Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”” - John 16:33

Daily Devotion:

New Year Resolutions

"It is God who works in you both to will and to act according to His good purpose" (Phil 2:13)

There is hardly anyone who has not made New Year or Birthday or Anniversary decisions anytime in his life. But almost everyone regrets that he has not been able to keep them up. In course of time we conclude that it is not worth making resolutions at all. Little do we realise that such a conclusion is to our disadvantage and it stunts spiritual growth.

"It is God who works in you both to will and to act according to His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). Therefore in the strict sense none of the desires of God's children for making resolutions is self-generated. The guiding hand of the Father is there behind them. Good resolutions help positive growth. Resolutions are like goals. Decisions help us focus on the aim sharply and avoid distractions.

We are bothered by the fact that we are unable to keep up our resolutions. The accompanying guilt discourages us from attempting again. But we must remember that no failure is final for God's children. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,... Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down" (Psa 37:23,24; Prov 24:16).

Resolutions must not be overambitious. They must be realistic. For example, if you had been by and large prayerless, don't straightaway decide that you would spend atleast two full hours each day in solid prayer. Rather, begin with fifteen or thirty minutes. After steadying up at that level, increase the duration step by step. Great things have small beginnings (Zech 4:10).

Don't make too many resolutions at a time either. Instead of taking twelve decisions at the beginning of a year, you can take one at the beginning of each month. Christian life is a walk, not a jump! It's true we can soar on wings like eagles when we wait on the Lord. But eagles don't reach lofty heights instantly (Isa 40:31). A good principle of growth in Christian life is that lengthening must be proportionate to strengthening (Isa 54:2).

Share your resolutions with your prayer partner or spouse. Such accountability is beneficial. But there's no need to make personal resolutions public. Resolutions are not vows. Tell God the desires of your heart and trust Him for His enablement (Psa 37:5). At the end of the year, review your performance and treat yourself with a good dinner or a new dress for your accomplishment (Eccl 9:7,8; 2 Tim 2:6).

Prayer:

By the Passion of Your Blessed Son

O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Word Of God:

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

Daily Devotion:

"A" to "Z"

"Let us run...fixing our eyes on Jesus,the Author and Perfecter of our faith" (Heb 12:1,2)


"Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." This text occurs four times in the Bible. We will find out its significance.

Romans 4:3,10, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness... How then was it accounted?... While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised." This is comparable to salvation the initial experience of Christian life. This points out that salvation is not by good deeds but by faith alone.

James 2:21-23, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?... Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Abraham shows his faith through deeds. In obedience to God's command, he laid on the altar his beloved son for whom he had been waiting for so many years. This refers to our surrender to Christ and walking in holiness.

Galatians 3:6,8, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness... The Scripture...preached the Gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, In you all the nations shall be blessed." The Great Commission given to us two thousand years ago was given to Abraham even several thousands of years earlier! Thus Abraham is the genesis of missionary work.

Genesis 15:4-6, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them... So shall your descendants be. And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness." When Abraham did not have strength to bring forth a child, he took God at His Word. God gave life and strength to a man, who was as good as dead, and multiplied his descendants. This is a picture of resurrection.

Our text in Romans refers to Salvation; in James it refers to Sanctification; in Galatians it is the Great Commission; and in Genesis it portrays Resurrection. Which means, Christian life is one of faith from new birth to the new earth. It's faith from beginning to end!

Simply trusting every day, trusting thro' a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus, that is all! (E. Page)

Prayer:

Seeking Healing From God

O God, the source of all health: So fill my heart with faith in your love, that with calm expectancy I may make room for your power to possess me, and gracefully accept your healing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Word Of God:

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

Daily Devotion:

"A" to "Z"

"Let us run...fixing our eyes on Jesus,the Author and Perfecter of our faith" (Heb 12:1,2)


"Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." This text occurs four times in the Bible. We will find out its significance.

Romans 4:3,10, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness... How then was it accounted?... While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised." This is comparable to salvation the initial experience of Christian life. This points out that salvation is not by good deeds but by faith alone.

James 2:21-23, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?... Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Abraham shows his faith through deeds. In obedience to God's command, he laid on the altar his beloved son for whom he had been waiting for so many years. This refers to our surrender to Christ and walking in holiness.

Galatians 3:6,8, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness... The Scripture...preached the Gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, In you all the nations shall be blessed." The Great Commission given to us two thousand years ago was given to Abraham even several thousands of years earlier! Thus Abraham is the genesis of missionary work.

Genesis 15:4-6, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them... So shall your descendants be. And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness." When Abraham did not have strength to bring forth a child, he took God at His Word. God gave life and strength to a man, who was as good as dead, and multiplied his descendants. This is a picture of resurrection.

Our text in Romans refers to Salvation; in James it refers to Sanctification; in Galatians it is the Great Commission; and in Genesis it portrays Resurrection. Which means, Christian life is one of faith from new birth to the new earth. It's faith from beginning to end!

Simply trusting every day, trusting thro' a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus, that is all! (E. Page)

Prayer:

Seeking Healing From God

O God, the source of all health: So fill my heart with faith in your love, that with calm expectancy I may make room for your power to possess me, and gracefully accept your healing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

"A man's cheerful heart gives him strength when he is sick. You can't keep going if you have a broken spirit. Those whose hearts understand what is right get knowledge.The ears of those who are wise listen for it." - Proverbs 18:14-15

Daily Devotion:

Fourth and Final Year!

"What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it?" (Isa 5:4)

A fruitless Christian is a self-contradiction. Fruitfulness means reproduction. We are saved to save others, blessed to bless others. Jesus says, "I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit" (Jn 15:16). Let's not forget our basic calling which is to fish men for Christ (Mt 4:19). Fruitbearing is not an option but an obligation. Fruitlessness may be due to laziness, but it's actually called "wickedness" (Mt 25:26).

At that time of the year when Jesus approached the fig tree, edible figs were still about six weeks away, but the bland fruit must have been there (Mk 11:13). If leaves alone appeared, without the early figs, that tree would bear no figs that year. Jesus cursed the tree because of its pretence. Oftentimes we deceive ourselves by exaggerated or generalised statements about what we do for the extension of God's Kingdom. The day of reckoning is near. Like the five-talented and two-talented men, we must be able to submit a factual account of what we did with the spiritual, physical and material blessings the Lord has bestowed on us (Mt 25:20,22). "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded" (Lk 12:48).

In this incident the Lord cursed the tree instantly. But in the parable of a fig tree He narrated elsewhere, a grace time of one year was given after three years of fruitlessness (Lk 13:6-9). May be this is your fourth and final year! Invest your time and talent for the winning of souls. Obey your missionary call without further delay. Give up your small ambitions of this life for eternal reasons.Involve yourself in personal soulwinning and neighbourhood evangelism. If you are still indifferent, the tree may be cut off or the vineyard given to prospective vinedressers (Mt 21:40,41).

The tens of thousands of people in Iran, when they went to bed on the 25th December 2003, would have never thought that they would leave this earth due to an earthquake before the dawn of the 26th, and would not enter 2004! Whoever thought that 17000 people would die and many thousands be badly affected due to a sudden leakage of poisonous gas in the Union Carbide factory of Bhopal in Central India on December 2-3 in 1984? Let's renew our commitment and make our consecration to God and His work more meaningful before we enter another year. If we abide in Christ, we cannot but be fruitful! (Jn 15:5).

Must I go — and empty-handed? Must I meet my Saviour so?

Not one soul with which to greet Him? Must I empty-handed go? - (C.C. Luther)


Prayer:

I am thankful before You,Living and Sustaining Ruler,Who returned my soul to me with mercy.Your faithfulness is great.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” - Revelation 22:5

Daily Devotion:

Hail Joseph!

"You shall call His name Jesus:for He shall save His people from their sins" (Mt 1:21)

Engagement in Palestine was a legally binding contract, usually arranged by parents. Sexual relations were forbidden until after marriage. Joseph's character is shown by his decision to take private legal action to break the engagement instead of publicly humiliating Mary. His obedience to the Lord in taking Mary as his wife is the crown of his character. Matthew records, "Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife" (Mt 1:24). For a sexually immoral man it may not be shocking though surprising to find his fiancee already pregnant. But being "a just man" as Joseph was, with obviously a respectable standing in the society, it would have been a great embarrassment whatever be the explanation. But he didn't speak a word when the angel defended Mary's pregnancy and attributed it to the work of the Holy Spirit. He just obeyed the Lord though "the communication came only in a dream, least dramatically. Whatever be the mode of communication, once we have the inner conviction that God has spoken to us, we must not delay obedience in the guise of seeking further confirmation.

