It is only when we have come to a thorough end of ourselves, that we are ready to come to the Lord. Jesus invited people saying, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden” (Matt.11:28). Jesus does not invite everyone to come to Him. Here we see Him inviting only those who are sick and tired of their sin-defeated lives. The prodigal son came back to his father only when he had “spent everything” and “no man gave him anything”. Then only did he “come to his senses” (Luke 15:14-18). We can grow spiritually only when we come to that point in our lives where we don't care for the honour of men, and have stopped complaining about people and circumstances - and are now sick and tired only of our own defeated lives. That is true repentance.
Otherwise, we will be like premature babies, who need to be kept inside the incubator constantly (constantly warmed and encouraged by others). We must not find our security even in the church, but only in the Lord. Ezekiel 36:25-30 prophesies about the abundant life that Jesus would give us under the new covenant. It goes on to say in verse 31 that when we come into that life, we will “loathe ourselves for all the evil that we had done in our previous days”. One of the primary marks of a man of God is that he has a cry within himself at all times saying, “O wretched man that I am. How shall I be totally delivered from all sin?” (Rom.7:24 - paraphrase). He constantly longs to be free from all the defilement and even the smell of sin in the flesh.
God wants you to be strong in the day of adversity (Prov.24:10). But you must build up your knowledge of the Lord in this time of peace if you want to be strong in that day of adversity.
God's ways are not ours. He has to break you first - through many frustrations and failures - and so He sends you where you can get that spiritual education that He has planned for you.
None of us would ever have thought of sending Moses for 40 years into the wilderness to look after sheep and to face the humiliation of having to stay with his father-in-law and work under him, all those 40 years, in order to prepare him to be the greatest leader of Israel. But that is God's way. God did something similar with Jacob before changing him into a prince of God (Israel). The most difficult task that God has is to break a man. But when God succeeds in doing that, the power released through such a man will far exceed that released when the atom is broken!
Paul said about his experience, “We are knocked down, but we get up and keep going” (2 Cor.4:9 - Living). God allows us to be knocked down now and then. But we don't stay down like others. We get up and keep going. And that is what infuriates Satan even more. God also gives us an education in sanctification through being knocked down, so that it turns out for our very best. So I continue to proclaim the victory of Jesus and the defeat of Satan even more since that day, everywhere I go. Hallelujah!!
- Zac Poonen
Originally posted on https://www.cfcindia.com/node/74089
[ecko_quote source=" Isaiah 42:1]Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold[/ecko_quote]
A true servant of God is one who is upheld by God, not by money or by a Fellowship/Church /organization or any other human agency. The Lord is the One Who should uphold us at all times. Men may give us gifts and positions but we must never depend on men. The word "uphold" refers to that which we are dependent on. We must be dependent on the Lord alone. It is when we come to the place of helplessness that God puts His Spirit on us.
In Isaiah 42:5-8, The Lord tells us: "I have called you in righteousness. I have called you to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon." This is a great ministry. But always remember one thing: "The Lord says, 'I will never give My glory to another.'" (Isa. 42:8). We must never take any glory for ourselves in our ministry. To take the credit or the glory for ourselves is a very, very serious crime. It is worse than stealing money. God may bless you and your ministry and use you mightily, but He will never give His glory to anyone. Once you start aiming to get the glory of God, you will destroy yourself. Once you start promoting yourself before people, drawing people to yourself instead of drawing them towards the Lord, and taking credit for what God did, you are on the very dangerous ground. This is how thousands have lost God's anointing over their lives.
In Isaiah 42:19,20: "Who is blind but My Servant? Who is deaf like My Messenger? Who is so blind as the One who is at peace with Me totally, so blind as the Servant of the Lord?" This looks like a puzzling verse, especially since it refers clearly to Jesus (as we can see from Isa. 42:1). What does it mean? It means that a true servant of God will be blind and deaf to many things that he sees and hears around him. He sees many things, but he doesn't observe them (Isa.42:20). He doesn't go around looking for sin in others. He doesn't go around listening to people in order to catch them in something they said. The Pharisees were like that - always waiting to catch Jesus in something which He said in order to accuse Him. Many Christians are unfortunately like that too - always waiting to accuse someone of something that he/she said and often this is because they are jealous of his ministry. Do not be like them.
