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Psalm 103:7 – “He made known His ways to Moses; his deeds to the people of Israel”.
This Psalm in particular is useful in helping us to remember the deeds of God in our lives, so we can bless His Name in all circumstances.
Several years ago, when I first committed to full-time service, I was pioneering a little village church, approx. 200 kms. away from Chennai. I usually went there on a Thursday evening … visited a few families on Fridays and on Saturdays – encouraged them and prayed with them & invited them to come to church on the Sunday; and send their kids, if any, to Sunday School.
After the service on Sunday evening, I would return back to Chennai. This happened for 6 months.
During one such visit, I saw this lady - a new believer, who was downcast. Upon inquiring, I found out that her only source of livelihood was gone – her calf was dead (which meant, the cow stopped giving milk – which she used to sell in the market).
I didn’t know what to say to her and how to comfort her. While I was thinking of something to say to her, she started speaking: “This incident taught me a valuable lesson to seek Him”.
I was perplexed & wanted to know more about how God spoke to her.
She began, “3 days ago, when I woke up in the morning to milk my cow, I saw the calf dead. My whole world came crashing down, as the cow wouldn’t let me milk her. And while I was sitting there, I suddenly remembered the Prayer Oil which you had given me; so I brought that and sprinkled a few drops on the dead calf and said, ‘Jesus, Jesus…’ – because I didn’t know what else to say in prayer. And within a few minutes, the calf sprang to life, and I was able to milk the cow and take it to the market and sell”.
I thought to myself, "this is a great story; in fact, it's a newsletter kind of a material - so, why is she sad!
After a brief pause, she continued: “In the evening, when I came to milk the cow, I saw the calf dead again. But this time I was not worried; I knew exactly what needs to be done. So, I went in and brought the oil and sprinkled on the dead calf and said, ‘Jesus, Jesus’ – nothing happened. I thought I am not saying it loud enough, but that didn’t work either. Perhaps, I didn’t sprinkle the right amount of oil – still no hint of the calf coming to life. While I kept trying different methods to apply and sprinkle the oil … suddenly, I felt someone saying something to me: ‘Don’t run after the blessings, but run after me – for I am the Blesser. When you have me, you will have ALL the benefits’.”
Wow – that was a revelation for me!
She went on, “I knew I was running after the blessings from God, hoping my calf would come back to life; but God was challenging me to seek Him, so I could have all the blessings & not just one I am after”.
That story truly encouraged me. I went there to encourage her, but I came back very encouraged and lifted up in my Spirit, by what had happened in her life; and a timeless principle which the Lord taught me through her.
Often we run after a miracle, we pray prayers to see or experience something which we are desperate for at that moment.
But do we run after God? When He comes He brings everything with Him. Not just what we are seeking for at that moment!
The verse before us here states just that: the people of Israel knew God’s deeds. Every time they needed to see a miracle they cried out and when it happened, it was a miracle – it was an act of God. Yes, they praised God, but quickly forgot about it also. Largely because they failed to see the God behind that miracle!
On the contrary, Moses knew His ways - in other words, he was caught up with a God, who performed all those miracles – so he was not fazed when confronted with a difficult situation.
The people grumbled because they did not experience God or learn that He is able to take them to the Promised Land, when the tough got going.
Do we want to experience His ways? Or do we want to settle for His deeds, once in a while?
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (cf. Isaiah 55:8), claims the Lord.
Let’s not settle for experiencing something small, when He is there to offer us Himself.
It’s a much richer experience, when we have Him.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Do we KNOW God?
John 8:48-59
Here is Jesus’ response to the accusations of the Jews as to who He really was.
In vs.41, they protested saying they knew who their father was. In the subsequent verses, they went on to say that He was of the devil / demon-possessed and that he was a Samaritan ~ who had nothing in common with the Jews (as per their belief).
There is a stark contrast here to 2 kinds of people:
a) The Jews who thought, they KNEW who their Father was; &
b) Jesus, who KNEW who His Father is
Which one of them actually knows the Father, and what’s the difference?
Well, Jesus gives us a clue in His response to the accusations leveled against Him.
Vs.55 – Jesus defines the difference between them is: I KNOW HIM, BECAUSE I KEEP HIS WORD.
So, ‘Keeping the Word’ becomes crucial in knowing Him.
It’s not about just knowing in our head, but do we know Him it in our hearts – which comes by abiding and walking according to it.
The end result of this is the way in which they both responded:
If at all, anyone should be angry here with the kind of remarks passed at them, it must have been Jesus – but He remains calm & composed here, while we see the exact opposite from those who accused Him.
Vs.59 – the Jews picked up stones to stone Jesus. Is that the kind of response one would have, when they know God?
How about us?
- What kind of response do we have when accusations are leveled against us?
- Does our response reflect the God we know & how much we know of Him?
Here is Jesus’ response to the accusations of the Jews as to who He really was.
In vs.41, they protested saying they knew who their father was. In the subsequent verses, they went on to say that He was of the devil / demon-possessed and that he was a Samaritan ~ who had nothing in common with the Jews (as per their belief).
There is a stark contrast here to 2 kinds of people:
a) The Jews who thought, they KNEW who their Father was; &
b) Jesus, who KNEW who His Father is
Which one of them actually knows the Father, and what’s the difference?
Well, Jesus gives us a clue in His response to the accusations leveled against Him.
Vs.55 – Jesus defines the difference between them is: I KNOW HIM, BECAUSE I KEEP HIS WORD.
So, ‘Keeping the Word’ becomes crucial in knowing Him.
It’s not about just knowing in our head, but do we know Him it in our hearts – which comes by abiding and walking according to it.
The end result of this is the way in which they both responded:
If at all, anyone should be angry here with the kind of remarks passed at them, it must have been Jesus – but He remains calm & composed here, while we see the exact opposite from those who accused Him.
Vs.59 – the Jews picked up stones to stone Jesus. Is that the kind of response one would have, when they know God?
How about us?
- What kind of response do we have when accusations are leveled against us?
- Does our response reflect the God we know & how much we know of Him?
Monday, November 2, 2009
Help or Wreck :: What the heck?
Luke 5:4-11
Little over a year ago, I had presented a thought entitled: PURPOSE DRIVEN FISHING. Please look in archives for that thought from Sept. '08 or follow the link: http://rajancarmen.blogspot.com/2008/09/purpose-driven-fishing.html
Here’s another thought from a similar passage in Luke, an event in his perspective.
I am not going to be dwelling on the ‘call’ itself; but a key, which might help us handle life’s struggles & trials. And certainly be on the look-out for a vital clue, which might help us persevere and not give-up during such times!
Though all the 4 gospels narrate this incident, there is a slight difference. It’s NOT a contradiction; and I feel it compliments one another, as it may be ‘sequential’.
I would like to place the sequence as follows:
a) John 1:35-42 – these were John’s disciples and were curious to know about the ‘Lamb of God’ – they end up staying a night with Jesus to see who He was and what He was up to.
b) Luke 5:1-11 – with their earlier acquaintance, Jesus now requests them for the use of their boats .. and then they obey when He asks them to launch into the deep & cast their nets.
c) Matthew 4:18-22 / Mark 1:14-20 – only the bit about their call and change in vocation stressed by these 2 gospel writers.
We will pick up the incident in Luke chp.5 from vs.6 – When they acted in obedience to God’s Word, “… they caught a large number of fish that their nets began to break”.
Though it sounds exciting that they caught a lot of fish .. the thing to note here, is that THEIR NETS WERE BEGINNING TO BREAK.
Though it’s an incredible catch, a miracle at that, especially after not catching anything the previous night, to pull in a great number so as to sink – wow!
It seems divine – and it certainly was!
But if we read between lines, these people are not going to be able to use that NET ever again to catch fish.
In fact, when you compare this 1 time catch and their future - they end up losing their tool, to fish the rest of their life ... this catch is surely not going to last a life-time!
Actually, what is supposed to be a BLESSING … ends up as a HUGE LOSS for these poor fishermen, in light of their future.
In vs.3 – Jesus asks these tired, exhausted & morally depleted fishermen to do some work by moving the boat a bit off shore. They oblige and Jesus teaches the crowd.
These fishermen lent their boat for Jesus to preach; and in obedience cast their nets - and are now paying a huge price for it.
The ‘blessing’ suddenly begins to seem a curse.
What’s going on here?
The disciples might have felt USED by Jesus.
Do we ever feel like that, or felt like it in the past?
People around us / leaders above us / those who are our peers - use us for their personal gain. Above all, maybe we feel used by God!
Can we identify with such challenges?
When we commit to doing good, something bad ensues!
Suddenly it looks like there’s no future if we carry on like that?
Or there is no way to go forward also, as the bridge is broken down, as it were!
