Gathered unto Him

Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

I think the Lord is really trying to drill this message to us about how we should get connected with Him and be one with Him.

In today's message too the promise of being present with us is based on the same condition. The verb 'are gathered' has the meaning of: Being Present, Not Stated & Indicative.

Therefore the assurance of the Lord's presence being experienced by us depends on our standing. If we are just physically gathered we will never feel or experience the Lord's presence. But if we forget who we are according to this world and with all our heart (mind) and spirit, get connected to the Lord, we are assured we will experience the Lord's presence.

Since the pass few days the Lord is trying to drill this truth into us because He wants us to experience Him and He wants to draw us closer to Him. Do you not want to experience the Lord, and be loved by Him?

Then get yourself out of yourself and be like a child. In your mind forget all that you ever did, what ever is hurting you or what ever fear you have of the future, and gather your spirit together totally and worship and praise the Lord. This is the Word of the Lord who is true to His every Word - He wants to Love you more.

 

[Prayer]

Father God, You are trying again and again to pull me closer to You. But the hurdle my own self comes between You and me. Help me overcome myself and with all my heart and spirit be one with You so that I can experience your love. This I ask in Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

Securing your Tomorrow

Matthew 6:34 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

All of us save or keep something aside for tomorrow, by doing this is it being un-Christ like? Even in this scripture, the Lord does not say - do not secure your tomorrow.

If you read this scripture in total and understand it properly, the Lord says: like you insure your future or health with an insurance company, you need to insure yourself with an insurance company called the Kingdom of God. Here you pay your premiums daily with righteousness. Righteousness not according to the world but according to God. At the end of your policy, you get that large amount on maturity - so also here you will get on maturity, when the Chief Insurance Agent comes, that is your salvation and a ticket to Heaven. Also like in most insurance policies one has bonuses, similarly in this insurance policy your bonus is - all your daily needs will be fulfilled. The risk factor here is if we instead of paying in righteousness, we pay in evil which can lapse our policy. But our Insurance Officer – the Holy Spirit is very merciful that He helps us in time of trouble to not let us loose our policy.

So, if you have not opened your policy, please do. And to others make sure you keep paying your premiums daily, incase of trouble please give in an apology letter to the Insurance Officer and continue your policy. See you in Heaven, till then be in peace.

[Prayer]

Father God, the world and every thing in it can not secure me. All my efforts will not meet my needs. It is only You and through You that I can be secured and all my needs fulfilled. Lord, help me not to worry about this world but to worry about this journey which I am on, coming to You. That I may not reject or abuse the grace which You have made available through Jesus Christ. I ask this in His mighty Name, Amen.

Let the Lord be your mentor

Psalms 37:3-6

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

Most of the time when you correct someone the reply is 'I know I am making a mistake or where I am going wrong, do not show me my problem show me the solution'. The amusing part is, like the ability to discern the problem is in us, so also the solution to our problem is also in us. Therefore there are scriptures stating we are already victorious even when we are still fighting. What we need to do is be still; does not mean to stand in a position but to rest our minds and hear what the Lord speaks via our consciences. If we do hear a voice then we must ask ourselves what Jesus would do if He was in our position and His Spirit which dwells in us will guide us.

We need to give attention to the small things that we do in life where we take our actions for granted. When we pay attention to the small things then the big ones we will automatically overcome. We do not need some great man or woman of God counseling us when we have the Lord Himself with us. Trust in Him; even if we make some mistakes in the start do not worry, we must keep going back to the Lord and He will direct us and bring us unto our earthly promise land (blessings).

[Prayer]

Father God, Your Spirit dwells in me and guides me. Help me Lord to abide by your Spirit and listen unto your voice. By your Hand mend my ways and lead me unto my promise land. I ask this in Jesus' Name Amen.

[Reference Scripture]

1 John 5:4-5

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Romans 8:5-15

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

 

Being Patient

Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Patience is generally understood as to be calm (temperance - self control). A person who sleeps is also calm, but that does not mean that he is patient. Then some would define patience as being calm and awaiting (in hope) for an event; yet again if we are awaiting an event, would that not mount to impatience? For example if I am expecting someone at home and I sit on a chair and keep my eyes on the door, how would that be called patience? How long would one sit? If it is patience then why sit in the chair all the time? Will not that be called partly anxious?

