Suffering...never should be a surprise!!
It is interesting to see how God gives a different dimension for suffering in a believer’s life. Well, God never promised a life that has paths filled with roses. But, he did promise certain things that make our journey worthwhile even with the sufferings. Let us discover those promises!!
In Psalms: 107: 23-29 we can see that there was huge storm middle in the sea and the sailors lost their courage, they stumbled and all their skill was useless. Now, who commanded the storm? God Himself!
Yes, God does allow some storms in our lives to re-build our faith, to remind us that He is still in control of things.
We should remember that not every storm is something that God He himself creates in our lives. Some are because of the things that we do and some or because of the devil who wants to take us away from God. No matter what the source of the suffering, it is important for all believers to remember this: It is God who delivers us from that suffering!!
We can see that the psalmist mentions that the sailors’ skill was useless in that storm. Friends, we might be good at hundred things in the world, we might be the best in our teams, best in our company, best in anything that the world has. But, when we are facing a suffering in this world, there comes a day when all out skills, education, money etc fails. Only God can deliver us from that suffering.
It is human tendency to run for help, look out for people whom we think can help us in trouble times. In this whole process, we should not forget that it is God who is in control of our lives and He is the one whom we have to first approach. Like that psalmist says, they have called to the Lord and He saved them from distress. Sometimes, God keep some people, some support group to help us with the problems, but, all in all, we should look for God to guide us. If we do that, He can calm the raging storms and keep the waves quiet.
In I Peter: 4: 12 - 13, peter says, ‘do not be surprised t the painful test you are suffering, as though something unusual were happening to you’. Yes, it is definitely not unusual for a believer to face suffering, rather it is expected.
Let us look at few instance Israelites were facing when they were being led by Moses through the wilderness.
In Exodus: 14 12 - 13, people were questioning Moses about why he has to bring them all to be killed by Egyptian army. Moses said “Don’t be afraid. Stand your ground, and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today; ...The Lord will fight for you and there is no need for you to do anything.
Friends, sometimes, all we have to do is ‘Stand our ground’. God takes care of the rest.
After that incident, people could not find water for three days and when they find water in Marah, it was bitter. Moses prayed to God earnestly and God showed him a piece of wood that turned water to sweet.
It is interesting to know that, God had kept the solution ready even before they asked. Friends, the deliverance is kept ready even before a suffering is allowed in our lives.
Sometimes, we need to exercise the kind of faith that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego exhibited in Daniel: 3: 13 – 178, when they were threatened to be put in blazing fire – “We will not try to defend ourselves. If God whom we serve is able to save us from the blazing fire and from you, then he will”.
James puts in beautifully when he writes to all believers in the world in James: 1: 2 – 4, “consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is ability to endure. Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
While we are at this point of trusting God, we should also look at the aspect of trusting in other people in times of suffering. In Jeremiah: 17: 5 – 8, God says that he will condemn one who puts trust in the strength of a mortal man. It is very important for us to understand that our rescue should always come from God.
Sometimes God punishes to keep us right. We can see that in Psalm: 119: 67, 71.
I know that this topic will be incomplete if we do not discuss about the suffering that Job goes through when God allows Satan to test Job. I think it is just necessary to see the end of the whole suffering that Job had gone through, Job: 42: 10, “The Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before”.
With this note of promise, I would request all of us to see sufferings as gateways of blessings of God.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Leadership...as God wanted it to be!!
It was yet another amazing day of worship and listening God's word. Sometimes I wonder how lively it feels to just raise the voice and sing worship songs.
As a part of the Kingdom of God series, today we had a message on 'Kingdom Government'. It is really amazing to see how God's word is full of details that a person needs to know about the life, relationships, work, secular life etc. No area is left untouched.
Two areas that we talked about interested me a lot and God's work clearly tells about they have to be since God wanted them to be.
1. Leadership: In Acts- 20:31, Jesus tells to his disciples about how He had led them. "Remember that with many tears, day and night, I taught everyone of you for three years'.
What an example of how our church and christian leadership is supposed to be!!
We might teach people apologetics, teach them how to take bible studies, teach them how to do evangelism and all these are responsibilities, but the most important thing is 'Are we having that amount of conviction that Jesus had towards leading a group?"
Friends, Jesus personally raised, mentored and taught the group. However, he knew that there are always forces that will try to act on the flock. Mere teaching is not enough for a church to survive. Do we pray with tears in eyes so that the church continues in these difficult and challenging times.
In 1 peter 5:1-5, Peter writes to church elders and instructs them clearly about how they hould grow as leaders.
a. Take care of the church willingly.
b. Do not work for mere pay
c. Have a real desire to serve
d. Do not try to rule over people in church
e. Be examples
I believe that every member of church should read this and understand that leadership is not limited to preach, teach and think that it is the way God wanted it to be.
I shall talk about the next item 'God's view of husband and wife's relationship' in the next post.
As a part of the Kingdom of God series, today we had a message on 'Kingdom Government'. It is really amazing to see how God's word is full of details that a person needs to know about the life, relationships, work, secular life etc. No area is left untouched.
Two areas that we talked about interested me a lot and God's work clearly tells about they have to be since God wanted them to be.
1. Leadership: In Acts- 20:31, Jesus tells to his disciples about how He had led them. "Remember that with many tears, day and night, I taught everyone of you for three years'.
What an example of how our church and christian leadership is supposed to be!!
We might teach people apologetics, teach them how to take bible studies, teach them how to do evangelism and all these are responsibilities, but the most important thing is 'Are we having that amount of conviction that Jesus had towards leading a group?"