Before we immerse ourselves with negativism here, let’s pause for a moment:
The ‘supposed’ blessing comes ONLY after they were available for Jesus – in terms of obeying Him, even though they were not sure what to expect in return. It was a time of uncertainty.
Perhaps, the disciples meant to help Jesus as a sign of 'good gesture', since they were already acquainted with him by then (cf. John 1:35-42).
The call for Simon Peter comes only in vs.10 .. but their professional kit (up until that time), begins to tear in vs.6 & their boats begin to sink in vs.7 – though it didn’t really happen! -- way before, they knew about it!
I have had this thought on a few occasions that God always gives us a clue to indicate what is to come ahead.
I am not talking about ‘prophecy’ here.
The fact that these fishermen’s tool kit was virtually non-usable again, is a clue here .. that there was something else in store for them.
Rather than catching fish, they were going to catch men from now on - refer to thoughts from “PURPOSE DRIVEN FISHING” to complete this exciting switch in career.
At times we panic, when we see the ‘immediate’. Maybe, there’s a clue in that mess that which we see before us, as to what God is going to do.
Rather than crying at the mess, we should be looking for the clues that which God is giving us.
Moses may have learnt this vital lesson during his wilderness experience, and could have seen some clues in the way God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, when he boldly declared to the Israelites in front of the Red Sea with the Egyptians pursuing, that God is going to do something marvelous. And He sure did!
Do we have such an outlook, when we are confronted with an issue which we are not expecting?
Can we move on, in spite of …? (you name it!)
Do we look at the wreck before us, or are we sharp to discern the clue that God is giving us?
Do we cast out demons from the clue that is appearing before us - thinking, it's going against the will of God?
Be rest assured of a fact that God never uses us without our best in His mind.
Remember, the clue comes when we obey God, in spite of our doubts and unbelief.
The fishermen just wanted to obey Jesus – they didn’t expect a mighty miracle to take place, which would change the course of their life. But it did!
Simple obedience!
When we obey God, it will change our life!!
A change which will help us see beyond what we see in the natural & experience it too.
Look for the clues - from experience & knowing God, I know it will be there.
Little over a year ago, I had presented a thought entitled: PURPOSE DRIVEN FISHING. Please look in archives for that thought from Sept. '08 or follow the link: http://rajancarmen.blogspot.com/2008/09/purpose-driven-fishing.html
Here’s another thought from a similar passage in Luke, an event in his perspective.
I am not going to be dwelling on the ‘call’ itself; but a key, which might help us handle life’s struggles & trials. And certainly be on the look-out for a vital clue, which might help us persevere and not give-up during such times!
Though all the 4 gospels narrate this incident, there is a slight difference. It’s NOT a contradiction; and I feel it compliments one another, as it may be ‘sequential’.
I would like to place the sequence as follows:
a) John 1:35-42 – these were John’s disciples and were curious to know about the ‘Lamb of God’ – they end up staying a night with Jesus to see who He was and what He was up to.
b) Luke 5:1-11 – with their earlier acquaintance, Jesus now requests them for the use of their boats .. and then they obey when He asks them to launch into the deep & cast their nets.
c) Matthew 4:18-22 / Mark 1:14-20 – only the bit about their call and change in vocation stressed by these 2 gospel writers.
We will pick up the incident in Luke chp.5 from vs.6 – When they acted in obedience to God’s Word, “… they caught a large number of fish that their nets began to break”.
Though it sounds exciting that they caught a lot of fish .. the thing to note here, is that THEIR NETS WERE BEGINNING TO BREAK.
Though it’s an incredible catch, a miracle at that, especially after not catching anything the previous night, to pull in a great number so as to sink – wow!
It seems divine – and it certainly was!
But if we read between lines, these people are not going to be able to use that NET ever again to catch fish.
In fact, when you compare this 1 time catch and their future - they end up losing their tool, to fish the rest of their life ... this catch is surely not going to last a life-time!
Actually, what is supposed to be a BLESSING … ends up as a HUGE LOSS for these poor fishermen, in light of their future.
In vs.3 – Jesus asks these tired, exhausted & morally depleted fishermen to do some work by moving the boat a bit off shore. They oblige and Jesus teaches the crowd.
These fishermen lent their boat for Jesus to preach; and in obedience cast their nets - and are now paying a huge price for it.
The ‘blessing’ suddenly begins to seem a curse.
What’s going on here?
The disciples might have felt USED by Jesus.
Do we ever feel like that, or felt like it in the past?
People around us / leaders above us / those who are our peers - use us for their personal gain. Above all, maybe we feel used by God!
Can we identify with such challenges?
When we commit to doing good, something bad ensues!
Suddenly it looks like there’s no future if we carry on like that?
Or there is no way to go forward also, as the bridge is broken down, as it were!
Before we immerse ourselves with negativism here, let’s pause for a moment:
The ‘supposed’ blessing comes ONLY after they were available for Jesus – in terms of obeying Him, even though they were not sure what to expect in return. It was a time of uncertainty.
Perhaps, the disciples meant to help Jesus as a sign of 'good gesture', since they were already acquainted with him by then (cf. John 1:35-42).
The call for Simon Peter comes only in vs.10 .. but their professional kit (up until that time), begins to tear in vs.6 & their boats begin to sink in vs.7 – though it didn’t really happen! -- way before, they knew about it!
I have had this thought on a few occasions that God always gives us a clue to indicate what is to come ahead.
I am not talking about ‘prophecy’ here.
The fact that these fishermen’s tool kit was virtually non-usable again, is a clue here .. that there was something else in store for them.
Rather than catching fish, they were going to catch men from now on - refer to thoughts from “PURPOSE DRIVEN FISHING” to complete this exciting switch in career.
At times we panic, when we see the ‘immediate’. Maybe, there’s a clue in that mess that which we see before us, as to what God is going to do.
Rather than crying at the mess, we should be looking for the clues that which God is giving us.
Moses may have learnt this vital lesson during his wilderness experience, and could have seen some clues in the way God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, when he boldly declared to the Israelites in front of the Red Sea with the Egyptians pursuing, that God is going to do something marvelous. And He sure did!
Do we have such an outlook, when we are confronted with an issue which we are not expecting?
Can we move on, in spite of …? (you name it!)
Do we look at the wreck before us, or are we sharp to discern the clue that God is giving us?
Do we cast out demons from the clue that is appearing before us - thinking, it's going against the will of God?
Be rest assured of a fact that God never uses us without our best in His mind.
Remember, the clue comes when we obey God, in spite of our doubts and unbelief.
The fishermen just wanted to obey Jesus – they didn’t expect a mighty miracle to take place, which would change the course of their life. But it did!
Simple obedience!
When we obey God, it will change our life!!
A change which will help us see beyond what we see in the natural & experience it too.
Look for the clues - from experience & knowing God, I know it will be there.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Once Saved .. Forever Saved ???
I don’t think so! I can present numerous amounts of Scriptures to prove my point. I understand that this debate has existed in Church history over the years, and I am not trying to resolve it here. It’s my thoughts that are presented to support what I believe in.
Salvation is free, of course – no denying that fact. But there is something which I am supposed to do in response to receiving that salvation, until the time I leave this earth … and I am supposed to work out my ‘salvation’ with fear and trembling, as Paul would say to the church in Philippi (cf. Phil.2:12).
Ephesians 1:15-23
It’s one of those prayers, which Paul prays for the ‘believers’ at the church in Ephesus. I believe this entire passage is ONE verse in Greek, which is broken down into many verses for our reading & understanding. Note: it’s for the believers, those who have accepted the Lord Jesus and are part of the Kingdom.
When I look at vs.15 – Paul talks about their FAITH in the Lord, and their LOVE for the saints. The 3rd key element/ingredient for our Christian belief is missing here, ie: HOPE.
And, Paul goes on to mention that he has NOT ceased to pray for them. Why does Paul need to pray for someone who knows God (when there are others, who have not even heard about Him even once), and someone who walks in light of God’s Word.
Paul had spent a considerable amount of time in the city of Ephesus. Though he had passed through Ephesus during his II MJ (cf. Acts 18:19-21), it was during his III MJ in Ephesus that he stayed here for approx. 3 ½ yrs. (cf. Acts 20:31).
In vs.17, he prays that they will be given the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that they might know God better.
It’s interesting that these people already know God, but Paul’s prayer is that they know more of Him.
- How many of us settle for what we know already of God?
- Is there a desire and a hunger to know Him more?
Vs.18 – hits the nail on the coffin, as it were, as he talks about their hearts being enlightened to the HOPE which He has called them into. So clearly, Paul is not happy with the fact, that these people have 2 out of the 3 cardinal virtues of Christianity.
- And why should we settle anyway? All 3 put together make for an exciting adventure & a meaningful Christian life.
