1 Chronicles 16:9 - Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.
When we are told to praise God for His wondrous works we look out for some great miracles or healings or things like that, to praise God for. The scripture in its true depth tells us to praise God for the things which we consider normal or everyday. For had it not been for the God grace this everyday event could have been a once in a life calamity.
Let's take for example walking to the store and coming back. Just think of the number of people who meet with an accident while crossing the street, people who have been robed and harmed while walking on the street, or people who suddenly had a medical problem and there was no one to help them. Just give a thought, one of these people could have been you.
Let us thank and praise God for his grace and mercy on us and his love for us everyday of our lives. Let us therefore sing songs of thanks giving and praise unto Him for every moment of the day.
[Prayer]
Father God, there are many people around me who perish suddenly in sin and ignorance. But You have open my eyes unto You, to know You and accept You. Your Hand is over me to protect me and guide me. Father I thank You for every moment of this day which You have set before me and I rejoice in all things You bring unto me today. I praise and thank You, Father; in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Being Lucky?
Colossians 4:5,6 - Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Just yesterday after church service, a brother came up to me in all excitement and
said: 'the Lord has blessed me with wisdom! I get visions which have come true and I am lucky...'
Most people will not find anything wrong in his words, but I immediately caught the word 'lucky'. God may have blessed him with wisdom but he was not using it. For the word 'lucky' is not a word in the dictionary of a believer. It is only an unbeliever who can talk about luck. Our God is God and if anything is beyond Him will make Him not God. Believing in luck means believing there are powers beyond God.
We can use words like fortunate or blessed but using a word like luck makes one stand as an unbeliever. Summarily we tend to use words like 'damned' or 'bloody' etc... Do we know what these words means?
Do we think what we speak or is there a lose connection between our mind and mouth. Mistakes happen ones, twice or sometimes but not always. We make excuses like habit; I would say habit of making mistakes.
What we speak and communicate can build or misleads others. So next time, watch your language and use the wisdom you have been blessed with. For each one who believes in Christ is blessed with wisdom beyond an unbeliever; we need to use it and build others with it.
[Prayer]
Father God, forgive us for the times we have disowned You in our words. Help us discern every word we speak so that we use this gift of speech to build others and to testify to the world who our God is. We ask You to pour more of your Spirit on us and help us live more in Him. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
[Reference Scripture]
Daniel 1:17-20
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
Exodus 31:2
2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
Isaiah 11:2
2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
Luke 4:18-19
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Just yesterday after church service, a brother came up to me in all excitement and
said: 'the Lord has blessed me with wisdom! I get visions which have come true and I am lucky...'
Most people will not find anything wrong in his words, but I immediately caught the word 'lucky'. God may have blessed him with wisdom but he was not using it. For the word 'lucky' is not a word in the dictionary of a believer. It is only an unbeliever who can talk about luck. Our God is God and if anything is beyond Him will make Him not God. Believing in luck means believing there are powers beyond God.
We can use words like fortunate or blessed but using a word like luck makes one stand as an unbeliever. Summarily we tend to use words like 'damned' or 'bloody' etc... Do we know what these words means?
Do we think what we speak or is there a lose connection between our mind and mouth. Mistakes happen ones, twice or sometimes but not always. We make excuses like habit; I would say habit of making mistakes.
What we speak and communicate can build or misleads others. So next time, watch your language and use the wisdom you have been blessed with. For each one who believes in Christ is blessed with wisdom beyond an unbeliever; we need to use it and build others with it.
[Prayer]
Father God, forgive us for the times we have disowned You in our words. Help us discern every word we speak so that we use this gift of speech to build others and to testify to the world who our God is. We ask You to pour more of your Spirit on us and help us live more in Him. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
[Reference Scripture]
Daniel 1:17-20
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
Exodus 31:2
2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:
3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
Isaiah 11:2
2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
Luke 4:18-19
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
With Charity
I Corinthians 16:14 - Let all your things be done with charity.
One of the greatest losses to Christianity is the lack of understanding between love and charity and the confusion between both.