Does patience mean to endure tribulation? No.

For in his letters, Paul talks about getting even; not doing it ourselves but letting God to do it for us.

Yet in patience we are called to endure. Patience is one of the few basic characteristic requirements of being a Christian along with righteousness, godliness (God fearing), meekness, faith and love.

Although patience is a very important aspect of being a Christian, yet among the fruit of the Holy Spirit it does not list.

Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (slow to anger), gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance (self control): against such there is no law.

If patience is so important why it is not listed among the fruit of the Holy Spirit? If it is not from the Holy Spirit then where do we get patience from and how do we grow in it?

Patience is not a fruit but is connected with almost all of the fruit.

Luke 8:15

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

I could call patience as a fruit basket or better a fruit salad. In simple understanding I would define patience as; if I am expecting the guest at home at 5:30pm; I go about doing my normal core of work, not sitting and watching at the door, until it is sharp 5:30pm when the guest has to arrive. I go to the door greet him and rejoice.

Here, we have basically four elements that go into patience:-

1) Knowledge of the event - for example here the time when it will happen.

2) Hope/Trust / Faith - trusting that things will not change, like in here the person will surely come.

3) Calmness / self control - keeping our state as natural as it can be while waiting, until the turn of the event.

4) Joy - Excitement to see it being fulfilled.

What we normally call as the gift of patience is the ability to keep the calmness or self-control during the process / period. But if any of the other three elements are missing, either the whole process will not mount to patience or we will not be able to keep calm during the wait in changing times.

If I do not know when (even approximately when) the event will happen or when we will receive, it will change my patience into either anxiety (impatience) or to a careless attitude which can amount to not waiting at all. Knowledge is a very important part of our having patience.

The other elements (fruit) help control and strengthen us in the period of wait. So patience is like putting all the fruit to the test and therefore help them grow in us.

[Prayer]

Father God, You are the Lord of patience. You have given your Word unto us and in your Word You have written the start and the end. You know everything and endure everything; You await its fulfillment. You are excited, looking forward to see the end when man comes back to You. Show me to keep the same patience as You keep with me. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness

Psalms 96:9 - O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

The scriptures say that only the Lord is Holy, yet we are asked to be holy. While dwelling where we are (unless we are very, very weak both physically and spiritually) we need to still set ourselves apart and be holy. That means living in this world we should be not of this world. We are supposed to overcome this world and become holy.

When we worship the Lord we should cut ourselves from this world in every thought, feeling and desire and come before the Lord like we are just been made and have not even entered the world.

[Prayer]

Father God, You alone are Holy and as your child I too pursue holiness. It is impossible for me to be holy, but by your Spirit, Lord I can learn to be holy. Help me Lord to be able to enjoy worshiping You to its fullness by being holy. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Wait on The Lord

Psalms 27:14 - Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

 

When we read this scripture which talks about waiting on the Lord, we consider this waiting as lying on back and taking it easy - waiting. But the waiting this scripture is talking about is not a patient waiting but an impatient waiting. It is an intensive waiting which the Lord asks us to take. How are we to take this intensive waiting? If we read the previous lines of this scripture the psalmist says –

 

Psalms 27:13 - I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

 

The words 'I had fainted' are added to the original text to make it easy to read. So if we read just the original text, it says 'unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living'.

We all know in Heaven it will be a blessed living, but the Psalmist takes an aggressive stance and wants to see it now in this world. That is the kind of waiting we are supposed to take; an eager, relentless and full of expectation waiting.

For this we need to have strength (good courage) and the Lord will help increase our strength further till we receive our deliverance.

 

[Prayer]

Father God, You are the Living God and all things abide by You. I too live because of You and everything about me and around me is by your knowledge. Let your light shine upon me and all things connected to me, so that it may receive your healing. Lord I am eager to see your glory and according to your Word I know I will see it. Strengthen me that I may not faint in my waiting to see your glory shine in me. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

Prayer for sickness

 

Many have seen healing happen. But what many might not know - is that it's doesn't always happen after praying for it. Sometimes, after praying - the person might not get healed immediately. Whenever you pray for healing, you must ask for a message from our Lord. When the message is very clear, then healing will happen. But when the message is vague, at such times - there'll be waiting. At these times, don't hesitate approach doctors for assistance.