Be deaf and blind to many things that you hear and see around you. Did you hear that someone made a false accusation against you? If you were deaf you would not have heard it. Be "deaf" then! Isn't it good for a servant of the Lord to be "blind" to attractive women? You have eyes, but you don't see. You are "blind"! You have ears, but you don't hear! Because you do not judge by what your eyes see or what your ears hear. This is how Jesus lived and this is how we must live too (Isa. 11:3).
1 Corinthians 2:15 says that "a spiritual man cannot be discerned by those who are not spiritual". A godly man is, therefore, a very lonely man - because very few can understand him. His actions and words are often misunderstood , even by those who know the Scripture well. Religious people only know facts about God. They don't know God Himself. In the midst of many religious people, we can find only few who actually know God Himself. Job was one of those rare individuals in the Bible. If you are a person who knows God, you will be misunderstood by people who only know about God but not He Himself.
Remember that religious people could not recognize Jesus and thought He was the prince of devils. How can they recognize a godly man today?
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[ecko_quote source=" John 4:4"]He must … go through Samaria[/ecko_quote]
In spite of His overwhelming schedule, Jesus walked miles out of His way to speak to a lonely woman at a well. Jesus not only walked to that well, but He also waited until she showed up. Who did He wait for? Some famous personality with all the right connections? Somebody with a big cheque book capable of underwriting His ministry? Many preachers would travel halfway around the world for that assignment. But no, she was a no- name, five times divorced, the promiscuous woman with a bad reputation and a live-in- boyfriend.
Please understand, when others are looking at your past, Jesus has His eyes on your future. People blame, ridicule your past but Jesus would glorify your future. With Him, every weed is a potential rose! Whatever you have done, God is not holding it against you. Jesus did not see this woman as bad- He saw her as lost. Big difference!
Once she was “found” she was the kind of person who’d be as strong for God as she’d been for the devil. This woman was destined to shake up the entire city of Samaria. “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony (John 4:39).
One of the ways that Satan tries to discourage and defeat us is to keep reminding us of our past mistakes and sins. For years, I allowed him to discourage and defeat me until one day God spoke to my heart and said "When the blood of My Son was applied to your heart, I forgave you for all of your sins. I will never hold them against you again. My dear ones, Do not allow Satan to discourage and defeat you anymore. You have been set free by the blood of My Son, now walk in that freedom."
Are you allowing Satan to discourage and defeat you? If so, stop it! Jesus is more than enough for every situation, every trial, every heartache, every burden and every crisis. Instead of thinking about your past life and all the mistakes you made, turn your eyes upon Jesus. If you will keep your eyes on Him, you will have the peace that only He can give to you. You will also have joy and happiness in your heart. Are your eyes on Jesus?
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[ecko_quote source="John 12:21"]"Sir, we would see Jesus"[/ecko_quote]
Yesterday, when I finished my sermon I noticed a gold colour plaque on the pulpit nicely fitted to the pulpit facing towards the preacher. On the plaque, the words “Sir, we would see Jesus (John 12:21)” was beautifully embossed. I shared this verse with my vibrant congregation. They were just amazed and pondered upon it. I too thought of what could have made the person to choose this verse to place it on the pulpit in early 1960’s.
One day some Greeks came to Philip saying" Sir, we would see Jesus". And if you listen - that's what people around you are still saying today. You say, " tell them to go to Church and they will see Jesus". Maybe, maybe not. The churches are not drying up and dying out because of a lack of education and learning. It is not a lack of oratory or attractive programs. Churches and Christians are suffering because there are so much of many things, and so little of Jesus Christ in all that is said and done. Charles H. Spurgeon said that it was his aim and goal in every sermon, to take a text and follow it like a road until it led him to Christ and His cross. If that particular text did not seem to lead in that direction, he would simply jump over to another text that did. Oh, that our preaching today had this same aim and goal.
