Fine balance between pre-determination and free will

UV 351/10,000 Acts 17 v 26 The fine balance between Pre-Determination by God and Free Will of mankind: “From one man He made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live” The Lord our God has drawn all mankind from the loins of one man whom He lovingly and wonderfully fashioned in the inner being after His own image. The first man Adam was created. The rest of us were begotten in consequence of the Word of God to man to multiply. We need to often ask ourselves whether we are truly reflecting the Creator in our attitudes, words and actions? Can other people see us as the proof of the existence of God? Or do we resemble only our earthly father Adam – that would make us “adamant” or stubborn in holding onto our ignorance,disbelieving and ignoring the Word of God and heeding the word of Satan. We became spiritually dead though physically alive on account of this disbelief. There were only three landmark events that marked a man’s life : birth, life and death. Death made every thing a vanity. It was God’s will that mankind be dispersed through all the earth. Based on where we are born, we become part of different nations. Narrow notions of power and wealth and pleasure drove men in all nations to wreak tragedy, disaster and misery upon each other. Simultaneously, mankind everywhere being the offspring of God driven by an inner urge or hunger for God began to seek Him in their own ways limited by their own perceptions and shaped by their imaginations. But, the Lord revealed Himself as Jehovah or the Great I Am to the children of one nation Israel through Abraham, Moses and other prophets. He revealed His plan of salvation of the nations through the sacrifice and subsequent resurrection of His own Son Jesus who was begotten out of the womb of a man. This made possible the otherwise impossible fourth landmark event in man’s destiny – Resurrection or eternal life. The decision to believe God’s plan for man’s salvation is left to the free will of the individual. But, the boundaries or geographical, social and historical context of our lives are determined by Him. This Uni-verse states that the Lord has decided the exact times and places in which we live. The word, “ exact” implies that there is a precision or accuracy to it. In God’s Positioning System or GPS, the coordinates for each of us in terms of time and place are fixed. The nation, province, city or village where we now live is no accident but God-ordained and planned. We have a responsibility and a contribution to make in these places and to these people. Now, we also have a choice to live and move and exist in Him and for Him or we can live and move and exist for ourselves. He is both “be all, end all and begin all”. The legendary General Patton said, “ In all matters, God retains a margin with Him.” Eternal life is an option, not an imposition. Prateep V Philip

Treasures and Torches inside earthen pitchers

UV 350/10,000 2 Corinthians 4 v 7 Treasure and torches in earthen pitchers 2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us We have all knowledge and wisdom that is hidden in Christ residing in us. In the sight of other people,we are but earthen pitchers for they see only our outer bodies, our skin,our physical features that are so nondescript. We have no charisma that will confirm our higher calling or draw other people to us. But, the Lord sees our faith that burns like fire and is as pure and precious as fine gold. In fact, He once affirmed, “ You look dull on the outside like platinum but you are more rare and precious than gold.” Gideon choose three hundred men who lapped the water from their hands. It is a metaphor today of those who hear or receive a specific portion of scripture and apply it to specific areas in their lives. He then asked them to carry burning torches inside earthen pitchers and to blow the trumpet in unison for the Lord. The formidable Midianite army was thrown into complete disarray. The Lord had taught Gideon how to create a great force multiplier with just a company of three hundred men. We too need to in unity of spirit and of one accord blow the trumpet for the Lord or proclaim His goodness and greatness towards us. A small number of people acting in unity of faith and purpose is far more effective for with God on our side, no one is a minority. Once in a time of prayer, the Lord said, “ you are torches of fire hidden inside earthen pitchers.” Our faith and trust in the Lord and His revealed Word and Will is what makes us a fire torch. Our faith connects us with the unceasing fuel of the excellence of the power of God. When we speak and proclaim God’s Word, it is His holy fire that comes forth to seek and save. The excellence of His power will be manifested in different ways in our lives as light is split into an array of colours. That array will throw any opposition, however formidable or numerous, into disarray. Prateep V Philip.

