UV 2116/10000 Making Life Snare-Proof
Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Psalm 25 v 15
Our eyes should be focussed on the locus of life- the Lord. If all our attention is riveted on Him, He will direct our energy, our thoughts, our lives. He will keep our feet from the snares planted for us by the enemy of our souls. Sometimes, He warns us ahead of time and despite His warnings, we plunge into the nets of the wicked one. The Lord then employs His strength to reach out and extricate us. The enemy lays different types of snares or traps for us at different points in our lives. Often, He stimulates wicked people to ensnare people even in the form of a set of bad friends. They pick up their habits of drinking or smoking or doing drugs.
The enemy targets our peace of mind, our health, our children, our reputation, our testimony, our relationships, our finances, our decisions. But as we trust the Lord and take shelter in His presence from day to day and even moment to moment, He keeps us vigilant and alert. We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit residing in us as He tells us to take this path or not to take that path. We should be aware of our vulnerabilities and constantly seek the help and protective cover of the Lord. For our physical and spiritual protection, the Lord is ever ready to send His angels to guard our feet. As we focus on Him, He increases our inner strength and wisdom. We learn to make the right choices in life for very often our wrong choices cause a lot of misery and anxiety in our lives.
Developing a habit of praying all the time or unceasingly is a powerful practice that keeps our focus always on the Lord. We are aware of His presence near us all the time. We do not depend on our own understanding but lean on Him for wisdom. Spending some time every single day studying the word and the rest of the day trying to apply it is another powerful godly habit that keeps us from the viles and snares of the enemy and of this world. Another snare that the enemy uses universally to bring down leaders is excessive wealth and money. They take their focus off the Lord and their wealth becomes the source of their security and comfort.
Prateep V Philip
Monday, November 7, 2016
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Being a God Pleaser
UV 2115/10000 Being A God Pleaser
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ
Galatians 1 v 10
Paul writes with a touch of sardonism that if you want to be popular with people, the best way to do it is not by becoming a servant of Jesus. He is underlining the need for leaders to be God pleasers and not man-pleasers. Often, the stand one takes could offend many people and even turn them quite hostile and openly inimical. Speaking the truth has never been popular. People like to hear what they are itching to hear. But teachers of the word have a duty to teach what is on God’s heart. It is intended not to make people cheerful or comfortable or proud but it is intended to convict and create change for the better.
Paul repeatedly states in his epistles that he received the gospel and the commission to teach or share it with all nations not from people but from the Lord Himself. He remained ever faithful to what was entrusted to him, never compromising on the tenor or tone or content of communicating the whole truth of the gospel to diverse audiences, some who were faithful, some who were hostile, some who were prosecuting and judging him. He was often flogged, imprisoned, tried and eventually sentenced to death. But the fear of man or pain or punishment by the antagonists or people in authority did not deter or discourage him.
The Lord tries our hearts or our attitudes to check our faith, its integrity and stability in difficult and different circumstances. He is most pleased when we are bold, fearless but not necessarily tactless or unwise in the way we communicate. We need to communicate the truth with grace in all circumstances even as Paul addressed the kings and rulers of the day with utmost respect and regard. He did not rely on the power of persuasion or eloquence or human wisdom or guile to win people to Christ but by the power of the Holy Spirit. He did not think himself either superior or inferior to the other apostles though he was more gifted and came to Christ with vast scholarship and knowledge. He did not allow the guilt of having persecuted the early believers and oppressed them ruthlessly in his great but misguided zeal. He was as single minded now in the spread of the gospel as he was earlier in impeding it, in preventing it from influencing more people. He had counted the cost of discipleship and was ever willing to pay the price upfront.
Prateep V Philip
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Eternal Stars
UV 1214/10000 Eternal Stars
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever
Daniel 12 v 3
The book of Proverbs states that he who wins souls for the kingdom of God is wise. They shall bright as stars in an otherwise dark sky. They are the ones who understand the message of Jesus and conveys it without addition or distortion to others. These are the ones who are considered leaders and teachers by the Lord. They train and mentor many in righteousness. The choice we have in life is to be either a black hole of self absorption or a lodestar of illumination, influence and righteousness. Paul mentored Timothy as a leader and prepared him to teach by asking him to accompany him on his many travels. He also detailed letters of instruction and explanation of teaching to Timothy.
