Month: July 2010 Page 2 of 3

Christian Verbs :: E is for Exalting

On July 16, 2010

The word ‘Exalt’ means ‘to lift up’ or ‘to lift high’. We often seek to reach the zenith with a selfish self-aggrandizement attitude. We strive hard to be on the top, and our corporate/work culture pushes us to pursue a status quo as one above the rest, sometimes at the cost of our Biblical virtues, principles, ethics and morals.

Interestingly, the Bible uses the word ‘exalt’, explicitly in two contexts. One is to exalt the Lord and the other is to not exalt ourselves. In fact, it is only the Lord that is to be exalted because He is Holy (Psalm 99:5,9); because He is our God (Psalm 118:28, Isaiah 25:1); because He does wondrous thing (Isaiah 25:1) and because He is Faithful and True (Isaiah 25:1). It is solely the Lord God that is to be lifted up (exalted) and not ourselves. In fact, it is quite the contrary that we need to be doing when it comes to exalting ourselves. Instead of trying to lift ourselves up, we are to be humbling our selves. The Bible cautions that whosoever will exalt himself shall be abased (brought down low) and he that humbles himself shall be exalted (Matthew 23:12). A classic example of these very words of Jesus can be seen demonstrated, even before Jesus spoke of it, during the time of Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar built a statue ninety feet high and nine feet wide, exalting himself above and was abased to the status of a beast of the field, until he repented and acknowledge that it the Lord of heaven who has the power to raise up or to put down. (Daniel 4).

We are to exalt the Lord God, Jesus Christ alone. God the Father has exalted Jesus the Son, and given Him a name which is above every other name (Philippians 2:9). So the question that remains is if we are doing the same in exalting (lifting up) Jesus. O magnify the Lord (Jesus) with me, and let us exalt (lift up) His Name together. (Psalm 34:3)

Matthew 23:12 (KJV)
¹²And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Psalm 34:4 (KJV)
³O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Christian Verbs :: D is for Doing

By Mano Paul

On July 15, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

If I was to ask you, “have you ever been deceived by others?”, the probability that you would answer ‘yes’ is fairly high, but should I ask you “have you ever been deceived by yourself?”, even the question kind of seems absurd. The idea that one would deceive themselves is not only foreign, but also seems improbable. The Bible however has some very clear cut guidelines regarding deceiving ourselves and each one of us have been guilty of this charge in times past or we continue to be in times present. How can one deceive themselves? James 1:21-22 states “Receive with meekness, the word that can save your souls, and be ye DOERS of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves.” By being merely hearers and not doers of the saving word, we deceive our own selves. Jesus himself said, whoever hears his sayings but does them not is likened unto a fool, who built his house upon the sand, which had a great fall, when the wind and waves beat upon it. (Matthew 7:26-27)

While faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17), faith produces action as mandated in the word of God. Those justified by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (the living Word of God) shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4) and faith (hearing) without actions (doing) is dead (James 2:20), which when extrapolated implies that the just shall live by doing. If we are merely hearers of the word, and not doers, we not only deceive our own selves but we are also dead.

Point(s) to ponder:
A Christian must DO, according to the scripture. The highest accolade that one can receive is “Well DONE, (not well heard), my good and faithful (doing) servant”. Will this be the accolade that Jesus can tell of you/me at the appointed time, or would He liken us to be a fool with shaky and failing foundations. Let us not deceive our own selves and more importantly let us not be dead (with a faith but no action).

James 1:21-22 (KJV)
²¹Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
²² But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Matthew 25:31-40 (KJV)
³¹When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:³² And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:³³And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.³⁴Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:³⁵ For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:³⁶Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.³⁷Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?³⁸When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?³⁹Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?⁴⁰And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Christian Verbs :: C is for Crying

By Mano Paul

On July 14, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

In the Bible, the word ‘crying’ is used in many contexts, ranging from the expression of a hurting emotion; to earnestly beseeching; to proclaiming and so on, but let us focus on three specific instances apropos what the Bible teaches us about ‘crying’. The first one is about two blind men who followed Jesus, crying for Jesus to have mercy on them (Matthew 9:27). The second is about a prophet, the greatest of all who is said to be the voice crying out in the wilderness to prepare the way of The Agnus Dei (Lamb of God), Jesus Christ, challenging all to repentance (Mark 1:3). The third is the account of a time frame where there shall be perpetual crying (Matthew 22:13) or no more crying (Revelation 21:4).

