Uni-verse 286-10,000 For better through verse-
New fruits every month
Eze 47:12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
While spending time in the Lord’s presence two nights ago in our home, the Tabernacle, the Lord said that this is His gift for the new year. The Holy Spirit is the river of life that irrigates the two banks on either side of human souls that believe in Jesus. He will cause us to flourish in the new year with new fruits for every month of the year.
Our thoughts will not perish as mere thoughts or good intentions but will grow into words of hope, healing and comfort. Our words will not perish as mere words but will grow into good deeds that are motivated by the love of God. Our good deeds will not remain mere deeds but will produce lasting results for the glory of God. We are a branch of His planting to declare His glory forever. We are grafted onto the true Vine Jesus. His thoughts, words and life will flow through our veins. Nothing we do will be in vain.
The fruit of our lives and our ministry will meet human needs. It will satisfy the hunger and thirst for righteousness. It will be a balm of Gilead for the healing of many hurts and wounds, the curing of many diseases. Either side of the river will be so blessed, meaning both the spiritual and the physical, the intellectual and the emotional, the personal and the professional. We are nourished by the water that issues from the sanctuary- the presence of God. While the rest of the world are restless like a monkey on a fruit tree waiting to jump to the next, we will remain calm as we are ourselves a branch of the tree of everlasting and abundant life. While the rest of the world rush to falling banks, we rest on the banks of the Lord.
Prateep V Philip
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Our hearths and hearts -His Tabernacle
Heb 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
Our hearths or homes are the Lord’s Tabernacle under the new covenant. To go one level deeper, our hearts are the tabernacle of God for He dwells in us by our faith and His Word. Our faith is an act of our freedom of belief and God’s Word embodies the choice that the Lord makes of us.
Virtually, everything physical in the Old Testament prefigures or symbolizes something in the New. The holy articles of the Mosaic Tabernacle point to the articles of faith and the new life under the new covenant. Two days ago in a time of prayer, the Lord revealed that we must reflect the same sense of reverence towards these that inspired our Jewish forebears. As the saying goes, “holy things for holy people.” He pointed out that we must cut out needless arguments and petty conflicts in our homes and in our midst that violate the sanctity of the Tabernacle.
The multi-pronged golden censer symbolizes our multi-pronged and multi-dimensional life today in which faith and purity should stand out in each aspect as the pure gold of the censer. Every thing we do must be an act of worship, a sweet smelling sacrifice in the eyes of the Lord. The ark of the covenant overlaid with gold that contained the tablets on which the Ten Commandments given to Moses. It symbolizes the reverence for the Word of God. The golden urn that contained the manna symbolizes the promises of God that meets our daily physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual and relational needs. Aaron’s staff that budded stands for the miraculous power and grace of God that will vindicate our stand in life. “Buds and blossoms and almonds” or fruits will follow in our lives. The tables of covenant stand for the elements of the Holy communion, the bread and wine that we partake off in remembrance of Christ who made all these things possible and who makes all things possible. When all these articles of faith are in place in our lives, our homes and our churches, then there will be visitations of angels- the cherubim that surround the mercy seat of God on High. Angels form the protective rings around God’s servants on earth just as several rings of police personnel surround heads of state and government. The mercy seat is a reminder that we have all these privileges in Christ Jesus not as a matter of right or on account of anything we have done for God but on account of His mercy and grace.
Prateep V Philip
Our hearths or homes are the Lord’s Tabernacle under the new covenant. To go one level deeper, our hearts are the tabernacle of God for He dwells in us by our faith and His Word. Our faith is an act of our freedom of belief and God’s Word embodies the choice that the Lord makes of us.
Virtually, everything physical in the Old Testament prefigures or symbolizes something in the New. The holy articles of the Mosaic Tabernacle point to the articles of faith and the new life under the new covenant. Two days ago in a time of prayer, the Lord revealed that we must reflect the same sense of reverence towards these that inspired our Jewish forebears. As the saying goes, “holy things for holy people.” He pointed out that we must cut out needless arguments and petty conflicts in our homes and in our midst that violate the sanctity of the Tabernacle.