Clear Choices

UV 349/10,000 Psalm 84 v 10 Clear choices Psa 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness One day spent in the house of the Lord is better than a thousand spent elsewhere. Our choice of where and in whose company we spend our time gives us an inkling of our values and priorities. The house of the Lord is not just the physical structure of the church but it is a metaphor for the time spent at the feet of the Lord, learning from Him. It refers to the time spent in the presence of the Lord. The presence of the Lord is the consciousness of His Name, the consciousness of His power, the consciousness of His love, the consciousness of His Word, the consciousness of the need and desire to stand in awe and worship Him, the consciousness of His touch, the consciousness of His will and pleasure, the consciousness of the Holy Spirit. A lifetime spent in the presence of the Lord is the equivalent in terms of value and impact of a thousand lifetimes. Another clear choice we need to make in our lives is : where do we desire to live and thrive? Are we satisfied with being a humble servant of God rather than be a wicked ruler? Are we aspiring for the titles and entitlements that the world can offer us if we make compromises in our soul? Or are we contented with having even the lowest place in the Kingdom of God? The Lord weighs our heart and knows where our priorities lie. To “dwell in the tents of the wicked” implies being a stakeholder in the plans and designs of the evil one. It means to fellowship and commune with the wicked in their evil intent, to share in the fruits and success of their plots. Faith is an exchange of what can be seen for what cannot be seen. What cannot be seen is of lasting and enduring value. Each day we are completely immersed in the presence of the Lord is worth nearly three years of a non-believer. Our time spent in the service of the Lord is not time wasted but time multiplied a thousand times. The humblest position in Heaven is higher than the highest title of earth. We are not unambitious but ambitious to the highest degree. The choice is obvious though the differences can be discerned only by the eye and heart of faith. Prateep V Philip

Sun and shield, grace and glory

UV 348/10,000 Amazing Principles of the Uni-verse revealed verse by verse Psalm 84 v 11 Psa 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. The Word of God is structured in this manner. It contains a precept or teaching, followed by a practice and a promise. The precept is that the Lord our God is the sun of our lives. Unlike the earthly sun, He does not rise nor set. He is always shining on us. The sun’s rays travel through space and ether to light up the earth. The Word of God are the rays of His light that travels through eternity to provide both direction, guidance, warmth, nourishment. Unlike the earthly sun from which we must sometimes shield ourselves to protect us from the intensity of its heat, the Lord our God is a shield from the visible and invisible threats, temptations and dangers present in our lives. When we yield to Him, He becomes our shield. The Lord divinely enables us when we are so yielded to Him. He humbles us in the areas of our natural or personal strength and enlarges us or strengthens us in the areas of our weaknesses. His divine enablement is our daily necessity- our daily bread. The Holy Spirit reminds us, prompts us, encourages us with a timely Word, nudges us to move in the direction of fulfilling God-ordained potential and purpose. Fulfilling our potential and purpose is synonymous with the “glory of God.” We no longer fall short of the glory of God. When we have done something with our hands and say to ourselves when it is done, “ it is good, very good,” then we are glorying in it. In the book of Genesis, soon after each act of creation, the Creator said, “ it is good.” He was glorying in His creation. It stopped being “ good” in His eyes when man chose to violate His will. When man was reconciled with God once more through the blood of the slain and resurrected eternal sacrifice, Jesus Christ, He once more gloried in His creation and reaffirmed not with an impersonal “ it is good” but a personalized, “ He is good” or “ She is good”. The practice part of the verse is as follows: when we continue to walk in alignment with the paths indicated and lit up by the Sun of Righteousness, we are said to be walking in integrity or walking uprightly consistent with our faith in Christ. Integrity is a quality that if one possesses it, nothing else matters. If one does not possess it also, nothing else matters. “Good things” are meant for “ good people”. The very word “ good”, in my opinion is derived from “ God” meaning “ of God”. The promise part of the verse: This Uni-verse contains the wonderful promise that “ no good thing” He will withhold from those walk in faith and in consistency or integrity of faith. This has been my life experience too. What is the “good thing” you desire today? If you do not have it already, be sure it is on its way as you walk in faith and wholeness and uprightness. Prateep V Philip

Rejoice for life is an eternal Banquet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3DJOaAIVZQ&feature=relatedUV 347/10,000 Song of Solomon 2 v 4 Rejoice for Life is an Eternal Banquet Son 2:4 “ He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.” Our personal relationship with the Lord is compared to a continual feast. He will sup with us and we will sup with Him. It implies that the Lord will dwell in us, dwell with us in our homes and take us to be with him at the Heavenly Feast. At all times, His banner of protection and of love is over us as an ensign to the enemy that we belong to the Lord. The image that is drawn is that of a bridegroom who is none other than the Lord who brings home His bride, the church or every believer. He will preserve us from every evil. He will provide whatever we need. He has glorious plans for each of us. He will fulfill it. The Lord continually feeds us in the course of our relationship and our walk with Him. He feeds us with His truths that bless us, heal us and free us. Our soul is satisfied with such substance more than our body can be satisfied with marrow and fatness of meat. A sense of joy and gladness should always well up in us and overflow in our thoughts, words and actions. The banquet is called to celebrate Christ’s victory over death and sin and its consequences. Our mood hereafter should be celebratory. True optimism comes when we realize that we are in the banqueting house of the Lord. Nothing can go wrong. He who could turn water into wine, who could calm the storm, heal the blind and the lepers, bring the dead back to life, gave Himself to die to pay for our shortcomings and then took back life to help us conquer death and enjoy His resurrection power is the One whose love and grace is sufficient for us. The words, “ brought me” shows that it has already happened, not something that will happen in the distant future. The words, “ His banner over me is love” shows that His love is a present reality. His love is selfless, not conceited, not proud. His love does not hold a record of wrongs and is not puffed up. His love never fails. It endures and is not fickle. His love rejoices in the truth. Our attitude, too should be to rejoice in the truth of His Word. His love is perfect. Like the Shulamite beloved in the Song of Solomon, we too should focus on pleasing Him and doing His expressed will. Then, when He comes to take us on high to His Father’s home for the eternal banquet, He will not find our lamps are unpolished and empty of the oil of gladness and wisdom. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3DJOaAIVZQ&feature=related Prateep V Philip

