Monday, December 30, 2019
When Ravens Provide
UV3429/10000 When Ravens Provide
And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he would drink from the brook.
I Kings 17 v 6
The prophet Elijah had prophesied years of famine in Israel owing to the evil ways of the king Ahab. But even in that difficult situation, the word of the Lord came to Elijah to go eastward and hide near the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan river. When the water of the brook dried up, he was then directed to go to Zarephath where he was told he would be provided food by a widow. Though the widow had not enough even to feed herself and her son, the Spirit of God persuaded her to feed Elijah and caused the little flour and little oil in a jar to be sufficient to feed the three of them for many days.
Ravens are usually ravenous when it comes to food. Two days ago, I heard from my cousin’s family visiting India from New Zealand how a crow attacked them and grabbed whatever food they had just bought inside the airport. Yesterday, I heard a true story of how the above uni-verse inspired and transformed a young man. The family had lost their bread winner quite early as his father died when he was young. He being the oldest son had to work to support the mother and four younger siblings. One day he heard the above uni-verse at a revival meeting when the preacher said, “ The God of Elijah provided for him through a crow and likewise, He can provide for you.” The verse touched his heart and he believed it. Soon he joined the army, worked for some time and then left the army. God gave him wisdom to conduct tuitions for school students. A certain man was impressed by his ability to teach and told him to start a school and gave him four acres of land. The school which he called Carmel. Since he had to take care of his mother and siblings, he devoted himself to them and did not think of marriage. But at the age of 38, the same gentleman asked him to marry his daughter. Today, in his eighties, he is the President and founder of five schools of the well established and known Carmel group.
The same ravens or crows that usually grabs food from people were used by God to feed His servant , the prophet Elijah. He sent the man who owned land to counsel the young man to start the school and provided for him and his family like Elijah received bread and meat both morning and evening from the ravens. He not only supported the start of a school but also gave his daughter ‘s hand in marriage at an age when he had given up hope of raising a family. Such are the remarkable and miraculous ways of the Lord. If we exercise our faith in him even in difficult and impossible situations, He will surely more than justify our faith in His word.
Sunday, December 29, 2019
The Key to Real Wisdom and True Prosperity
UV3428/10000 The Key to Real Wisdom and True Prosperity
Indeed, My Servant, (the Messiah) will act wisely and prosper; He will be raised and lifted up and greatly exalted.
Isaiah 52 v 13
This uni-verse though it is speaking of Jesus, gives us a key to wisdom and prosperity. If we model ourselves on Jesus, we too will act wisely and prosper. Jesus did not prosper in financial or material terms. His economic condition remained almost same right through His earthly sojourn. Hence, prosperity means to serve or fulfil God’s purpose for our lives on earth. It means to be blessed all round by the Lord. We would be raised up, lifted up and promoted for the glory of God. For this to happen, we need to be in constant communion with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We need to study the Word and apply it to our lives. Jesus proved to be the Master and yet He acted as a servant to all. It is His teachings that has spread through the education system that has enlightened all people in all nations today. When people follow His teachings, principles and precepts, they too prosper and are greatly blessed. As Jesus said, “No servant is greater than his master. If the Master suffered, the servant also would suffer.” Hence, along with the prosperity, suffering is also part of God’ s plan to sharpen our wisdom.
Every believer should talk wisely, act wisely by emulating the example of Jesus. Jesus is wisdom personified. He combined authority with humility and gentleness. He never compromised with sin or wickedness but He remained merciful with the sinful. In John’s awesome revelation of Jesus, the words “ King of Kings and Lord of Lords” is hidden as it is written on His thigh. He manifested Himself first and foremost as a servant of the Most High. He committed Himself to fulfilling the purpose for which God sent Him from heaven to be a sacrifice. John ‘s revelation of Jesus dressed in a robe of blood symbolizes that Jesus laid Himself as a sacrifice for all humanity. The title “Word of God” written on His forehead is symbolic of the need for all of us to keep the Word uppermost and foremost in our minds in order to impart wisdom and practical guidance in all matters of our lives.
Jesus never exalted Himself but lowered Himself to the lowest position in His birth, in His life on earth and in His death on the cross. It is the Father who has exalted Him to the highest position in heaven and on earth. The angels obey Him and the kings on earth remain in awe of what He did. Both the small and the distinguished on earth acknowledge Him today. In the Book of Revelation, John refers to Jesus as the “Morning Star” at a time when science or common people did not know that the sun which warms us daily and sustains all life on earth is just another star. The morning star, the sun is positioned at just the right distance from our planet and the planet is inclined at the right angle so that all parts receive light and warmth from the sun. Likewise, we too should be positioned closer to Him and orient ourselves to listen to the Word, incline ourselves to receive His wisdom, love and light to both sustain and prosper in our lives.
Indeed, My Servant, (the Messiah) will act wisely and prosper; He will be raised and lifted up and greatly exalted.
Isaiah 52 v 13
This uni-verse though it is speaking of Jesus, gives us a key to wisdom and prosperity. If we model ourselves on Jesus, we too will act wisely and prosper. Jesus did not prosper in financial or material terms. His economic condition remained almost same right through His earthly sojourn. Hence, prosperity means to serve or fulfil God’s purpose for our lives on earth. It means to be blessed all round by the Lord. We would be raised up, lifted up and promoted for the glory of God. For this to happen, we need to be in constant communion with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We need to study the Word and apply it to our lives. Jesus proved to be the Master and yet He acted as a servant to all. It is His teachings that has spread through the education system that has enlightened all people in all nations today. When people follow His teachings, principles and precepts, they too prosper and are greatly blessed. As Jesus said, “No servant is greater than his master. If the Master suffered, the servant also would suffer.” Hence, along with the prosperity, suffering is also part of God’ s plan to sharpen our wisdom.
Every believer should talk wisely, act wisely by emulating the example of Jesus. Jesus is wisdom personified. He combined authority with humility and gentleness. He never compromised with sin or wickedness but He remained merciful with the sinful. In John’s awesome revelation of Jesus, the words “ King of Kings and Lord of Lords” is hidden as it is written on His thigh. He manifested Himself first and foremost as a servant of the Most High. He committed Himself to fulfilling the purpose for which God sent Him from heaven to be a sacrifice. John ‘s revelation of Jesus dressed in a robe of blood symbolizes that Jesus laid Himself as a sacrifice for all humanity. The title “Word of God” written on His forehead is symbolic of the need for all of us to keep the Word uppermost and foremost in our minds in order to impart wisdom and practical guidance in all matters of our lives.
Jesus never exalted Himself but lowered Himself to the lowest position in His birth, in His life on earth and in His death on the cross. It is the Father who has exalted Him to the highest position in heaven and on earth. The angels obey Him and the kings on earth remain in awe of what He did. Both the small and the distinguished on earth acknowledge Him today. In the Book of Revelation, John refers to Jesus as the “Morning Star” at a time when science or common people did not know that the sun which warms us daily and sustains all life on earth is just another star. The morning star, the sun is positioned at just the right distance from our planet and the planet is inclined at the right angle so that all parts receive light and warmth from the sun. Likewise, we too should be positioned closer to Him and orient ourselves to listen to the Word, incline ourselves to receive His wisdom, love and light to both sustain and prosper in our lives.
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Three G Communication
UV 3427/10000 Three G Communication
As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit which is upon you (writing the law of God on the heart}, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouths of your (true, spiritual) children, nor from the mouth of your children’s children” says the Lord, “from now and forever.”
Isaiah 59 v 21
Under the new covenant of love and not of law, the Holy Spirit writes the law of God concerning love on believing and trusting human hearts and not on stone. The Lord puts His words in our mouths so that it becomes a flaming sword which swings in 360 degrees preserving the seed of eternal life planted in us. The tongue is no longer is a sharp instrument to hurt or harm others but to induce spiritual life, faith, love for God and fellow creature especially for fellow humans. It is no longer a raging fire that can set forests or lots of people on fire. It becomes a channel of blessing and healing for the transmitter and the receiver of the messages from the Lord. We are no longer double tongued but are in possession of a double edged sword that penetrates not flesh but the spirit of man, the souls and heart of man. Our mouths will never cease to speak but will live stream the rivers of life that the seed of the Word gives rise to in our hearts. The rivers of life will start small like the Jordan but turn into a mighty torrent at times, a gentle river at times to water all kinds of trees or lives on either bank, the bank of the world and the bank of the spiritual realms.
The Word of God becomes “dounamis” or the seed of the life giving, enhancing and enabling power of God that enables us to face the dynamics or changing forces, factors and situations of our lives. We speak eternal life and hope into the lives of those who are our natural children of our flesh as well as children of the spirit. The Word is inactive or dormant when it remains between the two covers of the Bible or it remains silent in our minds. It is alive and active when we keep releasing it into the lives of people, we know or do not know. We need to keep sowing the seed and not just storing it. Our hearts and minds are the granary of the soul. But grain or seed is not meant to be merely stored in the granary but to be poured, measure by measure into the lives of the spiritually hungry.
The seed is useful to crush the head of the enemy to give us victory as we face the Goliaths of life. It only needs consecrated believing hearts and sanctified mouths to carry it all the time. Like a discharging weapon, the next round of life giving ammunition is then loaded. The uni-verse states the amazing fact that Word –internalising believers influence minimum three generations – ours , the generation next and the one after that, too. When we speak the word with prayer into the lives of those in our circles of influence, we are sowing into eternity. The seed will not be lost nor will it perish. The seed will multiply and satisfy the needs of many. We sow into eternal realms and ethereal fields that our eyes cannot see and our limbs cannot reach. In doing so, we become the Josephs, the governors and rulers in this foreign world called the earth, to whom whole nations of starving, spiritually anaemic and hungry people will turn to for succour and nourishment of their dry bones.
As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit which is upon you (writing the law of God on the heart}, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouths of your (true, spiritual) children, nor from the mouth of your children’s children” says the Lord, “from now and forever.”
Isaiah 59 v 21
Under the new covenant of love and not of law, the Holy Spirit writes the law of God concerning love on believing and trusting human hearts and not on stone. The Lord puts His words in our mouths so that it becomes a flaming sword which swings in 360 degrees preserving the seed of eternal life planted in us. The tongue is no longer is a sharp instrument to hurt or harm others but to induce spiritual life, faith, love for God and fellow creature especially for fellow humans. It is no longer a raging fire that can set forests or lots of people on fire. It becomes a channel of blessing and healing for the transmitter and the receiver of the messages from the Lord. We are no longer double tongued but are in possession of a double edged sword that penetrates not flesh but the spirit of man, the souls and heart of man. Our mouths will never cease to speak but will live stream the rivers of life that the seed of the Word gives rise to in our hearts. The rivers of life will start small like the Jordan but turn into a mighty torrent at times, a gentle river at times to water all kinds of trees or lives on either bank, the bank of the world and the bank of the spiritual realms.
The Word of God becomes “dounamis” or the seed of the life giving, enhancing and enabling power of God that enables us to face the dynamics or changing forces, factors and situations of our lives. We speak eternal life and hope into the lives of those who are our natural children of our flesh as well as children of the spirit. The Word is inactive or dormant when it remains between the two covers of the Bible or it remains silent in our minds. It is alive and active when we keep releasing it into the lives of people, we know or do not know. We need to keep sowing the seed and not just storing it. Our hearts and minds are the granary of the soul. But grain or seed is not meant to be merely stored in the granary but to be poured, measure by measure into the lives of the spiritually hungry.
The seed is useful to crush the head of the enemy to give us victory as we face the Goliaths of life. It only needs consecrated believing hearts and sanctified mouths to carry it all the time. Like a discharging weapon, the next round of life giving ammunition is then loaded. The uni-verse states the amazing fact that Word –internalising believers influence minimum three generations – ours , the generation next and the one after that, too. When we speak the word with prayer into the lives of those in our circles of influence, we are sowing into eternity. The seed will not be lost nor will it perish. The seed will multiply and satisfy the needs of many. We sow into eternal realms and ethereal fields that our eyes cannot see and our limbs cannot reach. In doing so, we become the Josephs, the governors and rulers in this foreign world called the earth, to whom whole nations of starving, spiritually anaemic and hungry people will turn to for succour and nourishment of their dry bones.
Friday, December 27, 2019
Hearing the Voice of the Shepherd
UV 3426/10000 Sheep Hear the Voice of the Shepherd
The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me.
John 10 v 27
Our relationship with Jesus is just the same as that of sheep with the shepherd. Just as the sheep recognize the voice of only the shepherd, we hear and recognize His voice. We obey His call, His voice, His word. He knows us thoroughly and the differences and needs of each of us. We follow Him faithfully and obey Him. But unlike the sheep, we sheople also are deceived by other voices. We sometimes get distracted by these other voices and get led away from the good Shepherd, Jesus. The Shepherd protects us from spiritual predators, from things that are harmful or poisonous to us, thorns that could hurt us, from flood waters that could drown us. He also takes responsibility to provide for us, to feed us with wholesome food. He causes us to grow and stay healthy. Jesus is the Shepherd who owns us and we do His will and not our own. Just as sheep completely trust the shepherd, we trust the Lord. The shepherd is competent to handle all types of threats, dangers, contingencies, weather conditions, all types of terrain whether mountains or valleys, hard ground or marshes or water holes. When He does not take us to the food and water, He brings the food and water to us. Unlike the shepherd, the Lord is all knowing, all powerful, all loving, omnipresent. He is able to restore our souls, our minds, our emotions of peace and joy. He is able to replace despair with hope. He replaces fear with faith, weaknesses with strength and grace, folly with wisdom. While we hear His voice, He hears the very beat of our heart, the bleated whisper of our souls.
Unlike sheep, we are not to be naïve but wise sheep, shrewd as the serpent and gentle as the dove, able to discern the wolf who comes in sheep skin. We do not judge things by the superficial but by the supernatural. We rejoice in the word as sheep delight in green pastures. We are not tempted even if the grass on the other side of the fence seems greener. He shines a light on the paths we should take in the darkness. We avoid the snares and traps of the common enemy of all human beings and walk in straight paths where we have clear and full vision of what lies ahead of us. The natural shepherd can be overpowered by someone or something stronger than him while Jesus has bound the strong one who is against us. He embraced death to make it a doorway to eternal life for us.
The Lord leads to still waters or things that refresh, renew and rejoice our hearts. We do not fear the future or remain anxious about any need not being met or threat arising. The natural shepherd can only lead us to external streams to quench our thirst while the Supernatural Shepherd will cause the streams of living water of the Holy Spirit to flow in us. We are not concerned with ambitions and projects too great for us but are contented to follow Jesus wherever He leads us. We have no leader apart from Jesus but just as a shepherd uses dogs to help them, the Lord uses angels and mentors to guide and groom us. Just as the sheep multiply and yield wool to keep people warm, we too are to bear fruit and increase our yield for the Lord. The natural shepherd cannot guarantee the sheep will live long or forever while the Good Shepherd Jesus guarantees we will live forever. He satisfies and fulfills our desire for eternal life.
The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me.
John 10 v 27
Our relationship with Jesus is just the same as that of sheep with the shepherd. Just as the sheep recognize the voice of only the shepherd, we hear and recognize His voice. We obey His call, His voice, His word. He knows us thoroughly and the differences and needs of each of us. We follow Him faithfully and obey Him. But unlike the sheep, we sheople also are deceived by other voices. We sometimes get distracted by these other voices and get led away from the good Shepherd, Jesus. The Shepherd protects us from spiritual predators, from things that are harmful or poisonous to us, thorns that could hurt us, from flood waters that could drown us. He also takes responsibility to provide for us, to feed us with wholesome food. He causes us to grow and stay healthy. Jesus is the Shepherd who owns us and we do His will and not our own. Just as sheep completely trust the shepherd, we trust the Lord. The shepherd is competent to handle all types of threats, dangers, contingencies, weather conditions, all types of terrain whether mountains or valleys, hard ground or marshes or water holes. When He does not take us to the food and water, He brings the food and water to us. Unlike the shepherd, the Lord is all knowing, all powerful, all loving, omnipresent. He is able to restore our souls, our minds, our emotions of peace and joy. He is able to replace despair with hope. He replaces fear with faith, weaknesses with strength and grace, folly with wisdom. While we hear His voice, He hears the very beat of our heart, the bleated whisper of our souls.
Unlike sheep, we are not to be naïve but wise sheep, shrewd as the serpent and gentle as the dove, able to discern the wolf who comes in sheep skin. We do not judge things by the superficial but by the supernatural. We rejoice in the word as sheep delight in green pastures. We are not tempted even if the grass on the other side of the fence seems greener. He shines a light on the paths we should take in the darkness. We avoid the snares and traps of the common enemy of all human beings and walk in straight paths where we have clear and full vision of what lies ahead of us. The natural shepherd can be overpowered by someone or something stronger than him while Jesus has bound the strong one who is against us. He embraced death to make it a doorway to eternal life for us.
