Dressed Stones

‘Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of  God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God…’ ~ Romans 12:1

When Solomon began to build the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site. God had given clear instructions to David concerning this. It spoke of a great significant truth that God wanted to point out to his people. An iron tool or any isntrument would help to carve or engrave a figment of the imagination. And that’s what God did not want to happen. For he knew that soon man would stray away from worshipping him to worshipping that which is made.  

In the New Testament those who believe in Christ are addressed as living stones, their bodies being the temple of the Living God. They are called to present their bodies as living sacrifices – pure and holy – acceptable to God. They must be uncontaminated by the practices of the world and live self-controlled blameless lives in a crooked and depraved generation. The glory of God will shine forth from our lives when we do so. It means choosing to follow the values found in scripture than that of  the world; choosing to exercise godly virtues and principles than the desires of the flesh and perseverin till the end.  

May we persevere to let God’s glory shine through.  

Prayer – “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sanctifying me with your word and the blood of Jesus your Son, who doed on the cross for my sins. Help me live a life that is holy and pure. May your name be glorified through me. Amen.”

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Doing As Ziba Did

‘…encourage one another and build each other up’ ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

2 Samuel chapter 16 brings out the stark contrast between two people who reacted in opposite ways to a similar predicament. David was fleeing away from Jerusalem, fearing Absalom’s wrath and fury. His own son was after his life. But his entire household and a faithful few stilled followed him  as he left Jerusalem. On his way he met Ziba who was the servant of Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson. Ziba had come well prepared to meet David.  He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine. David was so surprised to see this and asked, ‘Why have you brought these?” So Ziba replied, ” The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the desert.”

Further down the journey, as David approached Bahurim, a man named Shemei, of the same clan as Saul’s family, came out of his place and stared cursing David, pelting him and his people with stones and showering dirt on him. What a contrast in the way both men reacted to what was happening to David. While one tried to refresh, encourage and meet the needs of David, the other did more to add to his suffering  and shame. While one offered practical help, the other heaped insults.

Our world is no different from theirs. Ups and downs in our christian walk is to be accepted. Acting out of  pride and arrogance, we too can find ourselves in the place of Shemei when we are so quick to pull down a fellow believer who is undergoing a trial, be it as a result of his own wrongdoing or just a test from the Lord. Slander and gossip make their rounds in every conversation. Do we behave like Ziba – see what can be done – atleast we can pray and intercede for that believer that God’s grace and mercy would sustain him; that he would not lose faith in God; that he would accept the discipline of God. We can seek other ways to offer comfort and show mercy, for mercy triumphs over judgment.

Prayer – “Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me when I act out of pride and arrogance and be so quick to pull down another brother who is going through a difficult time. Open my eyes and help me see ways how I can offer encouragement and comfort for the glory of your name. Amen.”

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Called by God

‘You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit  – fruit that will last’ ~ John 15:16

When Jesus came into the world to save sinners, he did not come with great pomp and show. He did not come in his heavenly glory but rather as a little baby and was born in a humble manger. He grew up as a carpenter’s son, just as an ordinary person. He never claimed any titles until he was baptised at River Jordan by John the Baptist. Neither did he take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. Hebrews chapter 5 records that no one can take this honour upon himslef, but must be called by God. And God called Jesus to take on this role because he submitted reverenlty to the Father’s will and learned obedience from what he suffered.

When God calls us to serve him, we have to be ready to lay aside any personal rights we may claim to have, deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him. We may not fully understand why God puts us in humble circumstances and brings forth a humble beginning. All we need to do is to follow Christ’s example who learned obedience from what he suffered.

At the baptism, the Heavenly Father expressed his affirmation – “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” May this be said of us too.

Prayer – “Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me when I am all too concerned about acheiving my goals and aspirations and leaving yours undone. Help Lord to take on the form of a servant as Jesus your Son did and serve wherever you call me. Amen.”

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Beyond the Loss

 
‘Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, certain of what we do not see’ ~ Hebrews 11:1

Mary stood at the empty tomb crying in despair and sorrow. She came while it was still dark inorder to embalm the body of Jesus. Jesus had been crucified and laid in the tomb two days ago. But her expectation was crashed when she found the stone removed for the entrance. Running fast she informed the disciple Peter and John who came running to check the spectacle. They found her words to be true and left to their homes, probably more afraid of the Jews. But Mary lingered there still weeping and broken-hearted. Bending over into the tomb she saw tow angels but did not recognize him.  They asked, “Woman why are you crying?” She replied, “They have taken my Lord away and I don’t know  where they have put him.” Having said this she turned around and found Jesus standing there, but again failed to recognize him. This Jesus asked, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for ?” Taking him to be the gardener, she said, “Sir if you have carried him away, please tell me where you have put him and I will get him.” Then Jesus said, “Mary” Then she recognized him – this time not only as Saviour but as the one who conquered Death.

