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I don’t know if you have given deep thought to it, but being a child of God means Jesus is our brother! Isn’t that cool?
However, there are some implications that we may not realize. Find out more by watching Read More 7 Likes

Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: — Human Mosaics*Have you ever dropped a water glass and watched i....

Charmaine Albuquerque Reminds me of a Graham Kendrick number Beauty for brokeness.
https://youtu.be/08utbDFP9AE

Linnet Machado Abba Father, today with a humble heart I entrust myself unto you. Silver and gold I do not bring o Read More

Anthony Raj Amen 🙏 I am one of the broken and shattered person in life… Hope that God will put my life Read More

39 Likes

Aneel Aranha

An Hour With Aneel Aranha #1: Personal Prayer

I will be conducting a session on personal prayer on Saturday, January 29 on Zoom. It will be the first of a series of live sessions I will hold every Saturday thereafter.
You will need to register for the session Read More 3 Comments

Bernadine D'souza Praise the Lord 🙏

Aneel Aranha Bernadine D'souza - Praise the Lord!

Yvonne Rebello Hi br aneel Wish I could join. Trying to reschedule my work timing. God willing it will happen

40 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Identity 06: I Am God's Heir by Aneel Aranha/Mildred Sawant

Paul tells us we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Why, then, don’t we walk in this world like the inheritors that we are?
Find the answers in today’s episode of Identity - https://youtu.be/I15XWN1_oSc - and let us Read More 4 Comments

Ren Ferns Thank you for the gift Br Aneel! I had used a shortcut and screenshot the slides while playing the video. Read More

Aneel Aranha You're welcome, Ren 🙂 Thank you again.

Bernadine D'souza Good morning Bro Thankyou you for this wonderful video 🙏

11 Likes

Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: — All For Good*Today’s reflection makes the 100th “Lesson in ....

Debika Pinto Thank you for this wonderful reflection bro. Aneel Aranha
Congratulations on your 100th reflection on the lessons in the wilderness. Read More

Linnet Machado Debika Pinto thank you dear for speaking on behalf of everyone who follows Bro. Aneel's reflection everyday. God bless you Read More

Ren Ferns Debika Pinto couldn’t agree more with you!

63 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Identity 05: I Am A Child Of God by Aneel Aranha/Mildred Sawant

Episode #5 of the Identity series explores what it means to be part of the family of God, especially what it means to be his child.
It is more than a knowledge that we are God's children; it is understanding Read More 7 Comments

Debika Pinto Thank you for this wonderful video bro. Aneel Aranha.
I do find it difficult to sit on my father's lap Read More

Christie-ann Dsouza Debika Pinto Lovely song. Thanks for sharing.

Sonia Rodrigues Your message today Bro Aneel rightly acknowledges all those who struggle to establish a relationship with our Father in Heaven Read More

8 Likes

Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: — Love Covers Over*Have you ever become angry when people seem to....

Sonia Rodrigues I was reminded of a social experiment conducted where all participants were given a sheet of paper. They were asked Read More

Aneel Aranha That is such a beautiful illustration, dear Sonia. You can be sure that I will find some occasion to use Read More

Christie-ann Dsouza I am enjoying these reflections, Aneel. I love the messages they convey, and the images you choose are lovely 😊.
Read More

48 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Identity 04: Acceptance. Significance. Security. by Aneel Aranha/Mildred Sawant

Here is Episode #4 of the Identity series, which will help us in becoming the people God created us to be.
Today’s episode—*Acceptance. Significance. Security.*—is relatively long, but is a must-watch if we want to understand why we are how Read More 8 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues Loved the systematic way Bro Aneel in which you explained our basic human needs that were taken care of by Read More

Aneel Aranha Yeah, I figure everyone who did the School would remember I had spoken about this to them. But thanks for Read More

Bernadine D'souza Sonia Rodrigues 👍

7 Likes

Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: — Smell the Roses*Life can move at breakneck speed, especially in....

Sonia Rodrigues Over the weekend I was reflecting on how technology seems to have overtaken the world; there are several time saving Read More

Aneel Aranha So lovely, dear Sonia. Thank you for sharing your wealth of resources. I, for one, am blessed for it. May Read More

Sonia Hans A message worth reflecting upon 💞💞🙏🏻🙏🏻thank you Brother Aneel.

35 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Identity #03 - What People Think Of Us

One of the main factors that contributes to a low sense of self-esteem is what people think of us. How do we overcome this? Watch this third episode of #IDENTITY to find out. 10 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues Not only are people fickle Bro Aneel, often their opinions of us are guided by their personal life experiences, which Read More

Aneel Aranha Beautifully summarized, dear Sonia. We can always tell the people who get their worth from God, rather than people. They Read More

Ren Ferns Thank you for another beautiful reflection Br. Aneel. It’s a natural human instinct to seek affirmation and approval of people, Read More

26 Likes

Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: — Nothing Hidden*We all do terrible things from time to time. Som....

Sonia Rodrigues Matthew 10:28 is one of those life-transforming verses which helped realign my perspective and priorities in life; it taught me Read More

Debika Pinto Thank you for this wonderful reflection bro. Aneel Aranha. I believe that only when we are honest and open with Read More

Conchita De Souza Chatterjee Thank u bro. Aneel. 🤗 really loved this one.

31 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Identity 02: What God Thinks Of Us

#Identity - Episode 2: What Does God Think Of Us https://youtu.be/AONoVbWcmQ4
If you missed the first Episode, here it is: https://youtu.be/WMfW6efU36E 3 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues Yes Bro Aneel, if we look at ourselves with our limited vision we see all sorts of flaws, and consider Read More

Aneel Aranha Yes, what an amazing thing if we only think about it, dear Sonia! Somebody left a wonderful note on YouTube Read More

Sonia Rodrigues So true Bro Aneel That's why He's awesome 🤗

17 Likes

Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: — Faith Factors*Have you heard the saying: “Put your money wher....

Debika Pinto Thank you for this wonderful reflection bro. Aneel Aranha.
This reflection hit deep within. I know I trust God yet Read More

Sonia Rodrigues That was a lovely faith example you shared today Bro Aneel. Reminded me of another story you had shared of Read More

Romila Gomes Lovely quote you shared Sonia

30 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Identity #01 - Who Are You?

Introducing: IDENTITY
It gives me great pleasure to announce the launch of our latest video series: *Identity*. I hope that it will help us discover who we are in Christ, and live lives of freedom and peace. The first episode Read More 17 Comments

Ren Ferns Love the Identity series of reflections! Can’t wait for the next one. God bless Br. Aneel 🙏

Aneel Aranha Thank you, dear Ren, my dear affirming friend 🙂 God bless you.