The Lord leads to still waters or things that refresh, renew and rejoice our hearts. We do not fear the future or remain anxious about any need not being met or threat arising. The natural shepherd can only lead us to external streams to quench our thirst while the Supernatural Shepherd will cause the streams of living water of the Holy Spirit to flow in us. We are not concerned with ambitions and projects too great for us but are contented to follow Jesus wherever He leads us. We have no leader apart from Jesus but just as a shepherd uses dogs to help them, the Lord uses angels and mentors to guide and groom us. Just as the sheep multiply and yield wool to keep people warm, we too are to bear fruit and increase our yield for the Lord. The natural shepherd cannot guarantee the sheep will live long or forever while the Good Shepherd Jesus guarantees we will live forever. He satisfies and fulfills our desire for eternal life.
Thursday, December 26, 2019
More than Sparrows, So Why Sorrow
UV 3425/10000 More than Sparrows, So Why Sorrow
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than sparrows.
Matthew 10 v 31
Man is in God’s sight the crown of His creation and therefore, of incalculable value in His eyes. Hence, He was prepared the price for the salvation of all mankind- a most valuable sacrifice of His Son. We need not fear but just need to have complete faith in the Creator and the Redeemer, His Son. Fear is from the enemy, Doubt is from the enemy, Insecurity is from the enemy of mankind. That enemy would have us believe that either that God does not exist or that if He exists that He is a liar whose word is not reliable. Faith is the assurance that we are safe in His hands, that He has His roving Eye of care and protection upon us, that all our needs can be met by Him and in Him.
If we regard ourselves as just another creature like the sparrow, we would not cherish our relationship with our Redeemer. We may not have wings like the sparrow but we are the undisputed master of His creation. Hence, though a mystery, God revealed Himself in history. Our hearts are an extension of the kingdom of God. He rules in us and through us. We should not allow our hearts to be pierced with the cares and sorrows of this world but anchor our peace, joy and hope in Him that no storm on earth can ever shake it or dislodge it or destabilize our lives, destroy our hope and faith in Him.
God has complete and absolute knowledge of us and what is happening in our lives. If He provides for the sparrow that does not sow or reap, will He not provide for us. If He keeps a count of all His creatures, will He not keep a count of the very hair on our heads. If we lose anything, it must be not for our loss but for the gain of our souls. Even if we die, we live in Him. We need not fear any enemy or force of nature. We need not equate our security with our finances or our titles or positions. He who has not denied the Prince of Heaven to us for our eternal redemption, will He withhold anything good or necessary to us?
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than sparrows.
Matthew 10 v 31
Man is in God’s sight the crown of His creation and therefore, of incalculable value in His eyes. Hence, He was prepared the price for the salvation of all mankind- a most valuable sacrifice of His Son. We need not fear but just need to have complete faith in the Creator and the Redeemer, His Son. Fear is from the enemy, Doubt is from the enemy, Insecurity is from the enemy of mankind. That enemy would have us believe that either that God does not exist or that if He exists that He is a liar whose word is not reliable. Faith is the assurance that we are safe in His hands, that He has His roving Eye of care and protection upon us, that all our needs can be met by Him and in Him.
If we regard ourselves as just another creature like the sparrow, we would not cherish our relationship with our Redeemer. We may not have wings like the sparrow but we are the undisputed master of His creation. Hence, though a mystery, God revealed Himself in history. Our hearts are an extension of the kingdom of God. He rules in us and through us. We should not allow our hearts to be pierced with the cares and sorrows of this world but anchor our peace, joy and hope in Him that no storm on earth can ever shake it or dislodge it or destabilize our lives, destroy our hope and faith in Him.
God has complete and absolute knowledge of us and what is happening in our lives. If He provides for the sparrow that does not sow or reap, will He not provide for us. If He keeps a count of all His creatures, will He not keep a count of the very hair on our heads. If we lose anything, it must be not for our loss but for the gain of our souls. Even if we die, we live in Him. We need not fear any enemy or force of nature. We need not equate our security with our finances or our titles or positions. He who has not denied the Prince of Heaven to us for our eternal redemption, will He withhold anything good or necessary to us?
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
The Joy Multiplier
UV 3424/10000 The Joy Multiplier
You O God will increase the nation, You will multiply their joy; They will rejoice before You like the joy and jubilation of the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil of victory.
Isaiah 9 v 3
God is not a joy killer but a joy giver and a joy multiplier. He promises to increase us, to multiply our joy. The uni-verse speaks of two types of joy- the joy of abundance, the joy of needs met and satisfied and the joy of victory or victory in life’s struggles, battles, challenges. The second type of joy is the joy of victory over our ultimate enemy, satan who has a claim over our souls because of our fallen nature. It is the joy of salvation or eternal life in Christ.
Whenever we are sad, it implies that we are under attack by the enemy who primarily targets our emotional state of mind and heart. Our heart gets divided by sadness and sorrow, our minds become unfocussed, our bodies become weak and listless. Hence, joy in Jesus is equated with strength for the Psalmist writes, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” If I delight in what the Lord delights in, it becomes a source of increase or strength in my life. JOY implies Jesus Owns You. Jesus as Lord and King of Kings takes responsibility for our lives. He will cause an increase, not a decline. We are glad we belong to the winning side of Jesus. We are on the right side of Jesus. We have both immediate and ultimate victory in life. Neither sin nor death can defeat us. Though Jesus became a Man of Sorrows for our sake and drank the full cup of sorrow that we should have drunk, we are now given a cup full of joy to drink from. We are part of a joyful nation, a joyful people, a people rejoicing always before the Lord. Circumstances do not determine our joy for our eyes of faith can see for certain the abundant spiritual harvest, the certain victory Jesus has blessed us with. The only thing we need to do is to trust and have faith in Him. Jesus is mighty now as Risen King of Kings, not meek as He was during His earthly sojourn.
In every season, our joy should be either the joy of harvest or the joy of victory. When we are joyful at the thought of the harvest of blessings we have received so far, we are thankful and praise the Lord from our hearts and souls. When we are joyful at the thought of the grace and strength received from the Lord to emerge victorious in our life’s struggles, we are grateful again to the Lord. Hence, our hearts should always be filled with either or both types of joy at all times. When we are joyful we are able to worship the Lord continually with all of our being.
Monday, December 23, 2019
Vindication, Protection, Preservation from On HIgh
UV 3423/10000 Vindication from On High
Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us
Luke 1 v 71
God desires that we serve Him without fear. Hence, He sent the Messiah Jesus to deliver us from our eternal enemy, satan and all our mortal enemies inspired by the former. He delivered the ancient Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians. Likewise, to this day, He saves us from our powerful and formidable enemies. Zachariah, the father of John, the Baptist and forerunner of Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit prophesied that the Messiah is the Morning Star, the Sun who gives warmth and light to the people shivering in fear and living in darkness.
The birth of Jesus marks the dawn of a new way of peace and serenity where we can walk not on crooked paths but in a straight line of righteousness, having been forgiven of all sin and being capable of forgiving of all sin. We are no longer afraid of mortal enemies who can only kill our bodies but we do fear the Lord who can kill both body and soul but chose to give us complete salvation from our enemies. Our confidence is in the Lord that He is able to defend us against the mighty and wicked of the land. After saving us from mortal enemies, He preserves us for eternity.
The Lord causes us to celebrate in the presence of our enemies. He will not allow them to triumph over us. As long as we delight in observing, studying and obeying the precepts of God, He covers us with His wings of His word or promises believed and claimed and prayers answered and granted. He vindicates us and will not let us be put to shame in any matter. We do not trust in physical, political, monetary or military power but in the grace and mercy of the Lord and on these we depend all the time.
Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us
Luke 1 v 71
God desires that we serve Him without fear. Hence, He sent the Messiah Jesus to deliver us from our eternal enemy, satan and all our mortal enemies inspired by the former. He delivered the ancient Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians. Likewise, to this day, He saves us from our powerful and formidable enemies. Zachariah, the father of John, the Baptist and forerunner of Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit prophesied that the Messiah is the Morning Star, the Sun who gives warmth and light to the people shivering in fear and living in darkness.
The birth of Jesus marks the dawn of a new way of peace and serenity where we can walk not on crooked paths but in a straight line of righteousness, having been forgiven of all sin and being capable of forgiving of all sin. We are no longer afraid of mortal enemies who can only kill our bodies but we do fear the Lord who can kill both body and soul but chose to give us complete salvation from our enemies. Our confidence is in the Lord that He is able to defend us against the mighty and wicked of the land. After saving us from mortal enemies, He preserves us for eternity.
The Lord causes us to celebrate in the presence of our enemies. He will not allow them to triumph over us. As long as we delight in observing, studying and obeying the precepts of God, He covers us with His wings of His word or promises believed and claimed and prayers answered and granted. He vindicates us and will not let us be put to shame in any matter. We do not trust in physical, political, monetary or military power but in the grace and mercy of the Lord and on these we depend all the time.
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Progressive Transformation
UV 3422/10000 Progressive Transformation
And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from ( one degree of ) glory to (even more) glory, which comes from the Lord, ( who is) the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3 v 18
The veil between God and man having been torn asunder by God Himself at the time Jesus died on the cross had blinded us this far from seeing, knowing, experiencing the glory of God. But now that the veil has been removed, we can see in the mirror of the Word of God His glory and we can see His glory in our life’s experiences as long as we are living in this world based on the Word. We cannot see His glory directly as we would be blinded by its brightness and effulgence. Hence, we see His reflection in the mirror of the Word and in our experiences over time. The Word is the source of our insight, our thoughts, our perceptions, our perspectives. It guides our choices and leads us into eternal life. Our lives cannot be ordinary anymore for we have moved from darkness to light, from death to immortality, from falsehood to truth, from curses to blessings, from ignorance to knowledge and His wisdom.
As long as we are living in fellowship with the Spirit of God, we are on the path of progressive transformation, transformation of our goals, transformation of our thoughts, transformation of our speech, transformation of our relationships, transformation of our emotions, transformation of our behaviour, transformation of our destiny, transformation of our work, transformation of our perspectives. We need to examine ourselves and check if every day, we are one degree at least better than the previous day. The things we used to think, say, do yesterday we should no longer do today as we have experienced the glory of the Lord.
The Spirit of God reveals to us the glory of His love, its dimensions and nature so that we are daily transformed by His love. He reveals to us the glory of His power so that we dailyb experience His power and are helped by it to face our daily challenges. He reveals to us the glory or greatness of His wisdom so that we daily learn from it. He reveals to us the greatness of His grace so that we daily depend on it. He reveals to us the greatness of His mercy so that we daily avail it. With Jesus in our hearts and in our lives, change is inevitable, growth is certain, fruitfulness is assured.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
The Authority of Jesus
UV 3421/10000 The Authority of Jesus
And said to Him, “Tell us by what kind of authority You are doing these things? Or who is the one who gave You this authority?”
Luke20 v 2
Then as today, people question the authority of Jesus. Is the source of His power or authority to do the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the impossible from man or from God? Jesus refused to answer this question of the chief priests, elders and scribes for the answer was obvious. It lay in the very scriptures they were studying. Jesus represents God for He is the visible expression of the invisible God. He is the Author of life as we know it. We are created by Him, through Him and for Him. Hence, He was exchanged as a ransom for our sakes. History got bifurcated by His act of sacrifice for mankind into the dark ages before and the age of the coming of His light into this world.
Jesus in the course of His brief life on Earth of 33 years proved He has authority over demons, diseases of all kinds including the deadly, the incurable and the inherited ones, over the elements of weather, over human beings, over angels, over the mind, over matter, over death and sin, over time, over principalities and powers of darkness. By His mere word on many occasions He commanded all of these at various times. No human before or since has demonstrated an iota of His total power and authority. Yet He exercised it not flamboyantly but with responsibility, wisdom, grace, humility, discernment and only when needed and natural means was not enough.
He did not, however, monopolise His authority and power but shared it with His followers. Just as God authorized Him to do the miraculous and supernatural, He authorized His first disciples as well as contemporary ones to do greater things than these. His authority being vested in His name makes it possible for us to speak, command, heal, deliver people. He has given us the authority or keys to both heaven and earth and we exercise it through prayer and intercession. The testimonies of people around the world right through history who were healed, delivered, blessed in a variety of ways are proof of the continuing authority of Jesus. He continues to shape and influence our lives for good.
Monday, December 16, 2019
Self Denial
UV 3420/10000 Self Denial
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me (as My disciple), he must deny himself (set aside selfish interests), and take up his cross daily (expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come) and follow Me ( believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and , if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me).
Luke 9 v 23
Following Christ as Lord and Saviour comes with a cost though it has many rewards, eternal and earthly. We need to set aside our personal agenda and deny our old nature of the gratification of pride and lusts. We should be willing to obey Christ and endure till the very end. We need to be willing to suffer for Christ and if needed, even make the ultimate sacrifice with our lives. We need to give up a part of our old nature every day of our lives in the sense we should keep changing degree by degree till we match the very image of Christ. This amounts to a daily dying to ourselves, to our own flesh and egos and living more and more for Christ as His representative in this world.
Hence, being a follower of Jesus is never easy. But He gives us the grace and help to do so if we just make the commitment or express our willingness to do so. Committing our lives to Jesus is committing to a lifelong process of learning, changing, improving in all areas of our lives- our speech, our conduct, our choices, our relationships, our work and our contributions. We can never cease or take rest from this process. The Holy Spirit will prod us and help us along by guiding and counselling us.
A life of self denial is not one of renouncing this world. We are to be in this world though not of this world, implying that while we live in this world we will conform to the patterns laid out as an example by Jesus, the patterns described in the Word of God. We are not to be set in our ways but always ready to give up something that hinders our faith or the faith of others. We should always also be ready to embrace or adopt whatever will increase the pace of our spiritual growth and our fruitfulness in Christ. It is more about getting rid of ingrained traits and attitudes than to give up superficially a mode of living, comforts or something that we enjoy doing.
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me (as My disciple), he must deny himself (set aside selfish interests), and take up his cross daily (expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come) and follow Me ( believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and , if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me).
Luke 9 v 23
Following Christ as Lord and Saviour comes with a cost though it has many rewards, eternal and earthly. We need to set aside our personal agenda and deny our old nature of the gratification of pride and lusts. We should be willing to obey Christ and endure till the very end. We need to be willing to suffer for Christ and if needed, even make the ultimate sacrifice with our lives. We need to give up a part of our old nature every day of our lives in the sense we should keep changing degree by degree till we match the very image of Christ. This amounts to a daily dying to ourselves, to our own flesh and egos and living more and more for Christ as His representative in this world.
Hence, being a follower of Jesus is never easy. But He gives us the grace and help to do so if we just make the commitment or express our willingness to do so. Committing our lives to Jesus is committing to a lifelong process of learning, changing, improving in all areas of our lives- our speech, our conduct, our choices, our relationships, our work and our contributions. We can never cease or take rest from this process. The Holy Spirit will prod us and help us along by guiding and counselling us.
A life of self denial is not one of renouncing this world. We are to be in this world though not of this world, implying that while we live in this world we will conform to the patterns laid out as an example by Jesus, the patterns described in the Word of God. We are not to be set in our ways but always ready to give up something that hinders our faith or the faith of others. We should always also be ready to embrace or adopt whatever will increase the pace of our spiritual growth and our fruitfulness in Christ. It is more about getting rid of ingrained traits and attitudes than to give up superficially a mode of living, comforts or something that we enjoy doing.
Sunday, December 15, 2019
The Enduring Influence of Spiritual Wisdom
UV 3419/10000 The Enduring Influence of Spiritual Wisdom
Those who are spiritually wise will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, will shine like the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12 v 3
John Maxwell defines leadership as influence. If leadership is influence, then influence is spiritual wisdom. When we humble ourselves before God, we are deemed as spiritually wise. But those who consider themselves quite knowledgeable tend to be extremely allergic to spiritual wisdom as it reminds them of their poor choices. As someone said, in the race between ourselves and our choices, choices always win. The wise always place God above all things in their lives. Jesus described Himself as the Light of the world. His light will shine through and in our lives. Like the moon shines in the reflected light of the sun, we shine by reflecting the light of Jesus.
When we receive Jesus into our hearts as our Lord, Ruler and Saviour, we also receive a new spirit of righteousness, fear or utmost reverence of God, of excellence and wisdom. That Spirit transforms and sanctifies our hearts from within. IOC or inside out change begins in us. We are no longer controlled by foolish pride or wicked lusts. We are not wise in our own eyes or in the eyes of the world but we are wise in the eyes of the Lord for we have humbled ourselves to acknowledge that God is our deepest need. He satisfies our need to ignore the ephemeral in our lives and choose the eternal, the internal over the external. Scripture teaches us we are wise when we remain pure or morally and spiritually undefiled, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of compassion and good fruits- fruit of good deeds as well as attributes of character of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self control.
