🔥 Unlocking Workplace Harmony: 7 Actions Inspired by Proverbs 26:20 🔥

In the dynamic world of work, maintaining a positive and collaborative environment is paramount. Proverbs 26:20 provides a profound insight: “Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a quarrel dies down.” Here are 7 actionable steps we can take to foster a culture of unity and productivity:
1️⃣ Practice Open Communication:
Embrace transparency and encourage open dialogue. A workplace where team members feel heard and valued is less likely to give gossip a foothold.
2️⃣ Address Issues Directly:
Instead of fueling disputes with gossip, tackle problems head-on. Timely and direct communication can extinguish conflicts before they escalate.
3️⃣ Promote a Positive Atmosphere:
Cultivate a culture of encouragement and appreciation. Positivity is a powerful antidote to gossip, creating an environment where team members uplift each other.
4️⃣ Lead by Example:
As leaders, our actions set the tone for the entire team. Demonstrate integrity and model the behavior you wish to see, discouraging gossip and promoting respect.
5️⃣ Establish Clear Communication Channels:
Ensure that information flows smoothly through established channels, minimizing the chance for rumors or misinformation to spread.
6️⃣ Foster Team Bonding Activities:
Build strong connections among team members through team-building exercises. A united team is less susceptible to divisive gossip.
7️⃣ Encourage Conflict Resolution Skills:
Provide training and resources to enhance conflict resolution skills. Equip your team to navigate disagreements constructively, without resorting to gossip.

Call to Action:
Let’s commit to creating workplaces where the fire of collaboration and innovation burns brightly. Share your thoughts on fostering a gossip-free environment in the comments and tag a colleague to join the conversation. Together, let’s build a workplace culture that thrives on trust and unity! 🔗🚀 #WorkplaceHarmony #TeamUnity #Leadership

Courtesy  :  This article is written  by Anand Pillai, Chief Transformation Officer & Leadership Coach @ Leadership Matters Inc,  New Delhi, India. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7130757176599478272

🌟Embracing Wisdom at Work: 7 Actions Inspired by Proverbs 26:4 🌟

As we navigate the dynamic landscape of the professional world, let’s draw inspiration from the timeless wisdom of Proverbs. Today, let’s explore the profound truth encapsulated in Proverbs 26:4: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.”

1️⃣ Choose Your Battles Wisely: Not every disagreement warrants a response. Evaluate the situation, and opting for silence when engaging may only perpetuate unnecessary conflict.
2️⃣ Maintain Professional Demeanor: In the face of provocations, uphold your professional standards. Responding impulsively to foolishness may compromise your credibility.
3️⃣ Focus on Solutions: Instead of getting entangled in fruitless debates, channel your energy into finding solutions. Prove your worth through constructive actions rather than engaging in unproductive arguments.
4️⃣ Lead by Example: Demonstrate wisdom through your actions. Be a beacon of rationality and prudence, setting a standard that encourages a positive and productive work environment.
5️⃣ Empathy and Understanding: Seek to understand the motives behind others’ actions. Responding with empathy can defuse tension and open doors to more constructive communication.
6️⃣ Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Embrace the opportunity to learn from every situation. Instead of responding to foolishness with frustration, view it as a chance to grow and develop resilience.
7️⃣ Promote a Culture of Respect: Encourage a workplace culture that values respectful communication. Foster an environment where differing opinions can coexist without unnecessary discord.

Let’s commit to incorporating these actions into our professional lives, leveraging the wisdom of Proverbs to navigate the complexities of the workplace with grace and effectiveness. 💼✨

Courtesy  :  This article is written  by Anand Pillai, Chief Transformation Officer & Leadership Coach @ Leadership Matters Inc,  New Delhi, India. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7128965279157526528/

Seeking Wisdom in Professional Growth

Proverbs 25:2 beautifully states, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.” This timeless wisdom encourages us to embark on a journey of continuous learning and understanding, especially in the realm of our professional lives. Here are seven actions we can take to embrace the truth embedded in this verse:

1. Cultivate a Learning Mindset 📚:
Approach each day with the mindset that there is always more to discover. Whether it’s through reading, attending workshops, or engaging in discussions, commit to a constant pursuit of knowledge.

2. Encourage a Culture of Curiosity 🤔:
Foster an environment within your workplace that values curiosity. Encourage colleagues to ask questions, explore innovative solutions, and seek to understand the underlying principles of their work.

3. Invest in Professional Development 💼:
Recognize that investing in your skills and knowledge is an investment in your future. Attend conferences, enroll in courses, and stay updated on industry trends to remain at the forefront of your field.

4. Mentorship and Collaboration 🤝:
Seek out mentors who can guide you in your professional journey. Likewise, be open to collaborating with colleagues, recognizing that shared experiences and insights contribute to collective growth.

5. Embrace Challenges as Opportunities 💪:
Instead of shying away from challenges, see them as opportunities to uncover hidden insights and develop problem-solving skills. Embracing challenges with a positive attitude can lead to both personal and professional growth.

6. Practice Humility and Integrity 🙏:
Acknowledge that there is always more to learn and that your current understanding might not be complete. Approach your work with humility, and always prioritize integrity in your pursuit of knowledge.

7. Connect Faith and Work 🙌:
Proverbs 23:17-18 reminds us, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Integrate your faith into your professional life, infusing your work with purpose, ethics, and a vision for a hopeful future.

Incorporating these actions into our professional lives aligns with the wisdom found in Proverbs, positioning us as individuals who not only seek knowledge but also contribute to the collective glory of our workplace and beyond. Let’s embrace the journey of continuous discovery, for in the pursuit of understanding, we uncover the true essence of our roles as contributors to the glory of kings.

🚀 #ProfessionalGrowth #WisdomInWork #ContinuousLearning #WorkExcellence

Courtesy  :  This article is written  by Anand Pillai, Chief Transformation Officer & Leadership Coach @ Leadership Matters Inc,  New Delhi, India.

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Proverbs 24:3-4 provides timeless guidance on the foundational principles of success and prosperity. Let’s break down seven actionable steps inspired by this profound wisdom:

1. Invest in Wisdom:

“By wisdom, a house is built…” Embrace a commitment to continuous learning. Whether through formal education, mentorship, or self-directed study, invest in acquiring wisdom to lay a solid foundation for your endeavors.

2. Prioritize Understanding:

“…and through understanding, it is established.” Wisdom is the blueprint, but understanding is the builder. Strive for a deep comprehension of your industry, challenges, and opportunities. This insight will establish your efforts on a firm and informed ground.

3. Knowledge is Key:

“Through knowledge, its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Knowledge is the key that unlocks doors to innovation and success. Keep abreast of industry trends, technological advancements, and market dynamics to fill your professional “rooms” with treasures of valuable insights.

4. Strategic Planning:

Wise construction requires a plan. Develop a strategic roadmap for your personal and professional goals. Set clear objectives, milestones, and timelines, ensuring your efforts align with your long-term vision.

5. Cultivate Expertise:

“Filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Specialize and become an expert in your field. Offer unique skills and insights that set you apart. Your expertise will be the treasure that enhances the value you bring to your projects and collaborations.

6. Collaborate and Network:

Wisdom is often collective. Collaborate with diverse teams, share ideas, and tap into the wealth of collective knowledge. Networking opens doors to new perspectives, partnerships, and opportunities that can enrich your professional journey.

7. Integrity in Construction:

A house built on shaky foundations will not stand. Similarly, ensure your professional endeavors are grounded in integrity. Uphold ethical standards, honesty, and transparency in all your interactions. A reputation for integrity is a rare and invaluable treasure.

In the construction of your professional “house,” let wisdom be your architect, understanding your builder, and knowledge your decorator. The result will be a career filled with rare and beautiful.

treasures.#WisdomInAction #ProfessionalDevelopment #SuccessMindset

 Courtesy  :  This article is written  by Anand Pillai, Chief Transformation Officer & Leadership Coach @ Leadership Matters Inc,  New Delhi, India.

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Proverbs 23:26 speaks volumes in the realm of both personal and professional development: “My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways.” In the dynamic landscape of business, these words carry profound relevance.

🧠 Dedication to Wisdom:

In the pursuit of career excellence, dedicating our hearts to wisdom becomes a guiding principle. It’s more than just a commitment to knowledge; it’s a pledge to continuous learning, growth, and the application of discernment in every decision we make.

💼 Professional Ethos:

Imagine a workplace where hearts are aligned with wisdom, where decisions are infused with insight, and where the pursuit of excellence is grounded in a commitment to righteous ways. This proverb challenges us to foster an environment where ethical considerations and wisdom shape our professional ethos.

🌐 Global Impact:

In the interconnected world of business, the impact of our decisions extends far beyond our immediate sphere. Delighting in righteous ways translates to a positive ripple effect – influencing not only our careers but also contributing to a culture of integrity that resonates globally.

🚀 Elevating Leadership:

For leaders, this verse underscores the responsibility to foster a culture that values wisdom and righteousness. By embodying these principles, leaders can inspire their teams to reach new heights, fostering an environment where everyone’s eyes delight in the ways of ethical and thoughtful leadership.

👥 Community Building:

As professionals, we’re part of a broader community. Giving our hearts to wisdom enables us to contribute positively to collective growth. It’s an invitation to build networks based on trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to principles that stand the test of time.

In a world that often emphasizes quick gains and shortcuts, Proverbs 23:26 invites us to take a different path. Let’s give our hearts to wisdom, finding joy in the pursuit of righteous ways. Together, we can create workplaces and professional relationships that leave a lasting legacy.

#WisdomInAction #ProfessionalDevelopment #LeadershipJourney

Courtesy  :  This article is written  by Anand Pillai, Chief Transformation Officer & Leadership Coach @ Leadership Matters Inc,  New Delhi, India. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7124239938287509504/

How can you then understand his own way?

“In our journey through life, Proverbs 20:24 serves as a profound reminder: ‘Man’s goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?’ This verse encapsulates the essence of divine sovereignty in shaping our paths.

In a world that often demands clear-cut plans and self-assured strategies, this biblical wisdom challenges us to embrace humility. It beckons us to acknowledge the limits of our understanding and the boundless wisdom of the Almighty. As we navigate the complexities of our personal and professional landscapes, it is a call to surrender the illusion of complete control.

Why is this wisdom relevant in our daily lives?

1. Humility in Leadership: As leaders, recognizing the ultimate guidance of a higher power fosters humility. It prompts us to lead with a spirit of service and an openness to learning from unexpected turns.
2. Navigating Uncertainty: Life is inherently uncertain. This verse encourages us to find solace in trusting God’s plan even when our own paths seem unclear. It’s a source of strength during moments of doubt and ambiguity.
3. Building Resilience: Understanding that our journeys are guided by a divine hand instills resilience. It empowers us to face challenges with a steadfast spirit, knowing that every step is part of a grander design.

How can we apply this wisdom in the professional arena?

1. Decision-Making: In business and career choices, acknowledge that not every outcome is within our comprehension. This recognition allows for a more open-minded approach to decision-making, one that considers divine guidance.
2. Team Collaboration: Encourage a culture of humility within teams. Recognize that diverse perspectives and unexpected detours may be part of a larger plan. This fosters an environment of mutual respect and understanding.
3. Work-Life Integration: Beyond the boardroom, understanding Proverbs 20:24 encourages a holistic approach to life. It invites us to integrate our professional and personal journeys, finding purpose and meaning in both.

As we embark on each day, let’s carry the profound wisdom of Proverbs 20:24 in our hearts. Embrace the mystery, cultivate humility, and trust in the divine orchestration of our paths. In doing so, we not only navigate the complexities of today but pave the way for a purposeful and impactful tomorrow.

#DivineGuidance #Wisdom #Humility #Proverbs20:24″

Courtesy  :  This article is written  by Anand Pillai, Chief Transformation Officer & Leadership Coach @ Leadership Matters Inc,  New Delhi, India.

Irrespective of your prevailing situations today, express and feel the Joy of the Lord over every contrary situation, be it your work-place or family, church, social etc.

The Father says today, receive of My happy heart. Let joy be your portion. Let the celebration ring in your rafters. Joy is a weapon of warfare that cannot be overthrown, says the Father. Joy is the only container you can offer up that is capable of holding the fullness of My glory. Open your eyes and receive of My fullness. Know that in a moment of time I will turn the tide of circumstances that are ranged against you and cause you to be the last one standing when all the forces of the enemy are in retreat.

There are more with you than those that are against you. Say to your eyes be opened and to your ears “hear the marching of angels in the Mulberries…” This is going forth unto victory time. This is that season when walls of opposition are pulled down, and the spoil of the earth comes into your hands as a recompense to My glory. Feel My strength coursing in you this day. Receive of My vitality and My dunamis* power to manifest the miracle and receive of the full measure of all that I have promised you even this day, says the Father.

Courtesy: Father’s Heart

Footnote*

*Dunamis (Ancient Greek: δύναμις) is the philosophical concept of potentiality and actuality. The Greek dunamis is used 120 times in the New Testament. Loosely, the word refers to “strength, power, or ability.” It is the root word of our English words dynamite, dynamo and dynamic.

The Greek dunamis is used 120 times in the New Testament. Loosely, the word refers to “strength, power, or ability.” It is the root word of our English words dynamite, dynamo and dynamic.

In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30), the servants are given wealth based on their dunamis, or their “ability” to handle money. In Mark 9:1 Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” “Power” here is dunamis.

However, dunamis is not just any power; the word often refers to miraculous power or marvelous works (such as in Matthew 7:22; 11:21, 23; Mark 5:30; Luke 5:17; 9:1; 10:13; and Acts 8:13). Dunamis can also refer to “moral power and excellence of soul,” according to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon. 

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

I was thinking, If Christ would be asking the same question to me today, what would I answer? The answer to this question reveals our spiritual condition and eternal destiny. Christ didn’t ask this question to raise identity crisis or curiosity as to what would other people think about Him. Instead, His question forced the disciples to have to grapple with their own beliefs concerning Him.

“Faith that is untested is no faith at all.” Some would have head knowledge but that is not going to help them spiritually. When it comes to responding such a question as Peter did in verse 16,

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

We will come to know that our faith is well-founded in Christ.  Jesus’ affirmation to his response was favorable for Peter which we can see in the verse 17,

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

But, did Peter really understand who Jesus was? This salty-tongued, former sailor, after the interaction was reproved by Christ that Peter was thinking, talking and acting like devil himself from verses 21-23,

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Even Peter forsook Jesus three times as predicted by Jesus. I am not sure what would I have done if I was in Peter’s shoes. Sometimes, our faith is bi-polar.

We also can see Elijah, who called down fire from heaven and disposed 850 false prophets and praying for rain, was running from a wicked woman.  Like Elijah, one minute we’re calling down fire from Heaven and the next minute sitting down under a juniper tree, feeling all alone and wishing we were dead (I Kings 18:1-19:4). He was sitting under the Juniper tree wishing he were dead.  Unbelievable right! When I was reading about Elijah in the Bible, I was so hard on him – how can he behave like this? Where did his faith go? But, don’t be so hard on him – we often are just like him.

One minute we’re so close to Heaven that we could almost reach out and touch God; the next minute we’re down-in-the-dumps, mournfully singing “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen.” And remember, if we are not careful, we will act the same way. This is how our faith remains sometimes – bi-polar. We often live by sight and not faith –we try to attempt things which can be done only from our strength and forget that in our weakness He is our strength. Hence, we are afraid to sign on the dotted line of a blank sheet of paper and leave the blanks up to God to fill in. We are afraid what He might put there.

Sometimes, we like Peter and Elijah, might be on the top of spirituality and fall the next second when we are asked to follow Him, without knowing where we need to go.

But, it need not be that way, IF we’ll remember to “cast down our imaginations and anything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God by bringing every thought into obedience of Christ” (II Cor. 10:5).  Or, another way to say it is “Refusing to dwell on suspicions and speculations by making sure nothing blots out God’s Face from view as I lasso every wayward thought and bring it under Jesus’ Lordship.”

Ups-and-downs.  Highs and lows.  Delights and despair – Such is so often our rollercoaster ride of faith.  That’s why we must daily spend time alone with the Savior, “renewing our minds” (Rom. 12:2) by “studying to show ourselves approved unto God” (II Tim. 2:15) as we “hide His Word in our hearts” (Ps. 119:11).  Help us, O Lord.

Can you say ‘God is good’ as Asaph did in Psalm 73:1, even though you’re about ready to cave into the pressure?  Never forget the three most important words in the Bible are “God loves you” (John 3:16), “God is faithful” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Always rest in His sufficient grace and unchanging nature. Then, even in the midst of tears (and fears), we can say as Job said in Job13:15,

“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;
    I will surely defend my ways to his face.”

God bless you. Continue to trust and sustain on Him!!

This message is published by an IT professional who works for an MNC in Madurai, India.

One of the great challenges in our life is to see things in God’s perspective and stop seeing it from our view. Each one of us has that challenge to visualize our life in line with God. And our decisions depends on how we focus on it and many times the decisions are crossroads. We need to get hold of our decisions seriously as we cannot reverse what we have taken.

Let us look into the story of Israelites. They were brought out of the land of Egypt by God and they witnessed how God has been miraculously leading them to the Promise Land. And when they finally arrived at the border of the land, they faced a big challenge blocking their way into the Promised Land. What was that? We will learn from the story of the Israelites and how are we facing the same today!

Shammua, Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Geul, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Suthur, Nahbi….. Have you ever heard these names before? Does it sound familiar to you? No! Have you heard of Joshua and Caleb? Now you might relate to the people I am referring to. Those were the names of the ten spies who got into the Canaan to spy the land. They came back with the negative report scaring the Children of Israel and influencing them to disobey God’s instruction to enter into Canaan and possess the land. Only Joshua and Caleb came up with the positive report. God has already given the land of Canaan to the children of Israel. God has promised them and the only thing the people of Israel has to do is, go into the land and possess it. They have to just claim the land which was already provided by the Lord.

Read Numbers 13:27 – 28:

Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified andvery large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.

The ten spies first acknowledged that what God was about to give us is indeed a land of milk and honey. And their report followed a ‘but’ clause. But we cannot claim it as the people living in it were giants…

In verse 33, the spies say, “we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight” God knows already that these people living in Canaan were giants. He didn’t ask for the report. The problem is, they focussed on themselves instead of focussing on the promises of God. They have seen the plagues in Egypt. They have seen the Lord bringing them out of Egypt. They have seen the Lord parting the red sea for them. They have seen God providing them food in the desert. But still…

And we too sometimes, fall into the same category. We have seen God leading us miraculously in our life. But nevertheless, when we face a problem we get discouraged seeing the giants before us and forgetting the God who is greater than others.  We sometimes get the ‘Grasshopper syndrome’ and we stop from proceeding further. Have you ever been felt this way? Are there areas of your life where you have not yet lived by faith because you fear what seems difficult or impossible by your own abilities or resources?

In this incident, there were two persons who gave a positive report as they had faith in God.

Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30)

Caleb and Joshua focussed on the words of God and had a desire to obey it and their confidence was in doing the God’s will. (Numbers 14:8-9)

There were two reports from the 12 spies and sadly, the Israelites murmured against God heeding their ear to the 10 spies who gave a pessimistic report.

This is what the grasshopper syndrome does. Many times, I have failed to carry out the task given by the God only because of the fear to face the challenge. When God gives us a task to do, He has already prepared us for that task. But, unfortunately, we behave like the Israelites seeing the giants before us.

Now, these are the symptoms of the ‘Grasshopper Syndrome’:

1. Doubted heart:

In spite of the God’s promised words to the Israelites, they always had a doubt in their heart always looking the positive as negative. They had witnessed God’s doing in their physical eyes. They have been overshadowed by the cloud by day and warmed by the pillar of fire at night. Besides seeing these things, they have a doubted heart. When things do not come out the way we hoped for, we start doubting and we lose our trust in God.

Hebrews 3:12(NIV)

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

2. Double minded:

If you have noticed the Grasshoppers, they keep on hopping from one place to place rather than sitting in one place. And the same does our mind. It keeps wandering from place to place without being steady. Hence, it is easier for the devil to attack our mind if it is not kept steady. When this syndrome affects us, we just can’t focus on the promises of God. Though we see the things that God has done in our life, the next minute, fear fills our mind thinking about our future and the failures in the past. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I was filled with happiness as God has promised us with so many things about her. At times, I would be happy and suddenly, a fear would fill my mind thinking about the stillborn child in the previous pregnancy. That’s how the devil plays with our mind trying to make us believe that, God’s promised would fail which is a total lie. The Grasshopper syndrome causes us to doubt God’s word and His faithfulness. Instead of acting like children of the king, we live as if we were paupers unable to fulfill God’s will. We lack faith, are double minded and unaware of who we really are in Christ.

James 1:6-8

but let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let, not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

3. Inferiority Complex:

See what the ten spies said. They reported that “we look like grasshoppers”. And that’s what the Satan does. He tries to convince us that we are unworthy and make us believe that he is stronger than us. I remember the day when I started writing for God. The first thing that Satan tried to implant in my mind was, “my writings are not good and I am unfit to write”. If I have heard those voices in my mind, I would have stopped writing and penning it down what God wants me to. This syndrome will always make us feel inferior to others and try to destroy our self-image in God.

So, what should we do if we are affected by this syndrome?

First thing is we need to heed our ears to the positive reports from God as Joshua and Caleb did. Remember that they are the only two people from their generation to enter into the promise land.

The second thing is we need to remember that the battle starts from our mind. The areas of our thoughts are the main battleground. That’s why Paul asks us to renew our mind in God (Romans 12:2)

Thirdly, remember that God has already provided us the weapons to win on the battlefield. We need to just use our weapons to fight against the enemy instead of looking them as giants and staying out of the Promised Land. So, what are these weapons? It is none other than the Word of God. Paul says about the armor of God in Ephesians. We are instructed to ‘Take the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God.’ (Ephesians 6:17)

We know the outcome of the disobedience of Israel. Instead of entering into the Promised Land, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. In our life as well, when we are reluctant and fail to battle the giants we face, we end up in wandering in the spiritual wilderness. The Israelites, by running away from the giants, didn’t escape from them. Once the generation of disobedience died, they came and stood at the same point to face the same giants to enter into the Promised Land. So friends, instead of running away from the giants we are facing, stay strong and face them and they are not greater than the One who is living in us. Yes, we cannot win the battle alone. But when the Captain of our ship is our God, we are on the victory side.

Friends, I don’t know what giants you are facing in your life today. It might be fear, depression, discouragement, loneliness, bitterness, weakness, health issues, and financial problems. Whatever it is, remember, it is not bigger than our God. He is Greater than everything. When you are on God’s side, you can determine who the grasshopper is!  Only thing is “The CHOICE is YOURS”. It is time for us to stand up and confront the giants and win the battle. God bless!

(This article was written by Carol Yasin and is reposted here with permission)

Discouragement is the biggest tool that our enemy uses to defeat us. That makes us feel that we are unworthy, hopeless and it steals the joy of our heart. If it is not knocked down, it will unfold and it will bring all it’s other friends doubt, depression, loneliness, anger…. In the Bible, even the strong men had faced discouragement from time to time. Elijah was discouraged when Jezebel sent him a death warning. Though he was strong enough to face the Baal prophets, a fear in his heart discouraged him and he started complaining to God. The consequence of discouragement might be sometimes bigger. The discouragement of 10 among the 12 spies, when spying Canaan, resulted in God forbidding them to enter Cannan except Joshua and Caleb.

I have been in various places and groups, where I have been criticized and was discouraged even by my loved ones. When I feel like giving up, somehow, God reminds me, “Are you working for them or for ME?”. God has given me courage to overcome this discouragement and I wanted to share the message in today’s reading the reasons for discouragement and how can we overcome it?

In today’s reading we will read from Nehemiah, how the people of Judah were discouraged while building the wall (God’s work) and how Nehemiah, as a leader helped them to take down this discouragement.

After the exile, the Jews were permitted to return to their city during the period of King Cyrus and they were allowed to rebuild the wall. God set up leaders like Nehemiah to lead them. But, at times, these people were often discouraged while doing the work of God!

Let us discuss about some of the factors that cause discouragement from Chapter 4.

1. Disappointment from people

Nehemiah 4: 1 – 3

“But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—stones that are burned?” Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.”

Critique from other people, is the first that comes in.  Sometimes, there will be a group of people, only to mock us when we do our job. Here, in the above verse, we see Sanballat and Tobiah, mocking the Jews and criticizing them with their speech.

Dear friends, have you been mocked by someone? Do not hear their words. Remember, not all the advices are from God and not all the criticism are equal. There are people who tell us our mistake to correct us, but there are people who just wanted to mock us for what we are doing. We are the sons and daughters of the King of kings and satan just brings these kind of words precisely to make us feel that we are unworthy. When people criticize about what we are doing, we might feel like giving up and hide ourselves from them. When I started writing for God, there were many who criticized me about my writings.  When I wrote my first poem, some of my friends in my closed circle teased me saying, “Even a person who doesn’t know to write will write better than you”. Some commented, “Even the dog’s bark conveys a better rhyming than your language”. Tears rolled by when I heard such comments, and even I felt like I shouldn’t write any longer. But, God sent me a friend to boost me. If it is God, who has called you for that purpose, and when you hear people mocking you, remember that, satan is getting afraid of your entry and he doesn’t want you to go on with your work and that is the reason.

Criticism is a tool of discouragement that sometimes penetrates deep into your soul. Forget it and forgive.

2. Tired and Worn out:

Nehemiah 4: 10

Then Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.”

The people of Judah were in a half way in construction (Nehemiah 4:6). It occurs always that in our halfway point discouragement sets in. When we progress to the midway, negative thoughts begin in our mind and the things which seemed to be possible for us will be impossible. Discouragement comes at the point of no return, where we cannot start over or we cannot relinquish. Tiredness also comes in half way.

When I was into my first project, I was over excited, that I started overworking for hours. But when time went by, I felt a sudden fatigue in my soul and I started feeling like I lost my energy and I couldn’t proceed further.  Sometimes, when we are at the commencement of the work, we give our 100% and when time runs by, it gets decreased proportional to our tiredness.

Weariness is the next tool of discouragement which our enemy uses against us. The people of Judah also, started complaining to Nehemiah when they began losing their strength.

3. Trash/Rubble:

Nehemiah 4:10

……. there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.” (NLT)

People started complaining to Nehemiah that, there were rubble(waste or rough fragments of stone, brick, concrete, etc., especially as the debris from the demolition of buildings) all around. Hence, we are not able to build the wall.

We all have rubble in our life. We have family rubble, financial rubble, work rubble.  These all factors discourage us. We start thinking self-centered than being God-centered such that, we focus on those rubbles the most than God who can work out with our rubbles. Yes, when we set about working something new, we can see that the thrash getting stacked up in a row. When it is not handled properly and periodically, it blocks up our ongoing process. Do you have rubble in your life? What is that unwanted thing in the trash, which you haven’t cleared? It will forbid you from accomplishing what God has called you to do by wasting your time.

4. Fear of people/Focus on people:

Nehemiah 4: 10-11

Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.”  The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!”

The next thing, which brings discouragement to us is when we focus more on people than  on God.  Here, the people started concentrating on their adversaries than on God.

We start taking heed to our adversaries than talking to God. It says that, the jews warned them again and again. In the NKJV, it says “Then the Jews who LIVED NEAR THEM came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”  The one who was afraid are the people surrounded by the negative voice. When we are surrounded by negative people, then whatever step we take will result in discouragement and that makes our things look larger when compared to God. They were more afraid of the people than doing the work of God. They began counting their trouble more, than casting their burdens upon God.

Besides, sometimes, we may expect praise from people, which, when doesn’t happen, that leaves us discouraged. At the beginning of my writing process, I was sharing with my friends, whatever I wrote and when I didn’t get the praises from them, I felt so discouraged. But one day, I received this question in my mind, “Am I writing for the praises of these people or for God to say at the end, “Well done, good and faithful servant”

5. Loss of confidence:

When all the factors, which we got a line above takes its place, the final one is losing our confidence level and quitting. In Nehemiah 4:10, they said they won’t be able to do for what they are called. When we lose our confidence, we start saying, “Lord, I cannot move further”, “It is enough”, “I will fail if I continue”, I will not succeed”, “I cannot finish it”…. These words will start haunting your mind, and it will cause us to discontinue from our work.