The multi-pronged golden censer symbolizes our multi-pronged and multi-dimensional life today in which faith and purity should stand out in each aspect as the pure gold of the censer. Every thing we do must be an act of worship, a sweet smelling sacrifice in the eyes of the Lord. The ark of the covenant overlaid with gold that contained the tablets on which the Ten Commandments given to Moses. It symbolizes the reverence for the Word of God. The golden urn that contained the manna symbolizes the promises of God that meets our daily physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual and relational needs. Aaron’s staff that budded stands for the miraculous power and grace of God that will vindicate our stand in life. “Buds and blossoms and almonds” or fruits will follow in our lives. The tables of covenant stand for the elements of the Holy communion, the bread and wine that we partake off in remembrance of Christ who made all these things possible and who makes all things possible. When all these articles of faith are in place in our lives, our homes and our churches, then there will be visitations of angels- the cherubim that surround the mercy seat of God on High. Angels form the protective rings around God’s servants on earth just as several rings of police personnel surround heads of state and government. The mercy seat is a reminder that we have all these privileges in Christ Jesus not as a matter of right or on account of anything we have done for God but on account of His mercy and grace.
Prateep V Philip
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Be a warrior, not a worrier
Jdg 6:12 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
Gideon was fearful and apprehensive of the Midianites. So much so, he hid the barley for fear of the raiding Midianites. Yet the angel of the Lord hailed him as a mighty man of valour. Likewise, Jesus called Peter the rock even though he was so fearful that he denied His Master thrice. The Lord sees our potential in Him and speaks words of affirmation. He knows our human failings and our fears but an assurance of His presence with the faithful is sufficient to drive it all away. We are called to be warriors and not worriers.
The Lord Himself is with us as a mighty warrior. He deals with our formidable foes and enemies in His inimitable way. Often, He lets them fight among themselves and bring destruction upon their heads. Sometimes, like an expert judoko He turns their own force and strength of the opponents against themselves.
The other day in a time of prophetic prayer, the Lord revealed, “ Only I know the ways in which I have protected you and led you this far.” Our role is just to believe, trust the Lord and take a stand. He does the rest and manifests the grace and power of Jehovah Nisi, the God who gives victory. Gideon was a farmer turned warrior. We too must combine the patience and endurance of a farmer with the courage,strength, strategizing ability and vigour of a soldier. We must combine the ability to wait for a long time for the seeds to germinate and grow with the ability to strike swiftly.
Prateep V Philip
Gideon was fearful and apprehensive of the Midianites. So much so, he hid the barley for fear of the raiding Midianites. Yet the angel of the Lord hailed him as a mighty man of valour. Likewise, Jesus called Peter the rock even though he was so fearful that he denied His Master thrice. The Lord sees our potential in Him and speaks words of affirmation. He knows our human failings and our fears but an assurance of His presence with the faithful is sufficient to drive it all away. We are called to be warriors and not worriers.
The Lord Himself is with us as a mighty warrior. He deals with our formidable foes and enemies in His inimitable way. Often, He lets them fight among themselves and bring destruction upon their heads. Sometimes, like an expert judoko He turns their own force and strength of the opponents against themselves.
The other day in a time of prophetic prayer, the Lord revealed, “ Only I know the ways in which I have protected you and led you this far.” Our role is just to believe, trust the Lord and take a stand. He does the rest and manifests the grace and power of Jehovah Nisi, the God who gives victory. Gideon was a farmer turned warrior. We too must combine the patience and endurance of a farmer with the courage,strength, strategizing ability and vigour of a soldier. We must combine the ability to wait for a long time for the seeds to germinate and grow with the ability to strike swiftly.
Prateep V Philip
Sunday, December 25, 2011
My Christmas Present-can be yours too
Uni-verse 282/10,000 2 Timothy 4 v 8
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
God is no man’s debtor. He is a righteous and impartial judge. He has reserved a crown of righteousness for those who love Him. He amply rewards those who serve Him. He gives a prophet’s reward to us even if we merely receive a prophet if he comes in the Name of the Lord. He that receives a righteous man in the Name of the Lord will receive a righteous man’s reward.
At the midnight of 24/25th December as a family we gathered near the Christmas tree to wish each other and to pray. As I was praying, our older daughter saw an appearance of Jesus and was given a word of wisdom. In His hand he held a beautiful crown for each of us. It was His Christmas gift for us even as we exchanged other gifts among ourselves. But as the uni-verse says He will give a crown not only to me but to all “who love His appearing”.
We must greatly rejoice and throw away our crown of thorns, of worry and fear, of anger and frustration. We must wear the crown the Lord gives us. Though it is not visible, it will reflect on the light on our faces,our attitudes, our smiles and our general “face language”. For easy lies the head that wears the crown of righteousness that Jesus gives.
