What we are today is based on who we are in Christ. When the world says everything is going on a loss, those who trust God says we gain Christ. Today the world economy is going on a toss in the real scenario. People are loosing their grounds in their employment, finances, security and that is making a greater havoc and severe repercussion on the individual and corporate lives. Someone sarcastically said “in which bank?” by looking at the bumper quote “Jesus Saves”. Yes he does save his people from calamity. Even in this economic steep down situation he still saves his people. Only those who trust in his provisions will receive his choicest blessings and enjoy it. There is so much of disorientation happening in and around the lives of people. People have lost the order and discipline in earning, saving and in giving. Where is hope or in other words where is God in all such hopeless situations? Is he in control?
Psalm 24:1 says “The earth is the Lords and everything in it belongs to him”.
Today man is trying to play God. We are only stewards to all of Gods resources not the owners. He alone owns it all. As someone said there is no rival for God. He is the provider and sustainer of the earth’s resources. God is not a cosmic kill joy or an evil personality to delight in all our hopeless situations. He is all sufficient all knowing complete in wisdom and willing to help those who lean on him. Proverbs 3:5-6, 9-10 reads like this,
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
It is simple trust and contended living that keeps us going and richer all our days. Benjamin Franklin has said “Discontentment makes a rich man poor, but Contentment makes a poor man rich”. Above all scripture says in 1 Tim 6:6 “But Godliness with contentment is great gain”
Are you gaining your ground in Christ? All other ground is only sinking sand. Think on these lines said by Paul a great Christian who said in Phil 3:7-9
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more; I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
He will replenish what was lost in you and make you a fulfilled person even during this time of economic crisis.
TRY him not, learn to TRUST HIM!
In Christ,
Clement.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Basic instructions to a Believer
As some one said this acronym B-I-B-L-E stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. There are instructions in the Bible to be heeded before we leave this earth. Paul writing to the Colossian believers in Col 4:2-6 we can see four succinct instructions given to the believing community. Let God speak to our hearts as we ponder these verses.
PRAYER - vs. 2-4
WISDOM – vs. 5
TIME – vs. 5b
WORDS – vs.6
Firstly Paul makes emphasis on prayer for the gospel to be advanced not only among Jews but to the Gentile world. He pleads the believers to pray for him who is in chains and also to pray for his fellow co-workers (vs3) that the doors be opened for the message to spread across. He wants then mystery which is now been revealed in Christ to be spoken everywhere. Paul a missional leader gives more importance to prayer in this context. If you could observe in all of these 5 verses first 3 verses talks about only prayer. He also says in Eph 6:18 keep on praying for all the saints. Prayer a backbone for every believer should not be stopped with us. Let’s start praying for others too who are in difficult situations to spread the word. It is not the prayer that works but it is God who works when we pray. Is it not amazing?
Secondly Paul talks about Wisdom towards outsiders. “Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders.” He also says the same in Eph 5:15 “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise. Wisdom is so much required for prudent living in this century. If anyone lacks wisdom James says “let him ask of him who gives generously to all without finding fault”.
Thirdly Paul says make the most of every opportunity. He speaks in the same note in Eph 5:16.”making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Time is precious. We are called not only to be stewards of Talents and our treasures (Money) but our time too. How do we handle the God given time? Many say these days I don’t have time. A life long reader was asked by his friend how do you get time, for that he replied I don’t get time but I take time. Also let’s remember one thing that measure of life is not in its duration but in its donation.
Fourthly Paul says let our conversation be full of Grace. Let’s consider our words. Christ says in Mat 12:36 we are accountable for every careless word we speak. Does it not caution us? Paul again says in Eph 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up... Are our words constructive or destructive in nature? Does it build others or does it break relationships?
Let’s be thankful and watchful as vs2 says. Let’s devote ourselves to prayer and make prayer as a non-negotiable task in our lives.
Let Godly wisdom control all our behaviors’. As 1 Pet 3:15 says let’s be ready to give an answer for the hope we have in Christ Jesus. Let we all be available all the time for God’s ministry. Time spent for him is not a wasted time. Lastly 1 Pet 4:11 says if anyone speaks let him speak the very words of God. Let’s utter worthy words not worthless words as mentioned in Jer 15:19 so that we can be his spokesman to this generation.
PRAYER - vs. 2-4
WISDOM – vs. 5
TIME – vs. 5b
WORDS – vs.6
Firstly Paul makes emphasis on prayer for the gospel to be advanced not only among Jews but to the Gentile world. He pleads the believers to pray for him who is in chains and also to pray for his fellow co-workers (vs3) that the doors be opened for the message to spread across. He wants then mystery which is now been revealed in Christ to be spoken everywhere. Paul a missional leader gives more importance to prayer in this context. If you could observe in all of these 5 verses first 3 verses talks about only prayer. He also says in Eph 6:18 keep on praying for all the saints. Prayer a backbone for every believer should not be stopped with us. Let’s start praying for others too who are in difficult situations to spread the word. It is not the prayer that works but it is God who works when we pray. Is it not amazing?