Joseph also teaches us that civil laws must be obeyed not as a matter of convenience but for the sake of conscience. Bethlehem was about 150 km from Nazareth. It was atleast a three day trip. In obedience to the decree of Augustus Caesar, to get their names registered, Joseph undertook this strenuous journey with Mary who was in her late pregnancy. Joseph had known that obeying the government meant obeying God (Lk 2:1-6; Rom 13:1-5).

God spoke to Joseph thrice in dreams after the birth of Jesus for the protection of the Baby from the hand of the enemies who sought to kill Him (Mt 2:13,20,22). From Bethlehem he fled to Egypt. Then when he came into the land of Israel, he had to turn aside into the region of Galilee. Such frequent shifts with a little child and the nursing mother would not have been pleasant. "Cannot God who so miraculously brought forth His Son into the world protect Him also miraculously in the world? Why should the angels be simply appearing to me to urge me flee from the enemies instead of encamping round about me and my family to deliver us from Herods? Is the Baby really the Son of God and the Saviour?" Such questions would have definitely haunted Joseph's mind. But being a habitually obedient man to God, he did not succumb to natural reasoning but walked by faith. Hail Joseph!

Prayer:

Prayer for Difficult Times -Psalms 119: 105-112

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.I have sworn, and have confirmed it, to observe Thy righteous ordinances.I am afflicted very much; quicken me, O HaShem, according unto Thy word.

Accept, I beseech Thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O HaShem, and teach me Thine ordinances.My soul is continually in my hand; yet have I not forgotten Thy law.The wicked have laid a snare for me; yet went I not astray from Thy precepts.

Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; for they are the rejoicing of my heart.I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes, for ever, at every step.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

““I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” - John 10:14-15

Daily Devotion:

The more you Share...

"He who believes in Me,out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water" (Jn 7:38)

God wants us to share the faith in us with others. Sharing increases and improves our faith. "He who waters others will himself be watered" (Prov 11:25). Let us meet in the Bible a few folks who shared their faith with others.

Barnabas

"Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And large numbers of people were brought to the Lord" (Acts 11:24). The faithful sharing of the Gospel by an individual was responsible for an explosive Church growth. Do we see regular additions to our congregations? If not, our lethargy is to be blamed.

Paul

Oratory skill is not a must to share our faith with others. All we need to do is to present the Gospel in simple language. Eventhough Paul was a learned man, he never depended on his knowledge and skill. He trusted in the power of God's Word. That was the secret of his successful ministry (2 Cor 2:1-5). The Gospel itself is the power of God to save anyone who believes (Rom 1:16).

Four Friends

"Four men arrived carrying a paralysed man on a mat...Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralysed man, My son, your sins are forgiven" (Mk 2:3-5). There's no greater service we can do to our friends than to bring them to Jesus. They cannot make it themselves. They have given up on themselves. No case is too difficult for Jesus. He will be pleased with our faith and concern for others. He will honour our humble efforts. Our faith will be further strengthened and rewarded.

Mummy & Granny

"I know that you sincerely trust the Lord, for you have the faith of your mother, Eunice, and your grandmother, Lois" (2 Tim 1:5). These are the words of Paul to Timothy. Ladies should be encouraged here. Even if you are not able to go out as much as you desire, there are ample opportunities for you right at home. When you share your faith with your family folks and neighbours, wonderful things will happen. It may not be done in limelight, but your name will be in God's Book of World Records as Eunice and Lois. Church growth in a strong non-Christian Community in and around Sivakasi, a South Indian town known worldwide for making crackers, has been mainly due to women- folk sharing the Gospel with others on one-to-one basis.


Prayer:

Prayer of Praise

Blessed be He who spoke and the world came into being; blessed be He.
Blessed be He who maintains the creation.
Blessed be He who speaks and performs.
Blessed be He who decrees and fulfils.
Blessed be He who has mercy upon the earth.
Blessed be He who has mercy on his creatures.
Blessed be He who pays a good reward to those who fear Him.
Blessed be He who lives for ever, and endures to eternity.
Blessed be He who redeems and saves; blessed be His Name...

Word Of God:

“[God’s Final Word: His Son] In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” - Hebrews 1:1-2

Daily Devotion:

Dear Enemies!

"Love your enemies... do good to those who hate you" (Mt 5:44)


"How can I love my enemies?" Every other Christian is bothered by this question. Enemies for a Christian are essentially those who are the enemies of the Cross and those who oppose the preaching of the Gospel. Occasionally there could also be some who, because of their differing tastes and temperaments, would hate you. Sometimes it becomes really impossible to get along with such folks. That’s why the Bible admonishes, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Rom 12:18). Here are some guidelines to help you improve your relationship with those who oppose or hate you—

First, meditate on God’s love to them too! "He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust" (Mt 5:45). Each person is precious to God. Christ died for every man and woman, good or bad, so called.

Secondly, remind yourself of how patient God is towards you! He has not given up on us though we have failed or disappointed Him so many times. He, who is abundant in mercies, expects us to forgive others — not less than seven times seventy! Young Joseph pardoned his perfidious brothers who threw him in a waterless pit in the desert. How much our God loves this attitude!

Thirdly, pray for your enemies (Mt 5:44). Love grows in the soil of prayer. It always becomes easy to love or forgive someone who hates us when we start praying for that individual. Confess to God your inability to love and He will pour out His love into your heart through His Spirit and enable you to do what otherwise you cannot.

God does not allow us to curse even the devil (Jude 9). Guard your tongue lest you abuse someone. Let not bitterness ever take root in your heart. It defiles you and others as well (Heb 12:14,15). Vengeance is the Lord’s. Don’t take that rod in your hand. You will perish in that process (Mt 26:52). Look for opportunities to do some good to the one who has hurt you. Victory is yours! (Rom 12:19-21). "When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him" (Prov 16:7).

Doing bad for good is devilish;
Doing bad for bad is human;
Doing good for bad is Divine!

Prayer:

Comfort in Christ

Christ is shepherd over you,
Enfolding you on every side.
Christ will not forsake you, hand or foot,
Nor let evil come near you.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives” - 2 Peter 3:10-11

Daily Devotion:

Is pill His will?

"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; Is there anything too hard for Me?" (Jer 32:27)

Some Churches teach that taking medicine is sin. Several believers who bragged that they would never touch medicine regretted afterwards with guilt when a situation necessitated medical treatment. The doctrine that believers should not use medicine is found nowhere in the Bible.

Several effective medicines are herbal extracts and they are actually God's provision for our health and strength (Gen 1:29). Rachel begged Leah for some mandrakes because it was a herb believed to promote fertility in women (Gen 30:14). Even after God promised King Hezekiah extension of life, it was Prophet Isaiah who advised medical treatment to the King (Isa 38:21).

Jesus endorsed the medical ministry to the sick (Mt 9:12). The good Samaritan applied oil and wine on the wounds of the robbed man and bandaged them (Lk 10:34). Luke was a "beloved" Physician, obviously because of his loving medical help to the believers and the ministers (Col 4:14). Paul encouraged Timothy to take a little wine for his chronic stomach ailment (1 Tim 5:23).

In the case of King Asa, he sought "only" the physicians. That was wrong. What was necessary on his part primarily was repentance (2 Chr 16:12). The woman with nonstop bleeding was not chided by Jesus for spending so much on doctors. Rather Jesus cheered her up and healed her (Lk 8:43-48). Medicine and Faith do not contradict each other. They can harmoniously coexist. In Christian hospitals, prayer, faith and medicine are administered together. Aren't doctors a gift from God? (Jer 8:22). There are surgeons who kneel down and pray in operating rooms before they pick up the scalpal.

There are godly men and women who would not touch medicine. It's a commendable faith. But that should not be thrust on others. "Do you have faith? Keep it to yourself before God" (Rom 14:22). All do not have the same "measure" of faith (Rom 12:3). Parents who don't immunize their children against polio are failing in their moral responsibility.

Preachers, especially healing evangelists, need not feel awkward to go to doctors, and then hide it from people. Let people know that preachers are perfectly normal human beings! (Acts 14:15; Gal 4:13). The full blessings of Redemption, especially for our bodies, can be realised only at Christ's return. Until then we enjoy just the firstfruits (Rom 8:23; Heb 9:28).

