The outfall of the rivers to the seaport is comparatively less deep. It is the same even with the case of very powerful and heavy flowing rivers. What could be the reason? The sand carried by the flowing water settles at the port. Thus the sandbank formed may even change the direction of the river in several years.

In olden times we were depending mainly on rivers for journey than road ways. As it was the case, there were incidents where port cities became unapproachable due to the formation of heavy sandbanks. Such cities even disappeared in course of time.

Remember that neither heavy landslide nor an earthquake caused this great change. It is not even big stones or rocks that changed the direction of the mighty river. But the cause of such a big change was tiny sands. Likewise even tiny little sins and seemingly small mistakes can direct us to huge troubles. They can be terrible blocks in our life.

This could be one of the reasons why many faithful ones stumble on the way and their life become futile. They do not commit the mistakes which the society considers grave. And they may evade from the serious sins.

But they are unaware that the tiny mistakes are repeated every now and then. At last these tiny sins will settle at the shore of our heart and change the direction of our life as well as block our relationship with the ocean of grace. It is one of the reasons of a troubled and callous life.

Let us pray: Lord, give me a simple heart which rejects everything unpleasing to you without rating sins as big and small. Amen.

- – - written by Benny Punnathara

Alcoholic abuse has become a cancer that has been eating into the vitals of the modern society. Today, however, we have transformed alcohol into a symbol of status and nobility. Alcohol makes people brutes and an alcoholic makes the family a hell.

Alcoholics do not consider drinking as a sin. Many people think like this – Everything in this world has been created for the enjoyment of man. But God has never allowed His children to indulge in the lusts of people. India has now turned into a den of toddy shops, bars and outlets selling alcoholic beverages. Against this, God gives us timely warning: “Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. At last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder” (Pro 23:31).

Inspite of knowing that alcoholism would cause havoc on our home, society, wealth and even on self respect, we plunge ourselves into ruin very much like a butterfly trying to befriend flames. What a deplorable state of affairs!

We spend more money on alcohol than on food. Most of the road accidents are the results of drunken driving. If we look into the cases of divorce in India, we find the main reason for divorce is alcohol abuse. People with liver and heart diseases are also on the increase in India. Assaults on women and sexual perversions are also on the rise here.

Some people justify themselves by asking what is wrong in taking an occasional drink. They will say that they do that just to get some relief after carrying out all their responsibilities. Such pretext of drinking is not good for a good Christian. God wants us to live a life that is appropriate for the day, abandoning our love of luxury and desire for drinks.

Alcoholism destroys our health and sanctity of our body. What is displayed on the bottle labels and on the boards of shops selling alcohol? Isn’t it “Drinking alcohol is injurious to health?” We should realize our mistakes and give up drinking.

God asks us, “Don’t you know that you are the temple of God and the Holy spirit dwells in you? “If anyone destroys God’s temple ,God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy and you are that temple” (1 Cor 3:17).

Our bodies are temples of God. When we spoil our bodies with alcohol, we are actually pouring dirty water into the temple of God. Any act that destroys the nobility and purity of our body is a sin. We should have this knowledge and conviction.

- – - written by Surjith Jacob

Want to know more? Goto Abuse of Alcohol and Drugs

Sometimes, in all our lives,
We have a cross to bear.
We think we’re on our own
And long for someone to care.

We forget that God is watching,
Waiting to guide us through.
He understands how we feel,
Is sharing our sorrows, too.

Only He can see in the future,
Knows what plans are in store,
And (with His grace and power)
He opens a brand new door.

Lean on Him to guide you.
For, He is holding the key
Solving all of life’s problems,
In order that we can be free.

- – - written by Marian Jones