ONEPLUS 2 PHONE AND ‘THE ONE AND ONLY GOD IN HUMAN FLESH AND BONE’ – THE BIG DIFFERENCE

- Duke Jeyaraj

OnePlus 2 is THE phone that is the talk of the town. It’s releasing world-wide on August 11,2015. One version of it, has got an internal storage of 64 GB. So downloading WhatsApp video after video is no problem. The ample storage on this phone is the same as my MacBook 64GB Air laptop! This phone also packs an embedded 3,300mAh battery, one of most long-lasting in the market. It has a 4GB ram. My first smart phone had less than 1 GB ram and I almost broke the screen by frequently pressing its non-responsive screen! And this has 4 GB ram! Wow! Says one reviewer: “new OnePlus is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 810 chip. This chipset supports 4K streaming video and speedier camera performance. There's also an Adreno 430 graphics processor to provide 3D gaming capability. The OnePlus 2 has a larger 1.3-micron sensor that lets in more light for better low-light shots.” Another says, ‘the OnePlus 2, strikes all the right chords. The metal-framed phone keeps some of the same design aesthetics of the original, but adds a more polished feel. Together with the powerful hardware and the phone's low price compared to rival flagships, the OnePlus 2 sings a powerful song of temptation for buyers who have yet to make up their minds.’(cnet.com). “I love my OnePlus1. It compares nicely to the Apple 6 Plus my friend has. We've used the GPS maps features side by side and Google Maps on my OnePlus1 kills the Apple system. Only I saved $ 400. Can’t wait to lay my hands on the OnePlus2!” – so says a smartphone freak. And what’s more you can pay and get rosewood, bamboo, black apricot and Kevlar back-covers for this (sm)art phone!

A phonearena.com post has this following information about the “flag-ship killer” smart phone – One Plus 2 – a phone that offers the specs of a phone like Iphone6 or Samsung Galaxy6, at about 40% less the price:

'Like it or not, OnePlus is sticking to its invitation-based sales model for the OnePlus 2. In other words, only those who have an invitation will be allowed to purchase the hyped smartphone on August 11th, 2015 when it is scheduled to go on sale. How do you get a OnePlus 2 invitation? Well, that's what we're here to clarify for you. “You will notice that you cannot just secure an invite just like that, you still have to earn it.” '

"The good news is that OnePlus has a reservation list on its web page, and anyone can sign up for a OnePlus 2 invitation by leaving their email address. The bad news is that there are over 400,000 people currently on the list (as of this writing), and the number is growing steadily. Of course, it won't hurt to sign up anyway. All invitations that are sent out but not used within their expiration period will be forwarded to those who are on the waiting list."

"But even if you sign up right away, it is not easy to estimate how long it will take until your invitation arrives. With all the people already in line, it could take weeks before you're finally given the chance to purchase a OnePlus 2. That's why our advice is to brace yourself with patience. Also, you better have your credit card ready to use and OnePlus account set up in advance. Once you get your invitation, you'll have only 24 hours to use it, regardless of whether you read your notification email or not."

"While the said waiting list is scarily long, there is a way you can cut the line. That is done by spreading the word. Once you sign up and confirm your email address, you'll be given a referral link which you can share with friends and family in any way imaginable. You'll be bumped up in the queue for every person who signs up via your link. But on the downside, you can (and likely will) fall behind in line if those behind you get more referrals. (I've fallen behind more than 300 places since signing up a couple of hours ago.)” {phonearena.com}.

“However, with the implementation of the invite system, getting your hands on the phone may still prove to be the hardest hurdle to cross” says another phone review site cnet.com.

So much about smart phone craze! This OnePlus 2 phone reminds of me of the “One”. I call Jesus the “One” because is the ONLY Way to salvation (John 14:6) and the ONLY Name that can save us – a humanity lost in sin (Acts 4:12). He called himself, “the One greater than Jonah” (Matt. 12:41). He is the “One greater than Solomon” (Matt. 12:42).

He is the only ONE! But we can approach this Jesus at any time of need, so says the Bible (Heb. 4:15-16). No need to form a queue!

He says “come”. “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away….” Jesus says (John 6:37). Read that again – “Whoever!” That includes YOU. That includes ME. That includes EVERYONE! “Let the little children come to me….” Mouthed Jesus who also said that everyone who wanted to enter Heaven must repent and become like little children [who put their faith in their parents] (Matt. 19:14). “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest!” – that is Jesus’ invitation for you as well. Is there that Shot Put ball of guilt in your heart? Come carrying that burden. Jesus, who died and rose again for you one the Cross, will forgive you and your heart will become light and restful! The God of the Bible says, “Come now, and let us reason together…Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18). Your sin may be unprintable. But they need not be unforgivable. Come now and they will be! “Come to me and drink!” said Jesus in the Bible (John 7:37). That was a figurative way of saying, “Have a daily, deep, relationship of faith and trust with me…."(see John 7:38).

