Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, August 3, 2008
The King's Business
[King's business, 1 Chron 4.23 - Father's business, Lk 2.49 - his own business, Matt 22.5]
Matthew 22.5
'But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.'
Those invited to the marriage feast spurned the invitation. They were not willing to come, because they were busy with their own business. They were caught up in their own affairs; they were motivated by their own selfish interests.
Luke 2.49
'And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"
Joseph and Mary were anxiously searching for Him. His mother said, "Son, why have You done this to us?" They couldn't imagine that He would neglect His earthly family. But He had a heavenly Father, and He had to be about His Father's business.
I remember how Luke 2.49 convicted me sharply, many years ago, when I neglected God's work to attend to my own work.
1 Chron 4.23
'These were the the potters and those who dwelt among plants and hedges; they dwelt there with the king for his work [or business, or service]'
The posterity of Shelah, the son of Judah, seem to have been talented craftsmen and workers. In verse 21, we have the linen workers of Ashbea. In verse 23, we have the potters and gardeners. It seems from this passage that they served the king in his business. They worked for the king. Wherever they lived [be it Netaim or Gederah or some other place], their labour and service was for the king. It was a royal calling; they were in the king's service.
As Christians, we have a high and holy calling. We are here to serve the King of kings; we are ambassadors for Christ. That is our calling. Whatever we put our hand to, whatever we do, is for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Cor 10.31. We are here to glorify Him. This is a great responsibility and calls for great & careful preparation. Without yielding our bodies and souls to Him, Rom 12.1, we cannot really enter into divine service.
Matthew 22.5
'But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.'
Those invited to the marriage feast spurned the invitation. They were not willing to come, because they were busy with their own business. They were caught up in their own affairs; they were motivated by their own selfish interests.
Luke 2.49
'And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"
Joseph and Mary were anxiously searching for Him. His mother said, "Son, why have You done this to us?" They couldn't imagine that He would neglect His earthly family. But He had a heavenly Father, and He had to be about His Father's business.
I remember how Luke 2.49 convicted me sharply, many years ago, when I neglected God's work to attend to my own work.
1 Chron 4.23
'These were the the potters and those who dwelt among plants and hedges; they dwelt there with the king for his work [or business, or service]'
The posterity of Shelah, the son of Judah, seem to have been talented craftsmen and workers. In verse 21, we have the linen workers of Ashbea. In verse 23, we have the potters and gardeners. It seems from this passage that they served the king in his business. They worked for the king. Wherever they lived [be it Netaim or Gederah or some other place], their labour and service was for the king. It was a royal calling; they were in the king's service.
As Christians, we have a high and holy calling. We are here to serve the King of kings; we are ambassadors for Christ. That is our calling. Whatever we put our hand to, whatever we do, is for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Cor 10.31. We are here to glorify Him. This is a great responsibility and calls for great & careful preparation. Without yielding our bodies and souls to Him, Rom 12.1, we cannot really enter into divine service.
John 16: 8-11
Last night we were reading John 16 in family prayer and these words struck me with a deeper emphasis than normal: "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you no longer behold Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged." John 16.8-11
Our Lord is talking about the work of the Holy Spirit. He will convict us on three counts. First, our unbelief. Many have refused to believe that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world. Many have refused to accept His sacrifice for our sins on the cross of Calvary. Sin is refusing to accept the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel is being preached all over the world. Whoever rejects the gospel is sinning against God. May God open their eyes to this truth. Sin is unbelief. Sin is refusing to believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Second, righteousness. Here Jesus is talking of Himself as righteousness. He is my righteousness; the Lord our Righteousness, Jehovah-Tsidkenu. Jesus Christ has become to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Cor 1.30. Righteousness is a Person. Jesus Christ by His Person and Work fulfilled the righteousness of God. He came into this world to save us from our sins by the shedding of His precious blood on the cross of Calvary. He paid the penalty of the Law, which condemned sin. He paid the price for our redemption. In His life and death He fulfilled the righteousness of God.
Third, judgment. On the cross, Satan, the ruler of this world, was judged. On the cross, a great battle was fought, but our Lord obtained the victory. The death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross swallowed up death; through His death He rendered powerless the one who had the power of death, that is, the devil.
But what a great price our Lord had to pay! We note that in His resurrection body were the imprint of the cruel nails and the horrid spear-thrust. He died for us, for our sins, for delivering us from sin, Satan and death itself, in order to grant us eternal redemption and to bring us into a gloriously loving and inseparable fellowship with God Himself .
