Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.”- Psalm 119:93

Daily Devotion:

Divisive Devil

"We are not ignorant of the devil's devices" (2 Cor 2:11b)

Satan is behind all relationship problems, whether it is between spouses, or among saints, or in the society. As a liar and the father of lies, he makes people believe what's not really true and makes them suspicious of everything and everybody. God has taught us in His Word how we can overpower Satan in this battle.

Ephesians 4:26,27, "Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath nor give place to the devil." Holding anger for long—beyond sunset—even if it may be legitimate, gives foothold to the devil. Even God's anger is "but for a moment" (Psa 30:5). He may make us weep in the night because of His displeasure but He sends joy in the morning because of His favour! Are we holier and greater than God?

2 Corinthians 2:10,11, "Whom you forgive anything, I (Paul) also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices." A man in the Corinthian assembly had been living in outright adultery with his stepmother. Paul urged the Church to take disciplinary measures against him. He even ordered the members to deliver the offender to Satan so he may suffer physically but be saved spiritually (1 Cor 5:1-5). The Church literally followed the apostle's instruction. But Paul's fatherly heart would not let the offender "be swallowed up with too much sorrow" (2 Cor 2:6,7). He urged the believers to reaffirm their love to the repentant (v8). If they had delayed their forgiveness, Satan would have taken advantage of the situation.

"Truth divides!" "Jesus did not come to send peace but sword!" These are some of the most abused quotes in Christian circles. Folks with divisive mentality use these statements to justify their acts of causing splits in Churches. The devil has a better knowledge of all the proverbs and scriptures in the world than any of us. God Himself testified about Lucifer, "You were full of wisdom" (Ezek 28:12). But the devil invariably misquotes. If he tells, "It is written," we must know how to talk back to him and say, "It is also written" (Mt 4:6,7). No doubt we must speak the truth, but we must speak it "in love" (Eph 4:15a). The sword of separation Jesus spoke about was not among His children but between those who want to obey God's call and those who oppose it (Mt 10:34-39). How would He otherwise preach, "Blessed are the peacemakers"?

Prayer

Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands;serve the Lord with gladness;come before him with joyful song.Know that the Lord is God;he made us, his we are;his people, the flock he tends.Enter his gates with thanksgiving,his courts with praise;Give thanks to him;bless his name, for he is good:the Lord,whose kindness endures forever,fand his faithfulness to all generations.Glory to the Father forever and ever. Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 3:14

Daily Devotion:

Self-Control

"Add patience to self-control" (2 Pet 1:6)

A 16th Century Bishop used to say, "Self-control is nine-tenths of Christianity!" Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) commented, "Intemperance is one of the greatest—if not the greatest—of all evils known to mankind." King Solomon warned, "A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls" (Prov 25:28). Uncontrolled temper is an ugly fruit of sin. It's a wolf too ferocious for the flesh to tame. Our only hope is to let Christ transform our temper. Temperance is self-restraint in feelings, words and actions.

One of the paradoxical commandments in the New Testament is, "Be angry, and do not sin!" (Eph 4:26). I understand the meaning of this passage better from a modern paraphrase of the New Testament: "If you are angry, be sure that it is not out of wounded pride or bad temper. Never go to bed angry—don't give the devil that sort of foothold."

Tongue-control is supreme when we talk about self-control. "We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way" (Js 3:2). Solomon challenged, "Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him" (Prov 29:20).

Faultfinding and slander are the worst plagues the Church of Jesus Christ is suffering with. We don't realize — There's so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill becomes any of us to find fault with the rest of us!

How we react to slander and abuse measures how Christian we are! Attacks and counterattacks are unproductive. David said, "I am deaf to all their threats. I am silent before them as one who cannot speak. I choose to hear nothing, and I make no reply... I prayed, O Lord my God, Don't let my enemies rejoice at my downfall" (Psa 38: 13-16). When Shimei cursed David, one of David's men wanted to cut off Shimei's head. But David restrained him with the words, "If the Lord has told him to curse me, who am I to stop him?" (2 Sam 16:5-10).

As we get closer and closer to the end of the age, there will be more and more "slandering without self-control" (2 Tim 3:3b). Let's resist our impatient and impulsive desire to root out all evil instantly. We are not capable of doing a perfect job. We may mistake wheat for weeds! Wait for the Day! (Mt 13:24-30; 1 Cor 4:5).