Would you come? Now!

DYING DOING WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO LIKE DR. ABDUL KALAAM

- Duke Jeyaraj

“Former President Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, a popular head of state between 2002 and 2007, died on Monday after he collapsed during a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management at around 6.30pm on 27 July 2015.” (telegraphindia.com). The 84-year old former president died doing what he loved to do: communicating key life-truths with students. “He was one of the most motivational teachers in the country who passed away doing what he loved,” said another paper.

The World was deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden loss of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. Steve was beloved by millions of fans and animal lovers around the world and was one of our planet's most passionate conservationists. He has graced Animal Planet's air since October 1996 and was essential in building Animal Planet into a global brand. Steve was killed during a filming expedition for Animal Planet on the Great Barrier Reef. While we are still collecting specific details, it appears that this was a rare accident in which Steve swam over a stingray and was stung by its barb in his chest. A doctor on board Croc One, Steve's research vessel, was unable to resuscitate Steve, and by the time a rescue helicopter reached him, he had died. And when he died we did not shed "crocodile tears" as one news magazine journalist put it. ( Coutesy: http://animal.discovery.com/).

Very few people die while doing what they love. And Steve Irwin did just that. His death reminded me of how some of the heroes of the Bible died - doing what they loved doing.

Uriah, the faithful Soldier in the army of King David, was fighting for his king - something he loved to do - when he died (II Sam 11:17). In fact he loved to fight for his king that even when his king pulled him out from fighting, gave him permission to go home, he did not want to return to his home to relax!

When Jesus died he kept doing what he always loved - forgiving people. During his ministry He mouthed these words: "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven," (Math 9:2). Those were word spoken to the paralytic who was pushed thro the roof of a crowded room). He told an immoral woman who was sobbing uncontrollably in his presence, "Your sins are forgiven." (Luke 7:48). And when he was dying he was still doing what he loved to do - forgiving people. Who can forget his glorious and gracious words, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," which was graciously spoken to his tormentors (Luke 23:24).

When Paul died he was doing what he loved to do - studying the Scriptures. This student of Gamaliel, one of the best Old Testament teachers alive then, made this request to Timothy his young ward: "When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments." (II Tim 4:13). Here he was in prison waiting for execution. And what he wanted to do before he died was to read from the Holy Scriptures.

What would you be doing when it’s time to go? And that time can come to any one of us at anytime! So, let’s be ready by remaining in Christ who died for us on the Cross (John 15).
 

YOGA GURUS: EMPTY YOUR MIND; BIBLE: FILL IT WITH GOD'S SPIRIT AND WORD!

- Duke Jeyaraj

Gayathri Devi writes about the conversation between a husband and wife in her ook, “A Calm Brain: How to Relax into Stress-Free, High-Powered Life”: 

Wife to her husband: “My husband says Yoga would be good for me because I've become so hyper….When the (Yoga) teacher says, empty your mind, I think, what do you mean…”

While Yoga teachers might say, “Empty your mind…” the Bible tells us quite the opposite. 

Jesus did speak about the dangers of keeping your inner-being empty. 

Eugene Peterson renders Jesus’ words when he pointed out this danger this fabulous, unforgettable way: “When a defiling evil spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul it can bedevil. When it doesn’t find anyone, it says, ‘I’ll go back to my old haunt.’ On return it finds the person spotlessly clean, but vacant. It then runs out and rounds up seven other spirits more evil than itself and they all move in, whooping it up. That person ends up far worse off than if he’d never gotten cleaned up in the first place” (Matt. 12:43-45, The Message). 

Please notice the word, “Vacant”. If your inner self is kept vacant, that’s an invitation for Satan and his team to storm in! Also notice here that “seven other spirits” came back into that soul that was vacant. The number seven in the Bible is linked with “completeness or perfection”. Here, what Jesus is saying is perhaps this: “The completely swept and kept empty heart has potential to be completely demon-possessed!” Satan only comes to steal, kill and destroy, the Bible teaches. But Jesus, the only God-in-flesh came to give us, life, life to the full (John 10:10). What the world and its pleasures cannot give, Jesus gives! A life of meaning, purpose and true joy - only Jesus can give us that. That's why he died for us on the Cross. His blood can cleanse us from every sin, when we repent and turn to Him, in faith, the Bible teaches (John 1:12).

