Month: September 2009 Page 2 of 3

Can Humpty Dumpty be put together again?

On September 16, 2009

As I pondered over what I should write on the aspect of ‘brokenness’ for Hidden Treasures today, I was reminded of the poem, Humpty Dumpty, that we are all probably at least aware of. And then, the poet in me was quickened and given below is what resulted, provided for your reading pleasure.

The premise of the poem is based on the scripture verse found in Psalm 51:17

Psalm 51:17 (KJV)¹⁷The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Mano Paul sat on a wall
Mano Paul had a great fall
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
Could not put Mano Paul together again

But then THE KING said, Come on here
I cannot bear to see your eyes tear
My potter hands mend and My Spirit will restore
Your shattered and broken life stronger than before

Now Mano Paul has leaped over the wall
And Mano Paul has no fear to fall
For each time he does, he looks up to see
That he is indeed in the King’s hand and his heart fills with peace

Now I reckon that you personalize this by re-reading this poem by replacing my name with yours.

Line by line explanation of the poem, for those interested –

Mano Paul sat on a wall
(Life on a wall with God on one side and the world on the other)
Mano Paul had a great fall
(Toward the side of the world, falling in sin and living under its bondage)
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
(All of the world’s efforts)
Could not put Mano Paul together again
(were futile in restoring the relationship back to God, putting you back on the other side of the wall)

But then THE KING said, Come on here
(Jesus, THE KING of Kings beckons, come follow me – Luke 18:22)
I cannot bear to see your eyes tear
(Jesus will wipe away all your tears – Revelation 7:17)
My potter hands mend and My Spirit will restore
(We are clay in the potter’s hand to be fashioned according to God’s plan – Jeremiah 18:6; The blind man sight was restored, and he saw clearly when Jesus put his hands on his eyes – Mark 8:25)
Your shattered and broken life stronger than before
(And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies – Psalm 105:24)

Now Mano Paul has leaped over the wall
(Moved from sin unto salvation, from the side of the world to the side of God, when you believe in the restoration by Jesus – Hebrews 9:28)
And Mano Paul has no fear to fall
(The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down – Psalm 37:23-24)
For each time he does, he looks up to see
(I will life up mine eyes … my help comes from the Lord – Psalm 121:1-2)
That he is indeed in the King’s hand and his heart fills with peace
(For the Lord upholdeth the good man in his hands – Psalm 37:24; Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.- Isaiah 26:3)

Mano Paul sat on a wall
Life on a wall with God on one side and the world on the other

Mano Paul had a great fall
Toward the side of the world, falling in sin and living under its bondage

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
Could not put Mano Paul together again
The world efforts (king’s horses and men) were futile in restoring the relationship back to God

But then THE KING said, Come on here
Jesus (THE KING) beckons, come follow me (Luke 18:22)

I cannot bear to see your eyes tear
Jesus will wipe away your tears (Revelation 7:17)

My potter hands mend and My Spirit will restore
We are clay in the potter’s hand to be fashioned according to his plan (Jeremiah 18:6); After that Jesus put his hands again upon the blind man eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly (Mark 8:25)

Your shattered and broken life stronger than before
And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies (Psalm 105:24)

Now Mano Paul has leaped over the wall
Moved from sin unto salvation, from the side of the world to the side of God, when you believe in the restoration by Jesus (Hebrews 9:28)

And Mano Paul has no fear to fall
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down (Psalm 37:23-24)

For each time he does, he looks up to see
I will life up mine eyes … my help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121:1-2)

That he is indeed in the King’s hand and his heart fills with peace
For the Lord upholdeth the good man in his hands (Psalm 37:24); Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)

Unbreakable

By Mano Paul

On September 15, 2009

In Broken, Christian

Though this article’s title may make one wonder if its contents are about M. Night Shymalan’s mystery thriller with supernatural overtones that revolves around a man who learns something extraordinary about himself after a devastating accident, I can assure you, it is not.

This title is taken from the Holy and infallible word of God, wherein it is recorded in the book of Ecclesiastes, where the speaker before the assembly (ekklesia) states in chapter 4 verse 12, that a threefold cord is not easily broken. The imagery I have when I read this text is the rope that is made up of coir (coconut fibers) and in order for me to break that, I need to separate the strands from one another before attempting to break it. Failure to separate the strands before trying to break the cord is usually futile.