If one understands the Word of God and life, even after approaching the doctor one needs to pray so that the medicines work quickly. If you or someone is sick and you have prayed, repented and have not seen a result, please do not take your sickness likely. Approach doctors and get help still. Many times - it is through the doctors and the medicines - that the Lord cures; so keep your prayers unceasing.

 

[Prayer]

Father God, You are righteous. You are perfect, your ways are perfect and are hidden from man, it is your mercy that saves us. Lord we pray for your mercy and grace by why which we are healed. Lord we pray for all the physicians who are used by you to heal your people that bless them and guide them. We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

[Reference Scriptures]

2 Kings 20:1-7

1  In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.

2  Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,

3  I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

4  And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,

5  Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.

6  And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

7  And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

Behold the Lamb of God

John 1:29 - The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

In the Old Testament in the book of Moses the Lord had instructed Moses to put a fiery serpent on a pole and set it before the people so that when they look up at it they may live (Numbers 21:8-9).

When Jesus died on the cross He took our sins on Himself and became sin for us. So that, when we behold Him on the cross, we may live.

So my dear brothers and sisters if you are feeling unworthy as a sinner, I invite you to the foot of the cross of Jesus, and I ask you to look up at the Body of Jesus hung on it and receive forgiveness and new life; in spirit be resurrected with Him.

[Prayer]

Lord Jesus, even when I was not worthy and did not know You, still You chose to die for me. Now I come to your cross and look up unto your Body which was given up for us and I receive forgiveness for my sins. For You have taken them on You and died for me, thereby with You I may be resurrected. Amen

[Reference Scriptures]

Numbers 21:8-9

8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

1 Peter 1:19

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Everything is Possible!

Luke 1:37 - For with God nothing shall be impossible

When Mary’s faith was reaffirmed through the testimony of her cousin Elizabeth as narrated by the Angel, she acknowledged God's omnipotence and the impossible happened.

We all call ourselves 'believers of the true God, the One and only Living God'. But our faith is so bad that when we have problems we first look at our resources and at the resources of our colleagues to solve the problem (even when we do not see a solution). I do not say we do not try solving problem by ourselves. For, it is the Lord only, who puts the resources in our lives. But when we do not see any solution happening or when things are too difficult; that is the time when we should be on our knees not to pray but acknowledge our Lord God. We need to just realize who our God is and tell it to our situation. And when we do it, our situation will surely change, for our situation is not greater then our God.

[Prayer]
Lord, many a time I am praying and praying for my problem to solve but I lack faith in acknowledging your omnipotence and to tell it to my situation. Help me Holy Spirit in those difficult, impossible moments by reminding me who my God is and to tell it to my situation. I make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Be a Shepherd today!

Psalms 23:1 - The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

When Jesus said 'I am the good shepherd' He also professed that the sheep were those whom the Father gave Him. Some of us try to rule over people - like we are not shepherds but owners of the sheep. As a shepherd we need to understand that our duty is to guide the sheep and lead them to green pastures. It is the Father who owns the sheep and it is He who gives us the sheep to take care of, it is to Him that we need to answer and give an account of every sheep given unto us.

[Prayer]

Father God, You have selected me to be a shepherd like Jesus Christ. Help me know Him better that I may imitate Him in every thing that I do. I ask this in His Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

John 6:39, 65

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

John 10:14-16

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Dead and Risen with Christ

Colossians 3:1-8

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

When we receive Christ we are forgiven of our sins. Also if we sin after that and repent, we are again forgiven of our sins. But the nature to sin in us needs to be attended to or else we will continue this cycle of sin and repentance which will lead to us hardening our hearts and less repenting. This will further lead to our rejecting Christ and loosing our inheritance in the Lord.

The only way to overcome this sinful nature in us is by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is only when we join our selves to Christ, dying on the Cross and resurrecting with Him we will have victory over this sinful nature permanently. When we resurrect with Christ our purpose of our lives, should not be ours but Christ' purpose in our lives.

This dying and resurrecting has to be in the mind and spirit. This will automatically bring the flesh into control.

[Prayer]

Lord Jesus, when You died on the Cross. When You died You died for me and when You resurrected You bought victory over death unto me. Bring me to realization of this death and resurrection I had in You so that, like You I too may have victory over sin and overcome my sinful nature. I ask this in your mighty Name, Amen.