Wages of forgetfulness (9 September 2025)

(Igniting Insights by Rev. Dr. J. N. Manokaran)

As usual, a man filled the fuel tank of his car with petrol.  However, the boy who filled the petrol forgot to put the lid back on.  As he drove, a spark fell into the tank through the opening, fire engulfed the vehicle, and it exploded.  The man escaped with minor injuries.  Forgetfulness could be dangerous, more so in spiritual life.  In the Wilderness, the Israelites experienced the consequences of their forgetfulness.  (Psalm 106:12-15)

Words forgotten:  When they first heard the Word of God, the Law directly from God and through Moses, they believed.  They also sang his praise.  But soon, they forgot God’s words.  When the Bible is forgotten, there are several other pseudo-knowledges provided by the world that fill the minds of people.  Because the mind is not a vacuum. 

Works Forgotten: It is natural to forget the works of God when the Words of God are forgotten.  The Word of God reveals His works in the Scripture, in history, and in the lives of disciples.  When works are forgotten, the hope of the future is lost.

Waiting forgotten: Sadly, the Israelites lost the art of waiting and listening to the counsel of God. When they refused to wait for God’s plan and will, they tested God. They rushed to do what they desired, instead of listening to His guidance and knowing His will.  Disciples who do not meditate on the Word of God daily end up walking in the counsel of the wicked.  (Psalm 1:1-3)

Wanton Craving: When godliness and divine desires are forgotten, there would be wanton cravings.  If they desired meat, they could have killed the animals they had with them.  The purposeless life of a disciple will end up in vanity and desire for the pleasures and prosperity of the world. 

Wasting disease: God granted the Israelites what they craved for, but he punished them by sending wasting disease, and many died. God, who promised to bless their bread and water, heal their disease, would allow disease to afflict them.  (Exodus 23:25-28)

Am I afflicted by forgetfulness in my spiritual life? 

#SpiritualForgetfulness
#RememberGodsWord

#jnmanokaran

#jninsights

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Crime without remorse! (8 September 2025)

(Igniting Insights by Rev. Dr. J. N. Manokaran)

Anuska De laments about a new trend of wives murdering their husbands in the recent past: “That woman—traditionally seen as nurturers—are increasingly surfacing as prime accused in spousal killings flips societal assumptions on their head. While each case may stem from complex personal histories, together they raise a chilling possibility: that when love turns loveless and conscience gives way to convenience, marriage itself may become a setting for premeditated betrayal. If compassion is lost, what remains of companionship?”  (India Today, 11 June 2025) Paul wrote in the last days, people will be selfish, without natural love, brutal, ruthless, heartless, unappeasable, abusive, etc.  (II Timothy 3:1-5) 

Chilling possibility:  It was assumed only men could be criminals, and women were loving and caring.  However, the Bible teaches that all have sinned and lost the glory of God.  (Romans 3:23) It does not give an exception to women.  Children or teenagers or men, or women are all sinners, hence they sin.  The degree of sins according to human standards may vary.  “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” (James 2:10) In God’s perception, a lie is equal to murder. 

Love turns loveless:  In marriage relationships, love turns loveless, even hate, bitterness that leads to violence and murder.  When people are lovers of self, instead of lovers of God, they cannot love others, including their spouse and children. Love that springs from the whole person (mind, will, and emotions) would endure; that which is from emotions will fade away.

Seared conscience: The reporter writes that the conscience is replaced by convenience, which means there are no values.  The Bible teaches that such people have a seared conscience, whose moral sense is dead, and have no remorse, guilt, or shame. (I Timothy 4:2)

Premediated betrayal:  Sadly, among youngsters, lies, cheating, deception, and betrayal are a new normal. 

Compassion lost: A sadistic attitude is prevalent. Instead of being compassionate when people suffer, many rejoice in others’ misery and perpetuate it. 

Do I live by biblical Laws, Values, and Principles? 