There is no way to heaven but through Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 1 Cor 2.2
Our Lord is talking about the work of the Holy Spirit. He will convict us on three counts. First, our unbelief. Many have refused to believe that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world. Many have refused to accept His sacrifice for our sins on the cross of Calvary. Sin is refusing to accept the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel is being preached all over the world. Whoever rejects the gospel is sinning against God. May God open their eyes to this truth. Sin is unbelief. Sin is refusing to believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Second, righteousness. Here Jesus is talking of Himself as righteousness. He is my righteousness; the Lord our Righteousness, Jehovah-Tsidkenu. Jesus Christ has become to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Cor 1.30. Righteousness is a Person. Jesus Christ by His Person and Work fulfilled the righteousness of God. He came into this world to save us from our sins by the shedding of His precious blood on the cross of Calvary. He paid the penalty of the Law, which condemned sin. He paid the price for our redemption. In His life and death He fulfilled the righteousness of God.
Third, judgment. On the cross, Satan, the ruler of this world, was judged. On the cross, a great battle was fought, but our Lord obtained the victory. The death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross swallowed up death; through His death He rendered powerless the one who had the power of death, that is, the devil.
But what a great price our Lord had to pay! We note that in His resurrection body were the imprint of the cruel nails and the horrid spear-thrust. He died for us, for our sins, for delivering us from sin, Satan and death itself, in order to grant us eternal redemption and to bring us into a gloriously loving and inseparable fellowship with God Himself .
There is no way to heaven but through Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 1 Cor 2.2
Redemption by the Blood
I believe you must read this book by Andrew Murray; it's called 'The Power of the Blood'. In his chapter on Redemption by Blood, he says:
1. It is because the life [or soul] is in the blood, and because the blood is offered to God on the altar, that it has in it redemptive power?In that blood dwelt the soul of the holy Son of God. The eternal life of the Godhead was carried in that blood (Acts 20.28). So the power of that blood in its various effects is nothing less than the eternal power of God Himself!
2. The blood of Jesus has a marvelous power for removing sin and opening heaven for the sinner, whom it cleanses and sanctifies and makes fit for heaven.
3. The blood of Jesus has opened the grave. Heb 13.20. The blood of Jesus destroyed the power of death, the devil and hell; His blood has opened the grave?Where the blood is, there the resurrection power of God gives entrance into eternal life. The blood has made a complete end of all the power of death and hell; its effects surpass all human thought.
4. The blood of Jesus has opened heaven. Heb 9.12. Just as it has broken open the gates of the grave and of hell to let Jesus out - and us with Him - so it has opened the gates of heaven for Him - and us with Him - to enter. The blood has an almighty power over the kingdom of darkness and hell beneath; and over the kingdom of heaven and its glory above.
5. The blood of Jesus is all powerful in the human heart. 1 Pet 1.18-19. The word 'redeemed' has a depth of meaning. It particularly indicates deliverance from slavery by emancipation or purchase?The word 'redemption' includes everything God does for a sinner - from the pardon of sin, which it begins with, to the full deliverance of the body by resurrection (Rom 8.23; Eph 1.14, 4.30)
1. It is because the life [or soul] is in the blood, and because the blood is offered to God on the altar, that it has in it redemptive power?In that blood dwelt the soul of the holy Son of God. The eternal life of the Godhead was carried in that blood (Acts 20.28). So the power of that blood in its various effects is nothing less than the eternal power of God Himself!
2. The blood of Jesus has a marvelous power for removing sin and opening heaven for the sinner, whom it cleanses and sanctifies and makes fit for heaven.
3. The blood of Jesus has opened the grave. Heb 13.20. The blood of Jesus destroyed the power of death, the devil and hell; His blood has opened the grave?Where the blood is, there the resurrection power of God gives entrance into eternal life. The blood has made a complete end of all the power of death and hell; its effects surpass all human thought.
4. The blood of Jesus has opened heaven. Heb 9.12. Just as it has broken open the gates of the grave and of hell to let Jesus out - and us with Him - so it has opened the gates of heaven for Him - and us with Him - to enter. The blood has an almighty power over the kingdom of darkness and hell beneath; and over the kingdom of heaven and its glory above.
5. The blood of Jesus is all powerful in the human heart. 1 Pet 1.18-19. The word 'redeemed' has a depth of meaning. It particularly indicates deliverance from slavery by emancipation or purchase?The word 'redemption' includes everything God does for a sinner - from the pardon of sin, which it begins with, to the full deliverance of the body by resurrection (Rom 8.23; Eph 1.14, 4.30)
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Prayer Partners
There is need for discipline in our prayer life. I find it difficult to pray alone. Do I therefore give up on prayer? No. I can find a prayer partner and pray with him/her. I can find? Frankly, it's not like that! God knows the burden in your heart and, in His infinite mercy and grace, He gives you a prayer partner. How does it happen?
