[ecko_quote source="Galatians 2:20"] I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me[/ecko_quote]
There is a story about some of Caesar’s soldiers who were warriors in a ship. They docked off the coast of Britain and planned to raid a small island. The villagers thought they could defend their land.
They gathered sticks, pitchforks, rakes, rocks, and anything they could get. Then they started down the hill to meet these soldiers. They weren’t prepared for what they saw.
The soldiers got out of their boat, turned around and set fire to it and shoved it out to sea. The villagers laid down their weapons and surrendered. Do you know why? Caesar’s warriors had not come to retreat. They had come to conquer or die.
How about you? Have you kept a boat pulled up on the beach? You say, Well I am going to quit drinking, but I am going to keep this fifth of liquor just in case company comes over. Do you know what? You’re setting yourself up for defeat because you are already backing up. The devil has already intimidated you.
What you need to say is, I am going for God. I am going to conquer. I am going to die to self and let Christ live in me.
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Pastor Jonah Ravinder- United Telugu Church - Auckland, New Zealand; LMF
[ecko_quote source="Colossians 1:9]For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding[/ecko_quote]
The best way to study a subject often begins with a definition of that subject. What do mean by the will of God? It is that holy and stated purpose of the Father to make His dear children as much like Christ as possible.
The first step in knowing the will of God is the surrender principle. It’s an insult to tell God, “I want to know Your will, but I’m not willing to do Your will.” See this principle in Ephesians 6:5-8. A portion of that passage reads, “…in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men….”
Another principle in knowing the will of God is the Scripture principle. Jesus said, “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7) First surrender: “You abide in Me,” then Scripture: “My words abide in you.” God speaks to us not in some loud voice, but through the Scriptures.
Do you want to know God’s will? Then here’s your test: How much time do you spend in God’s Word? Do you think God really believes you when you say “I want to know the will of God,” but you don’t read the one book above all books that God has specifically written to show you His will, to reveal His will to you, to unfold His will to you? Romans 12:2 tells us, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
What is the will of God for us? The will of God differs from believer to believer. But here are four aspects in the will of God which apply to every Christian.
1. It is His will that we learn more about God (Col 1:9)
2. It is His will that we grow in grace (1 Thess 4:3); God's will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.
3. It is His will that we study His Word (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
4. It is His will that we share our faith (Acts 1:8)
GOD WANTS TO REVEAL HIS WILL MORE THAN WE WANT TO KNOW.
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Pastor Jonah Ravinder- United Telugu Church - Auckland, New Zealand; LMF
[ecko_quote source="Mark 11:24"]Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them[/ecko_quote]
Let me make an important observation. The Church world as a whole has missed it in the prayer business and in the prayer life(in the spiritual sense). And this is where we have missed it. We have put all prayer in the same sack and shook it all out together. We said, in effect, “Prayer is prayer.” We failed to realise that the New Testament teaches there are different kinds of prayer. And different rules apply to different kinds of praying. The same rules will not apply to all kinds praying.
I use sports as an illustration. In the realm of sports, there is football; there is baseball; there is golf; there is tennis. All of them are sports. But they are not all played by the same rules. It would be foolish to say “Sports are sports. All sports ought to be played by football rules.”
It would make just as much sense to say, “Prayer is prayer. All prayer ought to be prayed by the same rules”. That would be unwise. But that is where we have missed it.
For instance, when you pray a “prayer of dedication and consecration” you do not use the same rules you use when you pray a “prayer to receive something from God.”
When I pray a “prayer of consecration and dedication,” I am not necessarily praying to receive something from God. I am dedicating myself to do whatever God wants me to do. I am dedicating myself to do whatever God wants me to do. I say, “God, if You want me to go to Africa, I will go” That means I don’t know whether He wants me to go or not. But if He wants me to go, I am available. So, I can put an “if” in that prayer.
When I pray a “prayer to receive something from God,” I cannot put an “if” in it and ever get an answer. In this kind of prayer, “if” indicates unbelief – “if” is the badge of the doubt.
In the “prayer of consecration and dedication,” I can put an “if” “if You want me to stay home, I will stay home. If You want me to preach, I will to preach. Whatever You want me to do, I will do. If You want me to go talk to that person about being saved, I will do it”.
There is another kind of prayer where we are not asking for anything, not trying to change anything. We are just worshipping God. This is the “prayer of worship” Different rules apply to this prayer.
