The secret of rejoicing

Philippians 4:4 (New International Version)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

When I used to read this scripture during the beginning years of my life in Christ, I used to wonder how to be joyful amidst times of disappointments, failures and sadness. I reasoned that this was highly impossible what Apostle Paul was exhorting the believers to do. At a later stage, when I learnt that Apostle Paul was in a dungeon like jail, when he wrote this statement in his letter to the Church of Philippians, I was amazed. I used to wonder about the secret of the Apostle to be able to rejoice in a situation such as his. Over the years I quit analyzing unable to comprehend the intensity of this truth.

Lately, it began to slowly dawn on me the secret behind the truth. As long as our focus is on the Lord, His presence and His sovereign rule in our lives, we will be able to rejoice at all times no matter the situation. Having a deep realization about the Lord's love for us and trusting His ways to deal with our life issues, will help us remain composed and joyful.

I am still in the process of learning this little secret. I hope you too will be able to grasp this by His grace. And hats off to those who are already living by it.

Obedience

Whenever the Word of God asks us or exhorts us to do something, we need to just obey it. Delayed obedience is disobedience. The Word of God says, that obedience is better than sacrifice. Sometimes we may desire to do great things for God, such as fulfilling vows and sacrifices. But God is not pleased with sacrifices, but obedience.

1 Samuel 15:22 (New International Version)

But Samuel replied:

"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices

as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ?

To obey is better than sacrifice,

and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

We may argue with God or even make justifications for not following His Word. All this is a mere waste of time and show an attitude of not surrendering to His way. It is better that we come to the issue straight and admit to Him that there is disobedience lurking in our hearts. And if we desire to please the Lord, we rather not take the Word of God lightly. But heed quickly and ask God the grace to do His will...

When unfairness rules...

It is very easy to reflect Jesus when things turn out well in our lives for being Christ-like; and when people reciprocate well for showing God's love and goodness. But when we receive bad responses and ungratefulness for the goodness shown, then it is challenging to continue to reflect the Lord's image. Children of God sometimes reason that we cannot be like Jesus all the time, believing that it is difficult in this bad, sinful world. They rationalize saying that we need to be shrewed and not be too good to allow people to take advantage of us or fool us.

Though this is true to some extent, we should not altogether decide that being Christ-like is fruitless or we can choose not to be Christ-like in certain situations. If we do so we will turn out to be like hypocrites who change colors as per their circumstances. We need to be Christ-like all the time, no matter whether the circumstance or response from people is favorable or not. For we are all called to follow His example all the time.

We need to explore what the Word of God says in this regard,

Hebrews 12:3 (NASB)

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

In spite of facing all opposition from sinners, Jesus was never ungodly or hostile. He remained calm and composed irrespective of the situation. We may also leave matters to God when we face such hostility or injustice from others and continue to take heart to be like Jesus all the time.

Tested to refine

Exodus 15: 22-24 (NIV)

22.Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah) 24.So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?"

Reading this passage, we may ponder in our heart, 'Why were the Israelites led into a dessert for three days without water?'. People who were just afresh from experiencing the greatest miracle ever seen on earth were led into a dessert. How do you think the Israelites should have reacted when led into the dessert? Those who saw the great sea divide and stand in front of them? Those who without fear walked on the sea bed? Those who saw the same sea closing with rage while the Pharaoh's chariots were drowned? What an tremendous, enthralling experience for somebody to have!

Anybody who would have gone through such a mind gripping experience and later been led into the dessert, would have gone down on their knees and said, "God, you who brought us out with a mighty hand, and showed us your power and presence... it is not a difficult task for you to make this water drinkable. May the Lord help us quench our thirst by purifying this water". But this was not the response of the Israelites. They grumbled against Moses and God.

The Israelites were tested of their hearts when they were led into the dessert. And instead of trusting God they grumbled. Instead of being grateful they complained. Sometimes we forget the great things the Lord has done in our lives and murmur for small things. Murmuring and complaints show lack of understanding God's nature and failing to rely on His love and wisdom.