Prayer:

Prayer for Those in Need

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I call unto Thee, when my heart fainteth; lead me to a rock that is too high for me. For Thou hast been a refuge for me, a tower of strength in the face of the enemy. I will dwell in Thy Tent for ever; I will take refuge in the covert of Thy wings. Selah

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” - Psalm 136:1,26

Daily Devotion:

Loyalty to Lordship

"By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did" (Heb 11:4)

True faith on God accepts Him as the Lord or Governor. He is the only one worthy to be worshipped (Heb 11:4) and obeyed (Heb 11:7). The supremacy and preeminence in our lives must be given only to Him. Faith in the Lordship of God leads us to a fourfold action—

When we believe God is our Lord, we will honour Him with our best. All that we possess is only what He has given us. Cain brought to God the "fruits of the soil" whereas Abel brought "the firstlings of the flock and of the fat thereof" (Gen 4:3,4). Look at the difference in their giving. A man of God said, "Not how much we give but how much we take from God's gifts is what matters." We are only stewards and not owners of God's gifts —the talents, time and treasure. God is worthy of our best.

This kind of faith acknowledges the unworthiness of man before the great Lord and leads him to stand only on the merit of Christ's Blood. Faith is the confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the Blood of Jesus (Heb 10:19,20). Otherwise man is nothing but "dust of the ground." David exclaimed before God, "What is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him?" (Psa 8:3). Let this exclamation be ours too! If we believe that God is our Lord, accepting our nothingness we will joyfully sing, He is my everything!

Faith accepts the unquestionable supremacy of God's wisdom. Human knowledge is nothing before God's wisdom (1 Cor 1:25). He is Lord! Who can contend with Him? Could God's plan of testing Abraham, ordering him to sacrifice his only begotten son, be questioned? (Heb 11:17). When God is Lord, there's no place for such questions from our chicken brain! Has not God said, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so My thoughts are higher than yours" (Isa 55:8,9)? Even when we don't understand what He says or demands, we simply accept it because He is Lord.

If God is Lord, we would worship the Blesser rather than the blessing. Perhaps Abraham and Sarah were preoccupied with the child of their old age. God asked back what He gave. Our blessings must be poured out before the Lord. Our crowns must be thrown at His feet. We must of course rejoice over God's blessings but beware of idolizing them. What a testimony it was when David said, "Whom have I in Heaven but You? And there is none upon earth whom I desire besides You!" (Psa 73:25).

Prayer:

Prayer of Thanks

Throughout all generations we will render thanks unto Thee And declare Thy praise, Evening, morning, and noon, For our lives which are in Thy care, For our souls which are in Thy keeping
For thy miracles which we witness daily, And for Thy wondrous deeds and blessings toward us at all times. Amen!

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“[Spiritual Fullness in Christ] So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” - Colossians 2:6-7

Daily Devotion:

Which Church?

"The Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47)

New believers are usually advised in follow-up talks to attend a "spiritual" Church. How to identify a "spiritual" Church?

Churches can be broadly divided as Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal. The main difference is on how one understands the experience of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. It is wrong to say that the Pentecostal Churches are all "spiritual" and others are not. In the Biblical sense, the word "spiritual" is the opposite of "carnal" or "natural." Hence a spiritual Church would mean a Church without carnality. It is not the style of worship, the form of government, the mode of baptism or the method of breadbreaking that decides whether or not a Church is "spiritual." The deciding factor is its character as a group and the lifestyle of its members. In spite of the fact that all the gifts of the Holy Spirit were in operation in the Corinthian Church (1 Cor 1:7; 14:12a), Paul calls it a "carnal" Church (1 Cor 3:1-3). If we honestly analyse today's situation, there is always a mixture of spirituality and carnality. The percentage, of course, varies!

After rebirth one should choose a local Church where he can "grow" into maturity. Some of the characteristics expected of a spiritual Church—

1. It should believe the Bible as the Word of God. It must provide solid Bible teaching which helps believers to grow steady and strong.

2. Worship should be rich in the "truth" content and enthusiastic in "spirit" (Jn 4:23,24).

3. There must be a healthy relationship among the members of the Church. Upholding one another and sharing material blessings with the needy must be practised in the Church (Js 2:14-17).

4. It must be a Church where leadership is not vested on one man but responsibilities are shared.

5. The Church must keep missions and evangelism as its top priority. The Church must not be a clutch. Members should have the freedom to associate themselves with evangelistic agencies and involve themselves in any ministry of their choice.

Since no single Church has all these characteristics, do visit other Churches for enlarging your vision and expanding your knowledge. Don't expect too much and get disappointed. If disappointed, don't get discouraged!

Prayer:

My Help Cometh From HaShem

I will lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: from whence shall my help come? My help cometh from HaShem, who made heaven and earth.He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; He that keepeth thee will not slumber.Behold, He that keepeth Israel doth neither slumber nor sleep.

HaShem is thy keeper; HaShem is thy shade upon thy right hand.The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.HaShem shall keep thee from all evil; He shall keep thy soul.HaShem shall guard thy going out and thy coming in, from this time forth and for ever.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”- Psalm 100:4-5

Daily Devotion:

Sing! Don't Sink!

"Though God slay me, I will hope in Him" (Job 13:15)

"Bless God when He blesses you; but curse Him when He crushes you!" This was the philosophy of Mrs. Job (Job 2:8-10). Sadly many Christians are ruled by this philosophy. We may not actually "curse" God, but what do we do when we don't praise Him? If we follow Jesus only "because of" the blessings we receive from Him, our relationship and religion are utilitarian. Following Him "in spite of" buffeting and brickbats is true service and pure worship.

What the three Hebrew young men spoke before King Nebuchadnezzar weakened his strategy. They politely but firmly said, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. But even if He does not, your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up!" (Dan 3:17,18). The early disciples had the same spirit. When they were flogged for their dauntless witness, they rejoiced that God had counted them worthy to suffer dishonour for the Name of Jesus (Acts 5:40,41).

As we approach the end of endtimes, our days of adversity seem to outnumber the days of prosperity. That will be no excuse for our murmuring and complaints. Because, in the very first instance we are called not only to believe on Christ but also to suffer for Him (Phil 1:29). The New Living Translation renders it as the "privilege of suffering!"

An active Christian earns the frown of the devil. The devil will attack him in all areas of his life—physical, mental, spiritual, financial and social. If Christ died for us, no suffering of ours will be too much, and no sacrifice too great! Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was a German pastor. His opposition to Hitlerism led to his arrest in 1943. He was executed when he was just 39. "The Cost of Discipleship" is one of his outstanding books. Are we ready to die for our faith?

"We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us — they help us learn patience. And patience develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us!" (Rom 5:3-5b).

"For me to live is Christ; to die is gain!" - (Missionary Paul)

Prayer:

Prayer for Renewal

Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”- Colossians 3:15

Daily Devotion:

Prizes and Praises!

"I have fought a good fight; I have finished the race; I have firmly held the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the victor's crown" (2 Tim 4:7,8)

Christian life is a race, full of hurdles and hindrances, ups and downs, thorns and bruises, sufferings and shame. What encourages us is the honours and prizes that await us at the end of the race. Hebrews Chapter 12 discloses them—

1. We will see the Lamb of God, even the Lord Jesus, face to face, as the Finisher of our faith at the finishing point! (v2). He started the race for us and now He will be there to receive us with hands open.

2. We will enter the joy of the Lord (v2). The end of the race is eternal bliss. No more tears, sorrow or death. It's joy, joy and only joy—never ending!

3. Jesus "sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God" (v2). So shall we sit with Him on His Throne! (Rev 3:21). Our eternal occupation will be worship. No prayer, no preaching, but only praise!

4. Our sanctification will be complete—we will partake of God's holiness in all fullness (v10). We shall be transformed and be just like Him. We will enjoy the deliverance from the very presence of sin.

5. We will see the invisible God (v14). God who dwells in unapproachable light will then dwell with us literally. We shall be His people and He will be our God in every sense (Rev 21:3).

6. We shall fully enjoy "the blessing" of blessings, even our birthright as the children of God (vv16,17). "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit" (1 Cor 2:9,10). What is revealed now will be fully realised then!

7. Finally, we shall be serving God as kings and priests in His unshakable Kingdom forever and ever (v28). In all earthly races, people receive a cup or cash. But in the Christian race we will be receiving a Crown— "a Kingdom!" Unlike the races in sportsfield, the faith race is not a competition but completion! All can make it—not just one or two!

Far away beyond the shadows,
There a bright and joyful throng
Wave their palms of holy triumph,
While they sing the glad New Song!- (Julia Sterling)

Prayer:

Bless Ye HaShem - Psalms 134: 1-3

Behold, bless ye HaShem, all ye servants of HaShem, that stand in the house of HaShem in the night seasons.
Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, and bless ye HaShem.
HaShem bless thee out of Zion; even He that made heaven and earth.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.”- Psalm 1:1-2

Daily Devotion:

30 Years for 3 Years!

"Be diligent in these matters; practice these duties, devote yourself to them so your progress may be evident to everyone" (1 Tim 4:15)

While spiritual birth happens at an instant, growth is a process. Born as the Son of God, Jesus took about 30 years for His growth (Lk 3:23). He did not begin His public ministry until then. Luke records that Jesus "grew" in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and with men (2:52)—intellectual, physical, spiritual and social growth.

