Empowered by Faith: Embrace Your Spirit of Boldness

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

II Timothy1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Encouragement of Paul to Timothy

Timothy was young and had a similar spirit of Paul (Philippians 2:19-20). He does the work of the Lord as Paul did (I Corinthians 16:10), who is Paul’s beloved and faithful son in the Lord (I Corinthians 4:17), having a good cheerful spirit (Acts 18:5) and is a faithful steward (Acts 19:21-22.)

Paul encourages Timothy, saying “I am continually praying day and night remembering…..”

  1. Your Sincere Faith, Genuine faith (II Timothy 1:5)
  2. Prayerfulness, Mindful of your tears (II Timothy 1:4)
  3. Holding steadfast the sound words from Paul. (II Timothy 1:13 – 15)

Paul instructed Timothy that (II Timothy 1:8)

  • He should not be ashamed of the Gospel.
  • He should not be ashamed of The Gospel preacher.
  • He should be a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel.

Why? The GOSPEL.

It Saved us, Called us with a Holy calling, Blessed us with His own purpose & Grace and Planned for us even before the time began.

Spirit of Boldness/Courage:

Romans 8:15: “you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father.”

  • Once, we were under the bondage of sin and of this world, but now we received the Spirit of Freedom and Sonship to break every bond (Ephesians 2:1 – 6; John 8:32 – 34).
  • We have Not received the Spirit of Fear and Terror (Hebrews 2:14).
  • Fear of Death
  • Fear of our Future
  • Fear about our Children
  • Fear of unbelievers

Adoption:

  • Sonship means the same rights and privileges as being born in the same family, having the right to call “Abba, Father”.
  • The slaves are never allowed to say ‘Abba’ to their master.

We read in Romans 8:16 -17: 16 The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.17 Not only children but even heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

Also, Proverbs 28:1 says, “……. the righteous are as bold as a lion”.

Examples:

  • Early disciples witnessed Lord Jesus’s resurrection with boldness. (Acts 4:13) When they saw the boldness of Peter & John, they found that they were with Jesus. If we also have such fellowship with Jesus and with the power of the Holy Spirit, then we will also be able to witness Jesus Boldly.
  • Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel boldly (Acts 13:16; Acts 14:3).
  • Joseph of Arimathaea went boldly to receive the body of Jesus (Mark 15:43).
  • Jonathan boldly went to face the enemies singlehandedly saying to his servant “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” (I Samuel 14:1).
  • Four lepers at the city gate entrance boldly said to each other, “Why stay here until we die? If we say, ‘We’ll go into the city’ (II Kings 7:3)
  • Esther went before the King boldly to intercede for her People. “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).

Spirit of Power:

Luke 24:49 says, “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Dunamis means Inherent Power/ Power to reproduce itself.

Paul reminded Timothy,

  • To fan into flame the gift of God given to him, “to stir up the Spirit” (II Timothy 1:6).
  • Do not neglect your gift, which was given to you through prophecy when the elders of the church laid their hands on you (I Timothy 4:14).

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his Glory and Goodness (II Peter 1:3) (I Corinthians 2:14)

Demonstration of the Spirit and Power. (Romans 15:18 – 29; Hebrews 2:4; Mark 16:17 – 20)

Spirit of Love:

I Corinthians 13:4 – 7

  1. Patience: believes, hopes, and endures all things, suffers long.
  2. Kindness: love in action.
  3. Generosity: not envious or jealous
  4. Humility: does not parade itself
  5. Courtesy: Polite, never rude or discourteous.
  6. Unselfishness: seek good for others.
  7. Good temper: never irritated
  8. Righteousness: love in conduct, hate sin, not glad when others go wrong.
  9. Sincerity: Always Honest, not a hypocrite, never boastful.

Spirit of Sound Mind:

Galatians 5:22 – 23 describes the Fruit of the Spirit.

We need to overcome all the problems and difficulties we face in our life, for which God has given us the Power of Understanding.

God has indeed given us such boldness and power to witness our Lord and demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit in this world.

As Matthew 5:16 says, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, do you have such courage to share the word of God in this present dark world? Let’s pray that our Lord and Savior, the true Light of the World, gives light to everyone to shine.

Good vs Bad Fruits in Jeremiah 24: A Biblical Insight

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

In Jeremiah 24:1, God shows HIS prophet Jeremiah, 2 baskets of figs kept before HIS temple with two different types of fruits. One basket full of good ripe fruits.

Another basket full of bad fruits which can’t be eaten.

By showing this, God speaks HIS plan for the tribe of Judah, whom God called out of the world to HIS kingdom to be HIS people.

Though the all-fig trees grow in the same type of soil under the same climate conditions, they give different types of fig fruits. Similarly, though God has called the whole tribe of Judah (church) to be part of HIS kingdom, only few accept and bear good fruits.

 In Jer 22: 3,9,17 God speaks of the bad behavior of many of the people of Judah who are called by HIM.

Jer,22:21 God feels sad about these people who turn deaf ears to God once they receive all earthly blessings from HIM.

Though these people started well, but as they went through different paths of life, they lean towards world, idolatry, forget God and HIS covenant with them.

So, God decides to destroy them in their own land through famine, wars, and deadly diseases.

But there is still a small group in whom God delights as they just wholeheartedly obeyed God in all their hardships.

They did what pleases God. Jer 22:16.

Mathew 3:12. shows God is the judge, and HE separates the good from the bad and has different plan for each.

Similarly in Jer 24:5 -7; God speaks to Jeremiah how HE is going to deal with this small chosen group of people and bless them.

 HE will send them into Babylon captivity and recognize them and do the following

1) Put HIS eyes upon them to do good (Psalms 32:8) Psalms 34:8

2) Build them (Psalms 127:1)

3) Plant them (Numbers 23:21, Isaiah 61:3)

4) Give them heart to know God (Ezekiel 36:26)

5) Shall become God’s own people and HE shall be their God.

Today Let’s check ourselves which basket do we belong to.

Do we belong to the basket of good fruits?

May God help us recognize our ways and return to God totally surrendering our life into HIS MIGHTY HANDS who is eagerly waiting to welcome us into HIS KINGDOM OF Godliness and goodness.

Transfiguration

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

Matthew 17:1-6 1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.

Background:

We read in Matthew 16:13 that when Lord Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, whom do men say that He (The Son of man) was?

His disciples replied Jesus saying that some said that He is John the Baptist, while some others said that He is Elijah and others said that He is Jeremiah or one of the prophets.

Jesus then asked his disciples, “But, whom do you say that I am?”

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

Caesarea Philippi: 

A Roman sanctuary, which included temples and ritual courtyards, built near the sacred grotto of the Greco-Roman God Pan. The ancient city named after Pan, was located to the south of the springs.

This city was originally known as Paneas (also spelled as Panias) because of the temple erected there to Pan a god of shepherds and flocks, a different version of Baal-gad (a god of good luck), Canaanite’s god.

According to Greek mythology, the Pan god is depicted as half-human, half-goat (it’s upper body and head like man, while standing on its hind Goat legs and also having goat horn on its head) playing flute. His pipe-playing was believed to entertain the dancing goats. At the bottom of the cave, there was a deep chasm/fountain with a spring. As a part of Pagan worship to Pan god, which started from the Hellenistic period – 3rd century BCE, sacrifices were thrown down into this deep chasm. If the sacrifices sank into water, they believed that their offering was accepted, else they would repeat the sacrifices and if signs of blood appeared, then it was considered as that their sacrifices were rejected. This Deep chasm/fountain was called the Gates of Hades/Hell (Gate of Underworld).

In 20th BC Herod the Great, rebuilt the Temple in honor of Caesar. 18 years later Herod’s son Philip inherited the site and named it after him as Caesarea – Philippi.

During the time of Hebrew Bible, before Banias became associated with Pan, the northeastern corner of the Kingdom of Israel was a center for Baal worship. In the nearby city of Dan, 6 miles to the west, Israelite king Jeroboam built the high place that angered God and eventually led the Israelites to worship false deities. In the due course, worship of Baal morphed into the worship of Greek fertility Gods. Baal-gad (Joshua 11:17, Judges 3:3) a city in North Palestine was named after his name. (“Baal’ Lord of good luck” or ‘Baal is God’)

This was the place where the deep Chasm/fountain called the Gates of Hades was present. It was this very place where Jesus questioned his disciples about whom people thought He was and also said to Peter that the gates of Hades will not overcome.