#SearedConscience
#BiblicalValues

#jnmanokaran

#jninsights

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Mistaken Ethics (7 September 2025)

(Igniting Insights by Rev. Dr. J. N. Manokaran)

The Harvard professor Francesca Gino was dismissed from service for data manipulation.  She was a behavioural scientist known for her work on ethics, dishonesty, and human behaviour. Investigators reviewed her raw data, emails, and research manuscripts and even brought in an outside forensic firm for further analysis. They concluded that Gino had intentionally altered data to ensure the findings supported her hypotheses. (The Economic Times, 29 May 2025) The professor who had to model and demonstrate morality, ethics, and righteousness herself was involved in deception, smudging data, and misinterpretation. 

Ten Commandments:  The professor violated the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:2-17) It neither belongs to Judaism nor Christianity.  This is for all humanity.  The Commandments provide laws for right relationships with God, with self (having Sabbath rest), family (parents and all relations), and with the world.  Sadly, in several countries, the Ten Commandments were removed from public spaces.  Out of sight, out of mind.  Hence, the commandments to live by were out of the minds of many youngsters.  That is why a highly educated and accomplished individual whose profession is about ethics violated the commandments of God:  You shall not give false witness and steal. 

Subjective ideas:  She had some hypotheses, which had to be substantiated by evidence.  Instead of correcting her hypotheses, she created fake data to establish her imaginative ideas as scientific objective truth.  So doing, she earned a reputation, popularity, a huge pay check, and an invitation to teach as an expert. 

God’s principles:  Your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23) It is possible to hide the truth, create false evidence, and summon false witnesses or endorsements; nevertheless, God warns that sin will find out the culprit or criminal. There is no escape from God’s purview, punishment, and judgment.  What you sow, so shall you reap. (Galatians 6:7-8) This professor sowed wind and reaped a whirlwind.  (Hosea 8:7) 

Judgment: It is possible to escape consequences in the world, but it is impossible to escape God’s judgment. Many fake their certificates, educational qualifications, and experience letters from reputed companies, and enhance their employability.  They invite God’s wrath. 

Am I a person of honesty and integrity? 

#HonestyAndIntegrity
#GodsUnchangingLaw

#jnmanokaran

#jninsights

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Immovable Zion (6 September 2025)

(Igniting Insights by Rev. Dr. J. N. Manokaran)

Many people trust their immovable assets.  Sadly, even those assets disappear from shores because of a tsunami, from hills because of a landslide, and from plains because of an earthquake.  However, those who trust the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved.  (Psalm 125:1) When pilgrims climb up the hills towards Mount Zion, they witness a city on a hill that is safe and secure.  Those who trust in the Lord and do His will also abide forever. (I John 2:17)

Religions:  In the world today, many people trust numerous religions.  They are like shifting sand, unstable, unreliable, and even like miry clay. They are based on myths, traditions, culture, customs, and rituals. Those who have their lives on such foundations would be destroyed.  Only those who listen to the voice of the Lord and order their life according to His Word will be wise.  They build their lives upon the rock.  (Matthew 7:25) 

Philosophies: Many people trust human-made philosophies.  It could be religious, rational, social, or political.  Nevertheless, such philosophies are like the sea, hence restless waves.  (Isaiah 57:20; James 1:6) Those who follow such philosophies are like rudderless and anchorless boats tossed by winds in the sea.  Atheistic political philosophies like communism robbed dignity and life from millions of people. 

Fake spirituality:  There are false teachings, deceitful schemes, human-made cunning principles, and crafty-wicked rituals.  (Ephesians 4:14) They are all like wind, uncertain and inconsistent.  The counterfeit spirituality resembles true spirituality and deceives millions into an eternal destiny in hell. 

You are Peter:  All believers are like a mountain.  They are strong, stable, secure, and immovable. Like when the Lord Jesus met Simon, he named him Peter, the rock. The Lord calls each believer to be a stone, a living stone.  (I Peter 2:5) 

Kingdom of God: “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29)

Am I a citizen of the unshakeable Kingdom serving the Unchanging King? 

