The Multiplier

UV 2241/10000 The Multiplier
The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!
Deuteronomy 1 v 12

In every area or domain of life, the Lord desires and intends to bless us. He blesses us so that, quantitatively and qualitatively, we grow a thousand times more than what we are at the present moment. He promised Abraham that he will have seed or successors that are as numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore. It implies that He would increase Abraham infinitely, such that none can count. Just as the Jews are the descendants of his physical seed or generation, we of the faith are the spiritual descendants of Abraham. It proves that there are no limits to what God can do in our lives.

It is the blessing of the Lord that causes us to increase, to grow, to multiply, to expand, to enlarge or develop ourselves in every field- physical, intellectual, emotional, social, financial, familial and spiritual. These are the seven colours of the rainbow of covenant or the divine agreement with the Lord. By the terms of this agreement, the Lord promises to increase us. Spiritual blessings are the blessings of peace, eternal life, spiritual wisdom, the blessings of ministering to the spiritual and holistic needs of people. We should be most zealous for spiritual blessings.
We need to believe that the Lord is able and willing to do that which He has promised. If He has promised something in His word, He means it and will fulfil it in His time and not necessarily in the manner and time of our expectations. Some of the promises may be fulfilled in our lifetime but it can happen over many generations or over the course of human history as it did in the case of Abraham. Faith therefore, necessarily should be accompanied by positive patience and enduring hope. It will help our faith grow and endure if we remember His faithfulness to the fathers of faith, the previous generations, the biblical heroes of faith, His goodness towards us and our families in the past many years. To put it mathematically, God is the multiplier, our faith is the multiplicand or the factor by which the multiplier is multiplied. The sum or result is what is witnessed in our lives.

Prateep V Philip

Secrets and Shadows

UV 2240/10000 Secrets and Shadows
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty
Psalm 91 v 1

A shadow is the reflection formed by an object or person cutting off the light shining upon it. Why is the presence of the Almighty God referred to as a shadow, a mere shadow when He is the Father of lights and there is no shadow of turning in Him ? A shadow follows a person faithfully wherever he goes. Likewise, the Lord is faithful. The shadow of the Jehovah El Shaddai surrounds us more effectively than a fortress. He acts as our refuge in times of trouble. We experience the protective presence of the Lord. The mighty shadow of the Lord upon us drives away the lurking shadows of our own guilt, our own weaknesses, our animosities, our insecurities, our folly, our fear of death. There is no place or room for these things in the presence of the Lord. We no longer can do “shadow boxing” or fighting with the mere reflections of the real thing- the spirit world. The real fight is the spiritual fight, the real race is the spiritual race against time, death and decay. It is a race for the prize of eternal life. The “secret place” that the Most High God prefers in all of the universe is our hearts. If we choose to let Him dwell or fill our hearts with His presence, He will surround us on all sides. Just as a couple or lovers have secret rendezvous or times and places to meet and fellowship to renew their relationship, we too need to have secret rendezvous and times with the Lord that no one else needs to know. These secret meetings are the source of our strength, delight and joy. We experience the gracious presence of the Lord.

Living under the shadow of someone also means living under his influence. When we live under the shadow of the Lord, we are influenced by His example, His teachings, principles, His words and ways of doing things. Scripture says that we live under the shadow of His wings. The wings are word and prayer. Word and prayer should be flapping in our hearts like the wings of a dove all the time.

Under the Old Covenant, certain places were known or noted for the presence of the Lord. As Moses stepped towards the burning bush, the voice of the Lord asked him to remove his sandals as he was stepping on holy ground. But under the new covenant relationship, since the Lord Himself dwells with us and in us, His presence or shadow is accompanying us all the time, there is no place which is not holy. Moses had to veil his face after he entered the presence of the Lord in the tabernacle. Today, the secret of the tabernacle or the glorious presence of the Lord dwells in us. We have become the veritable tabernacle for the Lord, a tabernacle not made with human hands but created by God in His image. We experience the glorious presence of the Lord. We behold His glory with unveiled faces and are transformed bit by bit, degree by degree, day by day, moment by moment. We experience the continuous presence of the Lord.