Matthew 16:28 Jesus said, ‘Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming His kingdom.” 

Luke 9:27, 31 Lord Jesus demonstrates the Power of the Kingdom of God using a vision of his Heavenly glory to strengthen the faith of the Apostles.

Matthew 16:18 – 19 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. 19 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.”

  • Expresses His divine nature and magnification of His glory (Philippians 2:5 – 11).
  • Moses and Elijah appeared on either side of Jesus and talked about His death. Moses as the fulfillment of law and Elijah as the fulfilment of prophesies of old testaments to give us grace, mercy, and peace.
  • It was an inauguration of New Covenant and presenting Jesus as High Priest to us.
  • It teaches us the transformation of Humanity to His glory and the transfiguration of mortality to immortality. (I Corinthians 15: 52, II Corinthians 3:18).

Matthew 17: 5 – 6 1 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid

  • “Hear Him”, the Him represents Christ’s supreme authority.

Read Luke 9:28 – 36

Luke 9:28 – 29 28About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.

Mountains can be a place where we see the glory of Lord Jesus.

The Lord is seeking to take us all to the Mount of His Glory, so that we’ll see the glory of the Lord and witness the glorious works of Christ.

What a marvelous revelation we will receive of Him on the Mount of His Glory, which is our Mount of Transfiguration.

  • Climbing up to the Mountain of Prayer:

Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46; Luke 6:12; John 6:15 speaks about how often Jesus climbed the mountains and prayed.

In I King 18:42; I King 17:1 We read how Elijah climbed up Mt Carmel and prayed for rain. And there was no rain for three and half years. He then again prayed earnestly, and God sent rain.

Prayer transforms us.

Without prayer life, we will be unable to understand the burden of others.

e.g   High priest Eli misunderstood the burden/agony of Hannah. (I Samuel 1:14)

Simon did not fathom the brokenness of the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet. (Luke 7:38)

Gehazi did not comprehend the Shunammite woman’s turmoil but Elisha. (2 King 4:27).

In Mark 3:13-14; Luke 10:1à we read how the Lord went up on the mountain and called His disciples to himself giving them authority.

At times, Mountains can be a place of temptation and testing but it’s the place to ground us in Prayer.

  • Climbing up to the Mountain of Good News

Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Romans 10:15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

The coming of the swift-footed messengers of the gospel of the kingdom of God is beautiful.

We are called to share the good news about Christ wherever we go, to different workplaces, neighborhoods, schools and campuses and to the different countries he has scattered us.

For this ‘Goodnews’ is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.

The outset of the runner seen on distant mountains dashing closer with long-expected good news is lovely to the sight.

The feet of the Gospel givers are appealing because they are close at hand with good news of peace, hope, salvation and God’s sovereign rule.

  • Climbing up to the Mountain of Building Church

Haggai 1:8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord.

We read in I king 5:1 – 8 that Solomon brought in the timber from Hiram and built the Temple of God.

God has called us for ‘His Work/ Purposes’.

‘Gods cause’ needs work to be done completely and not stopped because of the obstacles faced while executing ‘God’s work’.

Even Solomon, first built ‘the Temple of God’ before building his own palace.

As William Carey’s motto says,

 “Expect great things from God;

Attempt great things for God.”

  • Climbing into Upper room to get the Anointing of Holy Spirit.

Act 1:13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James, son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

The Disciples of Jesus who were all together in the Upper room, were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance on the day of Pentecost. Peter (who had once denied and betrayed Jesus in Caiaphas’s house) stood up and preached with anointing from the Holy Spirit. About 3000 souls received Salvation that day.

This Upper Room experience demonstrates the great ‘Move of God’ and the ‘Immediate impact of the Holy Spirit’.

And also, one of God’s palpable Presence, Salvation, Celebration and Joy.

  • Climbing the Mountain for Higher /Intimate Spiritual experiences.

Exodus 24:1 à Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance.

  1. Firstly, (Exodus 24:9, 10) all the 70 elders of Israel went up and had “a vision of God.”
  2. Secondly, (Exodus 24:12, 13) Moses and Joshua went up on the mountain and obtained the Law and Commandments from God. 

Exodus 24:12 à 12 The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”

  • Thirdly, (Exodus 24:15) Moses further went up and saw the “Glory of God”.

Exodus 24:15, 16 à 15 When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, 16 and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud.

Each of us should encounter these Intimate spiritual experiences. (Revelation 4:1; Philippians 3:10 -12)

Thanking God for the Mountain of Calvary, where He delivered each of us from all our sins.

Believe and climb the Mountains of the Lord that He has kept for us and we’ll find His Glory on top of each one.

God Bless you!

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth.

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

Here apostle Peter talks about Lord Jesus in the house of Cornelius. As the Spirit of God was with Lord Jesus, he did good and delivered many from diseases. We believe trinity and all have equality of power and authority, God the Father, God the son, God the Holy Spirit.  John 1:1,3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. Colossians 1:16 “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”

These are the clear proof of the divinity of our Lord Jesus. So now we have a question why this all-powerful Lord Jesus needs anointing though HE is the son of God and HE can do everything. Even when HE was on earth, HE was as 100% man and 100% God. Just everything will obey and happen by HIS one word. Still did Jesus require this Holy Spirit to be as a son of man and be enabled to do God’s will?

Many times, we see Jesus was anointed, when Jesus stepped out after HIS baptism, HE received The Holy Spirit and even led to the wilderness by HIM. HE did all ministry through the strength of the Holy Spirit.  Isaiah 61:1 Here we see the Holy Spirit is upon HIM to proclaim Gospel (Luke 4:18). John 5:19- He does only what the father does.

That means in order to discard all his own desires and do only God the father’s will, Jesus required the anointing of the Holy Spirit. John 20:21-22 “So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’.”

Here Lord Jesus sends His disciples into this world to do God’s will. John 20:21;22 Jesus said like father sent me, I too send you into the world. To do God’s will is like food to Jesus. So, likewise we all have been sent into this world to do God’s will and in order to do God’s will Jesus emptied himself likewise we need to empty our self. Phil 2:6;7 Though He was equal to God. Took the form of servant and became like man. So, we need the Holy Spirit in order to empty ourselves and do the will of God.

In this world Jesus was as a role model and lived to do God’s will and showed as that we need to receive this Holy Spirit and go into this world. If we can’t live like Jesus our forerunner, we can’t go to be with Him eternally.  Romans 8:9 “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”

How serious! Those who don’t have HOLY SPIRIT don’t belong to Christ.  “Christ ” means anointed one. 2 Corinthians 1:22 “who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. Because God has bought us as His own by the blood of Christ Jesus and sealed us with Holy Spirit. Now just like the seal is outside and all can see it, anointing of Holy Spirit can be witnessed by all.

Eph 2:8,10 says to do good deeds you have been created in Christ Jesus. Also, we have been changed as God’s deeds. But do we do good deeds? Instead we think we can’t do anything for the kingdom of God. To give Jesus to a person is the greatest good deed a person can do in this world.

Now I ask you, how many souls have you been able to bring to Christ?

If not even one soul, then be aware there is no one as irresponsible as you.

Mathew 7:21– This verse tells us that those who haven’t done God’s will can’t enter the kingdom. According to HIS word only, God will judge. Another question is if I don’t ask God what should I do, how can HE teach me? Jesus every night sat in God’s presence and prayed and took decision, even to choose HIS disciples.  So, if we must do God’s will, we need to sit at the Lord’s feet. and ask HIM what the purpose God is has sent us in this world and to do that purpose, we also need to receive Holy Spirit and moreover there will be God’s will already under action in those who have received the Holy Spirit.

Phil 2:4—each one has to look into other requirements, not only self-seeking. Titus 2:14–Jesus Christ was sacrificed to do good deeds. To do these good deeds and fulfil all HIS ministry, Jesus required HOLY SPIRIT.

Likewise, we each one should be anointed by the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfil God’s purpose. To send this great gift of Holy Spirit Lord Jesus said it will be better for HIM to go (John 16:7)

Now Jesus seated at the right hand of God the Father can send Holy Spirit.  That’s why John the Baptist said Lord Jesus will baptise us with the Holy Spirit and fire. HE is our comforter and advocate and helper. John 3:34–God pours HIS spirit immeasurably.  Lamb of God had these characters of humble, purity, sensitive and gentle. Holy Spirit dwells in a person like this who humbles by denying self.