Secondly Paul talks about Wisdom towards outsiders. “Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders.” He also says the same in Eph 5:15 “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise. Wisdom is so much required for prudent living in this century. If anyone lacks wisdom James says “let him ask of him who gives generously to all without finding fault”.
Thirdly Paul says make the most of every opportunity. He speaks in the same note in Eph 5:16.”making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Time is precious. We are called not only to be stewards of Talents and our treasures (Money) but our time too. How do we handle the God given time? Many say these days I don’t have time. A life long reader was asked by his friend how do you get time, for that he replied I don’t get time but I take time. Also let’s remember one thing that measure of life is not in its duration but in its donation.
Fourthly Paul says let our conversation be full of Grace. Let’s consider our words. Christ says in Mat 12:36 we are accountable for every careless word we speak. Does it not caution us? Paul again says in Eph 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up... Are our words constructive or destructive in nature? Does it build others or does it break relationships?
Let’s be thankful and watchful as vs2 says. Let’s devote ourselves to prayer and make prayer as a non-negotiable task in our lives.
Let Godly wisdom control all our behaviors’. As 1 Pet 3:15 says let’s be ready to give an answer for the hope we have in Christ Jesus. Let we all be available all the time for God’s ministry. Time spent for him is not a wasted time. Lastly 1 Pet 4:11 says if anyone speaks let him speak the very words of God. Let’s utter worthy words not worthless words as mentioned in Jer 15:19 so that we can be his spokesman to this generation.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
TRUE REST
In the Nazi camp Corrie ten boom said “When I look at the world iam distressed and when I look within myself im depressed. Only when I look at Christ im at rest”.
Today,
Our messages are spiritless;
Our communication become wireless;
Relationships are meaningless;
Terrorism has become ruthless;
Our generation Godless;
Altogether life seems purposeless.
Oh like fish out of water!
Christ red letter words is still alive to us in this post modern era. Christ says in Mat 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” what a real comfort for all who respond to this invitation. Those who come to him will not wander without purpose rather walk with purpose in life.
Iam truly the recipient of this promised rest.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
God bless.
Today,
Our messages are spiritless;
Our communication become wireless;
Relationships are meaningless;
Terrorism has become ruthless;
Our generation Godless;
Altogether life seems purposeless.
Oh like fish out of water!
Christ red letter words is still alive to us in this post modern era. Christ says in Mat 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” what a real comfort for all who respond to this invitation. Those who come to him will not wander without purpose rather walk with purpose in life.
Iam truly the recipient of this promised rest.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
God bless.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Why Death when there is life to live.
If God has planned out life for everyone why do we want to choose Death? Or in other words, when God has planned best for each one of us why do we want to bring it to end abruptly. Does it not disappoint the maker of our lives? Is it not just a mere escapism to end our life, and not having the courage to face the realities? Does not the potter have the rights towards his own clay? If that is true why we become so cynical towards life. The confusions and chaos around us makes us more miserable for this death to advance in our lives.
Life in this new age is getting tougher and tougher that we tend to live without any sense of purpose and meaning. The suicidal tendency increases in a faster pace in this post modern generation is all because, when we are aloof of God and his purposes. The fact about celebrities is that the only thing they can do in secret is committing suicide. This not only with the famous ones but also with the student community as a whole is facing such pathos. Very much happy and flamboyant on the outside but the inside cries out in loneliness and life seems to be very much shallow. Where did all the public show up go? Can the world or any ideology give hope at this juncture? Let’s look at a small and simple illustration that unpacks the message.
One day a man full of sorrow and with depressive mood went to a physiatrist and said all of his sorrows and depressive thoughts. So looking at the depressed man the doctor advised him that all you need is to be happy and cheerful... :) So my prescription for you will be you going to the circus that’s happening in the city, where the joker there will make you happy and glad. To the Doctor’s surprise he told I am that Joker who entertains others. Nothing is real within me. I feel like ending my life.
Is there any hope for such a person? Will God help me to live a life he intended me to live in this earth? Is there any one whom I can rely for joy, happiness and hope?
The words of Blaise Pascal are very true in this context. “There is a God-shaped vacuum in each one of our hearts”. When we try satisfying our lives with all other things not keeping God in center then our lives are shallow and nothing really grips us. Only God can fit into our vacuum hearts and give true meaning to our living. He adds the rainbow to our smile. Will you let him reign supreme and have control over your life? Christ’s red letter words in John 16:33 read like this “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Mat 11:28 says "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. Does these words not console our broken estranged spirit?