Prateep V Philip

The Word as a Source of Life

UV 2239/10000 The Word as A Source of Life
Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.
Jeremiah 5 v 14

When the Lord puts His words in our mouth, He makes it like a fire. It will consume the evil in us and around us in the people who hear us speak His Word. It will go forth as light in the darkness, shattering and scattering the darkness of ignorance. It will open eyes that are blinded from perceiving the Lord and ears that do not hear him as well as minds that cannot comprehend Him or hearts that are hard like rock in their response to Him. His Word is a hammer that breaks the unbelieving and rocky dead hearts and makes it soft, responsive, faithful and living.

The tongue in normal times is a source of both life and death, wisdom and folly, goodness and evil, kindness and harshness, truth and lies. But once, we consistently EAT (enjoy, apply, think) the Word, chew on it or meditate till we digest every bit, assimilate it into our hearts and lives, it becomes a source only of eternal life, a spring of sweet and everlasting water. What we declare, the Lord will vindicate as His own words- it will come to pass. He will not allow a word to fall to the ground in vain. The English expression “ eat your words” means that one is forced to be ashamed of what he has spoken and compelled to withdraw it. But the Lord commands us to “EAT” His word. It will then be a source of enlightenment, warmth, guidance and protection like a fire. As Jesus spoke to the two grieving disciples on the road to Emmaus, His words began to burn in their grieving hearts like fire and they began to understand the purpose of the cruel death of Jesus on the cross. Likewise, the words we speak will burn in the hearts of listeners and give them a new perspective, altering their lives.

Only a fire can effectively destroy a hornet’s nest. Likewise, the Word in our mouths, hearts and lives does not stir the hornet’s nest but destroys the bees sent by the enemy to sting us in the form of temptations, death, disease, disgrace, defeat or loss. Jesus became the Word or the very expression of God, the visible image of the invisible God in order to remove the sting of these real life issues that trouble mankind from the beginning of time. When people hear the Word, they should not allow their momentary faith to die out like a spark or perish like a plant without enough roots but fan it into full flame or allow it to develop to its full potential. A fire is also a source of warmth, comfort or encouragement on a bitterly cold winter night. The Word is an effective source of comfort, hope and encouragement in our lonely, forlorn, desolate moments when we feel low , downcast or depressed. Only a hammer can destroy a rock into pieces. Likewise, all the hard issues of life that torment us, the limiting factors, the shackles of life are broken into pieces as we claim the specific promises and do the commands embedded in the Word of God. When enemies oppose us or attack us, the Word is a quiver of sharp arrows as well as an effective shield in all directions or 360 degrees even where our sight does not reach. It is a sword of fire that proceeds from our mouth as we declare it in faith to destroy the weapons and plots of the enemy of our souls.

Prateep V Philip

Training for Warfare

UV 2238/10000 Training for Warfare
He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Psalm 18 v 34



The Lord is not only Himself a warrior on behalf of people, He trains people for war. He is our Master Trainer. He imparts fighting skills such that we are able to overcome evil forces that are arrayed against us all the time. He enables us to be a counter or foil to the thief, the robber and the killer who is the common enemy of our souls. He imparts strength to us so that we stay in the fight till the very end. A warrior needs versatile skills in order to wrest victory from multiple enemies. He needs to understand the strategies of the enemies and devise ways to neutralise these strategies.

Scripture tells us that the Lord will teach our fingers to war. This implies that the Lord gifts, imparts and trains us with ten different skills: the ability to pray in the spirit, the ability to discern the spirits, the wisdom to take quick and correct decisions, the ability to lead with courage and strength, the ability to recall, understand and apply the apt portion of scripture, the ability and will power to execute what has been planned, the ability to counsel and to seek and take advice from the right quarters, the knowledge of one’s own vulnerabilities and weaknesses as well as what he needs to do to minimise its impact in his life and work, the faith that whatever one lacks in terms of knowledge, wisdom, understanding, abilities, resources, the Lord will supply graciously.


A bow of steel cannot ordinarily be broken with bare arms. But when the Lord equips us with different elements of His armour and with His spiritual weapons, He does so that we attempt and accomplish what is not ordinary but extraordinary or miraculous. The enormous, unlimited or infinite strength, power and wisdom of the Lord operates in us and among us to do the impossible. Ordinary “flesh and blood people” are enabled to fight spiritual battles, to tear down evil empires and strongholds. Our influence and power as “peaceful warriors” of the Lord extends beyond national, geographical and earthly boundaries, beyond the realm of the possible. The goal of such warfare is the salvation of souls. As we engage in such warfare, people get released from the clutches or captivity of the enemy of all human souls.