Friends, Jesus personally raised, mentored and taught the group. However, he knew that there are always forces that will try to act on the flock. Mere teaching is not enough for a church to survive. Do we pray with tears in eyes so that the church continues in these difficult and challenging times.
In 1 peter 5:1-5, Peter writes to church elders and instructs them clearly about how they hould grow as leaders.
a. Take care of the church willingly.
b. Do not work for mere pay
c. Have a real desire to serve
d. Do not try to rule over people in church
e. Be examples
I believe that every member of church should read this and understand that leadership is not limited to preach, teach and think that it is the way God wanted it to be.
I shall talk about the next item 'God's view of husband and wife's relationship' in the next post.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Role of church and its members in winning hearts for God
Role of church and its members in winning hearts for God
I had a very good time this weekend worshiping God in his house. Sometimes I wonder how much it edifies to just lift up hands, raise voice and sing to God with all the heart.
Today’s message was brought by a couple from New zealand. They had been serving God since 25 years and we can certainly see their passion by how wonderfully they have put the thoughts about role of Christians in winning hearts for God in words.
• Most of the times we see people as they are. But, it is also important to look at what they can be.
• Don’t ever give up on people. This is something that today’s church should learn. There are a million ways to reach out people. Explore them. Remember – this person is important to God, do, don’t you give up.
• We should always believe in what a non-christian friends are.
• Be ready to serve them. When we say serve them, understand that it takes a lot. You may be friends with many people, but, to win them for God, you need to be ready to serve them.
• Don’t forget to honor them. Our ministry becomes more meaningful if we learn to honur people for what they are and what they can be.
“LOOK UP TO PEOPLE, BUT DON’T LOOK DOWN ON THEM, BECAUSE, LOOKING UP MAKES YOU REALIZE HOW VALUABLE THAT IS PERSON IN KINGDOM OF GOD”.
• Disciplining them is very important. Sometimes it is painful for them as well as you. But, it is important for the person given his background. As much as God works in his life, Satan also works, probably with even more vigour. Nothing succeeds as a disciplined Christian life.
What is the role of church in this? Well, church is nothing but people. So, largely, the above things matter. There is one more thing – Love your church. And, why do we need to love the church?
Love your church because of:
1. People: Church is a house of God’s people - People with one goal, people with one mindedness, people with one passion, and people with one voice. How many times did we go to church just because there is someone whom we like to be associated with? Probably someone whom you look up to as a role model...Our friends should find the same reason to be able to come to church since you go there.
2. Purpose: Don’t need to explain about this. We all know that we have the one purpose – to be ready for his kingdom on earth. No other purpose on this earth is greater than this. To this extent, the purpose of the church is to win hearts for Christ.
3. Power: Church that is built according to God’s word has an amazing power. A power that has healing, deliverance, love etc.
4. Permanence: Nothing motivates like the fact that the church is going to be forever. It is eternal. Hence we have to love this church.
God did not love only the most eligible and good people. He loved the poorest of the poor in spirit. He loved the broken heart, He loved the people who were filled with evil in their hearts, He loved the thieves and He loved the out casted. He had compassion towards all of them. So, next time when you see someone whom you hate because of what he is, remember this – God loves this person and so do we!!
I had a very good time this weekend worshiping God in his house. Sometimes I wonder how much it edifies to just lift up hands, raise voice and sing to God with all the heart.
Today’s message was brought by a couple from New zealand. They had been serving God since 25 years and we can certainly see their passion by how wonderfully they have put the thoughts about role of Christians in winning hearts for God in words.
• Most of the times we see people as they are. But, it is also important to look at what they can be.
• Don’t ever give up on people. This is something that today’s church should learn. There are a million ways to reach out people. Explore them. Remember – this person is important to God, do, don’t you give up.
• We should always believe in what a non-christian friends are.
• Be ready to serve them. When we say serve them, understand that it takes a lot. You may be friends with many people, but, to win them for God, you need to be ready to serve them.
• Don’t forget to honor them. Our ministry becomes more meaningful if we learn to honur people for what they are and what they can be.
“LOOK UP TO PEOPLE, BUT DON’T LOOK DOWN ON THEM, BECAUSE, LOOKING UP MAKES YOU REALIZE HOW VALUABLE THAT IS PERSON IN KINGDOM OF GOD”.
• Disciplining them is very important. Sometimes it is painful for them as well as you. But, it is important for the person given his background. As much as God works in his life, Satan also works, probably with even more vigour. Nothing succeeds as a disciplined Christian life.
What is the role of church in this? Well, church is nothing but people. So, largely, the above things matter. There is one more thing – Love your church. And, why do we need to love the church?
Love your church because of:
1. People: Church is a house of God’s people - People with one goal, people with one mindedness, people with one passion, and people with one voice. How many times did we go to church just because there is someone whom we like to be associated with? Probably someone whom you look up to as a role model...Our friends should find the same reason to be able to come to church since you go there.
2. Purpose: Don’t need to explain about this. We all know that we have the one purpose – to be ready for his kingdom on earth. No other purpose on this earth is greater than this. To this extent, the purpose of the church is to win hearts for Christ.
3. Power: Church that is built according to God’s word has an amazing power. A power that has healing, deliverance, love etc.
4. Permanence: Nothing motivates like the fact that the church is going to be forever. It is eternal. Hence we have to love this church.
God did not love only the most eligible and good people. He loved the poorest of the poor in spirit. He loved the broken heart, He loved the people who were filled with evil in their hearts, He loved the thieves and He loved the out casted. He had compassion towards all of them. So, next time when you see someone whom you hate because of what he is, remember this – God loves this person and so do we!!
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