The uni-verse also defines the role of wise leaders. Wise leaders while living righteous lives are to lead others who are in their circle of influence to righteousness. Jesus is the eternal leader and the righteous leader. He imparts or imputes His righteousness through the faith of His followers. When we follow Him we shine like stars forever as our testimony becomes our legacy. We will not fall or die like comets but our light will shine forth forever. We realize the secret that kings of yore did not know that the only way we can transfer our assets or riches from this life to the next is through our good deeds to meet real needs of people here and now. Though good deeds by itself are dirty rags before a righteous God, when it is accompanied by faith in His risen Son, it is aroma of the finest perfumes, it is riches far greater than the Kohinoor diamond, it is enduring and eternal fruit, it becomes our eternal treasure in heaven that neither moth nor rust can destroy nor be stolen by thieves and robbers.
Those who are spiritually wise will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, will shine like the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12 v 3
John Maxwell defines leadership as influence. If leadership is influence, then influence is spiritual wisdom. When we humble ourselves before God, we are deemed as spiritually wise. But those who consider themselves quite knowledgeable tend to be extremely allergic to spiritual wisdom as it reminds them of their poor choices. As someone said, in the race between ourselves and our choices, choices always win. The wise always place God above all things in their lives. Jesus described Himself as the Light of the world. His light will shine through and in our lives. Like the moon shines in the reflected light of the sun, we shine by reflecting the light of Jesus.
When we receive Jesus into our hearts as our Lord, Ruler and Saviour, we also receive a new spirit of righteousness, fear or utmost reverence of God, of excellence and wisdom. That Spirit transforms and sanctifies our hearts from within. IOC or inside out change begins in us. We are no longer controlled by foolish pride or wicked lusts. We are not wise in our own eyes or in the eyes of the world but we are wise in the eyes of the Lord for we have humbled ourselves to acknowledge that God is our deepest need. He satisfies our need to ignore the ephemeral in our lives and choose the eternal, the internal over the external. Scripture teaches us we are wise when we remain pure or morally and spiritually undefiled, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of compassion and good fruits- fruit of good deeds as well as attributes of character of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self control.
The uni-verse also defines the role of wise leaders. Wise leaders while living righteous lives are to lead others who are in their circle of influence to righteousness. Jesus is the eternal leader and the righteous leader. He imparts or imputes His righteousness through the faith of His followers. When we follow Him we shine like stars forever as our testimony becomes our legacy. We will not fall or die like comets but our light will shine forth forever. We realize the secret that kings of yore did not know that the only way we can transfer our assets or riches from this life to the next is through our good deeds to meet real needs of people here and now. Though good deeds by itself are dirty rags before a righteous God, when it is accompanied by faith in His risen Son, it is aroma of the finest perfumes, it is riches far greater than the Kohinoor diamond, it is enduring and eternal fruit, it becomes our eternal treasure in heaven that neither moth nor rust can destroy nor be stolen by thieves and robbers.
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
The Secret of Contentment
UV 3418/10000 The Secret of Contentment
Let your character ( your moral essence, your inner nature) be free from the love of money (shun greed- be financially ethical), being content with what you have; for He has said, “ I will never ( under any circumstances) desert you (nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless), nor will I forsake or let you down or relax my hold on you (assuredly not)!
Hebrews 13 v 5
Many people in public life today love money and actually unwittingly hate themselves. They end up going to jail for their greed that fuels corruption. Their high sense of insecurity about their future, the future of their children causes them to resort to aggrandizement by all the means available to them. Instead, as children of God in Christ, we are called to shun greed and to be financially ethical, to be secure in our trust of God that He will provide our future needs even as He provides for our present. Our security is based on the belief or conviction that God is with us as He has promised and that as long as He is with us, our needs will not be unmet. He will never leave us helpless, nor let us down or give up on us. We are convinced that His resources are unlimited and He is willing to bless us generously according to our need, not according to our greed.
Love of money has the associated evils of being willing to do anything in order to acquire it. It leads to theft, violence, bribery, adultery, immorality and so on. Integrity in financial and all other matters is rooted in our faith in the Lord and His word. We are secure in our trust that He will provide whatever we need in His time. We are patient to wait for His promises to unfold and be fulfilled. We are not like the world, in a hurry to get rich quick. At the same time, we are to work hard, use every legitimate opportunity, invest our time, efforts, talents, abilities and resources wisely.
Contentment implies that we are ever grateful to the Lord for His provision. Our hearts are full of thanksgiving for the way He has blessed us this far even as we hope in His provision for the future. Even if we are in difficult circumstances or financial straits, our eyes are upon the Lord for answering our crying need. If we are financially well off, too our source of security is not our resources but the One who provided it to us. We are willing to give of it to the needy as the Spirit lays it upon our hearts and we are not stingy or tight fisted.
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
The Most Essential Need of Humanity
UV3417/10000 The Most Essential Need of Humanity
For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel, “ Seek Me (search diligently for Me and regard Me as more essential than food) so that you may live.”
Amos 5 v 4
This uni-verse exhorts us to regard God and our relationship with Him as our most essential need. In Him will all the rest of our needs be met adequately and abundantly. He is more essential for our well being than food or shelter or clothes. If we seek Him with all our hearts, we will surely find Him. Likewise, we are not to be in awe or fear of anything or anyone other than God. He is not just an adjunct to our lives but the cause and source of our lives. Hence, we need to revere, respect, adore Him above all and everything.
Seeking God implies having the deepest desire to know Him, His ways, His will. Jesus, being the Son of God, exhibited this kind of love or zeal for the Father. We are likewise to be passionate in our search for God and the things of God. When we give first priority to Him in our lives, He gives priority to our other needs. God revealed Himself first to Israel or the descendants of Jacob who was first called Israel and had a personal relationship with Him. He caused His Son Jesus to be also born in the house of Israel as a descendant of Jacob. But the Jewish religion or Judaism has blinded the eyes of most of the people of Israel from knowing the truth. Hence, God is not found in religion but in having a personal relationship with Him.
Today, if we are diligent in searching the scriptures, the Old as well as the New Testaments, we will find God. When we find Him, the God –shaped vacuum in our hearts that nothing and no one else in this world can fill, gets filled. Though He is awesome or fearful in power, He is intimate and gentle with us. We obtain satisfaction at a very deep emotional and spiritual level. In finding Him, we fulfil the very purpose of our lives. God helps us fulfil our personal goals and needs as only a sub text to that purpose.
For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel, “ Seek Me (search diligently for Me and regard Me as more essential than food) so that you may live.”
Amos 5 v 4
This uni-verse exhorts us to regard God and our relationship with Him as our most essential need. In Him will all the rest of our needs be met adequately and abundantly. He is more essential for our well being than food or shelter or clothes. If we seek Him with all our hearts, we will surely find Him. Likewise, we are not to be in awe or fear of anything or anyone other than God. He is not just an adjunct to our lives but the cause and source of our lives. Hence, we need to revere, respect, adore Him above all and everything.
Seeking God implies having the deepest desire to know Him, His ways, His will. Jesus, being the Son of God, exhibited this kind of love or zeal for the Father. We are likewise to be passionate in our search for God and the things of God. When we give first priority to Him in our lives, He gives priority to our other needs. God revealed Himself first to Israel or the descendants of Jacob who was first called Israel and had a personal relationship with Him. He caused His Son Jesus to be also born in the house of Israel as a descendant of Jacob. But the Jewish religion or Judaism has blinded the eyes of most of the people of Israel from knowing the truth. Hence, God is not found in religion but in having a personal relationship with Him.
Today, if we are diligent in searching the scriptures, the Old as well as the New Testaments, we will find God. When we find Him, the God –shaped vacuum in our hearts that nothing and no one else in this world can fill, gets filled. Though He is awesome or fearful in power, He is intimate and gentle with us. We obtain satisfaction at a very deep emotional and spiritual level. In finding Him, we fulfil the very purpose of our lives. God helps us fulfil our personal goals and needs as only a sub text to that purpose.
Monday, December 9, 2019
The Challenge of Refinement
UV 3416/10000 The Challenge of Refinement
But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap ( which removes impurities and uncleanness.)
Malachi 3 v 2
Jesus as the Messenger of the new covenant written not on stone but with His blood is coming again. Jesus says, “ Don’t be slack, I will be back.” We are to give a rendering of accounts of our lives and of our faith. We will be judged according to the measure of our faith. Faith is the treasure that He has entrusted us with which we are to not just use but multiply. Our faith is to be refined like pure gold in fire. The dross or impurities of this world are to be removed by the pain of self discipline, the fire of suffering and by the work of the Holy Spirit in our souls, if we are to be greeted and welcomed by Him into His kingdom as overcomers, those who endured till the end, withstanding the temptations and trials of this life.
If we are not to be taken by surprise by the return of Jesus who said He will return like a thief by night, without prior warning or announcement, we are to ask ourselves every day the question, “ Am I a little more refined in my faith and its expression than I was yesterday and the day before? Am I a little more clean and pure than I was before?” Like a snake sheds it skin and leaves that place where it shed it, we need to keep moving to the next level of faith, love and hope. Our faith needs to grow and our faces need to glow with love for the Lord. Our lives need to be purged of all vestiges of evil, the influences of our sinful past and of the world. He and His qualities should increase in us and we should decrease. Our motives should constantly be tested on the whetstone of the Word. We should actively seek the help of the Helper, the Holy Spirit to discern any hidden or wilful sin in us. He requires sanctification in the inmost places of our being, our hearts and minds and not a mere external piety or religiousity.
Jesus washed the feet of His disciples to indicate the importance of external as well as internal cleansing of our souls. He was emphasizing not ritual cleansing but spiritual cleansing. Holiness is a constant reaching out for the perfection of God in all that we speak, think and do. Only then can we stand with boldness in His presence when He returns and He will welcome us and endorse us as “ Good and faithful servant. “ To this end, we need to constantly see our reflection in the spiritual mirror of the Word and noticing any blemish, proceed to remove it from our lives. We need to constantly introspect whether we are matching the standards set for us in our behaviour, our relationships, our work and in terms of integrity.
But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap ( which removes impurities and uncleanness.)
Malachi 3 v 2
Jesus as the Messenger of the new covenant written not on stone but with His blood is coming again. Jesus says, “ Don’t be slack, I will be back.” We are to give a rendering of accounts of our lives and of our faith. We will be judged according to the measure of our faith. Faith is the treasure that He has entrusted us with which we are to not just use but multiply. Our faith is to be refined like pure gold in fire. The dross or impurities of this world are to be removed by the pain of self discipline, the fire of suffering and by the work of the Holy Spirit in our souls, if we are to be greeted and welcomed by Him into His kingdom as overcomers, those who endured till the end, withstanding the temptations and trials of this life.
If we are not to be taken by surprise by the return of Jesus who said He will return like a thief by night, without prior warning or announcement, we are to ask ourselves every day the question, “ Am I a little more refined in my faith and its expression than I was yesterday and the day before? Am I a little more clean and pure than I was before?” Like a snake sheds it skin and leaves that place where it shed it, we need to keep moving to the next level of faith, love and hope. Our faith needs to grow and our faces need to glow with love for the Lord. Our lives need to be purged of all vestiges of evil, the influences of our sinful past and of the world. He and His qualities should increase in us and we should decrease. Our motives should constantly be tested on the whetstone of the Word. We should actively seek the help of the Helper, the Holy Spirit to discern any hidden or wilful sin in us. He requires sanctification in the inmost places of our being, our hearts and minds and not a mere external piety or religiousity.
Jesus washed the feet of His disciples to indicate the importance of external as well as internal cleansing of our souls. He was emphasizing not ritual cleansing but spiritual cleansing. Holiness is a constant reaching out for the perfection of God in all that we speak, think and do. Only then can we stand with boldness in His presence when He returns and He will welcome us and endorse us as “ Good and faithful servant. “ To this end, we need to constantly see our reflection in the spiritual mirror of the Word and noticing any blemish, proceed to remove it from our lives. We need to constantly introspect whether we are matching the standards set for us in our behaviour, our relationships, our work and in terms of integrity.
Sunday, December 8, 2019
360 Degrees, 365 Days Forever
UV3415/10000 360 Degrees, 365 Days
So God drove the man out; and at the east end of the Garden of Eden He permanently stationed the cherubim and the sword with the flashing blade which turned round and round (in every direction) to protect and guard the way ( entrance, access) to the tree of life.
Genesis 3 v 24
God restored the tree of eternal life and our access to it with the coming, death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus laid down His own body as the way to eternal life. What Adam and Eve lost in the Garden of Eden, Jesus restores to us in the Garden of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane and on Golgotha. The cross He carried and ascended symbolizes the dead tree of sin on which all our shortcomings are nailed and paid for. We have access to Jesus and eternal life all the time. He sends His angels to guard us. God now welcomes us as His chosen and faithful ones to His very bosom. There is no longer separation or distancing of man from God. We are in His presence all the time. We enjoy love and fellowship with the Tri-une God. The sword with the flashing blade which turned in 360 degrees, in every direction is a metaphor for the Word of God. It can help us deal effectively with every threat and temptation, internal and external, spiritual and human.
Since we have access to the tree of eternal life, we are now expected to draw nourishment from the Word, the river that nourishes our very roots and supplies all the minerals and nutrients needed. We are rooted in Christ and grow in Him, to produce the fruit of the spirit- the results or evidence of eternal life of increasing selfless love, abounding joy, deep seated peace, growing patience with those who have not yet tasted eternal life, kindness to all, especially the poor and needy we encounter in our daily lives, manifesting the inherent goodness of God to all, faithfulness in all circumstances, humility to acknowledge and depend on God at all times, self discipline. Instead of the forbidden fruit of disobedience, faithlessness that makes God out to be a liar, deception, lust and pride, we now both enjoy and produce an abundance of spiritual fruit worthy of God.
We have returned to the Father like the chastised repentant prodigal son. Instead of punishing us and holding us responsible for our past misdeeds, the Lord in His love embraces us, accepts us as we are. He honours us with His ring of authority, His robes of salvation, His crown of grace, His shoes to go places on His behalf as His messenger. He makes our lives a celebration of joy and victory. The Father sends us His Spirit, His Word as the flaming revolving sword and His angels to guard and keep us from further wilful error or attacks of the enemy of our souls. Our own faith is our shield, implying that how we use and exercise our faith in the Word affords us protection.
So God drove the man out; and at the east end of the Garden of Eden He permanently stationed the cherubim and the sword with the flashing blade which turned round and round (in every direction) to protect and guard the way ( entrance, access) to the tree of life.
Genesis 3 v 24
God restored the tree of eternal life and our access to it with the coming, death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus laid down His own body as the way to eternal life. What Adam and Eve lost in the Garden of Eden, Jesus restores to us in the Garden of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane and on Golgotha. The cross He carried and ascended symbolizes the dead tree of sin on which all our shortcomings are nailed and paid for. We have access to Jesus and eternal life all the time. He sends His angels to guard us. God now welcomes us as His chosen and faithful ones to His very bosom. There is no longer separation or distancing of man from God. We are in His presence all the time. We enjoy love and fellowship with the Tri-une God. The sword with the flashing blade which turned in 360 degrees, in every direction is a metaphor for the Word of God. It can help us deal effectively with every threat and temptation, internal and external, spiritual and human.
Since we have access to the tree of eternal life, we are now expected to draw nourishment from the Word, the river that nourishes our very roots and supplies all the minerals and nutrients needed. We are rooted in Christ and grow in Him, to produce the fruit of the spirit- the results or evidence of eternal life of increasing selfless love, abounding joy, deep seated peace, growing patience with those who have not yet tasted eternal life, kindness to all, especially the poor and needy we encounter in our daily lives, manifesting the inherent goodness of God to all, faithfulness in all circumstances, humility to acknowledge and depend on God at all times, self discipline. Instead of the forbidden fruit of disobedience, faithlessness that makes God out to be a liar, deception, lust and pride, we now both enjoy and produce an abundance of spiritual fruit worthy of God.
We have returned to the Father like the chastised repentant prodigal son. Instead of punishing us and holding us responsible for our past misdeeds, the Lord in His love embraces us, accepts us as we are. He honours us with His ring of authority, His robes of salvation, His crown of grace, His shoes to go places on His behalf as His messenger. He makes our lives a celebration of joy and victory. The Father sends us His Spirit, His Word as the flaming revolving sword and His angels to guard and keep us from further wilful error or attacks of the enemy of our souls. Our own faith is our shield, implying that how we use and exercise our faith in the Word affords us protection.
Saturday, December 7, 2019
God Governance
UV 3414/10000 God Governance
There shall be no end to the increase of His government and of peace, He shall rule on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from that time forward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9 v 7
The probability of 300 prophecies regarding the coming Messiah coming true by mere chance or accident is 10 to the power of 157 while the number of stars in the universe is less numerous at 1 to the power of 25. It is the invisible hand of the Triune God of the Bible that caused these words often spoken several centuries before it happened or was fulfilled. Even earthly rulers had to collaborate or comply for it fulfilment. For instance, Augustus Caesar ordered the first census in history at the time of Jesus’s birth forcing Joseph and Mary to go to their native town – Bethlehem just before His birth in order to fulfil the prophecy given through Micah that Bethlehem would give rise to a new ruler, the future Messiah-King. The government of Jesus is a rule not over territory and kingdoms but over the hearts and minds of His followers. This uni-verse prophesies that His governance over us will keep increasing or expanding. We are co-rulers with Jesus to establish the rule of justice and righteousness on earth.