God may sometimes test our hearts. At that time we need to remember His faithfulness and goodness. This will make us less complaining and more dependable on Him. We may wonder why we should be tested. True faith and gratefulness towards God will be revealed only during times of testing and not during times of favor and ease. We need to remember that every test is allowed to refine us and not to weaken.

Blessed assurance

I once heard a story of a boy who asked his father for a bicycle. His father promised the boy that he would buy him. Evening after evening, the boy would go into his father's office, sit next to him and watch him work. After some common talks the boy would get to do his school work. The boy never asked or reminded his father regarding the promise. He was sure that his father would buy him one day. All that he reasoned in his mind was, 'Dad is busy working, yet he will not forget his promise'.

What a wonderful assurance of faith the boy had about his father. This is exactly what we need to have regarding our heavenly father. When we have made a request or discussed a matter with Him, all that we need to do is simply trust that it has been taken care of. Instead we pester, murmur or even fight with God. That attitude is not the blessed assurance we have towards God.

Blessed assurance is like that which the boy displayed towards his dad.Oh! for a heart to believe in our heavenly father in the same way...

Matthew 6:32 (New Living Translation)

...but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.

Prayer:

Dad, help me to have faith in you, the same way the little boy had towards his father. Help me to simply trust and not doubt. In your precious name. Amen.

Persevering under pressure

Discouragement and impatience can often make people of God falter from the promises which they would have been claiming for long. We cannot blame situations or God, if we do not receive a satisfying answer to our prayers. But if we look honestly into our hearts, the result of prayers not being answered as per our expectations would be because we would have quit claiming the God's promises because of discouragement or disappointments.

There is a need to persevere in prayer until the promise we claim come true. Sometimes we settle for less things in life and then blame God for not answering our prayers as per our expectations. God never expects us to settle for less. But Satan plays the trick in our mind to settle for less making us believe this is all that God is offering us...

But we need to see things from God's perspective and hold to God's promises until we receive what exactly God has planned for us.

James 1:12 (New International Version)

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive... God has promised to those who love him.

Agape love and holy fear

The Church or the Christian folks need to have a right perspective of God to become a right kind of testimony to the outside world. Otherwise the repercussions may be disastrous. If Children of God or the Church cannot represent Christ in the right way, how are we to prove the character and the nature of God to the outside world?

Focusing on God's two attributes yesterday, we saw that our Lord is both good and holy. And approaching Him with a reverential attitude is the basis of our relationship with the Lord and our life's perspective. We need to show the lovingkindness of God to people, at the same time hold the reverential fear within the body of Christ and to the others alike. Only then the Church of the present day can be as effective as the Church during the time of Acts.

Acts 19: 17, 18, 20 (NLT)

17 The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. 18. Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices.

20. So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.

When the unsaved people will experience the love (and acceptance) of Jesus from us, at the same time see our life here on earth lived with a holy fear (where our speech, attitude, behavior, deeds and choices made exhibit a reverence for God), then the unsaved will truly be drawn towards our living God. And we will truly stand as a right testimony for Christ.

Right perspective of God's nature

Goodness and the holiness of the Lord are two different aspects that has to be rightly understood and be held in a Christian's view. If we do not have a balanced perspective, then our Christian life would be lop-sided. If we consider only the goodness of the Lord, then there are high chances that we may lose a reverential perspective in our relationship to God. If we concentrate only on the holiness of God, then we may forget how good the Lord is towards His children; but rather see Him as a strict Judge.

Having a balanced perspective will help us to love the Lord with a reverential worship. Our deeds and acts in our Christian life will be shaped by this balanced perspective;for we will not afford to take the grace or sin lightly. At the same time we will learn to rely on the goodness of our Lord.

Psalm 5:7 (New American Standard Bible)

But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house,

At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.

The Psalmist had right perspective about God's lovingkindness and His holiness. When we have a similar perspective, we will know that we are loved and accepted by His grace and lovingkindness (not because of anything good in us) and we will live our lives in holy fear as per His Word.

Anyone who doesn't have this perspective will suffer in his/her understanding about God and life.