The scriptures like in I John 4:8, 16 clearly state God as charity and not love. The Greek word Agape means charity and the word Agapao means love. The nature of God is charity but by doing charity we do not become God. We behave like God or children of God and thus show God unto others.
If we understand the charity we understand a great part of Christianity. A few things Christianity is based on are truth, righteousness, holiness, patience, mercy and charity. The greatest among these is charity for it is because of charity we were created, it is because of charity that Jesus died for us and it is because of charity we testify Jesus and preach His Gospel.
We also receive our promises when we really understand charity - God's charity towards us. And the best way of understanding something is by putting it to practice. So let us live charity, breathe charity and show charity unto others. By this we will not only testify God unto others and bless them but also be blessed ourselves by building a better relationship with God.
[Prayer]
Father God, You are charity and when we live You we show You unto others. Lord help me testify You unto others by dying to myself and living for You and for your purpose - to save your people. I ask this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
1 John 4:7,8
7 Beloved, let us love (Agapao) one another: for love (Agape) is of God; and every one that loveth (Agapao) is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth (Agapao) not knoweth not God; for God is love (Agape).
1 John 4:15,16
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love (Agape) that God hath to us. God is love (Agape); and he that dwelleth in love (Agape) dwelleth in God, and God in him.
1 Timothy 6:11
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love (Agape), patience, meekness.
One of the greatest losses to Christianity is the lack of understanding between love and charity and the confusion between both.
The scriptures like in I John 4:8, 16 clearly state God as charity and not love. The Greek word Agape means charity and the word Agapao means love. The nature of God is charity but by doing charity we do not become God. We behave like God or children of God and thus show God unto others.
If we understand the charity we understand a great part of Christianity. A few things Christianity is based on are truth, righteousness, holiness, patience, mercy and charity. The greatest among these is charity for it is because of charity we were created, it is because of charity that Jesus died for us and it is because of charity we testify Jesus and preach His Gospel.
We also receive our promises when we really understand charity - God's charity towards us. And the best way of understanding something is by putting it to practice. So let us live charity, breathe charity and show charity unto others. By this we will not only testify God unto others and bless them but also be blessed ourselves by building a better relationship with God.
[Prayer]
Father God, You are charity and when we live You we show You unto others. Lord help me testify You unto others by dying to myself and living for You and for your purpose - to save your people. I ask this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
1 John 4:7,8
7 Beloved, let us love (Agapao) one another: for love (Agape) is of God; and every one that loveth (Agapao) is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth (Agapao) not knoweth not God; for God is love (Agape).
1 John 4:15,16
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love (Agape) that God hath to us. God is love (Agape); and he that dwelleth in love (Agape) dwelleth in God, and God in him.
1 Timothy 6:11
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love (Agape), patience, meekness.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Casting Your Burden...
Psalms 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
We are told by most that we need to cast our burden unto the lord we can expect all our problems to be solved.
The problem is not the scripture sometimes works and many times does not. The problem really is that we do not read the full scripture but only the part of it as per our liking and expect results. Most of the promises in the Bible have a condition and this scripture too has a condition. To have a fail proof result one needs to do the latter part of the scripture - be righteous.
None of us can be righteous, else we would have not needed Jesus Christ; and this the Lord knows. If you go into the grammar of the word it says - to make an attempt even if we can not be perfect. Only when we cast our burden unto the Lord and also take this path of righteousness, we are assured the promise. A promise from the Lord is even more real than the Demand Draft of a bank or hard cash in your hand. For there is chance of them failing but the Lord's promise WILL NOT.
[Prayer]
Father God, You are righteous and holy. It is by your righteousness that all things are set. It is only when we pursue your righteousness we identify ourselves as your children and as your children we inherit freedom from all our problems. I ask You Lord that You give me the courage to trust in You and to follow your path of righteousness. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
We are told by most that we need to cast our burden unto the lord we can expect all our problems to be solved.
The problem is not the scripture sometimes works and many times does not. The problem really is that we do not read the full scripture but only the part of it as per our liking and expect results. Most of the promises in the Bible have a condition and this scripture too has a condition. To have a fail proof result one needs to do the latter part of the scripture - be righteous.