Paul expressed it well as he wrote, "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." (The message of Cross) (I Cor. 2:2) This does not rule out the preaching of the whole Bible with all of its doctrines and precepts. Rather it is the recognition that every doctrine and precept flows from, and leads to, the Lord Jesus Christ.
What a tragedy that many are preaching on geology and the ages of the rocks, when they should be talking about the Rock of Ages. What good are lessons on botany and gardens of prose, when our hearts are hungry for the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley. What good are all the church kitchens and good food, when people are perishing for lack of knowledge of Him who said, "I am the bread of life."
Why should we waste time in learning about zoology, economics, political science (Donald Trump) and animal life, when we really need to know more about the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Lessons on astronomy and the solar system may satisfy the carnal, but spiritually minded people will be more interested in the Bright and Morning Star. Much can be made of a beautiful sunrise or sunset, but these can never compare with the "Sun of Righteousness" who shall "arise with healing in his wings."(Mal. 4:2)
Political leaders are praised or denounced from many pulpits, but they all pale into insignificance when compared with Him who is coming as King of kings and Lord of lords. Literature with the words of men have their place, but how feeble they are when placed beside the living Word. It is not good men and the son's of men that we need to hear about, but the God-man, the Son of God.
Can sinners tell that you have been with Jesus? When Moses came down off the mount with shining face, he could not hide the fact that he had been with God. If we spend much time with the Lord, we cannot and will not want to hide the fact we have been with Jesus. Sin, selfishness, hatred, enmity, and worldliness in the life of a believer will tend to hide the Lord Jesus Christ from the view of others. Oh, that Christians would throw away their smoking and chewing tobacco, their beer, their indecent clothes, and all of the things that hinder their fellowship with God. Oh, that they would stay away from the theatres, the dance halls, and the places where they sell booze. The lack of separation from the world among the churches is one of the greatest things that is holding back revival.
First, men need to see themselves lost and undone and on the way to an eternal hell. Before they can be saved, they need to see themselves lost. One of the greatest hindrances in winning sinners to Christ is the worldly ways of professing saints.
Second, they need to see Jesus Christ as the only remedy for sin. There is no other way to God but by Him. He is the way, and He is the door. His substitutionary death at Calvary is the ONLY answer to man's sin problem. Without Him as Saviour, all men are lost. With Him as Saviour, there is no way to be lost.
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[ecko_quote source="Psalm 94:14"]For the Lord will not reject his people; He will never forsake His inheritance[/ecko_quote]
There were around 150 young preachers who sought entrance to the Wesleyan ministry in 1888 - and Campbell Morgan was one of them. He passed intense doctrinal examinations, but then faced the trial sermon, where he would preach to three ministers who would determine his fitness for ministry.
Morgan stepped into the pulpit, and the pressure was just too much. He came up short on his sermon, and was rejected from the ministry that year. He sent a wire to his father that contained only one word: "Rejected."
His father quickly wired back the words, "Rejected on earth. Accepted in heaven. Dad."
In later years, Morgan said, "God said to me, in the weeks of loneliness and darkness that followed, 'I want you to cease making plans for yourself, and let Me plan your life.'"
Every one of us encounters rejection at some point. Perhaps you were let go from a job. Or maybe you're estranged from a friend or family member. But even in those dark days, remember that God will never reject you if you're in Christ. You are precious in His eyes!
Ask God to remind you that no matter what, He'll never reject you if you're in Christ.