Prayer

Praise the Lord, O my soul.I will praise the Lord all my life;I will sing praise to my God while I live. Praise the Lord, my mind and memory, my thoughts and deeds of this day. I will praise the Lord wherever I go; I will sing praise, for the Lord is good. Praise the Lord,strangers and friends;let us praise him for he loves us;let us sing praise to our God while we live.Glory to the Father forever and ever. Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“[God Disciplines His Sons] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”- Hebrews 12:1

Daily Devotion:

The best is yet to be!

"The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isa 11:9b)

At the Mount of Olives the disciples of Jesus asked Him, "What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (Mt 24:3). He listed a number of endtime signs and then concluded, "The Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come" (v14).

The Devil is more furious than ever because he knows that he has but a little time (Rev 12:12). He stirs up the powers of hell to work against soulwinners and evangelists. He instigates rulers to persecute missionaries. Persecution has always been there, but it will be intensified towards the end (Mt 24:9,10). The promises of Christ to the Church in Smyrna and the one in Philadelphia are for all missionary-minded Christians to claim: "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer... I have opened a door for you that no one can shut... Look, I am coming quickly!" (Rev 2:10a; 3:8a, 11a). A missionary evangelistic revival is widespread all over the world. Church growth has never been so rapid in all these twenty centuries. Over 75000 souls are added to the Church worldwide everyday. The Lord of the Harvest is recruiting workers even at five in the evening because the harvest is still plenty (Mt 20:6,7). If Pentecost is compared to former rain, we will have the latter rain now, just before the Return of Christ so that every field becomes a lush pasture (Zech 10:1). The Holy Spirit will manifest His power in an unusual manner at this last hour.

The primary motivating factor in the life of Paul for evangelism was the Return of Christ. He loved souls because he loved the appearing of the Saviour. He desired his spiritual son Timothy to imbibe the same spirit. When he reminded Timothy of the Great Commission, he oftentimes referred to the Second Coming (1 Tim 6:12-15; 2 Tim 4:1,2). Eventhough the Great Tribulation has not yet come, the troubles faced by nations of the world are already great! The future is bleak. Leaders are baffled. The Church of Christ alone has a valid reason to lift up its head in optimism. Nations are boasting emptily of their past glory, but the Church can boast expectantly of its future glory! The main reason is that the earth is going to be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea!

All over the world God's Spirit is moving;
All over the world as the Prophets said it would be;
All over the world there's a mighty revelation,
Of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea!

Prayer for Peace in Troubled Times

Dear Lord, in these troubled times make your presence known to all the peoples around the world so that they may see peace as the only way to salvation. Replace the anger and violence in our hearts with joy and tranquility and help us to seek the good in everyone. Cause us all to realize that without you we can do nothing that will bring us peace and joy. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”- Matthew 16:15-16

Daily Devotion:

Stepping Stone

"Though He was Son, yet He learned obedience through the things He suffered" (Heb 5:8)

Disadvantages in life usually keep us humble and obedient. Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was one of the most godly and successful American Presidents. He had a difficult childhood. His formal schooling was for less than a year. He failed in business in 1831 and was defeated for the legislature in 1832. The next year he again failed in business. His fiancee died in 1835. He was defeated for speaker in 1838. When he got married, his wife became a burden for him. Only one of his four sons lived past age 18. He was defeated for congress, Senate and vice-presidency. But he was elected as President in 1860!

There is no one without failures in this world. For those who love God no failure is final. Failures, crises, suffering, losses, disappointments and such things belong to the same category. In the providence of God, all these can be redemptively used to learn obedience.

Why does God take us through difficult and depressing situations? Hebrews 12:9 seems to give the most satisfying answer: "We have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and live?" Jesus was not exempted from this experience except that in His case there was and could be no failure but only suffering. The Son of God as the Son of Man graduated with honours in the School of Suffering, with obedience as the major (Heb 5:8).

Except in very rare circumstances, failures in life are due to disobedience to the Word of God and His revealed will. Failures are God's attention-getters. Failures bring us to knees. Repeated failures make us prostrate before God. If we don't learn from failures, we are only learning to fail. Henry Ford forgot to put a reverse gear in his first car. No one repeated that mistake. Hear the testimony of the Psalmist: "Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Your Word... It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes" (Psa 119:67,71). Failures break our arrogance and make obedience easy.

Some failures are beyond us, but we are responsible for most of them. An objective analysis of these failures would teach us how we can avoid them by watchfulness and diligence.

Not to the strong is the battle, not to the swift is the race;

Yet to the true and the faithful victory is promised thro' grace! (S. Martin)

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.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.”- Psalm 119:30

Daily Devotion:

Dear Doctor

"Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick" (Mt 9:12)

God works through natural as well as supernatural means to bring health to His people. There is not a single reference in the entire Bible that condemns medical help.