Yeah! Are we anyways thankful as a church, as an individual for this present life that God has given us to live? Let’s pause and thank him for a moment that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in his image. And remember that the quality of life is not measured in its duration but in its donation. So let’s introspect ourselves and consider what we can do with our present lives.And also try to help people around us who are very much hurt and broken.
What is G-R-O-W-T-H
The world measures Growth in different levels. If there is profit the corporate world says we are progressing. If a crawling child starts speaking, the parents believe that the child is growing. As people of God what really measures our growth? Does our spirituality very much showing a stunted growth? If then, let’s consider this acronym seriously and let God speak to our hearts.
G - Get to know God personally.
Paul says in Phil 3:10 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection...” Is that our desire in this post modern era? Do we just know the Christianity of Christ? Or do we know the Christ of Christianity? Let’s take time to know him personally in our lives.
R - Responding to God in prayer.
Prayer is the language of the soul where we can talk to God in an intimate way. Just being silent in his presence is also prayer. But let’s ask ourselves do I pray?
O - Obedience to God’s word.
1 Sam 15:22 says “Obedience is better than sacrifice”. God delights when his people obey his commands. Noah obeyed by doing what the Lord said. Abraham obeyed God’s call and was a blessing to many nations. Do I take God’s word seriously?
W - Walking with God.
Enoch was one who walked with God. Bible says that he lived for 365 years altogether. In which bible records 300 years he walked with God. How is our walk with God? Are we enjoying God daily? Micah 6:8b says what does the Lord require of you? To walk humbly with your God.
T - Telling others about God.
The Samaritan woman was the first evangelist in the bible. After her personal encounter with the Lord Jesus near the well, she was not able to be silent. She went all across and spread the word about the person whom she met, one who told all about her. Are we leading a witnessing life in the place where we live? Psalm 96:3 says “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples”.
H - Having fellowship with God’s people.
Heb 10:25 says Lets not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing. We are not living in isolated islands. We are called to live in communities and in such an environment it’s easy to share all our joys and sorrows. Let God bless richly our fellowships however small it may be, that we may grow strong and mature in him together.
Let us desire to thrive spiritually in the remaining days of our life.
G - Get to know God personally.
Paul says in Phil 3:10 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection...” Is that our desire in this post modern era? Do we just know the Christianity of Christ? Or do we know the Christ of Christianity? Let’s take time to know him personally in our lives.
R - Responding to God in prayer.
Prayer is the language of the soul where we can talk to God in an intimate way. Just being silent in his presence is also prayer. But let’s ask ourselves do I pray?
O - Obedience to God’s word.
1 Sam 15:22 says “Obedience is better than sacrifice”. God delights when his people obey his commands. Noah obeyed by doing what the Lord said. Abraham obeyed God’s call and was a blessing to many nations. Do I take God’s word seriously?
W - Walking with God.
Enoch was one who walked with God. Bible says that he lived for 365 years altogether. In which bible records 300 years he walked with God. How is our walk with God? Are we enjoying God daily? Micah 6:8b says what does the Lord require of you? To walk humbly with your God.
T - Telling others about God.
The Samaritan woman was the first evangelist in the bible. After her personal encounter with the Lord Jesus near the well, she was not able to be silent. She went all across and spread the word about the person whom she met, one who told all about her. Are we leading a witnessing life in the place where we live? Psalm 96:3 says “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples”.
H - Having fellowship with God’s people.
Heb 10:25 says Lets not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing. We are not living in isolated islands. We are called to live in communities and in such an environment it’s easy to share all our joys and sorrows. Let God bless richly our fellowships however small it may be, that we may grow strong and mature in him together.
Let us desire to thrive spiritually in the remaining days of our life.
PERSEVERANCE – A Requisite in Life.
Call to persevere:
God wants us to persevere as we live our lives in this world, so that we have the sense of purpose in our living. Perseverance develops character. And character is more important than our career in God’s economy. Scriptures from the beginning to the end tells us how people persevered both in Old as well as in the New Testament. Someone said like this from” Womb to tomb we cry”. That’s the power of suffering. Let’s rejoice in our salvation and in the blessed hope of our Lord’s coming that all our sorrows end one day. No more tears in Heaven.
What is perseverance?
Perseverance is commitment, hard work, patience, endurance.
Perseverance is being able to bear difficulties calmly and without complaint.
Perseverance is trying again and again.
You show perseverance when you...