While all other earthly governments will one day cease as history has recorded so often in the past, the Bible states that the government of Jesus will never cease. Jesus, as the Prince of Peace as the prophet Isaiah calls Him, is the only One who gives the peace , eternal peace that the world can neither give nor take away. The zeal of the Lord causes things to happen in real time. He is involved in the tiny details of our lives. He is patient with us as He points out many things in our lives that needs to be set right. Often it is an attitude of our hearts that He is most concerned about. It could also be a habit that He wants us to change or end.
As we walk with Jesus in faith, our personal knowledge of Him keeps increasing and with it we grow in faith and maturity of character. Though His last words on the cross were , “ It is finished”, implying that the payment for justice to redeem all mankind was done, once and for all, He has not done with building our character and our faith. Hence, we are described as works in progress. Yet, He does not wait till we are mature but He shares with us His authority over the spiritual world right from the day or moment we commit our hearts to Him. At that moment, the Holy Spirit seals our heart and souls with the stamp, “Belongs to Jesus for eternity.” We become members of His government. He gives us keys to governance of earth and heaven. We are, in fact, ministers in His cabinet. The portfolio we handle depends on our calling, our anointing or enablement, our gifting and where we are placed. Our prayers have a powerful effect much like the phenomenon called “butterfly effect.” It affects the world profoundly and in ways that cannot always be predicted.
There shall be no end to the increase of His government and of peace, He shall rule on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from that time forward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9 v 7
The probability of 300 prophecies regarding the coming Messiah coming true by mere chance or accident is 10 to the power of 157 while the number of stars in the universe is less numerous at 1 to the power of 25. It is the invisible hand of the Triune God of the Bible that caused these words often spoken several centuries before it happened or was fulfilled. Even earthly rulers had to collaborate or comply for it fulfilment. For instance, Augustus Caesar ordered the first census in history at the time of Jesus’s birth forcing Joseph and Mary to go to their native town – Bethlehem just before His birth in order to fulfil the prophecy given through Micah that Bethlehem would give rise to a new ruler, the future Messiah-King. The government of Jesus is a rule not over territory and kingdoms but over the hearts and minds of His followers. This uni-verse prophesies that His governance over us will keep increasing or expanding. We are co-rulers with Jesus to establish the rule of justice and righteousness on earth.
While all other earthly governments will one day cease as history has recorded so often in the past, the Bible states that the government of Jesus will never cease. Jesus, as the Prince of Peace as the prophet Isaiah calls Him, is the only One who gives the peace , eternal peace that the world can neither give nor take away. The zeal of the Lord causes things to happen in real time. He is involved in the tiny details of our lives. He is patient with us as He points out many things in our lives that needs to be set right. Often it is an attitude of our hearts that He is most concerned about. It could also be a habit that He wants us to change or end.
As we walk with Jesus in faith, our personal knowledge of Him keeps increasing and with it we grow in faith and maturity of character. Though His last words on the cross were , “ It is finished”, implying that the payment for justice to redeem all mankind was done, once and for all, He has not done with building our character and our faith. Hence, we are described as works in progress. Yet, He does not wait till we are mature but He shares with us His authority over the spiritual world right from the day or moment we commit our hearts to Him. At that moment, the Holy Spirit seals our heart and souls with the stamp, “Belongs to Jesus for eternity.” We become members of His government. He gives us keys to governance of earth and heaven. We are, in fact, ministers in His cabinet. The portfolio we handle depends on our calling, our anointing or enablement, our gifting and where we are placed. Our prayers have a powerful effect much like the phenomenon called “butterfly effect.” It affects the world profoundly and in ways that cannot always be predicted.
Friday, December 6, 2019
Being the Right Kind of Salt
UV3413/10000 Being the RIGHT KIND OF Salt
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has losts its taste(purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people ( when the walkways are wet and slippery).
Matthew 5 v 13
It is the Word of God that makes us salty. Salt is a taste giver. It is a healer and health producer. It is crystalline. It is white if pure. If put in water, it lies below the surface. We are to emulate these qualities of salt. We are to make our lives tasty or purposeful by giving priority to the Lord and His word at work in our lives. Our speech or conversation becomes tasteful by the flavours that the Word brings to it. We are to retain our pure crystalline character. We are to lie below the surface and attribute all glory to the Lord. We are to make relationships and people healthful by our words, attitudes and behaviour. Salt does not get spoilt and likewise, we should not do or say anything that spoils our testimony.
There are many varieties or grades of salt. Only the best quality salt is fit for consumption. Industrial salt is the more crude and low grade variety. Yet another low grade variety is thrown on the sidewalks and roads in winter to prevent the snow and ice from melting and forming slush. Jesus warns us not to lose our true character and qualities and be worthy only of being trampled upon. Our daily intake of the Word can make us salty again in this world. Without the guidance and saturation of the Word in our lives, we become purposeless, tasteless, powerless, sick people.
Our words and actions should bring healing to this world. It should heal broken hearts, broken homes, broken lives. It should supply the necessary minerals or salts that the human being needs to sustain life. Following the principles and precepts of Jesus gives us the pure crystalline character expected in His followers. Our words, works and lives should make Jesus, God and the Word attractive to others. Jesus uses the metaphor of salt as it is cheap and freely available in nature, in rocks and in sea water. Yet it is used in small quantities with all kinds of food. Likewise, we must freely give what we have freely received. Like salt is lowly, we should always be humble. We should use the apt word for the apt occasion even as only the right quantity of salt is required to be added to food to make it tasty. Just as salt is used to remove the leeches that such our blood, the Word is to be used as the salt that removes the leeches of sin, lust, pride that affect our peace, fruit and lives.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has losts its taste(purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people ( when the walkways are wet and slippery).
Matthew 5 v 13
It is the Word of God that makes us salty. Salt is a taste giver. It is a healer and health producer. It is crystalline. It is white if pure. If put in water, it lies below the surface. We are to emulate these qualities of salt. We are to make our lives tasty or purposeful by giving priority to the Lord and His word at work in our lives. Our speech or conversation becomes tasteful by the flavours that the Word brings to it. We are to retain our pure crystalline character. We are to lie below the surface and attribute all glory to the Lord. We are to make relationships and people healthful by our words, attitudes and behaviour. Salt does not get spoilt and likewise, we should not do or say anything that spoils our testimony.
There are many varieties or grades of salt. Only the best quality salt is fit for consumption. Industrial salt is the more crude and low grade variety. Yet another low grade variety is thrown on the sidewalks and roads in winter to prevent the snow and ice from melting and forming slush. Jesus warns us not to lose our true character and qualities and be worthy only of being trampled upon. Our daily intake of the Word can make us salty again in this world. Without the guidance and saturation of the Word in our lives, we become purposeless, tasteless, powerless, sick people.
Our words and actions should bring healing to this world. It should heal broken hearts, broken homes, broken lives. It should supply the necessary minerals or salts that the human being needs to sustain life. Following the principles and precepts of Jesus gives us the pure crystalline character expected in His followers. Our words, works and lives should make Jesus, God and the Word attractive to others. Jesus uses the metaphor of salt as it is cheap and freely available in nature, in rocks and in sea water. Yet it is used in small quantities with all kinds of food. Likewise, we must freely give what we have freely received. Like salt is lowly, we should always be humble. We should use the apt word for the apt occasion even as only the right quantity of salt is required to be added to food to make it tasty. Just as salt is used to remove the leeches that such our blood, the Word is to be used as the salt that removes the leeches of sin, lust, pride that affect our peace, fruit and lives.
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Kinship with God
UV 3412/10000 Kinship with God
But He answered, “My mother and My brothers are these who listen to the word of God and do it.”
Luke 8 v 21
Jesus clearly states in this uni-verse that kinship with Him and with God, the Father and the Holy Spirit is established by listening to the word of God and by doing it. If we claim we are children of God by faith in Christ, His Son, we are required to listen to the Word and obey it carefully. Many do not even listen, many listen but do not do but only those who listen and do are the children of God. Jesus has redeemed us and restored us to the very image of God but now we have a new responsibility- to listen to Him carefully and to act or live in accordance with the Word.
We are not to conform to the patterns of this world in which the enemy has sown tares and snares but we are to conform to the patterns of the Word of God. The Word of God asks us to be like the wise man who built the foundations of his house, meaning his life on the unchanging rock-like principles He had learnt from Jesus. Jesus is called the Word by the apostle John as He is God who lived on earth like a human following the principles of the Word of God. We are to emulate His example and follow His principles and precepts. We are to drive out of our temple, like Jesus, any personal demons that desecrate it. We are to spend time alone and in quietness in prayer and fellowship with God. We have to be careful about every word we speak and every emotion we manifest in our daily lives. We have to be truthful, honest and live lives of integrity. We have to give first priority in our lives to the matters of the Lord, the kingdom or rule of God in our lives. We should forgive as Jesus forgives us and love our enemies.
An hour of listening to the Lord as well as listening to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit moment to moment should be followed by diligent implementation or practice of the principles learnt. When we do so, we confirm our kinship with the King of Kings, Jesus who is sovereign over death and life such that He often referred to death as mere “sleep”. We become the princes of His people to co-rule with Him in heaven as on earth. The prodigal son once he had returned to his father’s house and was welcomed by his father never returned to sinning or a wasteful life. He was doubly careful not to disregard his father’s directions in any matter. We, too, need to cultivate such an attitude of diligence and scrupulous obedience of the word of our Father in heaven and of His Son and of the Holy Spirit.
But He answered, “My mother and My brothers are these who listen to the word of God and do it.”
Luke 8 v 21
Jesus clearly states in this uni-verse that kinship with Him and with God, the Father and the Holy Spirit is established by listening to the word of God and by doing it. If we claim we are children of God by faith in Christ, His Son, we are required to listen to the Word and obey it carefully. Many do not even listen, many listen but do not do but only those who listen and do are the children of God. Jesus has redeemed us and restored us to the very image of God but now we have a new responsibility- to listen to Him carefully and to act or live in accordance with the Word.
We are not to conform to the patterns of this world in which the enemy has sown tares and snares but we are to conform to the patterns of the Word of God. The Word of God asks us to be like the wise man who built the foundations of his house, meaning his life on the unchanging rock-like principles He had learnt from Jesus. Jesus is called the Word by the apostle John as He is God who lived on earth like a human following the principles of the Word of God. We are to emulate His example and follow His principles and precepts. We are to drive out of our temple, like Jesus, any personal demons that desecrate it. We are to spend time alone and in quietness in prayer and fellowship with God. We have to be careful about every word we speak and every emotion we manifest in our daily lives. We have to be truthful, honest and live lives of integrity. We have to give first priority in our lives to the matters of the Lord, the kingdom or rule of God in our lives. We should forgive as Jesus forgives us and love our enemies.
An hour of listening to the Lord as well as listening to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit moment to moment should be followed by diligent implementation or practice of the principles learnt. When we do so, we confirm our kinship with the King of Kings, Jesus who is sovereign over death and life such that He often referred to death as mere “sleep”. We become the princes of His people to co-rule with Him in heaven as on earth. The prodigal son once he had returned to his father’s house and was welcomed by his father never returned to sinning or a wasteful life. He was doubly careful not to disregard his father’s directions in any matter. We, too, need to cultivate such an attitude of diligence and scrupulous obedience of the word of our Father in heaven and of His Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
The Competence to Save
UV 3411/10000 The Competence to Save
Therefore He is able also to save forever ( completely, perfectly, for eternity) those who come to God though Him, since He always lives to intercede and intervene on their behalf with God.
Hebrews 7 v 25
Jesus described Himself as the Way as He is the way through which weak and sinful people like us can approach the holy, infinite, just, perfect God, our Father in heaven. Jesus after His resurrection and enthronement at the right hand of the Father intercedes for us all the time. He is our true and High Priest who holds the office of priesthood permanently and without change. If satan and people who do not believe God are like the wind, Jesus is the eternal and unchanging Rock in whom we can hide from the former. He enables us to escape the judgement of God having placed our faith in absolution by His shed blood on the cross. He rescues us also daily from may critical situations and crises. He acts as a Guarantor of our faith before the Lord God. Regardless of our past misdeeds, He gives us a clean chit and attributes righteousness by faith and grace to us. He makes us look good even in our own eyes.
Since Jesus unlike the Jewish High Priests has no need to purify Himself to enter the presence of God, He has access to the throne of God all the time. He effectively intervenes on our behalf and intercedes for our souls all the time. There is no burden, too big or too small that we cannot carry to Him in prayer. There is no goal that cannot be attained with His help and active assistance. He removes barriers in our paths that we ourselves cannot perceive. He is competent to save us from every conceivable situation. Hence, we can repose complete confidence and trust in Him.
If we believe in ourselves or other people, some things are possible but if we believe in God through Christ, everything is possible, nothing is impossible or improbable. We have complete freedom and boldness to approach the throne of the Almighty in Christ. We have the confidence that since God in His love did not withhold even His own beloved Son, He will not withhold whatever we need. We realize that our greatest need is to revel and bask in His love.
Therefore He is able also to save forever ( completely, perfectly, for eternity) those who come to God though Him, since He always lives to intercede and intervene on their behalf with God.
Hebrews 7 v 25
Jesus described Himself as the Way as He is the way through which weak and sinful people like us can approach the holy, infinite, just, perfect God, our Father in heaven. Jesus after His resurrection and enthronement at the right hand of the Father intercedes for us all the time. He is our true and High Priest who holds the office of priesthood permanently and without change. If satan and people who do not believe God are like the wind, Jesus is the eternal and unchanging Rock in whom we can hide from the former. He enables us to escape the judgement of God having placed our faith in absolution by His shed blood on the cross. He rescues us also daily from may critical situations and crises. He acts as a Guarantor of our faith before the Lord God. Regardless of our past misdeeds, He gives us a clean chit and attributes righteousness by faith and grace to us. He makes us look good even in our own eyes.
Since Jesus unlike the Jewish High Priests has no need to purify Himself to enter the presence of God, He has access to the throne of God all the time. He effectively intervenes on our behalf and intercedes for our souls all the time. There is no burden, too big or too small that we cannot carry to Him in prayer. There is no goal that cannot be attained with His help and active assistance. He removes barriers in our paths that we ourselves cannot perceive. He is competent to save us from every conceivable situation. Hence, we can repose complete confidence and trust in Him.
If we believe in ourselves or other people, some things are possible but if we believe in God through Christ, everything is possible, nothing is impossible or improbable. We have complete freedom and boldness to approach the throne of the Almighty in Christ. We have the confidence that since God in His love did not withhold even His own beloved Son, He will not withhold whatever we need. We realize that our greatest need is to revel and bask in His love.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Immediate Pain Not A Deterrent For Ultimate Victory
UV 3410/10000 Immediate Pain not a Deterrent for Ultimate Victory
For the Lord God helps me, therefore, I have not been ashamed or humiliated. Therefor, I have made My face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
Isaiah 50 v 7
This uni-verse is prophetic as it spoke of the coming Messiah. Jesus, recalling this promise, set His face like flint as recorded by the gospel writers towards the cross. His one goal in life was to die for all humanity, past, present, future to redeem them from death and sin. Since He was going to be crucified for the noblest purpose, the potential salvation of all mankind, He did not regard the otherwise shameful capital punishment of the cross as shameful or humiliating. He was determined to fulfill the goal set before Him by the Father and would not allow anything to stand in the way. He also knew that thought the path was painful, He would be resurrected, glorified and worshipped forever after He did the act.
Likewise, the Lord helps us set a goal that is in alignment with the overall purpose of our lives. He helps us achieve the goal as we walk in faith like Jesus. We do not flinch from the path even it the trials and troubles we face can often be painful. We can also set our faces like flint towards the goal and be determined and dedicated till the goal is achieved. Jesus is with us every step of the way as Immanuel or God with us and as Ebenezer or Helper. He also sends us the Holy Spirit as our Helper and Counsellor. When we face trials and troubles, the Holy Spirit acts as our Comforter and guide.
We can, therefore, be confident, that the grave cannot hold us prisoner or that sin cannot take us captive. He who has saved us has also called us to serve His higher purpose. This kind of perspective will enable us to set our faces like flint. We know that we will not be put to shame. His resurrection power will revive us when our energy and zeal flags or fails. Our eyes are fixed on the unfading, imperishable crown of glory the Lord holds in His hand for each of us who overcomes, triumphs, grips the baton of victory in faith that we can pass on to the next generation.
For the Lord God helps me, therefore, I have not been ashamed or humiliated. Therefor, I have made My face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
Isaiah 50 v 7
This uni-verse is prophetic as it spoke of the coming Messiah. Jesus, recalling this promise, set His face like flint as recorded by the gospel writers towards the cross. His one goal in life was to die for all humanity, past, present, future to redeem them from death and sin. Since He was going to be crucified for the noblest purpose, the potential salvation of all mankind, He did not regard the otherwise shameful capital punishment of the cross as shameful or humiliating. He was determined to fulfill the goal set before Him by the Father and would not allow anything to stand in the way. He also knew that thought the path was painful, He would be resurrected, glorified and worshipped forever after He did the act.