Dr. Ambrose Pare confessed, "I bandage, God heals." In answer to his tearful prayer God promised Hezekiah the King through Prophet Isaiah that He would heal him. "Then Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs... So they took and laid it on the boil and he recovered" (2 Ki 20:5,7). Did the Prophet underestimate the healing power of God by prescribing a herbal medicine to a leader of God's people? Or did the apostle Paul undermine the miracle-working power of God by recommending medicinal wine to a young leader in the Church? (1 Tim 5:23).

Jesus did not condemn the woman who spent all her money on doctors. Rather He comforted her and cured her (Mk 5:25,26,34). If sickness is a punishment from the Lord, the primary remedy is repentance. Here's where King Asa failed. He fell ill when he backslided. Instead of seeking God in repentance he sought the physicians only (2 Chr 16:7-12).

If you are firm in not taking medicine, good. May the Lord honour your faith. But remember that miracles are more an exception than a rule. Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread, but He expects us to go to work to earn bread. You cannot always expect crows to bring beef and angels bring bread! Thanks be to God for "beloved" physicians like Luke! (Col 4:14). Praise God for "good" Samaritans who pour oil and wine on the wounds! (Lk 10:34).

Don't sympathize with yourself. It makes your condition worse. Empathise with others whose condition is poorer and suffering greater. Amidst excruciating pain on the Cross, Jesus thought about His mother through whose soul a sword was piercing (Lk 2:35; Jn 19:25-27). It was when Job prayed for his friends the Lord restored his losses (Job 42:10). "Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble... The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness" (Psa 41:1,3). When you feed the foodless, house the homeless and cover the clotheless, "your healing shall spring forth speedily" (Isa 58:7,8). No one is too poor to give. People poorer than us are more than the richer. Do something specific to alleviate someone's pain so you may attract divine favour.


Prayer:Psalms 118: 19-29

Giving Thanks to HaShem

Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will enter into them, I will give thanks unto HaShem.This is the gate of HaShem; the righteous shall enter into it.I will give thanks unto Thee, for Thou hast answered me, and art become my salvation.The stone which the builders rejected is become the chief corner-stone.This is HaShem'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.This is the day which HaShem hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.We beseech Thee, O HaShem, save now! We beseech Thee, O HaShem, make us now to prosper!Blessed be he that cometh in the name of HaShem; we bless you out of the house of HaShem. HaShem is God, and hath given us light; order the festival procession with boughs, even unto the horns of the altar.Thou art my God, and I will give thanks unto Thee; Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee.O give thanks unto HaShem, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”- Isaiah 41:10

Daily Devotion:

Lash Rush?

"Judge nothing before the appointed time;wait till the Lord comes" (1 Cor 4:5)

This is the age of "Be-fast-or-get-lost!" Living in a fast world has trained us to be fast; often way too fast, rather hasty. But look at the marvelous patience of the Carpenter of Nazareth at odd circumstances. Now, it was a woman caught redhand in adultery. The accusers were Bible teachers and Temple leaders. They demanded a verdict from Jesus. But He bent down and began writing on the ground as though He did not hear. As the leaders kept on questioning Him, He replied, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." They were convicted and left one by one, leaving the woman before the One who alone had the right to stone her. Jesus then told her, "Neither do I condemn you!" (Jn 8:1-11). His patience with love towards each of us is just the same.

Jesus did not act on impulse. He calmly analysed the situation. He thought about the accused and the accusers. He took time, writing on the ground. Don't we keep scribbling on paper when we just don't know what exactly to do, or how to tackle a situation?We are commanded not to judge anything before the "appointed time" (1 Cor 4:5). Let's be patient with the faults of others; they may have to be patient with ours! Friends are separated and fellowships are broken because of judgmental mentality. If God is as impatient with us as we are towards others, what will be our lot? (Mt 18:21-35). Count seventy times seven!

Jesus could have returned long ago to judge this world which is sold out to sin. But He is delaying because of His unwillingness that anyone should perish without enough time for repentance (2 Pet 3:9). Folks are mistaking His patience for slackness, but He does not bother about people's opinion. He is concerned only about their salvation.

In the same way, people may call our tolerance as compromise. But we must always be restorative in our dealings with others, as Jesus was to that sinful woman (Gal 6:1). We are called to disciple people, not destroy them by our haste and hurry. Many times it is the plank in our own eye that blurs the vision against enlightened discernment (Mt 7:1-5).