None of us can be righteous, else we would have not needed Jesus Christ; and this the Lord knows. If you go into the grammar of the word it says - to make an attempt even if we can not be perfect. Only when we cast our burden unto the Lord and also take this path of righteousness, we are assured the promise. A promise from the Lord is even more real than the Demand Draft of a bank or hard cash in your hand. For there is chance of them failing but the Lord's promise WILL NOT.
[Prayer]
Father God, You are righteous and holy. It is by your righteousness that all things are set. It is only when we pursue your righteousness we identify ourselves as your children and as your children we inherit freedom from all our problems. I ask You Lord that You give me the courage to trust in You and to follow your path of righteousness. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Monday, April 20, 2009
We are all Specialists!
1 Corinthians 7:20 - Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
Each one of us has come to know the Lord from different habitats. We have a different ways of living, different mind sets, different approaches.
Let me give you an example from the Bible - David.
Even before David was anointed by Samuel, the Lord was training David with the sling. As a shepherd he had mastered the sling so as to use it as an impacting tool in God's plan for him. He defeated Goliath with a sling and came into the limelight of all.
I too come from a scientific temperament, computer industry, and thought I had worldly answers to most questions. First God humbled me in my area of self knowledge and helped me use my scientific and IT background to understand His Word, His world and helped use the ability given to me to evangelize throughout the world.
You too are special - you have a testimony in you which is very important for God's Kingdom and the Lord wants you to share that with others. He will clean or bring down the unwanted and use the ability given to you is a very special way.
Although each one of us is special in our working, yet we work in a limited callings and on a single narrow path. So do not try to imitate any other man but Christ in whom all was and is in full. In the start you may like people did Paul but as you grow spiritually be that special which God has called you to be.
[Prayer]
Father God, I thank You for making me special. I have a testimony in me which You want me to share with the world, help me fulfill your desire. Give me the courage to go out where You lead me and testify how great, mighty, merciful and wonderful You are. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
1 Corinthians 3:1
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1 Corinthians 11:1-2
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Each one of us has come to know the Lord from different habitats. We have a different ways of living, different mind sets, different approaches.
Let me give you an example from the Bible - David.
Even before David was anointed by Samuel, the Lord was training David with the sling. As a shepherd he had mastered the sling so as to use it as an impacting tool in God's plan for him. He defeated Goliath with a sling and came into the limelight of all.
I too come from a scientific temperament, computer industry, and thought I had worldly answers to most questions. First God humbled me in my area of self knowledge and helped me use my scientific and IT background to understand His Word, His world and helped use the ability given to me to evangelize throughout the world.
You too are special - you have a testimony in you which is very important for God's Kingdom and the Lord wants you to share that with others. He will clean or bring down the unwanted and use the ability given to you is a very special way.
Although each one of us is special in our working, yet we work in a limited callings and on a single narrow path. So do not try to imitate any other man but Christ in whom all was and is in full. In the start you may like people did Paul but as you grow spiritually be that special which God has called you to be.
[Prayer]
Father God, I thank You for making me special. I have a testimony in me which You want me to share with the world, help me fulfill your desire. Give me the courage to go out where You lead me and testify how great, mighty, merciful and wonderful You are. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
1 Corinthians 3:1
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1 Corinthians 11:1-2
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Spirit Wars
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 - For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
The reason why this scripture is so powerful is simply because – it talks about destroying all judgments and reasoning which exalts itself against the truth of God. For this, we should not do it with knowledge and arguments but in Spirit.
Sometimes, our war is not of the flesh or of the mind (worldly knowledge) but of the spirit (carnal means the mixture of mind and body that goes against God's Kingdom).
Our war is of the spirit and therefore our spirit needs to be strong and this is possible only when the Spirit is strong in us. When darkness enters us we need the light (Word) to shine in us and overcome the darkness. When we are in light the darkness around us will automatically depart. So instead of fighting with others to change, we should first concentrate on changing ourselves inside and letting the power of God within us change every thing around us.
[Prayer]
Father God, your Word is life and it gives light unto us. It quenches us and strengthens us. Let your Word shine in us and let your Spirit fill us more and more that just by our presents You be glorified by all around us. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
The reason why this scripture is so powerful is simply because – it talks about destroying all judgments and reasoning which exalts itself against the truth of God. For this, we should not do it with knowledge and arguments but in Spirit.