Do you start complaining that it’s impossible? Or, do you start focusing on God and start travelling again?

Now we’ve examined some of the factors that cause discouragement in us through the life of people in Nehemiah. Nehemiah, being their leader, made them to come out of discouragement and rebuild their wall.  Now, let us focus on the lessons from Nehemiah, how he handled the situation.

Steps to Overcome discouragement:

1. Call on God

When discouraged, we need to focus on God and pray to Him.

Nehemiah 4:9

Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.

Throughout Nehemiah, we can realize that, Nehemiah cried out to God whenever trouble came than sitting and being discouraged. Prayers has the power of breaking everything and make us renewed. Prayer brings victory. Prayer is the best antidote for discouragement.

2. Take a rest and reorganize:

Nehemiah 4:13

Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.

The next step to come out of discouragement is to have a break. Rest for some time. Step out from where you are and make yourself free from everything in your mind.

The first step Nehemiah did was, he reorganized the people. We can see the people being discouraged by negative thoughts and negative talking by the people around. So, Nehemiah placed them guard by their households.  When you are discouraged, run to the fellowship or family. Draw nearer to them. Get yourself plugged with the family of God.

3. Think about God than our problems:

Nehemiah 4:14

And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome,…..”

Remember that God is with you always, when you are in trouble.  We need to focus on God who is bigger than our problems. The Jews were concerned about their problems around. They didn’t have time to think about God. And, that is the way we think. When we are discouraged, we examine it as big mountain and hid ourselves from seeing God.

Get your eyes off your fears, and with all your strength, with all your mind and with all your soul, remember God and trust in Him. He is powerful, majestic and awesome. Read the Word of God every day. Spending time in reflections and meditations of the word of God will facilitate us so the God can illuminate our hearts and minds about his purposes and plans for our lives.

Corrie Ten Boom, who suffered in a Nazi camp, explained how to overcome discouragement:

 “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest!”

4. Be strong and Fight

In verse 14, Nehemiah says the next step to overcome discouragement.

“Fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

We cannot let the discouragement take over without fighting it. We cannot choose what we are undergoing but we can choose how we can respond to that. Satan will do whatever that stops us from doing the task. Simply remember, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”. Don’t allow the giant take you off the purpose of God. Be an overcomer and fight against it. You are a child of God, you are an heir of the kingdom, you have been made complete in Christ – Reject discouragement for what it is, a desperate attempt from a false messenger to steal from you the joy in Christ.

5. Return to work

The final step to overcome discouragement is to return back to work.

Nehemiah 4:15

 And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work

I have a list of tasks undone because of discouragement. That is not how it should be, though. After we take a rest, reorganize, fight and start concentrating on God, we should return back to our work. That will be the defeat of our adversary.

Discouragement is the greatest weapon of our enemy to lose our track from our purpose. Everyone in this world, at some period, faces discouragement. But, what counts most is how are we, the children of God are handling it. Are we suppressed by depression or are we overcoming it? When discouragement knocks you down, remember how David faced Goliath, the giant who laughed at him. When discouragement drags you down, when it makes you unproductive, remember God. Remember His promises. God promises to renew our strength and even take away our discouragements if we will just wait and reflect on God.⁠⁠⁠⁠

God Bless!

This article is written by Carol Yasin and was first published in RootedInHisWord.com

Prosperity, Wealth, Riches, Money…

The most contemplative question among Christian believers is: Prosperity or Wealth or riches, is it a blessing or a curse?

The answer should be obvious, it’s not a curse. Wealth can be a blessing or curse based on our attitude towards in accumulating it. Making money as security is not the right motive. There are plenty of wrong motive in saving money. If you are accumulating wealth, out of fear of the future, it shows you are not really trusting God to provide (Prov 3:5-6; Luke 12:24; Psalm 34:10; John 14:1, 27; II Tim 1:7).

Prosperity and abundance are the divine natures of God (Deu 28:1-14). God created Adam and placed him in the garden of Eden (Gen 2:16-17). God had provided every blessing for his life. However, God reserved the tree of knowledge for Himself. It was a free will for the man to either respect His command or to violate it. Man disobeyed God’s command and brought curse upon the earth. Poverty or lack is the result of curse (Deu 28:15-17). A born again child of God, should no longer live under the curse of poverty. Over and over, through the scriptures, God has revealed to His people that it is His will to prosper His children and His blessings makes his children rich (Gen 39:3,23; Deu 8:6-18; Deu 29:9; Deu 30:8-10; Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 35:27; Psalm 84:11; Prov 10:22; Ecc 5:19; 3John 2;).

God sent His beloved son Jesus Christ to redeem us from the curse of the Law so that the blessings of Abraham might come upon us (Gal 3:13-14). Jesus Christ preached good news to the poor and delivered those who were in captive and oppressed (Luke 4:18-19). It is very true that Jesus Christ spoke against covetousness and the desire for wealth for the purpose of hoarding it, but He never said that the believers should avoid material possessions and seek poverty. He taught to seek the Kingdom of God first and God will meet the needs in abundance in due time (Matt 6:31-34). Always remember, Jesus Christ became poor, so that through His poverty, you might become rich (II Corin 8:9) and the Lord your God has given you the power to make wealth and He delights in your prosperity.

Believers in Christ should keep themselves from being polluted by the world, share their resources and be a blessing to others (James 1:27). A poverty stricken believer cannot meet his own needs and extends his hand to support the preaching of gospel, needs of spiritual leaders and the church. God doesn’t take pleasure on seeing His children grovelling and worried about how to pay the bills, barely managing to get by, and feeding from hand to mouth or just to manage living their whole life. God is willing to give you good things and meet all of your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Matt 7:11; Phil 4:19). Remember, you are not serving a God of poverty but a God of abundance. The abundant life promised by God isn’t for just a few; it is for every believer in Christ. Prosperity, riches, abundance, and money are blessings, but come with responsibility of giving and the purpose of expanding the Kingdom of God. You should develop heart of gratitude. You are stewards in the kingdom of God to manage the resources given by God and be a blessing to others.

There are financial principles found in the Bible that educate you in conducting financial affairs. If you are obedient to God’s Word, practice those principles and honour His word, you will live in a land of abundance, lend to many nations, and no longer be under debts.

1. God is my source and He Owns it all

Always remember that God is your source of everything you need. He owns it all. You are just a steward! Everything you have owned, represent His gifts entrusted to you. So, you don’t need to worry about the future. God has plans for you and they are for good and not for disaster (Jere 29:11). He has prepared good things for those who love him (I Corin 2:9).

(Deu 10:14; I Sam 2:8; I Chron 29:11-12; Psalm 24:1; Psalm 33: 18-19; Psalm 50:10,12; Prov 8:20,21; Haggai 2:8; I Corin 10:26; II Corin 9:8; Heb 2:10-18)

2. Tithing

“Tithe” means a tenth or 10 percent. Tithing was first recorded in the book of Genesis. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of God Most High and the King of Salem (Gen 14: 18-20). Jacob promised to give a tenth of his possessions to God (Gen 28:22). The law of tithing was explained in details in Mosaic covenant. It was a reminder to Israel that God provided the harvest and this first part was returned to him to show their thankfulness to God for His provision. God declares that the tithe is holy unto the Lord. The ultimate purpose of tithing was to teach God’s children to put God first in their life, acknowledge His blessings in their land and to learn to fear the Lord (Lev 27:30-33; Num 18:21-24; Deut 14: 22-29).

The New Testament is a fulfillment of the covenant made to Abraham. We are called the children of Abraham and have received the blessings of Abraham (Gal 3:7,13,14). It is very true that you are no longer under the old law, but under grace (Rom 6:41). Jesus said the greatest commandment in the law is “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the first and great commandment and the second is: You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Matt 22:37-40; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10:27-28). You are not called to nullify the law on the contrary, you establish the law by the love of Christ (Rom 3: 21-31). Love is the fulfilment of the law and doesn’t demand its own way (Rom 13:10; I Corin 13:4-8).

Jesus acknowledged that the Pharisees were very careful about tithing and neglected the more important aspects of the law: justice, mercy. He then said that they should in fact tithe, but shouldn’t neglect the more important things (Matt 23:23; Luke 11:42). Jesus also emphasized to give back to God the things that are God’s (Mark 12:17). What you do with your money shows where your heart is (Matt 6:21). Paying tithe is giving a portion of blessings that belonged to God almighty, who owns everything, out of your love towards Him. It shows that your heart isn’t tied to money and you love God more than your money. Holding back or not paying tithe of all sources of blessings signify robbing God. It is foolishness to meddle around with tithe (Mal 3:8). Honour the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce (Prov 3:9-10). Personally I do believe, by giving to God out of love and thanksgiving, will help you to escape the curse that is already in the world.

(Deu 26:12-13;Matt 23:23; Luke 11:42; Heb 7:1-2 & 5-9)

3. Offering/Giving

The principle of offering differs from tithing. Offerings are given out of your free will apart from tithing. Offering determines the measure by which you receive God’s blessing as you are giving out of faith that belongs to you (Luke 6:38). When you remember and give generously to the poor, you are lending to God. By giving freely, you grow riches as God will repay for your deeds and remembers you when Jesus comes back in His glory (Prov 11:24; Prov 19:17; Prov 28:27; Matt 25: 34-40). Every believer should be generous and willing to share according to their ability. God loves a cheerful giver so give expectantly and cheerfully (I Tim 6:18; II Corin 9:6-13). The motive of giving and doing charitable deed is very important. Lord Jesus warned not to do charitable deeds for the sake of being admired by men (Matt 6:1-4). Develop right attitude and motive in giving offerings and gifts so that you receive reward from your Father in heaven. (Deu 16:16-17; Acts 20:35; I Corin 16:1-2; II Corin 8:12-15)

4. Seek Godly counsel and trust God

Seeking God’s counsel in handling financial affairs is the most important aspect in financial management. God is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance (Isa 9:6, Isa 28:29). Treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ Jesus (Colo 2:3; Psalm 139: 1-2). So, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Go boldly to the throne of grace in time of need, ask God to give you wisdom to know the right course of action (Pro 3:5-6; Heb 4:15-16; James 1:5). God knows the way that you should take as He is watching all your paths (Job 23:10; Psalm 142:3; Prov 5:21)

Believers who figure out things on their own and violate the principles of God, often get into financial difficulty. A child of God should be prudent who heeds counsel and considers his way (Prov 12:15; Prov 13:6; Prov 14:8,12). God may speak to you in one way or in another: in a dream, in a vision of the night, through His word, in still voice, or through His children (Gen 8:15; I kings 19:11-13; Isa 38:4; John 10:27; II Tim 3:16-17; I Thess 2:13; Heb 1:1-2). Learn to be sensitive to recognise God’s voice. If you fear the Lord, meditate on Scriptures, make yourself available to God by spending quality time through prayer and learn to be still in His presence, you will be able to access His wisdom and hear His voice. If you have not developed the habit of hearing God’s voice, take help from two or three godly financial advisors who apply biblical principles in their financial affairs and have good testimonies (Prov 11:14; Prov 15:22; Prov 24:6; Psalm 119:24). After obtaining the counsel, it is your responsibility to pray to God to give you His wisdom to move forward. Always remember, God’s plans are for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope (Jer 29:11). (Psalm 32:8; Psalm 119:105; Prov 8:17-21; Prov 16:3; Prov 19:20; Jer 32:19; Jer 33:3)

5. Keep Records, Budget and plan

Budget helps you to plan, organise and control your financial resources. It helps you to decide the amount of money that can be spent and how it will be spent apart from tithe and offering. Keep an eye on your values and priorities. Plan your expenditure based on your net income after deductions.

Needs are the basic necessities of your life; wants are the choices about the quality of goods and desires are the goods we dream about having but they are not essential to your survival and well-being. Identify your needs, wants and desire before every purchase. Be aware of your financial conditions before stepping into any financial transaction for riches are not forever (Prov 27:23, 24). Good planning leads to prosperity (Prov 21:5). Pray and seek God’s wisdom in managing your finances without wasting your possessions (Luke 16:1). Build your house through the wisdom and understanding of God (Prov 24:3). Submit your spending decisions to the Lord through prayer as only the counsel of Lord will stand (Prov 19:21).

6. Saving and investment plan

God owns everything and he provides the needs of His children. Saving money exhibits good stewardship of the resources given by God. It helps us to keep something aside for a rainy day (Prov 6:6-11; Prov 30:24,25). Every believer must prayerfully find the right way of saving the resources given by God. Squandering your money doesn’t honour God. God expects you to be faithful with the small things given to you (Matt 25:23). A wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets (Prov 21:20). Spend less than you earn (Eccl 5:11). Develop a right attitude in saving money and don’t make money as your security (Eccl 5:10). Discipline of saving avoids debts. Save atleast 5% of your income (Gen 41:34, 36). Gather little by little and make it grow by trusting God as your provider (Prov 13:11).

Saving and investment plans should be based on God’s priorities. A prudent man foresees the evil and takes precautions (Prov 22:3; Prov 27:12). Divide your wealth into several portions and don’t risk it all in one place (Prov 31:16; Eccl 11:2). As your savings grow, make sure that your diversification grows in proportion to it. Diversification reduces the risk involved in investment. Consider your grandchildren and leaves an inheritance to them also (Prov 13:22).

God is your provider and don’t be anxious of saving or boast about tomorrow but do the right thing, you ought to do (James 4:13-17). Always seek guidance from God and implement a biblically based saving or investment strategy that reflects God’s specific will for your life. Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice (Prov 16:8)

7. Keep out of Debts

Bible offers many warnings of getting into debts. Debts impose both financial and physical costs. It increases stress and brings negative impact on relationships. God wants you to be obedient to His commandments and also to make wise choices in your life. The minute you go into debts; you lose a portion of your freedom and become servant to the lender (Prov 22:7). This includes money owed to bank loans, credit card companies, relatives, friends or due bills. Seek guidance from God to keep out of debts and owe nothing to anyone (Rom 13:8). It is a sin to borrow and not repay (Psalm 37:21). God’s desire is that all His children are free of debts and they should lend to nations and give generously. Ungodly attitude such as envy, greed or selfishness or lack of contentment drives people to spend more than the income that God has entrusted them. Keep yourself free from the love of money and be content with what you have.

If you are already under the bondage of debts, get out of it by following these steps: pray and seek God’s counsel; establish a budget; list everything you owe; make a debt repayment plan; control the use of credit cards; be content with what you have; have commitment and work hard; don’t give up your faith in God. Remember, God has promised to meet your needs, but not necessarily your wants and desires.

8. Contentment

Contentment is an approach to live under God’s will, regardless of the circumstances. God wants you to be free from the bondage to debts and greed. So, learn to be content with your financial conditions. Keep your life free from the love of money. Let your needs be made known to God through prayer and do not be anxious about your needs. God will never leave you, nor forsake you (Heb 13:5, 6; Phil 4:6-7). Love of money is the root cause of all evil and causes you to be unsatisfied with your income (Eccl 5:10; I Tim 6:10).

A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked (Psalm 37:16). A believer should live a life of godliness with contentment and it brings great gain in their life (I Tim 6:6; Titus 2:12). Ask God for His grace and wisdom to live a life with what you have.

9. Honesty, Integrity and paying taxes

God is pleased with hard work and integrity. He expects you to do the best using the gifts, skills and talents given to you. Bible doesn’t encourage wealth from ‘Get-rich-quick-schemes’. Wealth gained dishonestly quickly disappears and brings grief to the whole family. Hence, you should gather wealth from hard work and surely it grows over time (Prov 15:27; Prov 13:11). Don’t try to attain wealth by evil means. God despises lying lips and delights in those who act truly (Prov 12:22). Your efforts in getting of treasures or wealth by lying tongue are wasting time and even unto destruction (Prov 21:6).

Bible also encourages every believer to pay taxes. You are expected to be submissive to the authorities and government. Pay all the taxes imposed by the government. Jesus and His disciples paid tax to Roman government. Authorities are ordained by God and whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has ordained and incurs judgement (Roman 13:1-7; Matt 17:24-27; Matt 22:21).

Hence, the mandate of every believer in Christ is to reflect Christlikeness to the world. As a child of God, you should pay taxes, hate dishonest gain, not to show partiality and accept bribe (Deu 10:17; Exo 18:21; Exo 23:8; Prov 10:2; Prov 11:1; Pro 15:27; Prov 17:23; Prov 21:14; Ezek 13:19; Ezek 22:12,13). If you want to have a breakthrough in your finances, get the counsel from God and be willing to put in some hard work. Diligent work helps you to earn more money.

10. Never Co-sign for strangers

Bible cautions you in terms of surety or co-signing and shaking hands with others. Co-signing relates to debts. Anytime you co-sign, you become legally responsible for the debt of another. You should understand that the lender is unwilling to lend money to the person requesting the loan so, he asks for co-signer. Bible says whoever guarantee to pay somebody else’s loan will suffer (Prov 11:15). Whenever a stranger asks you to co-sign, you can say ‘co-signing’ is not your principle. If your family members or trusted people ask for co-signing: you should discern their needs for taking loan, commit the situation to God through prayer and follows Lord’s leading. Help them as per God’s guidance by giving them money or co-sign provided that you will be able to pay if ever become necessary. Don’t deviate from God’s leading (Prov 6:1-5; Prov 17:18; Prov 20:16; Prov 22:26-27).

Trust God for your blessing. God gives you power to attain wealth and everything in this world belongs to Him. Obey his voice diligently and observe all His commandments. God will make you the head and not the tail. He will open to you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and bless all the works of your hand. You shall lend to many nations but you shall not borrow. Remember, blessing of the Lord brings wealth and there shall be no sorrow or painful toil for it.

(This article is written by Evelin Suji, a teaching professional working in Bangalore)

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed…2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Ever faced a blow or a setback and you thought that’s the end? Sometimes we need to learn to differentiate between “getting struck down” and “destroyed”. Paul said,

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”

We cannot expect to live a problem-free life. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus so that His life will be revealed in us. This means you can expect to be struck down but you won’t be destroyed. You will go through an experience where you will be perplexed but you will not be in despair. There is always the safety net of God’s sufficient Grace and his power which will be made perfect in our weaknesses.

Few week’s back my both kids got sick at the same time. I had a tough time in my ministry and in my job. I thought my world was collapsing. It was then God reminded me that every storm is a perfect opportunity to see God’s power working in us and through us.

Paul was struck down many times. He faced several setbacks but every time he got knocked down he came back stronger. Once he was bitten by a venomous snake in an island. Everyone thought he was going to die. Everyone thought that’s the “final blow”. But Paul shook the snake from his hands and continued as normal. He then prayed for people in that island and people got healed and they started to think he was God!

William Carey was a British Christian missionary who went to India and translated the Bible into Bengali, Oriya, Assamese, Arabic, Marathi, Hindi and Sanskrit. Many of these languages had never been printed before; He had to create punches for the type by hand.  On 11 March 1812, a fire in the print shop caused £10,000 in damages and lost work. But he persevered and went on to print and distribute the Bible in whole or part in 44 languages and dialects. William Carey’s ministry was “struck down” when his printing press caught fire but it was not “destroyed”.

Are you facing setbacks and feeling you have been struck down? If so, it’s time for you to bounce back stronger and see the power of God working in your weaknesses.

(This message is written by Bro. Davidson Samuel who is an IT Professional / Subject Matter Expert in Banking domain, based out of Scotland, UK)

The bad news is you won’t! The good news is He won’t let you down.

You of little faith, why did you doubt? (Matthew 14:31)

Have you ever felt low and ashamed immediately after a high achievement? It’s a weird feeling of discouragement that no one can explain in words. Almost the entire memory of your recent high will be masked in shame and embarrassment. We all go through this experience at some point in our life. Peter in the new testament is one of the best example who has gone through this experience. One day he received a great promise and praise from the Lord Jesus himself. Jesus said to Peter,

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

But immediately after this experience Peter received one of the harshest rebuke the Lord has ever given. The bible says,“Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

What would have gone through Peter’s mind after this experience? He would have got discouraged and questioned himself whether he is the right person for the job. He would have questioned the promise he received from the Lord days before he received this rebuke. He would have asked “did the Lord mistakenly gave this promise? I am so weak and fickle. Will I really make it and live up to the mark?”. May be you are going through the same experience and asking the Lord “Will I make it?”. The bad news is you won’t! The good news is He won’t let you down!

Always remember when you fall short, sometimes God will rebuke you. It doesn’t mean he will let you down and leave you there. When God rebukes you, you better behave and make things right. It’s a warning that you need to make some adjustments in your life so that you can live for the calling you received.  God will rebuke you but it doesn’t prevent God from reaching out for you. When you fall short he will reach out to you.

I enjoy playing football with my 2 year old son. I love to see those tiny feet hitting the ball with all might but the ball won’t go anywhere nearer the goal. Sometimes I notice disappointment in my son’s eyes that he couldn’t hit as far as the goal. I will see frustration in his eyes. So the next time when he kicks the ball with frustration I will immediately jump and bring the goal posts closer to where he hits the ball and shout in excitement. My son will immediately think he kicked the ball inside the goal and will start to celebrate with me. Words cannot express the excitement and sense of achievement in my son’s eyes. Even though my son fell short I reached out and brought the goals closer to where he hit.

That’s what happened when Peter tried to walk on water. The bible says, “So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came TO JESUS.”. His goal was to reach the place where Jesus was. Peter made a great achievement as he started to walk on water. But immediately after this high note he reached the lowest point as he began to “sink”. His friends in the boat would have asked each other “Will he make it?”. Have you reached this lowest point in your life? Are you asking yourself “Will I ever make it?” Peter fell short and started to sink. He didn’t reach the place where Jesus was. But the good news is Jesus reached out to him! He moved the goalposts closer to where Peter was. He caught him. The finish line came closer.

It’s better to try and make a mistake than not to try in fear of making mistakes. God wants you to try. God wants you to walk on water and doesn’t matter if you fall short. God wants you to hit the ball. He will take care of the remaining job. Your mistakes are not a surprise to God. So next time when you ask the question “Will I make it?”, remember, the answer is “No but He will do it for you!”.

(This article is written by Bro. Davidson Samuel who is an IT Professional / Subject Matter Expert in Banking domain, based out of Scotland, UK)

I have been without a job for three years, but God has met all my needs during that time. My wife delivered a baby boy last year and God has enabled me to meet all the needs of the pregnancy too. No permanent income but God’s permanent grace is definitely there with me. In these three years, I have looked to God for opening a door to a new job many times. The job did not come, till the point that I asked God what he wants me to do in my free time. The answer to that prayer started my consulting practice in the area of training. Today, there is time to write articles like this and enough business to meet my needs.

The quality of your lifestyle depends on whom you seek for the things of this world.

I would encourage you to trust God as the source of all things good for you. If something is right for you, when you ask, God will give you.

Dear Lord Jesus, I pray that You will always be the source of my life. I believe that You will give me at the right time, every good thing required for my life and my family. Amen.

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CCF acknowledges with Thanks to CIM (Christian Institute of Management) for allowing to republish this article by CCF core team member, which originally was published in Management Devotional 2014 of CIM.

In another case, a couple who lived a Godly life both lost their jobs within a few days of each other. Being firmly grounded in God’s word, they sought God for his answers and favors. Today both work as a couple in taking God’s message to the unreached and under-privileged. When we planned our first concert for integrating corporate professionals in Chennai under one roof, we were afraid as to whether corporate would turn up. Also, we made a commitment of one lakh rupees to a social service organization. God took away our fear as we prayed and as we neared the program, the money miraculously came in, we gave 1.6 lakh instead of one lakh and the concert was a huge success too.

The quality of your lifestyle depends on the fears you encounter and overcome. A Christian must only fear God out of reverence for him. Every other fear in the world, Jesus has overcome first and hence gives us strength to overcome too. Dear Lord Jesus, I pray that I am delivered from all types and sorts of fear. I believe that You will help me conquer all the fear in my life and truly become what You are chiseling me to be. Amen.

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CCF acknowledges with Thanks to CIM (Christian Institute of Management) for allowing to republish this article by CCF core team member, which originally was published in Management Devotional 2014 of CIM.

Today, one of the standard reactions of Christians when things don’t work out is to conclude that God has forsaken them. When things go good, God is there but, when things do not go good, God is not there. The good news is that God is always there. The Bible says that God dwells in the praises of His people. We are made to praise God at times. Let me tell you that, this is much easier to preach than to practice.

Let me share about a person who was a model witness to me. He worked in my company and was retrenched from his job. He had a wife and two children and was suddenly jobless. When I expressed regret to him for losing his job, he replied cheerfully to me that, ‘God takes care of me and my family; job is just something to keep me busy’. Later, he got a job in an established company and resurrected his corporate career to a much higher level.

The one thing that has been constant in my life is the desire to be part of fellowships and to both listen and teach the word of God. When I was single, I lead a corporate fellowship at my church and today as a married man, I run a fellowship at my home. As we praise God as a family, God has seen to it that we have not lacked any good thing.

The quality of your lifestyle depends on the quality of your praise.

Make sure that you praise God, no matter what happens and God is sure to lift you up in due time.

Dear Lord Jesus, I praise You not because I want something from You but because I love You. I know that as I praise you, all things will work out for the greater good in my life. Praise You Jesus. Amen.

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CCF acknowledges with Thanks to CIM (Christian Institute of Management) for allowing to republish this article by CCF core team member, which originally was published in Management Devotional 2014 of CIM.

Some have misused this very word to extreme proportions. One of the well documented cases of the misuse of this word is the case of Prophet David Khoresh in the USA. He convinced a group of charismatic youth to indulge in mass suicide saying that, God told him they would all go to heaven. What a misuse of the name of God?

Today’s reading is fundamental for all Christians to understand. God speaks for light to come into existence. If you are in a dark situation, God’s true word will bring light into that dark situation.

I came across a man of God who got the calling to serve in a remote part. He was at that time an assistant pastor in a leading Church in a big city of India. Many of his friends called him a mad man for leaving where there are not even basic facilities. But, he knew the voice he was hearing. Today, God has used him to be a light in that remote place. He may not have the comfort of being in a big city but he is definitely blessed by God.

In my case, God has given me a gift to speak well and I use the gift well in my profession and whenever I get an opportunity to preach. Once it so happened that I went prepared with a message but, God clearly guided me to do another message. I did not understand why at first but, that message was a big source of hope to a young man in the audience.

The question for today is, ‘Is God guiding you?’

The quality of your life will depend on the word God speaks in your life.

Seek him and you will find him. Listen and you will hear him. He will guide you on.

Dear Lord Jesus, speak to me today. I believe that when You speak something to me, it will be done. Speak Lord, your servant is listening. Amen.

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CCF acknowledges with Thanks to CIM (Christian Institute of Management) for allowing to republish this article by CCF core team member, which originally was published in Management Devotional 2014 of CIM.

“…what must I do to inherit eternal life?” – Mk 10: 17 The world we live in today is on big mega race. Everyone is in a mad race to win the race of life. I call it a mad race because several people go mad in order to win the race of life.

On one end, we have a person committing suicide due to fear of failure. On the other, we have a person committing suicide a week after his life’s biggest success. If this is not madness, what is it?

The youth in today’s verse is at least trying to run the right race. He is seeking eternal life from Jesus. Today, nobody is bothered about eternity. If someone can get rich instantly committing a crime (without getting caught), then so be it.

I came across a testimony of a businessman, who said that, he struggles with avoiding bribe. He says, paying bribe is easy but fighting the system is tough. He said that he chooses to fight the system because he knows the fight will be rewarded in eternity.

The young man in today’s reading preferred his wealth to eternity. Jesus teaches us that, if we seek first the Kingdom of God, you will win the heavenly race and also the race here on earth.