`Tis mystery of mysteries indeed: Why O why my glorious Lord be
So patient and gentle with me who am but a fistful of dust;
He sets His eyes and on me His treasures open burst!

Prayer:

In the Day of Trouble

HaShem answer thee in the day of trouble; the name of the G-d of Jacob set thee up on high; Send forth thy help from the sanctuary, and support thee out of Zion.We will shout for joy in thy victory, and in the name of our G-d we will set up our standards; HaShem fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that HaShem saveth His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the mighty acts of His saving right hand.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.”- Colossians 2:9-10

Daily Devotion:

Distractions in Prayer

"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind" (Col 4:2)

Prayer is the underlying power to effectively wield any weapon of the whole armour of God (Eph 6:13-18). Therefore the devil does all that's possible to weaken our knees or divert our mind. Here's how you can defeat his mind-oriented strategy.

Apart from maintaining a spirit of prayer "always" and "without ceasing," choose that hour for prayer when you are really fresh. Prayer involves mind, spirit, soul and all. Jesus often chose the early hours of the day for His secret communion with the Father. Hudson Taylor (1832-1905), the Founder of China Inland Mission, spent several hours in private devotion each morning before sunrise. He testified that the sun had hardly seen him on knees!

Prayer means going to the Throne of Grace. We have access to the same by the blood of Christ. A conscious acknowledgment of the power and the merits of the blood gives us a strong footing against the enemy. Satan trembles when we appropriate the blessings of Christ's blood and make positive confessions (Heb 4:14-16; Rev 12:11).

Our prayers must be wrapped up in praise and thanksgiving. God inhabits the praises of His people (Psa 22:3). When the presence of God becomes more and more real, we get absorbed in the spirit of prayer and distraction is overcome (Phil 4:6). I have found switching over to praying or praising in tongues quite helpful (1 Cor 14:14).

When there is no focus in prayer, your mind will begin to wander. Be definite and specific about your requests. Keeping a prayer list and praying over the items one by one is helpful.

There is no command in the Bible to close our eyes in prayer! Dr.Oswald J. Smith (1889-1986), that great Canadian missionary statesman, used to walk up and down in his prayer closet with his eyes open and praying aloud. As far as possible one must choose a place where there is least disturbance and noise from the outside world. Jesus has taught us to shut the door of our room before we begin to pray (Mt 6:6)! Prayer is a conversation. I have found praying with an open Bible extremely helpful (Dan 9:1-3).

In spite of following all these principles, you still may have the problem of distraction. The moment you get a distracting thought, arrest it at once. "In the Name of Christ" is not phrase just to begin or end a prayer but our very authority and foundation for praying. Therefore pray with this consciousness throughout.

Prayer:

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.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”- James 1:21

Daily Devotion:

One Baptism

"He who believes and is baptised shall be saved" (Mk 16:16a)

Water Baptism is not an invention of a man or a Church. God the Father instituted it (Jn 1:33). God the Son commanded it (Mt 28:19). The apostles inspired by God the Holy Spirit instructed the believers to be baptised (Acts 2:38). The early Church consistently practised it (Acts 2:41; 8:12; 9:18; 10:47). The only person who never needed to be baptised was Jesus. Even John tried to prevent Him. But Jesus said that it was to "fulfil all righteousness" (Mt 3:15).

No spiritual experience is a substitute for water baptism. Cornelius the military official had his prayers answered and alms approved before God. He was even baptised with the Spirit and spoke in tongues. But Apostle Peter "commanded" that he must be baptised in water (Acts 10:1,2,45,46,48).

Water Baptism is an outward expression of an inward experience. It is a testimony of our identification with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 6:3-6). In baptism we symbolically say, "I die to sin and am buried with Christ (as I submerge under water), and I am raised with Christ to live for God anew (as I come out of water)." Baptism should not be thought of as a ritual (1 Pet 3:21). In Baptism we make a pledge with the Triune God, saying, "From here and now I belong to You!" The Gospel message is portrayed in the ordinance of Baptism. It marks a new beginning. Ananias told Paul, "Get up and be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on the Name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).

One should be baptised immediately after receiving Christ as his personal Saviour. The three thousand Jews who received Christ on the Day of Pentecost were baptised the same day (Acts 2:41). The Philippian jailor was baptised the same night when he believed on Christ (Acts 16:33). Do not postpone baptism which is a "counsel" of God (Lk 7:30). Delayed obedience amounts to disobedience.