#ImmovableZion
#UnshakeableKingdom

#jnmanokaran

#jninsights

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Altars of Vanity (5 September 2025)

(Igniting Insights by Rev. Dr. J. N. Manokaran)

The victory celebration of a soccer match ends in riots in Europe.  Another victory celebration of cricket leagues ends in a stampede.  It is painful to see brilliant young people die for no reason or purpose.  Eleven people lost their lives in a sports victory celebration in Bangalore.  (India Today 5 June 2025)

Entertainment: Although entertainment is a luxury for many poor people, it is a hobby or regular habit for many others, and some even spend a substantial amount of money on it.  Humans who can afford it often choose entertainment over caring for others. One person who died in a stampede had gone there to fulfil a ten-year dream, by saving money to watch a match live.  In the Roman Empire, inhuman entertainment sports killed many people. God punishes and judges any person who is responsible for shedding blood.   (Genesis 9:5)

New gods: Sports celebrities have become icons, demi-gods, and even gods for many young people.  They admire, adore, and even worship them.  Having a glimpse of them is like seeing God in human form.  This is a violation of the Ten Commandments that forbids worship of anyone or anything except the living, eternal God. (Exodus 20:2-17) There are no other gods except the triune God:  The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

Money and marketing:  The frenzy for sports is whipped up in the media, including social media.  Film actors, businesspeople, politicians, and prominent individuals become the brand ambassadors of sports and the teams.  Aggressive marketing creates mass hysteria.  For the sake of getting more money, stadiums are overbooked.  Ten times the capacity of stadium tickets are sold. 

Life purpose:  Being a fan of actors or sports celebrities does not add value to youngsters.  They are at a stage to prepare for their future life.  By neglecting studies, not engaging in extracurricular activities, and without determining future career options, they waste their time on trivia, such as premier sports.  Sadly, they sacrifice their future on the altars of vanity, and a few lose their lives on the altars of vanity. 

Do I offer myself as a Living Sacrifice to the Lord or on the altars of vanity?

#AltarsOfVanity
#LivingSacrifice

#jnmanokaran

#jninsights

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Guns cannot kill (4 September 2025)

(Igniting Insights by Rev. Dr. J. N. Manokaran)

A person came to know about the Lord while he was living in a remote village.  However, the whole village was enraged, including his relatives, who rose against him and expelled him. 

Like friends of Daniel: As he departed, his uncle took hold of him.  He placed his pistol on his forehead, threatening to kill him if he did not deny Christ.  Like Daniel’s friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, he boldly said, “You cannot kill me, as God is my life.”  (Daniel 3:16-28) The uncle pulled the trigger, but nothing happened.  Annoyed, he tried again, but it did not fire.  Lifting his pistol, pointing toward the sky, she shot, and there was a blast.  God delivered him miraculously. The whole village got terrified and asked him to go away.

Sickness: The uncle who tried to kill him had a nose infection after the expulsion of the disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He tried many hospitals, but he was not healed.  As he was lying on his bed being treated, he saw a vision.  As God warned Laban not to harm Jacob, God spoke to him, not to harm his nephew, instead inviting him to pray. (Genesis 31:24) He sent word through his relatives requesting his nephew to come and meet him.

Prayer of the righteous: He was willing to forgive, refused to hold grudges or bitterness, and the new disciple went to meet him.  With faith and confidence, he interceded for the uncle.  He was miraculously healed.  Even the doctor who was treating him was astonished and gave glory to God.  After this healing, a few people from his family became followers of Jesus Christ.

Becoming a Pastor: Then, he moved to a large city after that and started the ministry by going door to door, sharing about Christ.  He marvellously had many believers and thus planted a church.  God has blessed him with a congregation of 150 people in about 5 years.  Even amid persecution and hatred everywhere, God used him to fulfil His plan. 

Do I understand that the gates of hell cannot prevail against the church? 