The message of Jesus in the Bible passage I first quoted is this: trying to live a clean, moral life (the imagery of the house, “empty, swept and put in order” (Matt. 12:44) with one’s OWN help, without the enabling power of the Holy Spirit who can fill us if only we invite Him into our hearts, is very dangerous. Those who try to live holy in their own strength can return to a life of sin that is far worse than it was before their coming to Christ. This is Jesus’ point.

Trying to be holy with your strength is also impossible. You can't pull yourself up, with your bootlaces can you? That's why we need a Savior. The only Sinless Savior there is, is Christ Jesus. 

Don't keep your heart, mind, soul, inner being empty. Let the Spirit of God fill you constantly (Eph. 5:18).

Elsewhere in the Bible the challenge to fill our hearts and minds with Scripture is often-repeated. Here are passages from five different Bible books which pose this challenge: 

“Your Word have I HIDDEN IN MY HEART, That I might not sin against you!” (Psalm 119:11, NKJV).

When we talk of God’s Word when we sit in our houses, when we walk by the way, when we lie down, when we rise up, pretty soon, that Word from God, will be hiding in our heart (Deut. 6:7). “Imprint these words of mine on your hearts and minds, bind them as a sign on your hands, and let them be a symbol on your foreheads”(Deut. 11:18 HCSB).

When we keep God’s Laws (WORDS) as the “apple of our eyes” and “write them in the tablets of our hearts”, they would empower us to “keep from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her WORDS” (Prov. 7:1-5).

Jesus, the Word in Flesh, told his disciples that His Words should “sink into their ears” (Luke 9:44, NKJV). That way, it was enroute to permanently stay in their hearts!

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." That was Paul's way of saying "hide God's Word in your heart" in Colossians 3:16.

Don't keep your mind empty. Fill your heart, mind, inner being, soul with God's Written Word!

So, in CONCLUSION what am I saying?

Yoga has three elements (as some respected Bible teachers have put it): a PHYSICAL ASPECT, a MENTAL ASPECT and a VERBAL ASPECT. 

ABOUT THE PHYSICAL ASPECT: Yes, Yoga is a form of physical exercise. There is nothing wrong with physical exercise as long as we know that our spiritual fitness counts more with God who told us through Aposle Paul this: "for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come" (I Tim. 4:8). "Over-weight" Israel priest Eli could not even survive a simple fall (I Sam. 4:18 NLT). Did Eli take his physical fitness like most of us do, lightly? Am I advocating Yoga purely as a physical exercise? Hang on. 

We already talked about the MENTAL aspect of Yoga first up: Yoga tells us to empty our mind; but the Bible tells us to fill our minds, hearts, souls, inner-self with God's Holy Spirit and God's Word. To see Yoga as a way of worship of the Sun is absolutely unacceptable for we are called to worship the "Sun of Righteous who rises with healing in his wings", even the Lord Jesus (Mal. 4:2). We worship Yahweh who gives orders to the obedient Sun and not the Sun itself (Josh. 10:12-13). To see Yoga as a way of Salvation is also ruled out for we know that that Jesus claimed to be ONLY way of salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). To practice Yoga as a way of Salvation is to insult Jesus' work on the Cross.

Finally, we will talk about the VERBAL aspect of Yoga, which involves various chants. R. Stanley, respected Indian Bible teacher put it brilliantly: "Even chanting the name of Jesus in vain is forbidden in Scripture!"

So, I would not recommend that Yoga even be used a pure physical exercise because of the MENTAL AND VERBAL BAGGAGE THAT COMES ALONG WITH IT. Let's use forms of physical exercise that are not questionable biblically.

WHAT SO UNIQUE ABOUT JESUS' DEATH IN A WORLD OF MANY DEATHS?

Duke Jeyaraj

So many people die every day. What makes Jesus' death unique?

 

By definition God is eternal. So God cannot die actually! But God can die – if He chooses to. Jesus chose to die. He was unique in his death too. He said, "No man can take away my life from me. I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right to lay it down when I want to and also the power to take it up again" (John 10:18). And that is what exactly happened at Calvary's cross: Jesus willingly gave up His life. The nails did not hold Him onto the cross but it was just love, as someone put it. No one died the way Jesus did: others would die and then bow down their head. But Jesus bowed His head and then died – He could pick and choose the exact moment He would give up his spirit without resorting to a suicide (Jn 19:30)!