Why many don’t have HOLY SPIRIT in their life?

Mathew 16:24 If a person must do God’s will, should deny self-desires and change his track towards doing God’s will. Only then he or she can do God’s purpose and will. Only upon him The Holy Spirit will reside. But in the life of a person who doesn’t deny self-will, Holy Spirit cannot reside.

Luke 4:1 Jesus was led to the wilderness by the HOLY SPIRIT and then led by the Holy Spirit to Galilee to do wonderful miracles, Luke 5:17 healed diseases, Luke 10:21Joyful in Holy Spirit

Luke 11:20 by the finger of God drive away evil. Mathew 12:28 by the Holy Spirit drive away evil. Also, Jesus could surrender to cross due to Holy Spirit.  Heb 9:14

Rom 1:5 due to the power of the Holy Spirit which was in Lord Jesus he was resurrected from death. Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Bible says Jesus Was filled with Holy Spirit and power. That’s why God wants us to wait in Jerusalem until we receive Holy Spirit.

Halleluiah.

The Mercy Seat

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

Exo 25:17-22

After 430 years as predestined by God the same day the Israelites were brought out of the bondage of Egypt. They were made to camp at the foot of Mount Sinai and God asked them to prepare themselves by fasting for 3 days and purify them, so that God can speak to them. As told God came down upon the mount and spoke to them, which was terrible fearful sight and Israelites decided not to hear God directly, instead wanted Moses to talk to God.

But God wants to dwell among us and talk to us. God showed the model of tabernacle on the mount and told Moses to build similar tabernacle in the middle of the dwellings of the 12 tribes. Now to build the tabernacle and all things in it. God asks His people to give offering willingly out of wholeheartedness. (Exo 25:1-2) God had made Egyptians give their silver and gold to Israelites when they came out of Egypt, they had things to offer.

The Mercy Seat

God gives specifications to make ark of covenant covered by the mercy seat. Mercy seat means covering. This ark of covenant is foreshadowing of our Lord Jesus. It is made up of shittim wood which symbolize humanity and the gold covering symbolizes divinity. As our Lord Jesus walked upon earth as 100% man and 100% God.

This ark of covenant has 3 things in it. (Heb 10: 4,5)

i) Golden pot with manna

ii) Aaron ‘s Rod

iii) Two tablets of commandments

All these represent our Lord Jesus, Aaron’s Rod represents testimony of the chosen the high priest role of Lord Jesus. The Golden pot with manna refers to our heart filled with  the word of God ( Mathew 4:4) man doesn’t live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth, in the Gospel of John 6:35, Jesus says HE is the bread of life. The 2 tablets refers to the Law of Moses.

Why this mercy seat should cover the ark of covenant?

NKJV Bible. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of the God. Roman 6:23 wages of sin is death. Law kills and can’t make anyone righteous because even if one Law is violated one is guilty of not following the entire Law and should be killed for violating the law. God covered this Law with mercy.  This mercy seat covering the law covers all the sins. So, we can go near God. Cherubim is model of God’s throne of grace.

1. Mercy seat is a place of receiving grace, forgiveness, place of redemption.

When a sinner cries to God accepting his sin and repents, God forgives through HIS mercy. 1 John1 :7.

Because Jesus paid the penalty on the cross once for all and sat at the right hand of the Father God (Heb 10:11,12)

Blood of Jesus Christ covering our sin and we have boldness to come near mercy seat. (Heb 10:19)

John 1:16 “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Col 2:14 “having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it”

Roman 3:26;25 1 Thes 5:9 “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” God removes the judgment from us by breaking the law and the mercy seat prevails over law.

2. Mercy seat teaches us the Pattern of Worship and Offer sacrifice to God.

Lev 16:14,15.”He shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side; and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.

[15]“Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat.

Lord Jesus became the lamb.”

The mercy seat needed to be sprinkled with blood.  Jesus shed the blood on the cross for you and me.

Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering, and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. … [8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.

Roman 12: 1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

3. Mercy seat teaches us the Pattern of Interceding Prayer.

Exodus 25:22 “And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.”

This is the secret place of prayer. Heb 4:14; Lev 7:89–place where we meet and talk to God.

Our prayer, intercessor being answer through Jesus.

Lev 7:89 “Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him.”

Today our body is the temple of God. Holy Spirit resides in us, He fills our heart with living Word of God (Golden pot of manna) and He pour out love of God (Romans 5:5). Glory of God shining in us (2 Cor 3:18) The Shekinah the visible presence of God overshadows us. Whenever we approach God in prayer, we shed tears of joy, our heart fill with praises. While we praise our God, God is descending in clouds of praises, there we hear and speak with God.

Disciplined prayer life keeps our body in God’s presence as temple and this way that we built the Ark of covenant within us.

If you do not have real communion with God then you do have reason that Christ is not in your first place, not honoring God, you are seeking worldly things, and you are far away from God.

Salvation is the hidden treasure [Mathew 13:14]. Receive this salvation and workout our salvation fearfully Considering all other profitable things a loss. [Phil 3:8, Isaiah 55:1; Rev 3:18]

Due to this mercy seat we come near God.

Mercy prevails over LAW. If we submit ourselves to God as pleasing sacrifice, we can be in communion with God all the time, as Immanuel “God is with us” now in our Spirit making us HIS temple.

We really need to Thank God for HIS abundant unchanging mercies.

Halleluiah. GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST.

The Destiny and Identity of God’s People

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

Exodus 19:5-6

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

Almighty God delivered Israelites from the bondage of slavery in Egypt and brought them to the Mount Sinai. They camped under the mount and God revealed Himself and taught them who these God’s children are. There is lot of difference between how this world sees us and how does God see us. Even in the life of Joseph we see that his father Jacob’s household who were shepherds came to Egypt, were not respected by the Egyptians.

Similarly, the world may look down upon Christians or sometimes we ourselves think inferior about ourselves, but God wants us to know how we are seen by Him.

Let’s go through some verses which reveal us this.

1.The armies of the Lord

Exodus 7:4 But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.

Here we see God addresses Israelites as ” My armies”

Exodus 12:41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.

Here as “armies of the Lord”. God looks at us as a mighty Army, so we just need to obey Him instantly just as a national army obeys its commander.

Gen 47:4 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.”  In heaven God has armies of angel but in earth we are the armies of God.

Are we army or are we coward?

Eph 6:10;11 says we need to wear the armor of God to fight against the principalities and overcome the powers of darkness. Yes, the army of God must be ready to fight the enemy wearing the armor of God.

Zechariah 9:8 God camps around His army to watch over them. Isaiah 47:4 God of army or Lord of hosts.  Joshua 5:13;14;15 Lord God is the commander of the army. God doesn’t leave us alone but walks ahead of us as the commander. Exodus 13:21;22 God goes ahead of us and breaks the obstacles. Exodus 14:19- Also God protects HIS ARMY front and back from the army of Pharaoh.  Ex. 2 Chronicles 13:12 God himself is with us as our head.

2.A Special Treasure.

Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.  Exodus 6:7; Titus 2:14, 1John 3:1 All these verses we see how much God loves us and calls us HIS own people who are bought for good deeds through The precious blood of HIS only begotten son Lord Jesus.

3.The kingdom of priests.

Exodus 19:6 ,1 peter 2:9– we are Royal priesthood who always stand in front of God.

Stand between people and God pleading and interceding. Always giving praises to God.

4.The First Born

Fourthly, God addresses Israelites as HIS firstborn, who is eligible for double portion blessings

Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. God considers us as heirs in the line of Lord Jesus and our dwellings place is in heaven. (Phil 3:20; Col 1:15, Gal 3:26)

We are only sent to this world temporarily to fulfill God’s purpose and then we will be taken back to heaven.

So, we need to lead a very disciplined life. We have divine Father, if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Since we do have such privileges, we ought to well-disciplined and having of good moral culture.

5.The Holy People.

Exo 19:6 God calls us HIS Holy People.

God lets the people fast for 3 days to purify themselves before HE could give them commands in exodus 20.

HE is a Holy God. Moses 19: 23,24 warns people not to come near the mount.

Exo 20: 18-20 Then the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, people trembled with fear. Now all the people witnessed the thundering, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.”