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[ecko_quote source="హెబ్రీయులకు 11:6"]విశ్వాసములేకుండ దేవునికి ఇష్టుడైయుండుట అసాధ్యము; దేవునియొద్దకు వచ్చువాడు ఆయన యున్నాడనియు, తన్ను వెదకువారికి ఫలము దయచేయువాడనియు నమ్మవలెను గదా [/ecko_quote]
క్రైస్తవ జీవితములో విశ్వాసము అనునది మూల స్తంభము. విశ్వాసములేకుండ దేవునికి ఇష్టుడైయుండుట అసాధ్యము. విశ్వాసము మన మనసుయందు ఏర్పడు ప్రగాడ భావన. ఈ మనసునందు దేవుడు యున్నాడనియు మరియు తన్ను వెదకువారికి ఫలము దయచేయువాడనియు నమ్మవలెను. అపుడే మనము దేవునికి ఇష్టుడైయుండుటకు సాధ్యము. దేవుడు మన మనసుకు అనంత శక్తి మరియు ముఖ్యముగా ఉహించే శక్తి ప్రసాదించినాడు.ఈ ప్రపంచం కంటే, మన మనసు సృష్టించే ప్రపంచమే గొప్పదని అనిపిస్తుంది. వాస్తవం కంటే, వూహే గొప్పదిగా ఉంటుంది’ అనేవారు ప్రఖ్యాత శాస్త్రవేత్త ఐన్స్టీన్. ‘భావించు. కల కను. అది ఏనాటికైనా నిజమవుతుంది. కోరుకున్నది నువ్వు ఎంత స్పష్టంగా మనోఫలకం మీద చూస్తావో, అంతే త్వరగా అది వాస్తవమవుతుంది’ అని అబ్దుల్ కలామ్ చెబుతుండేవారు. మనకు మాత్రము అపొస్తలుడైన పౌలు ఎఫెసీయులకు ౩:20 లో ఈ విధముగా బలపర్చుచున్నాడు “మనలో కార్యసాధకమైన తన శక్తి చొప్పున (అనగా మన విశ్వాసము చొప్పున) మనము అడుగువాటన్నిటికంటెను, ఊహించువాటన్నిటికంటెను అత్యధికముగా చేయ శక్తిగల దేవునికి, క్రీస్తుయేసు మూలముగా సంఘములో తరతరములు సదాకాలము మహిమ కలుగునుగాక. ఆమేన్. మన క్రీస్తు మనము అడుగువాటన్నిటికంటెను, ఊహించువాటన్నిటికంటెను అత్యధికముగా మనకు ఇవ్వగల సమర్థుడు.
అత్యంత శక్తిమంతమైన భావన అంత సులువుగా రాదు, కలగదు. దానికి కారణం- మనసు. మనసుకు అటువంటి శిక్షణ లేదు. దానికి భావనాపూర్వకమైన జ్ఞానం కావాలి. విశ్వాసం కావాలి. తగినంత సాధన కావాలి. విశ్వాసము కేవలము దేవుని వాక్యము వినుట ద్వార మరియు వినిన దానిని నమ్మి జీవితములో ఆచరణలో పెట్టుట ద్వార సాధ్యము అవుతుంది. లేనియెడల కేవలము మనము వినువారామే మరియు మనలను మనము మోసపుచ్చు కొనువారము. విశ్వాసులు భావనతోనే బతుకుతారంటారు. భావన లేనిదే అనుభూతి కలగదు. భావించకుండా మనిషి ఏ కలనూ సాకారం చేసుకోలేడు. తర్క వితర్కాల మధ్య వూగుతుంది మనసు. అది తెల్లగా ఉంటే పాలుగా, నల్లగా ఉంటే నీళ్లుగా నమ్ముతుంది. మనం ఎంత లోతుగా నమ్మకంలో విలీనమవుతామో, అంత తొందరగా ఆ విషయానికి చేరుకుంటాం. నిజం చేసుకుంటాం. అందువలన క్రైస్తవులు తమ మనసును దేవుని వాక్యముతో నింపి అ వాక్య ప్రకారము జీవించుట ద్వార, దేవునికి ఇష్టుడైయుండుట సాధ్యము మరియు తద్వారా విశ్వాసములో పరిపక్వము పొందగలరు.