Often people question me as to why I do not train on Sundays. They tell me that you are missing out of a good business deal. I reply, ‘I may miss a deal but I win the greater heavenly deal by going to Church on Sunday’. I want to win the race of becoming the best corporate trainer in India and the world but, I also surely want to win the race to get to heaven.

The quality of the life you live depends on the race you run.

Which race are you running?

Let us run the race to be like Jesus in everything.

Dear Lord, help me to run the race You want me to run. Help me to run after things of the Kingdom that will never perish rather than things of this world which will surely perish. Help me win the race to be with You in heaven forever. Amen.

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CCF acknowledges with Thanks to CIM (Christian Institute of Management) for allowing to republish this article by CCF core team member, which originally was published in Management Devotional 2014 of CIM.

In every walk of life from applying for a driver’s license to receiving an order for a new business, we find that if we are ready to compromise a bit, then things are faster for us. If we pay the required bribe, then the order is given to us. No one cares about the quality of implementation any more. So what if the person can’t drive very well? If he gives me money, I will give him the license to drive. It would have been easy for Joseph to please his masters’ wife by compromising with her. But, he chose the tough path to take a choice that would not please his master’s wife but rather show his servitude to God. Ultimately, Joseph was blessed with a high quality life reserved for the princes of the land because he took a series of right decisions in life which were pleasing to God. As a Christian entrepreneur and professional, ‘Do your decisions please God?’

In the early part of my career as a salesman, I was confronted by a boss who wanted me to pay bribe to a higher official to get an approval. I took a decision that, even if I am to lose my job, I will not pay that bribe. The Lord has blessed me; today I train several salesmen as a corporate trainer. I am able to talk of integrity confidently, because I took a decision not to compromise myself when the best option was perhaps, to compromise.

The quality of your life depends on the Godly decisions you take. Take decisions that will glorify God and God will glorify you among all men. Dear Jesus, help me to have strength to make the right decisions. Teach me that though making choices that please you are tough, You will ultimately bless me if I stand strong for you. Amen.

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CCF acknowledges with Thanks to CIM (Christian Institute of Management) for allowing to republish this article by CCF core team member, which originally was published in Management Devotional 2014 of CIM.

An established businessman once told me that a life of a businessman is one that requires miracles every day. He told me that he was in a situation where he had salaries to pay and no money with him. He read the Word and got fresh hope and encouragement. A pending payment came through just in time to meet his salary payment needs. He went on to tell me that in 15 years of running a business, he went through numerous situations where he thought of giving up. But, when he ate manna, he got the strength to face the situation and got through successfully.

I have had an experience where, I was questioning God as to whether I could succeed in a mission trip to Sri Lanka. The reason being that speaking in English is comfortable for me but, speaking in Tamil is an area of concern. God sent His word, the horse is made ready for the battle but the victory belongs to the Lord. I was encouraged, and went to Sri Lanka. The quality of your life is decided by the quantity of manna you eat. Eat more and you have more strength, eat less and you have less strength. A question, “Did you eat manna today?”

Dear Lord Jesus, help me to go through Your word every day. Teach me that Your word (manna) is the source of my strength. Amen.

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CCF acknowledges with Thanks to CIM (Christian Institute of Management) for allowing to republish this article by CCF core team member, which originally was published in Management Devotional 2014 of CIM.

]]> https://www.ccf.org.in/manna-every-day/feed/ 0 https://www.ccf.org.in/the-leadership-ladder/ https://www.ccf.org.in/the-leadership-ladder/#respond Wed, 10 May 2017 14:30:32 +0000 http://35.154.218.127/?p=26007 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 2 Peter 1:5 The leadership ladder that we are called to climb is not a pyramid of positions and titles but it is the ladder of leadership qualities. In the world’s paradigm of leadership, the law that applies is that […]]]>

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 2 Peter 1:5

The leadership ladder that we are called to climb is not a pyramid of positions and titles but it is the ladder of leadership qualities. In the world’s paradigm of leadership, the law that applies is that the higher the climb, the greater the fall. But as we climb the ladder of leadership qualities, God will send His angels to assist us and keep us from falling.  He also has a safety net called confession and cleansing to catch us if and when we fall. A leader’s qualities are not cast in stone but are developed over a lifetime.  They come from study of the Word and constant persistent application of it to our lives.  The Word is our yardstick and measuring rod. We should measure our qualities against it and ask the Lord for grace to fulfill His divine standards.

Once we take the first step of faith it should be followed by diligent study of the Word in order to lead up to the next step which is virtue or character.  The promises of God are given to us primarily not for meeting our physical need but to enable us to “partake in the divine nature” , to develop the character of Jesus, to learn to be humble and gentle like Him, to be virtuous.

The next step is to increase in knowledge of the love of God, to know the unending dimensions of His agape love – its immeasurable length, breadth, height and depth.

The next rung on to which we should climb on Jacob’s blessed ladder is self-control.  We should hold our desires under control. We should hold our temper under control. We should hold our emotions under control. We should hold our tongue or speech under control.   These are signs of maturity and increasing grace and perfection.

The fifth step on the ladder of leadership is patience, the ability to wait with expectation, joy and gratitude for the Lord’s will to be done.  A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul but it becomes sweeter the longer we can wait to receive it.

The sixth step is godliness or God – like righteousness and integrity.

The seventh step is kindness to one’s fellow beings, whether above us  or below us in  the social pecking order.

The eighth step is the final step, the highest in God’s hierarchy of values – love.
Our attainment of these qualities is not achieved overnight but it is a steady progression.  We don’t climb the ladder of leadership by pushing others down or by holding on to the feet of those above us.  We help others also up the ladder as we climb. The leader himself often becomes a ladder for others to climb.  Though the ladder looks narrow, there is room for everyone who is willing to lead and climb.  The Lord never wants us to rest on any rung of the ladder but wants us to keep climbing to the next level.

Author : Prateep V Philip

Introduction:

God’s desire for His Children is for them to prosper, grow and make progress and not just exist and survive. However we notice that while few progress most barely get through. Is our God partial to bless only few? As we browse through the Bible we see several instances of God accomplishing extraordinary achievements through ordinary people. As we study the lives of these individuals we recognize specific principles at work, these principles are the Laws of Progression which when practiced will cause individuals to excel and not just exist.

The First law of progression: Personal Mission Statement

The first law of progression: To move forward in life we need “To have a personal mission statement”.

A personal mission statement is one that clearly articulates the reason for our existence. John 4:34 tells us that Jesus’ mission statement was to do the will of the Father and to complete His work here on earth. The recorded ministry of Jesus lasts about three and a half years. In this short time, He accomplished a lot: He travelled, He preached, He healed and finally, sacrificed Himself for all mankind at Calvary.

The last words He spoke on the cross were “It is finished”. He was conscious of His mission even to His last breath. On the third day, He rose from the grave and today, is the King of Kings. How did Jesus make such progress while on earth? He had a mission statement and He lived in order to fulfill it. His life here was driven by this purpose.

A mission statement has to be simple but specific. For instance, it can be something like “I want to be a blessing, materially, emotionally and spiritually, to those whom I come in contact with”. A personal mission statement such as this spurs us into action. Let’s look at the example in the sentence above to illustrate this.

To bless someone spiritually, we need to be connected with God in a manner that allows us to receive His insight so we may pass it on to others.

To bless someone emotionally, we need to work on better time management so we could spare time for those who need us.

To bless someone materially, we need to do the work that we do with diligence in order to generate sufficient resources to share with others in need.

When we don’t have a mission statement we are like a piece of wood tossed to and fro in the ocean. The waves of life will throw us around and we will be unable to do anything about it because we are aimless and confused. A mission statement is like a lighthouse that will direct us towards progress.

If you find yourself without a personal mission statement, ask God for guidance. When you receive it, note it down and keep reminding yourself about it. Your life needs to be centered around it.

Progress, is then, inevitable.

First Law Bible Reading

Second Law of Progression: Accountability

The second law of progression: Accountability

The sooner we realize that we are accountable for our lives, the faster we will progress through it. While our life should never be lived independent of God, we should also not discount the fact that we are stewards of all that God has given us, including our life.

Life is a series of choices and the kind of choices we make have a lasting impact on the direction our life takes. Joseph could have spent his life wallowing in self-pity when he was enslaved in Potiphar’s house or when he was imprisoned unjustly. He could have spent his time scheming up means of escape, to return to his father’s house. Instead, he chose to be accountable in the circumstances he found himself in and gave his best in all that he did. His attitude so pleased God that He prospered him to an extent where he was appointed the Prime Minister of the land.

In Matthew 25, Jesus drives across the concept of accountability through a parable. A man, before going on a long trip, gives three of his employees five, two and one talent respectively. On his return he finds that the employees to whom five and three talents were given had proved to accountable and doubled the amount, while the third employee to whom one talent had been given had returned the amount just as it was given to him. The two employees who had displayed accountability were given additional responsibilities or promoted, while the one that did not was stripped off the responsibility he already had.

Accountability will ensure that we meet with success in whatever we do. Instead of murmuring about the situation you are in or waiting for the right circumstance to come along, start being accountable in every situation that God places you in. When you learn to give your best at all times, you will please God. And when God is pleased, He will surely bless you. Choose to be accountable irrespective of place, time or the people watching.

Second Law Bible Reading:

Matthew 25:14-30

Genesis 39:23

Third Law of Progression:A Desperate Need to Accomplish The Goal

The third law of progression: A Desperate Need to Accomplish the Goal

To move forward in life, we should be desperate enough to accomplish our goal. In other words, we’ve got to want it real bad. However, whatever it is that we want should be in accordance with God’s will.

Often, we would like to move out of a life of mediocrity to one of accomplishment. But we do not make progress because we are not desperate enough to accomplish anything. We don’t desire our goals enough. In the passage above we come across a blind beggar who on realizing that Jesus was passing by, calls out to Him to heal him. Even though the crowd warns him to shut up, he keeps calling out to Jesus—in fact, he gets louder. This shows the level of his desperateness. He was tired of being blind; he was tired of being stuck in a situation that seemingly had no way out; he wanted change real bad. And because of his desperation, he did receive his healing.

This beggar was very sure about what he wanted—he did not want money or shelter–and he did not compromise on it; not even an angry crowd could stop him. When we want something real bad, no obstacle can hinder us from getting it. Jesus’ parting words to the beggar were “Your faith has made you well”. In other words, the strength of his desire to get healed got him his healing.

Take another look at your personal mission statement. Are you desperate to accomplish it or are you just hoping that you will get around to it someday? Does the number of obstacles in the way hamper you? Remember, nothing can stop progress that is in line with God’s will, if only you want it badly enough.

Third Law Bible Reading :

Luke 18:35-42

Fourth law of progression : Mentally Achieve Before Physically Accomplishing

The fourth law of progression: Mentally Achieve Before Physically Accomplishing

“This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand and I will smite thee and take thine head from thee.” – 1 Samuel 17:46

This is perhaps the most significant of all the laws. Before we accomplish anything in the physical realm we need to first accomplish it in our mind.

In the passage above we read of one of the most interesting incidents in the Bible. While the entire Israelite army cowered in fear before the Philistine giant, Goliath, who had challenged any man from the Israelite army to a duel, David, a young shepherd alien to the ways of war, bravely steps out and, to everyone’s amazement, kills Goliath.

How did this teenage shepherd boy accomplish such a seemingly impossible feat? In 1 Samuel 17:46, we find David declaring what he was going to achieve that day and how he was going to achieve that. In his mind, David had already seen the victory and this was the secret of his success. To paraphrase Henry Ford, whether we think we can or we think we can’t, we are right. If we cannot picture ourselves achieving our goals in our mind, it will be impossible to carry out our mission. Hebrews 11:1 says “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” If we can see the end even before we start, we are already halfway there.

Have you already achieved your goals in your mind?

Fourth Law Bible Reading :

1 Samuel 17

Hebrews 11:1

Fifth law of progression:To Progress We Need To Stay Ahead Of The Pack

The fifth law of progression: To Progress We Need to Stay Ahead of the Pack

In the passage above we see a demonstration of this law. The King of Egypt has a dream that disturbs him and he gathers all the wise men and the magicians of the land to explain it to him. While none could do so, Joseph, a prisoner at the time, interprets the dream to perfection. He could have been satisfied with this because this was all that was required of him. But Joseph goes one step further and provides counsel to the king on how to deal with the kind of future the dream implied.

Joseph was a prisoner in a foreign land. In the king’s court, there were men who were more learned and more experienced than he in counsel. But this did not stop him. He seized the moment and by doing so, was appointed the Prime Minister of the land.

Unless we make an effort with God’s guidance to stay ahead of the pack, progressing is difficult.

Staying ahead of the pack involves

• • Taking initiative
  • Using the gifts and talents God has blessed us with
  • Taking risks
  • Seizing God-given opportunities
  • Being proactive
  • Obeying God without reservations
  • Sharpening our knowledge and skills
  • Choosing to stay ahead stay ahead of the pack

Fifth law Bible Reading :

Genesis 41:1-45

Sixth law of progression : Anticipate and Prepare For Obstacles

The sixth law of progression: Anticipate and Prepare For Obstacles

Obstacles are a sign that we are well on our way to progress. Most of us are disappointed when we encounter obstacles and tend to discontinue our efforts because of some misguided idea that the way to progress should be problem-free. However, we need to understand that on the road to progress, obstacles are inevitable, so we might as well anticipate them and prepare to overcome them well in advance.

In the passage above we see Nehemiah doing exactly this. Nehemiah was embarking on his mission of rebuilding the broken walls of Jerusalem. Anticipating the kind of obstacles that would arise, Nehemiah prepares for them by requesting the king for letters that provided him with wood and with safe passage to Judah.

When we continue through this book we find that Nehemiah faced numerous obstacles. But nothing deterred him. Every time he faced a problem, he sought God’s help and God provided it. Every obstacle he overcame might have become one more reason for him to accomplish his goal. In other words, the obstacles he faced made him more determined.

Frank A. Clarke said, “If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.”

The greater the obstacle, the more significant the goal. If the number of obstacles that keep cropping up discourages you in your life, choose to persevere and ask God to see you through. He will provide the solution. On the way to accomplishing your mission remember that obstacles will be there and prepare to overcome them.

Sixth Law Bible Reading :

Nehemiah 2:1-8

Seventh law of progression : Stronger The Spirit, Higher The Success

The seventh law of progression: Stronger The Spirit, Higher The Success

We notice this law in effect in Daniel 6:3. Daniel was considered a prime candidate for the position of a Prime Minister despite being a foreigner and a captive because an excellent spirit was in him. We’ve heard this oft-repeated phrase where there is a will there is a way. The word ‘will’ in this proverb denotes the spirit. With the right spirit or attitude, we will always find a way to progress. It is the quality and strength of this spirit that determines how much we progress.

Life is not always easy and the kind of circumstances we face tend to deflate our spirit. Our problems, deadlines and tragedies overwhelm us and sap the strength of our spirit. It helps, at times like these, to remember people like Nick Vujicic. Nick is an internationally sought after motivational speaker. He has the ability to leave his audience spellbound and speechless. What he doesn’t have are his arms and legs. He was born without them.

One can say that this would have given him a justifiable reason to wallow in self-pity. But not Nick. He can hop to wherever he chooses to go using his foot that grows at the bottom of his torso. He can type up to 43 words per minute using the two toes on that foot. He can keep himself afloat in pools, paddling with that foot. He can groom himself, write, and open doors with his mouth. His mission is to encourage people who want to quit. According to him, “Having no arms and legs has gotten me into some doors I would not have been able to walk through otherwise.”(Courtesy: Lori Baheda)

What is it that makes Nick different? It is the strength of his spirit. Instead of murmuring, he chose to be a blessing. Today, God is using him mightily across the globe as a blessing to millions of lives. Maybe your problems are bigger than Nick’s disabilities. Maybe they are not. But what you need to remember is that it is not your circumstances that determine your progress but the spirit with which you deal with them

Seventh Law Bible Reading :

            Daniel 6:1-5

Eighth law of progression : Everyday Counts

The eight law of progression: Everyday Counts

While this law is simple enough to understand, many of us stumble on this one. Jesus knew the importance of making each day count while ministering here on earth. John 21:25 says, “Of course, Jesus also did many other things, and I suppose that if every one of them were written down the world couldn’t contain the books that would be written.” Jesus was so focused on what He did that the kind of wondrous things He did are too many in number to be recorded. He made each day count.

In the verse above we see the psalmist seeking God’s help to teach him to number his days. In other words, he meant, “Lord, help me realize that my life here is temporary and that I need to live each day wisely and effectively.” In order to progress, we need to live each day to its fullest.

In Proverbs 6:6-8 we read, “Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.” Something as tiny as an ant has a lesson to teach us. Without a leader or a guide, the ant labors to store food, preparing itself for the future. For so small a creature, it has enough within it to realize that if it doesn’t, it will suffer.

Are you making each day count? Progress can be a difficult process otherwise.

Eighth Law Bible Reading :

Proverbs 6:4-11

Psalms 90:12

The ninth law of progression: Finish What Has Been Started

Tenth law of progression – Act Now

The tenth law of progression: Act Now

As we conclude this chapter, let’s take a look at the last law of progression: Act Now. No matter how great and wise our plans are, if we fail to execute them, it is all in vain. In the verse above we are warned of the dire consequences of procrastination and laziness. The best time to act is now. There is no better time than the present time.

You have seen a number of laws on progression. Have you already begun to practice them or are you

waiting for the right time to do so? Choose to seize the moment if success is to be yours.

 Tenth Law Bible Reading :

Esther 4:1-17

Author:

We would like to thank Mr. Rajiv Chelladurai who is working as Chief Excellence & Distribution officer in a Leading MNC for providing us the permission to publish this awesome Devotional article.

For more information, please visit: www.rajivchelladurai.com

Every single one of us has been put on this earth to do something. God may have called you to be a great preacher, teacher, doctor, or lawyer. Maybe God has called you to the arts. You might be called to be a professional musician, entertainer, performer, etc. So many people are not happy because they never take the time to find out from God what it is that they are called to do. Sadly, of those who do identify what they are called to do, many never obey God and walk in their divine purpose.

Are You Experiencing Dissatisfaction with Life?

Have you ever felt like there was more to life than what you are experiencing? How many people go to a boring job that they don’t enjoy? Or maybe you feel as though your life is mundane and routine. You may have this nagging feeling that tells you that there is more to life. But instead of making changes, you just keep doing the same thing over and over again.

Interestingly, the book that holds the world record as the #1 selling hardcover non-fiction book of all-time is Rick Warren’s “Purpose Driven Life.” “Purpose Driven Life” has sold over 32 million copies to date. I believe the reason why “Purpose Driven Life” has sold so many copies is because there is something deep down in our spirit-man that knows that we have been put on this earth to do something way bigger than what we are experiencing.

God wants you to know His divine purpose for your life. God wants you to be able to identify your purpose so that you can be fulfilled, happy, and satisfied. God wants you to know the divine purpose for which you have been born into this world!

A Biblical Example of God Identifying Divine Purpose

A great example in the Bible of someone who – through a process – identified his divine purpose is the prophet Moses. As a baby, Moses had been spared from death when Pharaoh made a decree to kill all the male children. So Moses’ mom put him in a barrel of sorts and floated him down the river where he was rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter. Pharaoh’s daughter raised Moses.

As a child, I don’t think Moses knew that he would later be called to deliver over 3 million people from Egyptian slavery – but God did. God saw to it that Moses’ life was not aborted so that he could fulfill the divine purpose for why he was created. God preserved Moses’ life because He knew that one day Moses would be used to deliver his people out of the hands of Egyptian bondage so that the Israelites could worship and serve the Lord in freedom.

The First Point About Divine Purpose You Need to Understand is This: God Will Preserve You

1. No matter what the enemy (or people) do(es) to try to keep you from walking in your purpose, God will preserve you.

Case-in-point, even when the devil tried to use Pharaoh to abort the purposes of God by killing Moses, God made sure that Moses’ life was preserved.

If you are living right now, it is because God has preserved you for such a time as this to fulfill the divine purpose He has for you. No devil in Hell (or man on earth) can stop God’s purpose for your life. I don’t care if your Mama or Daddy said that your birth was a surprise, mistake, or “accident” – you were not a mistake to God! Jeremiah 1:5 states:

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

You were no mistake to God. You were not an accident. God said in His Word that before your Mama and Daddy even thought about you, He knew you and called you for a specific purpose. Before you were even born, God set you apart for a specific purpose and called you to fulfill a divine assignment.

This is the main crux of what’s wrong in society now. Most people do not know who they are, or whose they are. You know the reason why kids join gangs? They are trying to identify their purpose. They want to be a part of a group that gives them identity. The reason why people take drugs, participate in sexual promiscuity, and get involved in a host of other sins is that they are trying to find their identity.

And This Brings Me to My Second Point About Divine Purpose: The Fight for Identity

2. The biggest battle you will ever fight is the fight for identity. Everything that you ever did or will do wrong is because you failed to understand your purpose.

Interestingly, God had started to deal with Moses about his identity when he was a young man. Moses saw an Israelite man being mistreated by an Egyptian. Because there was a seed of righteousness telling Moses that the Egyptian’s handling of his Israelite brother was wrong, Moses – not consulting God – took the law into his own hands and killed the Egyptian. When Pharaoh found out about it, he sought to kill Moses. Moses got scared and ran to the backside of the desert. The Bible says he stayed in the desert as a farmer for his father-in-law for 40 years!

I personally believe that God would have spared Moses’ life if he would have stayed in Egypt and not ran. Moses would not have had to flee to the desert. God had the power to deliver Moses out of this situation of killing the Egyptian because God had a divine purpose for Moses. From birth, Moses had been called to deliver the children of Israel out of slavery. But because Moses was not sure about his identity, he allowed fear to get the best of him and he fled to the backside of the desert. So he ran away from his calling.

How many people are called by God, and when they experience any little resistance they get scared and run from what God has called them to do? Some of you reading this article are in a dry season. And you are saying, “God has me in a wilderness season.” This may be true for some of you. But for many, you are spending an unnecessarily long period of time on the backside of the desert. You are on the backside of the desert because of your apprehension to fulfill the call of God on your life. What and/or who are you scared of? Don’t you realize that you plus God equals a majority? If God is with you, then who can be against you?

How Will You Know God is Really Calling You?

God spoke to Moses out of the burning bush and called him to deliver the children of Israel out of Egyptian captivity. At first, Moses couldn’t receive God’s prophetic word. Spending 40 years on the backside of the desert caused Moses to lose his identity. When God came to Moses and spoke to him about his divine purpose, Moses began to have a major identity crises. Moses could not see himself actually doing what God called him to do. So, Moses asked God, “How will I know that You are sending me to deliver the people?” And God said, “Well, when you go tell Pharaoh to let My people go and he does it, then you will know that I sent you.”I find this somewhat humorous. Isn’t this how we do God? We say, “Oh Lord, I need to really know that You are telling me to do this. Give me a sign, God!” And God responds back to us by saying, “OK. This is how you will know I’m telling you to do this…after you have done what I’ve told you to do, and you see the manifestation of what I’ve promised you,then you’ll know I told you to do it.” We always want a sign from God before we step out, but God doesn’t always give us the sign ahead of time. He tells us to step out, and then He confirms that it was Him.

Fulfilling God’s purpose for your life is a walk of faith. I hear people say all the time, “I’m waiting on God!” NO! You are not waiting on God. God is waiting on you!

My Last Point is This: Your Purpose Will Always Be Bigger Than You

3. Your divine purpose will always be bigger than you. If you can figure out how you are going to accomplish everything God has told you to do, it’s a good chance it’s probably not God.

There was a woman of God in history named Harriet Tubman. Harriet Tubman was a slave who had a very evil slave master. Harriet was a woman of God who was also called to the office of prophet. History records that Harriet would often have prophetic visions and angelic visitations from the Lord.

One day, Harriet was outside and her slave master got mad at another slave and picked up an object and threw it at him. Unfortunately, Harriet was standing in the way, so the object hit Harriet on the side of her head instead of the other slave. This injury caused Harriet to be injured and experience seizures, severe headaches and narcoleptic episodes for the rest of her life. Because of this injury, as a slave, Harriet was considered to be damaged goods.

Harriet spent a major portion of her adult life viewed as someone who was damaged goods, with no purpose. History records that Harriet’s slave master tried to sell her because she was considered worthless. But nobody wanted to purchase Harriet, but God had a divine purpose for Harriet.

A divine encounter from God changed Harriet’s life FOREVER!

On a certain night, a holy angel appeared to Harriet and told her that she would be used to deliver herself and others out of the evil grips of slavery. Following what was known as the North Star, Harriet escaped to freedom following the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a system developed that allowed slaves to hide out from house to house as they traveled north to areas where slavery was illegal. Once Harriet had received her freedom, she came back to deliver her family, friends, and many other people from slavery. Historians believe that Harriet Tubman delivered over 80 people out of slavery! Later, people began to call Harriet Tubman “Moses” because, like Prophet Moses, she delivered God’s people out of slavery. Harriet Tubman, a woman that was considered to be damaged goods, is now recorded in history as one of the greatest women that ever lived!

God has called many of you to be a Moses to this generation – to deliver your family out of the hands of the enemy and into eternal salvation with Jesus Christ. Some of you have been called to fulfill a purpose and you even know what God has called you to do, but fear has stopped you. And then there are others of you who want to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. You just don’t know what it is you need to do to fulfill His calling. Through the voice of the Holy Spirit, prophets help people discover who they are called to be in Christ.

Does God’s Assignment Seem Bigger Than You Can Handle? Good!

God will always give you an assignment that is way bigger than you think you can handle. The reason why He gives you an assignment that is bigger than you think you can handle is because He wants you to lean on and trust in Him. Do you know what God has called you to do? Do you know what your divine purpose in life is? The reason why God has put prophets in the Church is that prophets help you identify what your purpose in life is.

This message is written by Kyle T. Miller, Little Rock, Arizona, who has been called to the marketplace as a musician, play producer, and educator. Re-posted here with permission.

When Abraham began his  migration  from Ur to Canaan, he stopped at Harran. Abraham got to know about the God who speaks, he also got the plans and purpose which God had for him and  the world ( Gen 12:1-3).  Abraham  believed and obeyed  what God spoke (Gen12:4-5). The world would never be the same again.

God speaks to His people in diverse and   mysterious ways. Joseph came to know about the plans and purposes of God for Him in his teenage through  dreams, to become a great man in his entire family (Gen 37:5-10).

When Moses heard God speaking to him for the first time through the burning bush, he received God’s  plan of redeeming His people out of Egypt and lead them into the land of Canaan. (Exodus 3 & 4). Thereafter, Moses heard God every time he looked upon Him for any problem, knowing Him face to face. (Deut 24: 12)

Paul who was religious zealot who heard God for the first time on the road to Damascus. He   immediately obeyed the heavenly call (Acts 9:1-10). The tent maker also became a missionary for the Gentiles which became  his primary calling. Before his death, he boldly proclaimed that he lived for God’s purpose (II Tim 4:7).

Individuals heard the plan and purpose of God for them only by hearing Him and lived for the revealed the mystery behind their lives successfully.

If you have not been hearing from the God who speaks, today is the day to  commit your life to hear from God. He’ll reveal His plans and purposes for your life.

O Lord, I believe that you are God who speaks and I commit my life to hear you. Please speak to me about your plans and purposes  for me so that I am completely aligned to do your desire.

CCF acknowledges with Thanks to CIM (Christian Institute of Management) for allowing to republish this article by CCF core team member, which originally was published in Management Devotional of CIM.

We may know about the God who spoke in history and  that He spoke through His prophets and leaders.  That He speaks even today and that too  in a personal way is seldom thought about or may be seen suspiciously. Many don’t think about relationship with God in those terms.  Jesus spoke about how the sheep  hear  the shepherd’s  voice  which is metaphor used to describe our  listening experience with God.