God revealed Himself literally because i) to test the people ii) they do have God fear iii) so they don’t sin.

Today this magnificent God Holy Spirit dwells in our body. 1 Cor 3:16;17. We are the temple of God.

Many don’t have fear of God as they don’t know themselves nor know their God. Eze 43:12- says Holiness is the law of the temple. So after being redeemed by the blood of Christ and taken baptism and our names written in the book of life, we are now the children of The most High God and God’s Spirit lives in us.

So how fearfully we need to live a holy life as we are HIS Holy People. (Heb 10:19)

Let’s always remember and worship God.

Halleluiah. Amen.

God who heals you.

Featured

Posted on by
3

2 Kings 20:1-2,5

[1] In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.’

[2] Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying,

[5]“Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.

As this word comes to king Hezekiah to set right his household matters as he may not live long, today God is telling us too.

We need to be prepared to leave this life and enter into His glory anytime. So, we need to settle allotments for our family members before our death. People write legal document for their children regarding their land and properties. Thus, preparing for their death.

Similarly, we as believers need to be ready spiritually to leave this earthly life anytime. Jesus can come anytime to take HIS church. So, we need to be ready anytime. This preparation requires us to be in constant connection with God transforming in HIS likeness.

Luke 12:19 we see a foolish man who is joyfully talking to his own soul rejoicing in his prosperity without knowing that his money and overfilling barn is not going to help his soul. But the soul or our inner real man needs to be with God always to be healthy.

Here we see about king Hezekiah who was a very good king. God had done many wonderful deeds in the life of king Hezekiah. 2king 18:2;4 Reveals us that from the time Hezekiah became the king of Judah at the age of 25 years  , he was very careful in following  all the instructions that God had given through Moses and brought great revival and reformation among the people of Judah. He delivered the people from idolatry and turned them towards the true worship of God.

First, 2 Kings 18:5,6 King Hezekiah did not turn away from God, but was always depending on God trusting HIM alone.

It means our soul is always clinging unto God in all situations. None of this world’s troubles or desires should be able to separate him from God. We should have very close relation with God. GOD should be happy with our life.

Secondly, he walked according to all that God taught to Moses.

If a man is very religious, but doesn’t walk according to the statutes of God, his devotion is in vain.

Thirdly, he did not turn back from God and was consistent in following God.   2kings 18: 7 says so God was with him.  Because he was always in God’s presence.

David to Solomon

(1 Chronicles 28:9-10)

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.

David tasted God’s goodness and so instructed his son Solomon to be very careful in following God’s commands.

He taught his son that God has a greater purpose in his life and so advised him to be very careful in obeying God.

In bible, we see so many examples like Moses, Joseph, Jacob, David who always hold on to God and rejoiced to be in God’s presence. Moses did not want to go anywhere without God. Joseph even in prison was with God. God promised Jacob that wherever he goes God will be with him and fulfill HIS promise to him. (Genesis 28:15)

Is it possible to be with God always?

Yes, that’s why God had given us Holy Spirit to always be with us and guide us. Immanuel means God with us.

God wants to be with us. So, we should be careful enough to not grieve the Holy Spirit in us (Eph 4:30). When we seek to please God in meditating bible, prayer and fasting God does wonderful deeds (2 Chro 26:5)

2 kings 20:2. We see king Hezekiah turned towards wall and cried.

We might think why God would take away such a good person so early in his young age of 30’s, but the death of saints is pleasing to God. He wasn’t afraid of death but was worried of leaving behind his people who are just learning to turn towards God. He was worried thinking there will be none to lead them after his death. All saints of God including apostle Paul and David were eagerly waiting to die and meet their Lord Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

 Hezekiah upon knowing his dreadful disease, wholeheartedly cried unto God, totally cutting off from the world and prayed earnestly. Immediately God answered his prayer and send word of adding 15 yrs to his life. ( V 5)

Acts 12 we see how the church prayed earnestly for Peter and God miraculously brought Peter out of prison.

Diseases occur due to many reasons. God did not say we won’t get any disease.   We might get disease due to many reasons

1) because of sin in the past life

2) can be an allowed from God to test our love for God, like in the life of Job to find out whom we rely upon primarily God or man?

James 5:13,15 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Yes, even today God watches our tears and listens to our prayers of faith.  God extended the life of Hezekiah by 15 more years seeing his tears.

HE is the same God today.

If we are with HIM, GOD is with us and hears our prayers and answers and delivers us from any grave situation.

Let’s not accept sickness in our body but pray in faith for healing from our Father God in JESUS mighty name.

HE will heal us, and we will glorify HIM.

Halleluiah. May God bless.

The Lord blessed the house of Obed-Edom

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

1 Chronicles 13:14

The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that he had.

Ark of covenant can be understood as the place where God’s presence dwells, from where God speaks to HIS people. Exodus 25:17-22 God gives HIS servant Moses instructions how to make tabernacle, mercy seat, the most holy place, and the ark of covenant. God used to speak to Moses from the most holy place and Moses brings God’s word to HIS people.

But as time passed, the priests of the Highest God did not follow God’s word diligently and so God rejected them. During the time of Eli, the priest, God let the philistines defeat Israel and capture the ark of God. They took it to their place (1 Sam 3:11-24, 1 Sam 4:21-22). But they couldn’t keep it for long with them, as the ark of God in the enemy’s camp brought disasters to them. (1 Sam 6:19;20) In fear and trembling the philistines wanted to send the ark back to Israel because they were not aware of the statutes of God in taking care of the ark. Philistine sent the Ark of covenant to Israel.

Now it was 20 years, none sought the ark of covenant during the days of king Saul (1 Sam 7:1,2). (1 Chronicles 13:1-2) But during David’s kingship we read here how David started seeking for the ark and planned to bring it back. We must also seek God’s presence daily.

1 Chronicles 13:7- so they brought the ark with great joy, singing and worship. But the end was sad, God strike down Uzza who touched it unworthily and he died. (1 Chronicles 13:10) Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.

Number 4:15 “And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.”

Because God had given statutes and instructions how to carry the ark of God. So, anyone who touches it unworthy will be killed same time.  Uzza’s fatal attempt to steady the ark of God is painful lesson underscoring the necessity of doing what is right in God’s eye, not our own eyes.

Leviticus 10:1-2 “Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So, fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.”

God strikes the people as they disobey the proper instructions and do according to their desires (I Sam 6:19 )

Even today people don’t know how to worship God. (Deuteronomy 12:4;8, judges 17:6; 21:23) They prefer doing in ways that seems best to their knowledge and desires, but not mindful of what the scripture teaches. They learnt the ways of gentiles and worship God like the gentiles did, which is abomination to God’s sight.

1 Chronicles 13:12, Here seeing the judgement of God, David now was afraid of God. He did not take the ark to his house, but rather sent to OBED EDOM house. But successfully moved after correcting mistake (I Chr 15:1-28)

People of God forget to give reverence to God, ignoring the Church and not attending the Worship. Hebrews 10:25 says “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. ” So, there is God’s judgement on families, no peace at home and children’s future is questionable.

Hebrews 12:28-29

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.

Though God forgives us when we repent due to HIS grace and doesn’t destroy us, but the consequences of sin we need to suffer and so there is pain and losses.

Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Now because God dwells in us, we need to submit each part of our body to God for holiness.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. God today speaks to us from within us.

Why did God bless OBED EDOM House? Because…..

  1. The service which Obed-Edom rendered.
  2. He followed the covenant, The Word of God.
  3. He accepted the responsibility for the Ark even though there was visible deadly fear.
  4. He led his family in regular worship and taught God’s statutes to his children and grandchildren.
  5. He turned dead to life.

So, God blessed his house with grace and mercy.

  1. David appointed him as minister before Ark of the Lord, to invoke, to thank an to praise the Lord. 1 Chr 16:4-6
  2. The sons of Shemaiah were Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad, whose brothers Elihu and Semachiah were able men. All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom, they and their sons and their brethren, able men with strength for the work: sixty-two of Obed-Edom. I Chr 26:4-8
  3. Generation after generation they served the Lord.

Now as new testament believers do, we take time to know what God teaches us?

How eager we are to teach to our kids the fear of God?

In all these verses, it is wonderful to see how God blessed Obed-Edom and his kids and even grandchildren and whole family of 62 members, due to their reverence and obedience to God.

Let’s decide to seek God with the due respect and obedience and be blessed.