No baptism, whatever be the mode, before personal conversion to Christ is valid. Where is burial before death? After a nominal Christian or a non-Christian repents to the "One Father" and believes on the "One Lord," he must obey in the "One Baptism" as a testimony to his "One Faith" (Eph 4:5).

O what do we see? "It's only water" say we?
It would bring ruin; deny the Lord's Word, should we?
It's only they who see with both eyes clearly,
Who hold water and Spirit baptisms equally!


Prayer:

The Joy of His Resurrection

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.”- John 15:10

Daily Devotion:

Yours for the Asking!

"God has not given us a spirit of timidity,but of power and of love and of sound mind" (2 Tim 1:7)

"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" (Acts 19:1,2). This was the very first question Paul asked a group of disciples. Not without reason. This is still the most important question for every Christian. The initial reception of the Spirit is called in the New Testament by various names: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Mt 3:11; Acts 1:5), Enduement with power from on High (Lk 24:49), Filling (Acts 2:4), Receiving (Acts 2:38; 8:15) and Anointing (Acts 10:38). Oh the glorious "Promise of the Father!" (Acts 1:4). A rightful inheritance for every child of God!

Folks encounter certain common problems while seeking the Gift of the Spirit. Because these are not tackled, we have simply too many chronic seekers who are never able to appropriate this blessing.

First, the problem of fear. Some seekers are very apprehensive lest they would receive a counterfeit experience. This is absolutely unfounded. Christ predicted that people would have this fear while praying for the Holy Spirit. So He said, "If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? ... If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" (Lk 11:11-13). Any comment needed for this passage?

Then the problem concerning faith. It is inconceivable that people think they need a greater and extraordinary faith to receive the Spirit than the one they exercised to receive Christ. Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are God's parallel Gifts. The disciples were not men of super-faith when they were tarrying in the upper room (Mt 28:16,17; Mk 16:14; Lk 24:41). Nothing more than a basic faith was necessary (Jn 7:39). It is after that the Holy Spirit comes on us we grow strong in faith. Faith is one of His gifts (1 Cor 12:9).

Then there is feeling. Each person is different in his emotional make-up. Accordingly the outward expressions will differ. Some people jump or shake or fall flat when the Holy Spirit comes on them. But it is wrong to expect everyone to do it. Facts first, faith next and feelings last. This order is important.

Some feel that they are not holy enough to receive the Holy Spirit. The fact is that we don't receive the Spirit because we are holy, but in order to become holy! Hallelujah!

Prayer:

Praise to the LORD

O LORD, you are my God;I will exalt you and praise your name,for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things,things planned long ago.You have made the city a heap of rubble,the fortified town a ruin,the foreigners' stronghold a city no more;it will never be rebuilt.Therefore strong peoples will honor you;cities of ruthless nations will revere you.

You have been a refuge for the poor,a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall and like the heat of the desert.You silence the uproar of foreigners; as heat is reduced by the shadow of a cloud,so the song of the ruthless is stilled. On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples,a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines.

On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples,the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever.The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. In that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us.This is the LORD, we trusted in him;let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation." - Isaiah 25:1-9

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”- Philippians 2:9-11

Daily Devotion:

Sacrifice is Service!

"I am the Good Shepherd;the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep" (Jn 10:11)

Service and sacrifice were synonymous to Jesus. He could not think of one without the other. Dare we? Christian ministry is not a forced labour but a friendly service which involves and includes sacrifice. Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (Jn 15:13). Ministry that costs nothing accomplishes nothing. There are atleast three things we must sacrifice if we are to do a service that pleases God and blesses people.

First, prestige. "Being in the form of God, He did not consider it a robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant" (Phil 2:6,7). We cannot serve people until and unless we come down from our so-called prestige and position to identify and intermingle with them. The sinless Saviour became the Friend of Sinners. Every Christian must earn this nickname. Preaching from a pulpit is not superior to distributing tracts in street corners. Writing books is not higher than colportage evangelism. Being a Mission executive is not nobler than working as a missionary among jungle-dwellers. Any form of Christian service is worthy of highest honour. We must be ashamed only to commit sin.

Second, pleasure. Jesus that day was so tired and hungry. But He was winning souls. His hunger was more for folks than for food. He told His disciples, "I have food to eat of which you do not know... My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (Jn 4:32-34). Prophet Amos pronounces woe on the lazy Zionists. "They lie on the beds of ivory, stretch out on their couches, eat lambs from the flock and calves from the stall, chant to the sound of stringed instruments, invent for themselves musical instruments like David, drink wine from bowls and anoint themselves with the best ointments, but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph!" (Am 6:4-6). Joseph typifies those in bondage and slavery. Constrained by the love of God for these people we should come out of our seats of luxury and chambers of pleasure to save them.