The Boy Jesus knew so much even at the age of twelve. His wisdom surprised the religious leaders and people. But He did not rush into ministry eventhough He undoubtedly had a sense of urgency. He waited. He refused to be pressurised by the needs around. This preministerial preparation of Jesus is tacitly overlooked by us to our own disadvantage and disaster.

In his first letter to Timothy, apostle Paul stresses that a leader should not be a recent convert (1 Tim 3:6). An immature person gets puffed up with pride when he is catapulted to positions of authority. He crashlands and brings disgrace to himself and dishonour to the work of God. Paul equates it to the downfall of the devil. In verses 4 and 5 the apostle speaks of proving in domestic responsibilities, and in verse 7 he calls for public dignity. These are neither learnt nor developed overnight.

Our pulpits are downgraded by immature ministers. They defend themselves quoting Paul who started preaching "immediately" after his conversion (Acts 9:20). What they forget is the years of rigorous training and teaching this Jewish zealot had before his highway experience with Christ. All through his life Paul was committed to his personal growth (Acts 9:22a; Phil 3:8-14). Even while awaiting execution, he asked for his "books" (2 Tim 4:13).

When we stop growing we start going down. Dullness in life and staleness in ministry will be the inevitable result. For consistent and nonstop growth, we must not just be regular in spiritual disciplines but stay passionate after God to know Him and make Him known. Everyday with Jesus will be better than the day before!

Day by day, O dear Lord, three things I pray:
To see Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly, day by day! - (St. Richard Chickester)

Prayer:

Prayer for God's Guidance

Govern everything by your wisdom, O Lord, so that my soul may always be serving you in the way you will and not as I choose. Let me die to myself so that I may serve you; let me live to you who are life itself. Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”- John 17:17

Daily Devotion:

Campus Crusade

"Seek first the Kingdom of God and the things acceptable to Him;then all these things shall be given you beside" (Mt 6:33)

Youth as well as parents usually have a question: Can youngsters, who should totally devote themselves to studies, indulge in prayers and Bible Study and involve in evangelistic activities? Let me tell you briefly about my college days. When I was a student in the Pre-university Class in 1962 in St. John's College, Palayamkottai, the Lord Jesus redeemed me this same day. I did my Bachelor's degree in Engineering from 1963 to 1968 in the Alagappa Engineering College, Karaikudi, and my Master's in Technology, 1968-70, in the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai. I passed out with flying colours. It was such an opportunity to spend all the eight years of my life in College with Christ and for Him.I would get up at 4 or 5 in the morning and spend an hour in praise and prayer (Psa 143:8). The next half an hour was for Bible meditation. I would not skip this time with God even during the exam season. On certain days I would spend midnight twelve to one in prayer. I would keep chewing a verse picked out from my Pocket Testament (Psa 119:97).

Evenings were all for God! Six to seven was for private prayer in the woods near the College campus, and the next one hour was for the gathering of our campus prayer cell. I would share with the cell members whatever I learnt in my personal time with God. It was this daily gathering that helped our growth in the knowledge and things of God. The prayer group I started in Karaikudi has been alive and active all these 40 years (1963-2003). After studying my textbooks I would read a Psalm and retire to bed—for a sound sleep! (Psa 119:55).

We would go on bicycles for rural evangelism in weekends. On Thursday evenings we would visit some lepers outside the town with some eatables, and have an hour of worship with them. We had a weekly fasting prayer also. I am thrilled to realize that God had already trained us during our student days for the ministries done today in large scale in the Blessing Youth Mission. Thank you, Jesus!

We'll come in the sunshine of youth's happy morning,
Our lives to His service we'll cheerfully give;
And pray for His Spirit to guide and direct us,
That we to His glory and honour may live! - (Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915)

Prayer:

Refresh and Gladden My Spirit

O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers.I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being.O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me.I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life. O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Your word is a lamp for my feet,a light on my path. ”- Psalm 119:105

Daily Devotion:

Condition or Evidence?

"If faith is not translated into action, by itself, it is dead" (Js 2:17)

"Not any good deed but faith alone saves,"advocates Paul (Eph 2:8,9). But James declares, "Faith without deeds is dead" (Js 2:17). For a casual reader, these statements seem to contradict each other. But it is not so. Here is an example—

"By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies with peace, was not killed with those who were disobedient" (Heb 11:31). Eventhough the Epistle of Hebrews was written 2000 years after Rahab's birth, she is still called a prostitute. Her life had been so dark. Nevertheless, she was saved by her faith. When two Israelite spies came to Jericho, she hid them under stalks of flax spread on the roof of her house and saved them from their enemies. Obeying the words of the spies, she tied a red rope on a window (Josh 2:21). Certainly her sin was red like crimson. But the slender scarlet string — her simple faith on the Blood of Christ — saved her and her family. Isn't the faith of this non-Jew astonishing? She had the privilege of begetting Boaz the great grandfather of King David. She finds a place in the list of the soldiers of faith in Hebrews 11. Many who were better folks than her failed to enjoy this privilege. Here lies the glory of simple faith!

Apostle James argues, "Was not even Rahab, the prostitute, considered righteous for her good deeds of lodging the spies and sending them off in a different direction?" (Js 2:25). Did Rahab trust the Lord only after her encounter with the spies? No, she had possessed faith even before that: "Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, I know that the Lord has given this land to you... the Lord your God is God in Heaven above and on the earth below" (Josh 2:8,9,11). What an unshakable faith she had on God! Yes, her faith in the Lord was already firm. It was as a manifestation of her faith that she accepted the spies, hid and saved them.

We conclude that what Apostle James emphasizes is not deeds to merit God's favour but deeds seen in our lives as an outcome of God's goodness shown to us. Good deeds are not a condition for salvation but an evidence. We are saved not by works but for works! (Eph 2:8-10).

Not the labour of my hands can fulfil Thy Law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears for ever flow,
All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone!

- (Augustus M. Toplady,1740-1778)

Prayer:

Prayer for Hearing God's Word

Father, I'm praying for all who need Christ...You are the God who gives life to the spiritually dead.

I thank You that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But Scripture asks, How can these I'm praying for call on Jesus if they have not believed in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they've not heard about Him? And how can they hear without someone bringing the truth to them? And how can they hear unless that person is sent? (Romans 10:13–15a)

Your Word does not return empty; it accomplishes what You desire and achieves the purpose for which it is sent. (Romans 10:17; Isaiah 55:11)May they hear the words of Christ, for His words are spirit and they are life. May the words that they hear not be stolen from their hearts. ( John 6:63; Luke 8:12).Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”- Psalm 119:18

Daily Devotion:

Why stop with Sky?

"I continue to press forward towards the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14)

The Biblical antidote for backsliding is that we must go on to perfection, leaving the elementary principles of Christ and not laying again the foundation (Heb 6:1,2).

This passage (Heb6:1-6) calls Repentance, Faith, Baptisms, Gifts of the Spirit, Resurrection and Judgement as the "elementary principles" or the "foundation." In the Primary School we studied 1+1=2; 1x1=1; 1-1=0; and so on. This is the foundation. This is important. One cannot afford to forget this as he passes into the higher classes. At the same time, isn't it unprofitable to study only these fundamentals again and again? As much as the elementary or foundational principles are important, moving from them onto higher and deeper truths is necessary. We should "go on to perfection." Just because the foundation is important for a building, should the foundation be laid again and again?! We must go on to the superstructure! How can we be protected from sun and rain unless the superstructure is built? We Christians are so backslidden that those who preach the above six principles are called as "full" Gospel preachers! Are we so blind to call the foundation the building?

Apostle Paul testifies of his life which is a challenge for our consistent and continuous progress in life: "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on... that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me" (Phil 3:12). His interest was "the knowledge of Christ," "the power of His Resurrection" and "the fellowship of His sufferings." To put it briefly, Christ's purpose for Paul was Paul's purpose in Christ. We must be ambitious spiritually. Higher and higher. Deeper and deeper. Wider and wider. Nearer and nearer. This should be our aim. For a Christian the sky is not the limit. Because, he has the "Heavenward call of God in Christ Jesus!" (Phil 3:14).

Spend as much time on knees and with an open Bible. It's not enough if you study How to Pray, How to Worship, How to Minister, and so on. You must also search from the Scriptures How not to Pray, How not to Worship, and How not to Minister. Do not stop climbing. If you stop you are sure to slide down. Forwarding prevents backsliding!