Give up your TV time to spend hours studying
Try a new sport that is very difficult but you don't give up
Have a learning disability but keep studying even when discouraged
Come from a home where there is fighting and unhappiness but you still try your best
Have missed a week of class but you work hard to catch up
Are at the end of a difficult race but you cross the finish line
Save money and make sacrifices to buy something
Spend hours practicing on your music
Study and work hard to raise your grade
Try out for something you weren't successful at the first time
Proverbs and maxims:
Failure is the path of least persistence.
All things will come round to him who will but wait. (Longfellow)
Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly will acquire the skill to do difficult things easily.
Victory belongs to the most persevering. (Napoleon Bonaparte)
You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try. (Beverly Sills)
People who persevered despite handicaps and disabilities:
Beethoven (composer) - was deaf
Ray Charles (musician) - is blind
Thomas Edison (inventor) - had a learning problem
Albert Einstein (scientist) - had a learning disability
Terry Fox (runner) - is an amputee with cancer
Stevie Wonder (musician) - is blind
James Earl Jones (actor) - was a stutterer
Helen Keller (author) - was deaf and blind
Marlee Matlin (actress) - is deaf
Franklin D. Roosevelt (president) - was paralyzed from polio
Vincent Van Gogh (artist) - was mentally ill
Woodrow Wilson (president) - had a learning problem
Itzhak Perlman (concert violinist) - was paralyzed from the waist down
Stephen Hawking (physicist) - had Lou Gehrig's disease (of the nervous system)
Put perseverance into action:
When something doesn't work right, try again and again.
Don't lose your temper when something upsets you.
Always finish what you start.
Keep working at something that is difficult until you complete it.
Don't give up on difficult jobs or situations.
Focus on someone or something that ordinarily makes you lose your patience and try to understand it (and don't "lose it").
Work a little harder or a few minutes longer on a task that you do not like.
A bass guitarist of a band said like this:
Practice a lot. That’s what I did. 5 to 7 hours a day or at least 12 to 15 years. Then hopefully, things will fall into place. This is the spirit of a persevering person.
Let our Faith work, Love labor, and hope endure. Let us never ever give up. Let God alone help us to persevere in life.
God wants us to persevere as we live our lives in this world, so that we have the sense of purpose in our living. Perseverance develops character. And character is more important than our career in God’s economy. Scriptures from the beginning to the end tells us how people persevered both in Old as well as in the New Testament. Someone said like this from” Womb to tomb we cry”. That’s the power of suffering. Let’s rejoice in our salvation and in the blessed hope of our Lord’s coming that all our sorrows end one day. No more tears in Heaven.
What is perseverance?
Perseverance is commitment, hard work, patience, endurance.
Perseverance is being able to bear difficulties calmly and without complaint.
Perseverance is trying again and again.
You show perseverance when you...
Give up your TV time to spend hours studying
Try a new sport that is very difficult but you don't give up
Have a learning disability but keep studying even when discouraged
Come from a home where there is fighting and unhappiness but you still try your best
Have missed a week of class but you work hard to catch up
Are at the end of a difficult race but you cross the finish line
Save money and make sacrifices to buy something
Spend hours practicing on your music
Study and work hard to raise your grade
Try out for something you weren't successful at the first time
Proverbs and maxims:
Failure is the path of least persistence.
All things will come round to him who will but wait. (Longfellow)
Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly will acquire the skill to do difficult things easily.
Victory belongs to the most persevering. (Napoleon Bonaparte)
You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try. (Beverly Sills)
People who persevered despite handicaps and disabilities:
Beethoven (composer) - was deaf
Ray Charles (musician) - is blind
Thomas Edison (inventor) - had a learning problem
Albert Einstein (scientist) - had a learning disability
Terry Fox (runner) - is an amputee with cancer
Stevie Wonder (musician) - is blind
James Earl Jones (actor) - was a stutterer
Helen Keller (author) - was deaf and blind
Marlee Matlin (actress) - is deaf
Franklin D. Roosevelt (president) - was paralyzed from polio
Vincent Van Gogh (artist) - was mentally ill
Woodrow Wilson (president) - had a learning problem
Itzhak Perlman (concert violinist) - was paralyzed from the waist down
Stephen Hawking (physicist) - had Lou Gehrig's disease (of the nervous system)
Put perseverance into action:
When something doesn't work right, try again and again.
Don't lose your temper when something upsets you.
Always finish what you start.
Keep working at something that is difficult until you complete it.
Don't give up on difficult jobs or situations.
Focus on someone or something that ordinarily makes you lose your patience and try to understand it (and don't "lose it").
Work a little harder or a few minutes longer on a task that you do not like.
A bass guitarist of a band said like this:
Practice a lot. That’s what I did. 5 to 7 hours a day or at least 12 to 15 years. Then hopefully, things will fall into place. This is the spirit of a persevering person.
Let our Faith work, Love labor, and hope endure. Let us never ever give up. Let God alone help us to persevere in life.
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