Potter and the clay

Many times we pray to God saying, "You are the potter, I am the clay. Make me and mold me. This is what I pray". But when trials or hardships come, we cry out, "Why my dear Lord should I go through all this?" And we may hear a gentle voice within our hearts which say, "Child, you just asked me of it". When we face trials, heart aches or some kind of wearing down situations, we feel that if only God had willed, He could have withheld these from us. But we forget that the potter is at His work. He is molding and making the clay so that He can bring the desired shape i.e His desired qualities built in us.

Whatever God allows it is to accomplish something. And when we go through such trials we may feel that God is indifferent to us . But He is not. As He works He remembers what it feels to be in that situation or phase. And when God's Word says He remembers, He also knows of the way to bring us to the paths of glory...

Psalm 136:23 (New International Version)

to the One who remembered us in our low estate

His love endures forever.

Psalm 73:24 (New Living Translation)

You guide me with your counsel,

leading me to a glorious destiny.

Trusting His ways

Rev. Selwyn Hughes says that unless we come to terms in our hearts that whatever God allows in our life, it is fulfill His perfect purpose for us, we will not appreciate His plan and will for our lives completely. Life will have its groaning, complaints and murmurings about the way He deals with things and issues in our lives. These kind of complaints and disappointments can build secret resentments in our hearts. Our hearts would be filled with unresolved questions like 'why did God allow this to happen?' or 'He could made this happen instead of that' etc.

God has a purpose for each one of our lives. His plan and His will is perfect. Some unpleasant happenings is allowed for a purpose. We may not understand them. But when we go through such things all that we need to understand is that God knows it and He has allowed for a purpose. That is enough to bear in mind.

Judges 2:23 (New International Version)

The LORD had allowed those nations to remain; he did not drive them out at once by giving them into the hands of Joshua.

When God Lord did not allow those nations to be destroyed, Joshua or Israel could have thought that it would been good if the Lord had driven them out as He did to other nations. But whatever Lord did, it was required for their own good.

It quite takes a heart to trust God's decisions...

Misleading emotions

Sometimes emotions can be are very misleading. We may perceive something that comes in our life either as God's provision or leading or we may even see them as not from God if overwhelmed with negative thoughts and emotions.

As human beings, we can never be sure if some things are from God or not unless we leave it into His hands. When uncertain about things in life, it is better that we learn to leave matters in the hands of God and allow Him to lead us. God is faithful and He will not allow things to come in our life unless it is His will. Rather than taking decisions based on emotions, we can ask the Lord to decide for us and lead us as per His will. Whatever comes or does not come our way has to be taken as His will.

Psalm 143:10 (New International Version)

Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God;

may your good Spirit

lead me on level ground

Fruit- Good works or of the Spirit?

Many people in Christian circles think that we need to do a lot of spiritual things in order to be accepted and loved by the Lord. Spiritual deeds such as attending prayer meetings, offering to ministries, ministering to others needs, all these and similar things are considered to be essential part of being in Christ. People quote this part of the scripture as the basis for having such perception and attitude.

John 15:2 (New International Version)

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Though prayer meetings, offerings and good works in the Lord are appreciable (as nourishment of ones soul), they should not be connected to this scripture and be considered as essential part of being in the Lord. We are saved by grace and are sustained in Him by grace. It is not good works but grace by which God loves us and accepts us.

The fruit referred in John 15:2 talks about fruit of the Spirit. The Lord develops in us the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) which by nature we do not have. While He works them in us sometimes we yield and sometimes we don't (meaning we rebel). Those who yield, the Lord prunes all the more so that He gets the desired fruit perfected in us. And the warning of the branch being cut off from the vine are for those who continuously resist His work in them.

People would have outwardly taken baptism, attend church and prayer meetings and even minister God's Word. But inwardly there may not be much change in them. Such branches are plucked out from the vine and thrown into eternal fire.

Understanding God's Word in the right context is essential; for those form the basis of our perceptions and attitude and in turn our choices in life...