I remember sharing from this text in the wedding reception of my brother, Remo’s and also in the wedding reception of a family friend. The premise of the message from this text was this. With a divorce rate so high and ever increasing, homes are broken and lives are shattered. Why is something that God hates (and yes God hates divorce) so prevalent in our times today? The Bible has the answer and we can see the relevance to this in this text.
You and your spouse are two persons made one (in marriage) and the two of you should be inter-twined with God and made one. It is God who is the third person in your marriage, but he needs to be wrapped in with you two, so that your relationships with Him and with each other is solidified. We should not let God, the third person in your marriage be a third person in our lives as well. This is the grounds for separation and weaknesses in marriages. It is only befitting that I share the words of a song by Cliff Richard that I used to listen to when I was growing up –

You and me and Jesus; Jesus, me and you
On our own, we’d break; with Him we will make it through
Jesus, take us, make us what you want us both to be
I give myself to her; she gives herself to me.

However, note that this does not apply only to a marriage relationship but to any relationship. It may be a parent-child relationship, a business partnership, an employer-employee relationship, a teacher-student relationship, etc. In all of these, it is imperative to ensure that the one who wraps around the relationship and strengthens it must be God.

Isn’t it interesting that even in the very essence of God, we see this to be evident – One God, three persons as God the Father, Jesus the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

The question that remains then is “Are you/Am I unbreakable?”

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (KJV)¹²And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

For a related reading, see Habit #6 – Partner with God and his people

Broken piggy bank

By Mano Paul

On September 14, 2009

In Broken, Christian

My beloved wife, Sangeetha, in a conversation about inculcating the principles of saving in our much loved son, Reuben, expressed to me how in India, piggy banks are usually pots made of clay and in order for someone to get the contents from within, the only way they could do so was by breaking the pot. Interestingly, ‘pygg’ in Middle English referred to the clay used to make jars and kitchen pots and in the 18th century, the term ‘pygg jar’ was the changed into ‘pig bank’.

As she shared, I was struck with a profound revelation hidden in the Scriptures. Like the piggy banks made of clay, we are made in the image of God from the dust of the earth and the Bible refers to our bodies as jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7). Just as within the piggy bank, is stored content of high value, so we store in our jars of clay, THE TREASURE of high value, which is the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). But what is really the most important for us to not lose track of, is that whatever is present within the piggy banks is of little value and cannot be used as long as it remains within the piggy bank, however, when the piggy bank is broken, the valuable contents are now made available for use. Similarly, unless we break ourselves down, the treasure of Jesus Christ in us, just remains within us, but when we break ourselves, He is made available for the use (of salvation) to many. We need to be broken, humbling ourselves, becoming meek and decreasing in our self, so that He (Jesus) will increase.

The question then to reflect upon is Are you/Am I ready to be broken?

2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV)⁶ For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.⁷But we have this treasure in earthen vessels (jars of clay), that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

A call for warriors, not just workers

By Mano Paul

On September 11, 2009

In Become a Child, Christian, Independence Series, Reuben, Videos

It is the eight anniversary of the infamous and heinous attacks by kamikaze terrorist groups commonly referred to as the September 11 attacks or the 911 attacks. Although superficially it may seem as if the attacks were orchestrated against the American public, when America had to surrender its innocence of the nation’s invincibility, on deeper thought, it was an attack against all those whom the terrorists deemed as ‘infidels’; those who did not belong to their faith. It came with the slaughter of many innocents and eight years later, we remember the fallen.

But in our remembrance, let us NOT just remember those fallen on the day of the 911 attacks, but let us also remember those who are under the bondage on THE fallen (Satan and his angels).

In the wake of the 911 attacks, the then President of the United States, George W. Bush Jr., said the following words in his Radio address to the nation – “This will be a different kind of conflict against a different kind of enemy. This is a conflict without battlefields or beachheads, a conflict with opponents who believe they are invisible”. While President Bush eluded this reference to the physicality of the war at that time, it is nonetheless accurate of a war that began centuries ago, when God cursed the fallen one (Satan) in the garden of Eden who had tricked God’s priceless of creation to fall from their relationship with God (Genesis 3:15).