A teacher should have a storehouse of stories and parables to illustrate his sayings so that people can easily understand and relate to the truth. The stories of Jesus made people, even the unlearnt and illiterate, learned and wise. It made them para-able or above the levels of natural ability. A leader should have the qualities of ability as well as stability. But when we become godly leaders, we will have ability and stability far above the natural. Being a carrier of the good news of what God has done for each and every human being so that he or she does not need to live in eternal shame but in everlasting honour and clothed with the greatness of the kingdom of God is a privilege and an honour. It puts one on the trajectory of moving out of our ordinary humdrum mortal and vain existence to being a harbinger of hope, healing, comfort and deliverance to many seekers of God and righteousness. It puts one in the trajectory of being a star for God- the stars individually and collectively reflect the glory of God. No human craft can ever take us to anywhere near even the closest star- the Sun. Yet following the teachings of Jesus places us in the orbit of a star that emits light for millennia, that radiates the power, majesty, glory and grace of the Creator.
Even the greatest of men and women die and are soon forgotten by even their closest followers. But this uni-verse promises greatness forever to those who are faithful teachers of the truth. We enter into a realm or state where there is no more death, no more tears, no more fears, no more pain, no more shame. The Word lays out the tracks of our orbits. We only need to teach others the details of these tracks while following these ourselves. Daniel is today more revered and respected and remembered than any of the great kings of Babylon under whom he served. Though he was just an exile and a slave, the Lord raised him up as a star, a prophet, a priest, a spiritual king for all the generations of believers since his time.
Prateep V Philip
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever
Daniel 12 v 3
The book of Proverbs states that he who wins souls for the kingdom of God is wise. They shall bright as stars in an otherwise dark sky. They are the ones who understand the message of Jesus and conveys it without addition or distortion to others. These are the ones who are considered leaders and teachers by the Lord. They train and mentor many in righteousness. The choice we have in life is to be either a black hole of self absorption or a lodestar of illumination, influence and righteousness. Paul mentored Timothy as a leader and prepared him to teach by asking him to accompany him on his many travels. He also detailed letters of instruction and explanation of teaching to Timothy.
A teacher should have a storehouse of stories and parables to illustrate his sayings so that people can easily understand and relate to the truth. The stories of Jesus made people, even the unlearnt and illiterate, learned and wise. It made them para-able or above the levels of natural ability. A leader should have the qualities of ability as well as stability. But when we become godly leaders, we will have ability and stability far above the natural. Being a carrier of the good news of what God has done for each and every human being so that he or she does not need to live in eternal shame but in everlasting honour and clothed with the greatness of the kingdom of God is a privilege and an honour. It puts one on the trajectory of moving out of our ordinary humdrum mortal and vain existence to being a harbinger of hope, healing, comfort and deliverance to many seekers of God and righteousness. It puts one in the trajectory of being a star for God- the stars individually and collectively reflect the glory of God. No human craft can ever take us to anywhere near even the closest star- the Sun. Yet following the teachings of Jesus places us in the orbit of a star that emits light for millennia, that radiates the power, majesty, glory and grace of the Creator.
Even the greatest of men and women die and are soon forgotten by even their closest followers. But this uni-verse promises greatness forever to those who are faithful teachers of the truth. We enter into a realm or state where there is no more death, no more tears, no more fears, no more pain, no more shame. The Word lays out the tracks of our orbits. We only need to teach others the details of these tracks while following these ourselves. Daniel is today more revered and respected and remembered than any of the great kings of Babylon under whom he served. Though he was just an exile and a slave, the Lord raised him up as a star, a prophet, a priest, a spiritual king for all the generations of believers since his time.
Prateep V Philip
Friday, November 4, 2016
The Sacrifice of the Bad Parts
UV 2113/10000 The Sacrifice of the Bad Parts
And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;
Leviticus 9 v 3
Under the old order or the old covenant, the people of Israel was required to sacrifice a blemishless animal, remove its bad or unclean parts and offer its meat as a penance or atoning for sin. In the new order ushered in with the ultimate sacrifice that abolished all animal sacrifices, fulfilled the requirement of every type of sin of every person who believed or received Jesus, all members of humanity are required not to offer the good parts of animals as a sacrifice but to present themselves as a living sacrifice. To be a living sacrifice, we need to put to death the bad parts of our lives, the bad habits, the bad attitudes, the bad words, the bad decisions, the bad thoughts and actions. We need to sacrifice the negative continually and enjoy, enable, empower the good, the positive aspects of our lives.