Likewise, the Lord helps us set a goal that is in alignment with the overall purpose of our lives. He helps us achieve the goal as we walk in faith like Jesus. We do not flinch from the path even it the trials and troubles we face can often be painful. We can also set our faces like flint towards the goal and be determined and dedicated till the goal is achieved. Jesus is with us every step of the way as Immanuel or God with us and as Ebenezer or Helper. He also sends us the Holy Spirit as our Helper and Counsellor. When we face trials and troubles, the Holy Spirit acts as our Comforter and guide.
We can, therefore, be confident, that the grave cannot hold us prisoner or that sin cannot take us captive. He who has saved us has also called us to serve His higher purpose. This kind of perspective will enable us to set our faces like flint. We know that we will not be put to shame. His resurrection power will revive us when our energy and zeal flags or fails. Our eyes are fixed on the unfading, imperishable crown of glory the Lord holds in His hand for each of us who overcomes, triumphs, grips the baton of victory in faith that we can pass on to the next generation.
Monday, December 2, 2019
The Keys to the Treasure House
UV 3409/10000 The Keys to the Treasure House
The Lord shall open for you His good treasure house, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow.
Deuteronomy 28 v 12
The Lord’s treasure house is unlimited, infinite and beyond our imagination. All the gold and silver of the earth belongs to Him. He opens His hand of blessing upon His children, those who know and serve Him. He gives us the rain in season and also, the latter rain, meaning the blessings of the later years of our lives. He also blesses all the work of our hands. He is diligent and He expects us to be diligent, determined, devoted and disciplined. If we reflect these qualities of His in our work and lives, nothing and no one can stop us.
Indebtedness or borrowing beyond our capacity to repay is a curse and those who believe, trust and obey the Lord and His word will not borrow in this way. We will have no lack and all our needs would be met. The Lord is a generous provider and He will indeed open His treasure house to bless us abundantly and generously. We in turn are expected to give, lend and help the needy who approach us for help. A man who once enjoyed immense power and prestige is now languishing in jail for his corrupt deeds. Such people are tail leaders or leaders whose vision, values, passion and motivation are at the fag end. They do not truly know themselves or love themselves for they have caused greatest harm to their own names and families. In contrast, the little or more that the devout and sincere have will be blessed and sufficient for their need. Nothing is too little for the Lord to bless as He blessed the five loaves and seven small fish and multiplied it, He can multiply our small resources many times over in ways we cannot foresee.
The lesson I have learnt in a life of faith balanced with reason over four decades is that I should not believe in my own wisdom or even the wisdom of other finite human beings like me. I need to depend on the infinite wisdom and resources of the Lord. He makes possible the impossible. His plans are to prosper our souls and our minds and our bodies, not to harm these. The promise verses like the uni-verse above are the virtual keys to His treasure house that He places in our hands to use as often as we like and as often as we need. When He does place His treasure in our hands, our hearts should continue to belong to the Lord and not lie with the blessings He gives us. This will happen if we set much greater store with the invisible, intangible, spiritual, heavenly blessings He has bestowed us more than the physical, tangible, visible treasures He has endowed us with. We need to treasure our personal relationship with the Lord more than the blessings we obtain through it.
The Lord shall open for you His good treasure house, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow.
Deuteronomy 28 v 12
The Lord’s treasure house is unlimited, infinite and beyond our imagination. All the gold and silver of the earth belongs to Him. He opens His hand of blessing upon His children, those who know and serve Him. He gives us the rain in season and also, the latter rain, meaning the blessings of the later years of our lives. He also blesses all the work of our hands. He is diligent and He expects us to be diligent, determined, devoted and disciplined. If we reflect these qualities of His in our work and lives, nothing and no one can stop us.
Indebtedness or borrowing beyond our capacity to repay is a curse and those who believe, trust and obey the Lord and His word will not borrow in this way. We will have no lack and all our needs would be met. The Lord is a generous provider and He will indeed open His treasure house to bless us abundantly and generously. We in turn are expected to give, lend and help the needy who approach us for help. A man who once enjoyed immense power and prestige is now languishing in jail for his corrupt deeds. Such people are tail leaders or leaders whose vision, values, passion and motivation are at the fag end. They do not truly know themselves or love themselves for they have caused greatest harm to their own names and families. In contrast, the little or more that the devout and sincere have will be blessed and sufficient for their need. Nothing is too little for the Lord to bless as He blessed the five loaves and seven small fish and multiplied it, He can multiply our small resources many times over in ways we cannot foresee.
The lesson I have learnt in a life of faith balanced with reason over four decades is that I should not believe in my own wisdom or even the wisdom of other finite human beings like me. I need to depend on the infinite wisdom and resources of the Lord. He makes possible the impossible. His plans are to prosper our souls and our minds and our bodies, not to harm these. The promise verses like the uni-verse above are the virtual keys to His treasure house that He places in our hands to use as often as we like and as often as we need. When He does place His treasure in our hands, our hearts should continue to belong to the Lord and not lie with the blessings He gives us. This will happen if we set much greater store with the invisible, intangible, spiritual, heavenly blessings He has bestowed us more than the physical, tangible, visible treasures He has endowed us with. We need to treasure our personal relationship with the Lord more than the blessings we obtain through it.
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Winds and Flames
UV3408/10000 Winds and Fire
And concerning the angels He says, “Who makes His angels winds and His ministering servants flames of fire ( to do His bidding)
Hebrews 1 v 7
The Lord sends His angels in the wind to help us who are His ministering servants. Winds help to cool down the temperature, to bring rain and to spread flames. The Lord has at His command battalions of angels who do His bidding. Often He deploys them in our aid to cool down any opposing person or factor, to bring us showers of blessings of every kind and to spread the flames of faith or our influence in this dark world to give light and a sense of purpose, significance and power. In us should burn the fuel or the anointing oil of the Holy Spirit who renews us from within.
Along with the angels, we serve Jesus who is the visible expression of the invisible God, who has manifested the Shekinah glory of God in this world and continues at the right hand of the Father administering the universe. He intercedes on our behalf continually with the Father. He sends us timely help when we need it. We on our part should fan the flame of our faith to fullness in zeal and truth. The winds are needed to cool our zeal when we get too hot or to increase our influence and impact. The presence of God with us is not a passive one then, but an active and dynamic one. The Lord is always reading our situations and acting accordingly, sending His angels to our side and aid.
The angels are the chariots of fire that the prophet Elisha and his followers saw in the sky. Even though we who believe may be few we will never be outnumbered or overwhelmed. The Lord God is in our midst. We should therefore, be always full of the fire of faith and the truth of His word and not entertain fears of any kind. The indwelling Holy Spirit lights us up from within, anoints, equips, empowers and enables us to be victorious in our lives. We are living flames lit up by the Lord to shine and burn for Him in this world. Even the words from our tongues are like flames that light up the hearts of our listeners with faith and praise to God. The Lord will send His angels in the wind to keep us burning, shining and to distinguish us, not to extinguish us.
And concerning the angels He says, “Who makes His angels winds and His ministering servants flames of fire ( to do His bidding)
Hebrews 1 v 7
The Lord sends His angels in the wind to help us who are His ministering servants. Winds help to cool down the temperature, to bring rain and to spread flames. The Lord has at His command battalions of angels who do His bidding. Often He deploys them in our aid to cool down any opposing person or factor, to bring us showers of blessings of every kind and to spread the flames of faith or our influence in this dark world to give light and a sense of purpose, significance and power. In us should burn the fuel or the anointing oil of the Holy Spirit who renews us from within.
Along with the angels, we serve Jesus who is the visible expression of the invisible God, who has manifested the Shekinah glory of God in this world and continues at the right hand of the Father administering the universe. He intercedes on our behalf continually with the Father. He sends us timely help when we need it. We on our part should fan the flame of our faith to fullness in zeal and truth. The winds are needed to cool our zeal when we get too hot or to increase our influence and impact. The presence of God with us is not a passive one then, but an active and dynamic one. The Lord is always reading our situations and acting accordingly, sending His angels to our side and aid.
The angels are the chariots of fire that the prophet Elisha and his followers saw in the sky. Even though we who believe may be few we will never be outnumbered or overwhelmed. The Lord God is in our midst. We should therefore, be always full of the fire of faith and the truth of His word and not entertain fears of any kind. The indwelling Holy Spirit lights us up from within, anoints, equips, empowers and enables us to be victorious in our lives. We are living flames lit up by the Lord to shine and burn for Him in this world. Even the words from our tongues are like flames that light up the hearts of our listeners with faith and praise to God. The Lord will send His angels in the wind to keep us burning, shining and to distinguish us, not to extinguish us.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Distinction by Service
UV 3407/10000 Distinction by Service
Then you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and the one who does not serve Him.
Malachi 3 v 18
This uni-verse defines people as either wicked or righteous. The righteous are those who know God and serve Him while the wicked are those who do not serve Him. The latter by default serve the enemy of all humanity. If we know God we have no option but to serve Him. We serve Him by making our organs like our brains, our mouths, our hands and legs work for Him. We serve God when we speak of Him, when we teach His word. We serve God when we go places just for Him. We achieve distinction not by our good deeds or accomplishments but by our knowledge and submission to the only and absolutely holy Being- God.
The righteous and the wicked according to the above uni-verse are distinguished not by deeds but by the presence of God or by the personal relationship they have or do not have with the Lord. Whatever the righteous do is done in the name of the Lord and for His glory and by His grace or power. He is the be all and end all of our existence. As His faithful servants, we are always in awe of Him. We worship Him in reverence and adore Him with love. It is a combination of commitment, deep respect, humility, implicit obedience and curiousity to know Him more as well as desire to experience more of His love and power.
The servants of God are paid their due wages or just rewards both in this lifetime and in eternity. The wicked or those who do not chose to serve Him also receive their just desserts. The righteous receive the power from God to defeat the wicked. Their faith and character puts them in conflict with the wicked but they will eventually be victorious whatever be the struggle they face now. Often the wicked are the ones who are successful and powerful in this world. But the Lord acts on behalf of the righteous and ensures justice is done.
Then you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and the one who does not serve Him.
Malachi 3 v 18
This uni-verse defines people as either wicked or righteous. The righteous are those who know God and serve Him while the wicked are those who do not serve Him. The latter by default serve the enemy of all humanity. If we know God we have no option but to serve Him. We serve Him by making our organs like our brains, our mouths, our hands and legs work for Him. We serve God when we speak of Him, when we teach His word. We serve God when we go places just for Him. We achieve distinction not by our good deeds or accomplishments but by our knowledge and submission to the only and absolutely holy Being- God.
The righteous and the wicked according to the above uni-verse are distinguished not by deeds but by the presence of God or by the personal relationship they have or do not have with the Lord. Whatever the righteous do is done in the name of the Lord and for His glory and by His grace or power. He is the be all and end all of our existence. As His faithful servants, we are always in awe of Him. We worship Him in reverence and adore Him with love. It is a combination of commitment, deep respect, humility, implicit obedience and curiousity to know Him more as well as desire to experience more of His love and power.
The servants of God are paid their due wages or just rewards both in this lifetime and in eternity. The wicked or those who do not chose to serve Him also receive their just desserts. The righteous receive the power from God to defeat the wicked. Their faith and character puts them in conflict with the wicked but they will eventually be victorious whatever be the struggle they face now. Often the wicked are the ones who are successful and powerful in this world. But the Lord acts on behalf of the righteous and ensures justice is done.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Invisible But Invincible
UV 3406/10000 Invisible But Invincible
“With him there is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles. “ And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Like the people relied on the encouraging words of Hezekiah, their king, we should rely on the strengthening word of Jesus. The One who is with us is greater than the one who is with the enemy. With him is only the arm of flesh that is finite and limited in strength, power and prowess but with us is the Omnicompetent, Omnipotent God Almighty. Our reliance is not on our army or our array of resource, abilities or strengths but our dependence is on Jesus, Our Advocate, the Holy Spirit, our Counsellor and Comforter and Jehovah, our Heavenly Father. We do not rely on horses or chariots but on the Lord alone for our victory. The arm of flesh will both flail and fail but the arm of the Lord no man can predict how it will act or react. The arm of man however strong will perish but the arm of the Lord is eternal, infinite, invincible.
Sennacherib, the king of Assyria threatened the people of Judah and their king Hezekiah but the Lord God sent an angel that slew the warriors of his army and he himself was killed by his own children. The Lord proved Himself time and again in the history of Israel to be mighty, invincible and a God of rescue who hears the cry of His children, whoever acknowledges Him and worships Him. We should therefore not pin our hope and faith on mortal help but seek the favour or grace of our Lord. The battle or the struggle belongs to the Lord and He will surely deliver us from it. We need not despair or be afraid regardless of the size or strength of the quarry we are currently confronting.
We only need to fix our eyes on Jesus, the Finisher or Perfector of our faith, character and testimony. He is the Lord of a host of powerful angels. He deploys them to guard and protect His children so that no angel remains idle. Every battle or struggle, challenge or problem is meant to bring out the grace, power and glory of the Lord. We should therefore, not shrink or avoid these but just take our stand of faith in Christ. He is ever present with us to help us, to equip us with His armour and His weapons. He gives us the apt strategy or solution in every situation, crisis or predicament.
“With him there is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles. “ And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Like the people relied on the encouraging words of Hezekiah, their king, we should rely on the strengthening word of Jesus. The One who is with us is greater than the one who is with the enemy. With him is only the arm of flesh that is finite and limited in strength, power and prowess but with us is the Omnicompetent, Omnipotent God Almighty. Our reliance is not on our army or our array of resource, abilities or strengths but our dependence is on Jesus, Our Advocate, the Holy Spirit, our Counsellor and Comforter and Jehovah, our Heavenly Father. We do not rely on horses or chariots but on the Lord alone for our victory. The arm of flesh will both flail and fail but the arm of the Lord no man can predict how it will act or react. The arm of man however strong will perish but the arm of the Lord is eternal, infinite, invincible.
Sennacherib, the king of Assyria threatened the people of Judah and their king Hezekiah but the Lord God sent an angel that slew the warriors of his army and he himself was killed by his own children. The Lord proved Himself time and again in the history of Israel to be mighty, invincible and a God of rescue who hears the cry of His children, whoever acknowledges Him and worships Him. We should therefore not pin our hope and faith on mortal help but seek the favour or grace of our Lord. The battle or the struggle belongs to the Lord and He will surely deliver us from it. We need not despair or be afraid regardless of the size or strength of the quarry we are currently confronting.
We only need to fix our eyes on Jesus, the Finisher or Perfector of our faith, character and testimony. He is the Lord of a host of powerful angels. He deploys them to guard and protect His children so that no angel remains idle. Every battle or struggle, challenge or problem is meant to bring out the grace, power and glory of the Lord. We should therefore, not shrink or avoid these but just take our stand of faith in Christ. He is ever present with us to help us, to equip us with His armour and His weapons. He gives us the apt strategy or solution in every situation, crisis or predicament.
Sunday, November 24, 2019
Measuring Our Words
UV 3405/10000 Measuring Our Words
But I tell you, on the day of judgement people will have to give an accounting for every careless and useless word they speak.
Matthew 12 v 36
Our words reflect our inner spiritual condition, our state of the heart. If we are storing evil in our hearts, evil words will come forth. If we are storing good things, good words will come forth. If we store the Word of God, the perfect word of God will come forth. Hence, Jesus warns us not to speak any careless or useless or purposeless words. Our words are meant to build the faith, to encourage and edify the hearers. Jesus said, “ If we call our brother a rascal, we are guilty to be sent to the fires of hell.” We are not to use our words to abuse or insult others.
Both sweet and bitter water cannot flow from the same spring. Hence, we who are dealing with the Word of God cannot allow our words to be negative, carping, insulting, discouraging to our listeners. We need to allow our words to go through a filter or sieve and only words that are wise, pleasing, gentle, gracious should be allowed to emanate from our mouths. We should spend some time every day examining the quality of our conversation, our speech both in public and private. As a rule, the more angry we become, the slower our speech and lower our tones should be. Our words should be carefully chosen and deliberately delivered in order to be effective and useful. The more we treasure our relationship with God and man, the more we will measure our words. The more we treasure eternal life in Christ, the more we will measure our tones and our words.
Speaking on impulse without much thought has the propensity to get us into much trouble. The more thought we apply to our words, the less trouble we will have. Words affect our emotions, our relationships, our decisions, our influence. We should not speak unless our words are likely to have a better effect than silence. Words should be used carefully like currency, not carelessly, thoughtlessly. Spending more time listening, spending more time praying and less time talking helps us avoid needless chatter. Praying for the Lord’s anointing of our words, the Holy Spirit’s regulation of our speech is the key to perfecting our speech.
But I tell you, on the day of judgement people will have to give an accounting for every careless and useless word they speak.