Shaped by God's Word

Sometimes we may wrongly shape our attitudes and perceptions based on our negative life experiences rather than God's Word. Once a man quit his efforts to establish his career because as a boy he was always disheartened by his father's negative remarks. Whenever he faced a career disappointment, two things came to his mind: one was his father's remarks and the other God's Word (as in Philippians 4:13). Instead of relying on the Word of God, he relied more on his father's remarks because his life situations was very much in accordance with his dad's comment. For him that seemed more real than the promise of God. He perceived himself no longer a successful man and quit his efforts.

Most of the time, the trials we face may not correlate with God's Word. But we need to remember that the Word of God stands forever.

Isaiah 40:8 (New International Version)

The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God stands forever.

We can overcome our trials only when we learn to shape our perceptions and attitudes based on God's Word rather than negative experiences in life, no matter how irrelevant they may seem.

Learning from good and bad

Our mind is always full of thought process which shape our perceptions and attitude. A large part of this attitude and perception formations is the result of our experiences and learnings in life. Though this is fine to some aspect, we need to allow most of our perceptions and attitude to be shaped from God's Word. This is due to the fact that our life experiences and learnings have both good and bad included in it. We need to have the discernment to select good experiences and learnings to shape our attitude and perceptions. At the same time also learn lessons from our bad experiences. But these lessons should make us only wise and not bitter. We need to take it in the right sense so that they do not become disruptive to us or others.

Apostle Paul also had some bad experiences in his ministry but he did not allow those experiences to make him bitter but make choices that was good for him.

Acts 15:37-39 (New International Version)

37.Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38.but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39.They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus.

We cannot blame Apostle Paul for his attitude here. Bad experiences do teach us to become wise and careful in our decision makings.

All I need to know...

When afflictions come upon the people of God they are often plagued with the question 'Why?'. Their reasoning: When I have lived right before God why should this happen to me? Or what have I done to deserve this?

People try to reason out if their affliction is the result of some form of sin or disobedience. Though they know that it is not so, they find it difficult to digest that God had allowed unpleasant things to happen in spite of carefully taken steps and decisions through prayer.

We need to understand that God allowed such things (or even worse) to Job though he was righteous and blameless before God. Even Job was plagued with the question 'Why' but he never got an explanation from God for his sufferings. But after the trial period Job was blessed more than his first part of his life (Job 42:12).

The lesson which we derive from Job: though unpleasant things do happen in our lives, we may not get explanations for those kind of trials. We only need to know that it was allowed for a purpose unrevealed to us...

But all that we need to know is this...

Psalm 20:6 (New American Standard Bible)

Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;

He will answer him from His holy heaven

With the saving strength of His right hand.

And not an explanation for our afflictions...

Just trust...

One of the hardest thing to understand in our life is to comprehend the ways and timings of God. It is better as God's children that we don't fight mentally to understand the way He works in our lives. Many men and women of God for ages have been troubled to understand God's silence or His non intervention in their lives during times of darkness. Yet this does not mean that God is not faithful or He is not a prayer answering God.

The scripture just tells us this...

Romans 11:33 (New Living Translation)

Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

We cannot know His ways or His decisions for our life. But we know this that He is good and that He is working something good. God always works in a broader framework which includes a bigger picture. And it is difficult for us to see that from the bird's eye view (view of an eagle from high altitude). It is better just to trust believing that He knows what He is doing rather than worrying "I don't know what He is doing?"

Faith amidst storm

When things go well in our life it is so easy to celebrate our risen Lord. Praising, worshiping or even being joyful will not be difficult. But when dark clouds surround and when there seems to be a storm appearing in our life even we would shout out to the Lord like His disciples.

Mark 4:37-38 (New Living Translation)

37.But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

38.Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

Sometimes when worry, anxiety or fear overwhelm us, we too might behave like the disciples and ask the Lord a question as they did. But our lord is in control and sometimes we may fail to comprehend its fullness during the times of darkness or storm.

Let us look at the way Jesus responded to His disciples,

Mark 4:39-40 (NLT)

39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Jesus was disappointed with them, yet He did not stop from helping them of their fear. We at times due to lack of faith (that He is in control) act or make haste decisions in unbelief which at times go wrong or even sinful. We cannot learn to have such kind of faith unless we are in the storm and by grace we learn to grow in having unshakable faith.