Sometimes, our war is not of the flesh or of the mind (worldly knowledge) but of the spirit (carnal means the mixture of mind and body that goes against God's Kingdom).
Our war is of the spirit and therefore our spirit needs to be strong and this is possible only when the Spirit is strong in us. When darkness enters us we need the light (Word) to shine in us and overcome the darkness. When we are in light the darkness around us will automatically depart. So instead of fighting with others to change, we should first concentrate on changing ourselves inside and letting the power of God within us change every thing around us.
[Prayer]
Father God, your Word is life and it gives light unto us. It quenches us and strengthens us. Let your Word shine in us and let your Spirit fill us more and more that just by our presents You be glorified by all around us. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Follow the treasure map!
Deuteronomy 28:1,2 - And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
Satan tempts our carnal self and brings us to fall by breaking the commandments of God; by doing so we loose the blessings which we ought to receive.
The voice of the Holy Spirit becomes a shield to overcome the temptation of Satan.
Jesus was lead into the desert for forty days and even when He was weak in the flesh, yet He over came the temptations of Satan by the voice of the Lord - the Word. Jesus used scriptures to overcome Satan (temptation), not just by the confession; but it was the understanding which became like a net.
Understanding of the Word comes only when we abide by the Word. Knowledge will not help, but experience along with knowledge helps. So abiding by the Word will give us the understanding and build us stronger in our fight and also increase our receiving of our blessings.
If we have a treasure map to the greatest treasure in the world we do not become rich, unless we follow the map and we receive the treasure? Looking at the map ever day or memorizing it - will not help, but moving on it surely will.
[Prayer]
Father God, your Word is Life to us. It guides us to receive all the blessings You have made available for us. Help us by your Spirit to diligently hearken to your Word. This we ask in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Satan tempts our carnal self and brings us to fall by breaking the commandments of God; by doing so we loose the blessings which we ought to receive.
The voice of the Holy Spirit becomes a shield to overcome the temptation of Satan.
Jesus was lead into the desert for forty days and even when He was weak in the flesh, yet He over came the temptations of Satan by the voice of the Lord - the Word. Jesus used scriptures to overcome Satan (temptation), not just by the confession; but it was the understanding which became like a net.
Understanding of the Word comes only when we abide by the Word. Knowledge will not help, but experience along with knowledge helps. So abiding by the Word will give us the understanding and build us stronger in our fight and also increase our receiving of our blessings.
If we have a treasure map to the greatest treasure in the world we do not become rich, unless we follow the map and we receive the treasure? Looking at the map ever day or memorizing it - will not help, but moving on it surely will.
[Prayer]
Father God, your Word is Life to us. It guides us to receive all the blessings You have made available for us. Help us by your Spirit to diligently hearken to your Word. This we ask in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Keep Strong in Faith!
1 Corinthians 16:13,14 - Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.
One way of increasing your faith is putting yourself on the job. When I started working for the Lord my faith was not much, but as I continued my faith grew tremendously.
Working for the Lord is done out of love not just to please people, but to help them prosper in the right path - spirit, soul and body.
Doing things for people just to please them is not love, but really helping them in a genuine way to help prosper is true love, God kind of love - Agape. Preaching the Gospel is one of the greatest ways of loving people since you want to save them eternally. When we do this we are not only helping others, we also land up helping ourselves grow in faith.
So grow in faith as you reach out to others.
[Prayer]
Father God, true love is shown in You alone. When we imitate You, we grow in You. Help me Lord to bring others to You, for as I draw others to You, You draw me closer to Yourself. Give me the courage and resources to preach your Good News to the people You have put in my life. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
When we see Our Lord again
John 16:22 - ...but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
The Resurrection of the Jesus Christ is an assurance of the promise given to us. Lord Jesus Christ wants to tell us to keep hope even though the fight for us is not over. His Resurrection assures us that He has opened the door of salvation for us and will be back to finish the battle against evil. He has done the job for us in Heaven and set all things in the Spirit world for us to receive when we believe and follow His Spirit. His Spirit will guide us through the narrow path and encourage us on the journey. He will lift us, strengthen us and help us receive all that our Lord Jesus Christ has made available for us by His sacrifice.