Jesus said that He was dying as a "ransom" for the sins of the world – a purpose for which no one has died or will die (Math 20:28). He explicitly said that the blood He would shed would bring "forgiveness of sins" – again a unique reason to die (Math 26:28). The rest of humanity - when it dies - does so for their sins. The wages of sin is death, we are told in the Scriptures (Rom 3:23). Put in another way, we all die because we are all sinners. But Christ wasn't. He need not have died at all. But nevertheless He did – as a substitute for sin (Isa 53:5). A one-of-a-kind death! Because He was one hundred percent human – He could die as a valid substitute for the human race. And because He was one hundred percent God as well He could die for all people of all time. God is beyond time, you see! "A just-God Jesus could save us, but not understand us.” A just-man Jesus could love us, but never save us. But equally-God-and-equally man Jesus could understand, love and save us, if only we surrender our lives to Him alone!" – this is how someone put this whole thing irrefutably! 

THREE DUCKS IN THEIR BIGGEST ODI GAME & OUR "DUCK" WHEN IT COMES TO SALVATION

Duke Jeyaraj brings out a spiritual truth from the Bible starting with an event from the World Cup Cricket Final 2015

Andrew Ramsey wrote the following line about Brendon McCullum's 3-ball duck in the World Cup Final 2015 versus Australia in Melbourne before 90,000 plus people: "If two successive air swings were not sufficient to alert McCullum to the peril that Starc posed, the third ensured the visiting captain’s World Cup Final batting memories will be brief, bitter and bereft of any contact between bat and ball." Later in the New Zealand innings, two other batsmen, Corey Anderson (one time record holder for the fastest ODI hundred) and Luke Ronchi (whose ODI highest score is 170 runs) also recorded ducks. Three of the cleanest ball-strikers in the Kiwi line-up scored ducks in their biggest ever ODI game.

Ducks. Zeroes. These words reminds me of our score when we compare it with the score of God's score when it comes to purity: it is nought. We have ALL sinned and fallen short of His glory, the Bible records (Rom. 3:23). In other words: we have a duck across our name when it comes to salvation. We can't make it heaven with our merits. We cannot save ourselves through our effort. Our good morals are like filthy rags (like menstrual cloth) before God, Isaiah wrote. All our "g-o-o-d" minus "G-O-D" is just a 0 - a zero (as someone said). But there is only one who coverts that duck into a hundred. That's Jesus, the God in flesh, the only one who never ever sinned, the one Mediator between God and Man. All one needs to be saved is to put one's trust in this Jesus, who died for us on the Cross and arose, with a repentant heart (Luke 13:5; Rom. 10:9). Paul writes, "It is by grace you have been saved, through faith..." (Eph 2:8). Would you come to Jesus to accept this free gift of salvation? Would you do it now?

DISAPPOINTED WITH OUR BATTING STARS? MEET THE “STAR” WHO WON’T Y EVER!

Duke Jeyaraj put key moments of the India-Australia World Cup SemiFinal in Sydney on 26th March 2015 in poetry with an interesting thought at the end

Virat Kohli is undoubtedly World Cricket’s Biggest Batting Star,

His multiple, mind-boggling, batting feats keeps raising the bar,

Batting first, the Aussies had in this knockout game posted a total above par,

He arrived at the crease, when India’s target of 329, despite the brisk 70+ opening partnership, was still very far,

A match-winning 150 would he would score in that India-Australia war?

After such a knock would he blow kisses to Anushka Sharma, his girl yaar?

Those were the skyrocketing expectations Indian fans had about their Batting Caesar,

Like my daughter, who unable to resist temptation, would often reach for the Nutella jar,

He fished outside the offstump for balls from which he should have stayed afar,

His batting tempo appeared far slower than what he drove during the TV ad break: the car,

Pretty soon, the Aussie keeper easily caught an edge from his bat without a sweat or a scar!

With Rohit and Raina following him soon, India’s World Cup Celebration cake did char!

Rahane was out when his snick, amidst Sydney’s deafening noise, caught Steven Smith’s alert ear,

Maxwell’s direct hit caught out of the crease, India’s lone late warrior that night, Dhoni, the czar,

“In Sydney, the Indian batting became a chutney!” – this, the creative critics did roar,

It’s true all human heroes will at some point disappoint us: they are all hit by the sin tar,

That’s why we need to come in repentance and faith to the Christ, whom the Bible calls, “the bright morning star!”