Prateep V Philip

The Obstacle is the Path

UV 2237/10000 The Obstacle is The Path

For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.

2 Samuel 22 v 30

One needs the help of God to overcome the many obstacles we face in life. David was helped by God to overcome a lion and a bear as a shepherd, to overcome the mighty Goliath, overcome the envy of his own brothers, overcome the hostility, jealousy and conspiracies of the powerful king of Israel Saul, overcome many enemies among the tribes of Israel and among neighbouring kingdoms and principalities, overcome the guilt of his own sin of adultery and virtual murder of his loyal soldier Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba, overcome the wickedness and conspiracies hatched by his own sons to take over his throne. David was often besieged by problems but he was helped by the Lord to overcome each one of these. Any reliance on only his natural strength, ability or wisdom would have certainly seen him defeated and destroyed. After experiencing all of these tough challenges, David was able to compose a song of praise which includes this uni-verse.

In New Testament times, St Paul, formerly Saul also experienced great deliverances from the venom of a deadly snake, from shipwreck, from Roman prison, from violent mobs rearing to lynch him, from kings and rulers wanting to sentence him to a cruel death. Paul wrote after these experiences, “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The Lord takes us through many obstacles and tough experiences so that we are better and not bitter. He gives us the way of escape or He gives us the strength to endure it. He enables us to overcome the strong one, the enemy of our souls as also the agents and servants of the enemy who are sent against us like a troop. God is the force multiplier. He strengthens us so that one of us who believes in Jesus is like a force that can put a thousand spirits to rout and two can send ten thousand scurrying. He acts as our force multiplier. He gives us the saving grace or power to negotiate any obstacle in our lives, by either going around it or going through it or by removing the obstacle. In the case of the ancient Israelites fleeing from slavery in Egypt, the Lord took them through the Red Sea. The Red Sea that so easily parted for the Israelites became the foil and obstacle that overcame the powerful Egyptian army sent to destroy them. Time and again in biblical history, we find that God chooses to intervene when the odds against us are very heavy or impossible, when no natural remedy or physical or intellectual or financial prowess can count. He leaves no doubt that it is His hand that delivers the weak, vulnerable and powerless against the strong and formidable forces of this world.

There are a variety of obstacles that the Lord helps us overcome: spiritual obstacles, people obstacles, situational obstacles, natural obstacles, medical obstacles, intellectual obstacles, emotional obstacles, financial obstacles, military obstacles, social obstacles, cultural obstacles, psychological obstacles. The obstacles in our path becomes the path for us to recognize the reality of God in our lives. The obstacles in our path becomes the path for discovering our faith, our inner strength, the test of our courage, fortitude, determination and hope. The obstacles or crisis becomes the opportunity for us to realize the purpose and meaning of life. Therefore, instead of running away form or resenting obstacles in our lives, we should learn to relish and enjoy the overcoming of it. It is not that we should take extra efforts to place obstacles in our own path but as these arise from time to time, to muster our faith and inner strength, look to the Lord in prayer and march forward with courage and optimism that “ we shall overcome some day.” Despite the outrageous claims of science, modern education and atheists around the world, the reason why faith continues to thrive is that the huge obstacles people face in everyday life makes them turn to the Lord for help to overcome these enormous challenges. Apparently very strong men and women break down like children when they face the reality of their own mortality when the doctor tells them that they have an incurable form of cancer or some other disease. At these critical junctures, when no one else can give them hope, it is the Lord who revives their strength and gives them the faith that they, too can scale this wall and run through the troop that announces death to them.

Prateep V Philip

The Good Fight, The Good Race

UV 2236/10000 The Good Fight, The Good Race
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2 Timothy 4 v 7

The good fight is a life committed to faith in Christ. The good fight is non- violent. Its weapons are prayer and the Word. The enemy is invisible and powerful but we can overcome Him with the power of prayer, the Word and the Spirit of God. The Spirit teaches us how to pray and use the Word effectively. Once we pray and commit a matter to the Lord, He fights on our behalf. While engaged in the good fight, we do not suffer physical wounds but we get spiritually and emotionally bruised. Our injuries are healed by the wounds of Christ. We do not have to shed any blood as the blood of Jesus is a sufficient sacrifice. In a normal fight, the fighter’s strength flags and fails over time. Mohammad Ali, the “black superman” was greatly weakened by Parkinson’ s disease in his later days. Spiritually and in terms of faith, we will not weaken but move from strength to strength.