And this is exactly why “ONCE SAVED FOREVER SAVED” concept will not work, in my understanding. The believers in Ephesus had been Christians for a number of years … 3 yrs. under Paul’s guidance and warning and encouragement during his III MJ; and then the rest of the years about 7-9 yrs. until the time he wrote this epistle to them … it’s been a long time.
So, there are a number of necessary ingredients, for a fruitful walk, which is missing the moment we choose to follow our Lord. It needs to be worked out. Certain things are shaped in us as we commit to a discipline and follow it through.
The whole of Chp.3 to the church in Colossae is dedicated to living a disciplined life-style here on earth.
Romans chp.12 is dedicated to renewing our mind and our thought life.
Almost all the epistles which Paul wrote, the latter half of it are dedicated to the way we walk our Christian life on a day-to-day basis.
Let me sum up this thought, with a concept which I once heard in a different context, but works very well here:
If I am wrong in my belief about having to discipline myself to live my life here on earth, then I have nothing to lose at the end (the only thing is that, I could have lived my life a lot more liberally and licentiously); On the contrary, for those who believe that they cannot lose their salvation, by the choices they make here … if they are wrong, then it’s a matter of eternity / life & death.
So, I choose to err on the 'right' side!
Salvation is free, of course – no denying that fact. But there is something which I am supposed to do in response to receiving that salvation, until the time I leave this earth … and I am supposed to work out my ‘salvation’ with fear and trembling, as Paul would say to the church in Philippi (cf. Phil.2:12).
Ephesians 1:15-23
It’s one of those prayers, which Paul prays for the ‘believers’ at the church in Ephesus. I believe this entire passage is ONE verse in Greek, which is broken down into many verses for our reading & understanding. Note: it’s for the believers, those who have accepted the Lord Jesus and are part of the Kingdom.
When I look at vs.15 – Paul talks about their FAITH in the Lord, and their LOVE for the saints. The 3rd key element/ingredient for our Christian belief is missing here, ie: HOPE.
And, Paul goes on to mention that he has NOT ceased to pray for them. Why does Paul need to pray for someone who knows God (when there are others, who have not even heard about Him even once), and someone who walks in light of God’s Word.
Paul had spent a considerable amount of time in the city of Ephesus. Though he had passed through Ephesus during his II MJ (cf. Acts 18:19-21), it was during his III MJ in Ephesus that he stayed here for approx. 3 ½ yrs. (cf. Acts 20:31).
In vs.17, he prays that they will be given the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that they might know God better.
It’s interesting that these people already know God, but Paul’s prayer is that they know more of Him.
- How many of us settle for what we know already of God?
- Is there a desire and a hunger to know Him more?
Vs.18 – hits the nail on the coffin, as it were, as he talks about their hearts being enlightened to the HOPE which He has called them into. So clearly, Paul is not happy with the fact, that these people have 2 out of the 3 cardinal virtues of Christianity.
- And why should we settle anyway? All 3 put together make for an exciting adventure & a meaningful Christian life.
And this is exactly why “ONCE SAVED FOREVER SAVED” concept will not work, in my understanding. The believers in Ephesus had been Christians for a number of years … 3 yrs. under Paul’s guidance and warning and encouragement during his III MJ; and then the rest of the years about 7-9 yrs. until the time he wrote this epistle to them … it’s been a long time.
So, there are a number of necessary ingredients, for a fruitful walk, which is missing the moment we choose to follow our Lord. It needs to be worked out. Certain things are shaped in us as we commit to a discipline and follow it through.
The whole of Chp.3 to the church in Colossae is dedicated to living a disciplined life-style here on earth.
Romans chp.12 is dedicated to renewing our mind and our thought life.
Almost all the epistles which Paul wrote, the latter half of it are dedicated to the way we walk our Christian life on a day-to-day basis.
Let me sum up this thought, with a concept which I once heard in a different context, but works very well here:
If I am wrong in my belief about having to discipline myself to live my life here on earth, then I have nothing to lose at the end (the only thing is that, I could have lived my life a lot more liberally and licentiously); On the contrary, for those who believe that they cannot lose their salvation, by the choices they make here … if they are wrong, then it’s a matter of eternity / life & death.
So, I choose to err on the 'right' side!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Simple things that matter ...
Ephesians chapter 6 is known for SPIRITUAL WARFARE because of the ARMOUR OF GOD passage (vs.10-20). But early this week, I saw something which might hold a key for my life in my call to bear Christ’s name in this world.
The fact that Paul starts off in vs.10 by saying, “Finally, be strong in the Lord …”, means he has given some instructions already, prior to this. And looking at the earlier verses, we see that he talked about being subject to authorities; respecting one another; living in the light & walking in unity.
I would like to think, that if I do the above and wear the armour, then I am ok.
It would have been, if vs.19 & 20 wasn’t there!
But the problem is Paul adds this bit about soliciting prayers for himself.
And 2 things which come to my mind are:
a) Knowing my call, &
b) Inter-dependency
Paul knew, deep in his heart of hearts, that God had called him to declare the mystery of the gospel, especially to the Gentiles. And by the time he wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus, he had accomplished quite a lot; and now he is imprisoned for his action.
And secondly, a person who has accomplished as much as Paul did – what makes him dependent on new believers?
Surely, a man of his stature doesn’t need anyone’s help. After all, he is self-supported and he has a good understanding of the Lord and the Scriptures (let alone, him writing most of it - though he didn’t know about it then); and not the least, he knows what it means to wear the full armour of God to engage in warfare.
These calls for a serious scrutiny of ‘who we are’ and to check ‘where we stand’ in our walk with the Lord:
- Are we in a place where we think we are ok, if we act alone – just because of the sheer knowledge we possess and the experience we have gone through?
- Are we giving up on our call because of some difficult situations, which might have imprisoned us – even if it is for life?
* Let’s take confidence in the fact that God has not called us to fight this battle alone. We need one another and God has placed us with one another.
* Let’s not stamp on each other to get to the front or to the top (as many are in the habit of doing) – it was never intended to be that way!
Let’s do the basic things right – as that’s what matters!
The fact that Paul starts off in vs.10 by saying, “Finally, be strong in the Lord …”, means he has given some instructions already, prior to this. And looking at the earlier verses, we see that he talked about being subject to authorities; respecting one another; living in the light & walking in unity.
I would like to think, that if I do the above and wear the armour, then I am ok.
It would have been, if vs.19 & 20 wasn’t there!
But the problem is Paul adds this bit about soliciting prayers for himself.
And 2 things which come to my mind are:
a) Knowing my call, &
b) Inter-dependency
Paul knew, deep in his heart of hearts, that God had called him to declare the mystery of the gospel, especially to the Gentiles. And by the time he wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus, he had accomplished quite a lot; and now he is imprisoned for his action.
And secondly, a person who has accomplished as much as Paul did – what makes him dependent on new believers?
Surely, a man of his stature doesn’t need anyone’s help. After all, he is self-supported and he has a good understanding of the Lord and the Scriptures (let alone, him writing most of it - though he didn’t know about it then); and not the least, he knows what it means to wear the full armour of God to engage in warfare.
These calls for a serious scrutiny of ‘who we are’ and to check ‘where we stand’ in our walk with the Lord:
- Are we in a place where we think we are ok, if we act alone – just because of the sheer knowledge we possess and the experience we have gone through?
- Are we giving up on our call because of some difficult situations, which might have imprisoned us – even if it is for life?
* Let’s take confidence in the fact that God has not called us to fight this battle alone. We need one another and God has placed us with one another.
* Let’s not stamp on each other to get to the front or to the top (as many are in the habit of doing) – it was never intended to be that way!
Let’s do the basic things right – as that’s what matters!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Is Jesus Just an Entertainer?
This morning in our staff Devotion, we decided to take a small passage for our meditation. Luke 11:29-32
Normally, it's not the kind of passage we would choose to meditate on - but I saw some extra-ordinary thoughts in there for practical living - so, I thought I'll share it with you.
vs.29 - starts off by saying, "As the crowds increased, Jesus said ..."
2 things Jesus points out here:
vs.31 - The Queen of Sheba coming to visit King Solomon - after hearing about his wisdom and greatness, &
vs.30,31 - Jonah, being sent to the Ninevites to preach repentance.
The 2 OT stories in brief are:
a) one came to show respect, after hearing about the wondrous wisdom, &
b) the other was sent, to the people to help change their ways.
Jesus is using that to show that the people had come in great numbers, NOT to pay respect after hearing about His greatness; but were only interested in being entertained by Jesus for what He did.
Secondly, Jesus was sent to the people to help them repent of their ways, but unlike the Ninevites who obeyed the word of Jonah, these people refused to listen to one greater than Jonah.
In fact, if we read the 2 verses above this paragraph, it reads:
vs.27 - As Jesus was saying these things a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you".
vs.28 - He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey it".
Jesus is clearly annoyed that people come to be entertained, but don't care to put into practice the truth they hear!