Manny Alves Great job with these spiritual and encouraging videos. Your hard work is very appreciated. We are so hungry for good Read More

43 Likes

Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: — Happy New Life!*I hope you had a great start to the year. As we....

Sonia Rodrigues Agree with you Bro Aneel about the need to renew ourselves daily, and not just yearly. If we put in Read More

Aneel Aranha Thank you, dear Sonia 🙂 I believe that if we didn't take things for granted, whether it is God's love Read More

Linnet Machado Thank you Bro for the wonderful reflection. May God give us the strength to come closer to Him everyday. Have Read More

27 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Ok, we're on the second day of the year, so let's get back to work! Here's in video, specially....

Ok, we're on the second day of the year, so let's get back to work! Here's #lessonsinthewilderness in video, specially made for those who asked for it saying they didn't like to read! :) The first episode is titled: Why Read More 15 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues I always wonder when we ask God ‘why me?’ aren’t we implying that it’s ok if it happened to someone Read More

Aneel Aranha Totally Sonia! 🙂 And thank you for the warm welcome! It's so heartening. Many blessings dear friend.

Matty Franco Thank you bro for sharing this reflection to lift others when we are delivered of our own sickness n or Read More

57 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Aneel Aranha's cover photo

My family joins me in wishing you and your loved ones a great start to the new year, and many blessings in the days that follow. May the love of Christ overwhelm you in 2022.
A few updates. I will Read More 38 Comments

Sai Koshy Wishing all of you a very Happy and blessed New Year. ❤️

Aneel Aranha Thank you, dear Sai :)

Fitzroy Fernando Happy New Year to you Brother and family.God bless your mission.

70 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Burn your mistakes along with the Old Man! Tomorrow we build again! lol 5 Comments

Ashley Burrows Now we should not repeat the old mistakes

Oliver Mascarenhas By the way it is 20-20 too...

Veronica Dsouza Oliver Mascarenhas 👍👍

43 Likes

Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: — Resolutions*Another year comes to an end today, allowing us to ....

Sonia Rodrigues If we make our resolutions in consultation with God and listen to His voice all through the year, we won’t Read More

Aneel Aranha I marvel at your collection of images, dear Sonia. In addition, of course, to your insights 🙂 Wish you a Read More

Sonia Rodrigues Bro Aneel He always sends them my way at just the right time All praise to Him 🙌🙂

35 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Aneel Aranha - December 31, 2021 - Good Days! - A Reflection on John 1:1-18

Good Days! - A Reflection on John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him Read More 6 Comments

Veronica Dsouza Thank you for this reflection. And waiting patiently for the 3rd to see the new in the New Year. God Read More

Sonia Rodrigues In the year gone past, we continued to swim in stormy waters where some of us knew how to swim Read More

Charlotte Baker Amen🙏

16 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Heads I win, tails you lose! 4 Comments

Emmanuela George 💯🤣🤣🤣so hard to understand human sure!

Debika Pinto I'm happy with not being talked about 😀

Helen Silveira So true

19 Likes

Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: — Patience, Please*A wit defined a nanosecond as the time interva....

Sonia Rodrigues Patience is a virtue I possess but yes it does get tested severely at times. Waiting is often frustrating and Read More

Calida Dsouza Patience and perseverance go hand in hand. As we patiently wait for his coming and persevere in faith, we need Read More

Fionna Braganza Beautiful! And so true about God not just suddenly taking away impatience - when we ask for patience, he gives Read More

22 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Aneel Aranha - December 30, 2021 - Do You Know Jesus? - A Reflection on...

Do You Know Jesus? - A Reflection on Luke 2:36-40
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, Read More 1 Comments

Romila Gomes Lovely Reflection!
I did the year ending retreat yesterday from logos retreat center. One of the preacher mentioned that Hannah Read More

20 Likes

Aneel Aranha

For those who think there's no smoke without fire. 1 Comments

Oliver James Bell With our tongue we can cause distress, ruin reputations, spread fear, cause temptations. Gossip and idle talk can effortlessly create Read More

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Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: — Cracked Pots*I have not met a single person in my life who has ....

Sonia Rodrigues We often try to hide our brokenness and put on acts of being perfect and flawless. The world may be Read More

Melesha D'souza Sonia Rodrigues 💯❤️

Calida Dsouza The world does not have time nor accepts brokenness. Even worse, It is sometimes used against you or for igniting Read More

35 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Aneel Aranha - December 29, 2021 - Waiting! - A Reflection on Luke 2:22-35

Waiting! - A Reflection on Luke 2:22-35
When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Read More 4 Comments

Helen Silveira Praise Jesus Psalms 23 V love It Amen thank you Dear brother

Nancy D'Souza Amen

Anthony Raj Amen 🙏…

15 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Haha! I bet! 4 Comments

Leena William Will not dare to blame any of the month for that matter.. enjoying all the holidays in store..be it August Read More

Helius Anthony D'souza Lol I'm using this line for one of my advertisements for 2022🤣🤣. Maybe I'd just replace the word fat with Read More

Debika Pinto August of which year bro Aneel Aranha ?😀🤣

20 Likes

Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: — Breaking Out*This has been another challenging year for us, and....

Linnet Machado Thank you Bro for reminding us of God’s unfathomable for us. With God by our side we need not fear Read More

Charmaine Albuquerque Advance wishes for a Happy and Blessed 2022 to you bro Aneel and all who read this post. As the Read More

Sonia Rodrigues Charmaine We sang this song for my parents' Golden Wedding And rightly so He has always taken care of us Read More

29 Likes

Aneel Aranha

RACHEL STILL WEEPS | ANEEL ARANHA | HSI MINISTRIES

Rachel Still Weeps - A Reflection on Matthew 2:13-18
When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there Read More 2 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues Thank you for sharing this talk and for your reflection Bro Aneel I know how close to your heart this Read More

Romila Gomes It’s such a lovely message and I really loved this talk what you shared. Today many couples are doing family Read More

25 Likes

Aneel Aranha

How many of you got this for Christmas, raise your hands! lol 4 Comments

Sai Koshy

Sonia Fernandes

Roma Borges

20 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Identity 07: I Am Jesus' Brother/Sister I don’t know if you have given deep thought to it, but being a child of God means Jesus is our brother! Isn’t that cool?
However, there are some implications that we may not realize. Find out more by watching the episode: 7 Likes

Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: #101 — Human Mosaics*
Have you ever dropped a water glass and watched it shatter into a million pieces? Our lives can seem like this. Long periods of illness, poverty, unemployment, heartache, miscarriages, addictions, abuse—the list is endless—can make us feel like shattered glass, broken beyond salvage. Like Humpty Dumpty.
Yet there is hope for us because, while all the king’s horses and all the king’s men could not put Humpty Dumpty together again, the King of Kings can put us together! Just as artists glue together broken glass and ceramic pieces to make beautiful stained glass windows and gorgeous mosaics, Jesus can make us something wonderful.
We need to change our perspective of how we look at our brokenness. Our wounds and hurts shape us, making us who we are today. Many of us don’t like ourselves because all we can see is the brokenness. We feel like pieces of glass strewn on the floor, waiting to be swept up and thrown into the trash. But God doesn’t see us that way. No matter how broken we might be, he doesn’t see us as something to be discarded as rubbish. He only sees us as he created us to be, and if we place ourselves in his hands and let him have his way, he will turn us into *living* stained glass windows, through which his light pours out and bathes the world around us in glorious grace.
I grew up in a lovely family. My parents were warm and caring, but I went through some experiences early in life that broke my psyche, like the broken glass we talked about. More bitter experiences followed, continuing the fragmentation. I became a very angry and highly volatile man. It was just a matter of time before my life came to a tragic end, but God stepped in before that happened. Since then, he has been putting me together, piece by piece. I often wish he would finish his work soon, but I have realized that God will not be rushed.
He is putting you together, too, and there are times you will feel frustrated and worthless. Even Paul felt that way. “What a wretched man I am!” he once exclaimed. “Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” But then he knew the answer. “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25). And see what Christ did with Paul. Indeed, he took his time, but then it takes time to create a masterpiece.
So, be patient, dear friend. Don’t lose hope. Or faith. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame” (Romans 10:11). On the contrary, he will make you beautiful (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Remember, mosaics are made from broken pieces, but they’re still a work of art. So are you.
May the Spirit be with you.
..................................................................
#lessonsinthewilderness @ https://aneelaranha.com/
To receive these in your mailbox, subscribe here: https://bit.ly/litw-sub. To subscribe on WhatsApp, please save +91 93214 56817 to your contacts and message “Subscribe” to this number along with your name. 8 Comments

Charmaine Albuquerque Reminds me of a Graham Kendrick number Beauty for brokeness.
https://youtu.be/08utbDFP9AE

Linnet Machado Abba Father, today with a humble heart I entrust myself unto you. Silver and gold I do not bring o Read More

Anthony Raj Amen 🙏 I am one of the broken and shattered person in life… Hope that God will put my life Read More

39 Likes

Aneel Aranha

An Hour With Aneel Aranha #1: Personal Prayer I will be conducting a session on personal prayer on Saturday, January 29 on Zoom. It will be the first of a series of live sessions I will hold every Saturday thereafter.
You will need to register for the session if you wish to attend. It will be held on Zoom, so you will need to install the application, either on your computer, laptop, or smartphone.
Timings are on the registration form. Please check the timing corresponding to the country that you live in. Please follow this link to register: https://bit.ly/anhourwithaa01
I look forward to seeing you soon. 3 Comments

Bernadine D'souza Praise the Lord 🙏

Aneel Aranha Bernadine D'souza - Praise the Lord!

Yvonne Rebello Hi br aneel Wish I could join. Trying to reschedule my work timing. God willing it will happen

40 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Identity 06: I Am God's Heir by Aneel Aranha/Mildred Sawant Paul tells us we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Why, then, don’t we walk in this world like the inheritors that we are?
Find the answers in today’s episode of Identity - https://youtu.be/I15XWN1_oSc - and let us claim our inheritance. 4 Comments

Ren Ferns Thank you for the gift Br Aneel! I had used a shortcut and screenshot the slides while playing the video. Read More

Aneel Aranha You're welcome, Ren 🙂 Thank you again.

Bernadine D'souza Good morning Bro Thankyou you for this wonderful video 🙏

11 Likes

Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: #100 — All For Good*
Today’s reflection makes the 100th “Lesson in the Wilderness.” I contemplated ending the series here, not because I had reached a magic number, but because I am now well out of the wilderness. However, I have decided to continue these reflections for a couple of reasons.
One, I still have many things to share, not just about the past year that I spent in relative isolation, but about my continuing struggles in life’s journey. These, as Scripture tells us, will end only with the return of Christ and the creation of a new heaven and earth. Talking about these struggles and how God takes me through them brings me to the second reason.
Most people live in their own wildernesses, struggling with physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual issues. From the feedback I have received, these reflections have served to bring hope and encouragement to many. They have also brought consolation that they are not alone in their struggles and confidence that they will eventually emerge victorious.
If there is one thing that has taken me through the tough times in the past (and will continue to take me through tough times in the future), it is Paul’s words to the Romans that kept playing in my head like a stuck record: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). God’s voice repeatedly assured me that these words were true; he would make good come out of everything.
I can see that he has done so in so many ways. These reflections are obviously one of them, but other good things have also occurred. I am a calmer and stronger person now who feels even more deeply for the lost sheep of the world who have nowhere to go and hardly anyone to lead them to Christ. These are the people that Jesus came for, and I want to reach out to them more than ever before now.
Therefore, take hope from these words from Paul because they are true for you too. Memorize them if you can, and believe them with all your heart. However, please remember that the promise is dependent on the love we have for God. If the love isn’t deep, grow it. It is easy to love God once we get to know him intimately. In a few days—watch for the announcement—I’ll guide you in how to spend an hour in personal prayer and develop your relationship with God.
It has been a pleasure journeying with you these past few months, and I am very grateful for your love and support expressed through your messages of affirmation and appreciation. May God bless you.
And may the Spirit be with you.
..................................................................
#lessonsinthewilderness @ https://aneelaranha.com/
To receive these in your mailbox, subscribe here: https://bit.ly/litw-sub. To subscribe on WhatsApp, please save +91 93214 56817 to your contacts and message “Subscribe” to this number along with your name. 16 Comments

Debika Pinto Thank you for this wonderful reflection bro. Aneel Aranha
Congratulations on your 100th reflection on the lessons in the wilderness. Read More

Linnet Machado Debika Pinto thank you dear for speaking on behalf of everyone who follows Bro. Aneel's reflection everyday. God bless you Read More

Ren Ferns Debika Pinto couldn’t agree more with you!

63 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Identity 05: I Am A Child Of God by Aneel Aranha/Mildred Sawant Episode #5 of the Identity series explores what it means to be part of the family of God, especially what it means to be his child.
It is more than a knowledge that we are God's children; it is understanding the depth of his love, and experiencing it tangibly.
Click here to watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t6MtLx4KuMU And please do share it if you like it. 7 Comments

Debika Pinto Thank you for this wonderful video bro. Aneel Aranha.
I do find it difficult to sit on my father's lap Read More

Christie-ann Dsouza Debika Pinto Lovely song. Thanks for sharing.