Jesus the blemishless Lamb of God and Lamb sent from God is the final offering of the good, the absolutely good to satisfy the requirements of the law. We are no longer under the shadow of legal requirements to gain acceptability or favour with God. We are under the shadow of grace. We are liberated from the many legalistic demands and empowered to sacrifice all that offends the Lord, to give up, to put to death, to overcome the negative aspects of our lives. This frees us physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, spiritually to live fully and joyfully. No longer do we have to don the sackcloth of mourning to accompany the act of sacrifice. No more is a season or a time set apart for sacrifice but it is a daily dying to our worse off selves and living in full to the call of our better selves. In other words, living sacrificially implies that we continually disable our sinful selves and enable, empower, equip, enjoy our redeemed selves.
A life of grace then is one of continually giving up certain things and a continual gaining of the noble, the wholesome, the blessed, the worthy, the God-honouring parts. The breaking down process should be concurrently running along with the building up process. It is a constant movement towards perfection, towards completion, towards fulfilment. Everything we attempt and do is for His glory and by His grace. Every part of our lives needs constant cleansing, constant purification and refinement. Sacrifice is no longer an act but a process, a lifelong process without interruption. It is self initiated and sustained by the indwelling fire of the Holy Spirit. It is extremely pleasing to the Lord and shows that we are not taking our salvation or His sacrifice lightly or for granted.
Prateep V Philip
And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;
Leviticus 9 v 3
Under the old order or the old covenant, the people of Israel was required to sacrifice a blemishless animal, remove its bad or unclean parts and offer its meat as a penance or atoning for sin. In the new order ushered in with the ultimate sacrifice that abolished all animal sacrifices, fulfilled the requirement of every type of sin of every person who believed or received Jesus, all members of humanity are required not to offer the good parts of animals as a sacrifice but to present themselves as a living sacrifice. To be a living sacrifice, we need to put to death the bad parts of our lives, the bad habits, the bad attitudes, the bad words, the bad decisions, the bad thoughts and actions. We need to sacrifice the negative continually and enjoy, enable, empower the good, the positive aspects of our lives.
Jesus the blemishless Lamb of God and Lamb sent from God is the final offering of the good, the absolutely good to satisfy the requirements of the law. We are no longer under the shadow of legal requirements to gain acceptability or favour with God. We are under the shadow of grace. We are liberated from the many legalistic demands and empowered to sacrifice all that offends the Lord, to give up, to put to death, to overcome the negative aspects of our lives. This frees us physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, spiritually to live fully and joyfully. No longer do we have to don the sackcloth of mourning to accompany the act of sacrifice. No more is a season or a time set apart for sacrifice but it is a daily dying to our worse off selves and living in full to the call of our better selves. In other words, living sacrificially implies that we continually disable our sinful selves and enable, empower, equip, enjoy our redeemed selves.
A life of grace then is one of continually giving up certain things and a continual gaining of the noble, the wholesome, the blessed, the worthy, the God-honouring parts. The breaking down process should be concurrently running along with the building up process. It is a constant movement towards perfection, towards completion, towards fulfilment. Everything we attempt and do is for His glory and by His grace. Every part of our lives needs constant cleansing, constant purification and refinement. Sacrifice is no longer an act but a process, a lifelong process without interruption. It is self initiated and sustained by the indwelling fire of the Holy Spirit. It is extremely pleasing to the Lord and shows that we are not taking our salvation or His sacrifice lightly or for granted.
Prateep V Philip
Thursday, November 3, 2016
A Perspective On Riches
UV 2112/10000 A Perspective on Riches
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
I Timothy 6 v 17
This uni-verse warns those who are wealthy not to think themselves superior to others. Neither are they to place their trust in their wealth as the riches of this world are uncertain in how long these will last and how it will end. Instead, our trust ought to be in the living God who supplies all our need- spiritual, emotional, intellectual, social, physical – according to His abundant generousity and grace. This scripture warns us of the dangers of our shifting our faith from the presence of God to His presents. The love of riches can ensnare our hearts and keep us from growing in faith and in the fruit of the spirit. We begin to think that riches of this world insure us against bad times. It can purchase us whatever we require for our advancement. Our reliance on the grace of the Lord reduces to the point we cease to trust God in our lives.