The good fight is fought by us every day of our lives for the challenges are different every day. There is no respite but the Lord gives us inextinguishable and inexhaustible peace in the midst of our struggles. We do not get tired or give up as the Lord renews our strength every single day and as we face every challenge. The prophet Jonah was discouraged in his life’s struggles. The prophet Elijah was fearful, discouraged and exhausted in his fight against Jezebel but the Lord gave a double anointing to Elisha such that the latter never faced discouragement. We, too are given a double anointing-the anointing of the Father and of Jesus. We should not engage in shadow boxing or chasing shadows or threats and fears that are not real. Like good fighters, we need to keep ourselves fit and ready for the fight by constant training and discipline. To be a good fighter, one needs to build strength to give blows as well as to endure it. One needs courage and perseverance to take on the odds and to keep fighting till the very end. We may sometimes be brought to the floor by some blows but every time we need to rise up and continue the good fight. Every fight ends some time. So also the good fight.

Life in Christ is not only a good fight but a good race. It is a long distance race and not a hundred meter dash. Like an athlete running a course we should aim to run till the last foot and complete the race of life. We should replenish ourselves with energy and strength by dipping into the word from time to time even as runners in a long distance race keep feeding on glucose and drinking water along the way. We may trip and fall on the way but every time we should quickly get up, dust ourselves and move ahead with greater tempo. For the good race, what counts is speed and stamina. Our focus should be on the eternal crown that the Lord holds for us as a reward for a life of faith. Every race ends some time. We can look forward with hope and optimism to a good ending. Whether it is the good fight or the good race, we should finish well and be able to say like Jesus on the cross, “ It is finished.”

Prateep V Philip

Getting Rid of El-zheimer

UV 2235/10000 Getting Rid of El-zheimer
Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
Isaiah 44 v 21

Our memory plays a great role in our relationship with each other and with our Father in heaven. Without a good memory, no worker would be able to carry out his daily tasks or fulfil the instructions of his boss. Most of us behave in life as if we have a kind of spiritual Alzheimer’s or ‘El-zheimer” (forgetting God) and forget the presence, the power and the love of God in our daily lives. We need to consciously and unconsciously commit to memory the instructions of the Lord for He is not only Creator, Redeemer, Helper, Friend but He is also our Master. We are His servants. We have been formed not for our own enjoyment and pleasure but for the pleasure of the Master. We need to find our delight in Him and in carrying out His instructions. This is the spiritual food that will sustain us, bless us, nourish us, strengthen us, heal us, deliver us, preserve us, enhance us, protect us.

We need to remember that we are in covenant relationship with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. We need to remember that we belong to Him. We need to remember that He has chosen us and called us personally by our names, that He has given us new name, His name, His identity. We need to remember that though we are His servants, He has called us His friends. We need to remember all the things He has spoken to us. We need to remember all the things He has done for us. We need to remember all His counsel. We need to remember His glory, grace and power revealed in us, to us and through us. A diligent servant keeps recounting his master’s instructions. Likewise, we should keep recounting His instructions, His acts of mercy and grace, His practical manifestations of His love. When we do so on a daily, frequent, regular and lifelong basis, we are filled with faith, joy, peace, strength, courage. We crowd out bad, negative or bitter memories from our lives by recounting to ourselves all the innumerable blessings of the Lord. Every memory will inspire an act of gratitude or praise and adoration. Memories are causes for celebration. When we recount our memories to our children, we are building historical wisdom, inspiration and a spiritual legacy that is passed on to the generations. The nation of Israel gives a lot of importance to marking their national memories in a variety of ways, either in terms of national festivals like the festival of Purim to celebrate the defeat of the plot of Haman to have all Jews killed in the time of Esther the Queen or in terms of practices like praying at the Wailing Wall.

The Lord on His part promises never to forget us. He has written our names on the palm of His hands. His eyes are always upon us. He remembers us as we were when we were being formed in the womb, as we were when we had not yet met with Him and were running away from Him like Jacob. He remembers our encounters and our struggles as Jacob. He remembers our struggles as Israel, after we entered into the covenant and personal relationship with Him. But the amazing thing is that He does not recall our transgressions. He truly practices a selective memory as part of His dispensation of grace to all mankind.

Prateep V Philip