Sonia Rodrigues Your message today Bro Aneel rightly acknowledges all those who struggle to establish a relationship with our Father in Heaven Read More

8 Likes

Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: #99 — Love Covers Over*
Have you ever become angry when people seem to forget the million times you have helped them and remember the one time you didn’t? Or when they don’t take note of the hundred things you did right but pay heed to the one thing you did wrong?
I daresay you have because something in our fallen nature delights in looking at the bad in people rather than the good. However, can you imagine where we would be if God did the same thing to us? Fortunately for us, it is the opposite with God. He *forgets* the bad things we do, choosing to remember the good.
God declares: “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more” (Isaiah 43:25). And: “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12).
This doesn’t mean that God chooses to have voluntary amnesia. It simply means that he does not hold these wrongdoings against us. Nor does it mean he chooses to turn a blind eye to the demands of justice. It means he didn’t make *us* pay the price (which we couldn’t pay even if we wanted to); he had *Jesus* do it for us instead.
Since we all would like to lead lives in imitation of Christ, the question is how to change and become more like him. There is a compelling piece of advice that Peter gives us in Scripture: “Above all, love each other deeply,” he writes, “because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
Like God, we are not required to exercise voluntary amnesia either. People often do things to hurt us, and we cannot forget them entirely because the pain is too severe. However, what we can do is choose to cover what they did to hurt us, much as God chooses to cover the things *we* do to hurt *him*.
Imagine, if you will, holding a coin in your hand that represents the hurt someone has caused you, or something bad someone has done to you. If you take a handkerchief and place it over the coin, the coin remains; only now you *choose* not to see it. That handkerchief represents the deep love that Peter said we needed. The only question that remains is the one the BeeGees asked: How deep is your love?
May the Spirit be with you.
..................................................................
#lessonsinthewilderness @ https://aneelaranha.com/
To receive these in your mailbox, subscribe here: https://bit.ly/litw-sub. To subscribe on WhatsApp, please save +91 93214 56817 to your contacts and message “Subscribe” to this number along with your name. 11 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues I was reminded of a social experiment conducted where all participants were given a sheet of paper. They were asked Read More

Aneel Aranha That is such a beautiful illustration, dear Sonia. You can be sure that I will find some occasion to use Read More

Christie-ann Dsouza I am enjoying these reflections, Aneel. I love the messages they convey, and the images you choose are lovely 😊.
Read More

48 Likes

Aneel Aranha

Identity 04: Acceptance. Significance. Security. by Aneel Aranha/Mildred Sawant Here is Episode #4 of the Identity series, which will help us in becoming the people God created us to be.
Today’s episode—*Acceptance. Significance. Security.*—is relatively long, but is a must-watch if we want to understand why we are how we are.
I would love to know what you think of this series so far, so please drop me a note if you have a moment. I will appreciate it.
Click here to watch it on YouTube: 8 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues Loved the systematic way Bro Aneel in which you explained our basic human needs that were taken care of by Read More

Aneel Aranha Yeah, I figure everyone who did the School would remember I had spoken about this to them. But thanks for Read More

Bernadine D'souza Sonia Rodrigues 👍

7 Likes

Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: #98 — Smell the Roses*
Life can move at breakneck speed, especially in the cities, where everybody seems to be in a rush, trying to get ahead of each other. Even our modes of transportation seem to be getting faster and faster. While this is not necessarily bad, if we don’t use the time we have saved fruitfully, what is the point? The problem is that we will just use that time to work even harder at getting ahead. For what? Money? Fame? Power?
Once, there was a boy named Jack who was a happy, go-lucky kid who enjoyed life. When Jack was on his way home from school one day, he spied a coin on the path. Delighted, he picked it up, and after examining it thoroughly, he went on his way feeling like a millionaire. When he reached home, he put it in a glass jar so he could look at his treasure. The next day, Jack found another coin, and he couldn’t believe his luck. This coin joined its brother in the glass jar.
Over the next few days, Jack kept his eyes peeled for more coins on the road. Sometimes he found something; more often, he didn’t, but he kept at it. His glass jar was filled to the brim by the end of the year, and Jack thought he was very rich. However, what Jack didn’t realize was that he had missed seeing the birds flying and the flowers dancing; he had missed seeing the light paint beautiful pictures in the sky; he had missed seeing a thousand wonders—all because he had his eyes fixed on the ground searching for treasure.
This is a beautiful planet (despite the terrible way we have treated it), and God has created it—and everything in it—for us to enjoy. Yet, we don’t seem to have the time for it anymore, and I think that is a shame. If only we can slow down for a bit and take time to smell the flowers.
And while we are at it, we can consider something that Jesus said. “Consider how the flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you ....” (Luke 12:27-28).
We will all get to where we need to be. How we get there determines how well we have lived our lives.
May the Spirit be with you.
..................................................................
#lessonsinthewilderness @ https://aneelaranha.com/
To receive these in your mailbox, subscribe here: https://bit.ly/litw-sub. To subscribe on WhatsApp, please save +91 93214 56817 to your contacts and message “Subscribe” to this number along with your name. 7 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues Over the weekend I was reflecting on how technology seems to have overtaken the world; there are several time saving Read More

Aneel Aranha So lovely, dear Sonia. Thank you for sharing your wealth of resources. I, for one, am blessed for it. May Read More

Sonia Hans A message worth reflecting upon 💞💞🙏🏻🙏🏻thank you Brother Aneel.

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Aneel Aranha

Identity #03 - What People Think Of Us One of the main factors that contributes to a low sense of self-esteem is what people think of us. How do we overcome this? Watch this third episode of #IDENTITY to find out. 10 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues Not only are people fickle Bro Aneel, often their opinions of us are guided by their personal life experiences, which Read More

Aneel Aranha Beautifully summarized, dear Sonia. We can always tell the people who get their worth from God, rather than people. They Read More

Ren Ferns Thank you for another beautiful reflection Br. Aneel. It’s a natural human instinct to seek affirmation and approval of people, Read More