We are in a conflict (at WAR) in spiritual realms with an enemy that is invisible to the human natural eye. But this INVISIBLE enemy is NOT INVINCIBLE as God has equipped us with an armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) and endowed us with weapons of warfare(2 Corinthians 10:4).

We are all called to work for God and sadly many of us stop at being just workers for God. We are not to be mere workers but warriors as well, engaged full time in spiritual battle, snatching those under the clutches of the fallen one so that they no longer are fallen. We are asked to beat our plowshares (workman’s items) into swords (warrior item) and our pruninghooks (fisherman’s item) into spears (warrior item) and let those who are weak proclaim that they are strong (Joel 3:10). Those who were commissioned to work and rebuild the Temple of God under the leadership of Nehemiah, held in one hand the materials for the building and in the other hand a weapon (Nehemiah 4:17). We are called not to be just workers but warriors as well.

Equipping ourselves with the armor of God, let us affirm to engage in spiritual battle this day, and when we win this day, the 11th of September will no longer be known as an American memorial day, but as the day all followers of Christ Jesus declared in one voice: “We will not go quietly into the night (darkness)! We will not vanish without a fight! We’re going to live on (abundantly)! We’re going to survive (death has no power over us)! Today we celebrate our Independence Day (by no longer staying fallen or under the bondage of the fallen one)!”

Points to ponder:
Are we engaged for spiritual warfare? Are we equipped with the Armor of God? Let not just work, but fight as well.

Joel 3:10 (KJV)¹⁰Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV)
⁴(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

For your viewing pleasure, our 3 year old son telling us the Armor of God. Note how he ends it with, “the word of God, the Bible” 🙂

Setting God apart

By Mano Paul

On September 10, 2009

In Christian

Although God does not operate necessarily under the principle of “do unto others what you would like them to do unto you”, in the aspect of being set apart for God, He expects and has commanded us to do the same – that is to set him apart.

While the Psalmist exclaims that God has set up apart for Himself (Psalm 4:3), the patriarch Moses writes that God want us to set apart for Him that which is first and foremost (Exodus 13:12).

A youth pastor once said that “What God has done FOR you, he wants to accomplish THROUGH you.” In other words, God sets us apart so that we can set Him apart (and above all).

We must set God apart in our lives, that those who view our lives will see Him not only stand out, but as outstanding and THE Standard by which our lives are based.

Points to ponder:
Have you/I set God apart so that He is the very first and foremost, not just a priority but also preeminent?
If not, what is it that we need to do to follow his commandment and if yes, let us show Him off.

For a related reading, see Standards for God

Standards for God

By Mano Paul

On September 9, 2009

In Christian

Imagine for a moment that God is interviewed by your favorite news anchor and He is posed the question – “What is it that can help us identify your true children?”

His response:
I have made my children in such a way that when the people of the world are sitting, they would be standing;
when the world is standing, they will stand out;
when the world stands out, they will be outstanding; and
when the devil dares the world to be outstanding, my children will be the standards to be used.

The Bible tells us that God has set apart those who are godly for himself (Psalm 4:3). Apostle Paul writes that he is a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle (sent forth) and set apart (separated) unto the gospel of God (Romans 1:1).

So what does it mean to be set apart by God for Himself unto His gospel?
To be set apart is to stand when the world sits, stand out when the world stands, be outstanding when the world stands out and to be the standards of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23) for all the world to see the hidden treasure we hold in our ephemeral bodies (jars of clay) which is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, and the excellency of the power of God (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Are you/Am I a standard for God? If so, what kind of standard are we? If not, why not?

Labour of Love

By Mano Paul

On September 8, 2009

In Christian

The phrase ‘Labour of Love’ gained popularity in the mid to late 80’s when UB40 released their reggae album entitled ‘Labour of Love’ featuring hits like Neil Diamond’s Red, Red Wine and Please Don’t Make Me Cry, but the etymology of this phrase has its roots in the Bible.