The sheep knows the voice of the shepherd and the shepherd knows the names  of every  sheep. Similarly, God knows us by our names individually and hence he  calls each individual by name as it is written in Isaiah 43:1.   When any of the sheep is lost, the shepherd is eagerly searching by calling out the name so that he can find them.

The  sheep can identify their shepherd’s voice distinctly even when other voices clamor for  attention.  But sheep do have a reputation for being dumb and  stupid. They can get easily distracted and wander off. It’s a good shepherd  who  gently restores, even carries the wandering sheep. When God calls us by name, are we able to listen to Him?

Jesus said that there many sheep which are not of His fold and  He even knows them by name and wants  to bring them into His fold. Some sheep may belong to other  folds, they may respond only to their shepherds. There are so many false shepherds, false voices who gather their flock. There’s also the proverbial  wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing among the flock.

Hearing the voice of the Good  Shepherd can only happen if you’re one of His flock.  Do you know His voice?  Are other voices,  including your own inner voice preventing you from hearing the Shepherd?   If not, don’t delay and decide today itself to accept Jesus as your true Shepherd and get into His fold to listen to Him for a joy filled and peaceful life.

Dear Lord, I commit today that I am your sheep in your fold and help me to let go of all other distractions which prevent me to hear or ignore your voice.

CCF acknowledges with Thanks to CIM (Christian Institute of Management) for allowing to republish this article by CCF core team member, which originally was published in Management Devotional of CIM.

Scripture: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17). This is simple way of hearing His voice.

Holy Spirit speaks in our heart: “For this is the covenant…, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts… (Hebrews 8:10-11). When we have word of God written in our heart, the Holy Spirit is speaking to our heart.

Prophetic Utterances: “…Do not despise prophetic utterances (Word of Knowledge or Wisdom, and Prophecies). But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good” (I Thessalonians 5:19-21).  God uses people who have been divinely gifted to speak on God’s behalf on some specific issues.

Godly counsel: “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).  When we listen the counsel of the Godly, sometimes God opens our hearts to understand His voice.

Peace of God: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. (Col3:15). When we hear God, there will be peace whatever may be the situation.

Circumstances/Timing: Acts 18:1-3 narrates how the circumstances, timing and profession (tent making) connected Paul and Aquila & Priscilla which resulted in soul winning and ultimately in church planting.

Confirmation: “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed” (Matthew 18:16).  Either the vision or spontaneous thoughts or insight received while reading Bible, may be confirmed by prophetic utterances or prayer or counsel of the Godly.

Many times the Lord will confirm His direction to us through three, four or more of these areas, when we earnestly wait upon Him to  hear from Him.

O Lord, grant me the grace to listen your voice carefully through these 7 areas and to walk my life in deep  fellowship with you.

CCF acknowledges with Thanks to CIM (Christian Institute of Management) for allowing to republish this article by CCF core team member, which originally was published in Management Devotional of CIM.

The Word of God is given to us not just for reading but to listen to what God speaks through Scripture.  The problem is  reading  God’s word becomes  daily obligation or a spiritual ritual so that God can be assuaged or pleased by our efforts. Secondly, we read in order to gather  biblical information. It’s a rather  intellectual  approach, where we process biblical truths and arrive at some interesting cognitive conclusions. For  eg. I may have analyzed  about Simon the Sorcerer’s bitterness of heart in Acts. But would I hear God speaking to me about my own bitterness locked in my heart.

Some of us read the word of God but are not able to listen / understand what God speaks through those verses.  Bible talks about circumcision of ears (Act 7:51), which indicates our preparation to listen to God’s voice in our heart and mind.   When Paul was speaking, the heart of Lydia is opened up to receive the message. (Acts 16:14)

After making known  our prayers and supplication to God, even before we listen to Him and record the action items (Habbakuk 2:1),  we sometimes hasten for action. This leads to a situation where we are just going by instinct  that God will take care instead of receiving the authentic message of God’s guidance. We tend to merely quote the verse with our legalistic  mindset rather than to apply the revealed wisdom of God on a given  situation.

When Saul was not looking for kingship, God spoke through Samuel and he was anointed as king and thereafter whenever Saul looked for God’s direction, he got the answer. But when he disobeyed (I Sam 28:6), God did not respond even when Saul inquired of  God earnestly.

 Our Father, please remove every obstacle from my life which is stopping me to hear you.  Please grant me an  opened heart and ears to hear you every time you speak to me.

CCF acknowledges with Thanks to CIM (Christian Institute of Management) for allowing to republish this article by CCF core team member, which originally was published in Management Devotional of CIM.

When the Philistines came against King David (II Samuel 5:18-25), David is making the situation known to God and inquiry with God . David could very well have made a prayer for victory and went in faith that God would give him victory. But he waited upon the Lord for clear-cut strategies, directions and actions. God given war strategies made David victorious. Also,  in the time of great famine (II Kings 21 :1-14), which is similar to our current situation of weakening economy and high inflation, David inquired God to could find out the reasons so that he could immediately implement the corrective actions and the nation became prosperous.  In I Sam 28:6 we  read that when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, not by dreams, or by Urim or by prophets.

Habakkuk 2: 1 says that I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer concerning my complaint. When inquiring of God, we may to have to wait upon God. In a practical work life situation, we may not able to get time and place to seek Him in solitude all the time. Hence it looks like an impractical option many a times. But Psalm 145 :18 says  The Lord is near to all who call on him , in truth; Hence our closer walk with God make us heard and receive answers us. Also, His word will be a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths (Psalm 119:105)

Dear Lord, please grant me the grace to walk closure with you and make inquiring of you so that I would make right decision in every work like situation. Amen.

CCF acknowledges with Thanks to CIM (Christian Institute of Management) for allowing to republish this article by CCF core team member, which originally was published in Management Devotional of CIM.

This question may arise whether we can we get this counsel continuously. Proverb 6:20-22 says “When we keep God-given commandment and forsake not the law of God, the words of your parent’s God shall lead us when go anywhere;   they shall safe guard when we sleep and they shall talk with us when we waken.”

Let us look at the most ambiguous event management  “The Exodus” which is widely  known in the annals of time. Executive Office went through every single & most complex problems such as : Leading a team size of approximately 20 Million people, Threatening Egyptian powerful army behind,    Travelling day and night in the wilderness for almost 40 years , Starting without knowing the travelling route and stop over,  No chances for  food, water and other many basic requirements, surrounded by enemies who would kill them,  path that no one ever walked and having  sea, mountains, valleys and  river, divisions and disputes among their own 20 million people and finally war with almost 40 Kings in the land of Canaan. Moses literarily cried to the Lord that he could not bear the burden or the stress he had and but every time he took to His presence (Num11:14). But the Lord led, counseled and guided them amazingly on every single day by meeting all their needs (Exo 13:21-22, 14;14, 16:13, 35, 40:38) and finally  He made them to inherit the Promised Land.

Surely, the professional situations you face would be lesser complex than this. Our Lord, the wonderful counselor (Isaiah 9:6) is always there for you to counsel and guide you so that you can resolve all the complex and ambiguous problems.

 O God, Immanuel and my  Wonderful counselor, be with me to counsel continuously and guide me to conquer all the complex challenges in my professional / business life.

CCF acknowledges with Thanks to CIM (Christian Institute of Management) for allowing to republish this article by CCF core team member, which originally was published in Management Devotional of CIM.

Some of the corporate training programmes would start with the Zen story, which is familiar to many. When the master continuously  poured the tea in the cup which was already filled, the disciple wondered why the master was  wasting the tea.  But the moral of the story clearly portrays  the expectation of the Master   to make the disciple understand that unwinding from the pre-occupied mind set can make him to learn ; otherwise, every single effort of master and the disciple goes in vain.  Similarly, in hearing God, pre-occupation in heart and mind results only in failure.

In Numbers 22  -24, Balam heard God that he should not go with the officials of Balak to curse Israel in the very first time itself when he inquired with Lord.(22: 12).  But the intention Balam was to go with the officials for getting the gifts from Balak (22: 19). When the donkey had spoken to foolish Balam, then only he could realize that he missed the voice of God in the second time.

II Tim 4:3 clearly warns about the time when people would be having itching ears so that they would accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires and will turn away from listening to the truth and wandering away to myth.  Today many are carried away only by the teachings what looks good to them, motivating and encouraging them.  But New Testament records with the occurrences wherein the community was cut to their hearts towards conviction and correction when they heard John the Baptist echoing God’ voice in the wilderness (Matt 3).  When Peter stood up to witness for the resurrection of Christ as Messiah, the crowd of came out with conviction for what they would do next (Acts 2:37). When Paul discussed about justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, with the governor of the state frightened ( Acts 24:25)

Friends, let us go to His presence with open heart, to receive the word as He wanted to speak us for making us wholly Thine.

Dear Lord, Let me come to your presence without any preoccupation in my heart and mind to hear the message that you provide to me.

CCF acknowledges with Thanks to CIM (Christian Institute of Management) for allowing to republish this article by CCF core team member, which originally was published in Management Devotional of CIM.

1 Samuel 30: 4

Note that the Bible says, ‘David wept aloud.’

Men don’t usually weep aloud. And also you need to understand it was the same David who once killed Goliath.

It was the same David who encouraged thousands of Israelites not to be afraid when they ran away in fear of Goliath. So I don’t think David is a weak-hearted, coward of a man. But here in this passage he was utterly helpless. He wept aloud because his family has been captured by the Amalekites. This says to me it’s a tough life out there. It’s a life that will even make the strongest of men to weep like a child. When was the last time you wept aloud? You cannot pretend to be a macho man or a strong-hearted woman all the time as though nothing will happen to you all your life. You might have killed Goliath in the past but one-day life out there will bring you to a point of ‘weeping aloud’. What will you do?

When David faced Goliath, it was a threat against his life. But David was a born warrior. So however, challenging the battle was David kept winning all the battles. The enemy brought tough challenges and he kept winning in life with God on his side. David once sang “With your (God’s) help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” David was going from strength to strength in life. So I am sure Satan would have organized a round table conference and discussed David’s life like this – “We can’t touch David as he is too strong for us. Let’s touch his family he will then stop following God.”

When I say the enemy organized a round table conference it might look unrealistic. But there are at least two instances in the Bible to prove this sort of tactic by the enemy. In the story of Samson and Delilah the Bible says

“The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, ‘See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.’”

In the story of Job in the Bible we can read that Satan challenged God about Job and said,

“You have provided hedge around Job and that’s why he is following you. remove it and he will stop following you.”

If the enemy has to have a round table conference about you what will he say? What is the area that you are most likely to give up in life? This is what must have happened to David. Satan decided to touch his family. And lo and behold David is now weeping aloud like a child. Hell would have laughed at David saying, “See the one who defeated Goliath. He is now weeping. A great warrior has fallen. A great warrior has fallen.”

This is how I felt in the last eight years of my life. I felt as though the enemy was laughing at me. You might have heard some great quotes and stories about C.S. Lewis. You might have thought he must be a very strong Christian. I watched a documentary about him and learnt how he struggled to overcome the grief after the loss of his dear wife Joy. In his book A Grief Observed, he wrote:

Kind people have said to me, ‘She is with God.’ In one sense that is most certain. She is, like God, incomprehensible and unimaginable. You tell me, ‘she goes on.’ But my heart and body are crying out, come back, come back. But I know this is impossible. I know that the thing I want is exactly the thing I can never get. The old life, the jokes, the drinks, the arguments, the lovemaking, the tiny, heartbreaking commonplace. Talk to me about the truth of religion and I’ll listen gladly. Talk to me about the duty of religion and I’ll listen submissively. But don’t come talking to me about the consolations of religion or I shall suspect that you don’t understand.

Life’s reality will bring the strongest man to the point of weeping aloud. And you might feel like hell is laughing at you.

But a true strong man or woman of God will refuse to stay in that fallen place. They will say as it is written in the Scripture in Micah 7:8

“Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.”

Falling down doesn’t make you weak. But remaining fallen will make you weak. You need to say ‘Though I have fallen I will rise.’

Maybe you are reading this blog as a “fallen warrior”. You were once at the peak of your life. You were doing a great job serving God, serving your family and having a great career. But something happened in the middle. It may be that round table conference about you and now you are in this place of defeat. The enemy is laughing at you saying ‘a great warrior has fallen’ and you have accepted this defeat and you remain fallen for years. But the Bible says something different. You forgot to read Micah 7:8. Say this to your enemy today – “I WILL RISE”.

God wants you to rise to your former glory. God wants to make you stronger today. He wants his old warrior who once killed Goliath back. Maybe you have taken wrong decisions like Samson and the enemy is now laughing at you because of your defeat. You think that’s the end of your life. But Samson came back stronger after that defeat and God gave him strength and he completely destroyed the enemy.

It’s never too late to rise up. So, ask God today to strengthen you so that you can rise up to your former glory. Be a comeback warrior!

This message is published with the permission from Davidson Samuel, who is working as a Subject Matter Expert in a leading bank in Scotland, United Kingdom. He is the founder of Absolute Surrender Ministry, UK and more details can be seen in http://www.absolutesurrender.co.uk

Husbands live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of Life, so that your prayers may not be hindered (ESV) . I Pet 3: 7

Relationship is an universal happening instituted by the Creator. He did not choose the angels, but created man to share His love with him. Then he made a woman to be his partner thus a relationship as husband and wife was established. All that is created in the universe have a relationship unique to their kind. Today, I would like to share few thoughts on husband and wife relationship from the perspective of the Word of Truth.

In I Peter 3-7, likewise, husbands live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of Life, so that your prayers may not be hindered (ESV translation).

I just want to share a real story. One Sunday morning, the Reverend of the church called an elder to lead the congregation in Prayer. The elder came and said today I am not worthy to lead the prayer; we had a heated argument between me and wife   while driving to the church. Then he prayed. But the Rev. was in a state of shock over the confession of the elder. That day he decided to call people only after talking to them. It may sound real as we also quarrel with our wife or the other way round.

But the Lord spoke to me about 3 things from 1 Peter 3-7. The underlying principle of this verse is that our relationship affects our ‘prayer life’. I would like to focus on husband and wife relationship. In the Amplified version we read, otherwise you cannot pray effectively applies to both husband and wife. Many times we feel I have been praying for years for this particular thing but I have not received an answer. We look all-around us for why but least we look inwards what is our relationship with one another. If it is not right then God cannot answer the prayer of both.

• Do we forgive each other as Christ had forgiven us or we nurse anger and bitterness in our heart against each other? (Col 3:13c).
• Are we living in peace with self and our wife?

 Paul says live peaceably with all (Rom12-18). In Colossians 3:14 above all these put on Love which binds everything together in perfect harmony (ESV). If you practice these things your family prayers will be answered immediately.

Secondly, Peter counsels, live with your wife in ‘understanding’ so that devil cannot play mischief by misunderstanding and division. He will make every effort to sink the ship of faith in your family life and connect with God.

Thirdly, ‘honor’ your wife in your words and deeds; especially before children, family members  and friends. Likewise wives honor your husband in every walk of life. This honor is defined in Ephesians 5: 21, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. The first enemy to be destroyed in a happy married life is Pride and Ego.  He who loves his wife loves himself. Then you will enjoy heavenly Joy in this world.

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

May God bless your walk with your husband or wife in your married life.

This message is written by Bro. Eric Sundararaj, New Hope Ministries, Chennai

John 15:18

It is a well-known fact that we live in a broken world and we are not immune from hurts. So, how can we deal with hurts in our life? Have you been hurt recently?

We belong to the kingdom of God where love is everything. Love is powerful and love is mandatory.

Although the kingdom of God is all about LOVE, we live in a broken world. We live in a world full of hurts and pain. We are called to be in the world but not of the world.

This is a world where love and hurt will collide.

In fact, even Jesus said, in John 15:18, 19

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.

19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

The world will hate you. You will get hurt at some point in your life.

But hurt can also be powerful. Hurts have brought down empires, many lives were lost, many careers destroyed, many marriages broken and many ministries have been shaken because of HURTS.

Theatre producer David King did a survey of the songs that are most likely to make men cry. In his survey, REM’s “Everybody hurts” was voted the saddest and most depressing song of all time.

Recently the singer Adele won many awards for the song “Hello” in the Brit award ceremony. Her song “Hello” broke several records. It is the fastest ever song to get 1 billion hits on YouTube. 50 million of those hits came in the first 48 hours of release and sold 800,000 copies in first week!

Do you know why? That song is all about hurts in a relationship. The lyrics goes like this:

I must have called a thousand times 

To tell you I’m sorry for everything that I’ve done

To tell you I’m sorry for breaking your heart

But it don’t matter. It clearly doesn’t tear you apart anymore

These are words of someone who got deeply hurt in life. The world is desperate to identify themselves with someone who is hurt because everyone is hurt. That is why 50 million people rushed to the YouTube within 48 hours of its release.

I did a short research of all UK and US No.1 singles in the past 10 – 15 years. All of them were written because either someone was in LOVE or someone was HURT by a relationship.

So, how can we deal with hurts in our life? 

Look at the Bible for the answers.

Even God is not immune from hurts. It is true that God is love. But the Bible records that even God was hurt and grieved and sad.

In 1 Samuel, the people of Israel went to Samuel and said:

“You are growing too old and your sons are useless. Now give us a King.”

When Samuel was heartbroken because of this, God said to Samuel,

“They didn’t reject you. But they rejected me as a King.”

God knows the pain of broken relationship!

Israel rejected God as their King. But our God is a gentle King and he will never ever get angry. God knows the pain of rejection! Can you imagine that even God was rejected.

Some of you reading this blog are going through the terrible pain of broken relationships. You think no one can identify with that excruciating pain you are going through. But God is saying I went through that excruciating pain of broken relationship and I can identify with you.

In the book of John, Pilate brought Jesus before the people and said,

“Here is your king” and they shouted “Crucify him ! Crucify him!! We have no king but Caesar!!!”

They rejected Jesus as their king out-rightly! Yet, just few days back it was the same people who sang “Hosanna” and hailed him as King!

What a transformation! The same mouth which hailed Jesus as King is now saying “Crucify him”.

That’s the world we live in. The same mouth that proposed to you saying “You are beautiful, you are adorable… you are handsome… you are brilliant… you are cute… you are sweet. I will die for you.” will one day shout at you in anger, be rude to you, abuse you, curse you and hurt you. That’s the world we live in!

There is a tragic story in the Bible about Amnon and Tamar. Amnon, the son of David, fell in love with his half-sister and spoke softly to her and asked her to sleep with him. When she refused, he forced her to sleep with her and raped her. But soon after he raped her, the Bible says,

Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, ‘Get up and get out!’

He called his personal servant and said, ‘Get this woman out of my sight and bolt the door after her.’

Amnon used Tamar for his pleasure and threw her out.  This is the best picture of the world we live in. The world will use you and throw you out!

God asked Hosea, the prophet, to marry an adulteress woman to demonstrate the pain and heart break of the relationship between God and Israel. All the pain that Hosea went through in that relationship God went through.  Despite God’s unfailing love, Israel kept on committing adultery and rejecting God. God’s heart was broken. God was hurt just like you and me.

God is saying to you if the world has used you and rejected you, I know how you feel. I feel your pain.

The only thing that is more powerful than hurt is Love. If you are hurt, the best weapon to use is LOVE. If you use any other weapon you will lose.

The Bible says

“for love is strong as death” – Songs of Solomon 8:6

Love is more powerful than hurt.

So, if you are hurt what can you do? 

Don’t hold on to hurts and rejections

Isaiah 43:25 says,

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

God says when you hurt me, I won’t remember your hurts. I won’t hold onto your hurts and rejections. I will forgive you and move on.

God wants you to do the same to those who hurt you. Don’t hold on to yesterday’s hurts and pains. When you wake up in the morning, don’t think and mourn what your spouse said to you. Don’t hold on to hurts of past broken relationships. Just let it go.

C.S Lewis said,

“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.”

Let it go and move forward.

Jesus said “Remember LOTS wife!!”

This is the shortest and most powerful warning in the bible. It is dangerous to hold on to your past. It is fatal. Don’t hold to your past hurts and rejection. Not even yesterday’s hurts and pain. Forgive and keep moving forward.

The bible says,

“Love keeps no record of wrongs.”

It all starts with memory. “He did that the other day…”, “She said that last year…” and then it turns to bitterness, then comes anger, then conflict and then break up! But it all starts with memory.

Don’t keep record of wrongs. Erase it, forgive, forget and move forward.

Derron Short, author of ‘Perfecting The Saints’ tweeted:

“Sometimes you’ll have to live with the apology that you never got because holding a grudge absorbs too much energy.”

Life is too short to live with hurts and pains. People in your relationships are growing old. You are growing old. Use every opportunity to show you love them.

Bible says in John 13,

“Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”

Jesus knew his time was short and he loved them to bits. He showed his love even to Judas Iscariot. He washed his feet.

After he finished washing his feet feet, in his anguish and pain, Jesus quoted Psalms 41:9 and said,

‘Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.’

He was talking about his close friend Judas Iscariot who was sitting there and was going to betray him. Isn’t it interesting its always close people who will hurt us most. It’s always the people we love the most hurt us most!

Jesus washed Judas feet as though he was saying “Judas, I don’t want to leave the world with hurts. I love you. I am ready to wash your feet. LOVE is powerful than hurt.”

While Jesus was hanging on the cross, the soldiers were gambling and putting lots to find out who was going to take their clothes. This is the typical picture of the world we live in. They were fighting for lust and power at the foot of the cross completely ignoring the Saviour of the world.

Jesus said,

“Father forgive them for they do not know what they do.”

in other words, he said “Guys I don’t want to leave this world with hurts and pain. I forgive you all. You guys don’t know what you are doing.”

People who hurt you don’t know the pain you are going through. They are completely ignorant of your pain.

T.D Jakes said:

“Often times people hurt because of their weakness and not because of wickedness. You need to understand between weakness and wickedness. You are merely a victim of their weakness. How dare you treat them as though you don’t have any weaknesses?”

People hurt you because they are weak. You are the victim of their weaknesses. They are not wicked.

Joseph could have held on to hurts and pains in that prison when his brothers sold him. But he chose to forgive them and move forward.

He said to his brothers,

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good .”

People who hurt you cannot harm you. Because even if they mean to harm you God will turn it for your good.

Every hurt comes with a secret blessing. When people hurt and you are ready to forgive them you will go to next level in life. You will surely get a promotion. You will surely get a result. You will get double portion of blessings. I am telling you, this is the truth. If you forgive when you are hurt, you will be promoted in life.

Forgiveness is the best way to go upward in life. It is a true sign of maturity.

When Joseph forgave his brothers and all the people who hurt him, God promoted him to be a prime minister. When David was discouraged by his brothers, he forgave them and moved forward where he met Goliath and killed him and then was immediately promoted in his career. When Saul was chasing David in the wilderness, David came so close to Saul when Saul was sleeping but David forgave Saul and refused to kill him. He was promoted to the King of Israel after Saul’s death.  When Job forgave his friends, and prayed for them, God healed Job and gave him double portion of blessings in everything. God restored to him everything he lost.

So, forgive and move forward. God will promote you and will give you double portion of blessings. People who hurt you cannot harm you and therefore don’t hold on to yesterday’s hurts and pain.

God is saying,

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

He is making all things new. Now you decide to make a new beginning today. Some of you reading this blog are holding on to hurts and pains of past relationships for several years. Its time to forgive, forget and make a new beginning. Your past cannot hinder your progress. Your past cannot steal your present and your future.

Cut off your past, Cut off your hurts and pains and make a new beginning today.

This message is published with the permission from Davidson Samuel, who is working as a Subject Matter Expert in a leading bank in Scotland, United Kingdom. He is the founder of Absolute Surrender Ministry, UK

The most reassuring part of this promise is no one can shut the door opened by the Lord for you. It is yours only and adversary cannot take it from you. Let me share with you two doors of blessings.

Hosea 2:15, I will make the valley of trouble to door of Hope: against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so he became the father of many. Though he received the promise when he was 75 years but received the child when he was 100 years. In this gap of 25 years he must have praised God for the child God had promised. In his 80 years he would praise God for the promised son is 5 years old, like wise till he was granted the promise. Did God promise you something and the passage of time is testing your faith and patience? Keep praising the Lord on his word of promise. Trust and wait on the Lord, he will bless you in double measure. Read Hebrews 6:15.

1 Corinthians 16:9, because a great door of effective work is opened for me:  If you read Psalm 71:19, 21. My God will do great and mighty things. This the hope David had. V21, you have done great things. Who is like you God? He will increase your greatness and honour you. You need not go seeking greatness but God is one who will make you great. When God desires to make you great nobody can stop it. That is the experience of greatness from heaven.2Kings 3:17, The Lord says you will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water and your cattle and other animals will drink. What does this mean to you? God will bring success or resources from an unexpected source. You will be amazed.

Therefore boldly confess the promise of God and praise him for he is able, so that you will enjoy health, riches, peace and success in all you do in the year 2014.  God bless you.

Jesus sat down on the mountain and began to teach his disciples the message they have to take to the people. When Jesus said “blessed are the pure in heart” , has a deeper meaning in the sense in which the world understands purity, like free from that which is sensual, pure from lust but true in the hidden purposes and motives of the soul, free from pride and self seeking, humble, unselfish and child like.

We read in James 3:17, The Wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. This wisdom finds expression in your good life, by deeds done in humility. But the earthly wisdom harbors bitter envy, selfish ambitions at the bottom of heart. Where there is envy and selfish ambition there you will find disorder and evil practice. But if you practice Peace in your relationship with others you will reap a harvest of righteousness. Therefore in all your relationship have the same “attitude of mind of Christ, Philippians 2:5.

Pure in heart see God in a new and enduring relation as their Redeemer; and while they discern the purity and loveliness of His character, they long to reflect His image. They see Him as a father longing to embrace a repentant son, and their hearts are filed with joy. In Psalm we read “I love you Lord, my strength”. We also read in Nehemiah 8:10 the “Joy of the Lord is your strength”.

We who are going to be the dwellers in the City of God will have to be pure in heart. If you love Jesus with all your heart you will manifest a growing distaste for careless manners, unseemly language and coarse thoughts. Revelation 21:27 says, “nothing impure will ever enter it nor will any one who does what is shameful or deceitful , only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

So we who are living in this World need to discern the ultimate reality, we will meet Jesus face to face. Apostle Paul calls it a mystery. 1 Corinthians 15: 51, Listen I tell you a mystery. We will not sleep but will all be changed (translated) in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet. This is possible only when we do not conform to the pattern of this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). The renewed heart is a pure heart.

(Adapted from Ellen. G. White)

Dearly beloved, the wings of the Lord bring 3 kinds of blessings to us. I would like to meditate the same with you.

1) Wings of Protection:  If we read Psalm 91-1, says He who dwells in the secret place of the highest remains stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty. That means you have made him your refuge in adverse times and his power no enemy on the earth can withstand.  Because you have made the Lord your refuge there shall be no evil befall you nor any plague (disease) or calamity come near your home. Not only that as you go out and come due to your business or personal work the Lord will send his angel to accompany you. What a privilege! Why does the Lord show such a profound grace to you, because he has set his love up on you. Dear one on whom you have set your first love?

2) Wings of Provision: It is incredible the way Elijah was fed when there was a severe famine in Samaria. If you read 1Kings 17-4,6. In the 4^th verse the Lord said “I have commanded the crow to supply you with food”. When you see the choice of food the crow brought was amazing, bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening. What is awesome is the food like meat (it must have been a cooked one and hot) and fresh bread. It implicitly implies the power of our “All mighty God”. He can call something which is not in existence and bring it to existence. You may go through a situation which totally hopeless and no remote possibility of getting help. But the Lord will use a winged avian and meet your need. Be of good courage.