అన్నింటికీ విశ్వాసమే పునాది. ఆ విశ్వాసానికి మరియు నమ్మకానికి దృశ్యమే ఆధారం. దృశ్యానికి భావనే ఆధారం. భావనకు జ్ఞానమే కారణం. జ్ఞానానికి కారణం- తెలిసికొనవలెనను కుతూహలము మరియు జిజ్ఞాస. దానికి ‘నేను’ కారణం. ‘నేను’ అనేది లేకుంటే జగత్తు లేదు.సర్వ జగత్తు యెహోవా సృష్టి. ఆయనే “ నేను”. The great “I am”. ‘నేనే’ మూలం. ఇదంతా ఒక వలయం.కళ్లు మూస్తే భావం. కళ్లు తెరిస్తే భావం. ఆ భావాల పరంపరతోనే బతుకు సాగుతుంది. ఎక్కువ తక్కువలంటూ విచారించకూడదు. నలుపు తెలుపులుగా విడగొట్టకూడదు. వైరుధ్య, వైవిధ్యాల మధ్య మనసును పరుగెత్తించకూడదు. అలాంటివారు గొప్ప భావాలు పొందలేరు.
అద్భుతమైన ప్రపంచాన్ని మన ప్రభువు మన ముందుంచాడు. బుద్ధికి ప్రేరణ ఇచ్చి ముందుకు నడిపించే లోతైన భావం ఎప్పుడూ పరిశుద్ధాత్మ దేవుడు మనకు అనుగ్రహించగలడు. దేవుడు ఎప్పుడు తన యందు విశావసిoచెవారికీ తన యొక్క ప్రేమ లోతును కనుక్కోమని సెలవించుచున్నాడు . విశ్వాసి దాన్ని కనుగొనాలి. ఒడిసి పట్టుకోవాలి. అలా అన్వేషణ సాగిస్తే, సత్యం తెలుస్తుంది. అలాంటి సత్యాలన్నీ ఒక మహా సత్యానికి అనుసంధానమై ఉంటాయి. ఆ సత్యమే యేసు ప్రభువు.భక్తిభావంతో సర్వమూ సాధించగలం. ప్రేమభావంతో, ఇక ఏదీ మిగలకుండా చేయగలం. ప్రపంచాన్ని దేవుని మనసు సృష్టించింది. అందుకే మనిషి- ప్రేమ అనే భావాన్ని దైవభావంగా స్వీకరించాలి. అప్పుడు ప్రతి భావమూ ఆనందమే!
దైవభావంలోనే దైవం ఉన్నాడు. విశ్వసి ఎలా భావిస్తే అలా, ఆయన అనుభవమిస్తాడు. హృదయపూర్వకమైన ప్రతి భావనా విశ్వాసిని దైవానికి దగ్గర చేస్తుంది. దైవ భావమే మనిషి. మనిషిలోని భావమే దైవం. అంటే, భావం లేకుండా మనిషి లేడు. ఆ భావ సంపదనే మరియు విశ్వాస జీవితమే బైబిల్ ఆధ్యాత్మికత జీవితముగా (spiritual life) వర్ణించాయి
ప్రత్యేక అబినందనులు: జొన్నలగడ్డ రవీందర్ మరియు ఆనంద స్వామి
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[ecko_quote source=" Roman 8:28"]And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose [/ecko_quote]
The only survivor of a shipwreck once washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon to call out for help, but no help was in sight. Exhausted! He eventually managed to build a tiny hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements and to store few of his possessions. Then one day, after gathering some food, he arrived home and found his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. “God, how could You do this to me! he cried.
However the next day, early in the morning, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. “How did you know I was here?” the weary man asked his rescuers. “We saw your smoke signal”, they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we should never lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time when your little hut is burning to the ground – it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
King David introduces us to a fundamental attribute of God. His complete sovereignty. In other words, He has full authority and control over all human beings and every aspect of the universe (Psalm 103:19-22). “Luck” and “good fortune” have no place in discussions about God. To speak in terms of luck is to say there is no plan for our lives or the world at large. In that case, people would simply be victims of their circumstances – sometimes happy, but usually unfulfilled and always afraid of the future.