Twice in the King James Version of the Bible does the phrase ‘Labour of Love’ appear; once in 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 and Hebrews 6:10. Interestingly in both instances, it is used in conjunction with ‘work’ and with ‘remembrance’. In Thessalonians, Apostle Paul writes that the he and his fellow workers (Timothy and Silvanus) thank God for the church in Thessalonica by remembering their work of faith and labour of love. In Hebrews, the writer reminds all that God is not unrighteous to forget the work and labour of love, shown in God’s name.

So what is the labour of love? The meaning to the phrase ‘labour of love’ is work that is undertaken for the pleasure of it or for the benefit of a loved one. So what kind of work is this? The best example who has demonstrated the labour of love is none other than Jesus Christ. Christ’s labour of love was that He endured the cross for the joy (pleasure) that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2) for the benefit of the ones He loved – you and me (1 Peter 3:18).

Likewise our labour of love must be the same, wherein we must endure the cross (Jesus said pick up our cross and follow him – Matthew 16:24) for the joy (pleasure) of the reward of being called Faithful set before us, for the benefit of the one we love (God and his people). And we can be sure of one thing that, our labour of love a.k.a. our work for the Lord that is undertaken for the pleasure of it or for the benefit of Him, whom we love, will not be forgotten by THE RIGHTEOUS GOD.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (KJV)²We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;³ Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Hebrews 6:10 (KJV)¹⁰For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Labor day in heaven

By Mano Paul

On September 7, 2009

In Christian, Labor Day

We celebrate Labor day in the United States, the first Monday in September as a tribute to the American worker.

But have you ever wondered as to whether labor day is celebrated in heaven.
Each and every time there is a sinner who is snatched from the clutches of Satan and turned from his road to hell, when he or she believes that Jesus Christ is LORD and calls on THE NAME of Jesus, there is rejoicing in heaven (Luke 15:7), in tribute to the labor of a Christian worker who was faithful to THE COMMISSION (Matthew 28:19-20). In other words, one can say labor day is celebrated in heaven every time a sinner repents.

The laborer is in fact a co-laborer with God (1 Corinthians 3:9), i.e., we work in God’s vineyard, but it is the Holy Spirit God that convicts the world of righteousness, sin and judgment (John 16:9) and it is God who gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:7).

What is more is that there is not only rejoicing in heaven, but a reward set aside as well for it is written that the laborer is worthy of his reward (1 Timothy 5:18).

However, there are many passive spectators and inactive laborers in God’s kingdom business today (and I am many times one of them). We forget the word’s of the Master laborer, Jesus Christ, who finished the work of redeeming from sin unto Salvation and who has commissioned us to tell this sole glorious Truth unto others, when He expressed that truly the harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:27). God is seeking to partner with laborers for his work of reconciliation of men and women to God.

Labor day in heaven is a tribute to the Christian worker, who is a partner (co-laborer) with God.
So the questions that remains are

Are we willing to be active co-laborers with God?
What is the tribute you / I will be commemorated and honored for?
Are you / Am I the reason for labor day celebration in heaven?

Seek the LORD – the How-Tos?

By Mano Paul

On September 4, 2009

In Christian, Seek the Lord

No matter what, the right thing to do in our living moments is to perpetually seek the Lord as it is not only a matter of a conviction but also a commandment that ought to be followed. But we find ourselves consumed with our commitments to our own matters of life, from our family to our employer and in some cases even extra-curricular activities seem to take priority over our spiritual relationship with the LORD God. In a world that makes one believe the lie, that their is no time to spare, what are some practical ways we can seek the LORD. In other words, How can one Seek the Lord? The answer can be found in the Bible as well. In the book of Daniel, Daniel writes “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:” (Daniel 9:3).

We can seek the Lord by

prayer and supplications
fasting
sackcloth and ashes

Prayer: When was the last time we prayed and presented our request to get to know what was in God’s own heart. Sadly most of our prayers have been reduced to “Lord bless me, my family, my work and my plans” and in some cases we pray with the request to make our will God’s will instead of praying for God’s will to be revealed and to be made our own. Prayer like any communication is a dialog and while it is absolutely essential to present our requests (supplications) to God, what is even more important and needed is that we take the time to hold our peace and be silent before the Lord so that we may hear Him speak and tell us what He has in His heart.