Amen

Fasting and Prayer

Featured

Posted on by
1

Praise the Lord

Luke 18:1-14.

This scripture portion teaches us about how we need to pray consistently without getting discouraged.

  • Prayer is very important in the life of a Christian.
  • Prayer is a place where one can express his or her emotions and feelings to God.
  • Praying person reflects that he is totally dependent on God for each and everything in his life.
  • Prayer is a place where we give thanks to God, because though we are in a world full of troubles and struggles, God is our portion and refuge and directs us throughout our life.
  • Prayer is where we declare our faith in God.
  • A prayerful person’s mind is always in a state of Prayer and can connect to God immediately as he kneels to pray.

Here in this passage, we see 2 parables teaching two aspects of Prayer.

  1. Importance of persistent Prayer
  2. Truthfulness in humble prayer.

Here, Luke 18 :1-5, we see the widow is continuously asking the unrighteous judge to do justice for her. Finally, though he is not interested to hear the widow’s case and do justice, he does justice just to get rid of her.

But we need to understand we have a righteous judge our God, who always listens our prayer and does justice to whoever calls to HIM.

Luke 18:3 likewise, we also have an adversary that is Satan and his army rulers, principalities, demons and evil spirits. We need to fight against this adversary with God in our daily life without getting discouraged in faith (Eph 6:11,12). Satan tries to burden us with worldly worries or entice us with worldly pleasures. So, we get tired of problems and stop seeking God. Or we are so much drawn towards the worldly pleasures that we forget God. This is the weapon of Satan to stop our personal prayer. That is why we need to be vigilant in prayer. In Christ Jesus we are victorious (2corinth 2:14; Romans 16:20)

Though the result might not be immediate, but we need to have faith that our God listens to our prayer and will surely give reply at the perfect time to all our prayers. (Luke 18:7,8)

Secondly, Luke 18:10-14 we see 2 men praying, one pharisee and the other tax collector.

While the pharisee was self-righteous and proud in his prayer, we see the tax collector who was truthful and humble before God. Bible says not the pharisee, but the tax collector was accepted by God due to humbleness.

James 4:10-“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and HE will lift you up”.

1 Peter 5:5 – shows we need to be humble before God.

How can we humble ourselves?

One of the ways to humble is by fasting and praying.

Ezra declared fasting to seek protection from enemy while return from Babylon to Jerusalem Ezra 8:21,23

Even in the life of Ahab, the most wicked king of Israel, God showed mercy and didn’t bring judgement upon him, when king Ahab humbled himself before God. (1King 21:27-29)

In the book of Jonah, we see God forgiving the land of Nineveh when the king and people upon hearing God’s warning humbled themselves along with their cattle and household without drinking even water. (Jonah 3:5-10)

Like these examples from scripture teaches us to take our petition to God with fasting, even Queen Esther took her

petition to the king (her own husband) with fasting and received his favor that brought great deliverance for the whole Jewish people.

We need to take fasting and pray at least once in a week for our long-term problems in family, health, job, finance and spiritual growth.

Joel 2:15 God teaches to gather people for holy fasting and pray along with their babies, elders, newly married, servants of God and each household.  Then HE says HE will then bless them (Joel 2:28) and pour out HIS Spirit on them.

Shall we decide to humble ourselves in prayer every day before God and win over our adversary through Christ our Lord and savior?

Let’s take a determination that we will never be discouraged in praying continuously even when the reply is delayed.

For we are certain and declare in faith that our God listens to our prayers and will reply at the perfect time.

Amen

Kingdom of God

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

Luke 17: 20-24

Jesus, grilled by the Pharisees on when the kingdom of God would come, answered, “The kingdom of God doesn’t come by counting the days on the calendar. Nor when someone says, ‘Look here!’ or, ‘There it is!’ And why? Because God’s kingdom is already among you.”

But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. (Luke 11:20)

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. (Colossians 1:13), The kingdom of God is not matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)

Luke 17:22, 23,24 Lord Jesus tells them during the temporary separation, (when after Jesus Christ is taken up to heaven) these disciples will become weary and discouraged without Jesus and want to see HIM.

Jesus will come back and establish HIS literal Kingdom on earth, the whole world will see it (like lightning in dark sky shines from one end to another)

Rev 19:11-14; 2 Thes 1:7,8; Jude 1: 14,15; 1 Thes 4: 16-18; Zechariah 14:2, 4, all these verses in the bible speaks about second coming and its nature.

Luke 17:26–Jesus continues to say how the people will be during the period of HIS Coming. Giving examples of the people in Noah era and Lot and his family. God brought both judgement and salvation. Similarly, in these end days too there will be Judgement on one group and salvation on the other group. (1 Thes 5:3)

What made God bring judgement? (Gen 19:17-20)

  1. People’s tendency to rejected God and don’t want God’s control or counsel, want to do according to their own desire of flesh and mind.
  2. No realization of sin and its consequences.

Good example in Bible the Life of Samson the judge in OT. (Judges 14,15,16 chapters)

He was mighty warrior, chosen by God to be Nazarene and brought up very carefully by his parent to be holy and set apart for God. He was a judge on the whole Israel, did mighty things by the special anointing on him. (Judges 16: 16, 19, 20, 21)

But we see, that just he fell prey to the lust of his eyes. He wanted to marry a philistine woman (who did not know God) against his parents wish just because she pleased his eyes. Then he fell for a harlot who enticed him and found the secret of his strength and sold him to philistines for money.

Samson once who defeated philistine as a single person, now became slave to them and lost his eyesight, had to be imprisoned where the mighty judge of Israel was pulled down to grind flour.

What a pity?

Sin (small or big) is powerful to pull anyone out of their great purpose in the kingdom of God.

Today how many people of God who are anointed, taking part in Lord table, doing ministry are deceived by such sin.

God gave 3 chances to Samson to realize the deception of sin, but he did not. (judges 16:7,9)

Even today many God’s people have fallen for flesh. In each person’s life there is God’s plan and Satan’s plan. We need to submit ourselves and use God’s grace to overcome the desire of flesh (Roman 6:12,13,14) thereby fulfill God’s plan.

3. Preoccupied their heart with present world and cares of this life. (Luke 21:34)

  • Angle said “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be [c]destroyed.” Genesis 19:17. But Lot did not want to go to the hill but wanted to stay in plain only. (v 19:18)

Likely, even today people don’t want to take effort to receive higher spiritual experiences.  Just stay in comfortable zone. (come to church and go, just they and their family). Unlike Moses climbed the mountain to see God’s glory and Peter, John and James climbed transfiguration mountain and seeing the glory of our Lord.

Instead obeying of word of angel he said, “See now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one; please let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.” Ver 20.

Today also many people have fallen prey to small sin, which eventually destroys their entire life.

  • Luke 17:31 people’s heart is filled with lust of worldly things or with the worries of the world like Lot’s wife. Instead our heart should be filled with Godly love and mercy.

Today my dear brothers and sisters are we like Lot?

Not willing to fast and pray and walk in the narrow path of life to grow in the likeness of God?

Still is our heart longing for the useless entertainment of this world, cinema, serial, gossip, parties?

Do we really want to be the part of the kingdom of God?

Are we ready to submit ourselves wholeheartedly to the complete control of God?

Let us judge ourselves and turn towards God.

May God establish HIS kingdom in us and through us.

Banquet of God

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

Mathew 22:1-14. Here is one such feast Lord Jesus refers as a parable to explain the kingdom of God.

The parable goes like this that a king arranged a great feast for his son’s marriage and invited many important people. When the day came, he sent his servants to bring those whom he had invited. But they were not interested. Once again, he sent servants to bring them in chariots saying that a great feast is prepared, and everything arranged. They all started to give excuses, some said they are busy with new business, some busy with new family and refused to go, thus contempt the King. So, the king gets angry and orders them to be killed for not obliging to the invitation.

Exodus 34:7 Though HE is merciful, loving, and compassionate God, HE is also righteous judge not leaving the wicked unpunished for his wickedness. Exodus 34:14 for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Many of us we know that God is loving, merciful but the other side HE is consuming fire (Hebrew 12:29).

Hebrew 3: 17 Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed?  And God scattered disobeyed Jew four corner of world and kept the remnants in Babylon, after 70 years HE brought them back. So many unknowingly enter eternal weeping and punishment due to God’s wrath upon their disobedience.