The Lord intends for us to live another way, confident of His absolute and loving control over every aspect of our existence. When we trust in the Father’s sovereignty, we understand two assurances. First, He is intimately and continuously involved in our daily life. No matter how bleak our situation may seem, the Lord never stops providing, protecting, and caring for every believer. He knows what we need for today and every one of our tomorrows.
Second, the Bible teaches that God will work out every circumstance for our benefit- without exception! As the situation becomes demanding, more painful, or seemingly impossible, our confidence may flag, but Romans 8:28 promises a divine purpose to each life event. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
We are not “lucky” but blessed. As blessed children of a sovereign God, we can live confidently in the knowledge that He is in control. Trust Him to carry you through whatever trial stands in your way.
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[ecko_quote source="Ecclesiastes 7:29"]Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright. But they have sought out many schemes[/ecko_quote]
I read a story about a mother who had a daughter. As the mother was busy with her routines, every now and then, her daughter would distract her. To keep the daughter busy, she tore a page on which was printed the map of the world. She tore it into pieces and asked her daughter to go into her room and put them back together to make up the map again. You can call it, the easier version of a jigsaw puzzle. The mother assumed her daughter would surely take the whole day to get this done and that she could carry on with her work without any distractions. But her daughter came back within minutes with a perfect world map.
The curious and confused mother asked her daughter how she managed to do it so quickly. She giggled and said, “Oh Mom, there is a man’s picture on the other side of the paper. I made the man’s picture perfect to get the map right. The moral of the story is when the man (humankind) is placed uprightly in their position all the problems of the world would be solved. The problems are not with the world but the ones who live in the world. King Solomon with his great wisdom in discerning things concluded that God made man upright but man sought several evil schemes to corrupt his nature and deviate from God’s will. The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually (Genesis 6:5). The nature of man has become corrupt and lost conscious to discern good and holy. Google's motto at one stage was "Don't be evil!" but their recently restructured company no longer holds this motto. How that relates to this; that's something I would leave for each of you to draw your own conclusions on.
We could see the consequences of this disobedient nature and corrupt schemes. In so many families, there is no peace. They are either troubled with parents or children. Separation and divorce had become the routine of life. Several broken families exist and we have single parents raising up the kids. Most of these kids easily deviate from the course and end up in wrong places because of the lack of role model in the family. We are living in this age and culture where the wickedness is only gaining magnitude. If parents are not God fearing, then how can we expect children to fear God? When parents are living a loose life, surely their children will follow them. It would be too late to correct or change life when the reaping time comes. Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7). Probably you are not pleased to read this devotion, but my dear ones it is my responsibility to warn you. Or else, I would be responsible and am judged.
To sum up, in Romans 7:18, Apostle Paul cried out to God stating “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it”. I discovered this principle of life – that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong”.
What the solution then. The solution is provided in v24 "Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Our Lord provided the way by putting His life as a ransom and redeemed our souls from sin and death. Furthermore, He provided us with Holy Spirit God who gives us the power to say no to sin. Through Him - Holy Spirit, we can put to death the deeds of our sinful nature (Romans 8:13). Take care your children now; lead them in a Godly way so that they would remember you and appreciate your sacrifices. They will celebrate your role model and keep up this legacy you leave behind for generations to come.
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[ecko_quote source="Matthew 11:25"]At that time Jesus declared, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children[/ecko_quote]
In our spiritual relationship, we do not grow step by step; we are either there, or we are not. God does not cleanse us any further than what He already has. When we are in the light; we walk in the light. When we walk in the light, we are cleansed from all our sin, and we are promised that He will fellowship with us (1 John 1:9). It's only the matter of time for us. You see in the heavenly realm; there is no such thing as time. Things occur without being bound to the constraint we know as time. With obedience, your relationship is perfected with God. Turn away from that, death and darkness take over instantaneously. Jesus put it this way, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad (Matthew 12:30).