More about Jesus would I know, more of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see, more of His love who died for me!
-(E.E. Hewitt, 1851-1920)

Prayer:

Prayer for the Brokenhearted

O God, whose love restores the brokenhearted of this world:pour out your love,we beseech you,upon those who feel lonely, abandoned, or unloved. Strengthen their hope to meet the days ahead; give them the courage to form life-giving friendships; and bless them with the joy
of your eternal peace. Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”- Isaiah 48:17

Daily Devotion:

Input & Output

"Teach what you learnt from me to trustworthy people who are able to pass it on to others also" (2 Tim 2:2)

I have heard many say, "I do not refer to any Bible study help or Commentary but learn directly from God." This may sound spiritual but this is not Scriptural. Paul instructed his disciple Timothy to "give attention to reading" (1 Tim 4:13). Because, "the priest's lips should keep knowledge; people would seek the Law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts" (Mal 2:7). God has placed "teachers" in the Church for its growth and edification (Eph 4:11). Teachers can be either heard or read. The only way to be benefitted from teachers of the past or of distant countries is to read their writings. My advice to preachers is, "Use Bible Commentaries and Study Bibles freely. No one prevents you from going beyond them. Read as much as possible. People should learn atleast a few new things everytime they hear you. Travelling time can be profitably used for reading. Your output from the pulpit depends on the input you receive from your study!"

Of equal importance to Bible meditation is prayer. There are three secrets for a successful ministry: Prayer, Prayer and Prayer. It is neither by intellectual might nor by monetary power but by God's Spirit that any true work of His is accomplished. It is possible to begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh. Jesus, who accomplished so much in three and a half years, never allowed work to crowd out prayer from His life. There is a freshness about a minister who keeps inhaling the fragrance of prayer. If we do not learn to carry our ministerial burdens to the Lord in prayer, we will be crushed by them and finally collapse. Prayer exchanges our heavy burdens for the light yoke of Jesus (Mt 11:28-30).

Leonard Ravenhill (1907-1994) writes that a minister who is not praying is straying. Travelling is important but travailing even more. Preachers are in danger of asking the people to pray for them but often neglect personal prayer. Eagles fly high and in solitude. Those who wait on the Lord shall mount up with wings as eagles (Isa 40:31). To be much for God we must be much with Him. Poverty in prayer life will make a preacher pathetic on the pulpit. More prayer means more power; less prayer means less power; no prayer means no power!

Shut in with Thee far, far above
The restless world that wars below;
We seek to learn and prove Thy love,
Thy wisdom and Thy grace to know!

Prayer:

For Stewardship of Creation

O merciful Creator, thy hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us, we beseech thee, ever thankful for thy loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of thy good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees.”- Psalm 119:64

Daily Devotion:

Rules of the Game

"Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Cor 14:40)

We all are aware of the fractions of milliseconds which make or break a hundred meter dash Olympic record. Ben Johnson appeared larger than life when he brought billions of people to the edges of their seats, when they were watching him perform the miracle. But that did not last long. He was stripped of his gold on doping charges.

The Christian life is a race. Apostle Paul rightly said, "If anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules" (2 Tim 2:5). "The end justifies the means"— seems to be the spirit of the Christian ministerial world today. "Do anything, in any way, so long as it blesses the people and benefits the preacher!" This is totally alien to the teaching of Christ and His apostles.

The Christian ministry is compared to building construction also. The quality of the materials we have used in our building will be tested "on that day" by fire,even the Word of God (1 Cor 3:12,13; Jer 23:29). A new brand of preachers has come up, sanctifying all their methods and practices claiming, "God told me!" People who hear this are afraid to think further or discern. It has been clearly established that God never contradicts His written Word. Let us not forget the Scriptural principles while evolving fund-raising techniques and promotional methods.

Defection of Christian workers from ministries is another sad thing. The defectors should not be directly or indirectly encouraged by other ministries, without verification with the concerned leaders. Christian leaders should maintain high ethical standards. Remember the Tenth Commandment which says, "Thou shalt not covet anything that is thy neighbour's." Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you!

Leaders within an organisation as well as from other organisations must periodically come together for an honest and open-minded review of their ministerial methods and functional procedures in the light of the Scriptures. We must be bold enough to discord questionable things. Prophet Haggai repeatedly cried out, "Consider your ways!" (Hagg 1:5,7). We can be assured that God's work done by God's men in God's way at God's time will not lack God's support!

Let us seek the courage needed
Our high calling to fulfill—
That mankind may know the blessing
Of the doing of God's will! (Thomas A. Jackson)

Prayer:

The Lord Is Thy Keeper

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.The Lord [is] thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth,and even for evermore. - Psalms 121: 1-8

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,”- Psalm 95:6-7

Daily Devotion:

Intelligence & Influence

"You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.Live as children of light" (Eph 5:8)

God is not against us acquiring knowledge. But He would not have us put "knowledge" before "life." Man would not have lost Paradise if he had chosen to eat of the Tree of Life rather than the Tree of Knowledge. Human knowledge without divine life is deadly. True wisdom comes as a result of walking in the fear of God (Prov 1:7).

We are to use our common sense and acquired knowledge in making decisions for the routine matters of life. But when we are to find God's will for major issues, too much of reasoning may in fact be harmful. "My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord" (Isa 55:8,9). There's nothing wrong in analysing matters and discussing issues. This exercise does help to define the problem precisely and to focus the question sharply. But we must not stay too long in the valley of decision with our mental faculties alone. Sense knowledge is inadequate to comprehend God's ways. We walk by faith, not by sight or other senses (2 Cor 5:7). Only then we can be "well pleasing" to God in all our ways (v 9).

We don't obey and go even if God tells us where to go. But Abraham obeyed God and went out "not knowing where he was going" (Heb 11:8). Following our own wisdom is risky; but trusting God for the unknown is safe. Those who would not move until they have all the facts and details are not fit for God's army. The soldiers of the Cross are heroes of faith. They know "who" leads them. They are not bothered about "where" and "what."

While the Bible states that there is safety in having several counsellors and admonishes us to exhort one another frequently, overconsultation with people may confuse us. When we know for sure that God has spoken to us in our spirit and it is in agreement with the Scriptures, we must settle the matter there.

Jesus valued the company of His friends and fellowship of His disciples genuinely. But He stayed sensitive to discern when their counsel and advice came in the way of obeying His Father's will. We know how He sharply rebuked Peter for suggesting a Crossless religion. Jesus identified the clash between human and divine thoughts (Mt 16:22,23). When we consult the worldlings and not God for making decisions, He views it quite seriously. When I made a choice to leave engineering for evangelism, and shared it with my wife, she encouraged me to first resign and then inform parents. No problem, no regrets!

God's "foolishness" is wiser than men;
His "weakness" is stronger than men! (Apostle Paul)

Prayer:

I will sing of your love and justice;to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.I will be careful to lead a blameless life—when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart.I will set before my eyes no vile thing.The deeds of faithless men I hate;they will not cling to me.
Men of perverse heart shall be far from me;I will have nothing to do with evil.Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret,him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart,him will I not endure.My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,that they may dwell with me;he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.
No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house;no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land;I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the LORD.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”- Isaiah 26:3

Daily Devotion:

Unwanted is Wanted!

"The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone" - (Mt 21:42)

As a building engineer I have heard this statement made in various forms and occasions by masons. Looking for an ideally shaped stone they would keep rejecting one after the other. Finally they would settle for the best among the rejected ones! Jesus saw Himself as a rejected stone. Prophet Isaiah portrayed Him as "a Man of sorrows ... despised and rejected by men" (Isa 53:3).

None of us who truly follow the crucified Saviour can escape the cross of rejection. No man is fully accepted until he is totally rejected. Joseph was rejected but finally crowned. David was despised but finally enthroned. Jesus was rejected and despised by relatives and religionists. The world still hates Him. He has forewarned us, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you" (Jn 15:18). Apostle John repeated this warning, "Do not marvel, my brothers, if the world hates you" (1 Jn 3:13). Apostle James went one step further when he wrote, "Whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (Js 4:4b).

It was not an exaggeration when Paul testified, "We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us. We respond gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world's garbage, like everybody's trash—right up to the present moment" (1 Cor 4:12,13). At the same time it is possible we antagonize the world by unsocial gestures and lack of wisdom. This is wrong. Jesus grew in favour with men, didn't He? (Lk 2:52). The message here is that an evil world will not love a good Abel; an unrighteous world will not applaud a righteous Noah; a licentious world will not tolerate a virtuous Joseph; a corrupt religion will not accommodate a sincere Jeremiah; an immoral ruler will not garland a forthright John the Baptist; and a world sold out to sin will not embrace us if we stand against sin.

