Grace by Faith

John 8:34,35 - Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. And the
bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth for
ever.

The Covenant of God given unto man states that any person that sins is
a sinner and slave unto sin. Such a sinner has no place in the House
of God which is Heaven.

Covenants were made from Noah unto Jesus. The Law of punishment for a
sinner remained the same and did not change even in Jesus, but there
is a clause which was added in the Covenant of Jesus Christ. The
clause states that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ is saved. It is
this clause of grace by faith which saves mankind.

It is through faith that we tap in the grace available through Jesus
Christ and it is this grace which covers us and redeems us.

Having faith does not mean acknowledging Jesus as Christ as our Savior
and Son of God just verbally. What we profess by mouth does hold but
more loud is what our actions speak. Thus if in our actions do not
profess our faith then it drowns what we speak by mouth.

So to really profess Jesus Christ and be saved, our words and our
actions should profess the same.

[Prayer]
Lord Jesus, we believe in You as our redeemer and Savior. We were
without hope and You alone became the hope of all. It is by You and in
You alone that mankind can be saved. You are the way, the Truth and
Light. Lord Jesus help us to profess You not only in our words but
also in our actions...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scripture]

Acts 15:11
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we
shall be saved, even as they.

Acts 16:27-33
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing
the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed
himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for
we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and
fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were
in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their
stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

Romans 10:9-13
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the
same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Standing in the Power of God

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 

1  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 

2  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 

3  And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 

4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 

5  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.   

There are many in this world who call themselves Men / Women of God.  Are they all Men / Women of the God? If not, how can one discern them?  Paul says in today's message that like himself you can identify a Man of God not from the nice words he speaks, nor by the knowledge he holds or I will add even by his hard work. The only way one can be identified as a Person of God by the working of the Power of God working in and through that person.  

Does that mean only those who do miracles and healings are Men / Women of God?  From the time I started growing in the Lord I kept an eye on my spiritual growth. In the start when I was moving around (learning) with a ministry I was very encouraged by the many healings and miracles which the Lord did through me. But then as I started getting into the calling which the Lord called me into, I have to take the back seat and spend less time on the field and more time studying and writing. There were times I would think is the Spirit of the Lord still working in me?  During these times the Lord would show Himself in me by the great revelations which I knew from no other man, the Lord would reveal these to me. By His Spirit He would reveal to me such great and wonderful things which would overwhelm me by His Power working me.  That does not mean healings and miracles do not happen through me. For being blessed with some level with the Spirit of Knowledge and Wisdom I do not jump into prayer for each and every person around me or in my touch who is going through problems. To speak of it I too am going through problems in some areas of my life even though I see the great working of the Lord in me.  We need to discern problems or situations which the Lord initiates so that we overcome our flesh and those which Satan tries to advantage of, due our weakness in the flesh. 

Like in the case of Paul while writing this very letter he was going through the worst situation in his life. He was overcoming a problem area within himself which nearly bought him to his death bed. He begged of the Lord many times to help him but the Lord wanted Paul to overcome that weakness in him by His grace.  Let me share another case which happened a few days back. I was part of an outreach organized by a house Church for the very first time. Since a long time they were reaching out to people around the world to pray for this event and were prophesying great things for this event.  

It was not that there were not healings or miracles at that event. We saw a limited crowd (not as expected) and there were 4 to 5 healings and wonders which did happen right there itself.  This person who was leading the event has a high calling on her, but due to her problem area and the grace of God on her, the Power of God is working in limits. For I know of another person with a similar calling and similar problem but the Lord allowed to manifest His Power in her and today she has a great name and fame but lost from the Word. The Lord is letting her increase in fame and height do that the Lord can make an example of her due to her hardness of her heart.  Manifesting of Power does not mean only healings or miracle but changing of people. 

What is the use of healings if the person goes back into the worldly ways again? Can we count them as a part of our harvest?  Thus true Power of God is when people around you, given unto you grow and become vessels for the Lord. It may take time but by perseverance and persistence efforts the fruits will be seen.   

[Prayer Starter] 

Lord Jesus, You came as son of man and showed us the way to do our work in You. Lord, You gave us your Spirit Who works and manifests your Power in us. Holy Spirit, work in and through your people and let more and more stand out from the crowd as your Anointed Ones. Let those who are out to deceive be plugged out and made an example. Let your Power be manifested in your Church...  We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.   

[Reference Scriptures] 

1 Corinthians 2:6-11 

6  Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 

7  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 

8  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 

9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 

10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.  

2 Corinthians 12:6-10 

6  For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 

7  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 

8  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 

9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.  

Jeremiah 20:8-12 

8  For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. 

9  Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. 

10  For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him. 

11  But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten. 

12  But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause. 

Problems are not a way of life

Joel 2:27 - And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

One big problem with so called Christians is that they think problems are a part and parcel of life. In directly to them problems are even a problem for God to handle and He can only encourage you to overcome it. The base of their argument is Jesus suffered therefore we too need to suffer.

The only place where Jesus suffered was when He became a sacrifice for us, else the glory of God
was always seen on Him. Also His going to the desert and fasting for 40 days was to weaken Him so that He could be tempted and by His overcoming the temptation He becomes a example for us.

Another silly argument - was everything about Jesus is not written (the Bible itself says so). True. But realize everything that was important is written especially in the Gospel of John because it is kind of an autobiography of Jesus. He was without blemish, thus perfect. If one does not believe this than one should not be a Christian for then there is no salvation.

The life of Jesus was such not because He was God who became man, nor because He was the Begotten Son of God, or a son of God (like Adam who was made perfect man with the image of God in him, but then blemish came in him) but only for one reason and that is because He was Christ - man with the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit Who differentiated the life of Jesus from the
rest of us, but now since we too received the Holy Spirit by our faith in Jesus Christ, there is now suppose to be no difference between the man Jesus and us. All things that Jesus did and did not do is now possible for us. It is the Holy Spirit - the co-creator of creation and the Arm / Finger of God through Whom most things came into existence is now in us. If He can not do it then who can?

Let us glorify Him in us and we will standout among all nations. He is the Light we need to shine; the Living Water That quenches our thirst; the Rock on Whom we need to stand and on Whom the Church of God is build.

[Prayer]
Lord Jesus, we thank You for giving us the Living Water. We thank You for the Light to remove the darkness within us. We thank You for the Breathe which gives life unto our spirits. We thank You for revealing the Rock of our salvation. We thank You for the Rock on which your Church needs to be build. Holy Spirit, work in your people and show the world that You are our God and the true Living God.

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Imitate Christ - Start today and now

Colossians 3:14 - Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  

A sheep will not behave like a calf, or a lion cub like a house cat. Nor will a branch of an apple tree bear oranges.  

We, who were in Adam after being grafted into Jesus, tend to keep our Adam nature even while getting connected to Jesus. We want to continue being our old self and not loose our old identity. 

 If we need to really be born-again we need to connect to Christ right through our roots, which means right down to our thinking, our desires, our reactions, our work, our priorities, our relationship etc. all need to be Christ like.  

We may say it is impossible to be like Christ. But we forget the fact that the Spirit of God is within us, so nothing is impossible to Him Who is in us.  Let me get to the point, if a person has 1percent features like his father would anybody recognize he is his father's son? Even having 5 percent is not sufficient. 

Similarly we as Christians need to show Christ; 1 or 2 percent Christ and remaining us, how will anybody see Christ in us?  We need to be more and more like Christ so that we confirm we are connected to Christ and show Christ unto others. 

We may find it difficult to be like Christ but if we just surrender to Him Who is in us we will find all things very easy.  

Do not fight the flesh but over come the flesh by the Spirit.  Will you like to be one of the few? Start today and now.   

[Prayer] 

Lord Jesus, You came on earth as the First Christ, to show to us the perfect way of life. Being God, You became an example for man by being perfect man. 

You not only taught us through your words and your actions, by also empowered us to follow You by giving us your Spirit. 

It is not easy to be like You but we know that by your Spirit we surely can. Holy Spirit, help us in every area to be more like Jesus...  

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.  

The start of a new decade

Psalms 96:8, 9 - Give unto the LORD the glory (due unto) his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

The message we received today tells us to give God the glory and fame due to Him, the holiness and fear comes when we keep His reputation. This year and this decade that we have entered will see great action. Will it be good or bad depends on us. Are we going to give God the fame due to Him and are we upkeep His reputation - His Name. If we do not do it, the Lord will not sit back and let His Name perish, He will get the job done His other way.

If we want to have peace and goodness among us, let us step out this year and give the Name of God Its due fame by proclaiming the Name of Jesus Christ. This should not be just by words, but also in our actions, our doings, our separating ourselves from the ways of the world, standing out among the crowd, shining the Light unto this world.

If you are truly a soldier in heart, you will not like to be behind the lines but before the lines, in the front where the action is. Similarly if you are truly a soldier of God, this time is the best time to be in, the time of great action.

The favor of God and the glory of God are going to be upon us when we stand in His Name keeping His reputation and make it known to the world. So it is all in our hands, on the decision we that to have a glorious year or a disastrous year. Either way this year and decade is surely going to be one we will never forget.

[Prayer]
Lord God, You alone are worthy of all glory and all fame. You are Holy and will never allow your Name to be let down. We thank You Lord for bring us into this world at a time when your Name starts to shine among all mankind the time of harvest. We thank You for give us the opportunity to harvest the most...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Another year end - or beginning?

Colossians 3:2 - Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

In Psalms 90:12 - So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Two lines before in the Psalm verse 10 says " The days of our years are threescore years and ten (70); and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years (80), yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away" On an average man lives for 70 to 80 years although under the curse man can live for maximum 120years.

When God cursed the lifespan of man around the time of Noah's floods; man's life span slowly and steadily started reducing. Before the curse man's earthly life limit was more than thousand years and hence forth became 120 years. Even long after the curse we have very few persons who lived more than 120years, and their secret was their lives were connected with the sanctuary of the Lord (like a High Priest or a Levi who is considered as a priest). That does not mean if we live in some Church we will longer, it means if we make our bodies which we dwell in real temples, then we may live longer. It also does not mean those who live shorter are cursed more.

Understand God's main purpose is to see us saved, therefore at times takes us away when we are at the best state of faith we can get, because of our hearts. Assuming we are not great people in the Lord and live an average life, can we look back at this life and see what we have done with it? Can you and me, be confident and proud that we did not waste this precious opportunity of time. We may have collected lot of material things and made a great name among men. This may carry forward from one generation to the next and still to the next, after that what?

All the name and material things will soon one day be forgotten and wasted but the spiritual wealth we have will be carried with us unto out life with the Lord. The true wealth that we make does not only benefit us alone; it is like a flowering tree which gives beautiful aroma. We may have the tree and the flowers but the aroma spreads even unto the neighbors, no one can stop the aroma from spreading.

The true spiritual wealth we collect can not be stopped from affecting the life of others. There was a beautiful statement I came across with regards to the difference a true Christian and people of this world. At the end one creates wealth, leaves it and goes; and the other walks towards his or her wealth. A year is soon coming to an end; another with start and that on too will also end soon. Time will pass without our knowledge, if we do not do something with it starting today.

[Prayer]

Lord God, You are the giver of life. We thank You for this life You gave us.

We also ask You to forgive us for we have wasted most of this precious life fruitlessly.

Lord, help us starting today that we look seriously at life and its purpose. Help us that we increase our spiritual wealth; wealth which is permanent...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Genesis 6:3 3

And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Genesis 5:5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 27, 31

5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.

8 And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.

11 And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died.

14 And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died.

17 And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died.

20 And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.

27 And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.

31 And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died.

Genesis 9:29

29 And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.

Genesis 11:32

32 And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.

Genesis 25:7

7 And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.

Numbers 33:39

39 And Aaron was an hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor.

Deuteronomy 34:7

7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.

Exodus 6:16-20

16 And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi were an hundred thirty and seven years.

17 The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families.

18 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years.

19 And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of Levi according to their generations.

20 And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years.

Isaiah 40:15-23

15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.

16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.

17 All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.

18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

19 The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.

20 He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.

21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?

22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

23 That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.

Having the presence of the Lord to lead us.

Exodus 33:14 - And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.  

Moses understood what it meant to have the presence of the Lord and to be without it; he refused to bulge without the Lord.  When Moses meant the presence of the Lord, he did not mean the physical presence of the Lord. The word translated as 'presence' is translated more times as 'before' & 'face' and even 'countenance'. 

Sometimes (21 times) it has personified so much that it has been translated even as 'person'.   It really meant the glory of God and the favor of God. Moses knew without the favor of God or the glory of God on the people, the people would not survive in the world. The world hates God and also God’s people, therefore Moses knew that it was only the favor of God which would sustain them in their journey ahead. 

We Christians should realize that we are not loved by this world and this world will do all it can to destroy us. It does not necessarily mean kill us but could mean killing the faith in us and therefore removing our names from list of those who will inherit from the Lord (remove us from the Book of Life).  

Having grace and having favor is different. As believers we all have received grace, grace is given unto us but favor need to earned. It does not mean by our work we will receive favor. It means we need to maintain right position with God to earn favor. It is only when we have righteous standing in the Lord (doers of the Word) will we receive the favor of God.  

Remember when we call ourselves Christian and act as Christians we risk ourselves against this world, and to survive in this world we desperately need the favor of the Lord on us. 

[Prayer]
Lord God, peace with You is more important than everything. 

It is only when we have peace with You we can have peace in this world. Lord, to have your peace we need to walk in righteousness and You know we are weak in our flesh. 

We may not be perfect in our walk in You but your Word says our consistent efforts are sufficient for your favor. Lord we ask your favor be on us not because we deserve it but because we stand in You and You gave your Word...  

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.   

[Reference Scriptures]

Acts 2:44-47 

44  And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 

45  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 

46  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 

47  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

What kind of celebrations have you planned?