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Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: #97 — Nothing Hidden*
We all do terrible things from time to time. Some things are more terrible than others. Ashamed, we try to cover them up, but unfortunately, there is a very devious character—Satan—who always sees what we do. Not only does he torment us about what we did, but he also holds us hostage. What can we do?
You would surely have heard the story about Billy, who once visited his grandmother for the holidays. He got a slingshot as a Christmas gift and spent the next few days happily shooting at everything in sight. Unfortunately, he ended up killing one of his grandmother’s ducks. Horrified, the boy buried the duck in the wood, but as he turned to leave, he saw his sister Becky standing there, watching him with a decidedly wicked smile.
Over the next few days, every time it was Becky’s turn to do the chores, she’d get Billy to do them, saying: “Remember the duck!” A week later, Billy couldn’t stand it any longer. He went to his grandmother and told her he had killed her duck and was very sorry about it. His grandmother hugged the boy and told him, “I know. I saw the whole thing from the window. I was waiting to see how long you would let your sister blackmail you. I forgive you.”
Do I need to make the obvious point? Yes, Satan is always watching, but so is God. David once said, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely” (Psalm 139:1-3).
However, while Satan watches and uses what he sees to hold us captive, God watches and waits so he can set us free. Scripture says our enemy, “the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). However, “in Christ, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 1:7). All we need to do is confess our sins to God with a repentant heart, and all is made right with him.
So, what are you waiting for? God knows you are sorry; he just wants you to tell him that so the relationship is in harmony again. The same principle often works with people, so it may not hurt to tell them too.
May the Spirit be with you.
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#lessonsinthewilderness @ https://aneelaranha.com/
To receive these in your mailbox, subscribe here: http://bit.ly/subscribe2litw. To subscribe on WhatsApp, please save +91 93214 56817 to your contacts and message “Subscribe” to this number along with your name. 7 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues Matthew 10:28 is one of those life-transforming verses which helped realign my perspective and priorities in life; it taught me Read More

Debika Pinto Thank you for this wonderful reflection bro. Aneel Aranha. I believe that only when we are honest and open with Read More

Conchita De Souza Chatterjee Thank u bro. Aneel. 🤗 really loved this one.

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Aneel Aranha

Identity 02: What God Thinks Of Us #Identity - Episode 2: What Does God Think Of Us https://youtu.be/AONoVbWcmQ4
If you missed the first Episode, here it is: https://youtu.be/WMfW6efU36E 3 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues Yes Bro Aneel, if we look at ourselves with our limited vision we see all sorts of flaws, and consider Read More

Aneel Aranha Yes, what an amazing thing if we only think about it, dear Sonia! Somebody left a wonderful note on YouTube Read More

Sonia Rodrigues So true Bro Aneel That's why He's awesome 🤗

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Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: #96 — Faith Factors*
Have you heard the saying: “Put your money where your mouth is”? It means that we need to show by our actions and not just our words that we believe in something. This is ever so true when it comes to our faith because it is easy to *say* that we believe in Jesus, but when our faith is tested, we often find ourselves coming up short.
Let me tell you a parable. An acrobat named Charles Blondin once walked several times on a tightrope across the Niagara Falls between Canada and the United States as huge crowds looked on with awe. Once, he crossed in a sack, once on stilts, another time on a bicycle. On one occasion, he even carried a stove and cooked an omelet!
One day, Charles walked backward, pushing a wheelbarrow. When he got to the Canadian side, he asked his admiring audience: “Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow?” The crowd enthusiastically shouted that they believed! He smiled and said, “Wonderful! Now, who will get in the wheelbarrow for me?”
How many people do you think volunteered? Nobody! We find parallels when it comes to faith. Jesus healed the sick and drove out demons, and worked other assorted miracles when he walked upon the earth. People oohed and aahed as he worked these miracles, but when it came to responding to his call to discipleship—the true test of faith—they shied away.
Faith goes beyond declaring with the tongue that Jesus is Lord; it is believing it in the heart and following Jesus without question. We might lack such faith, but we can address this. One day Jesus told a man: “Everything is possible for one who believes.” And the man exclaimed: “I believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). He admitted to having faith but also acknowledged he had doubt.
So, how do we grow in faith? Paul said: “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17). They didn’t have Bibles in Paul’s day as we do today, so the message had to be heard as people like Paul proclaimed it. Today, however, Bibles are freely available, and we can *read* the word about Christ. Pick up a modern translation, so the text is easy to read and understand, and start building your faith.
I will resume the Daily Reflections on the Gospels in a few days, but this time in sequential order, gospel by gospel, chapter by chapter, breaking it down for easier understanding. However, these reflections are intended to aid your own reading, not a substitute for it, so please do open your Bible and start reading. And it soon will be done to you according to your faith!
May the Spirit be with you.
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#lessonsinthewilderness @ https://aneelaranha.com/
To receive these in your mailbox, subscribe here: http://bit.ly/subscribe2litw. To subscribe on WhatsApp, please save +91 93214 56817 to your contacts and message “Subscribe” to this number along with your name. 8 Comments

Debika Pinto Thank you for this wonderful reflection bro. Aneel Aranha.
This reflection hit deep within. I know I trust God yet Read More

Sonia Rodrigues That was a lovely faith example you shared today Bro Aneel. Reminded me of another story you had shared of Read More

Romila Gomes Lovely quote you shared Sonia

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Aneel Aranha

Identity #01 - Who Are You? Introducing: IDENTITY
It gives me great pleasure to announce the launch of our latest video series: *Identity*. I hope that it will help us discover who we are in Christ, and live lives of freedom and peace. The first episode is titled: Who Are You? [https://youtu.be/WMfW6efU36E]
I will be alternating these videos with the *Lessons in the Wilderness* that I have been posting over the past few months. I could use the change, and I hope you will appreciate the variety too.
Please do share these posts if you find them useful. And keep me in your prayers. You are in mine as I continue to ask God to shower you with blessings in great abundance through this year. 17 Comments

Ren Ferns Love the Identity series of reflections! Can’t wait for the next one. God bless Br. Aneel 🙏

Aneel Aranha Thank you, dear Ren, my dear affirming friend 🙂 God bless you.

Manny Alves Great job with these spiritual and encouraging videos. Your hard work is very appreciated. We are so hungry for good Read More

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Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: #95 — Happy New Life!*
I hope you had a great start to the year. As we continue to enjoy the freshness that a new year brings, it may be wise to remind ourselves that we can feel fresh every single day! As Jeremiah wrote: “The mercies of God are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23). It may also be wise to remind ourselves that *we* are made new too. Paul wrote: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17).
How are we made new? Well, we have a new beginning, which is a clean slate. We have a new relationship with God when we are brought back into his family. We have a new identity, which is being a child of God. We have a new destiny that takes us to heaven. We have a new position seated in the heavenly realms with Christ. We have a new power enabled by the Holy Spirit. And we have a new purpose to accomplish great things in the name of Jesus.
When we are baptized, we become a new creation. However, nobody is perfected instantly. We still carry so much of the “old self” in us. This can be daunting to many of us, especially when we see how worldly we still are. However, if we cooperate with God and take one step at a time, we will get there sooner rather than later.
The secret is to renew ourselves daily, not yearly. How many of us welcomed the new year as an opportunity to turn over a new leaf? I am sure that many of us reading this will say they did. How many of us will start getting discouraged when we start failing in weeks, if not days? Again, I am sure the numbers will be many. However, let us not be dismayed but look at each day as another opportunity to get things right.
Let us never forget God is working in us to complete the work he started (see Philippians 1:6). We just need to work hand in hand with him to make it smooth and fast. Too many of us are bothered by what people think of us. The world owes us nothing, and by the same token, we don’t owe the world anything. Let us be concerned by what God thinks of us, knowing that he thinks more highly of us than we think of ourselves. This is because he looks at the best in us, not the worst. And he helps us achieve our potential by encouraging us to keep moving forward despite our failures.
I hope that one of the resolutions you made this year was to read Scripture because, if we don’t, we risk being ignorant of our new life and delaying God’s grand plan for our lives. A few chapters a day, and you would have read the entire Bible in a year! And you will see the wonderful new creation that is you unveiled before your very eyes.
May the Spirit be with you.
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#lessonsinthewilderness @ https://aneelaranha.com/
To receive these in your mailbox, subscribe here: http://bit.ly/subscribe2litw. To subscribe on WhatsApp, please save +91 93214 56817 to your contacts and message “Subscribe” to this number along with your name. 10 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues Agree with you Bro Aneel about the need to renew ourselves daily, and not just yearly. If we put in Read More

