであるなら、彼らは皆、同じように実りを持ち帰っていたことでしょう。 そして、五タラントを与えられた者がさらに五タラントを得たということも、彼の収穫に一度も損失がなかったことを文字どおり表しているのではないのかもしれません。もしかすると、変化していく過程の中で、彼はいくつかの実りを得ると同時に、いくつもの教訓も得たのかもしれません。そして、この御国においては、その教訓も実りも、ともに「得たもの」として数えられるのかもしれません。 イエス様は、物語をあまりにも自然に語られたため、その過程にある苦闘を省くつもりはなかったのだと思います。むしろ私たちに、それがどのように当てはまるのかを見分ける余地を残されたのではないでしょうか。つまり、この御国においては、実りも教訓も、ともに得たものとして数えられる。ただし、私たちが、託されたものを土に埋めてしまうのではなく、それを用い続けるならば。 私はあなたに、私が経験してきた苦闘や、そこから学んできた教訓について書きたいと思います。そして、人々の目に映るのは実りだけなのだということも。 けれども、私はそれを書く必要があるのでしょうか。 何よりもあなたは、そのすべてのただ中で、私がどれほど成長してきたのかを ご覧になっているのですから。

Dear Father, I love the teaching style of Jesus, particularly because He used parables to make illustrations, and from these parables, so much can be deduced. Today, I pondered the Parable of the Talents, which says: “The kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his servants and entrusted his goods unto them. He gave one five talents, another two, and another one. The one with five talents traded and gained five more talents, and he that had received two also gained two more. The last one did nothing with what he was given…” However, between the periods of receiving the talents and the reward lies a season of struggle. Such great conversions are not instantaneous; if they were, they would all have brought back returns. And perhaps the five talents measured as returns for the five given were not a literal representation of how his harvest was without losses. Perhaps, in the process of conversion, he gained some harvests and some lessons. And perhaps both the lessons and the fruits are counted as gains in this kingdom. In seamlessly telling the story, He had no intention of bypassing the struggle; He left us to discern the various ways in which it applies: that both the fruits and the lessons are counted as gains in this kingdom, so long as we proceed-- not to bury what has been entrusted to us, but to put it to use. I’d like to write You about the struggles and the lessons I’ve encountered, and how all people see are the fruits. But do I need to? When most of all, You see how in the midst of all these, I’ve grown. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #stewardship #purpose #gifts #talents

Dear Father, I love the teaching style of Jesus, particularly because He used parables to make illustrations, and from these parables, so much can be deduced. Today, I pondered the Parable of the Talents, which says: “The kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his servants and entrusted his goods unto them. He gave one five talents, another two, and another one. The one with five talents traded and gained five more talents, and he that had received two also gained two more. The last one did nothing with what he was given…” However, between the periods of receiving the talents and the reward lies a season of struggle. Such great conversions are not instantaneous; if they were, they would all have brought back returns. And perhaps the five talents measured as returns for the five given were not a literal representation of how his harvest was without losses. Perhaps, in the process of conversion, he gained some harvests and some lessons. And perhaps both the lessons and the fruits are counted as gains in this kingdom. In seamlessly telling the story, He had no intention of bypassing the struggle; He left us to discern the various ways in which it applies: that both the fruits and the lessons are counted as gains in this kingdom, so long as we proceed-- not to bury what has been entrusted to us, but to put it to use. I’d like to write You about the struggles and the lessons I’ve encountered, and how all people see are the fruits. But do I need to? When most of all, You see how in the midst of all these, I’ve grown. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #stewardship #purpose #gifts #talents

Dear Father, Yesterday, I learned that there is a Jewish rabbinic belief that the Amalekites were associated with sorcery and could disguise themselves as animals. I don't know how true this is, but I pondered on it, particularly because Your instruction to King Saul, when he was commanded to destroy the Amalekites, was to “Go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.” There are other instances where You gave similar instructions, but this one stands out to me, especially because Saul disobeyed: “And spared the best of the sheep, oxen, fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and did not utterly destroy them.” Sadly, all that seemed good to them was included in the instruction for destruction. What if there was more to the destruction of the animals than the superficial destruction of animals? What if, in their disobedience, they opened themselves up to witchcraft? One of the greatest obstacles to obeying divine instructions is our need to understand and make sense of them. In doing so, we sometimes modify them, often without realizing that there may be a bigger picture on the other side of our obedience. And In our lifetime, we may never fully comprehend the consequences or obstructions caused by our disobedience because, for us, it may just be a harmless and continual exchange of devotion with You for rest, and many other scenarios that apply. But perhaps the biggest problem with our disobedience is that we do not always see the bigger picture. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #obedience #consequences #instructions #devotion