From the blind men, we learn a few important lessons. First is that the blind men followed Jesus. Ever wondered how they would have done that? See blind men follow only those who can lead them safely. Have you ever seen a blind man following another blind man? Secondly, the blind men were crying, not necessarily for Jesus to restore their physical sight but for Jesus’ mercy, which on the onset may even seem absurd. They were asking for the right thing from God, which was for spiritual restoration (for his mercy) and we learn from the account that they were doubly restored, spiritually and physically. There are many with perfect physical eyesight that are blind today; for the god of this world has blinded the minds of many lest the glorious light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ shine on them (2 Corinthians 4:4). They are crying out to be restored; they are crying out for mercy. Those who are lost (unbelievers) are crying.

From John the Baptist, the voice in the wilderness, we learn that those who have believed and seen the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, the only one who can lead us safely to God, must also cry. The cry of the saved (believers) should be a cry, that beckons to prepare the way of the Lord, calling for repentance and showcasing the glorious light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on to those who are crying for His mercy. If you are a believer, what is your cry?

We have learned from the scripture that sinners cry, and that the saints are to cry as well. We also learn that there will come a time when there will either be perpetual crying or no more crying for some. Those who do not believe in Jesus (who are not clothed with righteous robes that is imputed when they believe in Jesus) will be cast out from the presence of God, where there will be crying (weeping) and gnashing of teeth, and eternal torment (Matthew 22:13). Those who believe that Jesus is the Only begotten Son of God, who took our punishment upon himself and became the sacrifice acceptable to God, dying on the Cross and who rose conquering the grave and death, can expectantly yearn for the time when God will wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death (only life), neither sorrow (only joy), nor crying (only laughter), neither shall there be any pain (only pleasure). The eternal future glory far supersedes any ephemeral present suffering.

Point(s) to ponder:

If you have never believed in Jesus, this is the time for your to cry out for His mercy to restore you to God! Tarry not!
If you have believed in Jesus, are we hearing the cries of those who are crying for a Savior to have mercy on them and are we crying out, declaring the glorious light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? What is our cry, today?
There is a time to weep and a time to laugh (Ecclesiastes 3:4). Those who reject Jesus will eternally weep (with gnashing of teeth) and those who accept him may cry now but will eternally be filled with life, joy, laughter and pleasure in His presence. Choose ye this day, if you want to cry or laugh in the time to come!

Matthew 9:27 (KJV)
²⁷And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.

Mark 1:3 (KJV)
³The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Matthew 22:11-13 (KJV)¹¹And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:¹²And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.¹³Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Revelation 21:4 (KJV)
⁴And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Christian Verbs :: B is for Behaving

By Mano Paul

On July 13, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

The phrase ‘conduct unbecoming’ is used to refer to behavior that is considered dishonorable and dis-chargeable from service, usually military service. In the realm of spiritual warfare as well, we can sometimes be considered as having a ‘conduct unbecoming a soldier of Christ Jesus’ , displaying dishonorable behavior that makes us dis-chargeable. We are to behave as Christians! But then, how should we behave? What should be our conduct? Our conduct should be Valiant, Orderly and Wise (VOW).

The Bible tells us that we are to be of good courage because God has promised to never fail us nor forsake us and we are to behave valiantly (1 Chronicles 19:13). Though the word ‘valiant’ is used to describe the possession of bravery or boldness, its Anglo-French root primarily means to be worthy. We are to behave worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called by being lowly, meek, patient (longsuffering), loving and peaceful (Ephesians 4:1).

When Apostle Paul writes to the Church in Thessalonica, he boldly calls to attention that he or his fellow laborers had not behaved in a disorderly manner, an attribute that he deems worthy of being imitated by his readers (2 Thessalonians 3:7). God is not a God of chaos or entropy; He is not an author of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). We must behave in an orderly manner as well.

The Bible also records that David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him (1 Samuel 18:14). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom which means that David behaved with the fear of the Lord in not just some of his ways, but in ALL his ways and the Lord was with him. We must behave wisely as well; we must behave with the fear of the Lord (a.k.a. in awe and in reverence of Him).

So how must we behave?
We must behave with VOW (Valiantly, Orderly and Wisely) so that our conduct is not one unbecoming a solider of Jesus Christ.

Point(s) to ponder:
If someone was to take stock of your/my life today, what would they have to say about our conduct?