Third, our possessions. Jesus was rich but He became poor to make us rich. So also we must open up our purses and give away our money liberally so the poor may have the Gospel. Jesus profusely appreciated the widow's mites and Mary's perfume. Because, both meant sacrifice. We must give until it affects us. Andrew Murray (1828-1917) said, "We ask how much a man gives; Christ asks how much he keeps!"

Prayer:

Prayer of Repentance

Merciful God,we have sinned in what we have thought and said, in the wrong we have done and in the good we have not done.We have sinned in ignorance: we have sinned in weakness:we have sinned through our own deliberate fault.We are truly sorry.We repent and turn to you.Forgive us, for our Saviour Christ's sake,and renew our lives to the glory of your name.Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”- Matthew 4:4

Daily Devotion:

School of Suffering

"All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" - (2 Tim 3:12)

No Christian can escape the school of suffering. That is part and parcel of God's plan. No one other than Jesus suffered mentally and physically as Job did. We might profitably learn from Job's example how to face suffering.

Job gave praise to God for everything including his suffering. He stated, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord" (1:21). Job says that all things whatsoever that happened to him were but God's provision, received from His hand. This is not an exaggeration. Note that in the very next verse the Holy Spirit endorses and approves Job's statement. We are admonished to give thanks to God in everything (1 Thess 5:18), and make our requests known to Him with thanksgiving (Phil 4:6).

Job said, "Shall we indeed accept good from God... and not adversity?" As we accept whatever God allows in our life we would see that all things work together for our good (Rom 8:28) and that nothing will separate us from His love (Rom 8:35-39).

In the midst of his severe trials and such painful situations, listen to Job as he tells his friends, "Teach me and I will hold my tongue; cause me to understand wherein I have erred" (Job 6:24,25). This indicates the level of Job's maturity to be open and humble before his not so comforting friends. At times God does allow difficulties to correct our deficiencies. We ought to keep silent, find out where we failed and take efforts to correct ourselves.

As Job looks back at all the good God had done in his life, he realises amidst his agony his utter worthlessness. He is moved to tears as he muses on how much God cares to consider man as if he mattered at all, and asks in wonder, "What is man that You should magnify him, that you should set your heart on him, that you should visit him every morning?" (Job 7:17,18). May we too understand and accept that we are but lesser than the least, andGod is higher than the heavens? (1 Cor 15:9,10; Eph 3:8).

He saw me stall and hesitate,
And asked so lovingly, "My son, why?"
Into my heart so filled with awe and wonder
He gave so graciously His own perfect Word.(Dr. Clifford Kumar)

Prayer:

Prayer for Peace

O God, you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on you; for in returning and rest we shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be our strength.Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”- Ephesians 3:20-21

Daily Devotion:

Youth for Christ

"Young men, you are strong and the Word of God abides in you;you have overcome the wicked one" (1 Jn 2:14)

Bartholomeus Ziegenbalg (1682-1719) of Germany, the first missionary to translate the Bible into the Tamil language, was born today. Right early in his life as a 16 year old, he committed his life to Christ, served God faithfully in obedience to Him and died at only 37 years of age. Through his pioneering efforts the Tamil Bible became the first Bible to be translated and printed in South Asia. When God called Jeremiah, he replied, "Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth" (Jer 1:6). But God corrected him, "Do not say, I am a youth." He gave the following seven reasons why Jeremiah should not hesitate to accept His commission—

(1) I have CHOSEN you! - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations" (v5)

(2) I am SENDING you! - "You shall go to all to whom I send you" (v7)

(3) I am ACCOMPANYING you! - "Do not be afraid of their faces; I am with you to deliver you" (v8)

(4) I am TEACHING you! - "The Lord said to me: Behold, I have put My words in your mouth"(v9)
(5) I am AUTHORIZING you! - "See I have this day set you over the nations... to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant" (v10)
(6) I am GUIDING you! - "The Word of the Lord came to me, saying, Jeremiah... I am ready to perform My Word" (vv11-16)
(7) I am STRENGTHENING you! - "Behold, I have made you this day a fortified city and an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land" (vv17-19)

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, 1823-1915)

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...Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.”- Psalm 138:2

Daily Devotion:

The Cross Combine

"Putting to death hostility by the Cross, thereby reconciling them both as one Body through Christ in God" (Eph 2:16)

We have been pondering over the essential need to experience oneness amongst various Christian denominations and organisations, and the means to achieve it. Let us this day conclude the meditation of this subject by looking at two more steps to bring about unity.