Dear Father, Yesterday, I learned that there is a Jewish rabbinic belief that the Amalekites were associated with sorcery and could disguise themselves as animals. I don't know how true this is, but I pondered on it, particularly because Your instruction to King Saul, when he was commanded to destroy the Amalekites, was to “Go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.” There are other instances where You gave similar instructions, but this one stands out to me, especially because Saul disobeyed: “And spared the best of the sheep, oxen, fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and did not utterly destroy them.” Sadly, all that seemed good to them was included in the instruction for destruction. What if there was more to the destruction of the animals than the superficial destruction of animals? What if, in their disobedience, they opened themselves up to witchcraft? One of the greatest obstacles to obeying divine instructions is our need to understand and make sense of them. In doing so, we sometimes modify them, often without realizing that there may be a bigger picture on the other side of our obedience. And In our lifetime, we may never fully comprehend the consequences or obstructions caused by our disobedience because, for us, it may just be a harmless and continual exchange of devotion with You for rest, and many other scenarios that apply. But perhaps the biggest problem with our disobedience is that we do not always see the bigger picture. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #obedience #consequences #instructions #devotion

Dear Father, I have questions from a Scripture which says, “if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others.” It states that Noah was a preacher of righteousness, which could mean, the people who were destroyed were not left without a word to turn them from their unrighteousness. Still, only Noah and his family were saved. Does this really mean there was no one else who, on the strength of his relationship with You, received information that could have saved himself and his family too? Was it a matter of the voice of the majority often carrying the greatest influence? I would like to infer that the ark was no secret at all. For something that had never existed before, its construction may have been public knowledge. And yet, not one more soul was saved. Or perhaps this was about the arrogance of intelligence--that dismisses as unreasonable anything that is beyond the natural. It’s sad to communicate this, Father. I see the very same pattern in the world today: preachers of righteousness, seen as fools for committing to build for a cause the world does not yet understand. “Why should we prepare for a flood when we’ve never even seen rain?” Living as though all they know is all there is to know about a life they have no idea how they came about living. And others who know, but would rather ride the train of the majority. How difficult can it be to seek You out for ourselves? Yet, while in uncertainty, we make decisions and leave matters of eternity to chance. What if, just what if, the flood was true, and the fire the Bible prophesies is also true? Perhaps history will repeat itself again. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #Noahstory #theflood #unrighteousness #biblestory

Dear Father, I have questions from a Scripture which says, “if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others.” It states that Noah was a preacher of righteousness, which could mean, the people who were destroyed were not left without a word to turn them from their unrighteousness. Still, only Noah and his family were saved. Does this really mean there was no one else who, on the strength of his relationship with You, received information that could have saved himself and his family too? Was it a matter of the voice of the majority often carrying the greatest influence? I would like to infer that the ark was no secret at all. For something that had never existed before, its construction may have been public knowledge. And yet, not one more soul was saved. Or perhaps this was about the arrogance of intelligence--that dismisses as unreasonable anything that is beyond the natural. It’s sad to communicate this, Father. I see the very same pattern in the world today: preachers of righteousness, seen as fools for committing to build for a cause the world does not yet understand. “Why should we prepare for a flood when we’ve never even seen rain?” Living as though all they know is all there is to know about a life they have no idea how they came about living. And others who know, but would rather ride the train of the majority. How difficult can it be to seek You out for ourselves? Yet, while in uncertainty, we make decisions and leave matters of eternity to chance. What if, just what if, the flood was true, and the fire the Bible prophesies is also true? Perhaps history will repeat itself again. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #Noahstory #theflood #unrighteousness #biblestory

Dear Father, My big brother taught me something, and today, I came across it in Scripture. When Samson was about to be born, an angel appeared to his mother, saying, “Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.” It gets interesting when, after she narrated this to her husband, Manoah prayed, saying, “O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.” And He came. This Scripture speaks to me because I often have dreams at night that later come to pass. However, I have noticed that they are often progressive; they reveal themselves in fragments and scenes, and sometimes, I am only able to make sense of a dream after it has recurred two or three times. I never knew there was more to this, even as it relates to dreams, until I was taught about relationship and interaction with You. How aware are we that we can make requests and follow up on something we do not yet fully understand? Perhaps we often run with incomplete information because, when You say, “Go,” You are also interested in telling us “How?” and “When?” And an ongoing conversation with You becomes a pathway to a deeper relationship with You. Is this not also true of our relationships? A break in communication with someone we love may raise cause for concern. Except we do not believe in what we build with You. How best can I communicate this? That scenes of dreams are pieced together and in reality they sometimes occur at once. That You reveal secrets to the ones who always come knocking. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #relationship #interractions #dreams #vision

Dear Father, My big brother taught me something, and today, I came across it in Scripture. When Samson was about to be born, an angel appeared to his mother, saying, “Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.” It gets interesting when, after she narrated this to her husband, Manoah prayed, saying, “O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.” And He came. This Scripture speaks to me because I often have dreams at night that later come to pass. However, I have noticed that they are often progressive; they reveal themselves in fragments and scenes, and sometimes, I am only able to make sense of a dream after it has recurred two or three times. I never knew there was more to this, even as it relates to dreams, until I was taught about relationship and interaction with You. How aware are we that we can make requests and follow up on something we do not yet fully understand? Perhaps we often run with incomplete information because, when You say, “Go,” You are also interested in telling us “How?” and “When?” And an ongoing conversation with You becomes a pathway to a deeper relationship with You. Is this not also true of our relationships? A break in communication with someone we love may raise cause for concern. Except we do not believe in what we build with You. How best can I communicate this? That scenes of dreams are pieced together and in reality they sometimes occur at once. That You reveal secrets to the ones who always come knocking. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #relationship #interractions #dreams #vision