I do not have space to go into all the different kinds of praying and the rules that apply in this devotion. But I am making these brief observations about the different kinds of prayer here, so that you will understand and appreciate.
[Image Source: http://jonah.uec.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/prayer.jpg]
Pastor Jonah Ravinder- United Telugu Church - Auckland, New Zealand; Kenneth E. Hagin Sr
[ecko_quote source="Psalm 119:105"]Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path [/ecko_quote]
The Psalmist said, “The entrance of thy Words giveth light (Ps 119:130). The entrance of God’s Word gives light. When there is light in a room, it is no problem at all to walk around in it. But with all the lights out on a dark night, you may stumble and fall over objects in that room. As long as the light is there, you can walk fine.
The entrance of His words gives light. The reason many fall and fail is because they have left the light of the Word of God. They are walking in presumption or foolishness. What does God’s Word say? Too many answer, “Well, I don’t know”
Find out what it says. Find the Scriptures that promise you the things you are praying for. You are always on safe ground when you are on the Scriptures. When you get away from them, you are in a grey area. Therefore, my dear ones, never discourage those who labour in Word and brings the engrafted Word to bring the light into your life. In these last days’ people, will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and more interested in listening stories than the Word of God (2 Timothy 4:3). I consider those who lose faithful preachers are most unfortunate people in this world.
Some people want to step over into the dark and whether or not the Word of God promises it, they say, “I am just going to believe”. Believing God is believing His Word. Oh, how necessary it is to know the Word of God. Thank God, He has given us His Word. We need not be in the dark. The entrance of His Word gives light.
What does it mean to walk in the light? It means to walk in the Word! Walking in the Word is walking in the light. To walk away from the Word means to walk into darkness.
I am a believer, I am not a doubter, I do have faith. My faith works. My faith is in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. My faith is in the Holy Bible, the Word of God. God’s Word is true. I believe the Word of God. Therefore, I believe God. God’s Word works!
[Image Source: http://jonah.uec.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/light.jpg]
Pastor Jonah Ravinder- United Telugu Church - Auckland, New Zealand; Kenneth E. Hagin Sr
[ecko_quote source="2 King 7:1-2"] Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord: ‘Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.So an officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, “Look, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” And he said, “In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it.”[/ecko_quote]
This man, this government official, acted like he believed in God, but he was a practical atheist. To me the biggest fool is not the man who says there is no God (Psalm 14:1),but the man who says there is a God and then doesn't live like it. Here was a man who had a sterile religion. He believed in God in a way. He had a form of godliness, but he denied the power thereof(2 Timothy 3:5)And he was the loser.
He was robbed by the thief of unbelief. I want you to see what the man of God said to him. “Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not eat thereof.”
Unbelief always withholds God's blessings from us. Your sins are withholding good things from you and unbelief is the chief among them. Confess any unbelief.
[Image Source: http://jonah.uec.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/VALUE.jpg]
Pastor Jonah Ravinder- United Telugu Church - Auckland, New Zealand; LWF
[ecko_quote source="2 King 7:1-2"]Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord: ‘Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.’”So an officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, “Look, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” And he said, “In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it[/ecko_quote]
This man, this government official, acted like he believed in God, but he was a practical atheist. To me the biggest fool is not the man who says there is no God, but the man who says there is a God and then doesn't live like it. Here was a man who had a sterile religion. He believed in God in a way. He had a form of godliness, but he denied the power thereof. And he was the loser. He was robbed by the thief of unbelief. I want you to see what the man of God said to him. “Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not eat thereof.”
Unbelief always withholds God's blessings from us. Your sins are withholding good things from you and unbelief is the chief among them. Confess any unbelief.
[Image Source: http://jonah.uec.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/VALUE.jpg]
Pastor Jonah Ravinder- United Telugu Church - Auckland, New Zealand; LWF
[ecko_quote source="2 Timothy 4:7"] have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith[/ecko_quote]
I can truly say it was a privilege to attend uncle Rama Rao Bathula’s (also known as Christudas and Bible Ramarao) funeral service last weekend. The service went really well, and every testimony was truly anointed, and the Word of God was just power-packed & challenging. The Bible states that “The memory of the righteous is blessed”- Proverbs 10:7; therefore, we are truly blessed to remember uncle Christudas “stalwart and hero of faith”. I believe most would agree with my assertion. This man finished his difficult and rugged race considering his family situation in raising two young children without his spouse. I could see his commitment and consistency in his Christian walk which enabled him to complete his race faithfully.