Emphasize the centrality of the Cross.

If Jews and non-Jews could be brought together, unity is possible between any groups of Christians. Jews and non-Jews were so hostile towards each other that the Jews were even capable of calling their non-Jewish neighbours as dogs. The Jew would have thought that the Messiah would call the Gentiles to become Jews. But He put the Cross at the centre and called both the groups to meet there. The enmity was killed by the Cross. The middle wall of division was broken down (Eph 2:14-16).

The Cross is the symbol of reconciliation. The vertical staff speaks of man's reconciliation with God; and the horizontal speaks of man's reconciliation with his fellowmen. One leads to the other and one cannot exist without the other (Prov 16:7; 1 Jn 4:20,21). Let's learn to boast of the Cross only, instead of crowing about our styles and accomplishments. When the Cross is lifted up, everything loses its charm and everyone will run to its shadow. Hero-worshipping of any preacher or leader is out when the Cross is brought to the focus (1 Cor 1:12,13).

Pray for a Holy Spirit revival.

The outcome of the revival portrayed in the vision of dry bones was not just that they became a great army. God performed the miracle of joining the two sticks of Judah & Co. and Joseph & Co. into one. He said, "I will make them ONE nation in the land ... and ONE King shall be King over them all; they shall NO LONGER BE TWO nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again" (Ezek 37:16-22).

The result of Pentecost was just the same. "All who believed were TOGETHER." "They raised their voice to God with ONE ACCORD." "The multitude of those who believed were of ONE HEART and ONE SOUL" (Acts 2:44; 4:24,32). Do it again, O Lord! The Holy Spirit is a spirit of love. Through His fruit of peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness, He enables God's people to live in harmony (Gal 5:22,23).

Prayer:

Prayer for God's Guidance

We beseech Thee, O Lord, let our hearts be graciously enlightened by Thy holy radiance, that we may serve Thee without fear in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life; that so we may escape the darkness of this world, and by Thy guidance attain the land of eternal brightness; through Thy mercy, O blessed Lord, Who doest live and govern all things, world without end. Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”- Psalm 18:30

Daily Devotion:

Unity in Diversity!

"Do all things without murmuring and disputing" (Phil 2:14)

We continue our meditation today also on that matter of paramount importance—Christian Unity. If we would only set aside whatever difference of opinion amongst us and stand united for the cause of our Father's Name and honour, we would see wonders within and without the Church. Here are two more steps for unity.

Teach and exercise unity in small groups.

Everything starts small in the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is like "a mustard seed." It is now a "little flock." Jesus taught His disciples about a gathering of "two or three." After His three and a half year ministry, they were about 120 disciples. They were with "one accord" (Acts 1:14,15). When the number multiplied to 3000, and then to 5000, they could maintain the same oneness (2:41,44; 4:4,32). Today is World Population Day!

The character of small units will be reflected in the larger group. Home cells are a good ground for exercising oneness. In the New Testament times they had local house gatherings. Christians of various Churches and denominations living in one locality can come together in spacious houses periodically for prayer and sharing. This kind of fellowship will not only enhance Christian unity but also leave a powerful impact on the non-Christian neighbours. What a thousand member Church will not be able to accomplish, local house groups will do much easily. This is how "fear come upon every soul," following Pentecost (Acts 2:43,46,47).

Strive for spiritual and not structural unity.

Unity among Christians does not mean bringing Churches and denominations under one structural roof. We are not talking about union but unity. The Church is not a club. It's an organic body. The commonality between Christians and congregations must be life. Those dead "to" sin cannot fellowship with those dead "in" sin. Jesus pointed out, "God is the God of the living, not the dead" (Mt 22:32). Isaac and Ishmael cannot dwell together. God would not allow Abraham to provide even an out-house for Ishmael (Gal 4:28-31). God's law does not permit ploughing with an ox and a donkey together (Dt 22:10).

We must also remember that oneness is not sameness, and unity is not uniformity. The beauty of God's creation is in its variety. So also in the congregations of recreated men and women. We have so many forms of worship, methods of administration, and types of evangelism. This is our strength: Unity in diversity!

Prayer:

Prayer for Those in Need of Respect

Most merciful God,there are many in this city who hate themselves, who consider their lives worthless, who have not known the healing of love. Touch them with the wonder and power of your transforming love that their lives may be made whole,that they may find fulfillment in life, that they may rejoice in your blessing. Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”- Matthew 24:35

Daily Devotion:

I for You... You for Me!

