Knowing Him - 7

Only a right understanding of God will enable people to worship Him with reverence.

Only a right understanding of God will enable people to follow Him correctly.

Only a right understanding of God will enable people to live as light and salt of the earth.

Only a right understanding of God will enable people worthy to be called as His sons and daughters living righteously as His witnesses.

I was totally taken aback yesterday in the Sunday service when the worship leader started the worship without committing the service in the hands of the Lord and inviting the Holy Spirit of God in that place. The worship was filled with music, people dancing and praising God without having the presence of God. Surely where God is not revered one cannot expect His presence to be there. Without inviting and honoring the Holy Spirit any worship is dead though it may have loud music or exclusive dancing. I grieved in my heart, repented with the Holy Spirit for the congregation failing to honor His presence. I could not stand in that place for long but left the place with grief and anger...

The worship leader stated ( after singing one song ) a scripture from Hebrews 4:16 and said that we need to enter the throne of God with confidence and not with fear. I agree with that statement. However, I also believe that we cannot enter the throne of grace without reverence. Our God is full of grace no wonder. But He is a God who is Holy. And without proper reverence we cannot approach the throne of grace with confidence. There is great difference between fear and reverence. Without the Holy Spirit anointing both the service and worship at the pulpit is dead. God will not be present where people do not know how to revere and honor Him.

The greatest need for today's Church I believe is to know God as He is and the significant aspect of His nature i.e. He is Holy.

Hebrews 12:28,29 (New International Version)

28. ...and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

29. for our “God is a consuming fire"

Knowing Him - 6

The right understanding of God will help us to act in faith appropriately. When we know God less there is a risk that we fail to apply faith in life where it is necessary. At the same time a wrong perception of God or His ways, can build in us a demanding spirit where we expect God to work on our terms rather humbling ourselves to allow Him to work in His terms.

Both of these concepts- knowing His nature less or expecting God to work our ways can affect our lives badly because these have drastic effects on the way we make decisions or choices in our lives. People who have little knowledge on the nature of God will fail to see that God is able to shape their lives better and as a result of which they will fail to take steps based on faith. On the other hand people who believe that they can bend the hand of God through persistent prayer, fasting and other spiritual gimmicks land up doing their own will which result in negative repercussions.

Only when we understand God as He is, will be able to act on faith appropriately where the result of our faith speaks for itself requiring no explanation but resulting in the glory of God.

1 Peter 1:7 (New American Standard Bible)

so that the proof of your faith...may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Knowing Him - 5

We would have heard many of the believers speak that God has brought upon them afflictions which they had to endure or are enduring. However, we all know that God does not inflict upon us afflictions though He does allow certain trials as in the case of Job. And when God does permit trials it is for a redemptive purpose or to mold us as better human beings. Yet many a time we forget that afflictions can also be a result of our wrong choices or decisions, actions, speech or behavior.

Whatever be the reason for affliction where God permitted or as a repercussion of our actions, God is able to use them for our good. We should not perceive that God inflicts us with afflictions as if to mean that He delights in afflicting His children which is a wrong perception of God.

Isaiah 48:10 (New Living Translation)

I have refined you, but not as silver is refined.

Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.

Understanding that God does what is right because He is a God of justice and righteousness is the first step in understanding His nature.

Knowing Him -4

The problem with many of us is that we think of God and the way He works- in our terms rather than God's terms. Sometimes without our knowledge we exalt ourselves thinking that we are able to understand God, His will and His ways more than others do. When we go about with such lofty thinking, God has to knock out those hidden pride, arrogance and stupidity in us, to help us have a clear understanding of Him. But if we quickly repent of our pride, arrogance and stupidity and humble ourselves by bringing every thought, imagination and speculation (notion or view) of ours captive to Christ, then we will save ourselves from unnecessary pain or shame.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (New American Standard Bible)

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

May we never go about being high headed that we know God and His ways better than others. May we always learn to humble ourselves no matter how much we have grown, spiritually.

Knowing Him -3

As God's children we primarily know Him as our Father. The God who takes care of us as a Father would of His children. We also know Him as our provider, protector, healer, sustainer and sanctifier. Rev Selwyn Hughes says that if the bottom line of our understanding of God is limited to healer, provider, protector, etc, then we will have trouble in understanding Him or His ways. The reverend states that unless we come to grip the truth that our God is a God of justice i.e He is a God who does what is right, we will not appreciate His dealings in our lives.

We will start questioning His ways in our lives and sometimes fight with Him if we don't understand that God knows what He is doing and He does things that is right.

Hosea 14:9 (New International Version)

Who is wise? Let them realize these things.

Who is discerning? Let them understand.