Aneel Aranha Thank you, dear Sonia 🙂 I believe that if we didn't take things for granted, whether it is God's love Read More

Linnet Machado Thank you Bro for the wonderful reflection. May God give us the strength to come closer to Him everyday. Have Read More

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Sonia Rodrigues I always wonder when we ask God ‘why me?’ aren’t we implying that it’s ok if it happened to someone Read More

Aneel Aranha Totally Sonia! 🙂 And thank you for the warm welcome! It's so heartening. Many blessings dear friend.

Matty Franco Thank you bro for sharing this reflection to lift others when we are delivered of our own sickness n or Read More

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Aneel Aranha

Aneel Aranha's cover photo My family joins me in wishing you and your loved ones a great start to the new year, and many blessings in the days that follow. May the love of Christ overwhelm you in 2022.
A few updates. I will be discontinuing Daily Reflection with Aneel Aranha, replacing it with The Bite-Sized Gospel. These will comprise reflections on the four gospels in sequential order.
I will be also launching a new series IDENTITY with Mildred Sawant in a couple of days, along with video recordings of Lessons in the Wilderness. I will also be offering a variety of courses on Zoom.
Happy New Year!
Aneel Aranha updated their cover photo. 38 Comments

Sai Koshy Wishing all of you a very Happy and blessed New Year. ❤️

Aneel Aranha Thank you, dear Sai :)

Fitzroy Fernando Happy New Year to you Brother and family.God bless your mission.

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Aneel Aranha

Burn your mistakes along with the Old Man! Tomorrow we build again! lol 5 Comments

Ashley Burrows Now we should not repeat the old mistakes

Oliver Mascarenhas By the way it is 20-20 too...

Veronica Dsouza Oliver Mascarenhas 👍👍

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Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: #94 — Resolutions*
Another year comes to an end today, allowing us to put all the mistakes we made behind us, along with all the pain and heartache and suffering we went through. We can look forward to the promise of a fresh start as a new year begins tomorrow.
To this effect, we will make resolutions, things we would like to see ourselves accomplish over the year. This can be losing weight (a perennial favorite), learning something new, taking up a hobby, or succeeding at something we have set our hearts upon. If we are spiritually minded, we might consider spending more time praying or reading the Bible.
The cynic would say, “What’s the point? These resolutions don’t last.” Even if that is true for some of us (most of us?), the resolutions serve an essential purpose: they identify things that we would like to correct or improve in our lives, which is never a bad thing.
However, there is no reason why we shouldn’t keep our resolutions. The key is introspection— examining one’s thoughts or feelings—regularly. Introspection for the sake of introspection is like navel-gazing. But introspection with a desire for growth is something else altogether, and the more frequently we do this, the more effective it can be. It’s like standing on a scale when trying to lose weight. If we weigh ourselves each morning, we can see if we are moving in the right direction. If we aren’t, we can take steps to fix it.
Now, wanting to attain better physical health is a great thing. So also is improving ourselves emotionally and intellectually. However, we need to give as much importance to the soul as we give to the body, heart, and mind. And what better way to look after the soul than to walk in imitation of Christ.
After washing his apostle’s feet at the Last Supper, he said: “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:13-15).
We may not be humble enough to get down to our knees before someone else at this moment in time, but we can consider other qualities of Jesus that we like—perhaps patience—and try to emulate them, one at a time. Let us gauge our progress every day, and pretty soon, we’ll be washing feet, Jesus style!
There won’t be any reflections on the weekend, so let me wish you and your loved ones a blessed start to the new year!
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#lessonsinthewilderness @ https://aneelaranha.com/
To receive these in your mailbox, subscribe here: http://bit.ly/subscribe2litw. To subscribe on WhatsApp, please save +91 93214 56817 to your contacts and message “Subscribe” to this number along with your name. 9 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues If we make our resolutions in consultation with God and listen to His voice all through the year, we won’t Read More

Aneel Aranha I marvel at your collection of images, dear Sonia. In addition, of course, to your insights 🙂 Wish you a Read More

Sonia Rodrigues Bro Aneel He always sends them my way at just the right time All praise to Him 🙌🙂

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Aneel Aranha

Aneel Aranha - December 31, 2021 - Good Days! - A Reflection on John 1:1-18 Good Days! - A Reflection on John 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
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And here we come to the end of another year. How quickly the years pass, especially as you grow older. Never mind. How was it for you? Undoubtedly, like everyone else, you had your good days, and you had your bad days. For those reading these reflections regularly or spending time reading the Bible, I believe there were more good days than bad. Why? Because our faith has increased. As Paul says, "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ" (Romans 10:17).
And faith leads to some pretty great living. First, it brings salvation. As Jesus said, "Anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life" (John 5:24). This "new life" contains everything we need to lead the life of abundance that Christ has promised us (see John 10:10). The new life includes healing, prosperity, peace, love, joy (1 Peter 1:8).
Faith also brings answers to prayers. The more we hear about our Lord, the more we trust him. Eventually, this faith translates into miracles. Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (Mark 11:23-24). All this leads to good days!
As we enter a new year, I have a lot of new things in store for you, including videos of the ongoing Lessons in the Wilderness series. I will also be introducing a new series titled "Identity," where we will discover who we are in Christ and how to live in the newness of life I spoke about today. So stay tuned on Facebook and YouTube.
Have a blessed end to this year. Stay safe. And stay God's. 6 Comments

Veronica Dsouza Thank you for this reflection. And waiting patiently for the 3rd to see the new in the New Year. God Read More

Sonia Rodrigues In the year gone past, we continued to swim in stormy waters where some of us knew how to swim Read More

Charlotte Baker Amen🙏

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Aneel Aranha

Heads I win, tails you lose! 4 Comments

Emmanuela George 💯🤣🤣🤣so hard to understand human sure!

