When you stop growing, you start ageing. It is so also in the spiritual sense. Ageing is inevitable, physically. If you do not want to age spiritually, make sure you keep growing!
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor 4:16-18 (NKJV)
You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:17,18 (NKJV)
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Listen! God is Speaking to You!! Part 7
Are you desiring to do God's will but unable to discern what it is? God has promised to instruct us, lead us and guide us during our lifetime.
Psalm 32:8 (NKJV)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
We are asked to trust Him in every situation and ask Him for direction.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
How does the Lord direct our path? a mother would instruct her 3 year old son using few simple words and actions. Her teen age son would understand more complex messages. Her grown up son would have a greater understanding of his mother, that even a nod or an expression would be sufficient for him to respond to her.
The Lord, our Maker and our Heavenly Father also makes His instructions clear to each of His children. He can speak to us through;-
signs - unusual sights or appearances,
wonders - unusual situations, or occurrances
dreams and visions,
people's counsel and advice,
prophetic word
scripture and scripture based material,
the voice of the Holy Spirit within.
When you follow a sign, you will see a wonder. When the shepherds followed the instruction of the angels to the sign of a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, which is unusual, they saw a wonder. The wonder of the Almighty God in the form of a baby! His name shall be called Wonderful!!
Taking one step in obedience to God makes the next step clearer.
A radio has many channels and you have to tune into the right one to get what you desire. Similarly, there are many channels in the heavenly realm, passing information and suggestions through many media and people, all the time. If we are fine tuned to God, we wil hear what He is saying to us. For this to happen, my motives and my attitudes have to be in line with God's. My motive has to be to see His kingdom and His righteousness in my life and in the lives of others. My attitude has to be pure love for God and others.
At times I wonder why my son cannot hear me calling him. I go down to his room and hear the sound of music coming out of his room. I knock on his door and he stll cannot hear me. I open the door and see him seated with his head phones on, playing and listening to music. Not until I gently touch him does he respond to me.This does not mean that my son does not love me or wants to ignore me when I speak to him. Is this your situation with God?
God, on His part, is instructing us as He has promised. If the communication has not reached you, search out the problem on your side.
It could be disobedience,
lack of trust in the Lord,
wrong motives,
wrong attitudes,
or a mind filled with carnality or other priorities.
If your mind is open to know God's will and your heart submissive to the Holy Spirit, the confirmation of walking in God's path is, a beautiful peace in your heart.
May you find the Lord Jesus, and His peace in your heart for He is the Prince of Peace.
Psalm 32:8 (NKJV)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.
We are asked to trust Him in every situation and ask Him for direction.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
How does the Lord direct our path? a mother would instruct her 3 year old son using few simple words and actions. Her teen age son would understand more complex messages. Her grown up son would have a greater understanding of his mother, that even a nod or an expression would be sufficient for him to respond to her.
The Lord, our Maker and our Heavenly Father also makes His instructions clear to each of His children. He can speak to us through;-
signs - unusual sights or appearances,
wonders - unusual situations, or occurrances
dreams and visions,
people's counsel and advice,
prophetic word
scripture and scripture based material,
the voice of the Holy Spirit within.
When you follow a sign, you will see a wonder. When the shepherds followed the instruction of the angels to the sign of a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, which is unusual, they saw a wonder. The wonder of the Almighty God in the form of a baby! His name shall be called Wonderful!!
Taking one step in obedience to God makes the next step clearer.
A radio has many channels and you have to tune into the right one to get what you desire. Similarly, there are many channels in the heavenly realm, passing information and suggestions through many media and people, all the time. If we are fine tuned to God, we wil hear what He is saying to us. For this to happen, my motives and my attitudes have to be in line with God's. My motive has to be to see His kingdom and His righteousness in my life and in the lives of others. My attitude has to be pure love for God and others.
At times I wonder why my son cannot hear me calling him. I go down to his room and hear the sound of music coming out of his room. I knock on his door and he stll cannot hear me. I open the door and see him seated with his head phones on, playing and listening to music. Not until I gently touch him does he respond to me.This does not mean that my son does not love me or wants to ignore me when I speak to him. Is this your situation with God?
God, on His part, is instructing us as He has promised. If the communication has not reached you, search out the problem on your side.
It could be disobedience,
lack of trust in the Lord,
wrong motives,
wrong attitudes,
or a mind filled with carnality or other priorities.
If your mind is open to know God's will and your heart submissive to the Holy Spirit, the confirmation of walking in God's path is, a beautiful peace in your heart.
May you find the Lord Jesus, and His peace in your heart for He is the Prince of Peace.
Written Identity
Whenever we leave home, it is important that we carry with us a proof of identity. On the school bus, at an accident site, at army check points, at airports and at many entry points and various other places, we are required to produce a written identity. Verbal explanation of who we are may not suffice. An ID card, passport or driver's licence will serve the purpose.
Similarly, as Christians, we need to always carry a written identity in the spiritual sense. We have to write God's word in our mind and heart.
Proverbs 3:3 (NKJV)
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
In the wilderness, the devil, desiring to bring confusion and disruption to the relationship Jesus had with The Father, said to Him, " If You are the Son of God......" he does the same to God's children now. Jesus overcame all three temptations by producing the written evidence, saying, " It is written......." May we diligently study the word and memorise scripture to overcome the viles of the enemy. Carry the word of God in your heart and mind and the image and likeness of Christ in your life, to prove who you are in Christ.
John 1:12 (NKJV)
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
Isaiah 49:15 (NKJV)
15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.
John 15:15 (NKJV)
15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
John 10:14 (NKJV)
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
Hosea 2:19-20 (NKJV)
19 “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; 20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord.
Similarly, as Christians, we need to always carry a written identity in the spiritual sense. We have to write God's word in our mind and heart.
Proverbs 3:3 (NKJV)
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
In the wilderness, the devil, desiring to bring confusion and disruption to the relationship Jesus had with The Father, said to Him, " If You are the Son of God......" he does the same to God's children now. Jesus overcame all three temptations by producing the written evidence, saying, " It is written......." May we diligently study the word and memorise scripture to overcome the viles of the enemy. Carry the word of God in your heart and mind and the image and likeness of Christ in your life, to prove who you are in Christ.
John 1:12 (NKJV)
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
Isaiah 49:15 (NKJV)
15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.
John 15:15 (NKJV)
15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
John 10:14 (NKJV)
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
Hosea 2:19-20 (NKJV)
19 “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; 20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Listen! God is Speaking to You!! Part 6
Psalm 19:1-4a (NKJV)
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.
Parents talk to their babies from the time of their birth. The baby starts responding with a smile after a few months. Such responses bring much joy into the hearts of the parents. As time goes on, the child begins to understand the simple language spoken by the parents and responds specifically through actions and words. In this manner, a close relationship of love and understanding is built up between parents and children.
This is also true in our spiritual walk with our Heavenly Father. He speaks simple words in a language that we understand. He is waiting for our first responses. He desires to build up a relationship with us. Are you acknowledging Him and responding to His messages of love? Learn God's language and make sure you get the meanings right by using the dictionary - The Bible! Following are a few examples.
Birds: Matthew 6:26 (NKJV)
26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Flowers: Matthew 6:28-30 (NKJV)
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Mountains: Isaiah 54:10 (NKJV)
10 For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the Lord, who has mercy on you.
Rainbow: Genesis 9:13-16 (NKJV)
13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 14 It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; 15 and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”
As you begin to acknowledge God and respond to these messages, they will become clearer. more specific and personal. Messages from God will touch your heart because they are words of truth coming from the heart of God - the right word to you at the right time.
When you are tired, washing up at the kitchen sink, your mind filled the burden of the many household chores, the soapy suds reflecting the rainbow colours remind you of God's covenant relationship with you! It is a message from God saying to you , "I AM looking upon you favourably. Take a moment to consider My glory and My grace will strengthen you."
While parked at a railway crossing, feeling somewhat low, you look out the window and some yellow flowers by the road side catch your attention and you know that your loving Father has put them there for you because your favcourite colour is yellow! That's a note from your Heavenly Father to say " I love you. Cheer up!"
Learn God's language diligently! You'll find it very exciting!!
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.
Parents talk to their babies from the time of their birth. The baby starts responding with a smile after a few months. Such responses bring much joy into the hearts of the parents. As time goes on, the child begins to understand the simple language spoken by the parents and responds specifically through actions and words. In this manner, a close relationship of love and understanding is built up between parents and children.
This is also true in our spiritual walk with our Heavenly Father. He speaks simple words in a language that we understand. He is waiting for our first responses. He desires to build up a relationship with us. Are you acknowledging Him and responding to His messages of love? Learn God's language and make sure you get the meanings right by using the dictionary - The Bible! Following are a few examples.
Birds: Matthew 6:26 (NKJV)
26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Flowers: Matthew 6:28-30 (NKJV)
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Mountains: Isaiah 54:10 (NKJV)
10 For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the Lord, who has mercy on you.
Rainbow: Genesis 9:13-16 (NKJV)
13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 14 It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; 15 and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”
As you begin to acknowledge God and respond to these messages, they will become clearer. more specific and personal. Messages from God will touch your heart because they are words of truth coming from the heart of God - the right word to you at the right time.