3) Wings of Healing:  Malachi 4-2….the Sun of righteousness will arise with healing in his wings. This pictures a supernatural healing. Like when Peter and John went to the temple they saw a man lame by birth for 40 years. Peter spoke the word of faith, “In the name of Jesus of Nazareth walk”. Instantaneously the man’s feet and ankles became strong .He jumped to his feet and began to walk. God will work awesome miracle when you pray in Faith and glorify His name through you. May God bless you with these three blessings in July.  ERIC SUNDARARAJ- NEW HOPE MINISTRIES.

The Israelites when they came out of Egypt and as they journeyed through the desert had different experiences.  He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night. I wanted to picture before you 3 kinds of unpleasant experience through which they could behold the miracle working power of God.

 God’s Deliverance: Read Isaiah: 11-15, The Lord will dry up the Gulf of Suez, and he will bring a hot wind to dry up the Euphrates. Similar to this manifestation we see in Exodus14: 10 to 21. Here the Israelites have pitched their tent before the red sea and suddenly notice the army of the Pharaoh following them from the back. They are in a ‘land locked’ situation.   They can neither go forward nor go backward. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. And the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind. The water was divided and the Israelites went through dry ground. Dear friend are you in a land locked situation in your finance, health or in your job or business? Don’t be afraid! Stand your ground and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today. The Lord will send a strong wind and make a way where there seems to be no way. You will never go through this situation again. Give all the Glory to God and only to God.

God’s Provision: Read Numbers 11: 4, 5, 20, 21 to23. Here Moses the leader who brought them out of Egypt was distressed. The people had a strong craving for meat and murmured against God and Moses. Lord told Moses I will give them meat not for a day or two but for a month. But Moses with his human wisdom and limitation of vision questions the Lord how is it possible? The reply of the Lord to Moses is an eye opener to you and me. 23^rd word, Is there a limit to my power? You will soon see whether what I have said will happen or not! Are you going through a situation that something is lacking in your life, though you are praying for long? Your hope and faith are slowly fading? (It could be a life partner, childlessness, an own home, a job abroad, peace in the family….). Be of good cheer. Our Lord has limitless power to meet your lack with just a word. The Lord will make a provision that will fill you till you need no more.  Jehovah Jireh is your provider and he will meet your lack at the right time.

God’s Power: Read Psalms 107-29, 30. He calmed the raging storm and the waves become quiet. They were glad because of the calm and he brought them safe to the port they wanted. Dear ones are you facing raging enemies in your family or work place or business. Do not Fear. We have a saviour who will silence the raging enemies and take you to the port you want to reach. He can use a wind to deliver and protect you and can silence the raging wind to sail you safe to your destination.  God Bless You.

Easter is the most special day in the history that gave hope to the mankind!

Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary was dead four days before Jesus reached Bethany. Jesus loved that family and they loved him as well. He was not there when Lazarus was sick. Lazarus was buried when Jesus reached Bethany. His sisters were weeping. Jesus also wept. They told Jesus, “Lord, if you have been here, Lazarus would not have died.” They moved on to Lazarus’ tomb. There was a stone across the entrance. Surely there was bad odor. Yet, Jesus said, “Take away the stone. If you believed, you would see the glory of God.” He prayed and there came Lazarus alive with his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

God’s love is the same toward everyone! He doesn’t show favoritism. He loves you as much as He loved Lazarus and his sisters. He knows when you are sick. He longs to be with you in all your struggles.  He himself was buried; but He rose again. The grave could not hold Him. Death was defeated. The ultimate victory was made possible by the perfect lamb, Jesus who sacrificed Himself on the cross for us!

Friends, today you are in any of the three situations listed below.

1.       Maybe you are still living in your past glory. You are proud to say that you had spent countless hours in prayer and meditation several years ago. But the truth is, your past glory cannot do any good to you! You should be revived each moment in your life. Bible says, “The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13. You are hesitant to go back to where you were, as things distract you and lead you away from Christ. His arm that was stretched out on the cross is still open for you. It is time to make U-turn and come back to Him as soon as you can. Don’t take chances.

 2.       Or maybe you are living a life full of guilt for the sins you have committed. You want to be out of the habits which lead you to sin, but you are not able to ask God to forgive you of your sins. Because you know you have gone to him countless times for forgiveness on the very same thing. You may feel that your prayers will not be answered. Bible clearly says, “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” Lamentations3:22. He can wash you from any sin and can set you free. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36. You no longer need to live in guilt.

 3.       Or maybe you are living a life that is pleasing to God. The best time to pray for anything is, before it happens. You may not know what is awaiting you (Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8), or what your family or friends are going through right now. In the outside people may pretend to live a holy life, but deep inside they are hurt because of the unwanted things that have done. “You are meant to be the salt of the earth and light of the world.” Matthew 5:13, 14. Breathe Jesus into someone’s life. This is the time for you to stop being content that you are safe and have a free coupon to enter into Heaven, but to stand in the gap for them and to pray for them that perish.

To summarize, what you have done thus far, doesn’t matter. God still loves you. And He wants to restore everything that you have lost so far.  He can bring back life into your holiness, deadest parts in your marriage, finances, work place, parenthood, etc…! Things that are buried deep inside can be brought to life only by the risen Lord! He knows how it feels to be buried. Pray to God that He would help open up the door that you have shut to Him long back, and guide you to take off the ugly clothes you have chosen for yourself and bring you back to the life He meant for you. He only can give you victory over the things which are defeating you over and over again!

God bless you!

Good morning, friends!

Dr. Howard Kelly was a distinguished physician who, in 1895, founded the Johns Hopkins Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Johns Hopkins University.  According to Dr. Kelly’s biographer, Audrey Davis, the doctor was on a walking trip through Northern Pennsylvania one spring day when he stopped by a farm house for a drink of water.  A little girl answered his knock at the door and instead of water, brought him a glass of fresh milk.  He visited with her briefly, then went his way.  Sometime later, the little girl came to him as a patient and needed surgery.  After the surgery, the bill was brought to her room and on it were the words, “Paid in full with one glass of milk.”

My husband wanted me to watch an inspirational video on YouTube which resembled the above event. It was about a poor boy whose mother was sick and in need of medicine and a local food seller who helped him provide his mom, expecting nothing in return. Later after many years, his kindness was paid, by a surgeon (the poor boy), who wrote “Paid in full several years ago with soup and medicine”, on the hospital bill for the food seller’s surgery.

The kindness that is sent, will return to you! What goes around comes around! Being kind to someone who is kind to you is pretty easy, but being kind to someone who is rude to you/who hurts you is not that easy. But you still can extend your kindness to them! It is a gift from God which you can freely share with others! Each one has their own battles. You never know what they go through! ‘Tit for tat’ is the pattern of this world! But you, as a child of God, spread the ‘Kindness’ germs! It is contagious! Remember God’s kindness toward you, whenever you are tempted to shout at someone. The other person may or may not deserve it. But God loved you when you were quite unlovable.

Speak words of kindness to have attractive lips! You will look amazingly pretty/handsome without lipstick! Kindness is a language which a deaf can hear and a blind can see! Kindness provided in excess will definitely speak to hearts one day. And when you are kind to strangers, be glad that you are showing them the way to be kind, even though you may not come to know about the wonders their kindness make! 

Good morning!

Yesterday early in the morning when I was getting ready to go to office, I heard my husband speaking to me with a thin voice and to hear him better I went close to him without expecting him to wave his hand (without knowing that I went close to him) over my face with his nails on. A portion of skin under my eyes was peeled off. Since it was near the infraorbital furrow, it is not visible outside. But it pains.

This incident has nothing to do with the message today, except this reminded me of all the hurting moments (not physical hurts, but emotional) I experienced in my life thus far because of the ones I trusted and I didn’t reciprocate, I felt like I have been sacrificing so much for nothing, to the point that, those who hurt me didn’t even know that they did. As I think too much about it, it pains. But I believe everyone who trusts in the mortal men/women, would have the same feeling. I also understand that without my knowledge I would have also hurt others.

Every coin has two sides. I will share about the first side today, and the other side tomorrow. If you feel what you undergo is too much for you to carry, and you do not know why someone who you trusts have to do all these things to you, then the following message is for you.

I read a beautiful story which was about a young woman who was climbing the mountain and when she was hanging there on a rock ledge with hundred feet below her, lost her contact lens. Her blurred vision and the height scared her. She looked unto the Lord and prayed when she reminded herself “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole world.” After her friends helped her reach the bottom, and she was startled to hear someone screaming, “Hey, anybody lost your contact lens?” pointing out to an ant moving very slowly carrying the contact lens. Maybe the ant told God, “God, I don’t know why You want me to carry this load. I cannot eat it and it’s awfully heavy. But, if you want me to carry it, I will.”

Friends, you are where God wants you to be. When moments like this happen, don’t try escaping from the situation, rather, obey to Him just as Mary said, “Be it unto me, Lord.” Mary obeyed to God and there was born, the Savior, to fulfill God’s plan!!! Just say to God, “Lord I do not know why You want me to carry this load. I can’t see any good out of it, and it is awfully heavy. But, if You want me to carry it, I will.” Maybe you are the ant which God uses to help someone who needs you in their struggles! God’s will for your life will not let you go places where He cannot go with you. Whatever you go through, will be for your good and God will make things happen in His time! Just stay there! Never give up!

May God bless you!

Brothers and sisters take note of this: everyone should be QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK and SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY. James 1-19

Listen, Speak and Anger are like the colours of the Traffic signal in terms of exhibiting the human nature of us in this world.  If you follow the Traffic signals, than they ensure safe and accident free journey. Likewise the above natures or qualities if followed or avoided according to the word of God will help us to lead a life pleasing unto God and a peaceful co existence in this world.

1)   Quick to listen:  If you are in marketing this word Listen (Listening skill) is very frequently used while interacting with customers. When you listen to them may be it is a complaint or compliment then you show them that you “value” their views. It will help to close your sale or complaint handling very successfully. Likewise Apostle James emphasis on the aspect “Listening and doing”. In the spiritual world just listening and doing nothing about what you hear is deceiving yourselves. In verse 22 gives the Punch word “Do what it says.” He gives the example of a man looking himself in the mirror and as he goes away he forgets what he looks like. Therefore dear ones let us follow the word we hear in letter and spirit then you will be blessed in what you do. If you read John 13-17 the Lord teaches his disciples humility through washing of their feet. In 17^th verse “Now that you have heard and seen these things you will be blessed if you do them.”  The second most important commandment of Jesus is “love your neighbour as yourself.” Now do you act like a listener or doer? If you practise both then you are doing right.

2)   Slow to speak: In Proverb 10-19 exactly defines why we should be slow to speak, when word is many, sin is not absent but he who holds his tongue is wise. Read James 1:26 says if any one does not keep tight rein on his tongue he deceives himself.  Further we read the tongue is also a fire, it corrupts the whole person and set his life span on fire. Let us introspect ourselves that with the tongue we praise the Lord and father or curse men who are made in god’s likeness.  Our speech if it is controlled by Satan it will be full of bitter, envy and unspiritual. But if it is ruled by God that it will be full of righteousness, love and grace. Read 2 Timothy2-16, Avoid godless chatters because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Make a decision today that with the help of the Holy Spirit you will rein in your tongue and use it as an instrument of praise and speak word of grace.

3)   Slow to anger:  James gives a fine explanation about anger, James 1:20 for anger do not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Just I would like to bring in a picture of Paul and Barnabas. If you read Acts 15:36 to 41 you will understand what I want to say. Read verse 39, they had such a strong disagreement that they have parted company. Here this disagreement was fuelled by anger. Even great apostle like Paul and Barnabas when temporarily influenced by anger, they parted company. 2Timothy 2-23, don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. That is to do things which God does not like. Therefore do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Throw away your anger and reconcile so that the peace of God will fill your mind and soul and devil cannot enter your life.

May God bless you with good nature so that you can Arise and Shine.

Good morning.

Last Sunday I sat next to an elderly woman in the Church. After the sermon started she waved her hand at me and said she would like me to mark the verses the preacher preached, in her Bible. Her Bible looked a bit old with stitches on its velvet cover. I took her Bible and pen to mark a verse as she told me. As soon as I finished marking, I returned it to her. Whenever the preacher mentioned a verse, she handed it back to me for help. To be honest, this was the first time I paid much attention to each and every single reference for all the Bible verses that were mentioned in the sermon. The reason why she needed my help was obvious. She has problem with her vision due to her age. But her thirst toward God’s Word and joy in His presence in spite of all the difficulties she faced surprised me. As I went through the pages of her Bible I could understand that she approaches the one sitting next to her every week for help, as I saw several types of marks made by people. She offered whatever she had with her (hey wait! I didn’t spy on her. It was an accident that I saw her while she offered.) and I guessed that she might have to walk while returning to her house.

I am sure God smiles when He thinks of her! What an awesome moment it would be for someone to have God smiling when He thinks of them!!!

Her seriousness toward His Word is something that cannot be compared with ours, who work in MNC’s, having multiple versions of Bible, in all possible sizes and designs, not only in our hand, but also in all the electronic devices we own, Textual, Audio, Video, what not, yet having no time to turn the pages to actually know what He speaks to us, thereby wasting so much of sacrifices the translators had made and hurting the Omnipotent God. A dusty Bible leads to dirty lives!

The author of Psalm 119 tells us that God’s Word is sweeter than honey to his mouth. Even today there are so many countries who shut their doors to God’s Word, yet, their people long to read. You and I have the most treasurable gift in our hands. Only when we realize that it is not a mortal book written by several authors, but a love letter from our loving Father, which has solutions to all the problems one can face in this cruel world, we would love to spend time reading and meditating it.

Diane Moody in her book, “Confessions of a prayer slacker”, shares with us that she visualizes that the Lord waits in her living room with a coffee pot and 2 mugs (one for Him and one for her) every morning. So she cannot sleep as soon as this scene comes to her mind. My sister-in-law always had an empty chair next to her whenever she studied so the Lord could mentor her. I have seen people counting numbers so they can fall into sleep, but my mother-in-law surprises me when she says she always recite the Bible verses if she doesn’t feel sleepy during her bed time.

Yes, there are so many people who adore God’s Word! Their soul is well! Now it is your turn. I am sure you too can new find ways just like them!

God bless you!

My American friend gifted me his Kindle Fire. (Ahhh thank you so much, Michael!!!) “Good and Perfect Gift, A: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny” written by Amy Julia Becker is the first book I completed reading in my Kindle Fire. This is a mother’s story of her own challenge in finding out that her daughter would be born with Down syndrome. She raises her child Penny with prayer in each activity. Down syndrome is the most common chromosome abnormality in humans, occurring in about 1 per 1000 babies born each year. It is typically associated with physical growth delays, characteristic facial features and mild to moderate intellectual disability and poor immune system. Whether you are a mother or not, this book takes you through both joyful and hurtful experiences and also in raising a child with Down syndrome and also through trusting Him in the weakest moments of your life. I was inspired after reading Amy’s journey with Penny and after some months I forgot about it, until someone reminded me about it.

I heard a young lady sharing her testimony in my office. During her prenatal screening and other diagnostic testing, the doctors found out that her baby might be a victim to Down syndrome. The first half of the book I read came true in the life of someone who I know. How painful it would have been for her and her husband! Doctors wanted her to abort the fetus, but they didn’t agree. They just prayed and prayed and prayed. They waited upon the Lord. They both didn’t share this with anyone. I can’t imagine how a pregnant woman can undergo such a pain in her heart and at the same time focus on her health so it doesn’t affect the baby inside.  Both faith and unbelief would have tossed her back and forth until the delivery. What a terrific situation to be in! But after the baby is born, to their surprise and to God’s glory, they saw her to be normal. Praise God! What a miraculous answer is the baby to them!!!! My eyes were filled with tears as she shared this testimony. How blessed we are to see our babies healthy and active and how grateful we should be to Him!

The message is, we may find no way out. But God helps our unbelief. He loves us when we are honest with Him. In Mark 9, when the father of a demon possessed boy cried to Him, “Lord, I took my son to your disciples. They could not drive the evil spirit out. I do believe that everything is possible for the one who believes. Please help my unbelief,” God rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy. He answered the father’s prayer. When disciples asked why they could not drive the spirit out, He answered, “This can be driven only by prayer.”

What are you waiting for? What kills your belief and leaves you unattended? No matter what it is, you know the key. You know the secret behind unbelief and how to overcome it. Start praying and keep praying. God will help you overcome unbelief and you will start seeing streams in the desert land.

Praise be to the Lord. May God bless you!

You have so many people around you, but still you feel you are all alone? You feel no one cares about you anymore? Your own family dejected you? You feel like you are of no use to anybody? You had faith on God, but not now, because you are constantly chewing the problem you face now and the way you keep thinking about it actually makes it so bigger day by day? Facing dreadful situations? You may have no way or a few ways to escape. But God has infinite ways for your escape.

You may think only weapons and arrows are needed for wars, but for God, winning a big battle is possible even with empty clay pots and trumpets. (Gideon in Judges 7) You may wonder how you are going to break down the huge walls you see in front of you. God can just use shouts to bring it down to the ground. (Joshua in Joshua 7) When you are scared of the mighty warriors and don’t have enough courage to face them in the battlefield, God can bring down hails from Heaven and destroy the enemy altogether. (Israelites in Joshua 10) You are frightened at giants like Goliath, but God can kill them with just a sling shot. (David in 1 Samuel 17) Today you are scared to be in the den with a hungry lion, but God can shut its mouth. (Daniel in Daniel 6) Maybe you are thrown into fire for standing for God, but God Himself can step into the fire with you and keep even your hair and robe from burning. (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3) You may have nothing to survive. But God can use 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes to feed 5000+ men and still can take the 12 baskets of leftovers. (Crowd in Luke 9) There are many other miracles which are recorded in the Bible.

God chooses lowly things and does wonders. So be glad about your weaknesses, because those are the areas where you are going to see His enormous strength!

Well, but there is something which you need to do. “Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for us.” In Don Moen’s song “He never sleeps” he says, “This is more than a promise; it’s a command.” Yes, it is a command. Do you realize how big your God is? Even your mountain like problems are very small for Him, yet, He doesn’t leave you abandoned so you can handle it all alone, because, He knows it is too big for you to handle it your way. So He comes to your aid to handle it His way. If you don’t believe this, just think about those times you thought your heart was going to collapse, but God sustained you through all that and kept you safe until now.

If God is on our side, it doesn’t matter who is on the other side! You don’t have to fight the battle. Just stay on His side and watch Him fighting for you!!

Our God is the greatest sculptor ever, as He created us in His own image, and gave His life so we became real, not just a sculpture!

I read this story on the Internet.

A father gave his son some bits and pieces of a world map and asked him to reassemble them properly. He thought his son would take much time to accomplish it. But to his surprise, the boy reassembled it quickly and handed the world map to his father. The father could not stop wondering asked him, “How did you do it so quickly? It is quite challenging.” The boy responded to his dad, “Yes it is. But there is a picture on the other side of the world map. This picture helped me assemble the bits and pieces together.”

In the same way, you may see yourself as bits and pieces of flesh, but God sees you complete! If you worry that you’re like a jigsaw puzzle broken into pieces due to unexpected circumstances and their consequences in your life, and you feel there is no way out, then this message is for you.

You may find yourself rejected by everyone because of what you have done in the past or because they think you are wrong, and you no longer feel loved. If so, then remember that God still loves you as you are. Psalm 34 : 18 says, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Yes, you cannot reassemble all the pieces, but if you can surrender all those pieces to the One who has a master plan for your life, He can fix them all and achieve His purpose. And His purpose for your life is good, to prosper you and not to harm you. You are not an accident! You may be knocked down, but not out forever! Rise up from your fallen state!!! He is waiting to refurbish you!!!

I would like to share with you word of God from Luke 2:14,“Glory in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and woman on earth who pleases Him”. This proclamation by angels, have three blessings

Give glory to God in heaven:  We need to give glory to God in heaven who gave Jesus Christ his only son. Besides this we have many reasons to glorify god. We need to bless our Lord God and father for his greatness, Power and Glory; his victory over sin; we have to worship him for his splendour and Majesty. For the Lord alone, is Holy and nations shall worship him. He is the creator God who created all things seen and unseen. They (people who saw the miracles) saw mute speaking, lame walking and glorified god.  He is a righteous god and will not allow you to go through unjust accusation. Heavens exalt him as Salvation to mankind came from the Lord. Dearly beloved, through the year 2013 you could have walked through difficult situation and seasons of joy, would have been protected and exalted by the grace and favour of God. Therefore you have every reason to glorify the God of heaven for what he had done in your life. (Psalm92-4)      

Peace to all men and women on earth: Our God has a name “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9-6). He was the epitome of Peace in the form of a human being. Jesus as a Prince of Peace gives peace to those who call on him in times of trouble or for personal salvation. He gives peace not only in turbulent times but also guides your feet in to the “way of peace”. He will lead you to have a harmonious relationship with men and God. We need to understand the carnal mind (manifesting fleshly thoughts) will ruin our inner peace with god. Hence our thoughts should be pure and clean so our Peace with god will not be disturbed.  Let petitions and praise shape your worries in to prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you recognise it, a sense of Gods wonderful peace, will prevail over your mind (Philippians-4-5,6).

The Divine Favour: It is wonderful to know that the Lord wants to cascade his favour on you. He wants to demonstrate his compassion in your life. He will bless everyone who waits on him for his divine favour. When the Lord shows his favour up on you, you will be exalted from your current status to a man of high esteem.  If you are downhearted because of your sluggish progress cheer up, for the Favour of the Lord is coming up on you. The Lord always rejoices in giving the best to those who seek him. So dear friend God gives you a promise today, I am concerned for you and look on you with favour (Ps-102-13). The Lord will make you a fruit bearing branch in every dimension of your life (Genesis 49-22).

Eric Sundararaj

Today we are living in a global village were time and distance are irrelevant to the speed of communication. We have modern technology like iPhone, iPad, Tab which design our life style. Our emphasis on accomplishment is more resting on the “I” factor. We love to delight ourselves in every success and accomplishments. Though we are right in doing so, we often miss the “enabler” behind our success. That is what precisely the Lord reveals in the above Words. When you internalize your success in your thought and mind innocuously it breeds pride in you.

A) If you read Daniel 4:29 to 32 … As the King was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said “is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty? Even as the words were on his lips the voice came from heaven about his displacement from the Kingship. The voice says that you will be like these till you acknowledge that the “Most High” is sovereign over kingdoms on earth. What stands out very candidly is the God’s zealous in not allowing the man to usurp the Glory of God even in his thought realm. Let us be careful about our attitude of mind.

B) We read about King Uzziah who became a king when he was 16 years and was guided by Zechariah. 2 Chronicles 26:15, 16 we read he was greatly helped by the Lord till he became powerful. But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He became unfaithful to God to burn the incense which is done by a priest. Here the pride brought disobedience to the law of God. Dear ones are we standing close to the line of demarcation between humility and pride? In 1 Corinthians 8:1, Paul tells us “but knowledge puff up while love builds up”. Steer clear from the comfort zone of pride.

Put on the garment of love. Love does not boast; it is not proud; it is not rude, and love never fails. If you have love in your heart it will manifest as humility in your action.  When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes Wisdom (Prov-11:2). Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take Advice. (Prove -13:10). The fear of the Lord teaches man wisdom, and humility comes before Honour (Prov-15:33).

Let us follow Jesus as our role model.  Though Jesus being the son of God, He did not consider himself equal to God .He made himself in human likeness and humbled himself by becoming obedient unto death, even death on cross. In your relationship with one another, have the same attitude of mind of Christ Jesus.

Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord; and he shall lift you up higher and higher. God bless you.

Eric Sundararaj

I want to ask a question “are you a vessel of honour” in every walk of your life, glorifying the name of God where ever you are placed? If you read the versus preceding, you see St Paul gives a metaphor about vessels in a house some made for honour and some made for dishonourable use. That means we have a choice to be a vessel of honour or a vessel of dishonour. Paul clearly sees three valuable virtues that can make you honourable vessel in the hands of the Lord in October.

You should be sanctified to be a vessel of honour:  Sanctification may sound high but it means to set apart. 1 John 2-15 to 17 tells us “Do not love the world or the things of the world. It is clear that a) the desire of the flesh b) desires of the eye and pride in possession is not from the Father but from the world. Does that mean you need to isolate yourself from the world? Read 1Thessalonians 5-21, 22, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.  Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do (1Peter 1-9). Then you become a vessel set apart to God.

 Be a vessel of Love: When Jesus walked on this world he was full of love and forgiveness. Love is a divine nature that has come from the Lord (John 3-16).You can glorify God only when you have Love and forgiving nature. Read Matt- 22-37,38, 39  The greatest commandment  is “to love the Lord your God and the second is to love one’s neighbour as oneself”. There is no greater definition than this for love.  In a nutshell, “love for God and love for others, who are made in God’s image. We need to forgive others as Jesus did. Read Ephesians 4-32; “be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” .You should forgive and forget so that they will not come to mind. Please read and practice Matthew 5-44,45.(NKJV)

Be a vessel of good work: Read Hebrew 13-16, do not forget to do good and to share with others, for such sacrifices God is pleased. Whenever possible, where ever possible do charity.  In Proverb 19-17 those who are kind to the poor lend to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Dear ones every act of mercy will bring abundant blessings and even if you go through some problems in life the same mercy of God will lift you up.

May God bless you with Joy and happiness in October.

Rejoice always, is an Instruction from Apostle Paul. He repeats the same more emphatically in Philippians 4-4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again rejoice in the Lord”.  Life on earth comprises of circumstances, attitudes and different experiences, which bring in emotional impact on us like sorrow, tears, and heart aches according to the intensity. Paul desires that every one of us should learn to live a life without getting overcome by these physical factors. He wants our inner man to be strong in the Lord so that you will be an over comer. In 2 Corinthians 6-10, Paul says “sorrowful yet always rejoicing” as his own experience. Nehemiah explains another kind of rejoicing in Neh: 8-10d, “for the joy of the Lord is your strength”. Dear friends are you rejoicing in the Lord every day, or murmuring of your day to day life. Through this experience of Paul and Nehemiah,

I want to take you to the next level of spiritual standard through rejoicing in the Lord always. Frequently our success brings delight and Joy to our hearts. Read Luke 10-20, the disciples were excited that the spirits submitted to them. But Jesus gave them the right perspective of rejoicing by saying Rejoice for your names are written in Heaven that is in the book of life (Rev 20-12). Let us strive for a higher level of Holiness. Pray continually: This does not mean spending all your time on knees. Paul speaks about a prayerful attitude or mind. Prayerful attitude will help you to realise your dependence on Him, experiencing His presence, and obedience to the word of God. Your prayer can be short, spontaneous as the need of your situation.  In Nehemiah 2-4, we read “the king said to me what is it you want? Then I prayed to the God of heaven and I answered the king” clearly shows it is a short prayer. If you read Isaiah 38-2, the prophet of the Lord told to Hezekiah to put his house in order. What did Hezekiah do? He offered a spontaneous prayer, “Remember me, o Lord how I have walked before you faithfully and with whole hearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes. And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

The spontaneous prayer brought instant answer from God. This prayerful attitude is not a substitute for the regular time of prayer. (Daniel-6-13).Friend do you have a prayerful attitude through the day. Then you will rejoice in your prayer life. Give thanks in all situations: Life is made up of favourable and adverse situations. Paul teaches us to learn to thank God in all circumstances. In a favourable situation and in adverse situation it is “His grace upholds you”.

May God bless you with Joy and happiness in September.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” Matthew 5:14

We all know about a lighthouse and it’s intended purpose. It is a very crucial equipment for the sailors, much so in the earlier days and is still in use in the GPS days also. I visited a lighthouse recently and it was my first look at a lighthouse on the inside and so close. I was stunned to see the size of the bulb, which was almost the size of our normal cfl bulbs that we use at home.

So, how is that then, so much of light is generated from the bulb, so that the sailors can see it far away from the sea?. It is through an arrangement of reflectors and lenses!!!.

As we read in the verse above, we called to be the light of the world. How can we shine in this dark world, so that we can be beneficial to many?. It is by reflecting and focusing on Christ and not on us.