Our Spiritual beings formed in the womb of space and time

UV 346/10,000 Amazing principles of the Uni-verse revealed verse by verse John 3 v 3 The cells, organs and limbs of our new born spiritual selves Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” Just as a child acquires a physical shape with many organs and limbs, a person is born again in the spirit when he or she is washed in the water of regeneration- the Word of God and the Spirit convicts one that the Word is truly God’s own Word. The darkness of the womb is replaced by the darkness in the world. Just as a baby is formed in the mother’s womb, the Holy Spirit will form and shape our spiritual bodies. ] When our thoughts, feelings and emotions combine with the Word, the first cell of our spiritual being is born. That cell further multiplies and differentiates into various organs in the womb of time and space. In due course, we develop the spiritual corollary of the different organs of the body- spiritual eyes to perceive the truths of God, spiritual ears to hear the teachings of God, a spiritual brain or mind to think, dwell and develop on these lines, a spiritual heart that continually adores and worships the Lord, spiritual limbs to take us places to share the truths that we have learnt. We become a brand new creature in Christ. With every breath and every thought and every emotion, our spiritual bodies are renewed and strengthened for the work of the Kingdom of God. Those of us who hear the Word but do not grow are like still born foetuses. Those of us who grow and bear fruit for the kingdom of God are the mature ones who grow to their full potential. Though we seem to be carrying the metaphor too far, it is good to think that every physical organ and part in our body has a spiritual corollary and equivalent that we need to nourish and strengthen. We need to pray, “ Let my spiritual eyes be able to perceive You as clearly as my physical eyes are able to see the world around. Let my spiritual mind be able to think the things of God with as much clarity as my physical brain is able to think on many subjects. Let my spiritual heart rejoice in you as my hormone- driven emotions delight in pleasure. Let my spiritual limbs bring me closer to you that I can hug you as my physical hands can hug my loved ones.” We will realize soon that we have a spiritual self as real as our physical self and that it is as important if not more important to feed and digest the spiritual food of the Word of God, as important to exercise the muscles of faith, as important to clothe the spiritual self with the clothes of salvation, as important to travel and be transported on our spiritual limbs into the heavenly realms. Indeed, prayer can gives wings to our imagination. Let reason take a back seat meanwhile. Prateep V Philip

NO shame in love

UV 345/10,000 Amazing Principles of the Uni-verse revealed verse by verse Romans 5 v 5 Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us When we hope in the promises of God and wait for its fulfillment, the Lord God will never allow us to be ashamed or disappointed or confused. We will not be ashamed or disappointed as the Lord is able to do more than we can ever ask for or think or imagine. We will not be confused as our love for God implies trust that He will do whatever is best for us and He will also cause it to happen at the right time, in due time or in His time. It is our first hand , real-time experience of His love, mercy and grace that gives us hope. We must hold on to that hope even if external circumstances seem to suggest the opposite and would cause us to despair. Once a specific uni-verse that we claimed in faithful, patient and persistent prayer is fulfilled, our faith increases proportionately that God is able to fulfill all His other promises. Hope is necessary as there is no physically verifiable sign or evidence that it is happening or likely to happen. We must learn to wait patiently till the Lord shows up. The seed of the love of God is sown in us by the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. He also nurtures it till it is full grown, mature and able to bear fruit. The gestation or waiting period from the sowing to the fruit bearing stage in our lives can vary. During this phase, the Holy Spirit nurtures, grooms and shapes us as a gardener painstakingly carves the shapes of different hedges in the garden to reveal different shapes and forms. While every one else looks at everything else in our lives, the Lord looks only at our heart. He sees if we truly love Him or whether we only love the blessings He is able to give us. We must wait for the Lord as a watchman waits for His Master. The very sight of Him would bring joy and excitement in our hearts. We should not wait as a maid waits for her mistress with her eyes on what the latter’s hands would bring her. We need to love God for who He is and not on what gifts and blessings He gives us out of His love. We need to make this love manifest in our walk with Him as well as in our relationships with seniors, juniors, colleagues, strangers, neighbours as well as our foes, rivals or enemies. Prateep V Philip