Our focus should not be on the blessings the Lord has given us but on the Giver. Many men and women of God who in their early life trusted the Lord begin to unknowingly place their entire confidence in their stature, their connections, their possessions as they are inevitably blessed over time. This lead to a sense of pride if not arrogance and accompanying errors, follies and wilful acts that spoil their testimonies and their relationship with God and people. Their dependence on the Lord will correspondingly come down. The Lord gives us all things richly so that we enjoy them but He does not want us to give priority in our lives to these things.
There is much wisdom in the prayer mentioned in the book of Proverbs, “Lord, do not make me so rich that I forget you and do not need you. Do not make me so poor that I curse my life. “ The golden mean is finding our sufficiency in the Lord, to be contented with whatever He has given us. We do not have to stretch out our hands to others in our need. At the same time, we have enough to extend help to others after meeting our own need.
Prateep V Philip
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Our God View
UV 2111/10000 God View
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he
Deuteronomy 32 v 4
Our God view or our image of who God truly is has a powerful shaping effect on our minds and lives. Moses had discovered who God is through his amazing encounters with Jehovah on Mount Sinai, during his mission to free the Jews from slavery in Egypt and during their long sojourn to the promised land through the desert and wilderness and the sea. He affirmed that God is the Rock or the source of all strength, that He is stable and able, that all His work is perfect, that all His ways are just. He declared God to be One who cherishes truth, who is without any trace of falsehood or untruth or unrighteousness.
Our world view is subordinated to our God view. From our experiences so far, what is our view of God. Is He absolutely just and fair? Is He absolutely faithful and does He keep His word every time? Is He our source of strength, comfort, wisdom, guidance and security? Having discovered and declared who God is to us, we need to build our lives in such a way to conform to the character and principles He teaches us. We need to aim to be rock-like in our faith, excellent in our work, just and fair in all our ways. We should not be swayed by our emotions or by opinions of others. Even as our goals and aims keep changing from time to time, our values need to be anchored deeply in what we have learnt to be the very character of God.
Our decision making should not be governed by only our desires but by our commitment to always use legitimate and ethical means. We are called or challenged by the example of Moses to think not just long term but think in terms of the eternal. Moses’s God view enabled him to stay humble despite the amazing experiences he went through and the awesome power of God revealed through him. Our God view teaches us to stay humble even as we partner with Him to achieve the miraculous, the awesome and the impossible. This uni-verse is part of the song of Moses that the Holy Spirit inspired him to compose and sing though he was not known to be a musician or singer like David. The Lord promises to put a song in our hearts as we live in accordance with our God view.
Prateep V Philip
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Life as the Promised Land
UV 2110/10000 Life as the Promised Land
For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills
Deuteronomy 8 v 7
The Lord likens our lives to a good land, full of brooks of water, of fountains, of valleys and hills. Our lives are bound to be full of ups and downs, problems, challenges, victories, solutions, answers. We will find fountains of joy and peace whether we are in the valleys or on the hills and mountains of our lives if we depend on the Lord to bring us into the good land. He allows mountains and hills or difficult times in our lives so that we will discover the depth of our faith and the height of His love extended to us. We will rejoice like a fountain as we experience His grace and wisdom in our valley moments. The word is the GPS that leads us to and through the good land. Obviously, without a sense of direction we would end up in the bad lands – spiritual deserts without hope, peace, love or joy.
The brooks of water from heaven that nourish our faith are the inspiration we receive from the Word and from the Lord. Rivers of life-giving water spring forth from our hearts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self control. These attributes of the Lord are poured into our lives in the midst of our hills and valleys, our successes and failures, our victories and defeats, our troubles and pleasures. These spiritual streams quench our thirst for meaning, purpose, power and grace. We will physically thirst again but spiritually we will never thirst again as we find all our answers in Jesus and the word.
Apart from the supernatural internal sources of refreshment and renewal from the Holy Spirit, we receive the rain of the water of heaven- the blessings of living a faithful life, trusting Jesus at all times, in good times and bad times, in easy, leisure- filled seasons and in difficult and stressful seasons. The uni-verse states that “ the Lord brings”, implying that many of the things that happen in our lives, our circumstances are not of our own choosing. It might not even appear to be remotely good but we need to trust the Lord that eventually He will bring us into the good land He has promised us.
Prateep V Philip
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