Today, if you are seeing at yourself and saying that you are so small (not physically) in stature in many aspects, and not able to be a shining light for this world – look up to Jesus, reflect Him, let Him be your lens to magnify you, then the result will be glorious!!!. You can reach many people, guide many people who are struggling in the deep seas, to the safe shores of the Lord.

Go ahead and be the light of the world, with Christ!!!.

We read this in Mark 10:51, where Jesus on His way to Jericho encounters the blind man. It is quite obvious that a man begging Him to show mercy may not expect a question like this. But why did Jesus ask this question? He wanted to give an opportunity to the blind man to express his trust or faith in Him which will give glory to God. This is expressed implicitly in Luke 18:42 and Jesus said to him, Receive your sight! Your faith (your trust and confidence that spring from your faith in God) has healed you. (Amplified Bible) If you read the incident from the beginning, He cried all the more in spite of being rebuked by the crowd. This brings out another aspect of faith that is persevering faith. Though this happens to be a miracle performed by Jesus it has an in depth reflection on the inner fibre of Faith which is required for healing.

Dear ones to day the Lord is standing in front of you (see it through the eyes of faith) and tell him what is that you have been longing for. If your supplication is delayed it could be(one of the reason)may be due to shallow or faith with an element of doubt. In John 15:7 Jesus said “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. Secondly read Nehemiah2:2, so the king said to me, why do you look sad…This is nothing but sorrow of heart. (Amplified bible).This may not be an experience of all But God gave me an insight that many who look happy outward are sorrowful within. Through these verses I would like to encourage you. What is your sorrow which is eating your peace and Joy? Sometimes your hard ship could be due God disciplining you. Heb 12:11 says “but god discipline us for our good that we may share in His Holiness.

No discipline seems pleasurable at that time but painful (sad). Later on it will produce a harvest of righteousness and Peace”. Have you ever asked God, what do you want me to do to please you?  Read Deuteronomy 10:12 “And now Israel( we are the spiritual Israelites) What does the lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your god with  all your heart and with all your soul.

Here God tell us his expectation from us that is a) Fear of God b) to love Him with all your heart and be humble(Mich6:8) Read Numb14:8,If the Lord is pleased with you, he will lead us in to that land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Your life will be like a watered Garden. God bless you.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Have you heard the sound of door that closes? I believe every one of us have heard it. Many of us have been behind closed doors. Some of you are still behind one. Doors of guilt, doors of rejection, doors of hatred, doors of sickness, doors of broken relationships, doors of broken hopes and shattered dreams and the list never end. You are shameful of the past and fearful of the future. No joy. No peace. No hope. Closed Doors!!!

They are hard to deal and hard to heal. May be you tried to open them with your friends, with entertainment, with your soul mate, with your job, with your knowledge and you failed. (None of these keys suits) I would like to turn your attention to a bunch of men who were behind a closed door. They lost their Hope. They were filled with fear. They were guilty. Yes their King was crucified and their loyalties were tested. They ran from the One who was their Hope. They betrayed Him. They had a heavy heart. They couldn’t forgive themselves. They couldn’t face themselves.

How could they face their Master? Have you ever been there! Roaring and bold like a lion Once, scared of the roaring lion now. Running for God Once! Running from God Now! Bang! Bang! Bang! And suddenly you are behind the Closed Door! Lets come back to the those bunch of men behind the closed door. As they were there in behind the door, Jesus came in. The door was still closed. But Jesus still could come in. Not to condemn them, not to scare them (though they were scared), not to prove them they are guilty (though all was right to do), but to say “Peace be with you” or be at peace with God again because I have taken away your sins!!

Today God enters your closed door and pronounces these words to your trouble hearts “Peace be with you” because he is the Prince of Peace. No door can stop Jesus! Not even the door of Grave!! Next time you see a closed door, let it remind you of the Carpenter who walks through it!!!

You’re the substitute for Jesus Christ in this world. Astonished to hear this? See what Jesus said.

“The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing.”

John 14:12

The greatest truth that every believer should explore is that he/she is the substitute of Christ do all the good works

 (preach the gospel, Heal the people, bringing people out of all yokes such as sin, disease, poverty, curse, anxiety )

That He did. It’s simply like a senior employee retires from His job and hands over the same job to his junior. You can be astonished on hearing these words of Jesus. How come Jesus is telling this assuredly? Because He has given the same Holy Spirit that He had.

Even though Jesus was the son of God, He partake flesh and blood and revealed us how a man should be. Therefore He was anointed with Holy Spirit to do the work of the Lord. Jesus tells that the same anointing was also upon us.

Start believing this from today and you will surely see God using you mightily in the good works, since we’re not doing anything on our own, but by the power of Holy Spirit. Amen. Have the compassion that Jesus had for the lost sheep (Mathew 9:36). When you see non-believing co-workers among you, your spirit should cry out with the same compassion that Jesus had on seeing the people.

Don’t see them as a sinner. See their desperate stage under the bondage of satan. We’ve been saved and moving towards Heaven. But what about them? Start having compassion for the non-believers around you. Then I tell you Lord will surely use you to touch them and get them into His kingdom. Praise God. Glory be to God.

SNAILS have 14175 teeth laid along 135 rows on their tongue. A BUTTERFLY has 12,000 eyes. DOLPHINS sleep with 1 eye open. A BLUE WHALE can eat as much as 3 tonnes of food everyday, but at the same time can live without food for 6 months. The EARTH has over 12,00,000 species of animals, 3,00,000 species of plants & 1,00,000 other species. Before I got an email on the internet – I did not know a butterfly has 12000 eyes. WOW !How awesome are God’s creations.

God does not bluff us when the Bible says in Genesis 1:31 “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good”. He is very sure he is right. In fact he is right about all that he made, everything was good and remains good, except his best creation man. Man failed him then at the Garden of Eden & continues to fail him today.

In my opinion, every single man or woman who fails to realize his /her God given plan is failing God. He has send us Prophets, Saints , Apostles & his son Jesus, all to remind us of the fact that “We are God’s best creation” and today he is sending you this message through me.The message is that “We (man) are the only creation of God that has a pre-defined plan for his/her arrival on this earth” . God planned your parents, work, ministry & every single thing you are supposed to do on this earth. But, we choose to look at our own selves for planning rather than God. If only we could look to God for our plans, we would then work on God’s plan for us rather than our own plan for us.

I agree, I have difficulty in following what I am preaching right now. When it comes to preaching, I really look for God’s plan for my sermon/talk /message but, I am less inclined to look for God’s plan in the other things that I do in my life. I am seriously working on my self to be able to look for God’s plan in everything I plan. I pray, I shall soon be able to get there and so do each one of you reading this article.

I would like to encourage you today to remember the fact that “You are God’s best creation” & he God send his son to remind you of this fact. Never think that something is impossible for you. If it is within God’s will for you – Nothing is impossible for you. You only need to know if it is in God’s will for you.If you are going as per God’s plan, the world may say something is impossible but it’s definitely possible for you.

Let us all wake up to the fact that, We are an awesome creation of an awesome God.

God Bless You.

Majestic God, who created heaven and earth and make them to exist till day, is the only omnipotent that everyone would agree. When we read this verse that really makes us to think about our awesome God who can call the lightning to come and go where he sends: Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we [are]?. (Job 38:35).. It is all the more reality to think that what is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? (Psalm 8:4)…

God created man in His own image to have fellowship with Him daily (Gen 3:8), just little lower than angels (Psalm 8:5) but the sin of the first man made the entire mankind into spiritual death and separated from God. Since then, man is hiding from God (Gen 3:10) but He wants to reveal Himself to the human at any possible way.

Even today the population of world is 674, 89, 48,242 but God is mindful of you and me as an Individual. These two verses clearly indicate the power of one person and how God minds that ‘One person’.

A. Loyal Child:  The eyes of the Lord which running to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself Mighty on behalf of  those whose heart is loyal to Him ( IIChr 16:9).. Yes. Always He is mindful of His loyal Children. The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless [us]; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron. (Psalm 115:4)

B. Praying Child : Mighty God is on the lookout for the individual like you or me, To make a wall of prayer and stand the gap for our families & friends, colleagues & cities, nation & generation before the destruction comes ( by any means such as Terror Attack or Bomb Blast or Accidents,etc). But God’s heart cry to say that he did not find even one person. (Ezek 22:30)

The Life of Moses is a great witness for us to realize that the Mighty God is mindful of you or me. The Mighty Arm of the Lord is revealed through Moses to lead the Israel at Red Sea. Also, he stood in the gap for stiff-necked Israelites to turn away the wrath of God.

Dear Corporate Warrior of Christ, Yes, God is mindful of you, to make you a majestic witness for His mighty power from the market places with the promise: I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasure of darkness and hidden riches of secret places that you may know that I, the Lord, who calls you by your name, Am the God of Israel (Isaiah 45:2-3).

Together To Reach Out,

Samuel Johnson Gamaliel

Every one goes through “night” phases in their life. What does night symbolizes. Darkness.

We all go through such dark periods.
But there is great difference in how a Christ follower reacts and how all others react.

A person who follows Christ will be able to sing and rejoice in the darkest phase of his life because the LORD enables him and empowers him to do so.
Job 35:10 says “Who gives songs of rejoicing in the night”. Yes he gives songs of rejoicing even in the night or dark periods of our life. Bible has so many examples for such songs. David sang when he was chased by Saul.

But the most familiar example for most of us is found in Acts 16:25
“But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the [other] prisoners were listening to them”

“About Midnight”…Midnight is the darkest time in a night. Yes it was the darkest period for Paul and Silas, yet they were able to sing hymns of praise. Was it their own strength? No it was God who enabled them. Psalms 8;2 says “From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise”. So God is the one who enable us to praise.

Next time when you are tempted to say am not able to praise remember He is the one who enables you to praise.

Ok. What happens when you praises. There are different answers to that question. But one answer is it silences the mouth of the enemy-the Devil. Do you want the proof? See psalms 8:2 again “to silence the foe and the avenger”. When you praise it shuts the mouth of the devil. So to shut his mouth of all negative and discouraging comments he gives you start praising the LORD. Now its not easy for you to guess what Daniel would have done in the lions Den. Just praising God.
So Praise God And shut up the roaring lion’s mouth….

This hasn’t been an easy path but one of learning and adventure. I want to share an experience of a lady in my monthly prayer group. She lives on the border of Bethlehem, which has had some heavy fighting during the last several years. One night she looked out over the valley and heard gunfire and explosions. When she glanced down into the valley from her apartment window, she saw a shepherd calmly tending his sheep. With tears in her eyes she said, “you could see he was talking to his sheep; and every time the gunfire would sound, the alarmed sheep would scatter.” What happened next was the beginning of the life change for me.

My Israeli friend said that as the sheep scattered, the shepherd would simply take his staff and lightly touch each sheep and they would once again come into the fold. Our group began to weep. I read aloud from the 23rd Psalm, “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou are with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

This is a beautiful picture of God’s comforting peace in the time of storm. He is the Good Shepherd. He is the one who has promised to prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies. Our loving Father is the one who has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. He is the shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. What a consolation!

Interestingly, my friend’s story took place in Bethlehem, where David, the shepherd boy was quite familiar with sheep, since they were his trade. He later described the journey of Moses and the children of Israel with these words: “But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. And he led them on safely, so that they feared not” (Ps. 78:52-53, KJV). Whatever you are facing today, you have no reason to fear, for your Good Shepherd will gently direct your path.

Every shepherd knows his sheep by name. Notice that when the sheep began to stray from fear and distractions, the shepherd would tap them on their backs and no doubt speak their names, thus getting their attention. Once he diverted their attention from wandering, they would return to the fold. Believe it or not, even when we are fearful or distracted, Jesus is near to calm us with His gentle touch. If there is upheavel in your life today it is proof positive that the Good Shepherd is gently handling your life; the Potter’s tender hands are shaping you into the image of Christ! In The Message, Eugene Peterson writes in Romans 8:

God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, eh stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.

The Lord is shepherding you today. Fears may rise up, discouragement might overtake your heart and trouble might cause you concern; but the Good Shepherd is always near to keep you close to the fold. Come close to Jesus right now, won’t you?

Source: This message is written by Sis. Alice Smith ( www.EddieAndAlice.com ) and published with permission from the Author. Alice & Eddie Smith are conducting ‘Marketplace Prayer/Evangelism Workshops’ across US cities.

I believe the greatest mistake that Adam and Eve committed was hiding their sin and running away from the presence of God. We can be sure that if they had confessed their sin, our great God would have forgiven them. But, they did not do it. This made God angry and He cut His fellowship with them and with all of us. It was like surrendering to satan by forgetting God. What a shame?

This is true even today when we turn away from God whenever we sin. But, as children of the most high God, we have the wonderful privilege of going back to God in repentance. This was made possible by the great sacrifice that our loving Lord Jesus gifted us by dying on the cross. 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”.. What a comfort we can draw out of this beautiful verse.

Sin is terrible, and continuing to live in sin without repentance is even disastrous. God knows all our weaknesses. He can understand all our temptations because He was tempted in the same way like us and yet was without sin. May be we have sinned too much, but when we truly repent and confess our sins, God cleanses us and forgives us in a whisker. The Bible says in Psalms 103:12 “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us”. 

It is a wonderful feeling to leave all the burden of guilt at the throne of grace and receive forgiveness. If some of you happened to read this, I believe God is speaking to you personally to get into the presence of God and confess your sins. It may be anything, may be the ugliest sin. We may think that if others come to know of this they may spit on us. But, don’t worry, the one who is inside us is greater than anyone in the world. He says that he will forgive all our sins. We can walk with our heads held high if we don’t run away from God.

Never make the mistake that Adam and Eve did. Let us be people who fear God out of love. We are all vessels molded by the great potter. He knows those little rough particles in us. All that He expects is that we call on Him for help!. Remember that “whenever sin abounds, grace abounds much more”. Don’t get me wrong here as this is not a license to sin. I want to reach out to all of us who are broken because of sin in our life and apply the balm of the love of Jesus on our wounded hearts so that we are healed.

Thanks,

Brucelin

After their victory, many took off their jerseys and they had these words ‘ I belong to Jesus’. They knelt and prayed on the field, they worshipped on the field. The same thing happened in their recent confederations cup final win. They prayed on the field, worshipped on the field with billions watching around the world!!!. What a testimony at work. Do we need to say more?.

After the match, in the interview on the field, Brazilian skipper Lucio said something in his native language pointing the words on his T shirt, which read ‘I Love Jesus’.

Are we able to be as a testimony like this in our work place?. It is not necessary that we need to wear such T Shirts to our workplace and only they can communicate our testimony. It is about what our life communicates about Jesus to others. Are we true to what the Lord wants us to practice in the work place?. It is not enough to be holy on Sundays, we need to live it right through our work and be a testimony in all that we do at the work place.

We have a mission at our work place. We are there for a purpose. That is our mission field. We are in a place where the church cannot come in. We are in front of people, who may not know Jesus and will not come to any gospel meeting. You take a deeper look and everyone is in need. Do they know the truth?. The truth which will set them free as per John 8:32.

Do you pray for people whom you come across in your work place and do you look for a chance to share the gospel with them?.Doesn’t your way of life make them question and there by provide you an opportunity to share the gospel?. Please have a look at your life and have a check whether you are reflecting Christ in all that you do at the workplace.

Your life may be the only Bible others get to read

(The Author – Rajiv R G (Rajiv Rajamoni George) is a CIO with an IT MNC in Chennai)

A doctor-friend wrote:

A couple of days ago I was running (I use that term very loosely) on my treadmill, watching a DVD sermon by LouieGiglio…..and I was BLOWN AWAY!  I want to share what I learned….but I fear not being able to convey it as well as Iwant. I will share anyway.

He (Louie) was talking about how inconceivably BIG our God is…..how He spoke the universe into being…how He breathes stars out of His mouth that are huge raging balls of fire…etc. etc. Then He went on to speak of how this star-breathing, universe creating God ALSO knitted our human bodies together with amazing detail and wonder. At this point I am LOVING it (fascinating from a medical standpoint, you know.) ….and I was remembering how I was constantly amazed during medical school as I learned more and more about God’s handiwork. I remember so many times thinking….’How can ANYONE deny that a Creator did all of this???’

Louie went on to talk about how we can trust that the God who created all this, also has the power to hold it all together when things seem to be falling apart…how our loving Creator is also our sustainer.

And then I lost my breath. And it wasn’t because I was running my treadmill, either!!!

It was because he started talking about laminin.

I knew about laminin. Here is how wikipedia describes them: ‘Laminins are a family of proteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue.’ You see….laminins are what hold us together….LITERALLY. They are cell adhesion molecules. They are what holds one cell of our bodies to the next cell..Without them, we would literally fall apart. And I knew all this already. But what I didn’t know is what laminin LOOKED LIKE.

But now I do.  And I have thought about it a thousand times since (already)…..Here is what the structure of laminin looks like… AND THIS IS NOT a ‘Christian portrayal’ of it….if you look up laminin in any scientific/medical piece of literature; this is what you will see…

Now tell me that our God is not the coolest!!!  Amazing!!! The glue that holds us together…. ALL of us….is in the shape of the Cross.

He is before all things, and in Him all things HOLD TOGETHER. Colossians 1:15-17.

Call me crazy. I just think that is very, very, very cool. Thousands of years before the world knew anything about laminin, Paul penned those words. And now we see that from a very LITERAL standpoint, we are held together…one cell to another…..by the cross.

You would never in a quadrillion years convince me that is anything other than the mark of a Creator who knew EXACTLY what laminin ‘glue’ would look like long before Adam even breathed his first breath!!

“Faith is not knowing what the future holds, but knowing who holds the future”

It’s in this media frenzy that I suddenly thought that God has given us a masterpiece in the BIBLE that guides us in the way we should go to be successful in our life. I looked for books that may have a 50^th Chapter & I zoomed in on Psalm 50. There are very few books with 50 or more chapters anyway. So, what does Psalm 50 say?

Psalm 50:23 says “Whoever makes an offering of praise gives glory to me; and to him who is upright in his ways I will make clear the salvation of God”

The Psalm 50, emphasizes on two things 1)God loves those who make offerings of praise to him 2) Those who are upright / righteous in their ways will receive salvation. The two things are again so interconnected. Unless one is upright, one cannot praise God with all his/her mind, heart & soul. So, simple logic, If A=B & A=C then B=C ˜ God loves righteous people

In my career, I have often found being righteous / upright a challenge. I have found it tough to tell my company that I am going to lead a prayer and will return after the prayer when it would have been easy to say I have a headache & take leave. But, this is one area where I can say with absolute certainty that I am righteous / upright before man & God. I know for sure that God will not bless any work that you do for him in the midst of deceit & so I prefer to be frank about it. I am not ashamed to tell my company that I am going out for 2 hours on permission to lead a prayer at “X” company. In fact, doing God’s work with the knowledge of my company makes me more responsible to work effectively so that God’s name is not taken in vain. If I was not effective / efficient in my work, people would say “he has time only to pray but not for work”. Now, people say “he is good at leading prayer and is also efficient in completing the work assigned to him”

Well, this is not an advertisement for me being righteous because other than the work place there are many areas of my life in which I fall short of righteousness. That does not mean I will stop trying to be righteous in every area. As the apostle Paul says in Ephesians 2:10 “For by his act we were given existence in Christ Jesus to do those good works which God before made ready for us so that we might do them”. I will keep on trying to become righteous in all that I do because God has made ready my work for me & if he has made ready a work for me, he would not assign it to me unless I can complete it by remaining righteous. As the Bible says in Ephesians 6:10 “Be strong in the Lord & his mighty power”

My dear friends, being righteous is not easy, but we have to be strong and keep trying, as God promises in Psalm 50 he will reward us for our righteousness because, God loves righteous people.

God Bless You.

Today are you feeling that you have tried out all the ways to come out of the darkness that surrounds you, but still your efforts end up only in vain? Then this is exactly for you!

Believe me, everyone has their own problem. The girl who faces problems with her marital life will think that she has the world’s toughest problem and the student who failed in his important exam will think that he has the worst problem than anyone does.

Peter was fed up when he saw his empty net even after he tried an entire night. Jesus came to Peter by the time Peter was washing his net. He was thinking to go to his place, but Jesus asked him to cast his net again in the water. Peter being a fisherman would have thought what was happening. He knew every trick to catch a fish, but none of his tricks worked out that night. Still he did obey to Jesus and went back to the same water and to his surprise he was able to see many fishes in his net.

Sometimes you may worry why the Lord keeps on sending you to a place which you don’t like or which you like most, but was seriously disappointed because you’ve been hurt. Remember God doesn’t want you to give up. He doesn’t want you to turn your back on those shameful areas. He wants you to go, face your battle, restore things up and stand victorious in the same place.

To cite a practical example, when I was a fresher, I was into a development team. We all worked day and night. But the clients thought that they were paying for nothing as their expectations were very high. We were not able to win their confidence. After a year or so, I was asked to work on the very same project as a single resource. I was not at all willing to work on it again. I even thought of leaving my company because of that. But the Lord put me onto the same project, that too as a single one working directly with the client. He didn’t leave me helpless. He was with me every day that I worked and you know what? My client has given lot many commendations on my work and everyone noticed it and it was added to my credit, so that even today people could remember that.

If He cares for your projects, will He not care for your future and what you’re going through in your life?

I know my friends, many of you’re worrying too much about your lives, because you face unbearable pain, but God tells you today that He will set everything right for you. He will fight the battle for you. He will not leave you ashamed in front of the wicked eyes. Believe me, He is restoring you. You’ll never be put to shame. With God, you’ll gain victory over all the giants you face today.

What is the starting point of restoration? Nehemiah stood up finding God’s favor and gathered the weak people and restored the wall of Jerusalem. Why was the wall considered so important? Because it is the main strength of a city. If it is strong, the entire city is secured from the hands of enemies. If the wall is broken, then the people are prone to any attacks. Similarly when your relationship with God collapses, you’re prone to anything. When you set things right with God, nothing can collapse your peace, no matter whatever happens to you. Is your soul weary today?

Creating things are easy. Destroying anything is far easier. But restoring things are not that easy. But with God anything is possible. He is your creator. No one knows much about you as He does. He can restore your soul! Psalms 23 : 3 talks about it.

May this month be the month of restoration. No matter whatever we’re losing, wherever we’re back sliding, in whichever area we’re growing weary, our God is a God of restoration and this is His restoring period. He can still restore anything, especially your soul which none can restore. Enough is enough. Shall we surrender the broken pieces to Him for restoration today?

I would like to finish this with a famous saying. ‘The losers are those who give up without knowing that they’re just 2 steps away from their winning point.’ Never give up! He is turning your sorrows into joy. Yes, it’s almost done.

The author is working in a IT MNC and can be reached through editor@ccf.org.in

Boasting or bragging is seen with many of us, if not all, in different occasions. We love to speak with great pride or trying to impress people with our accomplishments either in office or at home. But when we read the above verse from the scripture it brings in a new dimension to this human nature. Paul declares that the only person who is worthy of praise (boast) is our Lord.

We get an insight in to the conclusion of Paul in James 1:17 “Every good action and perfect gift is from God. These good gifts come down from the creator of the sun, moon and the stars who does not change like the shifting shadows.(NCV). So all the gifts like wisdom, knowledge, understanding and skills are given as gift to us to accomplish our goal.

PRIDE: Let me give you a word from Isaiah 10:13, The King of Assyria says this, by my own power I have done these things; by my wisdom I have defeated many nations. The Assyrians were haughty. They thought they have accomplished everything   in their own power. Likewise our perspective can become distorted by our accomplishment if we fail to recognise God is working his purpose through us. When we think that we are strong enough to perform we will fail. If you read Deut 8:17,18a, you might say to yourself “I am rich (any success) because of my own power and strength.”But remember the Lord your God! It is he who gives you the power to become rich” (Successful).

ATTITUDE: I would like to juxtapose two people to compare their attitude towards success. When you read Ezekiel 28: 2,3 God spoke to Ezekiel about the Prince of Tyre “Because you are proud , you say I am a God. I sit on the throne of a God in the middle of the seas. But in verse 3 God says you think you are wiser than Daniel? God had flattened his blotted ego by comparing him to the attitude of Daniel. But how did Daniel handle a situation he underwent; during the night God explained the secret to Daniel in a vision. Daniel “praised the God of haven” (Dan.2:19). How do you respond when thumped up by people at work, family or by friends? Your initial reaction during these times reflect who you are. Like Daniel praise God. He will take you to greater heights.

Foundation: So you should not brag about human leaders. In Ps. 94:11 “The Lord knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile. Therefore let us build our character on the foundation of Christ. When you leave your control of future to God, He will bless you like Isaac till you become great and distinguished. Make Christ your power of God and the wisdom of God (1Corinth.1:24) in life. Read Jere.9: 23, 24. May God bless you.

Hello Missionary,

Don’t be shocked that I called you a missionary. It isn’t a mistake. Indeed, it is YOU in the marketplace that I’m calling a missionary.

You may be wondering what this actually means as I am sure many of you are not familiar with the term “marketplace missionary”. So can someone truly be a “missionary in the marketplace?” Or is it possible for someone’s “marketplace to become his mission field?”

Well, as you keep reading, the Spirit of God will answer all your questions.
Most of the times we are awe struck by the impact created by mega church pastors and televangelists in our midst that we belittle ourselves into thinking that we aren’t useful in the kingdom of God. Maybe you condemn yourself into thinking that you are not doing anything BIG for God. I understand your desperation but in reality there is nothing to be frustrated about.

First let us clarify the two words “marketplace” and “missionary” in the light of the scriptures. From what I know, the word ‘missionary’ is not found in the scriptures at all. So then, who is a missionary? As the name itself indicates, one is called a ‘missionary’ when he is ‘sent’ on a ‘mission’. A missionary does not work on his own agenda. His whole purpose is to fulfil the mission for which he was ‘sent’. Jesus gave us the great commission in Matthew 28:19 and we are ‘sent’ by HIM for HIS mission. Hence we are HIS missionaries.

We see the express mention of the term ‘marketplace’ in many verses of the New Testament including Mark 7:4. In general parlance, the term denotes a place or an avenue where buying and selling happens and also includes the people who carry it out.

Now, when we talk about “Missionaries in the Marketplace”, it means influencing the place where we work with the light of the Gospel and demonstrating Jesus to the world. Theologians state that nearly 80% of the time, Jesus’ ministry was in the marketplace as opposed to a very few times in the church. So, if Jesus spent a lot of time reaching out to people in their place of work, it is important that we also show the same amount of perseverance in reaching people in our workplaces.
Somebody once beautifully said, “You might be the only bible that many will ever read in their life.” We are the carriers of God’s Presence. When we step into our marketplace, we bring Jesus into our office. Every move we make, our lifestyle, our conduct is a testimony to the people we are working with and we must influence upon them about Christ.

The early Christians ministered mostly in their workplaces because their whole life revolved around their work. But as time passed by, somehow the sacred secular divide crept into believers and blinded them from the revelation of carrying Jesus into their marketplace (our everyday life).

Many of us are content with dividing our lives, whereby going to church every Sunday morning and going to work the rest of the week are completely different facets of our life. But the Bible does not encourage that. When we spend more than 75% of our time in the marketplace, it needs a revelation to perceive ourselves as missionaries in the marketplace. And to adopt the attitude of “My Pastor cannot step in to my company, but I can and I am the missionary for God in my marketplace.”

When we look back at history, we see that whenever missionaries entered a country or a land, they did some powerful reforms in that society. They entered the marketplace, brought in education, stepped into healthcare, and addressed the need of the hour and so on. That is what we call a true missionary. We are called to change the spiritual atmosphere of the places we step into. There should definitely be a shift when you enter in the name of Jesus. Businesses flourish, profits increase double fold, colleagues enjoy your company, and suddenly people feel the difference.