When you are tired, washing up at the kitchen sink, your mind filled the burden of the many household chores, the soapy suds reflecting the rainbow colours remind you of God's covenant relationship with you! It is a message from God saying to you , "I AM looking upon you favourably. Take a moment to consider My glory and My grace will strengthen you."
While parked at a railway crossing, feeling somewhat low, you look out the window and some yellow flowers by the road side catch your attention and you know that your loving Father has put them there for you because your favcourite colour is yellow! That's a note from your Heavenly Father to say " I love you. Cheer up!"
Learn God's language diligently! You'll find it very exciting!!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Listen! God is Speaking to You!! Part 5
Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)
3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
Just like a child calling its father, we can come to our Heavenly Father, calling Him, " Abba, Father."
A father anxiously waits at the telephone for a call from his child who is away from home. Although our Heavenly Father knows everything, He loves to hear us calling Him. He is waiting with a love-filled heart to answer you. Calling God or praying is the key to the windows of heaven. He is waiting to show you great and mighty things you do not know.
You can speak to Him right now from where you are. God's line of communication is never too busy. He is always 'Online' for you. It is your turn to call Him and speak to Him now.
Isaiah 65:24 (NKJV)
24 “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.
3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
Just like a child calling its father, we can come to our Heavenly Father, calling Him, " Abba, Father."
A father anxiously waits at the telephone for a call from his child who is away from home. Although our Heavenly Father knows everything, He loves to hear us calling Him. He is waiting with a love-filled heart to answer you. Calling God or praying is the key to the windows of heaven. He is waiting to show you great and mighty things you do not know.
You can speak to Him right now from where you are. God's line of communication is never too busy. He is always 'Online' for you. It is your turn to call Him and speak to Him now.
Isaiah 65:24 (NKJV)
24 “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Listen! God is Speaking to You!! Part 4
Isaiah 51:12-13 (NKJV)
12 “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid Of a man who will die, And of the son of a man who will be made like grass? 13 And you forget the Lord your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens And laid the foundations of the earth; You have feared continually every day Because of the fury of the oppressor, When he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor?
God is introducing Himself to you as the One Who comforts you. When you come to know God, you come to know who you are. When you understand that this God Who comforts you is your Maker, the Eternal God, you can overcome the fear of men whose lives are transient. Your Maker is the One who also streched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. This knowledge will bring you out of bondage and the oppression of the enemy into the freedom of knowing and serving God. He will look upon you favourably. He does not oppress but he will cover you with the shadow of His hand, put His words in your mouth and fulfil His purpose in making you, you!
You have been loosed from captivity and oppression. Arise! Yield yourself into the hand of your Maker. He knows you well, so come as you are and get to know your Maker.
12 “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid Of a man who will die, And of the son of a man who will be made like grass? 13 And you forget the Lord your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens And laid the foundations of the earth; You have feared continually every day Because of the fury of the oppressor, When he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor?
God is introducing Himself to you as the One Who comforts you. When you come to know God, you come to know who you are. When you understand that this God Who comforts you is your Maker, the Eternal God, you can overcome the fear of men whose lives are transient. Your Maker is the One who also streched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. This knowledge will bring you out of bondage and the oppression of the enemy into the freedom of knowing and serving God. He will look upon you favourably. He does not oppress but he will cover you with the shadow of His hand, put His words in your mouth and fulfil His purpose in making you, you!
You have been loosed from captivity and oppression. Arise! Yield yourself into the hand of your Maker. He knows you well, so come as you are and get to know your Maker.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Listen! God is Speaking to You!! Part 3
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NKJV)
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Are you at the cross road, wondering which turn to take? You do not know whom to trust and whose advice to take. Why not turn to the Lord who only has your good at heart. When you search for Him with all your heart, you will find Him. When you find Him, you will also find peace. Your searchings will come to an end and you will begin to walk in the knowledge of God, in wisdom and in understanding.
Will you now call upon God, and go and pray to Him? He will listen to you.
Will you seek Him with all your heart? You will find Him and find peace and liberty.
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Are you at the cross road, wondering which turn to take? You do not know whom to trust and whose advice to take. Why not turn to the Lord who only has your good at heart. When you search for Him with all your heart, you will find Him. When you find Him, you will also find peace. Your searchings will come to an end and you will begin to walk in the knowledge of God, in wisdom and in understanding.
Will you now call upon God, and go and pray to Him? He will listen to you.
Will you seek Him with all your heart? You will find Him and find peace and liberty.
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