1 Chronicles 19:13 (KJV)
¹³Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.

2 Thessalonians 3:7 (KJV)
⁷For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

1 Samuel 18:14 (KJV)
¹⁴ And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

Christian Verbs :: A is for Asking

By Mano Paul

On July 12, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

The Bible counsels that when we ask, we shall receive (Matthew 7:7-8). Why is it then that we don’t always feel that our request has been heard by God? What is it that can guarantee that God will hear us? The first is in what we ask, i.e., when we ask for something, it must be something that is according to His will (not ours), and this guarantees that God hears us (1 John 5:14). The second is in how we ask. When we ask we must ask without wavering/doubting (Matthew 21:22), presenting our supplications with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). The third is in who we are, because our lifestyle counts. We must be lovers of God, i.e., we must love God for when we love God, we keep His commandments, and those who keep His commandments can ask for any thing and be guaranteed that God will not only hear, but will also respond. (1 John 3:22)

A is for Asking, but the question that remains to be answered is
Are we asking God for the right thing (one that is in His will),
in the right way (without doubting; believing, and with thanksgiving),
with a right(eous) life that does that which is pleasing in His sight.

1 John 5:14 (KJV)¹⁴This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

James 1:6 (KJV)
⁶But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

1 John 3:22 (KJV)
²² And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1 Peter 3:14-16 (in Context) 1 Peter 3 (Whole Chapter)

God’s Order – Commands, Promises …

By Mano Paul

On July 9, 2010

In Christian

In a day and age, where positive behavior is rewarded, we often attempt to fulfill what we have been commanded to do in order to reap the rewards of what is promised to us. When the mantle of leadership passed from Moses to Joshua, the Lord promised Joshua affirming His presence (I will be with you), prosperity (I will not fail you), and pursuit (I will not forsake you) and commanded him to “Be strong and of good courage”. Many times, in our Christian walk, we attempt to be strong and of good courage, anticipating that God will be with us and not fail nor forsake us, but did you notice, that God’s order is not that the promise follows the command, but the other way round. The Lord promised Joshua and then commanded him, i.e., you can say, that the conversation between Joshua and the Lord was more like God saying to Joshua “I will be with you, I will not fail you, nor will I forsake you [so you can] Be strong and of good courage”.

God’s promise proceeds before His command and so next time you and I feel like we are being commanded to do something for the Lord, let us seek first to see what His promise is that precedes the command. Because the reward of God’s presence, prosperity and pursuit arrives before His command, following His commands should be as a result of the reward and not for the sake of the reward. In God’s order, it is not commands and then promises but promises and then commands!

Joshua 1:5-6 (KJV)⁵There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.⁶Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

Doubly Fed

By Mano Paul

On July 8, 2010

In Become a Child, Christian, Reuben

Many times, I have heard the story of Jesus, miraculously feeding the five thousand men with five loaves and two small fishes. I have heard preachers exposit on the generosity of the lad who gave his five loaves and two small fishes, the number of food items used to feed a multitude, the number of leftovers that was collected and more. But it was not until recently, when I heard our beloved 4 year old son, Reuben tell me this story in simple child-like terms, did it dawn on me several hidden treasures in this account as recorded in all four of the gospels (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:31-44; Luke 9:11-17; and John 6:1-14). As Reuben told me the story, I asked him, as to why Jesus did this miracle? His response, “because the people had walked up the mountain [to be with Jesus] and they were hungry!”

See a great crowd came unto Jesus, who was up in a mountain, to be with Him. They wanted to be with Jesus and had followed him on foot out of the cities (Matthew 14:13; Luke 9:11); They wanted to be with Jesus and ran and outran Jesus and the apostles to arrive before them (Mark 6:33); They wanted to be with Jesus because they saw the signs (miracles) of His healing of the diseased (John 6:2). As our son exclaimed, yes, the people were hungry but what were they hungry for? They were hungry for spiritual food and they got doubly fed, both spiritually and physically.

Point(s) to ponder:

Are we climbing over our situations (mountains) to be with Jesus? Are we following Him, running to Him and outrunning others to be with him? Do we see the signs of His Salvation (spiritual healing) and are we following him as witnesses of the same?
Are we hungry for Jesus and his words? Sadly many times, we seek after things and people that can physically provide food on the table and miss out on the spiritual provisions. Instead, if we seek Jesus first, his indomitable and eternal kingdom and his righteousness, we can assured of Him living up to His Name, Jehovah Jireh (our provider), and be doubly fed (both spiritually and physically). Jesus is the only one who can totally satisfy and in order to be satisfied, we must first be hungry for Him!