Jesus said we are the light of the world. He didn’t say we are the light to the church. We need to see marketplace as our parish and business as our pulpit.
History has enough witnesses to emphasis the role of God’s servants in the marketplace. If not for Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream, the whole of Egypt would have succumbed to the famine. No decision was made in Babylon without the counsel of Daniel. Esther’s favour with the King saved the whole nation of Israel and thwarted the plans of Haman. Even Paul was a tent maker himself.
Trends are changing everywhere. It is during such a time as this where we need God’s voices in our parliament. We need God’s ideas in the media. We need God’s generals to defend the integrity of our education system. We need God’s watchmen in the legal system to fight for justice. When the whole world is in quest for hope, you who have Jesus, the Hope for all mankind is called to share HIM to the world.
The marketplace needs a Missionary, “YOU”.

Oh Missionary of God! Put on God’s armour and march on… the Kingdom awaits you… Heaven is backing you… Angels are there to guard you… You are God’s ambassador to your Marketplace… You are making a difference for eternity!
Revival and Transformation in our Nation isn’t far!!! Be a part of it.

Giftson Selladurai,
A Missionary working in God given Marketplace

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This article was published in National Christian Magazine in Australia

Most familiar verse from the Bible even a child will recite it effortlessly. Does that make this verse as simple as it looks? The interesting question here, is King David telling us that the Lord is good as he was escaping from king Achish of whom he was afraid? Taste does not mean test.  Test and experience are two different actions based on our strength of Faith. I would like to share with you the positive side of Faith, which is experiencing it. Consider Ps 62:5 “For my expectation is from Him.”(KJV) What is your expectation for June? It could be anything according to your needs. But where are you looking at, to get it for you. You can look forward to people or whatever your rational mind suggests. But have you applied your faith and expected it to come from the Lord? That is how David could declare God is good even when he was fleeing for his life. Through the life threatening situation he experienced the goodness of God. Many times we give higher status to earthly resources through critical times, than we do to God. If you trust on the unchangeable God and receive your need, then you have experienced that the Lord is good. The situation may be totally negative but still you can experience the Goodness of God if you obey and practice His word.

Psalms 115:12 “The Lord has been mindful of us; he will bless us.” Every one of us in our life time has gone through or could be going through loneliness. I do not mean physical loneliness but mental or emotional loneliness. You may have everything like father mother or you may be living with your wife/husband or living with children. But in spite of all this relationship you may feel lonely and may not be able to share your inner feelings. This loneliness is not unique to us but prophet like Elijah was not spared. The word of the Lord came to him “what are you doing here Elijah?” Then he expresses his loneliness that the Israelites have rejected your covenant and put your prophets to death and I am the only one left and now they are after me (1 Kings 19:10). From his answer it is clear he was going through loneliness and the fear of death. Are you feeling left alone in the midst of your family, friends or at work place. If you can claim the promise and believe (cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you 1 Peter5:7)) with all your heart, and the Lord is mindful of you and he will come to bless you, that is where you experience the goodness of God.

Isaiah 30:18 “For the Lord is a God of Justice.”You are a person of integrity and honesty before God and men. But you miss increments your promotion, unexpected loss, or fail to get children admitted in good school. Our human nature says why me, not others. Do not be disheartened.  “Blessed are those who wait on the Lord. He will restore what you have lost in double measure. In the month of June you will enjoy the double portion of His goodness. God bless you.

One day as he was taking food for his brothers, who were tending the sheep at a distance place, Joe didn’t know that his straight life was going into troubled end. His brothers, put him in a pit. There was a turn in his life. Sometimes in order to reach the destination, life takes its own twist and turns. His only way of seeing the light, was seeing upwards. He thought he was going to die in the pit. So he sat at the corner of the pit. But suddenly he was reminded of his dream. He thought to himself that this is not the way life will end for me. Though he found nothing in common with where he wanted to be and where he was now, he said to himself, this is not the end. His dream started to give him hope. Sometimes in life, when we feel like we are in a pit, and life seems to have come like a hurricane upon us, the only thing that sustains us is a promise or a dream that we have. No matter even if no one encourages us, our dream starts to carry us. We need to have dreams and vision in our life.

Suddenly Joe found a rope coming down the pit. The very brothers who put him in a pit, as they saw a group of travelers, thought, let us make use of him and have some money. Here comes another turn in his life. From pit to become a slave.Now, wait a minute! did he not dream of becoming a king? Yes of course. But look where he was now. It seemed that he was heading exactly in the opposite direction. Thats how life is sometimes. But Joe, knew God was in control. Though it seemed, they used him and got money, God used them and brought Joe, a step closer to his dream. He uses your enemies to help you achieve your goal in life.

So now Joe was in Egypt. There came the next turn in his life. He was sold toan officer in Egypt. He was a bit comfortable there. Though he missed his home and his family, he was sincere in his work. He started to gain confidence and everything at last seemed to fall in place. His master saw his sincere work and promoted him to position next to him. Joe was happy. He thought he was “settled”.

But his master’s wife thought otherwise. She was nagging Joe to cross the limit. But Joe’s answer was “How can I do this against God”. Against Whom? Not his master, not his tradition. His baseline for not sinning was God. Unfortunately he was not appreciated for his integrity. Instead he was sent to prison with false accusation. So here came the next turn of his life. When he thought his life came together, all hell broke loose. Remember his dream was to become a king. But now he was in the prison. May be God Thought the best way to enter the palace is through the prison. God has his own way of doing things.

Now I visualize Joe as the most depressed person on earth. He had great dreams but now he must have thought he was nowhere near it. Actually he was so close than ever. From pit to Portipar’s home to prison. But Joe was not downcast. He started being sincere in prison. Sincere in prison?? Sincere as a King seems to suit Joe’s Dream. But Sincere in prison.Isn’t it Bizarre?? No matter where he was, Joe was Sincere. You never heard him grumble or complaint in the pit or as a slave or now in prison. He could have said, when I get to the throne I’ll work hard. No. He was sincere in a prison. There in prison he was promoted. When you are sincere and when the Lord is with you, even if you are in prison you will be promoted.

One of his friend whom he had helped by interpreting his dream, was released. So Joe, told him to make arrangements to get him out by speaking to the King. But his friend forgot him. An unthankful friend didnot make Joe be unthankful to God. He waited. He worked hard. Until the KING got a dream. He was confused. (Throughout this story I see dreams bringing confusion :)) Joe interprets for the king. The king is stunned and he makes him ruler over Egypt. At last his dream is fulfilled. His final turn in life brought him to his destination. Pit, Slave, Prison and Palace was his path. Through twist and turns in his life Joseph at last came to the reality of his dream. It is easier to go straight in life, but twist and turns mayhelpto reach destination.

Do we have great dreams for our life? Desires that seem impossible. Does your situation seem tough and trying? Don’t be discouraged? The ONE who gives great Dreams and Desires will Direct you to your Destination in life by His Divine Grace.

How could that be??…I had reminders in place and also bill pay set up through my banking website, but still, I was not able to locate the receipts. Having confirmed that I had not paid the amount due for the year, I rushed to the branch with my worst fears of penalties to be paid with interest and ensuring that the policy was in force, so that I can derive the benefits due.

I reached out to the clerk at the front desk and when I told her my policy no, she replied to my utter disbelief – ‘Your policy is paid in FULL’ – no further payments required and it will mature in 2016. What!!!!, I just couldn’t believe my ears and insisted on checking it again and to prove it, she pulled out a print out of the policy details, which said ‘PAID IN FULL’.

What a similarity to what the Lord Jesus had done for us on the cross many years back – He paid up for our sins in FULL, so that we need not run from pillar to post, to cross check, but just to believe and be saved!!!. But in spite of the payment being made in FULL, we still keep searching and not understanding on what He has done for us.

The message is clear that our Lord Jesus had paid in FULL at the cross when He said (John 19:30) ‘It is finished’. So, let’s not be worried and not certain of what the Lord Jesus has given us and let us rest in the assurance of the cross on which he paid in FULL!!! Amen

The next day as he got up, he swore to himself, that he would not touch it today. As he started getting ready to work, he realized that today was the R & R (rewards and recognition) awards ceremony. He had been nominated for and awarded the MVP (Most valuable Award). He was excited at being recognized for his contribution and was looking forward to the praise and glory that would come his way as he would walk the aisle to get the award. He smiled to himself as he combed his hair. He selected his favorite blue shirt and black pant and made sure he was neatly dressed. He left home with the lunch box his mum gave him and walked towards his bus stop. He boarded the bus (5 minutes early) and slowly the desire to have a puff started building up. “Noooo” he told himself, I won’t do it, I will not give in again – he said. He bit his lip and tried to think about his work and his award, but no, the thought would not leave him. The battle in his soul was unbearable.

Raju had everything going for him. A loving son to his parents, an epitome of dedication at work and he had a kind heart to help anything / anyone who needed help. But deep down, he really felt he was a hypocrite. “Is all this just a farce? A mask for the people? Do I make all the right moves and noises in public to appear good?” – He would ask himself. He thought about how he had felt jealous when his friend got a promotion, his bitter anger at the escalation done by his onsite counter-part. And to top it all, his secret habit of smoking. What good does it do to appear right in front of everyone, but not be at peace with yourself? He knew his parents would be shocked to find out, but how long could he hide it? Is it possible to get rid of the habit?

If it was something external, he could change it, but how could he change something that had become a part of him? He smiled ironically as he thought of the award he was receiving that day, as it was for bringing in marked improvement in his team’s performance. If only life could be as simple as our project… To change his very inner nature would require something far greater than will-power to change…but was there a solution?

As he was thinking, Samuel came and sat next to him in the bus. Raju had always trusted Samuel and knew that he had something special about him (what it was he was not sure). He had wanted to share with him his problems earlier, but his pride stopped him on most occasions. Today, with a heavy heart, he felt he needed to let go and he thought of talking to Samuel. His blood pressure increased and sweat formed on his brow. How could he tell him? But he badly wanted to have this burden take off his chest.

Mustering all his courage, he told Samuel about his problem. He fought back tears as he told him about his struggles. Samuel listened quietly and understandingly to everything Raju had to say. Finally Samuel told Raju about his best friend. Samuel told him that he was a wonder-working person who could cure any of the heart’s diseases. He told him that all he would need to do is to meet his best friend and tell him his problems and just trust him to heal his heart. Samuel told him that he could talk to his best friend from anywhere at any time. Raju found it hard to believe and wondered how it would work? But he had tried everything possible to get rid of it – but nothing had worked, he thought he had nothing to lose.

When Raju spoke to Samuel’s best friend for the first time, he had thousand questions running through his mind, could this really be true? What would he say? He said “Dear God, I am sorry for failing you & messing up my life, I need your help to get me right and corrected. I need a change”. As he said this, he did not hear any reply back, but he felt a strange peace fill his heart as he talked to him. He felt light, like the time when he was a small kid with no worries. He knew something had changed on the inside & it was hard to explain.

A week went by and he did not have the urge to go for a smoke. Could this be really true he asked himself? A month went by & Raju frequently talked to  God, who was no longer just Samuel’s best friend, but his best friend as well. He thanked God for helping him get out of a place where he never thought he could get out. Who would think that God could be friends with a person who is a failure? When Raju smiled at someone, it was now really a smile with love and care. When he spoke his words were true and from his heart! Oh the delight of having a clear conscience!

This was definitely the tide of change that Raju had hoped for!

My mobile was sinking due to a battery problem and I had taken it to the service center. The technician there told me that I had to leave the phone with them for couple of days and also that the entire data in the phone will be lost as the latest OS had to be installed anyway. I had no option but to say ‘yes’ and move on.

As I sat there, I quickly scanned to see what all I needed to capture in my mind, before I handed over the phone. I called my wife and said that I would not be reachable for another 2 hrs (as I can be online with my spare phone, only after I reach home) and also informed my offshore counterpart and handed over the phone to the service center.

As I came out of the service center, I felt a new sense of freedom!!. Whaooo…no one can contact me for the next 2 hours at least and I can roam free, most importantly, no calls from customer!!!. As I walked on, I felt a disconnection from the world, a world where we have been so used to be ‘connected’ all the time. A connection which has become a part of our life. A connection which is very hard to forego.

But, at the same time, do we have such a connection with our Lord?. Do we feel very different when we are not able to have a connection with him or walk far away from His connection?.

How do we feel in such situations?. Do we long to draw back to Him and be connected all the time?. The connections of this world and the connection of the phone can seize to exist but His connection should always be ON, so that we hear His voice, listen to Him and be guided by Him in all our walks of life. This is very essential. As the Lord has asked us to abide in Him always, are we connected with Him??

John 15:7 – ‘If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you’

As you read this message, if your connection with our Lord has been disconnected or lost, pl get connected again. It is a great feeling to be connected with the Lord and be online with Him always. A connection that will never fail and will not loose coverage forever.

He is reachable always!!!

(The Author – Rajiv R G (Rajiv Rajamoni George) is a CIO with an IT MNC in Chennai)

Though some of us were very tired and exhausted as we came for the meeting, we could clearly sense the power and presence of God in the atmosphere and each one of us were very refreshed through the time of open discussions and sharing of testimonies. Through the leading of the Holy Spirit, each of us shared about how God has led each of us in our careers towards knowing him personally’.  John was sharing about how he found a job in Singapore and how it is related to that is where he found Jesus and started a personal relationship with him. He came to Singapore as a confident physiotherapist looking for a new start in his career but God brought him to the lowest point and that brought to realize that he needed God to help him. The night before his interview in Singapore, he was completely blank and totally lost his confidence. He literally broke down and wept for his inability to compete in that new environment. Then he began to realize that he needed God in his life and started praying to Jesus. Having come from a catholic background, he knew a little about Jesus. But from that moment onwards he started his personal relationship with Him.

In the same way Shruthi was sharing as about how God had ordained situations and circumstances in her life so that she would find Him, though she did not know God because she comes from a Hindu family. She was sharing that when she tried for her higher studies all the doors were closed. She used to be a bright student and couldn’t understand why she was not able to find a seat in any of the institutions that she wanted to join in. Finally she was very dejected and disappointed in all those failures and did not know what to do next. But miraculously and very unexpectedly, she got admission in one of the leading institutions in Bombay. . She couldn’t believe it because only a few people get admission into that course while the competition is very high. Eventually, that was where she found Jesus and got saved. So she said “I was not aware of any of these things, but God in His sovereign plan, closed all the doors and led me straight to the place where I would eventually come to know Him” “Had I studied elsewhere, I would not have known God, so God arranges situations in our lives in a way that we would have a chance to know him” she added.

These testimonies began to touch Priya, who came for a fellowship like this for the first time. And she began to identify herself with these testimonies and understood God’s plan for her life as well. She comes from a good family where she did not lack anything- in terms of material blessings or love and care in the family. She used to be a top student in her studies and became a very self-confident physiotherapist. But things were different when she came to Singapore in search of job and her confidence began to shake. That brought her to the house of John and Shruthi to get some guidance for her career. Though   none of us shared the gospel with her explicitly but each of us were sharing our experiences alone, it touched Priya very deeply. In the end we were thrilled to hear her confessing “I think God has planned situations in my life too and brought me to this place so that I would know Him here” We were filled with awe and practically witnessed the power of fellowship.

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them”

Mathew 18:20

Shared from PROFIT – Professional Fellowship of International Talents is the Corporate fellowship in Singapore and in other countries. If you are in Singapore and want to be part of this fellowship, pl reach out to – profit.sg@gmail.com

Friends, this one is another reminder for all of us who take too much effort to set things right by our own strength.

 A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

In my fellowship an uncle always says, “Life is very simple. We are making it way too complicated.”

When Don Moen came to Chennai for the very first time he shared this to the crowd gathered there. “My bass guitarist Robin and alto singer Leann were not able to come with us due to visa issues at the last moment and for 6 long weeks I was not able to hear anything using my left ear. But God performed wonders and it is not by our might nor by our power, but by the Spirit of God we were able to lead worship.” How true it is!

 In the film ‘Facing the giants’ by Sherwood Pictures, the little boy David asks his father, “Why am I so small and weak?” The father answers, “For God to reveal His glory.”

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. We could never fly! Yes, our real strength is God and nothing/no one else. Bible says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” When we’re weak He becomes stronger. So why do you worry? Just humble yourself under His mighty hand; He will lift you up!!!

Walk Just as Jesus Walked I John 2: 6

Why?

• Many could not bear fruit after knowing God because they don’t abide in Him.
• If we ought to abide in Him, we have to walk just as Jesus Walked (I John 2:6)

Points to practice by knowing that how Jesus walked: 

1. Be Holy

• Jesus knew No sin  (II Cor 2:21)
• Jesus committed no sin & nor deceit was found in His mouth (I Pet 2: 22)
• Sanctify Yourself, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you (Josh 3:5)

2. Be Obedient

• Jesus became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Phil 2:8)
• Abraham obeyed the God’s command and was ready to sacrifice Isaac, the promised son; He had the faith that both of them would be returning back, though he has decided to sacrifice Isaac (Gen 22:1-5)

3. Be Humble

• Being in the form of God,…. Taking the form of bondservant and coming in the likeness of men…Jesus humbled himself (Phil 2: 6 – 8)
• Jesus began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel (John13: 5)
• God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (I Pet 5: 5)

4. Love till the end

• When Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end (John 13: 1)
• Even at the time of betrayal, Jesus called Judas as Friend, out of love (Matt 27:50)

5. Pray to the Father

• Jesus went to a lonely place and prayed (Mark 1: 35)

Summary of message delivered byBro.Moses Ojo(Prayer Ministry), in 1^st CCF Fasting Prayer on 19^th August 2006 at ISCA Book Center, Egmore, Chennai, India

Walk Just as Jesus Walked I John 2: 6

Why?

• Many could not bear fruit after knowing God because they don’t abide in Him.
• If we ought to abide in Him, we have to walk just as Jesus Walked (I John 2:6)

Points to practice by knowing that how Jesus walked: 

1. Be Holy

• Jesus knew No sin  (II Cor 2:21)
• Jesus committed no sin & nor deceit was found in His mouth (I Pet 2: 22)
• Sanctify Yourself, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you (Josh 3:5)

2. Be Obedient

• Jesus became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Phil 2:8)
• Abraham obeyed the God’s command and was ready to sacrifice Isaac, the promised son; He had the faith that both of them would be returning back, though he has decided to sacrifice Isaac (Gen 22:1-5)

3. Be Humble

• Being in the form of God,…. Taking the form of bondservant and coming in the likeness of men…Jesus humbled himself (Phil 2: 6 – 8)
• Jesus began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel (John13: 5)
• God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (I Pet 5: 5)

4. Love till the end

• When Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end (John 13: 1)
• Even at the time of betrayal, Jesus called Judas as Friend, out of love (Matt 27:50)

5. Pray to the Father

• Jesus went to a lonely place and prayed (Mark 1: 35)

Flashy Cars, MP3 Players, Plasma TVs, Camera Mobiles, Digital Cameras…the list goes on; today almost everything is Digital! There has been a major paradigm shift from analog to digital!! The good old tape recorder and the like are becoming a thing of the past.

It’s a fast life, we claim…email has replaced snail mail and everything is quick! The internet makes life easy, it’s a world out there….with everything available online!!

With such fast development and change, what else has changed? Where are we heading?

Even with all these changes and advances, you would agree with me, that how much ever easy life has become, it has also become proportionately tough.

• We find people not able to find time for actually ‘living’.
• We find people highly stressed out.
• We come across people finding it difficult to balance life and work.

My personal computer – a Pentium II – hardly had any anti-virus software some years back…but today along with the high speed P4’s, humongous hard disk sizes and voluminous RAMs; I also need to have updated anti-virus, anti-spam, firewall and OS software updates; to keep my system protected and kicking alive!! This is just an example of how we are caught in the grip of cyber crime and terrorism in spite of current technological advancements.

So, in spite of technological changes ‘for good’, we do still have problems to cope up with, in our daily life. Now, with all these pressures, has our outlook toward God changed?

• Has our God changed?
• Do we spend the same time with God?
• Are we online with Him?

The process of getting connected with Him….has not changed and will not change!!!

He is always ready to hear us and answer us and take us ahead. But do we really count on Him or do we count on technology?

Dear friend, let God be your first and TOP most priority in life and all the digital stuff will follow you!!!

‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you’ (Matthew 6:33)

Key Number 1: “I’m all I’ve got, but that’s enough.”

I know you’re not all you’ve got — you’ve got family, friends, co-workers, enemies, and the income tax people — all encouraging you to work. But sometimes, it starts to feel as if you’re doing it all alone. Some of us have extremely large challenges that are facing us — and yet no matter how large the challenge, you can address it a little bit at a time – as you have a faith in yourself and our Lord Jesus — the faith that you’re up to the challenge. The Lord Jesus explains in Matt 11:28, 29 that the Lord takes our burden and ensures that the burden we carry along with him is one that we can bear. “Praise God”. “You are not alone”

Key Number 2. “My future is in my control.”

“Sure,” you might say, “but what about disease, accidents, death, war, and tragedy?” Let’s get this straight right now. I do not believe that we can control every aspect of our future. I do believe we can control how we choose to view it, and utilize it. Bad things may happen in your future — but judging from my personal experience, some of the greatest growth in my life has come from the worst things that have happened to me. . If we never take on the challenges that life brings, we never manage to grow beyond those challenges. It’s this simple: things may happen, but the most important things will be when you’ve made them happen. “Yes” Jesus alone has the power to multiply 5 loaves & 2 fish to feed 5000 people but Hey!!!“Give him the 5 loaves & 2 fish that you have” 

Key number 3: “Whatever the future brings, I’ll do all right.”

Troubles happen to everyone — but the people who grow from those troubles have one major difference: they believe everything happens for a reason, and that it serves them. The Bible says “All things happen to the good for those who love the Lord”. One way or the other, make a little promise to yourself, right here and now – that whatever comes your way in the future, you will grow from it. Will you be able to exercise control over everything in your life? Of course not – Things can happen that will derail your plans — and they will. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get back on track, get your speed back up, and make it to your destination — or an even better destination. Resolve now that no matter what happens, you’ll be all right. Once you’ve made that resolve, you’ve eliminated most worry about the future.

Whether this message shakes you up a bit or not understand something very powerful. You are in charge when the Lord is in charge.Praise the Lord. Amen.

In another context, Daniel 10:13 says as -But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia . He was in struggle and waited with faith and uncounted that experience.

God called each of these servants to accomplish a certain task in His Kingdom, yet He was in no hurry to bring their mission into fulfillment. First, He accomplished what He wanted in them. Praise God. God is always in first place in their life. HE must be. We need to bring a habit of putting HIM in the center of life and allowing HIM to execute all the things in our life.

The Lord owns a system which has got marvelous things to observe. The system operates in HIS own time. The system yields the result with no fail. The system operates in success mode always. The system expects the individual to do our part and rest to believe on HIM- The system will not do the magic by itself as we can clearly see that HIS purpose and plan is always different from the world.

Any System will have three components:-

>>  Inputs – We need to our part too.

>>  Process – transformation to get mature in HIM. This is the part we need to focus much. To change ourselves in HIM, into HIS ways, for HIS glory, by HIS grace.

>>  Outcome – fulfillment of mission.

The same is holds good for the God’s System too- HE will set the stage for us. HE allows us difficult moments. HE Shows paths and ways to make use of it/ to escape from it- The only prerequisite is we need to be in sink with GOD to understand those situations and circumstances to make use of it. If we sail in HIS path by understanding the God’s leading and presence- the journey will be very much enrichment in all ways- That is the journey everyone wanted and God too expects. We often fail to experience that journey, because of pride, lust, selfish thoughts, prayer less life, immersed in unnecessary thoughts. Let us examine and remove what is not required and retain what is needed at this hour?! Let us do self analysis and keep HIM in our first priority- This is the secret to bring more Glory to HIM- HIS system works in us!

If God is for us, who can be against us. God says that I am putting my right hand on you and stand besides you- that means HE Stands in our left side and watches our every moment whether we are getting success in the system where HE put us to get victory- HE is the Lord of Victory. Amen.

Psalm 109:31 – For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul-

We are often more focused on outcome than the process that He is accomplishing in our lives each day. When we experience His presence daily, one day we wake up and realize that God has done something special in and through our lives. However, the accomplishment is no longer what excites us. Instead, what excites us to knowing Him. Through those times, we become more acquainted with His love, grace, and power in our lives. When this happens, we are no longer focused on the outcome because the outcome is a result of our walk with Him. It is not the goal of our walk, but the by-product. Hence, when Joseph came to power in Egypt , he probably couldn’t have cared less. He had come to a place of complete surrender so that he was not anxious about tomorrow or his circumstances.

This is the lesson for us. We must wait for God’s timing and embrace wherever we are in the process. When we find contentment in that place, we begin to experience God in ways we never thought possible.

How many times have you prayerfully invited your friend, colleague or neighbor to a Gospel programme?  Countless times?
How many times has she/he responded and come to the Gospel meeting? Never did come?  Came only once and then avoids you or speaks ill of you?

Do not worry!  Cheer up! Let us see what happens beneath the covers…

The ball starts rolling once a sincere attempt is made to share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the needy. The work has begun. Results may not be evident immediately; but the Holy Spirit of God is at work from the inside.

What happens when you use a hammer initially on a rock?It seems to only cause pain in your hand but stays intact.However, as you repeat the hammering, cracks begin to appear and finally the rock is shattered.

Even so, God is at work along with you as you prayerfully reach out to the needy and oppressed.  He will confirm His word with His works.
And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. (Mark 16:20)

He does not want anyone to perish. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)

So take heart and keep up the good work.  Do not be discouraged.  The rock will be shattered by your consistent attempts in the Holy Ghost!
…let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Gal.6:9)

Is not My word like a fire? says the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? (Jer.23:29)

One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God’s call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.
The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident. As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children. It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor’s son.

The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began. You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor’s son. The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting.

As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past. As she began to cry the pastor’s son stood to speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be. He began to speak and his statement was this: “My fiancée’s past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?”

The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters. Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble.

What can wash away my sins?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!!

Many a times, we are overwhelmed as we consider, “How am I to be consistent in my walk with the LORD?”  Today, it seems okay; but how about next week, when I travel to onsite?  New contacts and new surroundings pose threateningly.  How do I survive among my colleagues, who do not share my beliefs?

When I go to my home town and meet my old friends, how do I manage?  How do I survive from being unspotted by the world, when I go on a vacation?  Today, I feel strong in the LORD and serve the LORD – I preach, sing & pray; but how about tomorrow?  Will I be able to stand till the end?

Many of us are stumped when we consider the deliverables and deadlines we have to meet.  It seems so paramount and unreachable!  We spend our time worrying about our goals and targets.  We wonder if we will come up against some obstacle that has not been foreseen or estimated, during the project planning phase.

Yet others worry about their family – wife and children.  My wife pesters me about her career growth – she had a break when we had a baby this year.  She also raises concern about my ‘peanut’ salary increments, in spite of having put in many a long ‘n stretched working hours.  My kids are getting ill often; how will they fare in the exam?

Dear friends, be it our personal spiritual life, our family life or our work life; we tend to worry and waste today as we think about tomorrow!

Shall we listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ has to say about this?

1. Consider the following logic – to discourage ourselves from worrying about tomorrow:

  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:27)

On the contrary, by worrying we loose many a single hour! As we gain nothing by worrying, why worry?

The secret to ‘Quit Worrying’ is to know the nature and mind of God, our Creator towards us concerning our diverse needs.

2. Know that God, your heavenly Father knows your needs!

…your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:8) 

…your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (Matthew 6:32)                   

Now, hear the counsel of God on what we need to do after we quit worrying and know the nature of God!

1. Aim at and strive after maintaining at first, a right relationship with the LORD God your Savior and then, at also spreading the Good News about the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the needy around you.

…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33) 

Bonus! You get a bonus when you are right with God and are involved in the extension of His kingdom!  All things that you were worried about initially are sorted out.  When God takes the rightful place in your life, everything else falls into place – like a jigsaw puzzle.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Mathew 6:34) 

Remember, the good old song ‘One day at a time’?

