Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Friend of God

Exo 20:19 They said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”
The Israelites did not want God to speak to them directly. They wanted God to speak to Moses and they will hear from Moses and not from God directly.
How many times, we see ourselves in the same situation as the Israelites on this side of the cross. We want to hear only from our pastor, our mentor and not from God directly. Most Christians would rather ask friends for occasional advice than read God’s Word daily to understand what God desires and expects. But Jesus wants to talk to us directly. We do not need a mediator as Jesus Christ is our High Priest and our mediator. We can approach the mercy seat with confidence.
Hebrews 4: 15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Like the Israelites we just want a set of rules to follow. But Jesus paid a huge price, to have a love based relationship with us and not a rule based one. We cannot do anything more for him to love us more not do anything else that will reduce his love for us in anyway. He has paid the ultimate price. He has called us His friend. What else do we need?
John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
Don’t we share everything with our best friend? We do not need a mediator. Same with our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the creator of the heaven and earth, but yes he is your friend too. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Who Is Like YOU!

Are we blaming the GOD for our problems, our trials, our afflictions?
In our ignorance we have already crucified Christ Jesus. Let us not do that again.

I might have enraged many believers by those first 2 statements. You will agree with me if you take a closer look at the word of GOD. I pray at this moment for Holy Spirit to lead us through this understanding and open our eyes.



GOOD GOD
First we should know, acknowledge and understand with all our heart and mind that we serve a GOOD GOD. A GOD who was gracious to
·         A Doubter  - Adam, Abraham
·         A Mocker - Sarah
·         A Disobedient – Moses, Jonah
·         A Lady with sinful past - Rahab
·         A Deceiver - Jacob
·         A Lady from idolatry – Ruth
·         & to many more

Have we had that chance of power and authority over these people, we for sure would not have shown any mercy on them. Hallelujah! Thank GOD we have a GOD of everlasting love and mercies. (Psalm 136)
To call him the reason for our problems is a blasphemy or sin. It is like accusing someone for something they are responsible for. Dear Friends, we all don’t want to do that.


PROTECTOR
The LORD who created us is our protector as well. He is our secure comfort and rock like the Psalmist call out in Psalm 27, 121, 124, 130

But are we letting him to protect us, to secure us? GOD created a beautiful and lovely place called Garden of Eden. Didn’t we choose to be disobedient? Didn’t we choose to walk out in our own understanding?
We are like the adolescent teenagers. We want our space. We want to control our life. When things go bad, we complain. Like any teenagers do. It is all my parents fault. Do you know the most uttered sentence from a teenager “My Life Sucks” “I wish I am not your kid” “I wish I am born in some other family” “You are a horrible mom/dad” “You don’t understand” “You are mean”  “You ruined my life!”

Our prayer life can be hindered by the above such thoughts of various degree.  Someone who is at this highest point back slide and fall into the snare.

May be your situation is different. There is a particular illness in you or in your family you are dealing with.  You would say, I did not do anything to undergo this pain. Why would LORD do this?
Let me tell you my dear friend in Christ, GOD did not cause that. He has allowed this to show the fallen angel how deeply his creations love and rely on him. (Book Of Job) The moment we blame GOD and sulk in depression, we give glory to the sickness. We let it take control of our life . It is easy to feel depressed. It is easy to feel tired. But IT IS hard to believe in Al mighty GOD for a contrite heart.  Isaiah 57:15 GOD dwells in Contrite and “Humble” heart.

Al Mighty means EL SHADDAI which translates into MOTHER LIKE GOD. Yes, we serve a Mother Like GOD. (Num 11:21, Isa 66:12-13) It is so hard for our kids to listen to us when they have their favorite show running on TV. Then we do the best to get their attention. Guess what, we inherited that from our Heavenly father/mother JEHOVAH. We are distracted by the shiny lights of worldly desires, the schemes of devil, or Sickness. But, Once we give Our Father the attention, we will see things change for better, will witness miracles unfold in our life. Well, I have the bestselling book of universe to support this statement.

GIVER - Jehovah Jireh!
LORD of the hosts gives only Perfect gifts. James 1:17
Can you list out the blessings on your life? We will know that we are immensely blessed than many in this world. Just a point to ponder -  If we are able to read this message and not hiding in a container to get transported illegally to another nation or resting in a dungeon after a weary day of asking alms on the roads, hiding in a hole from bomb shells. Know that, we are surely had been blessed. By saying this, I am not saying that we should be content with our current blessing and should not ask the LORD to fix the problems. But before asking we should know the LORD loves us and he is GOOD. We can’t approach him with a complaining heart.

Remember the parable, Prodigal son. He believed that his Father loves him. He believed he will accept him into HIS household as his servant (Well, that was his expectation. While HIS father gave back his position as HIS heir is the interesting twist of the parable). He walked back to his home not to fight with his father asking Why HE allowed such thing to happen or Fight for HIS rights one more time. Sadly most of us do that. We go back to our Father and ask him in pride “You know Daddy. I am your Son/daughter. I lost everything. I know you have a lot. Take me in. Give me my share. Set things alright for me. This time. I guess, I will manage well”

Ask yourself if we have any of that quality hidden in our prayers to HIM.

PRAISE
Instead, if we just open like a flower and look to the heaven with utmost honor and praise. With awe and humble heart and proclaim “Oh! Jehovah, My Father! O King of Kings who is Mother Like, This is your Son/Daughter coming to you. PLEASE forgive me and wash me in the blood of Jesus Christ. Grant my request. You are the only one worthy to be praised. In Jesus name! Amen!”

Once we make that prayer, you will see the doors of Heaven open and see the blessings gushing down your valleys. You will witness the dawn breaking with Sun of Righteousness rise and shining for your meadows green, flowers of your garden snooping down unable to hold the flowing honey, busy bees buzzing around declaring the abundance, prosperity, health and wealth you have inherited from the LORD, our GOD Christ Jesus! Oh! What a wonderful sight! Can you picture that? That’s our inheritance.
With grateful heart and praise we can get our situation changed!

Bottom line - Know that any negative thing in our life a situation, a sickness is from enemy not from GOD. When we call to GOD, the LORD listens to our cry. Whatever had been our past doesn't matter the moment we turn and focus on the LORD, the JESUS CHRIST, Our LIGHT. For the Light will shine on our face, revealing the Path to Life!

May GOD Bless you abundantly!