The challenge for us will remain, are we coming to Jesus, just so that we can be entertained?
Are we one in the crowd, without having that personal touch?
Do we settle for just knowing things about God / Jesus, rather than enjoying the blessings which comes from obeying His Word?
Or even worse, watching others being blessed and not wanting to experience it ourself?
For further thoughts on this, please read my Devotional Thought # 6, entitled: 'To be Touched or To Touch'
Let's come to Him with an attitude of honouring Him.
Let's seek to obey what He says to us.
Normally, it's not the kind of passage we would choose to meditate on - but I saw some extra-ordinary thoughts in there for practical living - so, I thought I'll share it with you.
vs.29 - starts off by saying, "As the crowds increased, Jesus said ..."
2 things Jesus points out here:
vs.31 - The Queen of Sheba coming to visit King Solomon - after hearing about his wisdom and greatness, &
vs.30,31 - Jonah, being sent to the Ninevites to preach repentance.
The 2 OT stories in brief are:
a) one came to show respect, after hearing about the wondrous wisdom, &
b) the other was sent, to the people to help change their ways.
Jesus is using that to show that the people had come in great numbers, NOT to pay respect after hearing about His greatness; but were only interested in being entertained by Jesus for what He did.
Secondly, Jesus was sent to the people to help them repent of their ways, but unlike the Ninevites who obeyed the word of Jonah, these people refused to listen to one greater than Jonah.
In fact, if we read the 2 verses above this paragraph, it reads:
vs.27 - As Jesus was saying these things a woman in the crowd called out, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you".
vs.28 - He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey it".
Jesus is clearly annoyed that people come to be entertained, but don't care to put into practice the truth they hear!
The challenge for us will remain, are we coming to Jesus, just so that we can be entertained?
Are we one in the crowd, without having that personal touch?
Do we settle for just knowing things about God / Jesus, rather than enjoying the blessings which comes from obeying His Word?
Or even worse, watching others being blessed and not wanting to experience it ourself?
For further thoughts on this, please read my Devotional Thought # 6, entitled: 'To be Touched or To Touch'
Let's come to Him with an attitude of honouring Him.
Let's seek to obey what He says to us.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Why we do, what we do?
There are several reasons as to WHY WE DO, WHAT WE DO?
It could be our upbringing; maybe our habbit; because it was always done like that .. the list could go on.
We also justify or rationalize our actions, based on the above.
Today a thought struck me as were meditating from Romans 15:14-22, in our staff meeting.
Paul, when he wrote to the Romans, he had never visited them yet! Though he had a longing to visit them, we are unsure if he ever did. And this is one of the epistles which he wrote, with whom he never had any contact with or a relationship.
His explanation in not visiting them or preaching to them is based on Paul's perception in prioritizing, based on the interest of his audience.
First of all, Paul states 3 reasons, why he doesn't intend to visit them or preach to them in vs.14 - because they are:
a) full of goodness;
b) complete in knowledge; &
c) competent to instruction one another
Paul only foresees few minor issues, which he addresses through this letter itself.
However, his primary commitment is towards the Gentiles (vs.16-21).
In vs.22 - he states that being the primary reason for him not visiting them.
Now, there could be several reasons WHY WE ARE NOT DOING CERTAIN THINGS:
1) Maybe we don't want to do it
2) Because we just don't have the time
3) Perhaps, there is someone else who could do it
4) Or just that someone is better in doing that than us
Or in other words, WE ARE DOING CERTAIN THINGS, which we are not supposed to:
1) Because if we don't, no one else will
2) Because we just like that flare which comes with it & wanting to prove something
3) It's just to keep our self busy, so we don't have to do the 'other thing' which we don't like ...
Whatever it is, that we ARE DOING or NOT DOING ... what is the motive behind it?
Is it in OUR INTEREST, or
Is it in THE INTEREST OF THOSE CONCERNED?
That would be the bottom line for us to answer to check our ulterior motives.
God gave His best, Jesus Christ, for our sake - because He had our interest in mind.
What about us?
It could be our upbringing; maybe our habbit; because it was always done like that .. the list could go on.
We also justify or rationalize our actions, based on the above.
Today a thought struck me as were meditating from Romans 15:14-22, in our staff meeting.
Paul, when he wrote to the Romans, he had never visited them yet! Though he had a longing to visit them, we are unsure if he ever did. And this is one of the epistles which he wrote, with whom he never had any contact with or a relationship.
His explanation in not visiting them or preaching to them is based on Paul's perception in prioritizing, based on the interest of his audience.
First of all, Paul states 3 reasons, why he doesn't intend to visit them or preach to them in vs.14 - because they are:
a) full of goodness;
b) complete in knowledge; &
c) competent to instruction one another
Paul only foresees few minor issues, which he addresses through this letter itself.
However, his primary commitment is towards the Gentiles (vs.16-21).
In vs.22 - he states that being the primary reason for him not visiting them.
Now, there could be several reasons WHY WE ARE NOT DOING CERTAIN THINGS:
1) Maybe we don't want to do it
2) Because we just don't have the time
3) Perhaps, there is someone else who could do it
4) Or just that someone is better in doing that than us
Or in other words, WE ARE DOING CERTAIN THINGS, which we are not supposed to:
1) Because if we don't, no one else will
2) Because we just like that flare which comes with it & wanting to prove something
3) It's just to keep our self busy, so we don't have to do the 'other thing' which we don't like ...
Whatever it is, that we ARE DOING or NOT DOING ... what is the motive behind it?
Is it in OUR INTEREST, or
Is it in THE INTEREST OF THOSE CONCERNED?
That would be the bottom line for us to answer to check our ulterior motives.
God gave His best, Jesus Christ, for our sake - because He had our interest in mind.
What about us?
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Pressing On Toward the Goal!
It's been a while since I posted on this blog .. but things have been super-busy, that this has taken a back seat - in fact, no seat given at all :-(
We all like to press on towards a particular goal that which we set for our self in life.
At times, we fail to achieve it (just as the entries to this blog).
Evaluating one self from time to time, will help us realize where we stand!
In Phil.3:12-16 - Paul encourages us to PRESS ON
The fact that helps us 'PRESS ON', is an understanding or a realization that we have not arrived yet!
And Paul - given his stature & his background (a learned man he was under Gamaliel & an extreme religious fanatic, as any Jews can get - cf. Acts 22:2 ff.) - and with all that he had accomplished up until now; is humble enough to say that he doesn't consider himself yet to have taken hold of it.
Now what is interesting here is what he goes on to say in vs.15 - "All of us who are mature should take such a view of things".
As per this, only those who have grown & hence matured, can have that kind of a perspective in life!
Young people always like to think that they have arrived, or show off that they know everything! Ironically, the truth is only the mature will have that perspective and be open-minded.
So, can you be mature - and not arrive yet?
I think so .. otherwise, Paul wouldn't have mentioned it here. It's an attitude of learning and wanting to learn - as there is so much more than what we know or can know about the things of God, with our finite mind.
Someone once said: "Who said maturity comes with age? At times, age just shows up by itself!"
Quote: "PARACHUTE and MIND are the same - works best, when it's OPEN"
How about us today?
Are we open to the things which God wants to show us?
Are we open to the things which people around us want to point to us?
(Never mind the ugly attitude they throw at us, every now and then, while doing this!)
The answer to living such a life is found in vs.16 - "Only let us live up to what we have already attained"
Living in the light to the extent we know the light.
As we walk in obedience to what we know, more light is shed in our lives .. which allows us to move towards what we need to take a hold off.
Let's PRESS ON - shall we?
We all like to press on towards a particular goal that which we set for our self in life.
At times, we fail to achieve it (just as the entries to this blog).
Evaluating one self from time to time, will help us realize where we stand!
In Phil.3:12-16 - Paul encourages us to PRESS ON
The fact that helps us 'PRESS ON', is an understanding or a realization that we have not arrived yet!
And Paul - given his stature & his background (a learned man he was under Gamaliel & an extreme religious fanatic, as any Jews can get - cf. Acts 22:2 ff.) - and with all that he had accomplished up until now; is humble enough to say that he doesn't consider himself yet to have taken hold of it.
Now what is interesting here is what he goes on to say in vs.15 - "All of us who are mature should take such a view of things".
As per this, only those who have grown & hence matured, can have that kind of a perspective in life!
Young people always like to think that they have arrived, or show off that they know everything! Ironically, the truth is only the mature will have that perspective and be open-minded.
So, can you be mature - and not arrive yet?
I think so .. otherwise, Paul wouldn't have mentioned it here. It's an attitude of learning and wanting to learn - as there is so much more than what we know or can know about the things of God, with our finite mind.
Someone once said: "Who said maturity comes with age? At times, age just shows up by itself!"
Quote: "PARACHUTE and MIND are the same - works best, when it's OPEN"
How about us today?