Colossians 3:14 - And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

As true Christians why do we need to witness for Christ and give the Good News to His people?
Why are we told to love our neighbors as our selves? Why are we told to give in such a way that we receive not here but in Heaven?

The reason we do and should do all this is only for Christ, so that Christ is glorified over all creation.

If we love Christ we will love the people who are a part of Christ - His Body. If we truly love Christ we will keep His Word and show Him unto the world. He was perfect and so we need to show that perfectness unto the world.

This festive season what are your plans? Whom are you giving gifts? Who are your invitees whom you are planning to call over for dinner? Who all are on your list, whom you will pay a visit?
If you are in the world you will do things by which you will be rewarded in the world, but if you are of Christ you will look for rewards which are heavenly.

Jesus gave us a clue of how to really celebrate in Luke 14:12-14

To have a happy celebration call your friends and rich neighbors, but if you want to have a joyful celebration call over people who are needy, like the old woman you have been seeing wearing the same dress almost everyday, or that poor family who's child is always crying to its' parents to buy some toy. It does not have to be only the financially poor but could be a person spiritually poor, like the old man who is very sad since his whole family is far away, or could be physically poor, like the young boy who can not leave his house to go to school or to play.

Just pause for a few minutes and I am sure you will have a list of people with whole you can celebrate a Joyful Christmas. Are you celebrating Christmas because of yourself or because of Christ? If Christmas is because of Christ, do it the way that will please Him. Worship the Lord and celebrate in ways that please the Lord. Do not plan to have a happy Christmas which will end as soon as the holidays are over, but have a Joyful Christmas which will last till the coming again of Christ.

[Prayer]
O Lord Jesus, not again, let not this celebration be all about gratifying of one's carnal self. Let your people celebrating in remembrance of You do it in ways that please You and not your enemy -
the deceiver. Let this Christmas be about You and to show the world who You are. Renew our minds and help us control our worldly desires...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Luke 14:12-14

12 And he said to him also that had bidden him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kinsmen, nor rich neighbors; lest haply they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee.

13 But when thou makest a feast, bid the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

14 and thou shalt be blessed; because they have not wherewith to recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed in the resurrection of the just.

Rejoicing in hope

Romans 12:12 - Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Despite what some might think: Rejoicing or being joyful is not the same as being happy.

Happiness is an emotion which is based on a situation, and when the situation withers away/changes -

the happiness also is lost. One is joyful when there is a change which can not be reverted back.

So - what hope are we to be joyful about?

As Christians, we know that Jesus Christ died, resurrected and ascended to Heaven. This is a proof that Heaven which was shut to man is now open, for one man has entered it. Secondly we also know that He gave is His Spirit - the Resurrection Power by Whom He was successful to perform this feat. We now are in a position which was tested and found successful; this is the hope that we rejoice in.

Are we through then? Definitely Not.

But, we who were at zero position are now at the most favorable position of success. It all matters on we following instructions of the Spirit of Lord Jesus Christ. Now the success is on us are we going to abide or not. If we have made our decision to abide then we should be joyful irrespective of our state of health and mind.

So our rejoicing is not for tomorrow or in the future, but now with all our hearts (minds). In spirit we have yet not received it in full but it will soon be accomplished.

[Prayer]
Lord God, we thank You for saving us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We also thank You for your Spirit by whom we now can have victory over death. Holy Spirit help we know You more and have better
relationship with You. It is only by You that I can be where my Lord is...

I make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scripture]

Philippians 3:9-11

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Romans 1:3-6
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

You do not need to be a Bible expert

Revelation 2:25 - But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

It is necessary to desire to know more of the Word of God, for it is only through His Word that one can know Him. But then some feel sad when they look at others to whom the Lord is revealing amazing things. Remember on thing God judges us on bases of what we know and not on what we do not know. But if we have rejected some thing given by Him, then that will be held against us.

God gives us all that we need to know to fulfill his purpose in us.

That does not mean only knowledge but also the gifts of the Holy Spirit. One should desire but not get depressed if it is not coming. The best way to know more is to be like a child; and also to receive more is to ask like a child, because the Word says that God hides the greatest understandings from the intelligent but reveals them to babes and what ever is good a child asked his Father, He does give.

[Prayer]
Lord God, your wisdom is immeasurable. You know the heart of people and give according to their hearts and your purpose in them. You have written the history of mankind and await its result as You have written. You have written the victory of man over Satan, we do not doubt it and nothing can take it away. Lord we thank You for what You have given each one of us and what You have in store for us. Let not our faithlessness and other worms of Satan prevent us from receiving...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Reference Scriptures]

Matthew 11:23-25

23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Psalms 17:13-15

13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Matthew 22:37

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind (understanding).