Debika Pinto I'm happy with not being talked about 😀

Helen Silveira So true

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Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: #93 — Patience, Please*
A wit defined a nanosecond as the time interval between the traffic light turning green and the idiot in the car behind you pressing the horn! But we can all be like that—very short on patience! The dictionary defines patience as the quality of bearing provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like. Does that describe you? Probably not.
Unfortunately, impatience gets us nowhere really fast. Patience, on the other hand, reaps great rewards. It helps us achieve success in our endeavors. It enables us to make better life choices. It promotes better physical and mental health. Most of all, it helps us in our relationships. But how do we cultivate it? We can do a few things to help us become more patient.
One, let us remember that trials—even stuck behind a slow driver or having a fast one who honks behind us!—produce patience. So, let us welcome them and be grateful for them. As James says, ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because the testing of your faith produces perseverance which leads to maturity” (James 1:2-4). As we are learning through these reflections, how we look at things makes a world of difference!
Two, let us look to Jesus, who is the ultimate model of patience, “and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1‑2). Nobody exhibited more patience than Jesus. To develop patience—or any of the other fruit—we have to be attached to him as a branch is attached to a tree (see John 15:1‑7). Therefore, a deep and solid relationship with Jesus is vital. Like love and kindness, patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23), but we need that connection with Jesus to bear it.
Three, let us pray for patience. However, let us keep in mind that God doesn’t pour it into our laps in answer to our prayer. He helps us develop patience through testing. Your kids will act up. Your spouse will be mean. A colleague will say something nasty. And, yeah, you will have that idiot honk you! Remember: “You are from God, and the one who is in you—the Holy Spirit—is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4), so let that encourage us to exercise patience, especially with people close to us.
May the Spirit be with you.
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#lessonsinthewilderness @ https://aneelaranha.com/
To receive these in your mailbox, subscribe here: http://bit.ly/subscribe2litw. To subscribe on WhatsApp, please save +91 93214 56817 to your contacts and message “Subscribe” to this number along with your name. 11 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues Patience is a virtue I possess but yes it does get tested severely at times. Waiting is often frustrating and Read More

Calida Dsouza Patience and perseverance go hand in hand. As we patiently wait for his coming and persevere in faith, we need Read More

Fionna Braganza Beautiful! And so true about God not just suddenly taking away impatience - when we ask for patience, he gives Read More

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Aneel Aranha

Aneel Aranha - December 30, 2021 - Do You Know Jesus? - A Reflection on... Do You Know Jesus? - A Reflection on Luke 2:36-40
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
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Over the past couple of days, we have reflected upon Jesus taken to the temple for consecration. One of the people who came to visit him was Simeon, whom Scripture describes as “righteous and devout,” with “the Holy Spirit on him” (see Luke 2:25). Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts when Jesus was brought in and took the child in his arms. “My eyes have seen your salvation,” he said, in recognition of who Jesus was — the savior of the world! Amazing, yes?
No sooner did he leave, another person came in. She was Anna, an 84-year-old widow. She was a prophetess who practically lived in the temple, worshipping God day and night. She began to praise God as she beheld the child, telling everyone that he was the redemption of Jerusalem. She, too, recognized who Jesus was. Again, amazing, yes? Now here’s a question that will really amaze you. Where were the religious leaders — the high priest and his priests, the Sanhedrin, the Pharisees, and the scribes? Why were they not there to receive the long-awaited Messiah?
The simple answer is that they didn’t know that the Messiah was in their midst? Which leads to another question? How could they not know? If Simeon and Anna could know, how couldn’t they? The answer to this lies in the descriptions of Simeon and Anna that we just read. They were both godly people who worshipped God in Spirit and in truth — although they may not have described the way they worshiped in these words. They had a connection with God based on a real relationship with him, not just a theoretical knowledge that came from studying about him.
This is a very real danger that we face even today. Learning about God through seminars, retreats, theological study, courses, and religious programs is not a bad thing. However, it becomes an excellent thing to use them to develop a relationship with God or enhance an existing relationship with him. Without this, all the “education” we get is only “knowledge.” This only serves to make us believe we know something when in truth, we don’t. See, knowing ABOUT a person is not the same thing as KNOWING the person.
We need to know Christ. So let us ask the Holy Spirit to reveal him to us. Just like he did with Simeon and Anna. 1 Comments

Romila Gomes Lovely Reflection!
I did the year ending retreat yesterday from logos retreat center. One of the preacher mentioned that Hannah Read More

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For those who think there's no smoke without fire. 1 Comments

Oliver James Bell With our tongue we can cause distress, ruin reputations, spread fear, cause temptations. Gossip and idle talk can effortlessly create Read More

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*Lessons in the Wilderness: #92 — Cracked Pots*
I have not met a single person in my life who has their act together. Some are better than others at pretending that nothing is wrong with them, but everyone is broken in one way or another. I know that we often feel ashamed of our brokenness, thinking it is a bad—even terrible— thing, and try to hide it from others, so let me tell you a story from ancient Indian lore that might change your mind.
A water carrier had two large pots: one perfect, the other with a little crack. He would carry water from the well to his employer’s house every day, and while the perfect pot never leaked, half the water spilled out from the other. The unbroken pot was very proud to be so perfect, while the cracked pot was very ashamed to be so broken. One day the broken pot realized something very profound. The side of the path that it was on was full of flowers, watered by whatever had spilled through it.
There is a powerful lesson contained here for all of us who are like the cracked pot (not to be confused with crackpots!). God can use us to bring life to the world through our brokenness. Yes, he tells us to be perfect. “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” Jesus said (Matthew 5:48). However, attaining this perfection is a process that will only be completed with the return of Jesus. In the meantime, our imperfections—the cracks—serve a dual purpose.
One, the cracks let the light in. Consider the heart. A heart of stone is untouchable, unable to receive love or give it. However, if the heart is broken, it lets the light in and allows God to do his work. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalms 147:3). Or consider the spirit. As David said, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit,” before going on to say, “a broken and contrite heart you will not despise” (Psalms 51:17).
Two, the cracks let the light out. We can’t give what we don’t have. But when we receive love, mercy, and compassion from God because of our brokenness, we can extend these things to others who are broken. I would not be able to teach a fraction of the things I teach if I were not broken. I don’t have to depend on empathy to understand people’s pain. I have experienced much of it myself, so I can extend the comfort I have received from Christ to others (see 2 Corinthians 1:4).
So, are you a cracked pot, dear friend? That’s not a bad thing. Let God’s light shine through your brokenness.
May the Spirit be with you.
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#lessonsinthewilderness @ https://aneelaranha.com/
To receive these in your mailbox, subscribe here: http://bit.ly/subscribe2litw. To subscribe on WhatsApp, please save +91 93214 56817 to your contacts and message “Subscribe” to this number along with your name. 15 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues We often try to hide our brokenness and put on acts of being perfect and flawless. The world may be Read More