Fasting: Fasting is not merely the missing of a meal or the abstinence of food (or food items) for a period of time. Food (bread) is what sustains us and fasting is a demonstration on our reliance on God and his word to sustain us and not just merely depend on food. When the disciples questioned Jesus as to why they were unable to cast the spirit that had possessed and taken captive of a little child, Jesus responded that power over some demonic kinds are only possible with prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29). In other words, prayer (telling God what you would like to have done) and fasting (relying totally on God to do it) equals Power (the demonstration of God coming through and the people giving Him the glory)

Sackcloth and ashes: The Dictionary of Cliches defines “to wear sackcloth and ashes” a “to be contrite, penitent or chagrined over something on has done. It was an ancient Hebrew custom to wear sackcloth dusted with or accompanied by ashes as sign of humbleness in religious ceremonies.” In other words, to seek the Lord with sackcloths and ashes is to humble ourselves with a contrite and penitent heart, one that God will not despise (Psalm 51:17).

So How do we seek the Lord? With

prayer and supplications – communing with God to find out what is in His heart
fasting – relying totally on Him and
sackcloth and ashes – humbling ourselves with a penitent and contrite heart

Let us ALL seek the LORD.

Daniel 9:3 (KJV)
³And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

What, Who and Why – seek the Lord?

By Mano Paul

On September 3, 2009

In Christian, Seek the Lord

Before we try to address the question, ‘Why do we need to seek the LORD?’, let’s first answer the question as to ‘What it means to seek the LORD?‘ Wesley’s commentary suggests that to seek the LORD is to labor to get the knowledge of God’s will but I am convinced that the best definition to seeking the LORD is found in the Bible itself, in the testimony that God gives of David i.e., to be after God’s own heart. David sought the LORD, which is, He desired to know what was in God’s own heart.

Now with this knowledge of what it means to seek the LORD, the next appropriate question that surfaces is ‘Why do we need to seek the LORD?‘ Have you ever dreamed of having good things in your life? Wonder why you don’t understand all the things that affect your life and wish that you did? Ever wished that the evil (addictions) that easily besets you no longer holds you captive? Have you wondered how you can find God? Well these are all questions, I have personally had to answer and interestingly the answer to all of these questions seem to point to one counsel that we find in the Bible and that is ‘Seek the LORD’.

When we seek the Lord –

We will not have the want of any good thing (Psalm 34:10 – The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.)
We will have understanding (Proverbs 28:5 – Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.)
We will no longer be held captive by sin or its addictions (2 Chronicles 12:14 – And he [Rehoboam – Solomon’s son] did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.)
We shall find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29 – But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.)

Now if that has not given us enough reasons to seek the LORD, how about this one to convince us. We should be put to death! Yes, that is Biblical and absolutely correct. 2 Chronicles 15:13 explicitly articulates that whosoever would not seek the LORD God [of Israel] should be put to death, whether small or great (a.k.a. irrespective of status), whether man or woman (a.k.a. all created in God’s image). This also answers the question as to ‘Who should seek the Lord?‘.

Imagine that you lived in the times of the Chronicles when such an edict (really more of a death sentence) was in effect. Thankfully, we are not subject to what would seem as such a harsh commandment, but we must be careful to recognize that the same principle applies even in our lives today. In the words of the herdsman prophet from Tekoa, he said the same thing but in a more positive and euphemistic way when he said ‘Seek the LORD, and ye shall live‘ (Amos 5:6)

So why must we seek the LORD? Because, it is a matter of life and death. The choice however is yours … what do you choose this day?

Can God tell of you and me, that we sought after his own heart? Think about that!

2 Chronicles 15:13 (KJV)
¹³That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

Amos 5:6 (KJV)
⁶Seek the LORD, and ye shall live;

Proverbs 28:5
Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
Proverbs 28:4-6 (in Context) Proverbs 28 (Whole Chapter)
Proverbs 28:5
Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
Proverbs 28:4-6 (in Context) Proverbs 28 (Whole Chapter)

Month: September 2009 Page 2 of 3

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