Are we open to the things which God wants to show us?
Are we open to the things which people around us want to point to us?
(Never mind the ugly attitude they throw at us, every now and then, while doing this!)
The answer to living such a life is found in vs.16 - "Only let us live up to what we have already attained"
Living in the light to the extent we know the light.
As we walk in obedience to what we know, more light is shed in our lives .. which allows us to move towards what we need to take a hold off.
Let's PRESS ON - shall we?
Friday, March 13, 2009
Hearing God's Voice # 5
I Samuel 23:1-5
'Keilah' is a town with gates & bars (cf. vs.7), which was part of Israel and under the leadership of King Saul.
David is wandering about, running away from the King - who sought to kill him.
In this passage, we read that the Philistines are 'fighting' & 'looting' the city.
Not sure how long it had been going on, while the report reached David, a fugitive on the run.
The immediate response could have been to go on an attack; or in this case, to let the King handle that situation and stay calm.
David inquires of the Lord - characteristic of a man - which perhaps made God say, 'David was a man after my own heart'.
In vs.2 - David realizing the urgency of the situation - is not waiting on the Lord to speak, but asks a direct question - should he go and attack or not!
The Lord responds positively & David communicates this to his 600 men (vs.13).
Here we see a slight hesitation on the part of the men, who were with David.
Look carefully, that these men did not hear God - so naturally, they were a bit apprehensive.
Secondly, hearing God is subjective.
The fact that David is the leader, did not use his authority to emphatically say, I have heard God and I want you all to obey!
But rather, the implications lay with those who were going to obey, as they were the ones who were going to 'stick out their neck'.
And we see David being sensitive to that.
This group is not even safe in their own land (vs.3), in Judah.
When the concern was raised, David goes back to the Lord yet again (vs.4).
It's a safe thing to do - to fall back on the Word of the Lord or to lean on the Lord for further clarity.
Though the response was the same from the Lord ... David had an inclination to:
a) HEAR GOD, &
b) TO HEAR FROM THOSE AROUND HIM
Ultimately, the Word of the Lord prevailed ... but everyone was satisfied.
Sometimes, we may be at a crisis and all within us wants to retaliate and go out and fight.
Do we take time to inquire of the Lord, just as David did?
Are we waiting for a consensus or are we foolishly asking people to do, what we feel the Lord is saying??
Let's be wise ... and seek to hear Him.
'Keilah' is a town with gates & bars (cf. vs.7), which was part of Israel and under the leadership of King Saul.
David is wandering about, running away from the King - who sought to kill him.
In this passage, we read that the Philistines are 'fighting' & 'looting' the city.
Not sure how long it had been going on, while the report reached David, a fugitive on the run.
The immediate response could have been to go on an attack; or in this case, to let the King handle that situation and stay calm.
David inquires of the Lord - characteristic of a man - which perhaps made God say, 'David was a man after my own heart'.
In vs.2 - David realizing the urgency of the situation - is not waiting on the Lord to speak, but asks a direct question - should he go and attack or not!
The Lord responds positively & David communicates this to his 600 men (vs.13).
Here we see a slight hesitation on the part of the men, who were with David.
Look carefully, that these men did not hear God - so naturally, they were a bit apprehensive.
Secondly, hearing God is subjective.
The fact that David is the leader, did not use his authority to emphatically say, I have heard God and I want you all to obey!
But rather, the implications lay with those who were going to obey, as they were the ones who were going to 'stick out their neck'.
And we see David being sensitive to that.
This group is not even safe in their own land (vs.3), in Judah.
When the concern was raised, David goes back to the Lord yet again (vs.4).
It's a safe thing to do - to fall back on the Word of the Lord or to lean on the Lord for further clarity.
Though the response was the same from the Lord ... David had an inclination to:
a) HEAR GOD, &
b) TO HEAR FROM THOSE AROUND HIM
Ultimately, the Word of the Lord prevailed ... but everyone was satisfied.
Sometimes, we may be at a crisis and all within us wants to retaliate and go out and fight.
Do we take time to inquire of the Lord, just as David did?
Are we waiting for a consensus or are we foolishly asking people to do, what we feel the Lord is saying??
Let's be wise ... and seek to hear Him.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Hearing God's Voice # 4
In my earlier thought on Hearing God's Voice, I had shared a principle that hearing God shouldn't stop with us just hearing Him once, but that it's an ongoing process!
As long as He speaks, we need to be willing to listen!
Here's another small exhortation to re-inforce that thought.
Genesis 22:2 - "Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about'."
God, who was so specific in calling Abraham by name in vs.1; and even more clearer in vs.2 about 'your son..' & then 'your only son' & then 'Isaac' & then yet again 'whom you love' ... and having mentioned the region of Moriah ... couldn't He have had just mentioned which mountain it should be?
Why tell him, '.. I will tell you about ..' it at a later stage??
I believe, generally speaking, God wants us to keep listening to Him.
Herein also is the fact, that God had other ideas in mind, and He ensured that Abraham had to keep listening ..
... and that is the fact, He was going to ask Abraham to stop killing his son (which might seem contradictory to what he was asked to do in the first place).
Are we willing to listen to Him?
Let's not quit listening to Him, as we might end up loosing something which we shouldn't be?
Let's not quit listening to Him, lest we don't receive or experience something which He wants us to!!
Let's listen and grow in our obedience to our Master.
As long as He speaks, we need to be willing to listen!
Here's another small exhortation to re-inforce that thought.
Genesis 22:2 - "Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about'."
God, who was so specific in calling Abraham by name in vs.1; and even more clearer in vs.2 about 'your son..' & then 'your only son' & then 'Isaac' & then yet again 'whom you love' ... and having mentioned the region of Moriah ... couldn't He have had just mentioned which mountain it should be?
Why tell him, '.. I will tell you about ..' it at a later stage??
I believe, generally speaking, God wants us to keep listening to Him.
Herein also is the fact, that God had other ideas in mind, and He ensured that Abraham had to keep listening ..
... and that is the fact, He was going to ask Abraham to stop killing his son (which might seem contradictory to what he was asked to do in the first place).
Are we willing to listen to Him?
Let's not quit listening to Him, as we might end up loosing something which we shouldn't be?
Let's not quit listening to Him, lest we don't receive or experience something which He wants us to!!
Let's listen and grow in our obedience to our Master.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
TESTING GOD'S GUIDANCE / Hearing God's Voice-3
Hearing God is very subjective!
So, when we claim we have heard God, we need to be careful. Especially, when we say we have heard God on behalf of someone else.
I sincerely believe that HEARING GOD is like AN ART, which need to be learnt. We get better and better as we keep hearing and walking in obedience!
Remember, hearing God is not the END-ALL!
The next question is, SO WHAT have you done about it?
Since Hearing God is subjective, there are chances to mistake God's Voice.
John 10:3,4 - "My sheep listens to my voice ... they follow me, because they know my voice ... " (paraphrased)
Listen to this: it's the SHEEP, not the LAMB!
Sheep is a grown-up one; whereas the LAMB is a kid!
The Lambs are still prone to making mistakes.
Let me present to you 5 vital keys to TEST GOD'S GUIDANCE:
Whenever we feel that God has spoken to us, before we utter it out publicly and making a mess of it, check the following:
1) Check with the Bible
- God will not speak anything contradictory to that which He has already spoken.
If it is contradictory, then obviously it's not God - 100%
For eg: if there is an inner witness, that we shouldn't forgive somebody ... etc, etc...
2) Will it bring us one step closer to God?
- Will there be maturity in our walk with God, as a result of obeying such an inner conviction?
3) Does it bring freedom?
- Do we experience peace, joy and excitement about it?
4) Is it a blessing to all concerned and those around us?
- Will others be blessed as a result of our obedience?
5) Wait for confirmation
- Especially, if it's a major decision in life. God will bring in the confirmation that which we need.
Well, these questions have really helped me in deciding if it is God's will. But surely this is not an exhaustive list.
I'm sure there will be other things, which we all use as a plumbline to gauge for ourself.
If you do think of something which you use, please use the comments section to share with us those thoughts, so we may all benefit.
Would appreciate that.
May we all be pushed to hear God and obeying His voice.
So, when we claim we have heard God, we need to be careful. Especially, when we say we have heard God on behalf of someone else.
I sincerely believe that HEARING GOD is like AN ART, which need to be learnt. We get better and better as we keep hearing and walking in obedience!
Remember, hearing God is not the END-ALL!
The next question is, SO WHAT have you done about it?
Since Hearing God is subjective, there are chances to mistake God's Voice.
John 10:3,4 - "My sheep listens to my voice ... they follow me, because they know my voice ... " (paraphrased)
Listen to this: it's the SHEEP, not the LAMB!
Sheep is a grown-up one; whereas the LAMB is a kid!
The Lambs are still prone to making mistakes.