Mary’s perceived loss brought great distress and sorrow in her heart. Probably she consoled herself that at least she could get to embalm the body of Jesus after his death. But now she stood facing another reality – loss of the one who had brought hope and new life. How could she resolve herself to this?

Like Mary we too might stand facing another reality in our walk of life, times when we cannot trace the hand of God in our lives; when we feel abandoned by God and if heaven is silent. And we wonder, “Has God deserted us? Where is God? Why can’t it be like good old days when I first met the Lord? ” The truth is that God has not deserted us. He is there and wants us to grow and mature through the dark valley times of our life, when we grope around seeking for even a miniscule tangible evidence of God’s presence. We only have to look in faith and then we will find Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life.  

Prayer – “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you never leave me nor forsake me. Lord help me trust you and look up to you even in the dark valley times of my life. May my life be a blessing. Amen.”

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Asking for the Right Thing

 
‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you.’ ~ 1 Kings 3:5

Solomon started well but ended up as a bad example. But when he took over the throne from David hid father, he knew what was the most important thing he must do and what he needed inorder to do that. That’s why when God appeared in a dream at night and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” , Solomon made an apt reply – “Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties….So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”

Distinguishing between right and wrong is a very important ability that we all need to have and cultivate. Not only those in leadership positions face issues pertainig to administering justice, but even a housewife, a mother, a teacher or someone in any other ordinary role find themselves having the need to do so. And the best way to cultivate it is to meditate on the Word of God. For God’s word is light for our path and a lamp for our feet. As we do so we will gain understadning of what we need to do the important things in our life. And we can rely on God’s graciousness to provide the same when we ask him.

God knows the task at hand and he is ready to supply what’s needed. But it is for us to do the soul searching and know what we need.

Prayer – “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being there to provide me with all that I need not only for my life but to do your will as well. Help me understand your purpose and confidently  go forward in the purpose chosen for me. Amen.”

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Afflicted but Silent

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7

We keep hearing ‘Down with oppression!!!’ ‘Down with this’ and ‘Down with that’… This is the age and day of the ‘rights’ of people. If someone doesn’t know how to speak for themselves there are others who will fight and advocate for their rights and what they ‘should’ get as their due.

In contrast we see Jesus, the King of kings, the Son of God who did no wrong… standing before Pontius Pilate and all the Jews, condemned like a criminal but speaking not one word in His defense. He could have started with all the prophecies and brought out the truth, He could have caused a storm to come and disrupt the happenings … He didn’t use any of His powers to save Himself.

There are times when saying the truth will not save us. There are times when others have made up their mind about you and you cannot change it, though you know it is far from true. We are forced to live with two realities – one of what things appear like and the other the way things truly are. Jesus had to go through the same experience but He didn’t let it trouble Him because He knew everything that was happening was known to His Father and that it was according to His plan.

God knows the troubles we face, the aches and pains we have to live with. Know that nothing happens without His knowledge and permission. If He has willed for us to suffer, He alone is our refuge, comfort and He is the solution too.

Prayer:
“Dear Jesus, help me to look to You when I have to endure suffering. Thank You for being with me always, Amen.”

Accepting the Conviction

“…. today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” ~ Hebrews 4:7

The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 is a beautiful record of true repentance. Zacchaeus did not argue, justify or reason with Jesus about what he was doing. He did not get into a lengthy discussion nor skirt the issue of repentance. He accepted the conviction of his sin and decided to change his character. He submitted his will to the will of God, which resulted in a change in his conduct – he promised to give away half of his possessions to the poor who could not give him anything in return. And he was willing to restore fourfold to those whom he had accused falsely. What a tremendous change! That is true repentance. A change… a transformation from deep within the heart and will.

When God convicts us of some sin, we must accept it. Certainly as the Bible says no discipline is enjoyable at that time, but later on it yields a harvest of righteousness for those trained by it. God does not control us like puppets. He has given us the gift of free will; so that we can choose what to do and not to do. In that sense we are the masters of our own will. It is entirely at our disposal. In repentance the first thing is to accept the conviction that God brings about within us concerning a sin or wrong doing. God in his love reaches out to help us take the right track. But we must obey Him and do what He says.

Friend, what is important is how our sin or wrong doing is seen by God’s eyes and not by man’s eyes or in the world’s eyes. Human nature and the world around us is constantly changing. Only God is constant. And so is His word too. What has been deemed by God to be sin is sin for always. There are no two sides to this. Let’s hearken when God speaks to us through that still small voice.

Prayer
“Dear Jesus, You are truly the Good Shepherd who leads me in paths of righteousness. Help me hearken and obey when you speak. May my heart be open to Your working always. Amen.”

Abundant Life

“….I am come that they might have life and have it abundantly” ~ John 10:10

There’s so much joy and celebration over the birth of a child. Unlike other birthdays, the birth of Jesus was unique and witnessed heavenly celebration. For Jesus came into this world to bring us joy, hope and eternal encouragement through the abundant life found in Him alone. Hence Christmas is the celebration of the birth of eternal hope and encouragement. It’s a celebration of the joy that overflows from the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10:10.

Abundant life…..what is this abundant life? It doesn’t mean living long or having an abundance of things. It means living life with a purpose…..a God set, God designed purpose. And it is from this purpose that I draw my identity; it tells me who I am, to whom I belong. It gives me the true sense of fulfillment and satisfaction; it gives me the reason to hope and not give up and most of all it reminds me that I’m not forgotten by God but that God counts on me. And when I live out God’s purpose, the eternal hope, encouragement and joy are mine.

Mary and Joseph were just common folk. Their lives did not see an upward mobility in status nor did they get an abundance of material blessings or good luck because of Jesus. But they experienced hope and joy at the birth of Jesus; the hope of eternal life and joy of salvation. They lived out God’s purpose.

Prayer
“Dear Jesus, I believe that eternal joy, encouragement and hope are found in You alone. Thank you Lord. Help me live out Your purposes. Amen,”

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A Step Higher

“Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “Why did you doubt?” ~ Matthew 14:31

It was a night he would never forget. It was one of a kind of an experience. He could feel the goose bumps on his skin as the water splashed against the boat and the wind blew harshly. This chance would not come by again. So he eagerly got out of the boat and looking toward Jesus, started walking on the water. He took a few paces. He seemed to be doing well so far. As he was walking, he shifted his focus from Jesus onto the boisterous wind. He became afraid and began to sink. So he cried out to Jesus for help. And Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him and said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Strange for an experienced fisherman like Peter to get afraid of the boisterous wind. He must have been an expert swimmer too. But on this occasion, he got afraid and cried for help.

Exercising faith is no small matter. Be it big things or for small things, we are called to exercise faith everyday. At times God makes us go through certain experiences so as to enhance our faith; to take us to a higher level of trusting Him. It could be a prolonged time of waiting for a dream or wish to come true or going through a time of illness or facing challenges or enduring hardships. Looking at the situations and circumstances around us, we think, “Can I really make it through?” But at such times, it’s assuring to know that we need not flounder and get afraid. Jesus is there to help us. When we focus on God, we can make it through.

Prayer
“Dear Jesus, I draw strength and courage from You. Help me focus on You and trust You at all times. Amen.”

Do you need to step up to a higher level of faith?

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A Single Lotus

“My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth…” ~ Psalm 147:15

Flowers of various patterns and hues decorated the natural landscape. All who took a walk in the park were affected in way by their presence. It was either their fragrance, or their swaying in the cool morning breeze or their gentle and bright hues that made the morning walk a simple delight.

Tucked away in the distance, in a small pond stood a single lotus. ‘So beautiful’ I exclaimed. It stood alone planted in the pond whose stagnated waters had now turned murky. But yet it made a great difference to the entire natural landscape out there. It beautified the placed where it was planted. It was created in such a way so as to beautify the murky pond. The lotus in its own exquisiteness made a difference.

Are you finding yourself in the place of that lotus in a murky pond? ‘I wish I was born of a higher caste. I wish I could change the way I look. I wish my skin was of a lighter colour. I wish I had straight hair. I wish I was born in another family….’ Dear friend, let me encourage you to take this to heart – you can make a difference wherever God has planted you, be it your work place, your family or your neighbourhood no matter how squalid, dismal or gloomy your surroundings and circumstances be. God has put within you the potential to make a difference, to lend a different hue to the many lives around you. Remember there’s no another YOU! God created you and designed you to be YOU in your own special and unique way. So celebrate the good in you and use it to make a difference.

Prayer
“Dear Jesus, I thankyou for creating me and putting within me the potential to make a difference. May I do so always. Amen.”

Beautify the place where you are planted.

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