The context of this proverbial passage teaches us another valuable lesson (Mt 21:33-41). God's serious view of fruitlessness in the lives of His people is vividly illustrated here. If we keep on disappointing God, we alone will be the losers. God knows no defeat. He knows when to do what, how and through whom.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There's no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me—
O how much He cared for me! (Charles F. Weigle, 1871-1966)

Prayer: Habakkuk 3:15-19

You trampled the sea with your horses, churning the great waters. I heard and my heart pounded,my lips quivered at the sound;decay crept into my bones,and my legs trembled.Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,he enables me to go on the heights.For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”- Psalm 119:165

Daily Devotion:

Abba in Adversity!

"Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined?" (Heb 12:7)

More than any other time the truth of the fatherhood of God is appreciated when we pass through periods of suffering. The Father God has one Son without sin but none without scars! In Hebrews 12, the Chapter on Chastisement, God is called the "Father of spirits" (v9). That means, He knows everything about everyone. "He knows our frame and He remembers that we are dust. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. He will not always chide us" (Psa 103:14,13,9). As God takes us through trials and tribulation, let's stay submitted under Him with the confidence that he is the "Father of mercies" (2 Cor 1:3).

As children of the Father and joint-heirs with Christ His Son in the Father's house, if we share in Christ's suffering today we shall also share in His glory tomorrow (Rom 8:16-18). The Lord Jesus cheers us up today saying, "Let not your heart be troubled!" He states the reason why: "In My Father's house are many mansions... I go to prepare a place for you" (Jn 14:1-3). Reservation of rooms in the Father's mansions!

The good God is almighty, and the almighty God is good! Every thought of His is for our good, and all that He has planned for us in His wise counsel He will translate into reality in our lives and in His time. We need only remain quiet and content. Let us only keep on seeking His face and beseeching Him, "Abba, Father," for His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning! (Lam 3:22,23).

It is when we recognise God the Father's hand on us behind the trials of life that we can be assured of His "good purpose" according to which all things work together (Rom 8:28). The good purpose of the Father is that all His sons and daughters must become "conformed to the image of His Son" (v29). Here lies the answer to all the puzzles of life (Job 12:9,10; 9:24c).

Father-like, He tends and spares us,
Well our feeble frame He knows;
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes:
Alleluia! Widely yet His mercy flows! (H.F. Lyte, 1793-1847)

Prayer:

Most High, glorious God,enlighten the darkness of my heart,and give me right faith,certain hope,and perfect charity,wisdom and understanding, Lord, that I may carry outyour holy and true command.Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.”- Psalm 116:1-2

Daily Devotion:

Paupers turned Princes

"To him who overcomes,I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne" (Rev 3:21)

The salvation that God has provided for us is great and is full of splendour and wonder. For through His salvation He has promised full restoration unto us of dominion over all creation. Reminiscing over this the Psalmist says, "What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You take care of him? You made him a little lower than the angels, You crowned him with glory and honour, and set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet" (Heb 2:5-7; Psa 8:6).

Indeed, what is man, compared to the majesty and vastness of God's creation? We are infinitesimal and insignificant. This passage further adds that man is made a little lower than the angels. Angels can go anywhere because they are spirits. Also they don't die! But it is appointed unto men to die. Man is limited to space and time. In spite of the fact that man is created lower than the angels, God gave him dominion over the earth (Gen 1:28). But when man disobeyed God and sinned, he lost this dominion and was filled with fear and guilt. God did not leave him there but provided for him salvation through His Son. This salvation is restoration of "glory and honour."

The story of the prodigal son best illustrates this truth. His father provided him the best robe, a ring and sandals and a feast of "fatted calf." Thus he was fully and joyfully restored to relationship with the father, and position, power and dignity in the family. The son came to be just accepted as a servant, but the father restored him to a place of original authority with him in the house by giving him a ring! This is what salvation is. Promotion from dunghill to the Throne!

There is both a present and a future element in our restored authority. Jesus said, "All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth." Which is why even the demons obeyed the dictates of the seventy disciples. We all can enjoy this authority over the powers of darkness which war against men and our souls. However, the completion of our restoration is still in the future. That's why we read, "But now we do not yet see all things put under him" (Heb 2:8).

We know the enemy is not made silent yet (Psa 8:2). He is busy hissing and roaring. But a day comes when the Root of Jesse shall stand as a banner to His people — when "the nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole" (Isa 11:8,10). A day when the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord — only! (v9).

Prayer of Thanksgiving: Jonah 2:1-9

In my distress I called to the LORD,and he answered me.From the depths of the grave I called for help,and you listened to my cry.You hurled me into the deep,into the very heart of the seas,and the currents swirled about me;all your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, 'I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.'The engulfing waters threatened me,the deep surrounded me;seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down;the earth beneath barred me in forever.But you brought my life up from the pit,O LORD my God.:When my life was ebbing away,I remembered you, LORD,and my prayer rose to you,to your holy temple."Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you.What I have vowed I will make good.Salvation comes from the LORD."

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”- Psalm 94:18-19

Daily Devotion:

Faith is Fantastic!

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,and you will be saved and your entire household" (Acts 16:31)

Faithful proclamation of the risen Christ as the Lord and the Saviour took Paul and Silas to the innermost of dungeons. The two peculiar prisoners were prepared for everything. They met the persecution with a spirit of praise and prayer. Whether or not their hymns moved their fellow-prisoners' hearts, we are not sure. But their praise did move the Roman prison! Following a great earthquake, the foundations of the prison were shaken, all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosened. All these brought the Philippian jailor on to his knees. He fell down trembling before Paul and Silas and cried, "Sirs, What must I do to be saved?" What do you think was the reply? Paul did not attempt to deliver a sermon on Seven Steps to Salvation. Nor did he make him recite a long prayer of confession! He could answer the thirsty soul in one sentence, and I should say, it was the only possible answer that God Himself could have given the jailor: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).

Hundreds of thousands of people today ask the same question that the jailor asked. "What must I do to be saved?" This is the throb of their hearts. They visit places of pilgrimage, one after another, hoping to get their sins washed off by holy baths. Many perform charitable works to make up for the dark deeds of their past life. By nothing are they able to get rid of their guilty conscience, and so they starve for the peace of mind. There is only one way: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!"

During His earthly ministry Jesus went about healing the sick and setting free the demonpossessed. The disciples had the opportunity to accompany Him wherever He went and were eye-witnesses of all that He said and the miracles He performed. The disciples wanted such miracles to be wrought by their hands also. They approached Him asking, "What shall we do that we might work the works of God?" They might have expected Him to give a course and teach them the means and methods of performing miracles. To their disappointment, He replied, "This is the work of God that you believe in Him whom He sent" (Jn 6:28,29). Simple words but profound truth! It may imply nothing important to the present-day Bible Scholars who frantically seek to dig out deeper truths. In our desire to go `deeper' we have failed to go `higher!'

"I am a wretched sinner; Jesus Christ is my Saviour.This is the greatest of all my discoveries!" (Sir James Simpson, Inventor of Chloroform)

Prayer of Hope

O Lord, in Whom is our hope, remove far from us, we pray Thee, empty hopes and presumptuous confidence. Make our hearts so right with Thy most holy and loving heart, that hoping in Thee we may do good; until that day when faith and hope shall be abolished by sight and possession, and love shall be all in all.Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”- Philippians 1:21

Daily Devotion:

No Excuse for Excuses!

"It is written ... It is written ... It is written" (Mt 4:4,7,10)

When we sin we start giving excuses and blaming everything and everyone. This explains the continuously defeated lives of many Christians. The first Adam gave excuses for his failure. Under the same and even worse circumstances the second Adam, Christ Jesus, triumphed. Let's study two common excuses today and how we can avoid them.

Ignorance no excuse!

The commandment to Adam and Eve was specific and clear. No interpretation was necessary. It was simple and direct (Gen 2:16,17). Yet they failed. But we have no record that the Father God had told Jesus not to turn stones into bread or not to jump from the pinnacle. How did then Jesus overcome the enemy who tempted Him to do these things? He operated on the "principles" of God's Law. In the first temptation, to turn stones into bread, was a challenge of His Sonship and the sufficiency of the Scriptures. In the second temptation, to jump from the pinnacle, was a call to spectacularity and a suggestion to test God. The devil was cleverly trying to sow doubt in Christ's mind about God's ability. The third one was to attempt a short-cut method to sovereignty. Yielding to these would violate God's principles.

Never say, "I didn't know, so I failed." God has deposited His truth in our hearts. He has written His law in our minds. He has given the all-sufficient Bible in our hands. The Holy Spirit in us is constantly teaching us what to accept and what to reject. We don't need a specific commandment for each situation.