Let me present to you 5 vital keys to TEST GOD'S GUIDANCE:
Whenever we feel that God has spoken to us, before we utter it out publicly and making a mess of it, check the following:
1) Check with the Bible
- God will not speak anything contradictory to that which He has already spoken.
If it is contradictory, then obviously it's not God - 100%
For eg: if there is an inner witness, that we shouldn't forgive somebody ... etc, etc...
2) Will it bring us one step closer to God?
- Will there be maturity in our walk with God, as a result of obeying such an inner conviction?
3) Does it bring freedom?
- Do we experience peace, joy and excitement about it?
4) Is it a blessing to all concerned and those around us?
- Will others be blessed as a result of our obedience?
5) Wait for confirmation
- Especially, if it's a major decision in life. God will bring in the confirmation that which we need.
Well, these questions have really helped me in deciding if it is God's will. But surely this is not an exhaustive list.
I'm sure there will be other things, which we all use as a plumbline to gauge for ourself.
If you do think of something which you use, please use the comments section to share with us those thoughts, so we may all benefit.
Would appreciate that.
May we all be pushed to hear God and obeying His voice.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Is this a 'Year of Recession' with God?
This is the talk of the town, as people go in search of 'greener pastures'.
Can God come through, when the market is down ... especially, if we are relying on the market value for our sustenance?
As we enter into another year, churches have a way of bringing focus, by prophetically speaking out a promise for the year.
Accordingly, we were set-forth a challenge from Genesis 26:12 - "Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him".
With the recession, market-crash, pink slip & lay-offs and big bosses deceiving the innocent share-holders - everything is happening ... to show the famine in the land or in the world at large.
Could this be the year of 100 fold returns, as Isaac reaped?
Let's analyze and see what happened here:
Read Genesis chp.26
vs.1 - there was a famine in the land & Isaac goes to the place where famine will hit last - the king's palace!
- Is it right to go in search of greener pastures?
vs.2 - Certainly the Lord didn't like that option, as He appears to Isaac to re-affirm the promise, with an urge to STAY PUT in the land (vs.3).
vs.8 - Isaac stayed in obedience to God's Word for a long time.
We don't know for sure as to how long this period was!!
In the meantime, similar to his dad, we see Isaac lied about his wife, that she was his sister, for fear of life (vs.7).
- What was the need to lie, when God asked you to stay put?
It works out that Abimelech, when he finds out that Rebekah was indeed his wife (vs.8-10), he gave orders to all his people, that no one should touch or molest both Isaac and Rebekah (vs.11).
It was then that Isaac planted crops in that land and reaped a 100 fold in the same year (vs.12).
- Was the seed planted in the year of famine?
Well, we don't know how long the famine lasted - 1 year or 2 years or more ... but the fact, the Philistines envied Isaac (vs.14), is evident that the famine was far from over!
So, what gave Isaac the confidence to sow in the time of famine?
I believe there are 2 factors here:
1) vs.2-5 - God's Word and his re-affirmation of the promise
2) vs.11 - an assurance from King Abimelech
It seems the assurance from the Lord wasn't enough for Isaac to invest and sow in the land; but only when the king gave the assurance did he venture out.
Let's take a look at the 2 assurances:
a) vs.3 from God
* I will be with you, &
* I will bless you
b) vs.11 from the King
* don't touch them / don't molest them
After a while, the outworking of the assurances begins to happen:
vs.13,14 - He became rich and continued to grow. Perhaps into subsequent years too and not just that year. The Word says, BECAUSE THE LORD BLESSED HIM - God was faithful to His promise (vs.12)
On the contrary, the Philistines didn't touch him (as per the assurance), but OPPOSED HIM (vs.15) and TRIED to stop the blessing.
4 oppositions came from the Philistines inspite of the assurance from the King, on whose word Isaac stepped out:
a) Blocked wells out of envy (vs.14,15)
b) The King himself came and asked him to move (vs.16)
c) Herdsmen quarreled because of freshwater (vs.20)
d) Herdsmen quarreled again because of freshwater (vs.21)
As the Lord continued to be faithful to His Word, it took a while for others to see that! When King Abimelech realized that, he makes haste to return to Isaac to make a treaty.
vs.28 - he says, "we saw clearly that the Lord was with you...".
Now, the Lord was not in person walking with Isaac - so, how did the King and others see the LORD CLEARLY?
- Could it be the outworking of the blessing, which Isaac was walking in, in the midst of the famine?
- Could it be his moral conduct, which proved he was a different man, who didn't choose to grab, when the country was at its worst?
How many of us, can say things like that about our life?
In most films and heroic stories, we see the hero is always the last person to get off danger ... even when there is a limited time left and he could escape unscathed. He always plays the waiting game, by rescuing the rest and eventually makes to safety.
Jesus claimed in John 8:29 - "The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do the what pleases him".
Can we make such statements?
Is He with us? Do we do what pleases Him?
When He is with us, no harm shall befall us ... famine will ravage the country, but we are safe in His hands and under His shelter.
Be blessed!
Can God come through, when the market is down ... especially, if we are relying on the market value for our sustenance?
As we enter into another year, churches have a way of bringing focus, by prophetically speaking out a promise for the year.
Accordingly, we were set-forth a challenge from Genesis 26:12 - "Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him".
With the recession, market-crash, pink slip & lay-offs and big bosses deceiving the innocent share-holders - everything is happening ... to show the famine in the land or in the world at large.
Could this be the year of 100 fold returns, as Isaac reaped?
Let's analyze and see what happened here:
Read Genesis chp.26
vs.1 - there was a famine in the land & Isaac goes to the place where famine will hit last - the king's palace!
- Is it right to go in search of greener pastures?
vs.2 - Certainly the Lord didn't like that option, as He appears to Isaac to re-affirm the promise, with an urge to STAY PUT in the land (vs.3).
vs.8 - Isaac stayed in obedience to God's Word for a long time.
We don't know for sure as to how long this period was!!
In the meantime, similar to his dad, we see Isaac lied about his wife, that she was his sister, for fear of life (vs.7).
- What was the need to lie, when God asked you to stay put?
It works out that Abimelech, when he finds out that Rebekah was indeed his wife (vs.8-10), he gave orders to all his people, that no one should touch or molest both Isaac and Rebekah (vs.11).
It was then that Isaac planted crops in that land and reaped a 100 fold in the same year (vs.12).
- Was the seed planted in the year of famine?
Well, we don't know how long the famine lasted - 1 year or 2 years or more ... but the fact, the Philistines envied Isaac (vs.14), is evident that the famine was far from over!
So, what gave Isaac the confidence to sow in the time of famine?
I believe there are 2 factors here:
1) vs.2-5 - God's Word and his re-affirmation of the promise
2) vs.11 - an assurance from King Abimelech
It seems the assurance from the Lord wasn't enough for Isaac to invest and sow in the land; but only when the king gave the assurance did he venture out.
Let's take a look at the 2 assurances:
a) vs.3 from God
* I will be with you, &
* I will bless you
b) vs.11 from the King
* don't touch them / don't molest them
After a while, the outworking of the assurances begins to happen:
vs.13,14 - He became rich and continued to grow. Perhaps into subsequent years too and not just that year. The Word says, BECAUSE THE LORD BLESSED HIM - God was faithful to His promise (vs.12)
On the contrary, the Philistines didn't touch him (as per the assurance), but OPPOSED HIM (vs.15) and TRIED to stop the blessing.
4 oppositions came from the Philistines inspite of the assurance from the King, on whose word Isaac stepped out:
a) Blocked wells out of envy (vs.14,15)
b) The King himself came and asked him to move (vs.16)
c) Herdsmen quarreled because of freshwater (vs.20)
d) Herdsmen quarreled again because of freshwater (vs.21)
As the Lord continued to be faithful to His Word, it took a while for others to see that! When King Abimelech realized that, he makes haste to return to Isaac to make a treaty.
vs.28 - he says, "we saw clearly that the Lord was with you...".
Now, the Lord was not in person walking with Isaac - so, how did the King and others see the LORD CLEARLY?
- Could it be the outworking of the blessing, which Isaac was walking in, in the midst of the famine?
- Could it be his moral conduct, which proved he was a different man, who didn't choose to grab, when the country was at its worst?
How many of us, can say things like that about our life?
In most films and heroic stories, we see the hero is always the last person to get off danger ... even when there is a limited time left and he could escape unscathed. He always plays the waiting game, by rescuing the rest and eventually makes to safety.
Jesus claimed in John 8:29 - "The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do the what pleases him".
Can we make such statements?
Is He with us? Do we do what pleases Him?
When He is with us, no harm shall befall us ... famine will ravage the country, but we are safe in His hands and under His shelter.
Be blessed!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Hearing God's Voice-2
We are still in the same narrative surrounding Jesus' birth, as there is another interesting concept in hearing God.