"That there should be no schism in the body, each member should have the same care for each other" (1 Cor 12:25)

We continue our meditation on the need for and the means to achieve unity of heart and purpose among us as God's children.

Recognise and respect the strengths of others.

Instead of recognizing the strengths of others, we normally criticize their weaknesses. No wonder we all suffer discouragement. When Paul realized that God had primarily called him to evangelize the Gentile world, he recognized that Peter was specifically equipped to reach the Jewish community (Gal 2:8). Similarly Peter acknowledged the rich Bible teaching ministry of Paul (2 Pet 3:15,16). Lack of such mutual recognition will lead us to overlapping, duplication and competition resulting in rivalry. What a lesson we learn from Joab the military commander of Israel! He told his brother Abishai, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, But if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you... Be of good courage and let us be strong for our people and the cities of our God" (2 Sam 10:10-12). One's strength helps in the weakness of the other. "Iron sharpens iron" (Prov 27:17).

Evangelicals are strong in the exposition of the "Word." Roman Catholics and mainline Protestants are good in "deeds" of charity. Pentecostals are mighty in "signs." None of these three can get the job done alone. Only when all the three come together, we can witness the sweeping influence of the Gospel to bring non-Christians to faith and obedience. The Pauline method was to combine all these three in missionary evangelism (Rom 15:18,19).

Relate freely with para-Church organisations.

All through Church history God has used para-church organisations as a link between Churches of various denominations. This is because of the interdenominational or transdenominational nature of such organisations. The word "para" throws many pastors off gear. The Holy Spirit was named by Christ as "Para-clete," which simply means "one called alongside to help." It's a Greek word. Technicians, nurses and therapists are called Para-medicals. Certain things they can definitely do better than doctors. This should not make doctors feel threatened or insecure. Para-church organisations are not a substitute but a supplement to the local churches. Encouraging congregations work together with such organisations for at least common worthwhile programmes will break the ice!

Prayer:

Prayer for Comfort

Almighty God, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, come to my help and deliver me from this difficulty that besets me. I believe Lord, that all trials of life are under Your care and that all things work for the good of those who love You. Take away from me fear, anxiety and distress. Help me to face and endure my difficulty with faith, courage and wisdom. Grant that this trial may bring me closer to You for You are my rock and refuge, my comfort and hope, my delight and joy. I trust in Your love and compassion. Blessed is Your name forever and ever. Amen.

Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”- Romans 12:3

Daily Devotion:

Ten then, but now?

"God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor 9:7b)

One of the commonest questions of Christians is, Is tithing compulsory? This is the question of a thankless heart. For all that God has bestowed on us, the tithe, that is the one tenth, is the minimum we can give Him to thank and honour Him.

Abraham tithed when there was no law of tithing (Gen 14:20). His was a voluntary act of thanksgiving. His grandson Jacob voluntarily promised God, "Of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You" (Gen 28:22).

This voluntary practice became a law of God to His people when the Nation of Israel was constituted. The Law given through Moses says, "All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's. It is holy to the Lord" (Lev 27:30).

The Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day were tithing of even "mint and anise and cummin," but they left out justice and mercy and faith. So He taught them that the act of tithing must be done in the attitude of love (Mt 23:23).

We have the New Covenant following the death of Christ, and under this there is no legalistic teaching on tithing. Because the New Covenant is a "better" Covenant, better methods of giving are taught: Cheerful giving (2 Cor 9:7), Liberal giving (2 Cor 8:2), Sacrificial giving (2 Cor 8:3). Therefore for a Christian today tithing is a good place to "start," but he must grow in it. We must give and give and keep on giving until it affects us! That which costs us nothing is worth nothing (2 Sam 24:24).

A poor widow gave away all she had (Mk 12:41-44). Mary poured out all her savings (Mk 14:3-9). Jesus praised both of them profusely. Going from "tithe" to "total" is part of Christian growth (2 Cor 8:7). Those who don't even give a tenth of their income to God are called thieves and robbers (Mal 3:8).

We have entered second half of this year today. If in your life and family you don't have the habit of setting aside atleast ten percent of your income for God, begin today. Don't start spending immediately after you receive your salary. Kneel down before God, thank Him for His blessing, set aside His portion, and after that go ahead with your payments and purchase. This is a healthy habit.

Prayer:

Prayer for Those in Need - Psalms 61: 1-4

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings.