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Month: July 2012 Page 2 of 3

Be ye Steadfast :: In your focus

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On July 17, 2012

In Be ye steadfast, Christian

The Bible counsels us to be steadfast (1 Corinthians 15:58) and to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

When all those who sat in the council looked steadfastly on Stephen, a man full of the Holy Spirit of God, they saw his face, as if it had been of an angel (Acts 6:15). Some of the Jews that disputed with Stephen, unable to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke, lied against Stephen and accused him of blasphemy against Moses and God and sought his death before this council. Even when Stephen’s life was on death row, he used the opportunity to witness about Jesus Christ, the Just One, who justifies all who believe in Him by His blood (Romans 5:9). But those who heard him, resisted the conviction of the Holy Spirit’s that Jesus, spoken of by the prophets (whose voice they did not hear as well) is the Just One, whom they have now betrayed and murdered. This made those who heard Stephen furious and they gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God (Acts 7:55) and when he expressed this, the people who were furious cast him out of the city and stoned him to death.

Points to ponder:
When the people steadfastly looked at Stephen, who was full of the Holy Spirit of God, they saw his face to be like that of an angel. If the world was to steadfastly look at you and me, will they find our face angelic because of the fullness of the Holy Spirit of God in us?

On the other hand, Stephen’s focus was not on the people, who for all practical purposes had his life in their hands, but his focus was on God, in whose hands, he knew his life was. His focus was on life and not on impending death. He focus was on the Solver and not on the problems of life. His focus was steadfast (unwavering) into heaven, where he saw the glory of God and Jesus, the author and finisher of his faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross, despising its shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). But did you note, that Stephen sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God and not seated down; as if, Jesus was giving Stephen a standing ovation for his unwavering faith and steadfast focus. Is your focus and mine, like that of Stephen’s; steadfast on Jesus?

Acts 6:15 (KJV)
15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. 

Acts 7:55 (KJV)
55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God 

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
2 Looking unto Jesus [steadfastly] the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Be ye Steadfast :: In your belief in God

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On July 16, 2012

In Be ye steadfast, Christian

The Bible counsels us to be steadfast (1 Corinthians 15:58). Recently, after my beloved wife, Sangeetha checked the weight of our darling 6 year old firstborn son, Reuben’s, she was concerned as he had no change in weight for a considerable period of time. Out of love and concern, she was counseling him that he ought to eat well so that he can grow physically. When they were sharing the constancy of his weight with me, I used the opportunity to jokingly express to Reuben, that when we teach him, that he ought to be like Jesus, the same yesterday, today and for ever, the matter of his weight is not what we were talking about. Reuben asked me, “Really, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and for ever?” and I responded affirmatively and assuredly, “Absolutely!”

The Bible teaches us that Jesus is stedfast; the same yesterday, today and for ever (Hebrews 13:8). He is good and his mercies are stedfast (endures for ever) (Psalm 136). Even Darius, a foreign king, recognized this, when Daniel, was miraculously saved from the lions, by God, who sent his angel to shut the mouth of the lions, because Daniel believed in God (Daniel 6:22-23). And when Darius recognized this, he made a decree that in every dominion of his own kingdom, men should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. Why? Because God is a living God and stedfast for ever and God’s kingdom is one that shall not be destroyed and his dominion shall be unto the end (Daniel 6:26).

Points to ponder:
God is a good God and his mercies endures for ever. He is a living and stedfast God. Do you and I tremble and fear before this living and stedfast God, who is the same yesterday, today and for ever? Are we stedfast in our belief as was Daniel? Is our belief so stedfast (unmoveable) that the kings (rulers/powers/authorities) of this world would recognize the indestructible nature of God’s kingdom and his very own nature as Sovereign (ruling over all), Stedfast and Living?

Daniel 6:22-23…26 (KJV)
22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
23 Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
…
26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever [is stedfast].

Psalm 136:1-26 (KJV) 
1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth [is stedfast] for ever.

DeLIVErance to LIVE forever

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On July 13, 2012

In Christian

The word deliverance is from the late 13th century, and it means the “action of setting free” in physical or spiritual senses. The Bible teaches us, that the One, whom the Son of God, Jesus Christ, makes free is free indeed (John 8:36). In other words, the one whom Jesus delivers (frees) from death is delivered indeed. Such a person is alive; and shall LIVE forever. Why? because Jesus’ deliverance is of the past, of the present and of the future. He has delivered us from the sentence of death (past), and he doth deliver (present) and in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us (future) (2 Corinthians 1:9-10).

Points to ponder:
Whoever believes in Jesus Christ, the Only begotten Son of God, whom God gave because he loved the world greatly, shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Have you been deLIVEred by Jesus Christ to LIVE forever for Jesus Christ? He whom Jesus deLIVErs is DELIVERED indeed – in the past, the present and in the future.

2 Corinthians 1:9-10 (KJV)
9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

Real True Peace (look not externally)

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On July 12, 2012

In Christian

The world today is in a state of unrest and its people are constantly seeking peace, Real True Peace, but instead of seeking the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, who is the Only One who can give such Peace, they seem to look at the transient things of this world, such as relationships, prosperity, money, fame, etc, for their personal satisfaction and inner peace.

We must be aware and beware because the Bible warns us that in the end times, people will seek peace from an external source and find it in the antichrist, who will infact craft policies of prosperity and peace to deceive and destroy many (Daniel 8:25). The Bible establishes that only in Jesus Christ, can a person have Real True Peace (John 16:33; Acts 16:36). Real True Peace comes when Jesus Christ is in us. Jesus said, “Behold, I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone hears my voice, let him open the door and I will come in (Revelation 3:20)”. Psalm 122:8 states, “I will now say, Peace be within you.” Real True Peace comes from within and not from any external source.

Points to ponder:
Do you have Real True Peace? In other words, Real True Peace is possible only when Jesus comes into our lives; it is from within and we ought not to look externally!

Revelation 3:20 (KJV)
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Psalm 122:8 (KJV)
8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

John 16:33 (KJV)
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Psalm 1 :: The Way of the Righteous and the Ungodly

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On July 11, 2012

In Christian, Psalm Ponderings

Psalm 1:6 records “For the Lord knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” While this is a verse that contrasts the way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly and calls to attention the result of the way of the ungodly, it is also a verse that indicates the omniscience of God. Proverbs 5:21 states that the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord and the Lord ponders (examines) all the ways of man. God’s eyes are on the way of the righteous and God will instruct and teach them in the way that they should go (Psalm 32:8); a way that leads to life and not to destruction (perishing).

Points to ponder:
Are you/I being instructed and guided by God? Is his eyes on you and me? For the Lord knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 1:6 (KJV)
6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

1 Peter 3:12 (KJV)
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Psalm 1: Will not stand in judgment / congregation

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On July 10, 2012

In Christian, Psalm 1

Psalm 1:5 read “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.” Because the ungodly are like chaff that the wind blows away to be burned in an unquenchable fire (Matthew 3:12), they will not stand in the judgment, but the verse does not stop there, it goes on to state that the sinner (willful) will not stand in the congregation of the righteous.

The Bible records that it is appointed unto man, once to die and after that the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). This means that all of the dead, which includes the believers (both spiritual and carnal) and unbelievers (ungodly) will stand before God and be judged (justified) based on their works (James 2:24) recorded in the books (Revelation 20:12-13). Then a book, which is the book of life is opened and the one whose name is not recorded in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire, which is second death (Revelation 20:14-15).

Who are those who will be cast into the lake of fire? It is not just the unbeliever (ungodly) who chooses to reject and despise Jesus, unrepentant of their sins, but it is also the believer who chooses to willingly live a sinful life (walking according to the flesh), despite the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29). Jesus said, he will not blot out the name of the ones who overcome (who don’t deny Christ Jesus before men, by their lips or lives (Titus 1:16)), from the book of life (Revelation 3:5). implying that the names were recorded in the book of life, when they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, but it can be blotted out, if they fall away in their faith and not overcome. The Bible is very clear that if a believer willfully lives a sinful life, and walks not according to Spirit but according to the flesh (Romans 8:1), after the knowledge of Salvation found in Jesus Christ, then there remains no more sacrifice by which that believer can be saved, because they have trampled under foot the Son of God, and counted the blood of his covenant, which brings about the remission of all sin, as an unholy thing (Hebrews 10:26-29). Such a carnal believer (sinner) can only look forward to a certain fearful judgment and fiery indignation, being condemned in the lake of fire as their names will be blotted out and this sinner will not stand in the congregation of the righteous.

Points to ponder:
Let us not be ungodly, but let us believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and repent of our sins and if we have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and confessed of our sins, let us not continue to willfully sin against him, lest we be counted among those who are cast into the lake of fire and not be able to stand in the congregation of the righteous.

Psalm 1:5 (KJV)
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

Revelation 20:11-15 (KJV)
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Hebrews 10:26-29 (KJV)
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Revelation 3:4-5 (KJV)
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Titus 1:16 (KJV)
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Psalm 1 :: Like the chaff which the wind drives away

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On July 9, 2012

In Christian, Psalm 1

Psalm 1:4 states that the ungodly are like the chaff that the wind drives away. Who are the ungodly? The ungodly are those who cast away the law of the LORD of hosts and who despise the word of the Holy One, Jesus Christ (Isaiah 5:24), despite the Spirit of grace (Hebrew 10:29).