There is much satisfaction in finishing something you have begun. The success of a race is determined not only by how well you begin but also by how well you end. Many athletes can begin a race impressively, but if they stumble or are injured or lack the stamina to finish, their good start is useless. Paul rejoiced that he had not only begun the race, but he had also finished it. His prize was a robust faith in God and a life filled with God’s powerful presence.
Christian life is not easy. Some mistakenly assume that once they become children of God, their struggles are over. Many Christians begin their walk with Christ enthusiastically; but as the pressure mounts, they start to lose heart and abandon their pilgrimage.
Paul described his Christian life as a battle. There were times when he struggled, and only through perseverance could he continue on. It may surprise us to know that the great apostle had to struggle at times to be faithful to God. Paul faced persecution, misunderstanding, betrayal and death threats. His Christian life was anything but easy, yet he persevered.
Your faith in God is not proven by beginning the race but by enduring till the finish. Publicly announcing your commitment to Christ in your church does not compare with a lifetime of devotion to His cause. Use Apostle Paul as your model. Live your life in such a way that you can one day conclude, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the Faith”.
[Image Source: http://jonah.uec.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/fight-the-good-fight-of-faith.jpg]
Pastor Jonah Ravinder- United Telugu Church - Auckland, New Zealand; Henry and Richard Blackby
[ecko_quote source="Matthew 10:39"]He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it[/ecko_quote]
We have nothing that God needs. Think about that. If I were to give God my riches, I couldn’t make Him richer. He owns everything. If I were to give God my wisdom, I wouldn’t make Him wiser. He is the all-wise God. If I were to give God my power, I couldn’t make God more powerful. He is omnipotent.
God wants only one thing from His children—our hearts. Proverbs 23:26, "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways." Isn't that a strange request? God is using the words "Give me.'' Usually, we are the ones who say, "Give me,"' and now the table is turned. That is not the creature saying to the Creator, "Give me,'' but rather the Creator saying to the creature, "Give me.'' The great Benefactor becomes the petitioner. The great Giver becomes the receiver.
The Landlord becomes the tenant. The Provider becomes the beggar. The Satisfied becomes the seeker. The Door seeks entrance. The Living Water thirsts. The Bread of Life is hungry. The Prince of Peace fights to get you. God wants your heart. Not for His benefit but for our prosperity for both spiritual, mental and physical (3 John 1:2).
Why does God want our hearts? There is only one possible reason: He loves us! There is nothing that He needs that we have apart from our love. He simply seeks after our love. That is why He made us. He wanted somebody to love Him and to fellowship with Him voluntarily. It seems so strange that we should not gladly accept this offer when the great omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent God wants our hearts.
It is so necessary that the Christian give his heart to God first. To give wealth without giving the heart is an abomination. To pray without giving the heart is a mockery. To sing without giving the heart is a sounding brass and tinkling cymbal. To work without giving the heart is an insult. To teach without giving the heart is ignorance. To preach without giving the heart is hypocrisy. To serve without giving the heart is fraud. To witness without giving the heart is perjury.
God is saying to you today, “Give Me your heart.” How will you respond? He has a right to my heart, and He has a right to your heart, for He gave His heart to us. When He died on the cross, a soldier pierced His side, and the Bible says there came forth blood and water. Doctors tell us that this means the heart had ruptured. He died of a broken heart. He gave you His heart; He wants yours. He says to you today, "Give me thy heart.'' The happy Christian responds in the affirmative.
[Image Source: http://jonah.uec.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/fellow.jpg]
Pastor Jonah Ravinder- United Telugu Church- Auckland, New Zealand; Pastor Jack Hyles
[ecko_quote source="సామెతలు 18:21"]జీవ మరణములు నాలుక వశము దానియందు ప్రీతిపడువారు దాని ఫలము తిందురు [/ecko_quote]
మనసు పరిశుద్ధ ఆత్మలో కలశం (మిళితము) అయినప్పుడు, అందులో ఉద్భవించే సద్భావనలు మనిషిని ఉత్తమ వ్యక్తిత్వంతో పరిమళము వెదజల్లేలా చేస్తాయి. మనలో అంతర్లీనంగా ఉండే మానవత్వ భావనలను వెలుపలకి తేవడానికి దేవుని సేవకులు, ప్రవక్తలు మరియు బైబిల్ గ్రంధ బోధకులు నిరంతరం ఎంతో కృషి చేస్తున్నారు. సంభాషణలు జరిపారు, మార్గదర్శకాలు బోధించారు. మనిషి జీవితములో దేవుని యొక్క ప్రాముఖ్యాన్ని తెలియజేస్తూ ఆధ్యాత్మిక రచనలు చేశారు. వాటిని మనం శ్రద్ధగా విని, దివి, ఆకళింపు చేసుకుంటే సుశీలత్వము, సద్భావనలు, మంచితనము తప్పక అంకురిస్తాయి.