Matthew 2:19-23 :: THE RETURN TO NAZARETH
After Herod had died, the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream in Egypt, and says to go to the land of Israel as those trying to take the child's life are dead.
On the side, take note that God speaks anywhere and everywhere, as long as we are willing to listen! Here He spoke in Egypt, a place which is alien to God's works.
From the above verse, it seems it was more than just Herod, who sought to kill Jesus.
Perhaps this explains why 'all of Jerusalem were disturbed with him' (vs.3).
So, Joseph takes the child and his mother to the land of Israel.
Along the way, he hears that Archelaus (son of Herod) is the ruler in Judea.
And he is afraid to go there.
The angel had told him to go back to Israel and that the child's life was 'out of danger'.
But here we see Joseph thinking logically ... if he really was going to a safe place!
The question to ask is: Is there a place for us to use logic & common sense, when God speaks?
Read on, to see what else happens:
And when he was afraid to go in, he was 'warned' in a dream again that night, and in response to that he withdrew to Galilee (meaning he went back) and lived in a town called Nazareth.
We don't know exactly what was revealed to him in this 2nd dream; but it was A WARNING (vs.22).
But the story gets interesting, because there is a combination of 'divine leading' & 'human thinking'.
Most of the time we think when there is divine guidance, we shouldn't use our minds.
And here we see the contrary, and it is vindicated by another visitation by the angel.
This also seems like a conflicting guidance by the angel in the first place.
Didn't the angel know (or God, who was the source of the message), that Herod's son is ruling - and that there could be potential dangers?
Whatever happened, we also see that Joseph's fear and withdrawing to another location becomes a fulfillment of an ancient prophecy (vs.23) - that he would be called a Nazarene.
How can this be???
Personally, I don't believe that God speaks anything that which is contrary to what He has spoken already.
At face value, it may seem like it.
And many times we stop there and that's where the puzzle/mystery becomes unsolvable.
I firmly believe there are 2 different types of GUIDANCE portrayed here:
GENERAL GUIDANCE & SPECIFIC GUIDANCE:
The first one is GENERAL, and the 2nd one is SPECIFIC.
1) GENERAL (vs.20) - the angel's encouragement was for him to go back to the LAND OF ISRAEL, which is very general. The angel didn't tell Joseph, where exactly he was to go. It could have been that Joseph assumed he was to go back to the same old village where he came from; and based on that assumption he was headed in that direction.
Along the way, he realizes that things might not be all that well in his home-town.
And then he has another dream ...
2) SPECIFIC (vs.22) - And this dream perhaps was more specific as to where in the land of Israel he was to settle.
The timeless truth, we can draw out of this is the fact, unless we obey the general guidance, we will fail to see the specifics.
It's like setting out on a journey. We know where we are headed, but we don't need to know the specific direction. But as we head out, there is more clarity and it becomes one step at a time.
I don't think Joseph would have had this specific guidance, if he didn't set forth from Egypt, on the basis of the general guidance he received!
This is not to say that every time God speaks, He speaks this way.
But at times, when He does, we shouldn't be confused!
This takes us back to the thought from the Christmas special about the wise-men tripping, & that hearing God needs to be followed right through to the end.
As we step out in obedience to the first call, we will receive the next lot of guidance, as appropriate.
The first set of guidance might NOT be the END-ALL & BE-ALL.
It becomes crucial that we keep hearing and keep following Him.
Another eg: Abraham offering his son, Isaac (cf. Genesis 22)
Initially, he was asked to sacrifice his son at Mt. Moriah. As he set out in obedience and was about to sacrifice, he heard another voice 'not to sacrifice his son'.
Now, which one is God?
He could have been very confused!!!!
He could have well chased the demons out of the 2nd voice, saying, 'Get behind me satan, God has asked me to kill my son Isaac, and I am going to do just that!'
But in the end, though there were 2 different kind of guidance, both happened to be God! And it only happens as we seek and commit to hear Him right through, and NOT SETTLE FOR HEARING HIM JUST ONCE!
Imagine what would have happened, if Abraham would have settled to hearing God only once?
Are we settling for something which we heard a long time ago? God wants to speak to us afresh & He wants to keep talking and showing us little by little.
As we step into the New Year, let's press-in to keep hearing.
May this year bring new revelation of who our God is, and may we be stirred to keep hearing Him and following Him.
Matthew 2:19-23 :: THE RETURN TO NAZARETH
After Herod had died, the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream in Egypt, and says to go to the land of Israel as those trying to take the child's life are dead.
On the side, take note that God speaks anywhere and everywhere, as long as we are willing to listen! Here He spoke in Egypt, a place which is alien to God's works.
From the above verse, it seems it was more than just Herod, who sought to kill Jesus.
Perhaps this explains why 'all of Jerusalem were disturbed with him' (vs.3).
So, Joseph takes the child and his mother to the land of Israel.
Along the way, he hears that Archelaus (son of Herod) is the ruler in Judea.
And he is afraid to go there.
The angel had told him to go back to Israel and that the child's life was 'out of danger'.
But here we see Joseph thinking logically ... if he really was going to a safe place!
The question to ask is: Is there a place for us to use logic & common sense, when God speaks?
Read on, to see what else happens:
And when he was afraid to go in, he was 'warned' in a dream again that night, and in response to that he withdrew to Galilee (meaning he went back) and lived in a town called Nazareth.
We don't know exactly what was revealed to him in this 2nd dream; but it was A WARNING (vs.22).
But the story gets interesting, because there is a combination of 'divine leading' & 'human thinking'.
Most of the time we think when there is divine guidance, we shouldn't use our minds.
And here we see the contrary, and it is vindicated by another visitation by the angel.
This also seems like a conflicting guidance by the angel in the first place.
Didn't the angel know (or God, who was the source of the message), that Herod's son is ruling - and that there could be potential dangers?
Whatever happened, we also see that Joseph's fear and withdrawing to another location becomes a fulfillment of an ancient prophecy (vs.23) - that he would be called a Nazarene.
How can this be???
Personally, I don't believe that God speaks anything that which is contrary to what He has spoken already.
At face value, it may seem like it.
And many times we stop there and that's where the puzzle/mystery becomes unsolvable.
I firmly believe there are 2 different types of GUIDANCE portrayed here:
GENERAL GUIDANCE & SPECIFIC GUIDANCE:
The first one is GENERAL, and the 2nd one is SPECIFIC.
1) GENERAL (vs.20) - the angel's encouragement was for him to go back to the LAND OF ISRAEL, which is very general. The angel didn't tell Joseph, where exactly he was to go. It could have been that Joseph assumed he was to go back to the same old village where he came from; and based on that assumption he was headed in that direction.
Along the way, he realizes that things might not be all that well in his home-town.
And then he has another dream ...
2) SPECIFIC (vs.22) - And this dream perhaps was more specific as to where in the land of Israel he was to settle.
The timeless truth, we can draw out of this is the fact, unless we obey the general guidance, we will fail to see the specifics.
It's like setting out on a journey. We know where we are headed, but we don't need to know the specific direction. But as we head out, there is more clarity and it becomes one step at a time.
I don't think Joseph would have had this specific guidance, if he didn't set forth from Egypt, on the basis of the general guidance he received!
This is not to say that every time God speaks, He speaks this way.
But at times, when He does, we shouldn't be confused!
This takes us back to the thought from the Christmas special about the wise-men tripping, & that hearing God needs to be followed right through to the end.
As we step out in obedience to the first call, we will receive the next lot of guidance, as appropriate.
The first set of guidance might NOT be the END-ALL & BE-ALL.
It becomes crucial that we keep hearing and keep following Him.
Another eg: Abraham offering his son, Isaac (cf. Genesis 22)
Initially, he was asked to sacrifice his son at Mt. Moriah. As he set out in obedience and was about to sacrifice, he heard another voice 'not to sacrifice his son'.
Now, which one is God?
He could have been very confused!!!!
He could have well chased the demons out of the 2nd voice, saying, 'Get behind me satan, God has asked me to kill my son Isaac, and I am going to do just that!'
But in the end, though there were 2 different kind of guidance, both happened to be God! And it only happens as we seek and commit to hear Him right through, and NOT SETTLE FOR HEARING HIM JUST ONCE!
Imagine what would have happened, if Abraham would have settled to hearing God only once?
Are we settling for something which we heard a long time ago? God wants to speak to us afresh & He wants to keep talking and showing us little by little.
As we step into the New Year, let's press-in to keep hearing.
May this year bring new revelation of who our God is, and may we be stirred to keep hearing Him and following Him.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Hearing God's Voice-1
The X'mas special thought about the wise-men tripping & running ahead without following the star, stirred a thought about HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD and OBEYING IT RIGHT THROUGH to the end.
Its one thing to hear the voice of God and it's another to obey it!