Prateep V Philip
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
God is no man’s debtor. He is a righteous and impartial judge. He has reserved a crown of righteousness for those who love Him. He amply rewards those who serve Him. He gives a prophet’s reward to us even if we merely receive a prophet if he comes in the Name of the Lord. He that receives a righteous man in the Name of the Lord will receive a righteous man’s reward.
At the midnight of 24/25th December as a family we gathered near the Christmas tree to wish each other and to pray. As I was praying, our older daughter saw an appearance of Jesus and was given a word of wisdom. In His hand he held a beautiful crown for each of us. It was His Christmas gift for us even as we exchanged other gifts among ourselves. But as the uni-verse says He will give a crown not only to me but to all “who love His appearing”.
We must greatly rejoice and throw away our crown of thorns, of worry and fear, of anger and frustration. We must wear the crown the Lord gives us. Though it is not visible, it will reflect on the light on our faces,our attitudes, our smiles and our general “face language”. For easy lies the head that wears the crown of righteousness that Jesus gives.
Prateep V Philip
Friday, December 23, 2011
UV 280-10,000 Get a pitbull grip
Psa 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
Fearing the Lord means to be always in awe of Him, to be in love with Him and to always depend on His grace and mercy. When we delight in the fear of the Lord, we will delight in the Word of God. When we delight in the Word, He will bless us and make us succeed in everything we do: He will even make us succeed in our failures and despite our failures and shortcomings.
Last night in a time of prayer the Lord revealed that all the members of our family were kept safe through the past year as the eye of the Lord was upon us. The eye of the Lord was upon us as He revealed that “we were fixed on Him as the teeth are sticking to the gums.” He confirmed that therefore our older daughter escaped death by the skin of her teeth.
We must lay hold of the hope that is set before us or the hope that is written about in the Word. We must bite it into that hope with clenched jaws, our teeth never letting go like a pitbull takes hold of a hunted prey. A pitbull’s behaviour is described as “ bite, hold and shake”. Similarly, we must pray and bite, hold and shake in the name of Jesus, our faithful Master. . We must never, never, never, never let go of our hope in His mercy. When we get a " pitbull " grip on His Word, it will keep us from the pit. At the same time, our mouths must be muzzled so that we do not speak what displeases the Lord and offends others. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Pit_bull_restrained.jpg
Prateep V Philip
Fearing the Lord means to be always in awe of Him, to be in love with Him and to always depend on His grace and mercy. When we delight in the fear of the Lord, we will delight in the Word of God. When we delight in the Word, He will bless us and make us succeed in everything we do: He will even make us succeed in our failures and despite our failures and shortcomings.
Last night in a time of prayer the Lord revealed that all the members of our family were kept safe through the past year as the eye of the Lord was upon us. The eye of the Lord was upon us as He revealed that “we were fixed on Him as the teeth are sticking to the gums.” He confirmed that therefore our older daughter escaped death by the skin of her teeth.
We must lay hold of the hope that is set before us or the hope that is written about in the Word. We must bite it into that hope with clenched jaws, our teeth never letting go like a pitbull takes hold of a hunted prey. A pitbull’s behaviour is described as “ bite, hold and shake”. Similarly, we must pray and bite, hold and shake in the name of Jesus, our faithful Master. . We must never, never, never, never let go of our hope in His mercy. When we get a " pitbull " grip on His Word, it will keep us from the pit. At the same time, our mouths must be muzzled so that we do not speak what displeases the Lord and offends others. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Pit_bull_restrained.jpg
Prateep V Philip
UV 279/10,000 Exodus 33 v 17
Uni-verse 279/10,000 For better through verse Exodus 33 v 17
Exo 33:17 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
Two days ago, the Lord spoke this verse concerning me to a certain man of God. Accordingly, two days ago , a complicated issue requiring the cooperation of many people and many agencies was resolved by His power and grace miraculously without any one opposing it. It was a matter that I had laid before the Lord in prayer and spoken to many people about. Just as Caleb was sent to the assistance of Joshua, the Lord sent a man to assist me in resolving this rather intractable issue.
Finding grace in God’s sight – how much depends on us and how much on God? It is our faith that pleases God and wins His favour. Moses pleaded for the LORD’s presence saying that it was His presence with the Israelites that distinguished them from the rest of mankind. Thereby, in showing his faithfulness, Moses found favour in the Lord’s eyes. The fact that the Lord was with Moses was sufficient for him. Moses had faith that His presence would meet all his needs and overcome whatever opposition or challenges that he would face in the long journey to the promised land.
The Lord knows us and calls us by name. It implies that He knows us personally and He desires that we too enjoy a personal relationship with Him. When we are walking in intimate fellowship with the Lord, He hears and understands our need even before we speak it. He answers even as we pray or before the request is made just as a lover knows his beloved’s deepest desire even before she whispers it.