Tempters no excuse!

When God asked Adam whether he ate the forbidden fruit, he threw the blame on his wife (Gen 3:12). To Jesus came one of the most powerful temptations through Peter. While He was speaking about how He would suffer and be killed in Jerusalem Peter rebuked Him saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" Jesus at once recognised satanic suggestion to avoid the Cross, and He sharply answered Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan!" (Mt 16:21-23). Jesus did not for a moment entertain the temptation just because it came through His closest associate. This is what Adam should have done when Eve gave him the fruit. Instead of saying, "Get behind me, Satan," he perhaps said, "Get near me, Sweetheart!" What a tragedy for mankind! Temptations may be through someone we love most. It may come from the most unexpected quarter. "My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent" (Prov 1:10).


Prayer for Strength and Faith

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Dear Lord, see me through these hard times. In these troubling times, I am filled with unspeakable fears. I reach out my hand to you now, And ask you to walk besides me. I cannot carry all my burdens, But I know you can, and will. Please walk beside me. Please guide me. Please help me hold on strong, Through the trials and storms. Help me hold on to my faith, In even the darkest hour. Stay with me Lord, And show me Your way. In your love and Holy Spirit I abide. Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”- 2 Corinthians 10:17-18

Daily Devotion:

Jesus Calls!

"Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us? ...Here I am, send me!" (Isa 6:8)

Today is the birth anniversary of William Carey (1761-1834) who is called the Father of Modern Missions. He was a shoemaker and he became a Bible translator. All through the Bible, we see God's call given to individuals in various circumstances and how they responded. Moses was a soldier and God called him to lead His people out of Egypt! David was a shepherd and God called him to rule His people! Amos was a shepherd too and God called him to be a prophet! Jesus was a carpenter and He was called to fulltime ministry at the age of thirty!

Peter was a fisherman and Jesus called him to leave the nets and follow Him! Matthew was a tax-collector and Jesus called him to leave his office to serve Him fulltime! Paul was a tentmaker and God called him for a global service demanding all his time! Luke was a medical doctor and he joined Paul in the missionary tours! Whatever may be your profession, God can call YOU!

God's need for labourers is the same both in the Old Testament and the New. "The harvest is plenty but the labourers are few!" (Mt 9:37). There is always vacancy in God's work! There is rush and competition to become doctors, engineers, lawyers and teachers. But few are those who take up Christian service. Will you accept this challenge? Are you interested in literature? You can become a Bible translator. There are nearly 200 languages in India without the Bible. Are you a doctor? Oh how many medical missionaries are needed! Go where there's no doctor. There are many Indian villages without a clinic within 30 km radius. Computer programmers are wanted. God had only one Son and He sent Him as a missionary-martyr into this world! Dear parents, why not send atleast one of your children for the ministry?

David Livingstone (1813-1873) of Scotland was an explorer and he went as a missionary. C.T.Studd (1862-1931) of England was a famous cricketer and he took up missionary service. These and thousands of men all over the world found serving the Lord adventurous and satisfying.

Women are no exception. We still need Ida Scudders (Dec 9) and Pandit Ramabais (Feb 22). There were women in the evangelistic teams of Jesus and Paul (Lk 8:1-5; Phil 4:3). Even after her beloved husband and two sons were burnt alive the same day (Jan 23), Mrs. Gladys Staines continues God's work in the same place, because "There is only one life; it will soon be past; what's done for Christ, alone shall last!"


Prayer - Devarim 6: 4-9

HaShem Is One

Hear, O Israel: The HaShem our god, the HaShem is one.And thou shalt love HaShem thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart;and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes.And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”- 2 Corinthians 7:1

Daily Devotion:

Healing or no Healing!

"My grace is sufficient for you;for My power is made perfect in your weakness" (2 Cor 12:9a)

God is a Healer. He revealed Himself as Jehovah-Rapha, meaning "The Lord who heals" (Ex 15:26). He has never changed. His power is still the same. What is impossible for man or medicine is possible with God!

God's power to heal was manifested to the highest degree through Jesus during His earthly ministry. Jesus healed all kinds of diseases, and all who touched Him were made whole. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Heb 13:8). On the Cross He carried away our sins and our sicknesses (Isa 53:4,5; Mt 8:16,17). We are cleansed by His blood and
healed by His wounds.

The Holy Spirit has bestowed on the Church the gifts of healing (1 Cor 12:9,28). They are in operation. But our bodies are mortal. We are still subject to death (1 Cor 15:26). The total redemption of our bodies is still in the future (Rom 8:23). Until the day comes when there will be no more pain and sorrow, we may be subject to physical ailments common to man (Rev 21:4).

When a Christian believer becomes sick, he must resort to prayer. He must seek the help of the elders in the Church to offer the prayer of faith for him. And he must search himself to find if he had sinned. Whatever medical help is available may be accepted. Under normal circumstances he will be healed (Js 5:14-16).

But there are times when God does not choose to heal. The Bible tells of several saints who walked uprightly before Him but were still sick. Paul had to carry on with the thorn in his "flesh." God promised him sufficient grace (2 Cor 12:7-10). Timothy had his weak stomach (1 Tim 5:23). Epaphroditus was sick unto death (Phil 2:25-27). Prophet Elisha, who worked so many miracles, died of a disease (2 Ki 13:14). History abounds with examples of godly folks who were not healed. Fanny Crosby (1823-1915), an American poetess, became blind when she was six weeks old and remained so till death, but she gave us over 8000 hymns, one of which is Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

All good gifts come from God. He is not the author of sickness. But He uses it as a rod of chastisement or for some mysterious purpose we cannot explain. He is Sovereign. Ultimately all things, seemingly good or bad, work together for the good of His children (Rom 8:28).

Healing or no healing, God is God! His grace is sufficient in our grief!

Prayer

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, and though the mountains be moved into the heart of the seas;Though the waters thereof roar and foam, though the mountains shake at the swelling thereof. Selah

There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, the holiest dwelling-place of the Most High.God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, at the approach of morning.Nations were in tumult, kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.HaShem of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our high tower. Selah

Come, behold the works of HaShem, who hath made desolations in the earth.He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariots in the fire.'Let be, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”- Ephesians 2:10

Daily Devotion:

Patience for Promotion

"Submit yourselves under the mighty hand of God so He may exalt you in due time" (1 Pet 5:6)

The Feast of Tabernacles was near. Jesus' own brothers urged Him to go to the Feast and work miracles publicly. They said, "No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret!" (Jn 7:4). Look at His answer: "The right time for Me has not yet come; for you any time is right" (v6).

Eventhough it was His own brothers who suggested the promotional programme to Jesus, He politely turned it down. He knew that a natural man could not understand the things of God, and the carnal mind was enmity against God (1 Cor 2:14). So many preachers have missed the perfect will of God because of strained comparison and ill advice. How many ministries are corrupted and commercialised because of the lust for limelight! Show-off is totally alien to the Spirit of Christ. What a lesson the seraphim teach us in that they "covered" their faces and their feet when they ministered before the Almighty (Isa 6:2,3).

Jesus knew that promotion would come from Above, not from east or west or south (Psa 75:6,7). It was this firm conviction that made Him say a resounding no to a related temptation on the hilltop (Mt 4:8-10). He taught Himself patience to await the Father's time when every knee would bow before Him acknowledging His lordship (Phil 2:9-11). When people saw how Jesus fed over five thousand people with just five loaves and two fish, they wanted to make Him King. But as He wanted to wait for His Father's time, He quietly withdrew from them and went alone to mountainside (Jn 6:15).

Apostle Peter exhorted young people to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, that He might exalt them in "due time" (1 Pet 5:6). No man can exalt us to a place God has not designed for us; nor can anyone bring us down from where God has placed us. God will vindicate us for any injustice done to us. The earlier we learn this truth the better for us. We will be freed from tensions and conflicts. Self-promoting techniques simply place us at the devil's hands. The end will be miserable.

Therefore, be patient; and again I say, be patient!

O let me feel Thee near me — the world is ever near; I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear: My foes are ever near me, around me and within; But Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin! (John E. Bode, 1816-1874)

Prayer

Praise God

Hallelujah. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His abundant greatness. Praise Him with the blast of the horn; praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and the pipe. Praise Him with the loud-sounding cymbals; praise Him with the clanging cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise HaShem. Hallelujah.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Daily Devotion:

Common-sense & Counterfeit!