On Resurrection Sunday we rejoice, but our real joy will be when we meet Jesus Christ. For that we do not have to wait till the Judgment Day, even today we can meet Him when really understand the meaning of the sacrifice and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Today on Resurrection Sunday I encourage all of you to travel 2000 years back and reflect on the dead and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; be encouraged to keep the hope and fight the battle to the finish.
[Prayer]
Lord Jesus, You have given us hope and an assurance by your resurrection that the door has been opened for us to be saved. By your Spirit Lord, You lead us through this narrow door. Lord, I pray that I and all your people not let go of your Hand, so that we all may walk through that door and enter into your salvation. I make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
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.
John the Baptist who was an official announcer for Jesus introduced Him to the world he used the title 'Lamb of God'. But why Jesus is called the Lamb of God and not any other animal of God? There were many other animals which were also sacrificed like goats, cows, ox etc...
In the Bible all animals are symbolic to the character and physical being. The lamb is a small one of the sheepfold and is covered with wool which is mostly white, all over the body. It is a very timid animal.
Before He came as man - Jesus, He was God - the Son of God. By whom and for whom all creation is made. This very same Being who's power is beyond man's imagination, humbled Himself, taking the greatest risk and became man and a living sacrifice for all mankind. There are people who enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and some who really nail and whip themselves to experience the suffering or testify the pain. How can any man do that? Firstly the Bible does not give total detail of the suffering Jesus went through. What is given in the Old Testament is just a part of what He suffered. Even if any man humbles himself, becomes an ant and allows others to crush him, yet he will not match what God who is omnipotent did as Jesus. He became man to be King of all mankind and on the cross forget being a King; He looked like the greatest failure. As man He also took the greatest risk, since He is God who is Holy, if any sin had entered Him as man, it could have destroyed everything. Therefore the Lamb is white and covered with wool - which symbolizes grace He made available to all mankind.
So let each of us adore and give glory to the Lamb of God.
[Prayer]
Father God, we thank You for your Son - Jesus. Who humbled Himself and became a living sacrifice for us eternally. Help us learn from Him as His Spirit leads us every moment of our life. This we ask in Jesus' Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
Isaiah 53
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was anydeceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
John the Baptist who was an official announcer for Jesus introduced Him to the world he used the title 'Lamb of God'. But why Jesus is called the Lamb of God and not any other animal of God? There were many other animals which were also sacrificed like goats, cows, ox etc...
In the Bible all animals are symbolic to the character and physical being. The lamb is a small one of the sheepfold and is covered with wool which is mostly white, all over the body. It is a very timid animal.
Before He came as man - Jesus, He was God - the Son of God. By whom and for whom all creation is made. This very same Being who's power is beyond man's imagination, humbled Himself, taking the greatest risk and became man and a living sacrifice for all mankind. There are people who enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and some who really nail and whip themselves to experience the suffering or testify the pain. How can any man do that? Firstly the Bible does not give total detail of the suffering Jesus went through. What is given in the Old Testament is just a part of what He suffered. Even if any man humbles himself, becomes an ant and allows others to crush him, yet he will not match what God who is omnipotent did as Jesus. He became man to be King of all mankind and on the cross forget being a King; He looked like the greatest failure. As man He also took the greatest risk, since He is God who is Holy, if any sin had entered Him as man, it could have destroyed everything. Therefore the Lamb is white and covered with wool - which symbolizes grace He made available to all mankind.
So let each of us adore and give glory to the Lamb of God.
[Prayer]
Father God, we thank You for your Son - Jesus. Who humbled Himself and became a living sacrifice for us eternally. Help us learn from Him as His Spirit leads us every moment of our life. This we ask in Jesus' Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
Isaiah 53
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was anydeceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The day of the LORD's sacrifice is at hand.
Zephaniah 1:7-12
7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.
8 And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.
9 In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.
10 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.
11 Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.
12 And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
We are not talking of Judgment Day here but the day when the glorious Church of God on earth will be shown among his people.
If you understand accounts this would be compared to the auditors sitting in your office and going thought your accounts before its submission. They will scrutinize anything they find fishy and make you work hard to rectify it. This is a nightmare for most companies, but they will co-operate to their best efforts because they know once they get things corrected their accounts will be passed by the government authorities and they will not be penalized or fined.
Activities (good and bad) in our life are reaching greater pitches because auditing is on. People of God who keep strange believes - astrology, palmistry, believing in colours, gems etc., those who follow man not the Lord, those who also believe in other gods, those who think things in the world just happen and God is just an observer, etc. the time has come, the Lord is going to prove He is present and He is God. Like it is written He will search with a candle light among his people and make sure that we bought to correction so that we can be glorified in Him.
Repent and erase the rubbish, take the understanding of the Word and bring to correction the mis-entries, so that things are better with you.
[Prayer]
Father God, You love us and You want us to be with You, therefore You chastise us. Help me Lord that I may open my eyes, submit with my whole heart and be corrected according to thy desire. Have mercy on us and be gentle with us but do not stop your work among us. This I pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Fear the Lord and Serve Him in truth
2 Samuel 12:24 - Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
Our God is most companionate and He requires us to do our best according to our understanding. There is more expected of us then the people of old, because the Lord has been revealing more and more of his Word. People in the old days read the Bible but did not understand the Bible in its truth. The grace of God has been increasing and will increase till the last days as more and more of his Spirit is poured on man and more and more of the Word is revealed unto man. So as the Lord reveals to us and according to the understanding we receive, we need to follow and perform.
[Prayer]
Father God, You are merciful and gracious God. Although I am imperfect still You love me. You reveal Yourself gradually to me and like a potter You mould me and make me like Jesus. Give me the patients, strength and courage to hold on to You and your Word. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
Mark 12:29-34
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Growing up to a Purpose
Isaiah 40:11 - He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom,and shall gently lead those that are with young (nursing a young).
Monday, April 6, 2009
Acts of Service
Matthew 23:12 - And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased (made low); and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Why did Jesus preach such a thing like 'make yourself low and I will lift you up, but if you lift yourself up, I will put you down'?
Did He really mean that? As a Christian you need to be proud of who you are in the Lord. But as a true disciple of Christ you need to follow Christ who broke his body for others. Breaking your body does not necessary mean to suffer bodily. It means to - not live for your self but for others. That also does not mean you become a social worker. Serving others should not be concentrated only on the physical but more on the spiritual. Jesus was not a social worker, but he did truly help the needy.
What I mean to say is you can serve God as a social-worker but by just being a social worker you may not be necessary serving God. The other way is also valid - just preaching and not helping the needy before you, is not serving God. That means your preaching should be both in words and in action.
It matters on the short term and long term help you are giving on to the needy. If it is only short term help, then it will not help. But if the long term comes along with the short term and vise versa then you are serving God. It is only then you will be lifted up or exalted (not necessarily on earth, but surely in Heaven). Help people live forever while helping them with their lives on earth and you will be rewarded abundantly.
[Prayer]
Lord, You are a merciful God, yet You are righteous. Lord should us the way that You want us to serve others, so that we truly help them and give permanent relief to their suffering. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
James 2:14-18 [NKJV]
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Cast ALL your anxieties on Him this week
1 Peter 5:6,7 - Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care (anxiety) upon him; for he careth for you.
Tried to solve your own problems? If you are not having any success then today's message is for you. Humbling your self before other people means to put yourself behind them and help push them ahead while being not self centered but being concern of the other person. Humbling one's self before God is not the same thing. We can not promote or prosper God, but we can promote and prosper God's plans in our life and in the world. That happens when we praise Him, not only in words but in our actions also.
When we praise God with our whole being without giving any thought to our anxiety, we have God exalting us and our situations in due time. When will this due time come?
In God's Kingdom, time is not measured by the solar activity or atomic oscillation. Time is measured by the heart conditions of a person. Therefore a day in God's Kingdom can be very long or very short according to your heart. If your heart condition is perfect every thing is NOW. So let us get our hearts in the right condition and let us praise God with our whole being (in words and in our doings) so that we get healed in all areas of our lives.
[Prayer]
Father God, You ask me to praise You not because You need my praises. I am unworthy before You. You know that my praising You will heal my life and surrounding. So I lift my hands and praise You not only in action but in my work. Heal me and make me whole, O Almighty God. This I ask in Jesus' Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
Jeremiah 17:14
14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
Psalms 67:5-7
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Receiving Blessings
Psalms 37:5 - Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
We have read in the Bible the only way to receive our blessing is by faith. Faith is the only currency which works in place of mercy, which gets us our blessings. Faith is a very easy word but the most difficult to exercise. In this scripture we are shown the easier path to have faith. The Lord tells us through the psalmist to commit our way unto Him. This commitment does not need to be a total surrender but can start with focusing. Once we focus and start making attempts towards it, we will soon find ourselves on that journey of total surrender.
To keep ourselves on this journey of commitment we will need to have trust. Trust starts with hope. So, if we can start with hoping of better things and we put in the element of experience / testimonies, we get what is called trust. We do not have to go far or exert ourselves much to hear testimonies of how good the Lord is. Keeping these testimonies in mind always, along with the hope will build our trust in the Lord.
Now having both these elements of commitment and trust fulfills the requirement (faith) for us to receive our blessings. This route may take a little while but will surely reach us to the goal.
[Prayer]
Father God, You have blessed us with all things, but we are unable to receive it due to many reasons. Your love is so much that You made things easier for us receive our blessing if we follow your instructions. Help us Lord that we apply them in our lives and thus be drenched in the shower of blessings. This I ask in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Knowledge of God and love brings peace
Psalms 122:6, 7 - Pray for the peace of
If we are worshiping one Lord and following one Shepherd, then how can there be flocks of sheep going in different directions? Is the Shepherd not doing his job or are we being misguided by a wolf calling himself shepherd?
Like they were being exploited due to lack of knowledge so also we Christians have been exploited due to lack of knowledge of the Word of God. It is only the understanding of the Word that will bring light and unity between us. Before I too was lead by blind people who themselves did not read the Bible (but read all other books). But ever since I followed the real (Good) Shepherd my eyes opened to see the truth, there was peace within me and I was lead to good pastures (peace around me and with my situations).
Things may not be perfect with you, like it is not with me; but there will be drastic change in your circumstances when there is peace within you (when the Lord is with you / you are following the Good Shepherd). Many things may come up against you from different directions but they will all die down and will not harm you.
The only way of having peace in us and among us is when we have love among us and the knowledge and understanding of the Lord in us. So let us pray and commit ourselves to the knowledge of God so that there is peace among us.
[Prayer]
Father God, I pray for peace with your people. That your Spirit lead them to your knowledge and understanding. All that is not of your Kingdom within them may be expelled by the light of your Word. Expose the wolves that are misleading your flock. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
Proverbs 2:1-8
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Hosea 6:5-6 [ESV]
5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets;
I have slain them by the words of my mouth,
and my judgment goes forth as the light.
6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
For what do we ask?
John 14:13 - And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
The truth is - in today's world: we ask of a lot... Not just from people from around us - but more so from God... Almost every prayer can and has become one of supplication - and thanksgiving is often ignored...
Our Lord Jesus Christ is drawing all mankind to Himself not to glorify Himself, but to glorify the Father through Him. But when we ask for things and favors, do we reflect on the purpose of our asking and whom it is going to glorify or gratify? Is it glorifying us and our ego, or is it going to gratify our lust, our uncontrollable desires?
The scripture gives the reason why the Lord answers our prayer as - 'the Father be glorified in the Son'. Therefore our purpose also needs to be good, so that we are assured receipt of the same.
Let us be clear before we put our hands up to ask, if what we are asking will bring us closer to God or will take us far from the Lord? Will it also glorify Lord Jesus Christ and the Father through us?
[Prayer]
Father God, your wisdom is beyond measures. Give us the wisdom to discern all that we require and all that we desire. Help us understand the purpose of our living so that we live a satisfied life in You. This I ask in Jesus' Name, Amen.
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