Matthew 12 v 36
Our words reflect our inner spiritual condition, our state of the heart. If we are storing evil in our hearts, evil words will come forth. If we are storing good things, good words will come forth. If we store the Word of God, the perfect word of God will come forth. Hence, Jesus warns us not to speak any careless or useless or purposeless words. Our words are meant to build the faith, to encourage and edify the hearers. Jesus said, “ If we call our brother a rascal, we are guilty to be sent to the fires of hell.” We are not to use our words to abuse or insult others.
Both sweet and bitter water cannot flow from the same spring. Hence, we who are dealing with the Word of God cannot allow our words to be negative, carping, insulting, discouraging to our listeners. We need to allow our words to go through a filter or sieve and only words that are wise, pleasing, gentle, gracious should be allowed to emanate from our mouths. We should spend some time every day examining the quality of our conversation, our speech both in public and private. As a rule, the more angry we become, the slower our speech and lower our tones should be. Our words should be carefully chosen and deliberately delivered in order to be effective and useful. The more we treasure our relationship with God and man, the more we will measure our words. The more we treasure eternal life in Christ, the more we will measure our tones and our words.
Speaking on impulse without much thought has the propensity to get us into much trouble. The more thought we apply to our words, the less trouble we will have. Words affect our emotions, our relationships, our decisions, our influence. We should not speak unless our words are likely to have a better effect than silence. Words should be used carefully like currency, not carelessly, thoughtlessly. Spending more time listening, spending more time praying and less time talking helps us avoid needless chatter. Praying for the Lord’s anointing of our words, the Holy Spirit’s regulation of our speech is the key to perfecting our speech.
Friday, November 22, 2019
New Visions, Old Fervour
UV 3404/10000 New Visions, Old Fervour
Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43 v 19
Faith often depends on the quality of our hearing the Word of God. If we are listening intently, carefully, persistently, we are enabling the grace of God to work in our lives in ways we cannot imagine. The Lord will take our faith the way He took the five loaves and seven fish of the boy and multiplied it to satisfy the hunger of a multitude of people. He can and does do the impossible in our lives. He can create a road, a way out of our life’s challenges and problems in ways we cannot see or understand. He can cause life-giving, hope-giving rivers to flow from stony hearts and hardened minds. The metaphor of rivers implies a continuous flow of the Spirit of God in us, causing all kinds of fruit of the Spirit to grow on both banks the river flows through- the intellectual and the physical, the emotional and the spiritual, the social and the personal “banks” of life. The metaphor of roads in the wilderness is a promise that the Lord will remove the “mountains,” obstacles, barriers, hurdles in our paths. Jesus is the ladder that connects the wilderness of the earth, full of thorns and brambles with the beauty of heaven, the kingdom of God.
Very often in life due to our conditioning we are not God-aware. We are not aware of His presence as it is drowned in our consciousness due to competing voices and noises in our lives. If we can still all these distracting voices and noises including the chatter of our own minds, we will clearly sense the move of the Lord in our lives. The attention we pay to the Lord will eliminate all tension from our lives. Believers of Jesus should expect the miraculous, the supernatural, the inexplicable to happen in their lives. He will endow us with new gifts, new visions, new ideas, new skills, new consciousness. We must bring our old fervour to bear upon the new visions He gives us and bring it to fullness, fulfilment and fruition in His time.
In my professional career as a senior police officer, the Lord gave me many new ideas ( FOP, Social Justice Tea Parties, VOP, Factor X, Excenomics, State Assurance, Know Your Criminal.. ) which I tried to carry into implementation, trying to create bridges between the police and the people they serve. Many powerful and senior officers tried to scotch or scorn these ideas over the past three decades due to petty reasons but the Lord did a new thing as prophesied and promised by enabling me to win coincidentally the SKOCH awards for two new ideas I implemented. He surely creates roads in the wilderness beyond our wildest imagination and causes rivers of joy and gladness to flow upward to Him from our hearts and minds.
Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43 v 19
Faith often depends on the quality of our hearing the Word of God. If we are listening intently, carefully, persistently, we are enabling the grace of God to work in our lives in ways we cannot imagine. The Lord will take our faith the way He took the five loaves and seven fish of the boy and multiplied it to satisfy the hunger of a multitude of people. He can and does do the impossible in our lives. He can create a road, a way out of our life’s challenges and problems in ways we cannot see or understand. He can cause life-giving, hope-giving rivers to flow from stony hearts and hardened minds. The metaphor of rivers implies a continuous flow of the Spirit of God in us, causing all kinds of fruit of the Spirit to grow on both banks the river flows through- the intellectual and the physical, the emotional and the spiritual, the social and the personal “banks” of life. The metaphor of roads in the wilderness is a promise that the Lord will remove the “mountains,” obstacles, barriers, hurdles in our paths. Jesus is the ladder that connects the wilderness of the earth, full of thorns and brambles with the beauty of heaven, the kingdom of God.
Very often in life due to our conditioning we are not God-aware. We are not aware of His presence as it is drowned in our consciousness due to competing voices and noises in our lives. If we can still all these distracting voices and noises including the chatter of our own minds, we will clearly sense the move of the Lord in our lives. The attention we pay to the Lord will eliminate all tension from our lives. Believers of Jesus should expect the miraculous, the supernatural, the inexplicable to happen in their lives. He will endow us with new gifts, new visions, new ideas, new skills, new consciousness. We must bring our old fervour to bear upon the new visions He gives us and bring it to fullness, fulfilment and fruition in His time.
In my professional career as a senior police officer, the Lord gave me many new ideas ( FOP, Social Justice Tea Parties, VOP, Factor X, Excenomics, State Assurance, Know Your Criminal.. ) which I tried to carry into implementation, trying to create bridges between the police and the people they serve. Many powerful and senior officers tried to scotch or scorn these ideas over the past three decades due to petty reasons but the Lord did a new thing as prophesied and promised by enabling me to win coincidentally the SKOCH awards for two new ideas I implemented. He surely creates roads in the wilderness beyond our wildest imagination and causes rivers of joy and gladness to flow upward to Him from our hearts and minds.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
A Daily Key to Spiritual Portals
UV 3403/10000 A Daily Key To Spiritual Portals
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for I trust in You. Teach me the way in which I should walk.
Psalm 143 v 8
We need to pray like the Psalmist in the uni-verse above that we may hear of His love and kindness every morning. We should affirm our trust in Him. He will teach us the way we should walk. We need to ask Him to rescue us from our enemies, spiritual and human for we take refuge in Him. We should also ask Him to teach us to do His pleasing, perfect and not just permissive ( permission given reluctantly) will and to lead us in uprightness or level ground. When we pray in this manner, we are using the key of the Lord to open the spiritual channels, doors and portals that are now locked. He will do a new thing in our lives, renew us from day to day in His grace and power, give us new thoughts and consciousness of His presence.
The Lord’s mercies are fresh every morning. It is through prayer that we can avail of these fresh mercies, new blessings the Lord reserves for those who plead for these. He renews our strength for the day so that we can fly like an eagle, not strut like a chicken. We will have the energy, the God –given enthusiasm and joy to run our lives on an even keel. We will not stumble or fall into the snares of the enemy that He has sown or sewn into our very flesh and minds. The Lord will keep our feet from falling and our eyes from tears.
The words we talk as well as the paths we walk should be under the control of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to control our unruly tongues to make it like a river of eternal life, a stream of wisdom, a channel of blessing for hearers and us. When we use the above mentioned spiritual key, the Holy Spirit will use our tongues as rudders to give our lives as well as our listeners the direction of eternal life.
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for I trust in You. Teach me the way in which I should walk.
Psalm 143 v 8
We need to pray like the Psalmist in the uni-verse above that we may hear of His love and kindness every morning. We should affirm our trust in Him. He will teach us the way we should walk. We need to ask Him to rescue us from our enemies, spiritual and human for we take refuge in Him. We should also ask Him to teach us to do His pleasing, perfect and not just permissive ( permission given reluctantly) will and to lead us in uprightness or level ground. When we pray in this manner, we are using the key of the Lord to open the spiritual channels, doors and portals that are now locked. He will do a new thing in our lives, renew us from day to day in His grace and power, give us new thoughts and consciousness of His presence.
The Lord’s mercies are fresh every morning. It is through prayer that we can avail of these fresh mercies, new blessings the Lord reserves for those who plead for these. He renews our strength for the day so that we can fly like an eagle, not strut like a chicken. We will have the energy, the God –given enthusiasm and joy to run our lives on an even keel. We will not stumble or fall into the snares of the enemy that He has sown or sewn into our very flesh and minds. The Lord will keep our feet from falling and our eyes from tears.
The words we talk as well as the paths we walk should be under the control of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to control our unruly tongues to make it like a river of eternal life, a stream of wisdom, a channel of blessing for hearers and us. When we use the above mentioned spiritual key, the Holy Spirit will use our tongues as rudders to give our lives as well as our listeners the direction of eternal life.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Nobility of Character Invites Abundance of Blessings
UV3402/10000 Nobility of Character Invites Abundance of Blessings
Now, my daughter, do not be afraid. I will do for you whatever you ask, since all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.
Ruth 3 v 11
The rich landlord Boaz spoke to Ruth in this manner. But in place of Boaz, we have Jesus the landlord of the entire universe speaking the same words to us: “ I will do for you whatever you ask…” But the rider is something that we, believers and followers of Jesus need to be. Ruth was a woman of excellence, also translated as a woman of noble character or virtuous person. She was loyal, humble, obedient, faithful, diligent. We, too need to develop on a day to day basis, along with our faith in Jesus, a nobility of character that will keep us from stooping to act or react in a crass, base or sinful manner.
The human mind is like a decision tree. At the base level are the most obvious but baser instinct or emotion based decisions or reactions. With our personal relationship with Jesus, His teachings, the word engrafted in our hearts and minds, we should ascend the higher and nobler branches to choose the nobler responses of behaviour on a consistent basis. Boaz was so impressed, touched, impacted by the testimony, the reputation, the behaviour of Ruth that he promised to do whatever she asked of him. In fact, Boaz, the eligible bachelor goes on to become her groom and kinsman- redeemer. Jesus, likewise is our kinsman-Redeemer.
Salvation or redeeming us is the responsibility of Jesus but our response is to be excellent, noble, virtuous. Our testimonial lives is our response to His grace and mercy. When both these sides are in place, we will enjoy the abundant or eternal life and our lives will be impactful for God. The Lord will do for us whatever we ask of Him. Ruth asked of Boaz only permission to glean but Boaz not only conceded to her humble request but went onto save her from a life as a miserable, lonely young widow. He took her into his life, his home as his bride and wife. Likewise, in my experience, the Lord does much more than we think, ask, expect, imagine of Him.
Now, my daughter, do not be afraid. I will do for you whatever you ask, since all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.
Ruth 3 v 11
The rich landlord Boaz spoke to Ruth in this manner. But in place of Boaz, we have Jesus the landlord of the entire universe speaking the same words to us: “ I will do for you whatever you ask…” But the rider is something that we, believers and followers of Jesus need to be. Ruth was a woman of excellence, also translated as a woman of noble character or virtuous person. She was loyal, humble, obedient, faithful, diligent. We, too need to develop on a day to day basis, along with our faith in Jesus, a nobility of character that will keep us from stooping to act or react in a crass, base or sinful manner.
The human mind is like a decision tree. At the base level are the most obvious but baser instinct or emotion based decisions or reactions. With our personal relationship with Jesus, His teachings, the word engrafted in our hearts and minds, we should ascend the higher and nobler branches to choose the nobler responses of behaviour on a consistent basis. Boaz was so impressed, touched, impacted by the testimony, the reputation, the behaviour of Ruth that he promised to do whatever she asked of him. In fact, Boaz, the eligible bachelor goes on to become her groom and kinsman- redeemer. Jesus, likewise is our kinsman-Redeemer.
Salvation or redeeming us is the responsibility of Jesus but our response is to be excellent, noble, virtuous. Our testimonial lives is our response to His grace and mercy. When both these sides are in place, we will enjoy the abundant or eternal life and our lives will be impactful for God. The Lord will do for us whatever we ask of Him. Ruth asked of Boaz only permission to glean but Boaz not only conceded to her humble request but went onto save her from a life as a miserable, lonely young widow. He took her into his life, his home as his bride and wife. Likewise, in my experience, the Lord does much more than we think, ask, expect, imagine of Him.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Choosing the Better Part of Life
UV 3401/10000 Choosing the Better Part in Life
I was cast upon You from birth; From my mother’s womb You have been my God
Psalm 22 v 10
Jesus had a lifelong and indeed, eternal relationship with the Father. This uni-verse declares that from the womb, He had a personal relationship with God. The greatest good that one can find on earth is to have a personal and lifelong relationship with God. Jesus has made it possible for us to know God from the womb to the tomb and beyond. To be able to talk with God every day and to know Him personally is the greatest privilege a man can have. We have 24x 7 access to the Lord.
God knows us before we know Him for scripture says, “He puts us together in our mothers’ wombs. “ He knits us together and only by Him and in Him are we held together, the different parts of our lives are integrated and welded together. He is closer to us than our own skin. He knows our thoughts and our words, even before it is thought or spoken. We cannot ignore so great a love, so much grace. We would be foolish to do so. Instead, we should acknowledge Him at every step of the way, seek His grace and guidance, His wisdom and power in all that we attempt or do. He is our partner, director in all our ventures. He is the CEO of our lives.
We find our purpose, our significance in Him. We live and move and exist in Him. His word is our breath, our spiritual life-giving and enhancing oxygen, our food and drink , our shield and sword. He is invisible but we can feel His touch, sense His move in our lives. Like Mary, we have chosen the better part, to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen in silence and awe. It is not religion but relationship and fellowship with us that He seeks and delights in. We are to be real, authentic, genuine, honest in our relationship with the Father and the Son. He knows what we are, He knows we have “feet of clay” or weaknesses and frailties. Yet, He declares us righteous by faith and grace. The love of our parents or of our children is only a shadow of the agape love of God.
I was cast upon You from birth; From my mother’s womb You have been my God
Psalm 22 v 10
Jesus had a lifelong and indeed, eternal relationship with the Father. This uni-verse declares that from the womb, He had a personal relationship with God. The greatest good that one can find on earth is to have a personal and lifelong relationship with God. Jesus has made it possible for us to know God from the womb to the tomb and beyond. To be able to talk with God every day and to know Him personally is the greatest privilege a man can have. We have 24x 7 access to the Lord.
God knows us before we know Him for scripture says, “He puts us together in our mothers’ wombs. “ He knits us together and only by Him and in Him are we held together, the different parts of our lives are integrated and welded together. He is closer to us than our own skin. He knows our thoughts and our words, even before it is thought or spoken. We cannot ignore so great a love, so much grace. We would be foolish to do so. Instead, we should acknowledge Him at every step of the way, seek His grace and guidance, His wisdom and power in all that we attempt or do. He is our partner, director in all our ventures. He is the CEO of our lives.
We find our purpose, our significance in Him. We live and move and exist in Him. His word is our breath, our spiritual life-giving and enhancing oxygen, our food and drink , our shield and sword. He is invisible but we can feel His touch, sense His move in our lives. Like Mary, we have chosen the better part, to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen in silence and awe. It is not religion but relationship and fellowship with us that He seeks and delights in. We are to be real, authentic, genuine, honest in our relationship with the Father and the Son. He knows what we are, He knows we have “feet of clay” or weaknesses and frailties. Yet, He declares us righteous by faith and grace. The love of our parents or of our children is only a shadow of the agape love of God.
Monday, November 18, 2019
Being Godmatic
UV 3400/10000 Being Godmatic
And in your knowledge, self control, and in your self control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness,
I Peter 1 v 6
Our personal knowledge and relationship with God in Christ needs to be reflected progressively in qualities of goodness, self control, steadfastness, godliness, love and brotherly affection being manifest in our character on a consistent basis. We need to ask ourselves the question daily, “Have I grown in terms of Christ-like goodness, unselfishness, love, Holy Spirit-control ( self control in this context means this), perseverance, godliness and brotherly affection for all?” Physically, we might have stopped growing but personal growth in these qualities is endless and continuous. The stony heart of man needs to melt into these spiritual qualities of character.
Holy Spirit-control is leadership, guidance, empowerment, counsel and comfort by the third person of the Trinity without which we cannot succeed in walking in the spirit with all that the enemy throws at us, all that the world brings to bear on us in terms of pressures and temptations, circumstances and relational dynamics. Are we increasing in yielding our egos, our pride, our wills, our weaknesses to the Holy Spirit? Are we focusing on the practice of our faith as a more vital dimension than professing it? The more we yield to God, the greater is our internal yield. Are we using the sword of the Spirit, the Word to attack others or to pierce our own hearts and create transformation by obedience?
When we joined service as officers, we were told that we should develop and uphold OLQ or Officer-Like Qualities in our daily deportment. As believers and followers of Christ, we need CLQ or Christ-like Qualities for these are the qualities Peter gleaned form living with Christ over three years. If we have been with Jesus, we should be like this! Shorn of these qualities of heart and spirit, we are immature, barren, short sighted, blind, foolish like the bride’s maids who did not prepare and trim the lamps to receive the Bridegroom. Everyday, it is an useful exercise to evaluate ourselves against the checklist of whether we have grown in goodness, knowledge, godliness, steadfastness, love, Spirit-control and affection? If we are falling short in any area or aspect, we can seek earnestly more of His grace and wisdom which He has promised He will render in abundance as we seek it.