మనిషి వ్యక్తిత్వానికి మంచి ప్రవర్తన మరియు సద్భావనే తావి, పరిమళము అద్దుతుంది. దానికి, మాటే మొదటి మెట్టు. మాటలతో ఎదుటివారి మనసును ఆకట్టుకోవచ్చు మరియు పోగొట్టుకొను వచ్చు. ప్రతి వ్యక్తీ మాట్లాడటంలో నాలుగు రకాల దుష్కర్మలు, చేయకూడనివి చేస్తుంటాడని బైబిల్ గ్రంధము తెలుపుతుంది. పౌరుష్యం- అంటే, కఠినంగా మాట్లాడటం. అనృతం అంటే, అబద్ధాలు చెప్పడం. చాడీలు చెప్పడాన్ని వైశూన్యం అంటారు. నాలుగోది అసంబద్ధ ప్రలాపం- అంటే, అనవసరంగా మాట్లాడటం. వీటికి చోటివ్వకుండా దేవుణ్ణి, ప్రేమించి, సత్యమును( అప్పుడు సత్యము మిమ్మును స్వతంత్రులనుగా చేయును(యోహాను 8:32), యేసుక్రీస్తువుల వారే సత్యము) ఆశ్రయిస్తే, ప్రియంగా మాట్లాడగలిగితే ఎదుటివారి హృదయాలకు మరింత చేరువవుతామన్నది యథార్థం.
మనవా చరిత్రలో ఎందరో మహానుభావులు తాము పలికిన మాటల ద్వార మనుషుల హృదయాలను ప్రేరేపించి వారి మనసులను సంపాదించుకున్నారు. మరి కొందరు తాము పలికిన మాటల ద్వార మనుషుల హృదయాలను క్షోభ, వ్యాకులము మరియు బాధతో నింపి వారిని తమ నుంచి శాశ్వతముగా దూర పరచుకున్నారు. మరియు ఎన్నో దేవుని సంఘములు, విశ్వాసులు, దేవుని సేవకులము అను చెప్పుకోనుచున్న అనేకులు తాము పలికిన మాటల ద్వార ఒకరి ని ఒకరు సజీవముగా చంపుకొనుచున్నారు. ఇదీ ఎంతో విశాదకరము మరియు వినాశకరము. అందువలన క్రీస్తు సంఘములో ఏకత్వము లోపించి అది శక్తి లేనిది గా కనపడుచున్నది. క్రీస్తు సంఘములో ఏకత్వము మరుగుపడుటకు ప్రధాన కారణము పదవీ వ్యామోహం, కీర్తి, మరియు అహము.
కామ, క్రోధ, లోభ, మోహ, మద, మాత్సర్యాలనే అరిషడ్వర్గాల్లో- నాలుగో స్థానంలో ఉండే మోహం అత్యంత ప్రమాదకరమైంది. మితిమీరిన మోహమే వ్యామోహం. దాన్ని త్యజించడం సద్భావనకు నాంది పలుకుతుంది. కీర్తి, కాంత, ధన, కనక, వస్తు, వాహనాలు వ్యామోహానికి కారకాలు. వీటి పట్ల మొదట్లో మోహం కలిగి, ఆ తరవాత వ్యామోహంగా మారుతుంది. అది చివరికి మనిషిని పూర్తిగా లోబరుచుకుంటుంది. మనశ్శాంతి లేకుండా చేస్తుంది. వ్యామోహంలో ఉన్న వ్యక్తి దారీ తెన్నూ తెలియక అధర్మం, అసత్యం, అన్యాయం బాటపట్టి పతనావస్థకు చేరుకుంటాడు.
సత్ సాంగత్యం వల్ల నిస్సంగత్వం అలవడుతుంది. నిస్సంగత్వం వల్ల మోహం తొలగుతుంది. నిశ్చలతత్వం తెలుస్తుంది. దాని వల్ల రుణానుబంధ విముక్తి లభిస్తుంది. సత్ సాంగత్యం కేవలము పరిశుద్ధ ఆత్మతో సాంగత్యం మరియు తోటి విశ్వసులతో సత్ సాంగత్యం ద్వారానే సాద్యము. తద్వారా విశ్వాసి పదవీ వ్యామోహం, కీర్తి, మరియు అహము పై విజయం సాధించగలడు.