All God’s revelations are sealed until they are opened to us by obedience. You will never get them opened up to you by philosophy/thinking or study of theology. When you obey, a flash of light comes through. You can sense that. Let God’s truth work in you by being soaked in it, not by worrying about it. The ruler of Jews, who was well-educated, Teacher of Israel and Pharisees named Nicodemus was much confused and could not figure it out with his background on how to be born again. Jesus explained to him and during the course, He said one of the lifesaving Word – John 3:16, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life". My friend when you believe and obey God, He shows you, and instantly the next thing is opened up for your understanding.
People read volumes on the work of the Holy Spirit in a critical way but do not understand His working in their lives. However, the obedience would make things as clear as a sunbeam. Further, you may say, “I suppose I shall understand these things someday!” My dear ones, you can understand them now. It's isn't study that one does to understand these things, but obedience. The tiniest fragment of obedience and the heaven opens, and the profound truths of God are yours right away. God will never reveal what you know already. Beware of becoming “wise and prudent”, it will deceive you.
If Prophet Jonah had just obeyed the Lord the first time, gone to Nineveh and preached the gospel, he would not have had to go through such an ordeal of being in the belly of a big fish for three days, nor would he have had to face the humiliation because of what he did. Nevertheless, the important thing is that he was obedient, eventually. My friend obedience is only the way for us as to continue our spiritual journey faithfully. Further, most of the stuff we do not know in the life, therefore, trusting His mighty wisdom and power deems to be the best way.
It is much easier to bring a bullock or lamb to be burned upon the altar than to bring every high thought into obedience to God, and to make our will subject to His will. God is more glorified, and self more denied, by obedience than by sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22) Did you know obedience is the fruit of faith?
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[ecko_quote source="Genesis 22:2 (NIV)"]Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, whom you love--Isaac--and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you."[/ecko_quote]
[ecko_quote source="Genesis 22:5 (NIV)"]He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."[/ecko_quote]
If you read the above verses carefully, you will notice they don't add up. Here is God telling Abraham to take his only son Isaac and sacrifice him there as a burnt-offering to the Lord. Then you come down to verse 5. Now you see Abraham telling his servants that he and his son will go up to the mountain to worship there. He ends the statement by saying, 'We' will come back. This speaks volumes to Abraham's relationship with the God Almighty. Abraham knew God. He knew the works of God in his life. He remembers his past and the promises.
You see God intends each of us to have this kind of relationship with Him. It's like none other. When we get to know God, we get to know His works. A lot of curiosity develops not from the situations we face but more so from the uncertainty that lies behind the scenes. We become restless until we know what we are facing can be overcome, resolved, or accomplished. Now I encourage you to put yourself in the shoes of Abraham. Here is a man who is growing old to have any kids of his own. All the odds are against him. But guess what? He finds comfort knowing that he has God by His side. From the relationship he had with God, he was certain what God said; he will do. He will bring it to pass.
It also shows what we ought to focus on. Abraham didn't focus on the details of what God asked him to undertake. He didn't dwell on how his only son, gifted by God, was going to be taken away from him. Rather, He focused on the workings of God and had faith in Him. It involved Abraham blindly following what God asked Him to do without dwelling on his circumstances. Worship in Hebrew means to depress, i.e. prostrate (in homage to royalty or God): bow (self) down, crouch, fall (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship (Source). I don't know what was going through Abraham's mind. Maybe He was going to plead with God and get His son back. I don't know. Bible doesn't tell us that. But I am sure He was confident God wasn't going to take His son away from Him.
How confident are you in the workings of God in your life? Do you know how God works? Does the Spirit of God reveal to you the heart of God? Do you have the relationship that Abraham had with God? Let's seek to grow in God, to spend more time with Him, and to have Him as the centre of our lives.
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