And in your knowledge, self control, and in your self control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness,
I Peter 1 v 6
Our personal knowledge and relationship with God in Christ needs to be reflected progressively in qualities of goodness, self control, steadfastness, godliness, love and brotherly affection being manifest in our character on a consistent basis. We need to ask ourselves the question daily, “Have I grown in terms of Christ-like goodness, unselfishness, love, Holy Spirit-control ( self control in this context means this), perseverance, godliness and brotherly affection for all?” Physically, we might have stopped growing but personal growth in these qualities is endless and continuous. The stony heart of man needs to melt into these spiritual qualities of character.
Holy Spirit-control is leadership, guidance, empowerment, counsel and comfort by the third person of the Trinity without which we cannot succeed in walking in the spirit with all that the enemy throws at us, all that the world brings to bear on us in terms of pressures and temptations, circumstances and relational dynamics. Are we increasing in yielding our egos, our pride, our wills, our weaknesses to the Holy Spirit? Are we focusing on the practice of our faith as a more vital dimension than professing it? The more we yield to God, the greater is our internal yield. Are we using the sword of the Spirit, the Word to attack others or to pierce our own hearts and create transformation by obedience?
When we joined service as officers, we were told that we should develop and uphold OLQ or Officer-Like Qualities in our daily deportment. As believers and followers of Christ, we need CLQ or Christ-like Qualities for these are the qualities Peter gleaned form living with Christ over three years. If we have been with Jesus, we should be like this! Shorn of these qualities of heart and spirit, we are immature, barren, short sighted, blind, foolish like the bride’s maids who did not prepare and trim the lamps to receive the Bridegroom. Everyday, it is an useful exercise to evaluate ourselves against the checklist of whether we have grown in goodness, knowledge, godliness, steadfastness, love, Spirit-control and affection? If we are falling short in any area or aspect, we can seek earnestly more of His grace and wisdom which He has promised He will render in abundance as we seek it.
Sunday, November 17, 2019
No Condemnation
UV 3399/10000 No Condemnation
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8 v 1
We need to live lightly in the flesh and deeply in the Spirit. Our bodies are like tents that we carry on our earthly journey. A tent can get torn and worn out. We should, therefore, not drive the pegs or stakes of our earthly existence too deep as we should be able to pull it out and move on. The Spirit of God renews our spirit as long as we are walking not pandering to the whims and desires of the flesh but doing all we can to satisfy the righteous directives and claims of the Spirit on us. According to the law of the new covenant, once we believe and receive Jesus into our hearts and lives, we are set free from the law of sin and death. Therefore, neither the enemy or any human can condemn or shame or accuse us of our past misdoings. We, too should not condemn or blame or shame anyone we know of their past when they are walking in Christ and in the Spirit as of now.
We are no longer in bondage to any fear as we are sons and daughters by adoption of the Almighty God in Jesus through the Spirit of God. We need to cling to God and cleave to the Spirit, holding onto our faith in the name of Jesus. If we return to the past either in recalling it or in blaming someone in our circles though they are now in faith, we are doing something that displeases the Spirit. When the Truth has set them free, who are we to again try to hold them in bondage? This is the reason no tongue can rise to stand against us or to find fault with us for we have been declared by faith as faultless being clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. He has given the blemishless, spotless clothes of salvation in place of our “spiritual dirty rags”. Every believer’s story is then a “rags to riches” story.
Since no one can condemn us, we can walk in the Spirit with our heads held high, not with pride but with assurance, confidence and hope in Christ. We, too, should not fall into the trap of the enemy in blaming, accusing or condemning people for then, we become agents of the devil. Letting go of past memories is vital to avoid becoming bitter and allowing it to come up in our conversations with even our near and dear adversely affects relationships. Carrying the cross daily in our lives, a command of Christ to His followers, implies that we should convert anything negative in our past, our thoughts, our relationships, our circumstances into something positive or plus that adds to life, peace and the glory of God.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8 v 1
We need to live lightly in the flesh and deeply in the Spirit. Our bodies are like tents that we carry on our earthly journey. A tent can get torn and worn out. We should, therefore, not drive the pegs or stakes of our earthly existence too deep as we should be able to pull it out and move on. The Spirit of God renews our spirit as long as we are walking not pandering to the whims and desires of the flesh but doing all we can to satisfy the righteous directives and claims of the Spirit on us. According to the law of the new covenant, once we believe and receive Jesus into our hearts and lives, we are set free from the law of sin and death. Therefore, neither the enemy or any human can condemn or shame or accuse us of our past misdoings. We, too should not condemn or blame or shame anyone we know of their past when they are walking in Christ and in the Spirit as of now.
We are no longer in bondage to any fear as we are sons and daughters by adoption of the Almighty God in Jesus through the Spirit of God. We need to cling to God and cleave to the Spirit, holding onto our faith in the name of Jesus. If we return to the past either in recalling it or in blaming someone in our circles though they are now in faith, we are doing something that displeases the Spirit. When the Truth has set them free, who are we to again try to hold them in bondage? This is the reason no tongue can rise to stand against us or to find fault with us for we have been declared by faith as faultless being clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. He has given the blemishless, spotless clothes of salvation in place of our “spiritual dirty rags”. Every believer’s story is then a “rags to riches” story.
Since no one can condemn us, we can walk in the Spirit with our heads held high, not with pride but with assurance, confidence and hope in Christ. We, too, should not fall into the trap of the enemy in blaming, accusing or condemning people for then, we become agents of the devil. Letting go of past memories is vital to avoid becoming bitter and allowing it to come up in our conversations with even our near and dear adversely affects relationships. Carrying the cross daily in our lives, a command of Christ to His followers, implies that we should convert anything negative in our past, our thoughts, our relationships, our circumstances into something positive or plus that adds to life, peace and the glory of God.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Faith Plus
UV 3398/10000 Faith Plus
Jesus explained, “ I tell you that to everyone who has (because he valued his gifts from God and has used them wisely), more will be given; but from the one who does not have (because he disregarded his gifts from God), even what he has will be taken away.
Luke 19 v 26
Everything we have is from God. Life itself is from Him. He holds our breath in His hands and can take it away anytime He chooses. Our time, talent, tongue, opportunities, circumstances are all gifts from Him. If we recognize this fact and use it with an attitude of carefulness, gratitude, humility, grace, it will be further multiplied. Even the ability to multiply comes from the Lord. The uni-verse states that the Lord rewards faithfulness and diligence in developing and using the gifts the Lord has invested in us. To the one with faith, He will give even more both here in this earth and in the life to come.
To the one who is faithless, who does not know or believe the true character of God as one who rewards faithfulness, to the one who is careless, who takes things for granted, who is not diligent and does not value whatever God has entrusted to him, the Lord will prove Himself to be a tough taskmaster. He will take away even what He has. In the kingdom where Jesus is king, faith plus diligence is excellence. We need to study diligently how to best invest our time, energy, attention, spiritual gifts, health, resources, connections, influence, talents, abilities instead of worrying over what we do not have or what others have.
The servant who did nothing with what he was given had a bad attitude. He did not have knowledge of the true character of the master. He knew Jesus is the Master but did not believe Him to be fair or generous. Unlike the ones who rebelled and conspired against the Lord, He believed the Lord but drew wrong conclusions about His sense of justice. This led to bad judgement and flawed decision making on his part. This is what happened in the case of Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Jesus. Instead, we are to emulate the faithful and diligent servants of God. They believed that whatever happened, in the end, the Lord is good, generous, faithful. Faith plus is proven faith, it translates into fruitful, productive, constructive actions. Only such faith is rewarded in the kingdom of Jesus.
Jesus explained, “ I tell you that to everyone who has (because he valued his gifts from God and has used them wisely), more will be given; but from the one who does not have (because he disregarded his gifts from God), even what he has will be taken away.
Luke 19 v 26
Everything we have is from God. Life itself is from Him. He holds our breath in His hands and can take it away anytime He chooses. Our time, talent, tongue, opportunities, circumstances are all gifts from Him. If we recognize this fact and use it with an attitude of carefulness, gratitude, humility, grace, it will be further multiplied. Even the ability to multiply comes from the Lord. The uni-verse states that the Lord rewards faithfulness and diligence in developing and using the gifts the Lord has invested in us. To the one with faith, He will give even more both here in this earth and in the life to come.
To the one who is faithless, who does not know or believe the true character of God as one who rewards faithfulness, to the one who is careless, who takes things for granted, who is not diligent and does not value whatever God has entrusted to him, the Lord will prove Himself to be a tough taskmaster. He will take away even what He has. In the kingdom where Jesus is king, faith plus diligence is excellence. We need to study diligently how to best invest our time, energy, attention, spiritual gifts, health, resources, connections, influence, talents, abilities instead of worrying over what we do not have or what others have.
The servant who did nothing with what he was given had a bad attitude. He did not have knowledge of the true character of the master. He knew Jesus is the Master but did not believe Him to be fair or generous. Unlike the ones who rebelled and conspired against the Lord, He believed the Lord but drew wrong conclusions about His sense of justice. This led to bad judgement and flawed decision making on his part. This is what happened in the case of Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Jesus. Instead, we are to emulate the faithful and diligent servants of God. They believed that whatever happened, in the end, the Lord is good, generous, faithful. Faith plus is proven faith, it translates into fruitful, productive, constructive actions. Only such faith is rewarded in the kingdom of Jesus.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
The Son's Choice
UV 3397/10000 The Son’s Choice
Then Jesus said to him, “ Go away, satan! For it is written and forever remains written, “ You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.”
Matthew 4 v 10
We are to always choose God over the world and its attractions or seductions. We cannot serve God and mammon or wealth, fame, pleasure, power of this world. We have to reject one and hate it. We cannot love and serve both. When we worship and serve God truly, He gives us a portion of what He considers the best of the blessings we need to enjoy while living this life on earth but our focus should be on the rewards of eternal life. This is the reason that this life is organized like a “zero sum game”- whatever we gain in this life we are bound to lose or leave behind. The One who remains with us is only God, Our Creator and Jesus, the Redeemer. Worship is inspired by a sense of awe at God and a deep sense of love for the Saviour. Whatever we do is meant to serve Him.
Only if we love God with all of our hearts and bodies and minds, can we truly worship and serve Him. Jesus loved the Father with this kind of love and hence, He could clearly see that He had no option other than to worship and serve Him. He used His knowledge of the Word to drive away satan with a rapier thrust of the sword of the spirit. Intimate knowledge of the Word is the sword edge that gives us victory in our lives and keeps us from compromising with the world and prevent us from yielding to the lusts of our minds and bodies.
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We should use the authority of the Word to tell satan off even as Jesus did. If we stay to have a dialogue with him, we are bound to be deceived like Eve and Adam. Instead, we should command him, “Go away, satan.” Even when his own disciple Peter tried to dissuade Jesus from ascending the cross, Jesus rebuked that spirit by saying, “Get thee behind Me, satan!” He spoke directly and decisively to the enemy of our souls and we, too learning from His example, should do so. We are ultimately, servants of God and we take our orders only from Him. We should not allow any extraneous influence or person to affect or sway our decisions away from God.
Then Jesus said to him, “ Go away, satan! For it is written and forever remains written, “ You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.”
Matthew 4 v 10
We are to always choose God over the world and its attractions or seductions. We cannot serve God and mammon or wealth, fame, pleasure, power of this world. We have to reject one and hate it. We cannot love and serve both. When we worship and serve God truly, He gives us a portion of what He considers the best of the blessings we need to enjoy while living this life on earth but our focus should be on the rewards of eternal life. This is the reason that this life is organized like a “zero sum game”- whatever we gain in this life we are bound to lose or leave behind. The One who remains with us is only God, Our Creator and Jesus, the Redeemer. Worship is inspired by a sense of awe at God and a deep sense of love for the Saviour. Whatever we do is meant to serve Him.
Only if we love God with all of our hearts and bodies and minds, can we truly worship and serve Him. Jesus loved the Father with this kind of love and hence, He could clearly see that He had no option other than to worship and serve Him. He used His knowledge of the Word to drive away satan with a rapier thrust of the sword of the spirit. Intimate knowledge of the Word is the sword edge that gives us victory in our lives and keeps us from compromising with the world and prevent us from yielding to the lusts of our minds and bodies.
.
We should use the authority of the Word to tell satan off even as Jesus did. If we stay to have a dialogue with him, we are bound to be deceived like Eve and Adam. Instead, we should command him, “Go away, satan.” Even when his own disciple Peter tried to dissuade Jesus from ascending the cross, Jesus rebuked that spirit by saying, “Get thee behind Me, satan!” He spoke directly and decisively to the enemy of our souls and we, too learning from His example, should do so. We are ultimately, servants of God and we take our orders only from Him. We should not allow any extraneous influence or person to affect or sway our decisions away from God.
Monday, November 11, 2019
Perception
UV3396/10000 Perception
The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear ( spiritually perceptive), your whole body will be full of light (benefitting from God’s precepts).
Matthew 6 v 22
The Word of God is described as a lamp unto our eyes and a light unto our feet. Hence, the Word becomes the lamp of the body of the believer. The alternative is the world which is full of darkness though it appears to be light. If we fill our minds and bodies with the world’s philosophies and thoughts, we are filling our lives with darkness. We have to be careful, according to this uni-verse, to be filled with the light of the word of God and not live in our own light or our own understanding of the truths of life. Jesus described Himself as the Light of the world. We are to be filled with His teachings and precepts in order to be victorious in this life and to emerge from this life victorious into eternity.
Just as the eye has four principal parts to help us see clearly- the retina, the cornea, the pupil or lens and a jelly like substance that helps to focus the incoming images onto the retina, the Word has commands that are to be obeyed, precepts to be understood and applied in our contexts, promises to claim and believe, models or examples to avoid or follow. The optic nerve conveys the images to the brain to guide the perceptions and movements of the whole body. Likewise, the Holy Spirit conveys accurately the perceptions and visions to our spirit so that our whole body and the use of different parts and faculties of our minds and bodies are in accordance with the Word.
The word gives us a clear near vision of what we need to do now or today, in the present moment as well as the far or distant vision of our long term goal and purpose in life. A constant connection and alignment between our near vision and our long term vision is essential to fulfill the God-given or God-revealed purpose of life. We should be willing to cast out “ the beam” in our eyes that blocks out the beams of light from the Lord- anything that blocks our clear view. We should not be so short-sighted as to forget what we look like spiritually in the mirror of His word but take consistent and persistent steps to accept spiritual correction and course correction in our lives.
The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear ( spiritually perceptive), your whole body will be full of light (benefitting from God’s precepts).
Matthew 6 v 22
The Word of God is described as a lamp unto our eyes and a light unto our feet. Hence, the Word becomes the lamp of the body of the believer. The alternative is the world which is full of darkness though it appears to be light. If we fill our minds and bodies with the world’s philosophies and thoughts, we are filling our lives with darkness. We have to be careful, according to this uni-verse, to be filled with the light of the word of God and not live in our own light or our own understanding of the truths of life. Jesus described Himself as the Light of the world. We are to be filled with His teachings and precepts in order to be victorious in this life and to emerge from this life victorious into eternity.
Just as the eye has four principal parts to help us see clearly- the retina, the cornea, the pupil or lens and a jelly like substance that helps to focus the incoming images onto the retina, the Word has commands that are to be obeyed, precepts to be understood and applied in our contexts, promises to claim and believe, models or examples to avoid or follow. The optic nerve conveys the images to the brain to guide the perceptions and movements of the whole body. Likewise, the Holy Spirit conveys accurately the perceptions and visions to our spirit so that our whole body and the use of different parts and faculties of our minds and bodies are in accordance with the Word.
The word gives us a clear near vision of what we need to do now or today, in the present moment as well as the far or distant vision of our long term goal and purpose in life. A constant connection and alignment between our near vision and our long term vision is essential to fulfill the God-given or God-revealed purpose of life. We should be willing to cast out “ the beam” in our eyes that blocks out the beams of light from the Lord- anything that blocks our clear view. We should not be so short-sighted as to forget what we look like spiritually in the mirror of His word but take consistent and persistent steps to accept spiritual correction and course correction in our lives.
Sunday, November 10, 2019
The Restoration of Breaches
UV 3395/10000 The Restoration of Breaches
In that day I shall raise up and restore the fallen tabernacle of David, and wall up its breaches; I will also raise up and restore its ruins and rebuild it as it was in the days of old.
Amos 9 v 11
Sometimes the enemy breaks through our defenses through a temptation, a snare or trap, by being involved in a needless conflict, arguments or through our losing our temper or self control. The Word states that losing our temper is like breaking down the outer walls of a city. The enemy can easily breach and destroy our peace if we do not control our tongue or our temper. But in this uni-verse, the Lord promises to restore us, to re-build the ruins of our lives like it was before. He is a God not only who saves us but One who restores us, rebuilds us. He helps us recover from crises, from emotional breakdown, from personal melt down.