I’m only human – I’m just a man
Help me to believe in all I could be
And all that I am
Show me the stairway I have to climb
Lord for my sake, teach me to take
One day at a time

One day at a time, sweet Jesus
That’s all I’m asking from You
Just give me the strength to do everyday
What You’d have me do
Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Lord help me today, show me the way
One day at a time

Do you remember when You walked among men
Well Jesus You know, looking below
It’s worse now than then
Pushing and shoving, crowding my mind
So for my sake, teach me to take
One day at a time

Let us ask God each day to give you grace to take ‘One day at a time’.

Prayer:   Thank You Father God for You know all my needs!  I realize that I cannot achieve anything by worrying.  Help me as I decide to quit worrying today and seek a right and living relationship with You.  Lead me and guide me; as I strive to help the needy around me with the good news of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Help me take ‘One day at a time’.  In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray.  Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.

A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island.  The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agree that they had no other recourse but to pray to God.  However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.

The first thing the first man  prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit.  The other man’s parcel of land remained barren. 

After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife.  The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land.  On the other side of the island, there was nothing.

Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food.  The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him.  However, the second man still had nothing.

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that  his wife and he could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island.  The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island.  He considered the other man unworthy to receive God’s blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.

As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from Heaven booming,

“Why are you leaving your companion on the island?”

“My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them,” the first man answered.

“His prayers were all unanswered, and so he does not deserve anything.”

“You are mistaken!” the voice rebuked him.  “He had only one prayer, which I answered.  If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings.”

“Tell me,” the first man asked the voice, “what did he pray for that I should owe him anything?”

“He prayed that all your prayers be answered.”

For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us.

When Jesus died on the cross he was thinking of you!

“Winning horse doesn’t know why it runs in the race.  It runs because of beats and pains.  The larger you get pain, the stronger you achieve.  Life is a race, win it. “ 

Yesterday, I received this SMS, which urged me to ponder on the race that we run.

Is it the ‘survival of the fittest’ race in the corporate jungle?  Or is it the race of

patience and endurance that focuses on the end of the race?

Christian life is a race.   It’s a race of faith.  Here the contestants are people washed in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, gifted with the precious jewel of salvation and set in their tracks to run the race and reach the finish line.  Here the criterion is not about who reaches first, but who reaches the finish line without losing the ‘salvation’ jewel.  That precious jewel can be lost while running the race, if we sidetrack.

Thank God, unlike the ‘Winning horse’ mentioned in the SMS; we know the reason why we are in the race.  The goal is Jesus Himself – to be with Him in the heavens forever.  Moreover, we don’t run the race because of beats and pains; but we run with the heavenly hope of receiving the crown of life.  Even so, we have ‘cheer leaders’ and supporters (angelic beings, fellow Christians and above all the Holy Spirit – who resides in us) to enable us to run with grace and strength.

On the other side, Sweet Jesus, the King of kings is holding the reward for the winners!  In this race there can be millions of winners, but a certain reward exists for all who finish with the ‘salvation’ jewel.  Oh, that’s really encouraging. isn’t it?  So, “looking unto the author and finisher of our faith – Jesus, let us run the race.”

Praise God!!

• For Moses, it was the burning bush.
• For Peter, it was walking on water.
• For Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, it was walking through the burning furnace untouched.
• For Paul, it was being blinded and spoken to by Jesus on the Damascus road.
• For Daniel, it was deliverance from the lions’ den.
• For Joshua, it was parting the Jordan River and crossing into the Promised Land.

There have been many defining moments in the lives of human beings that changed their lives forever. These defining moments often set the course for the balance of their lives.

We could go on and on. Each of these servants had years of preparation leading up to their defining moment. These moments forced the servants to be involved in something beyond their human experiences. It took them outside their own paradigms of life. God had to move them outside their own boxes. And when He did, their lives were never the same.

You may be in one of three stages of life: You may not have had your “defining moment” yet – God may be preparing you with many important life experiences. You may have had your defining moment and you are living out your call. Or, you may be toward the end of your journey and you have already experienced what I speak of.

We are all called to a relationship with God; and we are all called vocationally, which is often ushered in by a defining moment. And there can be more than one defining moment, each pointing you down a path that God foreordained from the foundation of the world. The secret of a great life is often a man’s ability to discern the defining moments given to him, understanding them, and learning to walk in the path that leads him to his ultimate destination.

Once you have had a defining moment, you are never the same. Pray that you have eyes to see and ears to hear when your Master brings a defining moment into your life.

Last night I was reading about a judge who had to judge a Judge!!. It was interesting but disappointing. It was a case about a man, sorry God, sorry God-Man.

Yes! you’ve got it, it was about Jesus. Am talking to you about the trail of Jesus. Some one said it was Pilate who was facing the trail. True.

Pilate had to make a decision. A choice. Pilate had to choose between Truth and Lie, Way and Broad way, Life and Death.

In short, he had to choose between his JOB and JESUS.

He knew that if he didn’t crucify Jesus, he had to crucify his Job. If he didn’t satisfy the crowd, they will throw him out of his job. And for him Jesus was not as important as His Job. Am I striking a cord in some ones heart?

In this IT era, oh how we love our job. We are proud of it. We talk about it. We spend most of our time working. Most of us live for our Job.

Should we not love Jesus alone? Should we not be proud of Jesus alone? Should we not spend most of our time with Jesus?. Should we not live for Him?

 Pilate had to make a choice! Pilate tried 5 times to deliver Jesus. Jesus was silent. The crowd said Crucify Him. I suppose the silence of Jesus was louder than the crowd’s uproar. Bible says “their” voice prevailed.

In spite of knowing the truth, he chose not to choose and ultimately choose his Job over Jesus.

Yes we too have crowd saying choose your Job. Honor it. Love it. Job is your life.

But we have to choose. Don’t let your Job rule you.

Did Pilate ever regret his decision? We don’t know.

But for sure you will, if you don’t Choose Jesus over your Job.

Whom do you serve, Jesus or your Job?

Remember you can only serve ONE!!!

by the Prodigal Son

On the other hand, the tax collectors had a ball of their life time. Since they had power and authority with fear of people, they grew rich. Most of the money they snatched from the people didn’t reach the government but filled their own pockets. The Jews became accustomed to paying tax without questioning fearing whipping and thumping on refusal.

Among the tax collectors, the Bible talks about one Chief tax collector in Luke 19 who was very rich, had authority and earned the fear of people on him. One thing he lacked was that he was short unlike the other tough, muscular tax collectors. Zacchaeus, though being a sinner (Chief sinner in his case!) he had an urge to see Jesus(v3). I love that part than all the others…He wanted to see Jesus!

The street in Jericho was swarming with people. Everyone was eager for Jesus’ arrival. It was like the whole of Jericho squeezed into a street. Not an inch of space was available. Every single spot was occupied and everyone was waiting for that moment for Jesus to enter. Zacchaeus arrived just in time and found that he wouldn’t be able to see Jesus because of the crowd. He would have certainly tried to squeeze himself into the crowd to reach for the front row so that he could get a glimpse of Jesus. But the tall sturdy Jews wouldn’t let him in because of their hatred towards tax collectors.

This is the most important part…though Zacchaeus took a decision to see Jesus, the circumstances didn’t allow him to do that. Remember Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, a person of high state in the government. All he could do was to humble himself to a point where he could himself come and see Jesus. But as things around him didn’t seem to help him by anyway, it would have been a perfectly valid resort to backup and head home. He could later use his power and authority to bring Jesus to his home!

This is where Zacchaeus stands out…the reason why his name is mentioned in the Bible is because circumstances didn’t matter to him. At that moment, his decision became his determination. He was determined to see Jesus whatever it may cost! He spotted a tree and climbed on it. Could you imagine a Chief tax collector climbing a tree? Yes, when you are determined to see Jesus, you would dare to at any cost. My Jesus can never forsake a yearning heart. Among the thousands gathered there, Jesus stopped by that tree, looked up and called him by name, “Zacchaeus, you come down from there. I want to stay at your house today” (v5)

Later, when Jesus entered his home, true salvation came and Zacchaeus gave half of his property to the poor and returned four times what he usurped from the people (v8).

Today we may have been a Christian for a pretty long time now. Every time we decide to seek Jesus we falter on the way due to circumstances. Generally these circumstances are so genuine that we justify ourselves and compromise. It is only when we determine, take a stand to see Jesus at any cost, we would see His face and He would stop by, call us by name and walk into our homes. That is true salvation.

Lord Jesus, help me to have a determined heart to seek you. Whatever may hinder, let me determine to see you alone. Amen

It was a journey of seven miles. But it seemed like 70 miles for the two. That was because they were disappointed and their hope was lost.

Haven’t you felt the same when you walked back to home after a failure? The road seems long. The path seems tough. You don’t run. You don’t even walk but you crawl. Yes the road of disappointment is long. When your only hope is crushed your walk seems tough.
That is what exactly happened to Cleopas and his friend as they walked along the road to Emmaus from Jerusalem.
Look at their face. They were sad and downcast.

Hear their words as they say “But we were hoping that it was He Who would redeem and set Israel free”
“They were hoping”. So now their hope is gone. So they started walking back to their old place from Jerusalem.
These two disciples were hoping that Jesus would save Israel, but when Jesus died, their Hope was gone. So from the protected, holy city of God, they walked down the path of disappointment to their old lives.

We all walk such road, isn’t it? One disappointment and we show our back to God. When our Hope is lost we start walking back the road of disappointment and we tend to go back to our old lives.
But this evening as I read this passage I saw what I didn’t see all these days.
As these disciples were walking back with shattered hope, they were not alone. Because the 15th verse tells us “Jesus Himself caught up with them and was already accompanying them”.
Did you see that word? No? Ok one more chance…
Now read the sentence slowly
Jesus Himself caught up with them and was already accompanying them. (That word is highlighted!!)

Yes the Word is “Already”

Oh how wonderful is our Lord. He was already walking down the road of disappointment with them even before they saw him.
May be today the road that you are walking is tough, but remember He is “Already” walking with you. Not only He walked with them, but he changed their direction of journey. He changed their disappointing journey into a journey of Hope. Look at this verse “And rising up that very hour, they went back to Jerusalem”.

A few hours back they were walking away from Jerusalem, but after Jesus walked with them and talked with them they were walking towards Jerusalem.
A few hours back they were disappointed, but now they were filled with Hope.

Whatever may be the road you are traveling and whatever may be the distance you are away from the city of Hope, the One who walked still walks and the One who talked still talks. See Him and Hear Him. Your life won’t be the same again. Theirs weren’t.

Luke 24:15 And while they were conversing and discussing together, Jesus Himself caught up with them and was already accompanying them. (Amplified Bible)
Luke 24:33 And rising up that very hour, they went back to Jerusalem… (Amplified Bible)

What a strong statement????? The Bible equates one who does not provide for one’s own family to the status that is below an unbeliever. In another instance in Proverbs 13:22 the Bible say’s “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children”

The people like to glorify what is easy to glorify & avoid what is tough to obey.

Remember the classic Bible quote from the Gospel of Matthew “Look at the lilies of the field……”; we all know that quote by heart & miss-quote it out of context at the very first opportunity. Jesus does speak of the love of money as the root cause of all evil, but he also speaks on the qualities you need to have to create wealth in this world and the next. Want proof????

24 of the 39 parables that Jesus spoke were about money. Don’t believe me, “check out what I am claiming”. Jesus always wanted his people (Us believers) to be clear on the concepts of money. Jesus always directed his question at ‘Where is your heart?”; “On the money?” or “On Me?”

When we look at the concept of Saving & Investing from this angle the answer is clear. I am always looking at ways to make my family secure as the Bible says we need to make our family secure. You do your best for your family & leave the rest to God. This will be a stronger example rather than saying “God will take care of my family” & you absolving yourself of the responsibility to take care of your family.

The Bible say’s in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”. Aha!!!, How much more clarity is needed? First “Jerusalem” (Your Home), then “Judea” (Your Neighborhood) & last “to the end of the earth”

If you have been neglecting your family for your secular work “or” God’s work, then this is a wake up call for you. First, Save & Invest in your family (Both Spirit & Money) & then move forth to conquer the world.

God Bless You.

What a strong statement????? The Bible equates one who does not provide for one’s own family to the status that is below an unbeliever. In another instance in Proverbs 13:22 the Bible say’s “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children”

The people like to glorify what is easy to glorify & avoid what is tough to obey.

Remember the classic Bible quote from the Gospel of Matthew “Look at the lilies of the field……”; we all know that quote by heart & miss-quote it out of context at the very first opportunity. Jesus does speak of the love of money as the root cause of all evil, but he also speaks on the qualities you need to have to create wealth in this world and the next. Want proof????

24 of the 39 parables that Jesus spoke were about money. Don’t believe me, “check out what I am claiming”. Jesus always wanted his people (Us believers) to be clear on the concepts of money. Jesus always directed his question at ‘Where is your heart?”; “On the money?” or “On Me?”

When we look at the concept of Saving & Investing from this angle the answer is clear. I am always looking at ways to make my family secure as the Bible says we need to make our family secure. You do your best for your family & leave the rest to God. This will be a stronger example rather than saying “God will take care of my family” & you absolving yourself of the responsibility to take care of your family.

The Bible say’s in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”. Aha!!!, How much more clarity is needed? First “Jerusalem” (Your Home), then “Judea” (Your Neighborhood) & last “to the end of the earth”

If you have been neglecting your family for your secular work “or” God’s work, then this is a wake up call for you. First, Save & Invest in your family (Both Spirit & Money) & then move forth to conquer the world.

God Bless You.

1. God is real

You have a faith that God exists. Your God is someone whom you know through your personal experience. You have undergone a situation in your life where you cried out to God for help. That cry for help took you to a definite result that gave you a tangible evidence of God’s existence.

Many years ago – I got the proof of the reality of God when I made a simple prayer and said “Jesus – If you are the son of God, Change my life”. My life has changed permanently and continues to change till today. “Yes” – God is real.

1. He’s personal

It is so easy to read stories of God’s move in others lives. However, when that move happens in your life, it becomes a testimony. A testimony, that God is not only real but also a personal reality. He is the God that you talk to even for things like changing your job. He is your God & there is no medium required to connect you to God.

Sometimes when I pray, I ask God for many impossible things, and he does many impossible things for me. I asked God that my current company should get ISO 9001-2001 and though we were far behind in the documentation required, we still got recommended for ISO. “Yes”- He (Jesus) is my God. He takes care of me like father would take care of his child.

1. He wants to relate to us

God wants to relate to us & specifically to you. The way to relate to him is “prayer”. As against prayer being a petition session, it is supposed to be a communication session with God.

Sometimes miraculous things happen when I pray while preaching. I suddenly feel the prompting within me to specify a particular medical condition and say that God is healing that condition. Moreover, the healing actually happens. “Yes”- God wants to relate to us and uses every possible way to relate to us.

In all that you do in your personal, corporate “or” ministry, first PRAY. God wants to talk to you, lead you, and guide you into fulfilling his plan for your life. His plans for you are great. As the Bible says in Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Some of us believers have become like a cricket player who has lost form. Do what a cricket player would do to get back into form. Get connected to the basics again.

God Bless You

V Chacko Jacob

A kingdom under an evil king who had followed the evil of his fore-fathers- this was the prevailing scenario. People forgot God and His commandments and were deep down in sin. The later part of this chapter talks about a young handsome man named Daniel. I was so surprised when I read about Daniel because it was during such a state of ungodliness that Daniel still kept his faith in God. Though the Bible doesn’t tell about Daniel’s ancestry, it is surprising to know that He held on to God even when the people around him and the king sinned against God.

I’ve got a message for you! “It doesn’t mean where you are but it is what you are that costs” I could imagine how the youth during Jehoiakim’s rule would have transgressed. They would’ve invited Daniel to be a part of their fun. But Daniel watched his ways and trusted in God. That is why even when he was taken as an exile and was asked to serve a heathen king, he kept his stand to serve the King of Kings.

Today’s world is so alluring. Swanky gadgets, plush malls, fancy lifestyle, exuberant salaries and luxuries. There is nothing that could remind us of God. People who were faithful to God in their little have started fading away from God as their luxuries increased. My question to you today is “What are you today?” An entangled slave of what the world is or a person who makes a difference however the world is?

Look at Daniel! He kept his cool, walked in His ways ignoring how the others were. In further chapters down there comes a situation when the King decreed that no one should worship any other god (6:7). I like the verse which says “When Daniel learnt about this he prayed three times a day as usual”. Remember, Daniel had grown in his status and was in a high position in the kingdom. I am still amazed that his progress in status, money or fame, nothing shook his foundation in his God.

Shouldn’t we be making a difference in today’s world? We can’t blame the world for our callousness. It high time we get back on the highway with God!

Lord, forgive me for my carelessness. Please help me to have the first love and make a difference to everyone around me. Amen

Hebrews 11 is supposed to be the absolute tutorial for faith. The author begins with the definition of faith and goes on to explain it. This chapter details how faith has taken its place right from the creation of the world and how impossible it is to please God without faith (v6). I love this chapter because the author keeps emphasizing the fact that it was through faith that all the men of God were able to attain what they wanted from God.

Today, I am going to brush up a little on the levels of faith so that we could evaluate ourselves where we stand in our level of faith. Faith needs to grow and reach levels. We could categorize the levels of faith as

Little Faith – Mathew 8:26 A basic level of faith prevalent in spiritually immature Christians. Everything is perfect when everything else is perfect but their faith tosses as the boat tosses. The disciples in their early stages were of little faith. They were able to enjoy the company of God and second His miracles but when it came to facing troubles they wavered. Today, are you of little faith?

Faith with visible proofs – John 20:25 Here we see Thomas, a disciple of Jesus, who had been with Him and witnessed all His miracles, heard His teachings and the things that are going to happen, now doubting Jesus’ resurrection. He says “Unless I see the nail marks on His hands & put my hand and test myself, I will not believe it”. Did you notice the phrase “I will not believe it”? Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as being sure of what we do not see. Today, are you ready to be sure of what you do not see?

Faith in action – Every miracle that Jesus did turned a whole bunch of crowds to Him ? People questioned His authority, but were ready to believe Him if they witnessed a miracle. This attitude is more of a “He did it so I believe Him” -typically a faith that depends on actions. These people may easily waver when later a miracle is delayed or not done because they have faith in actions and not in the Miracle Worker. Today, is your faith based on what God did?

Real faith or Faith of Faiths – Daniel 3:13. This chapter talks about 4 young men refusing to bow before an idol. The king ordered them to be thrown into a furnace of fire. When the king questioned them they replied “O king, the God that we serve is able to rescue us”. I love the verse (v.18) which says “But even if He doesn’t we will still not bow before the idol”. Did you notice the level of faith where they stand? They decided that whatever God does is for their good; if He saves them or doesn’t. Their faith was not on the miracle but on God. So whether God saves them or not wasn’t important.

This is called the real faith or Faith of Faiths where we do not believe God for what He does or can do, but for what He really is! God is far beyond miracles and wonders. He is God Himself, superfluous, humungous, omnipresent and omnipotent. We worship Him for what He is. Our faith needs to stand on Him. We may expect many things which God may or may not grant, but our faith should not be based on what He could offer. God is God, period!!

God, give me an attitude of faith where I trust in you and you alone. I know you have the best plans for me and help me accept whatever you have in store for me. Let me to look up to you and not on what you can offer. Amen

Now, let us understand, How are we to give to God?

1)      We should give God with a loyal heart

1Ch 29:9 , Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly. Whatever we are giving must be a whole hearted gesture to the Lord and not out of any worldly compulsion. Many give to please their pastor, church leader, etc, but the Bible says God loves a cheerful giver who gives without compulsion because of his/her love for God out of a loyal heart.

2)      We should give according to the blessing of our Lord

Deut 16:17 , Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that he has given you. For some of us money is the easiest thing to give. Is that what God wants from you? Right now money is easy to give – Well God does not want 1/10^th of your money now- He wants 1/10^th of your time- He has given you the money you asked for, Now give him your time.

3)   We should give the first fruits to God

Pro 3:9 &10 , Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your

produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting

with wine. We keep the best of the produce for ourselves and give the worst of our

produce to God. We do a Electronic Clearance (ECS) from bank to bank for our car loan but

give crumpled and crushed notes to God. Give God the first fruit & the best fruit and he will

bless you to be first in all that you attempt.

4)      We should give tithes to God

Mal 3:10 , Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. Abraham gave tithes, Jesus thought us to give God what is due to God. Let us do so too.

To conclude, everything God has created, including money is for us to have dominion upon. When you give to God, it means that you are exercising your dominion over money and diverting it from other purposes to the purposes of God. When you have set your dominion over something that is likely to divert you from God, then God sets his blessings upon you.

As Jesus thought us frequently, giving God is a matter of the heart more than it is a matter of means. “God looks at the heart of the giver”. Let us not have any doubt in giving to God through our tithes, First fruits , in accordance to our blessing and with a loyal heart.

God Bless You.

 V Chacko Jacob

 Psalm 91:3  “Surely HE (God) shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler “

This verse looks like a caution but the Lord revealed to me that it is a WORD OF PROMISE. The verse talks about God’s promise to DELIVER YOU AND ME FROM THE “SNARES OF THE DEVIL”. You will never happen to read this article unless the Spirit of God has planned to deliver you from Satanic Snares and set you on the road to freedom and victory. So rejoice for the wonderful freedom and strength you will receive at the end of reading this article. As you read this article the Holy Spirit will help you discover the snares of the devil in your life but please remember that the intention of the Holy Spirit is not to condemn you but to convict you and immediately deliver you from the same.

A snare is something that a believer unknowingly and inadvertently falls into. The devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8) hence the bible asks us to be “vigilant “.

SNARE OF BUSYNESS

Very often I have awoken in the morning from sleep feeling spiritually sick and down only to discover that it had been a week since I spent meaningful time in prayer with my Saviour. But how come I did not sense it, Busy-ness. I was too busy doing the job God has graciously given me that I forgot the Giver. Official pressures kept me so busy. My drive to perform the best and get into my boss’s good books kept me very busy. My drive to perform more for a promotion and earn more salary and prestige kept me very busy. Competition kept me very busy and all these things have made me numb to the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit whispering into my ears that I was missing out on prayer.

Sometimes we think that by praying we are doing God a favour or pleasing him. No! The Holy Spirit is driving us to pray, not because He gains anything by our prayer but that we may gain spiritual strength-not only to grow spiritually but also professionally. Please understand that for a believer, success in professional life too is hooked to his success in spiritual life. The devil makes you busy in your profession so that he can suck out your spiritual life which will in turn lead to your failure in professional life too. He uses your profession to destroy your profession. You may say, “Others will run ahead if I take time for prayer and slow down a little bit “. I agree, but that’s only for a short while. When you run with the Holy Spirit you may slack in the beginning but as you gain spiritual strength and apply spiritual wisdom and direction to do your professional work you will run steady and strong and will run beyond the point where others will wear out in frustration and bitterness. You will be running in full speed while others would wear out.

“Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint”

(Isaiah 40:31)

SNARE OF PRAYER LESSNESS

Prayer is not an exercise of uttering simple words. Little do the believers realize how their words that proceed out of their mouth during prayer affect the unseen spiritual world. The words that run out of their mouth proceed into the spiritual world and attack the powers of darkness that are against us. If only a believer gets a glimpse of the spiritual reality their prayers are creating, their prayer times will see an unprecedented revival. Now do you understand why the devil labours to stop a believer from getting into his prayer room, Hell begins to shudder when a believer enters his prayer closet. He trembles, cries and shouts words of defeat to himself.Whenever I preach this message I would sense the terrible cry of the devil saying, Oh! Please don’t preach this truth to these people. I have spent years of deception to keep them out of prayer. Please don’t attack the foundations of my plans to destroy this believer.” I can hear him shout Oh! They are hearing what I never wanted them to hear “. The agony of His cry is the clue to the power of my preaching. The Bible says “Faith comes by hearing the Word of God” ( Romans 10:17 ) and no wonder the devil does not want people to HEAR . Why does the devil shudder at prayer? Because he knows the bible well. He knows that when a believer gets into his prayer closet Whatever he asks God, in the name of Jesus Christ, God will do it for him and two things will result-the name of the Father will be glorified through the believer-the believer’s joy will be full. (John 14:13 ,14 and John 16 :23 ,24) and both these things are devastating to the devil’s plans.

Dear believer go head and revive your prayer life and receive all that you desire and led a successful life which will make you an attraction to others .They will glorify your God and your joy will also be full.

SNARE OF FAITHLESS NESS

A BELIEVER CAN NEVER RECEIVE ANYTHING FROM God until He believes and a believer can receive everything from God when he believes. This is the biblical principle .The devil is not much worried about a believer who just reads the bible like a religious routine or a religious discipline. This will just get the bible into his head – which is also important – but all the reading that’s stored in the mind can’t become a reality unless they are believed. The devil will stop you from reading the bible but if you manage to beat him there he is still not defeated. He will stop you from believing them. The devil relaxes as long as you only read the Bible but the moment you begin to believe them, your faith sends vibrations into hell and the devils roils with anger. Remember in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus Himself taught us this principle in Matthew 21:22which says “All things whatsoever you ASK in prayer BELIEVING you will receive”. Note ALL THINGS is hooked to ASKING and asking is hooked to BELIEVING. What a powerful principle the Lord Jesus Christ taught us when He said “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23 ). What more reason do you want to prove that the devil will do everything possible to stop you from believing and from this you need to realize the world of wonders BELIEVING will open into your life.

SNARE OF WORD LESSNESS

Hosea 4:6 says “My people perish for lack of knowledge ” in other words “people are perishing due to ignorance”. A believer’s life begins to perish if he is ignorant. Ignorant of the Word of God. The Word of God contains all the promises that a believer needs to make his life peaceful, successful, Prosperous and joyful and why will not the enemy stop him from discovering his gold mine. Too often our prayers are filled with our own words that come out of our own perception of our problems. No wonder our prayers are filled with lamentations and tears. The devil can drag us away in prayer by making us dwell in our own words of unbelief and agony and keep us away from using the Words of God in prayer. God’s word are like missiles and only they can go forth and destroy the works of the devil and not our words. At the same time only God’s word can operate in a believer’s life and fulfill God’s purposes in his life, as God Himself says, “So shall My word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” ( Isaiah 55:11)

Believer! Your future is in His Word but His Word is in your hands. “If you abide in Him and His Words abide in youyou will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you” ( John 15:07 )

SNARE OF FELLOWSHIP LESSNESS

Jesus Said “If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask it will be done for them by My father in heaven because where two or three are gathered together in my name I am there in the midst of them” ( Matthew 18: 19- 20)

If you know that the devil fears something (you can know this by observing what area of your life he continuously attacks) boldly go ahead and have it because there lies your victory. Is your marriage being delayed by mysterious reasons ? Then your marriage is going to be the area which the Lord will use to glorify His name through you.  Is it your profession ? Then that’s where the Lord is going to be glorified. The same is that with fellowship. I used to wonder why it is so difficult for two like minded believers to come together for prayer. Fellowships are suffering without attendance. Why ? Because the devil knows what will happen if only believers come together. The devil will see to it that two believers don’t come together and even if they manage to get together he will see to it that they don’t stay together for long. But don’t worry the Lord has promised to deliver us from all this.

Whenever you feel spiritually tired to pray for a point don’t procrastinate the prayer or give up on it, but immediately apply the biblical principle – go find another believer with whom you can trust your prayer point  ( Watch out for gossipers and backbiters) and pray with them and you will see miracles happening.

Rejoice my friend for the Lord will surely deliver you out of all these snares no matter how deeply you have fallen.“He who is in you is greater than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4) and therefore you are bound to win. Success, peace, health and prosperity are our spiritual destiny and we will have it all.

(This message was delivered by Bro. Samson Sugunakumar in the CCF Inaugural Meeting on Feb 18^th 2006 . Bro. Samson Sugunakumar, Chairman, Founder of Word and  Power Ministries, Chennai)