Most of us settle for the first part and we take pride in the fact, that we have heard His voice.
Though that poses a challenge in itself - I mean, hearing God's voice - it's NOT as simple, as we might want it to be.
The interesting challenge is obeying what we just heard.
For our next thought, we remain in the same narrative which explains the birth of Jesus & the issues around it.
Matthew 2:13-18 - THE ESCAPE TO EGYPT
God orchestrates events in the lives of men to weave His great plan. And many times, it's left upto us to follow His lead, to see His Sovereign plans unfold.
Earlier, we saw the visitation of the angels to the wise-men with an urge NOT to return to King Herod.
Surprise, surprise - they obeyed!
Now the angels go about the next step in God's plan, ie: to warn Joseph about the impending assault on the children.
Note that the angels give a reason for the urgency (vs.13). Joseph obeys.
And by the time Herod realized (vs.16) he was foxed, almost 2 yrs. had gone by.
We don't know for sure how long Herod waited for the Magi to return, before he realized he was cheated; but when he realized he had been outwitted by the Magi, he goes wild and orders a massacre.
So, what happened during these 2 years from the time the star first appeared? Let's check out the sequence of events:
* The Magi followed the star & went to King Herod (vs.2,3) - could not have taken more than 3 days! Let's say it took 1 week
* They stayed there until Herod called for his counsel & found out about this new-born King (vs.4-8) - don't know how long it took!! But this might have taken a long long time, going by other events which took place!
* they continued following the star, when they realized the baby is not in the palace (vs.9,10) - perhaps 2 to 3 days here - let's say another week.
* they found the baby & worshipped Him (vs.11) - probably a day here!
* warned in a dream to go by another route (vs.12) - maybe the same night they saw baby Jesus!
* Joseph warned in a dream, after the Magi left (vs.13) - seems like it was right after the wise men had gone - probably the same night or a day later!
* Joseph took the child and the mother immediately that night (vs.14) - probably the same night, when he had that dream
* Herod waiting patiently for the Magi to return (vs.16) - let's be generous and say he waited for a full year!
Going by this, the 2 big chunks in time are:
1) (vs.4-8) - when the Magi's stayed at the Palace, until they knew they had to move on
2) (vs.16) - when Herod waited for the Magi to return with the news of having found the baby that was born.
Even if we say he waited for a year (which is a long time to wait, when one is anxious!), the fact remains that these wise-men perhaps stayed put in the palace for a long time.
When we cease to follow the guidance of the Lord, not just us - but many feel uncomfortable & there are tensed moments.
A parallel to this is the way the sailors faced the rough sea, due to a disobedient Jonah in the boat.
What are we still waiting for?
If God has spoken, let's be obedient and keep going with Him.
Assumption along the way will end us and others in trouble.
But it's not just to avoid the consequence that we are called to obey; but the promise of blessings which is in store, as we walk in obedience.
May the dawn of the New Year bring new hope and new joy as we pursue the high calling in our lives.
Its one thing to hear the voice of God and it's another to obey it!
Most of us settle for the first part and we take pride in the fact, that we have heard His voice.
Though that poses a challenge in itself - I mean, hearing God's voice - it's NOT as simple, as we might want it to be.
The interesting challenge is obeying what we just heard.
For our next thought, we remain in the same narrative which explains the birth of Jesus & the issues around it.
Matthew 2:13-18 - THE ESCAPE TO EGYPT
God orchestrates events in the lives of men to weave His great plan. And many times, it's left upto us to follow His lead, to see His Sovereign plans unfold.
Earlier, we saw the visitation of the angels to the wise-men with an urge NOT to return to King Herod.
Surprise, surprise - they obeyed!
Now the angels go about the next step in God's plan, ie: to warn Joseph about the impending assault on the children.
Note that the angels give a reason for the urgency (vs.13). Joseph obeys.
And by the time Herod realized (vs.16) he was foxed, almost 2 yrs. had gone by.
We don't know for sure how long Herod waited for the Magi to return, before he realized he was cheated; but when he realized he had been outwitted by the Magi, he goes wild and orders a massacre.
So, what happened during these 2 years from the time the star first appeared? Let's check out the sequence of events:
* The Magi followed the star & went to King Herod (vs.2,3) - could not have taken more than 3 days! Let's say it took 1 week
* They stayed there until Herod called for his counsel & found out about this new-born King (vs.4-8) - don't know how long it took!! But this might have taken a long long time, going by other events which took place!
* they continued following the star, when they realized the baby is not in the palace (vs.9,10) - perhaps 2 to 3 days here - let's say another week.
* they found the baby & worshipped Him (vs.11) - probably a day here!
* warned in a dream to go by another route (vs.12) - maybe the same night they saw baby Jesus!
* Joseph warned in a dream, after the Magi left (vs.13) - seems like it was right after the wise men had gone - probably the same night or a day later!
* Joseph took the child and the mother immediately that night (vs.14) - probably the same night, when he had that dream
* Herod waiting patiently for the Magi to return (vs.16) - let's be generous and say he waited for a full year!
Going by this, the 2 big chunks in time are:
1) (vs.4-8) - when the Magi's stayed at the Palace, until they knew they had to move on
2) (vs.16) - when Herod waited for the Magi to return with the news of having found the baby that was born.
Even if we say he waited for a year (which is a long time to wait, when one is anxious!), the fact remains that these wise-men perhaps stayed put in the palace for a long time.
When we cease to follow the guidance of the Lord, not just us - but many feel uncomfortable & there are tensed moments.
A parallel to this is the way the sailors faced the rough sea, due to a disobedient Jonah in the boat.
What are we still waiting for?
If God has spoken, let's be obedient and keep going with Him.
Assumption along the way will end us and others in trouble.
But it's not just to avoid the consequence that we are called to obey; but the promise of blessings which is in store, as we walk in obedience.
May the dawn of the New Year bring new hope and new joy as we pursue the high calling in our lives.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Wise men can trip too - BUT, we don't have to!
Matthew 2:1-12
The Visit of the Magi / 3 Wise men
The advent season is always a good time to read the story of Jesus' birth.
As I was reading through that story yet again, I was quite intrigued when I read the verses above, as to what constitutes to being 'wise'?
The normal criteria which we might want to list down is not evident in the lives of these 3 wise men.
We know nothing about these 3 men, other than the fact, they came from the East and they were wise - supposedly 'learned'! They knew how to read the stars and signs and interpret the times.
There is an old saying in Tamil, "Even the elephant can slip".
1) vs.2 - these men first of all, assumed the 'King of the Jews' must be born in a palace.
It's a natural assumption for anyone to make - so, let's excuse them here.
2) vs.2b-8 - when the King heard that the magi's had come to worship the new born King he was disturbed & all Jerusalem with him.
Reason: There was no baby born to Herod, at the palace.
Going by historians, Herod was insecure and had this fear that he might be dethroned by another, who is not from his lineage.
It's strange that the entire nation is disturbed by this news. Why?
Perhaps, they didn't want a coup!
Given this background, King Herod calls for a meeting of his counsel and finds out more about this King who was born.
Then he summons the magi's in SECRET and finds out the exact time they saw the star first, and tells them to make a careful search for the child and let him know, so he too may go and worship the child.
Look here: When the wise men mentioned that they came to worship the child to Herod, he and entire Jerusalem were disturbed by that statement; but how come the 'wise-men' were not disturbed by this news from Herod?
Surely, they should have sensed something - but they didn't!!! Very strange.
- And what were they doing there anyway, all this while?
3) vs.9,10 - When they realized that Herod's response was not in the affirmative, they continued on with the star leading the way.
- The star lead them in the first place, but then they assumed and headed off to the wrong place (that's what we call, 'running ahead').
Now that they didn't find what they wanted at that place, they continued following the star again.
Why didn't they do this all along???
It seems like the star was always out there to guide them.
But they stopped following.
Running ahead sure messes up things not just for us, but for many others as well.
A little later, we read that there was a massacre of boys less than 2 yrs. old (vs.16-18), as per the time given by the so-called wise men to King Herod in secret!
4) vs.12 - it took a visitation from God, in the form of a dream, with a warning for them to return by another route - otherwise, they could have well messed it up again.
When God guides us, He wants to lead us too!
Many times we assume a lot along the way and loose focus on His guidance and leading.
Here assumption, got the better of the 3 wise men.
I can understand if it is just one guy messing it up, but 3 of them, all at the same time? Well, it's possible, and with wise-men at that!
Let's take NOTHING for granted. Hearing God and following Him is a process, which shouldn't stop. It's ongoing. Let's stick to it!
When we wander off, it takes a while to realize that we are in the wrong direction, but God waits for us patiently to return.
May this season bring new hope for all of us; and may we all move forward into the New Year with a renewed hope, as we commit to follow Him and in His steps.
Let's not run away from His leading or His guidance!
Merry Christmas!!
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