#GodOurProtector
#ChurchPrevails

#jnmanokaran

#jninsights

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Earthquake and Escape (3 September 2025)

(Igniting Insights by Rev. Dr. J. N. Manokaran)

More than 200 prisoners escaped from a jail in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, following an earthquake. Thousands of inmates broke down doors and the locks of their cells and shattered windows after they felt tremors shake the walls at Malir Jail in Karachi.  (BBC, 3 June 2025)

Prison in Philippi: Paul and Silas had a similar experience in the city of Philippi.  (Acts 16:16-24) Both were accused of inciting riots in the city.  They were beaten and put on the stocks, stretching their legs apart, which could sometimes dislocate the joints. 

Praises and songs:  Paul and Silas chose to praise and pray, instead of weeping and lamenting. 

Prayer from Psalms:  Paul was a trained rabbi under a great Jewish teacher, Gamaliel.  He had memorized large portions of the Old Testament.  “Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law. At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules.” (Psalm 119:61-62) Though the wicked were ensnaring them, they woke up at midnight to praise Him. 

Answer by earthquake:  God answered their prayers by sending an earthquake.  God answered Elijah by sending fire.  (I Kings 18:38-39) All who were chained were freed. 

Suicide attempt:  The Jailer, or Inspector General of Prisons, was terrified.  Roman Law requires the jailer to be executed if prisoners escape.  Unwilling to face the ignominy of trial in Rome before Caesar and being executed, the jailer wanted to kill himself. 

Paul’s intervention: Understanding the plight of the jailer, Paul cried out, stating that they are not running away.  Though they were innocent, and could interpret the earthquake as God’s answer to their prayers and escape.  But they did not do so. 

Jailer’s transformation:  The jailer wondered who these men were.  Connecting their behavior with the worship songs, praises, and reciting of Scripture, the Jailer understood they were spiritual men.  So, he sought the way of salvation. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you and your family will be saved.  Their non-escape helped Jailer and family escape from the wrath of God.

Do I teach others to escape the wrath of God? 

#PowerOfPraise
#EscapeThroughChrist

#jnmanokaran

#jninsights

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Neither sleep nor slumber (2 September 2025)

(Igniting Insights by Rev. Dr. J. N. Manokaran)

There is a story in the Middle East.  A poor woman came to the Sultan, requesting compensation for her loss of property.  The sultan asked: “How did you lose it?”  She replied: “When I was asleep, a thief entered my dwelling and stole it.”  The Sultan was angry and asked, “Why did you sleep?”  She diplomatically replied, “I fell asleep because I believed you were awake to protect us.  The sultan was flattered, and he gave her what she desired.  “Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:4)

Caring God: The Bible describes the true God who cares for His people.  Peter exhorts believers to cast their worries, anxieties, and stress on Him, for He cares for us.  (I Peter 5:7) Mothers nursing a sick infant will not sleep, though very weary.  If a mother has that intense concern, God’s care and concern are greater than any mother or father, or spouse. The human caregivers could become exhausted and fatigued, but God does not. 

Covenant-keeping God: God chose Israel from among all nations of the world as His treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5-8) God made a covenant with the Nation on Mount Sinai through Moses. (Exodus 20:1-20; Deuteronomy 5:6-21) Even when people broke the covenant, God faithfully executed the covenant by fulfilling the Promises.  God warned, punished, and judged Israel, but fulfilled the covenant. Humans cannot earn salvation or attain it by works; hence, God made a New Covenant, through which the Son of God became the Son of Man to save humanity.  

Capable God:  Is it possible for any human to guard anything or anybody day and night? The soldiers who guard the dignitaries operate in shifts, as a single team cannot protect 24/7.  Rizpah, daughter of Aiah, concubine of Saul, tried to safeguard the bodies of her sons for five months (from the beginning of harvest until rain fell), from the birds in a hilly place. (I Samuel 21:10) The Creator God does not get tired, and neither needs sleep nor rest, neither sleep nor slumber. 

Am I safe in His care? 