I am going through a trial. I am praying, I'm spending much time with God. In such situations, God sends a prayer partner. He may be a member of your local church. When I went through a severe trial for 70 days in the year 1993, God sent me a prayer partner who prayed with me night after night for 50 days in a row. Then victory came!
Similarly, my wife's cousin is going through a severe trail right now. I am going to him and praying with him and his wife. We spend at least half-an-hour in God's presence. We sing a hymn in our native tongue, then share what God has spoken to us through our quiet time/family prayers and then we pray. We pray not only for our own needs [especially, my wife's cousin's trial], but we also pray for the church. This has become a discipline. It is marvellous. We can't stop. The prayer partnership goes one. God keeps speaking. His Spirit brings us together in prayer.
Prayer partnership is essential for a believer's life. I remember when I married, my wife's mother stayed with us. She was a godly woman. There was always some elderly sister from the church who used to come and pray with her. That was long ago. Today I am a prayer partner for my wife's cousin. May we learn prayer partnership. We will learn thereby to effectively bear the burdens of others. We will learn to be intercessors. We will glorify God. Amen.
I am going through a trial. I am praying, I'm spending much time with God. In such situations, God sends a prayer partner. He may be a member of your local church. When I went through a severe trial for 70 days in the year 1993, God sent me a prayer partner who prayed with me night after night for 50 days in a row. Then victory came!
Similarly, my wife's cousin is going through a severe trail right now. I am going to him and praying with him and his wife. We spend at least half-an-hour in God's presence. We sing a hymn in our native tongue, then share what God has spoken to us through our quiet time/family prayers and then we pray. We pray not only for our own needs [especially, my wife's cousin's trial], but we also pray for the church. This has become a discipline. It is marvellous. We can't stop. The prayer partnership goes one. God keeps speaking. His Spirit brings us together in prayer.
Prayer partnership is essential for a believer's life. I remember when I married, my wife's mother stayed with us. She was a godly woman. There was always some elderly sister from the church who used to come and pray with her. That was long ago. Today I am a prayer partner for my wife's cousin. May we learn prayer partnership. We will learn thereby to effectively bear the burdens of others. We will learn to be intercessors. We will glorify God. Amen.
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Jeremiah: Deeper Meditation
I have been meditating on the book of Jeremiah. Why was such a large book written? Could it not have been shorter? What is its importance? What is the key message of this book? Why does the book end the way it does?
It is no doubt a book of judgment. I believe we have to experience judgment. Self-reform is of no use. We need self-judgment and that is possible only through a deep inward experience of the cross. We have to realise the wickedness of our own hearts, Jeremiah 17.9. We cannot rectify our own hearts; they have to undergo the experience of the inward cross. Then only will we learn to fear God.
Jeremiah's message to the people of Judah and Jerusalem was that they should go into captivity. Nebuchadnezzar was the servant of God sent to chastise the people of Judah for their sins. Jeremiah warned that the Jews should not seek shelter in Egypt. In fact, Jeremiah prophesied that they would be cursed if they fled to Egypt, but blessed if they went into exile in Babylon. What a message! It is very difficult to understand.
Why did God want His people to go into captivity? 70 years in Babylon! The land must have her rest, 7 x 10 times! Surely there must be some deep meaning here. Then the Lord says, Jeremiah 29.10: 'When 70 years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfil My good word to you, to bring you back to this place.' And the Lord goes on to declare that the fortunes of the tents of Jacob will be restored; their captivity will be turned. Jeremiah 30.18, 19; 31.4-14.
The last segment of Jeremiah, i.e. chapter 52.31-34, indicates that God's power of resurrection has to work to deliver His people. Here is Jehoiachin, king of Judah, 37 years in exile, in captivity, and then one day, in a marvellous manner, he is released, his garments are changed and his throne is set high among the kings in Babylon, and he dines in the presence of the king of Babylon, and he is given a daily allowance for all his needs. What does it mean?
We cannot rectify ourselves; neither can we repent of our own accord. Our hearts are hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. We need to be broken. We need to go into the experience of captivity, the experience of the prison, the experience of being 'shut up' to God. It is the experience of death, burial and resurrection; the experience of the inward cross. It is only by such experience we come to know God, we come to fear God, we come to trust in Him at all times, and, yes, we come to love Him and experience His amazing love for us.
Jehoiachin was under a curse [Jer 22.30], but here he is blessed. The man declared to be childless bears children, seven of them! [1 Chron 3.17-18].He becomes the grandfather of Zerubbabel. He is in the genealogy of Christ in Matthew chapter 1. He is redeemed. He experiences resurrection power in Jeremiah chapter 52.31-34.