John 6:3-13 (KJV)³ And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.⁴ And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.⁵When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?⁶And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.⁷Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.⁸One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,⁹There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?¹⁰And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.¹¹And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.^|

12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. ¹³Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten

Equal and opposite reaction

By Mano Paul

On July 7, 2010

In Christian, Physics and Christ

Someone once asked, “If you are not as close to God as you used to be, who moved?” God is the same yesterday, today and forever and He is constantly and consistently seeking our friendship and fellowship. He is unchangeable (Hebrews 7:24) and does not move away from those who move away from Him. In fact, the Bible portrays God to be the expectant Father, waiting daily, for the return of his prodigal sons/daughters.

Newton’s third law of Thermodynamics states that “For every action, there is equal and opposite reaction”. The same is true when it comes to agreeing and becoming closer/one with God. God is one who draws near to those who draw near unto him. The initiative should be ours to draw near (first); to backslide from backsliding and when we take the initiative to draw closer to Him, God takes the initiative to draw closer to us. For our action of drawing near to God, there is equal and opposite reaction of God drawing near unto us (James 4:8).

James 4:8a (KJV)
⁸Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you …

Enoch’s Job Title

By Mano Paul

On July 6, 2010

In Character-(istics), Christian

The Bible records that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, walked with God until he was taken to be with the Lord (Genesis 5:24). In fact, Enoch lived 365 years in this earth and 300 of those years, he walked with God. This got me wondering as to what it really means to “walk” with God. The first synonyms of the word ‘walk’ in the Thesaurus to my surprise was “a brief travel on foot” such as a parade. 300 out of 365 years is in no way “brief” in today’s context. However, the word “walk” is also used to mean “discipline” or “profession”. In other words, Enoch did not merely parade with God, but his profession itself was to be with God. To be with God is the key. To be one with God; in other words, it is to be grafted into the vine. To be grafted is to be in agreement and not at loggerheads with God. Amos 3:3 rightfully questions “Can two walk together, unless they be agreed?” Unless we are in agreement with God, we cannot walk with him and the agreement begins with a time of reasoning. The voice of God beckons “Come NOW, let us reason (agree) together, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). The shed blood of Jesus cleanses all of all sins and unrighteousness, when we believe in Him.

Though today, Enoch’s job title, as “The disciplined walker” would not seem too attractive in earthly sentiments, it has magnitude proportions in the heavenly realms. It far supersedes any earthly title we may have, be it Wife, Husband, Mother, Father, CEO, President, Director, Manager, or any other. So what is going to be your/my job title/testimony when you meet Jesus? I pray that mine be, Mano, walked with God and the epitaph on my tombstone (should I depart before the Lord’s return) be “The disciplined walker!” as was Enoch’s, whose profession was to be in agreement with God.

Genesis 5:21-24 (KJV)
²¹And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:²²And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:²³And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:²⁴And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Give me liberty, or give me death!

By Mano Paul

On July 5, 2010

In Christian, Independence Series

A year before America got its independence from Great Britain, on March 23^rd, 1775, the to be Governor of Virginia, an influential and radical advocate of American revolution and defender of historic rights, Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech to the gathering of delegates in the St. John’s Church in Richmond. It is 234 years since the declaration of American independence but even today the words of the man who claimed to revere the majesty of heaven above all else, still rings as a battle cry for liberty. We can apply the words of this historic speech quite aptly to our Christian life. Christian life is warfare. It is a fight. The great commission is indeed a command of war. When we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we do not merely become sinners turned saints, but soldiers in His army.

The final paragraph in Patrick Henry’s speech was “It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, ‘Peace! Peace!’ — but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

Indeed it is true that the war is actually begun [and it culminates in Armageddon (Revelation 16: 14,16)]! Our brethren (missionary men and women serving God) are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? Is our life so dear, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery [to sin and the adversary of God (Satan)]? Life without Liberty in Christ Jesus is no life at all. Let the following be our cry as well. Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty [in Christ alone], or give me death [For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain]!

Points to ponder:
1. Are you/I standing idly? Let us equip ourselves with the armor of God and engage in the fight.

1 Timothy 6:12 (KJV)¹²Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Month: July 2010 Page 2 of 3

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