Melesha D'souza Sonia Rodrigues 💯❤️

Calida Dsouza The world does not have time nor accepts brokenness. Even worse, It is sometimes used against you or for igniting Read More

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Aneel Aranha - December 29, 2021 - Waiting! - A Reflection on Luke 2:22-35 Waiting! - A Reflection on Luke 2:22-35
When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
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Simeon was a righteous and devout man. The Holy Spirit had told him that he would not die before he saw the Messiah. We don’t know when he was told this, but I am assuming it was many years before Jesus was born. And what joy for him to finally behold the promised Messiah. His waiting had paid off. Now we are not very good at waiting, especially when we have these extended periods of darkness, like we are in a tunnel and there is no end in sight.
If you are going through this now, I just want to leave you with a few Scriptural verses that may help. I know they help me when I go through such times. One: Don’t trust in your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Two: Put your hope in God’s word. Psalms 130:5 says, “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” The word of God will not disappoint us because God keeps his word. Three: Know that God is hearing you. Sometimes it seems like he’s deaf to our cries, but he isn’t. Have the confidence of Micah, who declared, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me”. That’s Micah 7:7.
Four: Wait with expectant hope. It’s like the expectation of a pregnant woman. It’s a nine-month wait for her baby to be born, but she knows that she will soon have the joy of holding a new born in her hands. So cry with the psalmist: “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” That’s Psalms 5:3.
Finally, just know that God will take you through. Remember the words of the psalmist: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Amen. 4 Comments

Helen Silveira Praise Jesus Psalms 23 V love It Amen thank you Dear brother

Nancy D'Souza Amen

Anthony Raj Amen 🙏…

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Aneel Aranha

Haha! I bet! 4 Comments

Leena William Will not dare to blame any of the month for that matter.. enjoying all the holidays in store..be it August Read More

Helius Anthony D'souza Lol I'm using this line for one of my advertisements for 2022🤣🤣. Maybe I'd just replace the word fat with Read More

Debika Pinto August of which year bro Aneel Aranha ?😀🤣

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Aneel Aranha

*Lessons in the Wilderness: #91 — Breaking Out*
This has been another challenging year for us, and I am sure you are glad it is coming to an end. However, I am also certain you wonder if the following year might not be worse. I want to tell you that it will be a great year! Our struggles over these two years have made us stronger, tougher, and braver. Not only will we be able to face the challenges that lie ahead, but we will overcome them and soar into our destiny.
We are not in this alone. God is with us. And if he isn’t helping us, it is for a good reason. Have you heard the story about the man who helped a butterfly hatch from its cocoon? Watching a butterfly struggling for hours to force itself through a tiny hole in its cocoon, the man decided to help the butterfly out. He took a pair of scissors and widened the gap. The butterfly then emerged easily. However, it had a swollen body and tiny, shriveled wings. It would never fly.
The man had a kind heart and meant well, but he didn’t have the wisdom to realize that the butterfly’s struggle to get through the restricting cocoon was needed to force fluid from the butterfly’s body into its wings to prepare it for flying once it was free. In his desire to be kind, he had crippled the butterfly.
Fortunately for us, our God is wise as well as kind-hearted, and he knows that our struggles help shape us into being the people he created us to be. He is not dispassionate, however. Do you remember teaching your child to walk? You would help her take her first steps by holding her hands. But then, you knew she had to do it without support, so you would hide and watch her try to walk on her own. It’s exactly like that with God. He’s watching over us as we go through our struggles, knowing that there are some things we have to learn to do on our own.
“So, do not fear, for I have redeemed you,” he declares in one of the most reassuring promises found in Scripture. “I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43:1-2).
What more can we ask for? So, dear friend, look forward to a wonderful year ahead, quite possibly the best ever.
May the Spirit be with you.
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#lessonsinthewilderness @ https://aneelaranha.com/
To receive these in your mailbox, subscribe here: http://bit.ly/subscribe2litw. To subscribe on WhatsApp, please save +91 93214 56817 to your contacts and message “Subscribe” to this number along with your name. 12 Comments

Linnet Machado Thank you Bro for reminding us of God’s unfathomable for us. With God by our side we need not fear Read More

Charmaine Albuquerque Advance wishes for a Happy and Blessed 2022 to you bro Aneel and all who read this post. As the Read More

Sonia Rodrigues Charmaine We sang this song for my parents' Golden Wedding And rightly so He has always taken care of us Read More

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Aneel Aranha

RACHEL STILL WEEPS | ANEEL ARANHA | HSI MINISTRIES Rachel Still Weeps - A Reflection on Matthew 2:13-18
When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
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"A voice was heard in Raman, waiting and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more." What Jeremiah prophesied came to pass 2,000 years ago with the slaughter of hundreds of male children under the age of two in Bethlehem because a crazy ruler believed the child would grow up to overthrow his kingdom.
Today, Rachel continues to weep. So who is Rachel? And why does she weep? Rachel was the wife of Old Testament patriarch Jacob. After her first child, she didn't conceive for the longest time, and when she finally did (Genesis 30:1), it was only to die giving birth to Benjamin (Genesis 35:18, 19). She was buried at Ramah, near Bethlehem.
A few years later, during the deportation of the Jewish people to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar, many of the Israelites were detained at Ramah. Those too old or too weak to make the journey to Babylon were killed. Rachel, a kind of mother figure in the Old Testament, is said to have raised her head from her tomb and lamented the slaughter of the people. Many more years later, she would mourn the slaughter of some more innocents killed by King Herod.
She still weeps now, even more bitterly, because innocents continue to be slaughtered in greater numbers than ever before in human history through the abortion of babies in the wombs of their mothers. The numbers are so huge they boggle comprehension. And this year, just this year, over 40 million babies have been murdered.
We find the number of people who die in wars, terrorist attacks, and natural calamities horrifying, yet we don't seem to be affected by the vast number of babies being put to death? Why? Partly because we have been led to believe that what is growing within the mother's woman is not really human life and partly because we have become so calloused by sin, taking life doesn't seem to be an important thing! And we are taking life.
I gave a talk a few years ago on the subject, and I really would like you to see it. And share it. It could save somebody's life. https://youtu.be/PVI5dj32BCY
https://bit.ly/dr-rachelstillweeps 2 Comments

Sonia Rodrigues Thank you for sharing this talk and for your reflection Bro Aneel I know how close to your heart this Read More

Romila Gomes It’s such a lovely message and I really loved this talk what you shared. Today many couples are doing family Read More

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Aneel Aranha

How many of you got this for Christmas, raise your hands! lol 4 Comments

Sai Koshy

Sonia Fernandes

Roma Borges

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