Meanwhile, he says to bring all those standing on road side, good or bad for the feast. The invitation is sent to all 4 directions to all the people, by proclaiming the Gospel of Christ by God’s servants even today. (Roman 11:17) But to accept it or not is in our hands. Praise God that we accepted and have come to HIS presence asking to make us worthy to attend the marriage of The lamb of God that will happen in heaven. (Rev. 19:8,9)

Now when all were gathered in the Banquet Hall, the King entered, and he found one man not in wedding garment. (V 11) As we should know, nothing is hidden from the eyes of our Almighty God. HE knows the purpose of our worship, our deep thoughts and attitudes.

That man was guilty and speechless. (V13) He wasn’t forgiven nor shown mercy but was thrown out into darkness of eternal weeping for not following the law of wearing the wedding garment. Yes, my dear brethren, God is loving, merciful, but on the other hand HE is destroying fire. HE is just, righteous and holy. Without holiness no one can see God.

Isaiah 61:10 As we accepted the invitation and came, God dresses us with cloth of salvation and shawl of righteousness. (Job 29:14; Rev 7:9; Rev 3: 17,18)

But we need to be careful about this precious cloth of salvation which was given free to us and grow in holiness with fear and trembling before God. Thus, be prepared to join that feast in heaven with our Lord Jesus for which HE is also preparing a place for us (John14:2)

Similarly, in this parable to attend the king feast, there is dress that needs to be worn by all who will join the feast.

But why this man did not wear it?

What could be the reason?

  1. Reluctant to follow due to pride, thinking it is enough the way he is.
  2. Taking God’s love for granted. Thinking God will not notice this small disobedience. Or thinking even if God notices, he won’t bother as HE is loving. This is Great deception.
  3. Careless about the invitation of The King. Not knowing the value of king and his invitation. Thus, insulting the king and losing the great privilege.
  4. Delaying in obeying due to laziness.

Jesus says Luke 21:36 take heed to pray to stand worthy before God.

Do we pray or plead for our holiness to God?

Do we take same efforts to catch up with our lost prayer time and bible meditation?

How much do we bother about our imperishable soul’s wellness as much as we are careful about our perishable body?

Are we taking our holiness serious?

How often do we fast and seek holiness in our thoughts and flesh?

HOPEFULLY we don’t stand speechless like this man when the king of kings take notice of us on that day.

Instead we have kept our wedding dress clean, spotless and are found in the wedding Banquet of the lamb of God with all the joy of salvation.

Amen

God bless you.

Return to God with Weeping

Featured

Posted on by
3

Jeremiah 50:4-“In those days and in that time, declares the Lord, the people of Israel and the people of Judah shall come together, weeping as they come ,and they shall seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion, with faces turned toward it ,saying Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten. “

Almighty God prophesied through Jeremiah that though the God’s people were sent into captivity to Babylon due to their persistent disobedience to the word of God, after 70 years they will return to their land .

What kind of return was this?

It was a wholehearted return with a thankful weeping to worship God the Father who has remembered them and brought them back to their own land. Ezra 3:12 As we see that these people who once worshipped God were taken as captives in their young age  and remained  in the enemy’s land with no such worship. But now after 70years they come back as elders of old age with weeping and joy to once again  worship and seek God wholeheartedly.

Even during these days of the pandemic,  the church suffered similar situation of no worship in the churches due to Lockdown. But now by God’s mercy , as we come back to our church worship, what is the state of our hearts?

Is our worship full of repentance and shouts of  thanksgiving ?

How do we return to God and seek HIM?

For The Bible says many blessings upon those who seek HIM earnestly.

  • Lament 3:25–.”The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seek him.”
  • Psalms 9:10-God does not forsake them.
  • Psalms 34:10- they lack no good thing.
  • Psalms 40:16– those who seek God rejoice and are glad in HIM.
  • Psalms 69:32- their heart is revived, and they are healthy.
  • Amos 5:6- says seek the Lord and live.
  • Isaiah 65:10-says God prospers them who seek HIM.
  • Hosea 10:12 – says this is the time to seek God.

Yes, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ,  we need to seek God with all our mind and heart , meditate on HIS goodness, read and meditate on His word with humble broken spirit.

Never let go one day without seeking HIM in prayer and bible meditation.

Jeremiah 50:5  here the returned people want to establish everlasting covenant with God through our Lord . because the earlier covenant they broke it by not giving the due respect and honour to God through their disobedience .

We all have made this eternal covenant through water baptism. But are we careful enough to keep it safe?

Covenant itself is giving production, covenant with Almighty God which is eternal by always keeping our face turned towards GOD and diligently walking in HIS ways .

This is what the people of God did when they returned from their captivity.

They turn their face towards Zion and ask the way to Zion, the church of God.

Today we find different groups of people in church. Some of which are as follows:

  1. Many do not turn towards ZION/Church, neither want to know the way. They are satisfied with their worldly life, seeking temporal things
  2. Some slightly turn their face towards Zion, but don’t want to know the WAY, they live with secret sins, practice all immorality, alcoholism, etc., but just come to church as spectators.
  3. Some others seek knowledge, but their life is far away from God with no personal experience of salvation. They know forgiveness of sin and salvation through Christ is very important, but don’t have personal experience of the joy of salvation which comes through forgiveness of sins.

It is not possible to reach Zion without following Christ, He is the only way to Zion.

Isaiah 2:3 “Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.  ” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”

Our Lord teaches us His way, through Bible, Holy Spirit, and servant of God. The way of Zion is the narrow gate, having pain, sorrows but it leads you to Zion

Mathew 7:13,14  “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Isaiah 35:10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

People return from Babylon they really understood their transgression and deeply repented, turned towards God and Zion , decided wholeheartedly that they would thereafter only listen to God’s counsel and serve Him alone and thus stay in the eternal covenant with God.

Which group do we belong to?

Though life is full of struggle, we need to constantly listen to the Holy Spirit and walk in God’s ways.

When the people return like this, how does God bless them?

  1. Jeremiah 50:19, God brings them back to green pastures and satisfy their souls.
  2. And he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan; His soul shall be satisfied on Mount Ephraim and Gilead. (Michael 7 :14,15 God leads them through the path of wonders.)
  3. Jeremiah 50:20 God shall forgive and blot all their sins and iniquities and replant them in their land.

Halleluiah what a wonderful God we serve?

HIS faithfulness and mercies endure forever.

Come church, Lets decide to worship this wonderful God wholeheartedly and seek Him first all our days of life.

Amen.

God of Hope

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 4:11)

God is the founder of hope and He is the one giving hope in our heart. The hope of Israel, blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord(Jeremiah 17:7,8,13). God promises eternal life, in hope of eternal life in which God, who can not lie (Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:13-18), by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie. By the promise of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit we are blessed. Galatians 3:13,14

Romans 15:13, By the power of the Holy Spirit and believing Jesus our hope may increase and fill our heart with joy and peace.

THE LORD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE

Posted on by
Reply

Psalm 27: 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall, I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 29: 11 The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace

Psalm 84:5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.

God brings them out of Egypt; He has strength like a wild ox. It’s our Lord God who strengthens His people. He brought out the Israelites from Egypt (which represents our sins or bondages) in their weak state and transformed them into a mighty Nation. God sent His word through Moses again and again which made them stronger. Hence, He was able to change them from Slavery to Sonship, to be God’s own Chosen Generation. (Numbers 23:22 / Numbers 24:8)

As we read in Deuteronomy 33:29   Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, And you shall tread down their high places.

And also, in Deuteronomy 32:30   How could one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And the Lord had surrendered them?

God was their sure defense and deliverer against every threat, fear, and enemy. Similarly, we were powerless to save ourselves, But God, in His mercy and grace, saved us through the sacrifice of His Son and has conveyed us from the power of darkness into the Power of Kingdom of His son.

Ephesians 2:1 – 2   1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

We were once sinners, under the bondage of Satan; But now God has chosen us and adapted us into his family.

Romans 8:14 – 16 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

We were once weak in our body, mind and soul, without hope and without God. Even today, Devil compels us to commit sin and become addicted to sin. Eg: Addiction of drugs, alcohol, and smoking.