The ways of the LORD are right;

the righteous walk in them,

but the rebellious stumble in them.

Though we may not able to comprehend how He works on our concerns and worries, let us know one thing...He does what is right...

Knowing Him - 2

Rev. Selwyn Hughes state that the problem that many Christians face is disappointment with God because God did not work the way they expected or do as they expected. And he says the reason for such disappointment is because of their narrow understanding of God. Understanding God the way He is- is the foundation of Christian life. And if this foundation is not set right the whole building can topple.

People of God struggle with understanding God because they expect God to be and do things according to their limited knowledge. The way they understand God and His ways can sometimes be wrong and this can lead to life's greatest disappointments. Nobody can understand God fully because He is God. However, we can know God and His ways by seeking Him with truth. When we seek Him with truth by studying the scriptures, prayer and meditation, the Spirit of God will illuminate His light in our hearts by giving an insight about God. We also get the knowledge of God through life's experience and from teaching from God's people (books or sermons).

Ephesians 1:17 (New American Standard Bible)

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

May the Lord help us know Him as He is and help us see life through Him. That is more than enough than trying to be more spiritual headed.

Knowing Him

Many of us struggle with the question why? Why did this happen this way? I prayed, fasted and did things to the best of my knowledge and insight yet where did I fail? Or why did God allow this to happen?

The answers to many why's are not known. Yet sometimes life goes on and answers to these questions may not be found. Whether life goes favorably or unfavorably, understanding life's circumstances is not possible all the time. And what is important in this Christian life is not to find answers for many of the perplexing questions but rather to know God and learning to see life through Him...

John 17:3 (New American Standard Bible)

"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Understanding God is not just through mere biblical knowledge but to know Him more personally and deeply through life's experience and sometimes it takes years to really know Him that way...

Change

Many a time we would have been trying hard for years to bring about a change in our loved one. We would have done things to the best of our ability to make them understand, acknowledge, accept and act but seldom find any result.

One thing we need to understand is that a change cannot be brought in someone unless the person of change has been deeply impacted. And to impact such a change sometimes we may need to change ourselves. Change in the way we speak, react and do things. In fact psychiatrists and counselors teach such skills in family therapy to bring behavioral or perceptional change in children.

Jesus taught many things to His disciples. Yet He knew that to impact them deeply about Christian love and service He had to show it by demonstrating that Himself.

John 13:5 (New American Standard Bible)

Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

This had a powerful impact on the first disciples who were the foundation of the Church and Christian doctrine.

May we all know that if we want to see a change in our loved one, the change has to first begin with us...

Prayer: Dear Lord, I realize the power of change. If you could change a sinner like me to become more like you, I am sure that the power of your love can work through me. Break free in me all the hindrances and attitudes which is blocking your love to work in me. In your precious name Jesus. Amen.

God-given faith

Many believers think that if they take a promise and claim it without giving up, things will work for them. We cannot just take a promise and claim it for ourselves. Faith is a gift as the word of God says (Eph 2:8). It is not an abstract concept. We cannot create or develop faith unless it has been given.

For any given situation, the Lord has to give faith to us to act upon. The Spirit of God at the same time will appropriate it with a scripture by bringing it to our mind. Only then we will be able to claim it and continue with it until faith becomes sight. Otherwise people land up working hard (by putting in efforts) to make their faith work, especially when faith is developed.

There is a big difference between faith given and faith developed. A faith that is developed is from the self whereas a faith which is given is from the Spirit. And the Message translation explains this precisely,

Eph 2:8 (Message)

All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role.

When faith is given, we don't require to struggle to make things happen, for God works it in His way. And we don't have to try hard to hold faith for faith will uphold us...

Prayer: Dear Lord,

May you give me faith for any situation in my life so that I do exactly what you want me to. Even the promise I claim should be appropriated by the faith you give me for any life's aspect. I don't want to struggle to develop faith. But let the faith you give hold me up, in Jesus name. Amen.

Trusting His Ways - 2

When we submit our life's concerns in God's hand, we expect God to work it in a way we think as right. 'Why can't God just do this for me this way?' Yes, that is exactly what we may think or even complain. However, we need to understand that God does not work things our way.

Isaiah 55:8 (New American Standard Bible)

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.

Does God not have the best of our interests? Yes, He does and that is without doubt. However, the way He choose to work things in our life and in the hearts of people is quite different from what we may think. He has His ways...And we cannot comprehend them simply because we are human beings.

All we need to do is trust His ways and wait with patience. Rev. Selwyn Hughes state that we should learn to be patient with the patience of God. It is something like "Though I don't see any outcome as of now, I believe that God is working on my concerns and He is working in His ways. I trust that He is working to the best of my interests". Dot. This is faith and may we learn to live it.