Prateep V Philip
Exo 33:17 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
Two days ago, the Lord spoke this verse concerning me to a certain man of God. Accordingly, two days ago , a complicated issue requiring the cooperation of many people and many agencies was resolved by His power and grace miraculously without any one opposing it. It was a matter that I had laid before the Lord in prayer and spoken to many people about. Just as Caleb was sent to the assistance of Joshua, the Lord sent a man to assist me in resolving this rather intractable issue.
Finding grace in God’s sight – how much depends on us and how much on God? It is our faith that pleases God and wins His favour. Moses pleaded for the LORD’s presence saying that it was His presence with the Israelites that distinguished them from the rest of mankind. Thereby, in showing his faithfulness, Moses found favour in the Lord’s eyes. The fact that the Lord was with Moses was sufficient for him. Moses had faith that His presence would meet all his needs and overcome whatever opposition or challenges that he would face in the long journey to the promised land.
The Lord knows us and calls us by name. It implies that He knows us personally and He desires that we too enjoy a personal relationship with Him. When we are walking in intimate fellowship with the Lord, He hears and understands our need even before we speak it. He answers even as we pray or before the request is made just as a lover knows his beloved’s deepest desire even before she whispers it.
Prateep V Philip
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
HOW an instrument of progressive death became hope
Uni-verse 277/10,000 Galatians 2 v 20
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
The God-man separation is the ultimate curse, the ultimate penalty. When we are separated from God, we are cut off from the source of our life, the source of our power, the source of unfailing love. The God-man separation ended potentially on that accursed despicable pieces of joined wood- the Roman cross. The cross was designed to be an instrument not of swift execution like the clinically precise guillotine but an instrument of progressive death. It was to be a spectacle for all the world to see to deter the wrong-doer. But, it was also a symbol of a life of separation from God. Our life without God is but a progressive death.
History was split into BC and AD( not the secular , now fashionable BCE and CE) in that one cathartic act of dying by the sinless Christ on the sinful cross . The defining moment in our lives happens when we stop living in our BC period where we rely on our sense and senses, on our own light and our own strength. The defining moment happens when we move into the year(s) of grace (AD period). We no longer live by sight but by faith.
Everything about Jesus Christ was predicted well ahead of time: His immaculate birth, His sinless life, His ‘sin-ful’ death, His glorious Resurection and His even more glorious Return. But, nothing that He does and what He is going to do in the lives of those who believe and trust Him is predictable. It is interesting to note that this uni-verse speaks not of living by faith in the Son of God but living by the faith of the Son of God. It means we need to move from a level of faith in Jesus to the level of His absolute trust and obedience of the Father that Jesus demonstrated. Nothing, absolutely nothing can now separate us from the love of God. “I-in-Him” becomes “He-in-me”. Listen to this blessong:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOY0mjjmx8Y&feature=endscreen&NR=1
Prateep V Philip
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
The God-man separation is the ultimate curse, the ultimate penalty. When we are separated from God, we are cut off from the source of our life, the source of our power, the source of unfailing love. The God-man separation ended potentially on that accursed despicable pieces of joined wood- the Roman cross. The cross was designed to be an instrument not of swift execution like the clinically precise guillotine but an instrument of progressive death. It was to be a spectacle for all the world to see to deter the wrong-doer. But, it was also a symbol of a life of separation from God. Our life without God is but a progressive death.
History was split into BC and AD( not the secular , now fashionable BCE and CE) in that one cathartic act of dying by the sinless Christ on the sinful cross . The defining moment in our lives happens when we stop living in our BC period where we rely on our sense and senses, on our own light and our own strength. The defining moment happens when we move into the year(s) of grace (AD period). We no longer live by sight but by faith.
Everything about Jesus Christ was predicted well ahead of time: His immaculate birth, His sinless life, His ‘sin-ful’ death, His glorious Resurection and His even more glorious Return. But, nothing that He does and what He is going to do in the lives of those who believe and trust Him is predictable. It is interesting to note that this uni-verse speaks not of living by faith in the Son of God but living by the faith of the Son of God. It means we need to move from a level of faith in Jesus to the level of His absolute trust and obedience of the Father that Jesus demonstrated. Nothing, absolutely nothing can now separate us from the love of God. “I-in-Him” becomes “He-in-me”. Listen to this blessong:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOY0mjjmx8Y&feature=endscreen&NR=1
Prateep V Philip
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