But God, in His immense Grace gives His people His strength. God’s “light” delivers us from the darkness of this evil world. Psalm 27: 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall, I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

We all want to be happy, healthy with prosperity in our lives. God never promised a smooth or painless life. But, When God’s strength is prioritized above our own, we will never be disappointed or left defenseless. As His divine power has given us all things that pertains to life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us. (I Peter 1:3)

Our strength should never depend upon our ability, wealth, education, or worldly wisdom. Psalm 52:7 Here is the man who did not make God his strength, But trusted in the abundance of his riches, And strengthened himself in his wickedness. In all, our strength is God Himself.

Our God wants to STRENGTHEN US in

  • Our SOUL,
  • Our SPIRIT and
  • Our BODY

Let’s investigate Apostle Paul’s life as case study.

STRENGTH IN SOUL

Acts 9:22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

If we read from Acts 9:17 verse onwards, we see how God had sent Ananias to Paul who was blinded on his way to Damascus, to receive sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Jews were amazed. Paul preached that Jesus is Christ being enthusiastic and He also proved it.

Acts 17:3 – 4 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.

Acts 18:5 “When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.” People received salvation and followed Christ. Because Paul had received strength in his soul, he was able to bring many souls to Christ.

Do we have such Strength in us today? For what do we read in Acts 1:8  But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Such power comes from the anointing of the Holy Spirit alone.

STRENGTH IN SPIRIT

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Paul vehemently proclaims that he is able to do all things (his calling) through GOD’S Strength alone. We see how Paul begins his letter to Timothy saying,

I Timothy 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,

And Paul also ends his letter to Timothy saying, 

II Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also, I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion

God made a promise; God gave him a calling; and God kept him from stumbling to accomplish the task which was assigned to him. Of course, the task is made hard to make sure we rely on His Strength and not ours, the fear is real, but it won’t break us.

For our God will not fail us nor forsake us, but will surely Strengthen our spirit with HIS Strength. Ephesians 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man

The word “might” be used instead of “power” to indicate that apart from inheriting potential and ability, it also connotes excellence on the inside. That’s where we need the Strength of God, for that’s where our character is built. God wants us to be strengthened with might in our inner man; He wants us to be energized/strengthened with His might in our human spirit!

What happens when we’re Strengthened in our Spirit?

Philippians 4:11 – 12 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

We have a content life. We are strengthened to face all our troubles, persecutions and sorrows that comes our way. Thus, Contentment and Spirit of Endurance is established in us when we are strengthened in our Spirit.

STRENGTH IN BODY

II Corinthians 12:7 – 10 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

We read about Paul’s weakness and infirmities, yet he boldly professes that in Christ he is strong though weak in body.

  1. Nehemiah 8:10 ..The Joy of the Lord is your strength
  2. Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord God is my strength (Holy Spirit)
  3. Isaiah 30:15 Quietness and Confidence shall be your Strength

ஓபேத்-ஏதோமின் வீட்டை ஆசீர்வதித்தார்.

Posted on by
1

1 நாளாகமம் 13:14

தேவனின் பேழை ஓபேத்-ஏதோமின் வீட்டில் மூன்று மாதங்கள் தங்கியிருந்தது. கர்த்தர் ஓபேத்-ஏதோமின் வீட்டையும் அவனுடைய எல்லாவற்றையும் ஆசீர்வதித்தார்.

உடன்படிக்கைப் பேழை என்பது தேவனின் பிரசன்னம் வசிக்கும் இடமாக, தேவன் தம் மக்களிடம் பேசும் இடமாகப் இருந்தது . யாத்திராகமம் 25:17-22 “வாசஸ்தலத்தையும்,  மகா பரிசுத்த ஸ்தலத்தையும், உடன்படிக்கைப் பேழையையும் எவ்வாறு உருவாக்குவது என்று தேவன் தம் ஊழியரான மோசேக்கு அறிவுறுத்துகிறார். தேவன் மிகவும் பரிசுத்தமான இடத்திலிருந்து மோசேயிடம் பேசுவார், மோசே தனது மக்களுக்கு தேவனின் வார்த்தையைக் கொண்டு வந்தார்.”

ஆனால் காலப்போக்கில், உன்னதமான தேவனின் ஆசாரியர்கள் தேவனுடைய வார்த்தையை விடாமுயற்சியுடன் பின்பற்றவில்லை, அதனால் தேவன் அவர்களை நிராகரித்தார். ஆசாரியனாகிய ஏலியின் காலத்தில்,  பெலிஸ்தியர் இஸ்ரவேலை தோற்கடித்து தேவனின் பேழையைக் கைப்பற்றினர். அவர்கள் அதை தங்கள் இடத்திற்கு எடுத்துச் சென்றனர் (1 சாமு 3:11-24, 1 சாமு 4:21-22). ஆனால் எதிரிகளின் முகாமில் இருந்த தேவனின் பேழை அவர்களுக்குப் பேரழிவை ஏற்படுத்தியதால், அவர்களால் அதைத் தங்களிடம் அதிக நேரம் வைத்திருக்க முடியவில்லை. (1 சாமு 6:19;20) பெலிஸ்தியர்கள் பயத்துடனும் நடுக்கத்துடனும் பேழையை இஸ்ரவேலுக்குத் திருப்பி அனுப்பினர்

இப்பொழுது 20 வருடங்கள் ஆகிவிட்டன, சவுல் ராஜாவின் நாட்களில் ஒருவரும் உடன்படிக்கைப் பெட்டியைத் தேடவில்லை (1 சாமு 7:1,2). (1 நாளாகமம் 13:1-2) ஆனால் தாவீதின் அரசாட்சியின் போது, ​​தாவீது பேழையைத் தேட ஆரம்பித்து, அதைத் திரும்பக் கொண்டுவரத் திட்டமிட்டதை இங்கே வாசிக்கிறோம். நாம் தினமும் தேவனின் பிரசன்னத்தைத் தேட வேண்டும்.

1 நாளாகமம் 13:7- அதனால் அவர்கள் மிகுந்த மகிழ்ச்சியோடும், பாடி ஆராதனையோடும் பேழையைக் கொண்டுவந்தார்கள். ஆனால் முடிவு சோகமாக இருந்தது, (1 நாளாகமம் 13:10) அப்பொழுது கர்த்தருடைய கோபம் ஊசாவின்மேல் எழுந்தது, அவன் தன் கையை பேழையின்மேல் வைத்ததால் அவனை அடித்தார்; அங்கே அவன் தேவன் முன்பாக இறந்தான்.

எண் 4:15 –“ஆரோனும் அவனுடைய குமாரரும் பரிசுத்த ஸ்தலத்தையும் பரிசுத்த ஸ்தலத்தின் எல்லாப் பொருட்களையும் மூடி முடித்தபின்பு, பாளயம் புறப்படும்போது, ​​கோகாத்தின் புத்திரர் அவைகளைச் சுமக்க வருவார்கள்; ஆனால் அவர்கள் சாகாதபடி எந்தப் பரிசுத்தமான பொருளையும் தொடக்கூடாது. இவைகளையே கோகாத்தின் புத்திரர் கொண்டுபோகவேண்டிய சந்திப்புக் கூடாரத்திலுள்ளவைகள்”.

ஏனென்றால், கடவுளின் பேழையை எப்படி எடுத்துச் செல்ல வேண்டும் என்று கடவுள் கட்டளைகளை கொடுத்திருக்கிறார். எனவே, தகுதியற்றவர்கள் அதைத் தொடும் எவரும் அதே நேரத்தில் கொல்லப்படுவார்கள்.

கடவுளின் பேழையை நிலைநிறுத்த உஸ்ஸாவின் அபாயகரமான முயற்சி,  கடவுளின் பார்வையில் சரியானதைச் செய்ய வேண்டியதன் அவசியத்தை அடிக்கோடிட்டுக் காட்டும் வேதனையான பாடமாகும்.

லேவியராகமம் 10:1-2

அப்பொழுது ஆரோனின் குமாரராகிய நாதாபும் அபியூவும் அவரவர் தங்கள் தூபகலசத்தை எடுத்து, அதிலே அக்கினியை இட்டு, அதின்மேல் தூபவர்க்கத்தைப் பூசி, கர்த்தர் தங்களுக்குக் கட்டளையிடாத அன்நிய அக்கினியை அவர் சந்நிதியில் செலுத்தினார்கள். ஆகையால், கர்த்தரிடமிருந்து அக்கினி புறப்பட்டு, அவர்களைப் பட்சித்தது, அவர்கள் கர்த்தருக்கு முன்பாக மடிந்தார்கள்.