Dashed hopes

Hope and despair are two opposites of life. Either life is filled with hope or with despair. It is a wrong notion to say that a believer should always be hopeful. Even the strongest of believer or man/woman of God can go through times of despair. But it is in those times where hope is built afresh like a stream emerging in a desert. Author Mrs. Charles Cowman birthed a wonderful devotional book called 'Streams in the Desert', when she faced times of despair when her husband took ill and they had to return home giving up their ministry. Though their hope to do great things for God dashed, God still used those times to birth this book through Mrs.Cowman which ministered to the wounded hearts of millions of people.

Colossians 1:27 (New International Version)

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Whatever be the cause for our despair, we need not lay buried in it for Christ in us is the hope of glory. Glory be to Him who is the sure foundation for us to hope again.

Wrestling right

Gen 32:24-25, 28-29 (NKJV)

24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.

28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel;for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

29 Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.”

And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there.

Many people view this attribute of Jacob in a positive way believing that Jacob wrestled with God without giving up and obtained a blessing. However, some people fail to notice that on account of doing so Jacob also received a dislocated hip. A few wonder why?

There is a lot of difference between wrestling in prayer and wrestling with God. We don't have to wrestle with God to receive an answer from Him, for God is always willing to pour His blessings and provision among His children. All that we need to do is humbly seek God and trust His provision (Phil 4:6). However, it is important that we should wrestle in prayer, because disappointments, discouragement and hopelessness can often make us give up on prayer. Satan uses these negativities to help us quit prayer.

Jacob wrestled with God and received a dislocated joint along with a blessing. While Epaphras wrestled in prayer and earned a greater testimony in God's kingdom...

Colossians 4:12-13 (New International Version)

12.Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Surely Epaphras would have received the "Best Blessings" from God for he was well aware of his priorities.

Understanding His Pause

It is difficult for us when there are pauses to the plans we make. When things don't turn as we plan or think, many of us get quite upset or discouraged. We even feel like giving up and land in despair. However, there is a necessity to probe ourselves seriously when God brings in pauses. We should examine ourselves and see if we had depended on any person or earthly security or even our own strength (intelligence or knowledge) to execute our plans. Rev. Selwyn Hughes state that God knocks out our earthly securities in order to help us learn to become fully dependent on Him. He says that God is not angry with us for not being dependent on Him, but He knows that we can be fully effective or receive the best only by being dependent on God.

If we are to understand how God loves us, leads us and meet our needs, we have to get hold of the intensity of this verse so that we will never become discouraged or angry with God when He brings in pauses.

Isaiah 40:11 (New American Standard Bible)

Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,

In His arm He will gather the lambs

And carry them in His bosom;

He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

Let God be God

It is good to make plans for the year. Planning, preparing and executing are important aspects for successful endeavors. As we plan, prepare and execute as per God's will, we will see that there will be few pauses and also leads. Pause is not to be considered as Satan's block or hindrance to God's plans. When we live fully surrendered to God, by His word and prayerfully do things, we can be sure that no weapon formed against us will prosper (Isa 54:17).

God has His own ways to carry out His work through us. And His timing and His ways are beyond comprehension many times. Our job is to trust as He leads or when there are pauses. Sometimes pause is required to reveal that He is in control, He is the Captain and we are just channels in His hands. Pause is needed to drive deep down in our hearts our position in the plan and God's sovereignty too.

Job 42:1-2 (NASB)

1.Then Job replied to the LORD:

2. “I know that you can do all things;

no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

May we learn to humble ourselves and allow God to lead us even as we plan to execute or accomplish great things knowing who is at the steer.

Celebrating His Sovereignty

Every new year usually begins with newness of life...something like moving towards newer horizons or greater heights. Many people look forward for renewals in many areas of life. Expectations will be geared towards blessings, breakthroughs, prosperity and good tidings. However, even as all these are important aspects for beginning of a new year and decade, it is equally important to have our eyes fixed on the throne of God.

Psalm 47:7-8 (Amplified Bible)

7.For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises in a skillful psalm and with understanding.

8.God reigns over the nations; God sits upon His holy throne.

The Amplified version adds the phrase "with understanding" to verse 7 when compared to other versions. It is included to imply that we need to worship God not just with joyful expectation and thankfulness alone, but with understanding too.

God, seated on His throne and His reign signifies His sovereignty. And understanding the sovereignty of God is the key to living. When we celebrate God's sovereignty we acknowledge that- God is in complete control of our lives, He is working things in our life for our good and He knows what He should do. All that we need to do is to trust Him and the way He takes us through this year as He had faithfully done in the years past...