Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”- Matthew 7:13-14

Daily Devotion:

Nazareth to Naphtali!

"The Spirit of the Lord is on Me,because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor" (Lk 4:18a).

Miracles are rare in meetings where the participants are mostly Christians. On the other hand, healings and miracles are commonplace in outreach programmes for non-Christians. What is the secret?

Isaiah has the answer from the mouth of God: "I was found by those who did not ask for Me. But to Israel He says: All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people" (Rom 10:20,21). God manifests His gifts and power when He is moved by the needs of the people. Physicians should be where the sick are. Concerning the gifts poured out by Christ thro' His Spirit, David prophesied, "You have received gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God might dwell there" (Psa 68:18,19).

Nominal Christians already know that Christ came, died and rose again. What they need is not evangelistic wonders but prophetic warnings! (Mt 12:38,39). Christ is not interested in repeating miracles for stiffnecked and unbelieving Christian communities. How He rebuked the people of Cana, Chorazin and Capernaum for their unrepentant attitude! (Jn 4:46-48; Mt 11:20-24).

Go to regions where Christ is not named. Visit villages to meet downtrodden people. Rush to flood-affected and famine-hit areas and such places where natural calamities have left the people shattered and miserable. Go to hills and jungles where tribals live under superstitious beliefs and fears for centuries. Mission fields present situations which baffle the best of minds. Rush there with your gifts of the "word of wisdom" and "word of knowledge." What's the use of arms and ammunition unless we fight the enemy with them and free the people?

Gifts of the Spirit Seminars which do not propel the participants to the unreached frontiers, where millions are held under the devil's spell, have completely defeated the purpose. There are tribal areas where every other person is demon-possessed. Rally there to cast out devils. Thousands of primitive villagers are dying of diseases without any medical help. Run there to exercise the gifts of healing.

Oftentimes God's primary intent is sacrificed on the altar of man's personal interests. Leaving Nazareth, Jesus worked in the land of Zebulun and Naphtali to give light to the people who were sitting in darkness! (Mt 4:13-16). This is a text which I just love! In June 2004 I was addressing the Christian community in Nazareth, my native town in South India. I gave a missionary challenge to the audience to leave the Christian "Nazareth" for reaching the non-Christians in "Naphtali!"

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.