தேவஜனங்கள் சரியான அறிவுரைகளுக்குக் கீழ்ப்படியாமல், அவர்களின் விருப்பத்தின்படி செய்யும் போது கடவுள் அவர்களைத் தண்டிக்கிறார் (I சாம் 6:19)

இன்றும் மக்களுக்கு கடவுளை எப்படி வணங்க வேண்டும் என்று தெரிவதில்லை. (உபாகமம் 12:4;8, நியாயாதிபதிகள் 17:6; 21:23) அவர்கள் தங்கள் அறிவுக்கும் விருப்பத்திற்கும் சிறந்ததாகத் தோன்றும் வழிகளில் செய்ய விரும்புகிறார்கள், ஆனால் வேதம் என்ன கற்பிக்கிறது என்பதைக் கவனத்தில் கொள்ள மாட்டார்கள். அவர்கள் புறஜாதிகளின் வழிகளைக் கற்று, புறஜாதிகளைப் போலவே கடவுளை வணங்கினர், இது கடவுளின் பார்வைக்கு அருவருப்பானது.

இன்று தேவஜனங்கள் தேவனுக்கு மரியாதை கொடுக்க மறந்து, தேவாலயத்தை புறக்கணித்து, வழிபாட்டில் கலந்து கொள்ளவதில்லை. எபிரேயர் 10:25 கூறுகிறது, “சபை கூடிவருதலைச் சிலர் விட்டுவிடுகிறதுபோல நாமும் விட்டுவிடாமல், ஒருவருக்கொருவர் புத்திசொல்லக்கடவோம்; நாளானது சமீபித்துவருகிறதை எவ்வளவாய்ப் பார்க்கிறீர்களோ அவ்வளவாய்ப் புத்திசொல்லவேண்டும்.”

எபிரெயர் 12:28-29

“ஆதலால், அசைவில்லாத ராஜ்யத்தைப் பெறுகிறவர்களாகிய நாம் பயத்தோடும் பக்தியோடும் தேவனுக்குப் பிரியமாய் ஆராதனை செய்யும்படி கிருபையைப் பற்றிக்கொள்ளக்கடவோம். 29. நம்முடைய தேவன் பட்சிக்கிற அக்கினியாயிருக்கிறாரே.”

ரோமர் 12:1-2

“அப்படியிருக்க, சகோதரரே, நீங்கள் உங்கள் சரீரங்களைப் பரிசுத்தமும் தேவனுக்குப் பிரியமுமான ஜீவபலியாக ஒப்புக்கொடுக்கவேண்டுமென்று, தேவனுடைய இரக்கங்களை முன்னிட்டு உங்களை வேண்டிக்கொள்ளுகிறேன்; இதுவே நீங்கள் செய்யத்தக்க புத்தியுள்ள ஆராதனை.”

இப்போது தேவன் நம்மில் வசிப்பதால், நம் உடலின் ஒவ்வொரு பாகத்தையும் பரிசுத்தத்திற்காக கடவுளுக்கு சமர்ப்பிக்க வேண்டும்.

1 கொரிந்தியர் 3:16-17

“நீங்கள் தேவனுடைய ஆலயமாயிருக்கிறீர்களென்றும், தேவனுடைய ஆவி உங்களில் வாசமாயிருக்கிறாரென்றும் அறியாதிருக்கிறீர்களா? ஒருவன் தேவனுடைய ஆலயத்தைக் கெடுத்தால், அவனை தேவன் கெடுப்பார்; தேவனுடைய ஆலயம் பரிசுத்தமாயிருக்கிறது; நீங்களே அந்த ஆலயம்.”

கர்த்தர் ஓபேத்-ஏதோம் வீட்டை ஆசீர்வதித்தார்.

1. ஓபேத்-ஏதோம் கர்த்தர்க்கு செய்த சேவை.

1 Chr 13:13;14 உஸ்ஸாவின் மீது தேவனுடைய கோபத்தைக் கண்ட பிறகும்,  தேவனின் பேழையை முழு மனதுடன் பெற்று, 3 மாதங்களும் பயத்துடன் சேவை செய்தார். எனவே, தேவன் அவரையும் அவர் குடும்பத்தையும் ஆசீர்வதித்தார்.

அவர் குடும்பத்துடன் தனியாக இருந்தபோதிலும், அவர் தேவனின் நியமங்களை அறிந்து, அதை விடாமுயற்சியுடன் பின்பற்றினார், மேலும் தனது குடும்பம், குழந்தைகளுக்குக் கற்பித்தார் மற்றும் தேவனின் பேழையின் முன் பயபக்தியுடன் வாழ்ந்தார். எனவே, தேவனன் அவரை ஆசீர்வதித்தார்.

2. கர்த்தருடைய வார்த்தையான உடன்படிக்கையைப் பின்பற்றினார்.

“வார்த்தை மாம்சமாகி நமக்குள்ளே குடியிருந்தார்”

எனவே, நாம் கேள்விப்பட்டவற்றில் அதிக கவனம் செலுத்த வேண்டும், அதனால் நாம் விலகிச் செல்லக்கூடாது.

Act 13:7-8, 26:24 , 2 Chr 32:10. பிசாசு கர்த்தருடைய வார்த்தையிலிருந்து நம்மை திசை திருப்புகிறது.

சங்கீதம் 119:174

ஆண்டவரே, உமது இரட்சிப்புக்காக நான் ஏங்குகிறேன், உமது வார்த்தை என் மகிழ்ச்சி (சங்கீதம் 119: 92, 49,50-).

நாமும் கடவுளுடைய வார்த்தையில் மகிழ்ச்சி அடைகிறோமா?

சாத்தான் எப்போதும் நம் நேரத்தைத் திருட முயற்சிக்கிறான், கடவுளுடைய வார்த்தையில் நம் கவனத்தைத் திருடுகிறான், (மத்தேயு 13:18)

3. கொடிய பயம் இருந்தாலும் பேழையின் பொறுப்பை ஏற்றுக்கொண்டார்.

4. அவர் தனது குடும்பத்தை வழக்கமான வழிபாட்டில் வழிநடத்தினார் மற்றும் அவரது குழந்தைகள் மற்றும் பேரக்குழந்தைகளுக்கு கர்த்தருடைய வார்த்தைகளை கற்பித்தார்.

எனவே, கர்த்தர் அவருடைய வீட்டை ஆசீர்வதித்தார்.

1. தாவீது அவரை கர்த்தருடைய பெட்டிக்கு முன்பாக ஊழியக்காரராக நியமித்தார், கர்த்தரைத் துதிப்பதற்காக அழைப்பதற்காக, நன்றி செலுத்தினார். 1 நாளா 16:4-6

2. செமாயாவின் மகன்கள் ஒத்னி, ரெபாயேல், ஓபேத், எல்சபாத் என்பவர்கள். இவர்களெல்லாரும் ஓபேத்-ஏதோமின் புத்திரர், அவர்களும் அவர்களுடைய குமாரரும் அவர்களுடைய சகோதரர்களும், வேலையில் வல்லமையுள்ளவர்கள்: ஓபேத்-ஏதோமின் அறுபத்திரண்டுபேர். I Chr 26:4-8

3. தலைமுறை தலைமுறையாக கர்த்தருக்கு சேவை செய்தார்கள்.

இப்போதம் புதிய ஏற்பாட்டு விசுவாசிகள், கர்த்தர்  நமக்கு என்ன கற்பிக்கிறார் என்பதை அறிய நேரம் எடுத்துக்கொள்கிறோமா?

தேவனுக்கு பயப்படுவதை நம் குழந்தைகளுக்கு கற்பிக்க எவ்வளவு ஆர்வமாக இருக்கிறோம்?

இந்த வசனங்கள் அனைத்திலும், ஓபேத்-ஏதோமையும் அவனது குழந்தைகளையும் பேரக்குழந்தைகளையும் 62 உறுப்பினர்களைக் கொண்ட முழு குடும்பத்தையும் கடவுள் எப்படி ஆசீர்வதித்தார் என்பதை பார்ப்பது அற்புதமானது.

உரிய மரியாதையுடனும் கீழ்ப்படிதலுடனும் கர்த்தரைத் தேடி ஆசீர்வதிக்க முடிவெடுப்போம்.

ஆமென்