Easter!!!

The other day I had an argument with a believer girl about Easter. She asked me "Tell me which day Easter falls?" I said "Obviously Sunday... but for me everyday is Easter as I celebrate the risen Lord". She gave such an exclamation as if I had blasphemed.

According to her observing the Sabbath, Good Friday and Easter (or even Christmas) on that particular day was of prime importance whereas for me celebrating Good Friday or even Easter did not require observation of special days but required a heart to celebrate the risen Lord on a daily basis.

We as God's children know what it means to live a life of our resurrected Lord... That He reigned over Sin and Death on the Cross to give us a powerful life in Him. We as His children celebrate Easter everyday when we live with the deep the realization that "Our redeemer Lives"

Job 19:25 (New International Version)

I know that my Redeemer lives,

and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

Let us live like Job exclaiming everday the above scripture... "My Redeemer Lives"

Real meaning of Good Friday

Nobody can do what Jesus did for us on the Cross. But He did it (demonstrating His love for us) so that we might live. And we are to live not as somebody trying and struggling to live a Christian life...but by receiving what He has already accomplished for us. This may sound simple for many but people find it difficult to just accept it.

1. The Lord of all glory became poor on the Cross, so that we may become rich...

2 Corinthians 8:9 (New International Version)

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

2. We need not accept and stay with disease and illness, because by His stripes we are healed...

1 Peter 2:24 (New International Version)

...by his wounds you have been healed.

3. We are freed from the sin and death (eternal)...

Romans 6:23 (New American Standard Bible)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:17-18 (New International Version)

17.But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

4. Jesus became a curse for us and delivered us from curse...

Galatians 3:13 (New International Version)

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.

The law in the book(Bible) requires that we follow it completely without failing even a single commandment, otherwise we will be cursed. But Jesus became that curse for us, so that the righteous requirements of the law be met. When we truly live in Him and by Him, we will not deliberately sin because our hearts and mind will be changed by grace.

5. We need to live in sorrow without hope

Isaiah 53:4 (New American Standard Bible)

Surely our griefs He Himself bore,

And our sorrows He carried;

He will always deliver us out from all our pain and sorrow...

The Lord has accomplished everything on the Cross so that we can live an abundant life in this earth. All we need to do is accept and live by it. It is not easy because the enemy (Satan) is always waiting for a chance to steal our faith and make us faint. But we need to remember that He is already a defeated foe, for Jesus defeated Him on the Cross. And we need to remember ...

1 John 4:4 (New International Version)

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

That is why we celebrate Good Friday and not be found sorrowful, but we have been given a gracious life in the Lord...

Standing at the Cross

Tomorrow being Good Friday, many have different ways to look at it. Some who don't even relate to Him in reality, pity that Jesus suffered and died on the Cross. Some assume that they should be sad because it was the day when Jesus was crucified ( who live a life indifferent to His death and suffering...)

But the truth is we are to stand at the foot of the cross and know deep down within the heart, that His sufferings and His ultimate death was for our sins and on our behalf.

Isaiah 53:5 (New American Standard Bible)

But He was pierced through for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities;

The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,

And by His scourging we are healed.

If we are to really feel for what God accomplished for us on the cross, then we are to stand in awe and gratitude of what He did for us. If we are to demonstrate this gratitude and show Him love in return, then it is not by fasting or eating broth that we demonstrate that. But we make a solid determination to live a sinless and blameless life by receiving the grace He would provide. We need to truly repent and turn away from all sins and make a decision to live for Him. That accomplishes the meaning of Good Friday...

May we fall prostrate at His feet and humbly accept all that He accomplished for us on the Cross- forgiveness, healing, well-being, prosperity, deliverance, redemption and eternal life.

Prayer:

Lord, I stand in awe of you at the foot of the Cross. You died that I might live. Now this life which you offer me freely I want to receive. Forgive me of my sins and wash me with your blood. Make me new that I may be new in you and live for you by your grace.

I am gratefully yours forever

Your chosen child