While this may seem like a casual warning to those who are ungodly, this verse packs in it serious repercussions and a terrible fate to all who are not part of the Kingdom of God. Daniel 2:35 establishes that the kingdoms of the world will be broken into pieces and become like chaff and carried away by the wind, when Jesus’ kingdom is established to fill the whole earth. Whoever does not repent and become part of the kingdom of God which is at hand as Jesus asked to (Matthew 4:17) , will be carried by the wind that comes from the fan that is in Jesus’ hand and burned like chaff with an unquenchable fire (hell fire) but those who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and repented of their evil ways, shall be gathered like wheat into God’s kingdom when he returns to reign (Matthew 3:11-12).

Points to ponder:
The ungodly are like chaff that the wind drives away. The chaff is good for nothing but to be blown and burned. Let us lay hold on to the law of the LORD of hosts and let us not despise him, but let us believe in Jesus and repent, so that we are not counted as the ungodly!

Psalm 1:4 (KJV)
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Daniel 2:34-35 (KJV)
34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

Matthew 3:10-12 (KJV)
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Psalm 1 :: By rivers of water, fruitful and unwithering

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On July 6, 2012

In Christian, Psalm Ponderings

The Bible teaches us that “The blessed man is like a tree planted by the rivers of water, who brings forth his fruit in his season, and his leaves does not wither and in whatsoever he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:3).

A tree that is planted by the rivers of water implies that the tree has perpetually proximity to water, which is a primary source of its life. Jesus said, I am the resurrection and THE LIFE (John 11:25) and his Holy Spirit is the living water that flows out of those who have believed and received Jesus Christ (John 4:13-14). A blessed man, is one who is perpetually in proximity to Jesus Christ, the author and personification of life.

Not only is he watered by the Holy Spirit of God, the blessed man is also fruitful in his mission of reconciling God to man. Just as a mango tree will bear only mango fruit and not any other kind of fruit, the fruit of a believing blessed person and can only be another believer who will also be blessed. Unlike the fig tree that was worthless to the owner of the vineyard, but fit only to be cut down for being fruitless (Luke 13:6-9), the man who is fruitful brings joy to the owner of the vineyard, producing many others who believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; much fruit in thirty, sixty and hundredfold.

Additionally, just as leaves are a source of medicine that brings healing (Revelation 22:12; Ezekiel 47:12), the blessed man is unwithering in his mission of bringing healing to the nations; healing from the sickness of sin and the power of death, by pointing others to Jesus Christ, the master physician and healer of all mankind.

Psalm 1:3 (KJV)
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Are you/I free – truly free?

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On July 5, 2012

In Christian, Independence Series

In the worldly sense, freedom implies that one is devoid of any subjugating force, but the Bible teaches us that true freedom indeed comes from subjugation; subjugation not in the sense of slavery, but in the sense of surrendering – total surrender. The created world is already in a state of slavery, in bondage to sin, because of the willful fall of man (Adam) by which sin and death entered the world (Romans 5:12). All of creation groans and travails in pain to be liberated and we groan to be adopted by God (Romans 8:23), no longer subject to sin (Genesis 4:7), but to the Savior Jesus Christ.

Points to ponder:
True freedom comes from being subject to Jesus Christ, who is Lord and Master (John 13:14). Are you/I subject to sin or the Savior? In other words, are you/I still under the slavery of sin or have we totally surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ, the Savior? The answer to this question would determine if you/I are truly free or not. True freedom comes by subjugation (total surrender) to Jesus Christ, for he/she whom the Son of God makes free, is free indeed (John 8:36).

Romans 8:21-23 (KJV)
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 

Galatians 5:1
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Independence Day or In-Dependence Day

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On July 4, 2012

In Christian, Independence Series

On the 4th of July, America celebrates its independence from Great Britain, but sadly, while this nation’s founding was predicated predominantly on God and his word (the Bible) for its governance, it has slowly but surely regressed to be independent of God instead of being in-dependence of God.
So is America celebrating Independence day or In-Dependence day?

Although the dictionary would define “independence” as the quality or state of not being subject to anyone else or self-governing, the Biblical definition of the word “independent” is quite the contrary. To be truly independent, we ought to be in-dependence of God, and not subject to self-governance but God-governance. Instead of trusting in our own abilities and leaning on our own understanding, we must trust in the Lord with all of our heart and acknowledge him in all our ways, and he will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6) and instruct us in the way we should go (Psalm 32:8), for He knows the plans, he has for us, plans of peace and not of evil, plans to give us a an expected end (i.e., a future and a hope) (Jeremiah 29:11). In other words, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and be not independent of God (self-governing). In all your ways, be in-dependence of God (acknowledging him) and he shall direct your paths.

Point to ponder:
Are you independent of God or are you in-dependence of God? Only when we are in-dependence of God, we can be truly free from the worries and anxieties of life, for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Only in Jesus Christ is true independence – Don’t be independent but in-dependence!

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

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