మనిషి అనవరతం సేవాభావన కలిగి ఉండాలి. ఇతరులకు సహాయం చేయడంలో, చక్కటి ఉపయోగకరమైన సలహాలు ఇవ్వడంలో ముందుండాలి. అతడు తన శారీరక బలాన్ని బలహీనుల కోసం ఉపయోగించడంలోనూ సేవాభావం వెల్లివిరుస్తుంది. ‘దానం చేయడం వ్యక్తిగత బాధ్యత’ అంటోంది పరిశుద్ద బైబిల్ గ్రంధము. ప్రతిఫలం ఆశించకుండా నిర్వర్తించే సేవాధర్మమే- దానం. దానికి నిత్య జీవన విధానంలో తగిన సమయం కేటాయించాలి. తల్లి, తండ్రి, గురువు, అతిథులు, మరియు దేవుని సేవకులు పట్ల ఆదరాభిమానాలు చూపుతూ మనిషి తన ఆధ్యాత్మిక సంపదను వృద్ధి చేసుకోవాలి. ముక్తి మార్గాన అంటే యేసు క్రీస్తు వైపు చూస్తూ అతడు పయనం సాగించాలని దేవుని వాక్యం హితవు చెబుతోంది.
చేసే కర్మలకు/పాపములకు ఫలితం ఉంటుందన్న ఎరుకను మనిషి కలిగి ఉండటమే నైతిక ప్రవర్తన. అదే శుభప్రదమైన, సంతోషకరమైన జీవితాన్నిస్తుందని దేవుని వాక్యము తెలియచెబుతోంది. మంచి ఆలోచనా సరళి, విలువలతో కూడిన జీవన శైలి, సరైన వ్యక్తిత్వం, శీల సంపద, నిరంతర సాధన, గుండె ధైర్యం ప్రసాదించే పరిశుద్ధ ఆత్మ నడిపింపు మనము అను దినము కలిగి యుండవలేయును.
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[ecko_quote source="I Corinthians 1:8-10"]Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord [/ecko_quote]
There was an old Arabian story about the great King Shah Abbas. He was a wealthy king who found it fun to disguise and hang out with the poorest of the poor. After putting on thin rags, he approached an impoverished area of the city where most of his servants lived. He met with one of his poor servants, started a conversation with him and spent some time with him. After a while, the poor servant offered him his meagre lunch of bread and water. The King in his disguise continued to visit this poor servant and developed a deep friendship with him. Since this poor servant had no idea who Shah was, after a while, the great King Shah finally decided to reveal his identity to his servant. After explaining who he was and proving his true identity, King waited for the servant to ask him for something. He was ready to grant any request his friend had. But the servant sat and quietly gazed at the King with love and admiration.
Then King said to the servant "Are you not understanding all this?" I am the great King Shah Abbas, and I have the power to make you wealthy and noble. I can give you a city; I can appoint you as a great ruler. Don’t you want to ask me for something?
In response, the servant said "Yes, I understand, but you have already given me the most precious gift imaginable. You have left your glorious surroundings and have sat and fellowshipped with me all these months. You have cared about my worries; you have listened to my heart. You have shown me, true love. You gave me the precious gift of your presence. What else would I need from you. Similar occurence exists in the TV show - 'Undercover Boss', where the boss goes in disguise to see what his employees are up to. Most of the time, the bosses are so moved, they end up rewarding the workers greatly.
If we relate the story to our context, we can truly appreciate our Lord Jesus who left all of His heavenly glories and riches and came down to meet us. He fellowshipped with us and shown us our Heavenly Father’s great love towards us and exposed the lies of Satan. God’s greatest gift to humanity is His love and fellowship.
My dear ones, we too have the opportunity to give the precious gift of our presence to others. By spending time with them and listening to their problems, hurts, pain and by consoling them. There is nothing more precious of a gift than giving our time and having a fellowship with them. Therefore, visit our dear ones who are going through hard times, console them, and strengthen them with the Word of God. Surely I know we can make a great impact on their spiritual journey.
Whom can you give the gift of your presence this week? Whom can you simply listen to, spend time with, and demonstrate the love of Christ? Ponder upon these things.
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