If a thief enters a house, the owner or occupant of the house should take steps to prevent a similar breach in future. Likewise, we should take steps to prevent security breaches in our lives by being alert, proactive and careful. The Holy Spirit will counsel us on the steps we should take. We only need to be sensitive to act accordingly. We need to invite Him on a regular basis to examine our lives to help us discern our areas of likely breach or weakness. We are vulnerable in a variety of ways and the enemy knows our weak areas. Since steel can be cut only with steel, the invisible and powerful enemy can be defeated only with the help of the invisible and invincible Spirit of God.
David, though he was endorsed by the Lord as one who had a heart after God, fell into various temptations and trials. He fell to the temptation of adultery when he let down his guard. Yet, when he repented, the Lord restored the relationship David had with Him. We can avoid needless losses, conflicts, struggles and strife by disciplining our thoughts, our tongues, our temper and our physical desires. We certainly need the help of the Holy Spirit to both pre-empt as well as to heal the breaches in our lives, relationships and homes. The enemy is real, the threats are real, the results can be disastrous if we succumb to his wiles. His main target is to attack the “tabernacle of peace” or the inner peace we have in God, to make us feel low in spirit, insecure, emotionally drained, weary, discouraged, hopeless, desperate on the one hand or angry and bitter at the other.
In that day I shall raise up and restore the fallen tabernacle of David, and wall up its breaches; I will also raise up and restore its ruins and rebuild it as it was in the days of old.
Amos 9 v 11
Sometimes the enemy breaks through our defenses through a temptation, a snare or trap, by being involved in a needless conflict, arguments or through our losing our temper or self control. The Word states that losing our temper is like breaking down the outer walls of a city. The enemy can easily breach and destroy our peace if we do not control our tongue or our temper. But in this uni-verse, the Lord promises to restore us, to re-build the ruins of our lives like it was before. He is a God not only who saves us but One who restores us, rebuilds us. He helps us recover from crises, from emotional breakdown, from personal melt down.
If a thief enters a house, the owner or occupant of the house should take steps to prevent a similar breach in future. Likewise, we should take steps to prevent security breaches in our lives by being alert, proactive and careful. The Holy Spirit will counsel us on the steps we should take. We only need to be sensitive to act accordingly. We need to invite Him on a regular basis to examine our lives to help us discern our areas of likely breach or weakness. We are vulnerable in a variety of ways and the enemy knows our weak areas. Since steel can be cut only with steel, the invisible and powerful enemy can be defeated only with the help of the invisible and invincible Spirit of God.
David, though he was endorsed by the Lord as one who had a heart after God, fell into various temptations and trials. He fell to the temptation of adultery when he let down his guard. Yet, when he repented, the Lord restored the relationship David had with Him. We can avoid needless losses, conflicts, struggles and strife by disciplining our thoughts, our tongues, our temper and our physical desires. We certainly need the help of the Holy Spirit to both pre-empt as well as to heal the breaches in our lives, relationships and homes. The enemy is real, the threats are real, the results can be disastrous if we succumb to his wiles. His main target is to attack the “tabernacle of peace” or the inner peace we have in God, to make us feel low in spirit, insecure, emotionally drained, weary, discouraged, hopeless, desperate on the one hand or angry and bitter at the other.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Dealing with Duality of Human Nature
UV 3394/10000 Dealing with Duality of Nature
For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh ( which gratify the body), but those who are living according to the Spirit, (set their minds on) the things of the Spirit ( His will and purpose).
Romans 8 v 5
All of us have a dual nature- a spiritual nature and a carnal or worldly nature that panders to the whims and desires of our flesh and our vain minds. The uni-verse above warns us that we should not live to satisfy our worldly desires, the desires of the flesh ( what our eyes and our bodies long for) and of our minds ( what our egos long for) but live to satisfy the desires of the Spirit of God. We need to habitually say, “No” to our vain and selfish desires. By not feeding these, we put to death over time our old selves, our sinful selves. This is the process of sanctification or refinement and purification into which we are immersed once we have been justified or declared guilt-free by faith in the sacrificial death of Christ. We are to set our minds or focus on living according to the direction of the Spirit. We cannot live such a life except by availing the help of the Spirit of God who is given to us for our sanctification, comfort, purification and growth.
Instead of living in accordance with the impulses of our carnal nature, we should live in accordance with the “pulse” of the Holy Spirit. It implies that we are led by the Holy Spirit in everything we think, say and do. We do not allow our emotions of anger, impatience, fear, insecurity to take control of our minds. We seek and desire only what the Spirit seeks and desires in us. We continually confide in Him and seek His help in overcoming the draw of our own inner nature. We sense His presence always with us, eager to counsel us in our decisions and choices. We do not allow our impulses to overrule the voice of the Holy Spirit but our inner ears are always inclined to hear Him and do likewise.
Our goal should be to conform to the image of Christ. Christ was obedient to the point of death. Likewise, we should put to death our sinful nature, our sinful desires that in no way would please the Father. By obeying the word of God, we live in righteousness by grace. Such obedience might cost us our pride and wilfulness but it will deal a death blow to our old nature. We become more than conquerors for conquerors never enjoyed inner victory. Our quest for conquest begins and ends in Christ –in –us. We die to our sinful selves and live for Him. We , thereby enjoy the spiritual inheritance, peace and blessings of Christ Himself.
For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh ( which gratify the body), but those who are living according to the Spirit, (set their minds on) the things of the Spirit ( His will and purpose).
Romans 8 v 5
All of us have a dual nature- a spiritual nature and a carnal or worldly nature that panders to the whims and desires of our flesh and our vain minds. The uni-verse above warns us that we should not live to satisfy our worldly desires, the desires of the flesh ( what our eyes and our bodies long for) and of our minds ( what our egos long for) but live to satisfy the desires of the Spirit of God. We need to habitually say, “No” to our vain and selfish desires. By not feeding these, we put to death over time our old selves, our sinful selves. This is the process of sanctification or refinement and purification into which we are immersed once we have been justified or declared guilt-free by faith in the sacrificial death of Christ. We are to set our minds or focus on living according to the direction of the Spirit. We cannot live such a life except by availing the help of the Spirit of God who is given to us for our sanctification, comfort, purification and growth.
Instead of living in accordance with the impulses of our carnal nature, we should live in accordance with the “pulse” of the Holy Spirit. It implies that we are led by the Holy Spirit in everything we think, say and do. We do not allow our emotions of anger, impatience, fear, insecurity to take control of our minds. We seek and desire only what the Spirit seeks and desires in us. We continually confide in Him and seek His help in overcoming the draw of our own inner nature. We sense His presence always with us, eager to counsel us in our decisions and choices. We do not allow our impulses to overrule the voice of the Holy Spirit but our inner ears are always inclined to hear Him and do likewise.
Our goal should be to conform to the image of Christ. Christ was obedient to the point of death. Likewise, we should put to death our sinful nature, our sinful desires that in no way would please the Father. By obeying the word of God, we live in righteousness by grace. Such obedience might cost us our pride and wilfulness but it will deal a death blow to our old nature. We become more than conquerors for conquerors never enjoyed inner victory. Our quest for conquest begins and ends in Christ –in –us. We die to our sinful selves and live for Him. We , thereby enjoy the spiritual inheritance, peace and blessings of Christ Himself.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Dealing with Stumbling Blocks
UV 3393/10000 Dealing with Stumbling Blocks
Woe ( judgement is coming) to the world because of stumbling blocks and temptations to sin! It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to the person on whose account or through whom the stumbling block comes!
Matthew 18 v 7
We can fall, according to this uni-verse taught by Jesus Himself, due to either temptations or stumbling blocks which are traps or snares deliberately set up by the enemy or his agents to make us fall. We are to be wary of both, on the guard and prayerful for to be prayerful is to be powerful as Jesus Himself showed. We will be able only by His grace to ward off the temptation and keep ourselves from stumbling. Jesus taught we should be ruthless in dealing with the source of our stumbling. Whether it is even our own eye or a hand or a limb that causes us to stumble, we should be willing to deal with it firmly or decisively so that we lead a victorious life. We should pluck out the cause by its roots from our lives so that it does not surface again.
The stumbling block can either come from within our own nature, our natural weaknesses or it can come through our inner circle, even from among our near and dear. We should be watchful to identify it early and deal with it in a determined manner. The stumbling block can come due to our own egos, our hidden pride. Hence, we should daily ask the Lord, the Holy Spirit to examine us as our spiritual doctor or divine Physician to diagnose what is wrong or even likely to go wrong. Once He identifies the hidden issue, we should allow the Spirit to remove it surgically from our inner being and lives.
The uni-verse warns us that in addition to we being careful not to stumble, we should not ourselves become a stumbling block in the spiritual progress and maturity of others. We should not be the cause of temptation, discouragement or falling away from faith of others we have some influence over. We ourselves not growing to spiritual and emotional maturity can be the source of harm for others who are not believers. Hence, we have a duty to the Lord, to ourselves and others to grow to the maturity of Christ, to grow in the sunshine and rain of His grace and wisdom to our highest potential, to remove anything that hinders or slows our growth and spiritual progress.
Woe ( judgement is coming) to the world because of stumbling blocks and temptations to sin! It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to the person on whose account or through whom the stumbling block comes!
Matthew 18 v 7
We can fall, according to this uni-verse taught by Jesus Himself, due to either temptations or stumbling blocks which are traps or snares deliberately set up by the enemy or his agents to make us fall. We are to be wary of both, on the guard and prayerful for to be prayerful is to be powerful as Jesus Himself showed. We will be able only by His grace to ward off the temptation and keep ourselves from stumbling. Jesus taught we should be ruthless in dealing with the source of our stumbling. Whether it is even our own eye or a hand or a limb that causes us to stumble, we should be willing to deal with it firmly or decisively so that we lead a victorious life. We should pluck out the cause by its roots from our lives so that it does not surface again.
The stumbling block can either come from within our own nature, our natural weaknesses or it can come through our inner circle, even from among our near and dear. We should be watchful to identify it early and deal with it in a determined manner. The stumbling block can come due to our own egos, our hidden pride. Hence, we should daily ask the Lord, the Holy Spirit to examine us as our spiritual doctor or divine Physician to diagnose what is wrong or even likely to go wrong. Once He identifies the hidden issue, we should allow the Spirit to remove it surgically from our inner being and lives.
The uni-verse warns us that in addition to we being careful not to stumble, we should not ourselves become a stumbling block in the spiritual progress and maturity of others. We should not be the cause of temptation, discouragement or falling away from faith of others we have some influence over. We ourselves not growing to spiritual and emotional maturity can be the source of harm for others who are not believers. Hence, we have a duty to the Lord, to ourselves and others to grow to the maturity of Christ, to grow in the sunshine and rain of His grace and wisdom to our highest potential, to remove anything that hinders or slows our growth and spiritual progress.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
More Victorious Than Conquerors
UV 3392/10000 More Victorious Than Conquerors
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8 v 37
Success is found on the mountain tops but victory is in the valleys of struggle. Jesus enables us by His grace and His word to overcome all the challenges we face in life and emerge victorious in each valley of our lives. Success produces happiness that we succeeded in achieving set goals while victory produces lasting joy that the Lord helped us overcome. Man’s quest for conquest is insatiable in every sense but we have deep satisfaction, fulfilment and rest that no conqueror enjoys even after his last conquest. We find our strength, comfort and rest in His love.
We are able to overcome the highs and lows, the dangers and threats, the vicissitudes of changing fortunes by holding onto the hope that we have in Christ. He will not let go of us or give up on us. He remains strong and faithful as a Rock even when we are tossed up and down by the waves of doubt, fear and despair. He is steadfast and consistent in fulfilling His promises to us. Even the greatest conquerors feared death and eventually succumbed to death but we have eternal life in Christ and hence, we do not fear death.
We live the present life in the flesh not as we love life but that we love Christ. His agape love gives us hope, meaning, power and purpose. He has taught us that love is the most excellent and we know that His love is perfect. As we imbibe His love and imitate His love in our lives, we are victorious. We are not defeated by any of the accusations of the enemy or any events or changes in our circumstances. Like conquerors, we keep pushing back the boundaries of fear, doubt, sin and weakness and increase or expand His territory, His influence and power or His kingdom in our lives.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8 v 37
Success is found on the mountain tops but victory is in the valleys of struggle. Jesus enables us by His grace and His word to overcome all the challenges we face in life and emerge victorious in each valley of our lives. Success produces happiness that we succeeded in achieving set goals while victory produces lasting joy that the Lord helped us overcome. Man’s quest for conquest is insatiable in every sense but we have deep satisfaction, fulfilment and rest that no conqueror enjoys even after his last conquest. We find our strength, comfort and rest in His love.
We are able to overcome the highs and lows, the dangers and threats, the vicissitudes of changing fortunes by holding onto the hope that we have in Christ. He will not let go of us or give up on us. He remains strong and faithful as a Rock even when we are tossed up and down by the waves of doubt, fear and despair. He is steadfast and consistent in fulfilling His promises to us. Even the greatest conquerors feared death and eventually succumbed to death but we have eternal life in Christ and hence, we do not fear death.
We live the present life in the flesh not as we love life but that we love Christ. His agape love gives us hope, meaning, power and purpose. He has taught us that love is the most excellent and we know that His love is perfect. As we imbibe His love and imitate His love in our lives, we are victorious. We are not defeated by any of the accusations of the enemy or any events or changes in our circumstances. Like conquerors, we keep pushing back the boundaries of fear, doubt, sin and weakness and increase or expand His territory, His influence and power or His kingdom in our lives.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
God's Handicrafts
UV 3391/10000 God’s Handicrafts
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2 v 10
Since we are the work of God created by His hands, we need His Word or Christ Jesus to be our Redeemer, Our model of perfection, the very image of God. We need to aim for the perfection of Jesus in our thoughts, words and deeds. We should not allow a corrupt thought or motive to develop in our minds or for a corrupt word to emerge from our mouths. We are not mass manufactured but each one of us is uniquely created to manifest one aspect of the myriad aspects of the image of God. He has prepared us in Christ to fulfill His purpose for our lives with our unique character, gifting, backgrounds and experiences in life. We must be careful at the same time not to do or say anything that is not acceptable or pleasing to God.
Our faith in Christ which is deep and strong is the root while good works or deeds are the fruit. It is further a reflection of the inner fruit of the Spirit that should rise like life giving sap to formulate the good deeds that we should do. Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self control are the motives behind our good deeds. For instance, we spread love and joy through our acts of charity to the needy. Peace and patience restrain us from acting in anger or respond to provocations. Faithfulness enables us to be persistent and hopeful in our prayer life. Humility enables us to be servant leaders. Self discipline keeps us from being either indulgent or indolent.
The way we behave, communicate and work should reflect the excellence of Christ in our lives. The Holy Spirit is poured on us even as He was present with Bezaleel ( the craftsman of the Tabernacle ) , Daniel, the Jewish slave turned civil servant of ancient Babylonian empire and many other faithful witnesses. He is the One who helps us and enables us to excel for the glory of the Lord. Though our salvation is complete and finished in Christ, our character, our works and our sanctification is a continuum wherein God is still working in and on us. He continues to shape us with the spiritual chisel of His word, with experiences, both pleasant and tough, with different people He brings into our lives. We only need to submit and not resist His work in us.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2 v 10
Since we are the work of God created by His hands, we need His Word or Christ Jesus to be our Redeemer, Our model of perfection, the very image of God. We need to aim for the perfection of Jesus in our thoughts, words and deeds. We should not allow a corrupt thought or motive to develop in our minds or for a corrupt word to emerge from our mouths. We are not mass manufactured but each one of us is uniquely created to manifest one aspect of the myriad aspects of the image of God. He has prepared us in Christ to fulfill His purpose for our lives with our unique character, gifting, backgrounds and experiences in life. We must be careful at the same time not to do or say anything that is not acceptable or pleasing to God.
Our faith in Christ which is deep and strong is the root while good works or deeds are the fruit. It is further a reflection of the inner fruit of the Spirit that should rise like life giving sap to formulate the good deeds that we should do. Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self control are the motives behind our good deeds. For instance, we spread love and joy through our acts of charity to the needy. Peace and patience restrain us from acting in anger or respond to provocations. Faithfulness enables us to be persistent and hopeful in our prayer life. Humility enables us to be servant leaders. Self discipline keeps us from being either indulgent or indolent.
The way we behave, communicate and work should reflect the excellence of Christ in our lives. The Holy Spirit is poured on us even as He was present with Bezaleel ( the craftsman of the Tabernacle ) , Daniel, the Jewish slave turned civil servant of ancient Babylonian empire and many other faithful witnesses. He is the One who helps us and enables us to excel for the glory of the Lord. Though our salvation is complete and finished in Christ, our character, our works and our sanctification is a continuum wherein God is still working in and on us. He continues to shape us with the spiritual chisel of His word, with experiences, both pleasant and tough, with different people He brings into our lives. We only need to submit and not resist His work in us.
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