#GodWhoNeverSleeps
#SafeInHisCare

#jnmanokaran

#jninsights

Website: https://4gtmovement.com/ 

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Daniel and the Digital Era (1 September 2025)

(Igniting Insights by Rev. Dr. J. N. Manokaran)

God revealed to the Prophet Daniel about this digital era: “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”  (Daniel 12:4) People are running on the Information Highway of the Internet to search, know, and find information, from website to website.  Sadly, many are becoming Data Addicts. 

Digital Natives:

The world is experiencing a digital divide.  Those who were born before 1985 are termed Digital Immigrants, and after 1985 are called Digital Natives.  Today, most people living in the world are Digital Natives.  Born into a digital world of screens, computers, monitors, and microchips, which is, for better or for worse, young people’s birthright.  Digital Immigrants try to make sense of the digital era and seek the help of youngsters.

Digital food:

Parents and children should have certain guidelines to have healthy digital nutrition and interaction.  “Screens that – like food – have become essential for modern life.  And a screen over which we can have the power to change our relationships – so that we build active, nutritious online engagement.

Digital nutrition:

 However, young people need healthy digital nutrition. When youngsters are concerned with physical fitness, by going to gyms and adhering to a diet, they do not care about digital consumption. Kaitlyn Reghr, the author of the book:  Smartphone Nation, writes: “If you really want to keep young people healthy, if you want to be proactive rather than reactive, you need to be concerned about their digital health.  They need digital nutrition.”

Steps for Digital Nutrition:

A balanced digital diet – for our ‘feeds.” Kaitlyn provides six steps for digital nutrition. First, it is wise to decide your maximum limit for each app.  Second, turn off push notifications.  If not, notifications could lead to spending more time on what non-essentials are.  Third, grayscale your phone, lessening the brightness.  Four, clean up your home screen to have only the absolute essentials.  Five, fix Screen-free – certain times and certain places.  For example, dinner time could be screen-free time.  Six, Limit your usage of individual apps.

Am I a diligent disciple of the Lord in the Digital Era? 

#DigitalNutrition
#FaithInTheDigitalEra

#jnmanokaran

#jninsights

Website: https://4gtmovement.com/ 

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Remove the floating membrane! (31 August 2025)

(Igniting Insights by Rev. Dr. J. N. Manokaran)

One scholar who used to read and write extensively had a problem with his left eye.  He was not able to read the books with small fonts.  Looking outside the glass window, he could not see properly.  Several times he cleaned the glass window, but it did not help.  He went to an ophthalmologist to have his eyes tested.  With modern technology, the doctor was able to observe tiny membranes, likely dead cells that were floating around and obstructing vision.  With laser technology, he could remove those and restore perfect vision.  He could read better, observe through the window more clearly.  Yes, even tiny specs could obstruct vision; no wonder larger ones, like beams, certainly distort the vision.  The Lord Jesus Christ warned us to clean up our own eyes before engaging in removing the specs in the eyes of others.  (Matthew 7:3-5) The Lord used a humorous way of communicating.  It is not possible to have a beam or plank in the eyes.  This is how exaggerated people’s opinions and attitudes towards others are.

Prejudice: It is a feeling that has no cause or reason towards someone or something based on caste, race, language, religion, or gender.  One airplane passenger refused to board the flight as he learned that the pilot was a woman.  Some stereotype others like: “all… language speakers are like this.” It is a dangerous sin as it is rash, harsh, unjust, and without basis. 

Worst:  Some have the habit of thinking of others in the worst possible manner.  In their mind, others are lower in hygiene, hierarchy, education, prestige, and status. 

Only faults:  Many people like to talk only about the faults of others.  They could have ninety-nine good things and one bad thing.  People like to talk only about the bad things, ignoring others.  An entire life is judged by one’s worst moment of a person. 

Hidden motives:  It is a habit of some to find hidden motives in every simple word and a normal act of a person. 

Am I merciful in engaging with others? 

#RemoveTheBeam
#SeeWithGrace

#jnmanokaran

#jninsights

Website: https://4gtmovement.com/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GospelInsightsJNM

WhatsApp:  +91 9444027221