"Don't get involved in foolish and ignorant arguments that only start fights" (2 Tim 2:23)

More often than we think, common sense is a surer safeguard than many others. Someone wisely said, "When common sense makes sense, don't look for any other sense!" Sometimes we are told, "Don't rationalize. Don't try to understand these things through human intellect. These are supernatural things," and so on. But this argument is absurd. Because, God has given us a spirit of "sound mind" (2 Tim 1:7). In Christian dedication we are not called to "remove" our mind but to "renew" it (Rom 12:1,2). Mature believers are defined as those "who by reason of practice have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb 5:14). The thinking faculty is a gift from God. Christians must be good thinkers.

Paul rebuked the Galatian believers as "foolish" Galatians, because they embraced another gospel and were "bewitched" (Gal 3:1a). They began in the Spirit but started going after fleshly excitements (v3). The deceived are supposed to "come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil" (2 Tim 2:26). Peter's description of the false teachers in 2 Peter 2 is the strongest and lengthiest picture of them in the entire New Testament. In the previous chapter and the next he was "stirring up the minds" of the believers (1:13; 3:1). Therefore letting the mind into a state of neutrality is not spirituality but stupidity!

In some of the so-called revival meetings, people reportedly are roaring. It is justified as the voice of the Lion of Judah! The latest is barking. There are books which expound these as the "animal sounds of the Holy Spirit!" Christians, where are we heading? Now there is crawling and hissing. What next? We may soon need warning boards in our Churches as, "Beware of Dogs and Cobras!" Are we without "understanding" (Mt 15:16,17)? Does not "nature" itself teach us (1 Cor 11:14)?

Friends, these so-called new move and new revelations won't satisfy or edify your inner man. They are "wells without water"—deep but dry; "clouds without rain" — dense but no downpour (2 Pet 2:17). Return to the "old" paths; you will find rest to your souls! (Jer 6:16).

The Pauline instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:21,22 is conclusive:
Analyse — all things!
Accept — only good things!
Avoid — all questionable things! Amen!

Prayer

Prayer for Pentecost

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and enkindle in us the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and we shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”- Luke 12:6-7

Daily Devotion:

Bible the Boundary

"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psa 119:105)

Today we will look at the first God-given means of discernment, namely the Word of God.

The Day of Pentecost on which the Holy Spirit descended was an unusual happening in the Jewish history. The onlookers of the Upper Room event were quite confused. Concerning the strange things they witnessed, they started asking questions like "How is it?...Whatever could this mean?" (Acts 2:8,12). Apostle Peter was able to instantly defend the new experience of the disciples with the words, "This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel" (v16). The written Scripture was the final authority that gave full endorsement to what was "seen and heard" that day. Not only in this incident, but throughout their life and ministry the apostles referred to "what is written" and checked their preaching and practices against it (2 Cor 4:13; 1 Cor 1:31; Rom 12:19; 14:10,11; 15:2,3).

See what the apostles desired of the believers to learn from them: "You may learn in us not to think beyond what is written" (1 Cor 4:6). Where did the apostles learn this all important principle? Obviously from Christ their Lord who operated well within the limits of "It is written," eventhough His Father had given Him the Spirit without measure! It is ridiculous for anyone to think today that he has an anointing of the Spirit which can go beyond the writing of the Scriptures.

Beloved, beware of extra-Biblical revelations and experiences! Some preachers quote John 20:30 to justify their so-called power manifestations. They try to shelter under the words — "Jesus did many other signs which are not written in this book." But these defenders of novelties fail to look at what John says in the very next verse: "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His Name" (v 31). In other words, nothing more than what is written is necessary for our life in Christ. Whatever is written is enough! One of the very important rules of Biblical interpretation is, "Do not argue from silence!" Stop where the Bible stops. "Do not remove the ancient landmark" (Prov 22:28).

The carnal man is always interested in novelties. But Jesus is the same "yesterday, today and forever." Therefore "do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines" (Heb 13:8,9).

Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the Book widens and deepens with our years! (C.H. Spurgeon, 1834-1892)

Prayer

Seeking Healing From God

O God, the source of all health: So fill my heart with faith in your love, that with calm expectancy I may make room for your power to possess me, and gracefully accept your healing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”- Psalm 119:160

Daily Devotion:

Arms to give Alms!

"He who has pity on the poor, lends to the Lord;He will pay him back what he has given" (Prov 19:17)

Here's a prayer to make our hands a blessing to others—

"Heavenly Father, open my hands! "Your hands are always open. Hands of welcome and blessing. You manifested it perfectly when Your Son died with His hands open on the Cross.

"Open my hands, Lord, to give liberally. How can I give a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over if my fists are closed? (Lk 6:38). Help me always remember the words of the Lord Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). You have given us Your own Son and Your eternal Spirit. You have not withheld any good thing from us (Rom 8:32). Let my hands be swift to give and slow to grab. Let my savings be in Heaven! (Mt 6:19,20).

"Lord, open my hands to support those who are weak. Let me be like Hur and Aaron in supporting the weak and feeble brothers (Ex 17:l2). Let me not substitute counsel or suggestions for extending my own hands. I should never break the bruised reed or quench the smoking flax (Mt 12:20).

"Open my hands to relieve the suffering and those in pain. Let my hands be the extension of the hands of Jesus as I am a member of His Body on earth today. How He hesitated not to touch a leper though the traditions of His day would not endorse it (Mt 8:1-3)! Help me to lay hands on the sick with faith and compassion (Mk 16:18). Let me die to my prestige which prevents me from touching a suffering man on the street.

"Open my hands, Lord, to help the poor and the needy. Let me never grow tired of helping the poor because You have repeatedly said that the poor will never cease from the land (Dt 15:10,11). I keep on asking and You keep on giving liberally and without reproach (Js 1:5). How then can I rebuke a poor man who asks of me more than once?

"Dear Father, how many sinful things my hands have committed before I committed myself to You! Let me now abound in deeds of compassion. I lay my hands on Your altar. Without You I can do nothing. Help me, I pray in Jesus' Name, Amen!"

The only good thing we can do behind one's back is to pat him!

Prayer

Prayer for deliverance - Baruch 2:14-18

Hear, O Lord, our prayers, and our petitions, and deliver us for thy own sake: and grant that we may find favour in the sight of them that have led us away: That all the earth may know that thou art the Lord our God, and that thy name is called upon Israel, and upon his posterity. Look down upon us, O Lord, from thy holy house, and incline thy ear, and hear us. Open thy eyes, and behold: for the dead that are in hell, whose spirit is taken away from their bowels, shall not give glory and justice to the Lord:But the soul that is sorrowful for the greatness of evil she hath done, and goeth bowed down, and feeble, and the eyes that fail, and the hungry soul giveth glory and justice to thee the Lord.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”- Psalm 119:130

Daily Devotion:

Sweet `n' Sour

"When times are good, be happy. When times are bad, consider:God has made one as well as the other,so a man cannot discover anything about his future" (Eccl 7:14)

Sometime ago it was thought the deeper the poverty the greater the spirituality. Now the pendulum has swung to the other side! Radio, television, magazines and pulpits are filled with the prosperity message. Some prosperity preachers have gone to the extent to say, "If you are saved you must compulsory have health and wealth!"

Well, both the extremes are wrong. God balances the life of His children with times of prosperity as well as adversity. No man of God in the Scripture experienced otherwise. Paul said, "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. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" (Phil 4:12,13). Men of God learnt to praise God with contentment in all circumstances.

The Scripture verse the advocates of the prosperity doctrine quote often is 3 John 2, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." Even if we should take this text to be fully analogous and applicable to our physiological condition and financial situation, I wonder how many of us "do prosper in our souls."

Is it not that the prosperity of the souls of many of us rather poor and their condition rather weak with anaemia and anorexia? What would be our physical health if God should only bless us proportionate to our spiritual wellbeing? The vast majority of us would need crutches or wheelchairs and would be really paupers! Paul of the New Testament dispensation of grace admits "conflicts without and fear within" (2 Cor 7:5). Lazarus who hadgained heavenly bliss spent his earthly life in want and hunger.

Faith is not a magic wand to get whatever we need; or living in want and suffering an indication of poor faith. Hebrews Chapter 11 strikes a good balance. By faith they "received" as well as "offered." By faith they "prospered" as well as "suffered." Read the Chapter as a whole. How will it be if there is only day and no night, or, only night and no day? (Gen 1:5). Oh what wisdom of God!

For life's an experience God's children go through
That's made up of gladness and much sadness too...
But we have to know both the bitter and the sweet
If we want a good life that is full and complete! - (H.S. Rice)

Prayer

Lord, I thank you for the many times you gave me help, always listening when I called. n my darkest moments, when all seemed to be lost, there you were, at my side.

The Lord always listens and has pity; the Lord always comes to our help. Our mourning you change into dancing; you always clothe us with joy. - Psalm 30