What is that daily allowance? We have to depend on the Lord for His daily allowance, day by day. We must experience God's sufficiency for every daily situation and crisis, just as the manna was sufficient for the daily needs of the Israelites in the wilderness.
[to be contd...]
It is no doubt a book of judgment. I believe we have to experience judgment. Self-reform is of no use. We need self-judgment and that is possible only through a deep inward experience of the cross. We have to realise the wickedness of our own hearts, Jeremiah 17.9. We cannot rectify our own hearts; they have to undergo the experience of the inward cross. Then only will we learn to fear God.
Jeremiah's message to the people of Judah and Jerusalem was that they should go into captivity. Nebuchadnezzar was the servant of God sent to chastise the people of Judah for their sins. Jeremiah warned that the Jews should not seek shelter in Egypt. In fact, Jeremiah prophesied that they would be cursed if they fled to Egypt, but blessed if they went into exile in Babylon. What a message! It is very difficult to understand.
Why did God want His people to go into captivity? 70 years in Babylon! The land must have her rest, 7 x 10 times! Surely there must be some deep meaning here. Then the Lord says, Jeremiah 29.10: 'When 70 years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfil My good word to you, to bring you back to this place.' And the Lord goes on to declare that the fortunes of the tents of Jacob will be restored; their captivity will be turned. Jeremiah 30.18, 19; 31.4-14.
The last segment of Jeremiah, i.e. chapter 52.31-34, indicates that God's power of resurrection has to work to deliver His people. Here is Jehoiachin, king of Judah, 37 years in exile, in captivity, and then one day, in a marvellous manner, he is released, his garments are changed and his throne is set high among the kings in Babylon, and he dines in the presence of the king of Babylon, and he is given a daily allowance for all his needs. What does it mean?
We cannot rectify ourselves; neither can we repent of our own accord. Our hearts are hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. We need to be broken. We need to go into the experience of captivity, the experience of the prison, the experience of being 'shut up' to God. It is the experience of death, burial and resurrection; the experience of the inward cross. It is only by such experience we come to know God, we come to fear God, we come to trust in Him at all times, and, yes, we come to love Him and experience His amazing love for us.
Jehoiachin was under a curse [Jer 22.30], but here he is blessed. The man declared to be childless bears children, seven of them! [1 Chron 3.17-18].He becomes the grandfather of Zerubbabel. He is in the genealogy of Christ in Matthew chapter 1. He is redeemed. He experiences resurrection power in Jeremiah chapter 52.31-34.
What is that daily allowance? We have to depend on the Lord for His daily allowance, day by day. We must experience God's sufficiency for every daily situation and crisis, just as the manna was sufficient for the daily needs of the Israelites in the wilderness.
[to be contd...]
Prayer and Burden
I am convinced that prayer is a burden given by God. Which is why when we try to pray of our own accord, we find it so difficult, and often our mind wanders, and sometimes we fall asleep while praying! We need to carry a burden in our hearts, and this burden is an 'internal prayer' or 'praying within'.
I have so many unsettled problems in my life relating to my family, my children, myself, etc. I need to keep praying about these family issues on a regular basis. Then there is the burden regarding the church. I realise that I am a part of the church and I need the prayers of the saints on my behalf. So I need to share my burdens with the believers and be prayed for. I have to pray for the needs of the church. I must have a concern for the church, its growth, its strength, its purity.
Then I need to pray for others. Those who are not yet saved. This is true intercession. Intercessory prayer arises out of a burden. What is this burden? It is given by the Holy Spirit.
Why do I not have a burden? Because I am allowing 'idols' to cloud my thinking and capture my heart. Those 'idols' must go; they may be various interests, pleasures, hobbies, pastimes, even friends, work, career, ambition, desires...anything that creates a barrier between me and God. I should live in the presence of God and be able to come to Him at any time. If I am truly sensitive I will realise that these idols have robbed me of God's presence and also robbed me of true inner peace.
Burden relates to the inner man. It is a weight upon the heart which I carry as I go about. It is a cry from deep within. "Lord, help me! Help my family! Help my church! Help those I pray for! And please give me a large and wide burden for the interests and purposes of God!"
I have so many unsettled problems in my life relating to my family, my children, myself, etc. I need to keep praying about these family issues on a regular basis. Then there is the burden regarding the church. I realise that I am a part of the church and I need the prayers of the saints on my behalf. So I need to share my burdens with the believers and be prayed for. I have to pray for the needs of the church. I must have a concern for the church, its growth, its strength, its purity.
Then I need to pray for others. Those who are not yet saved. This is true intercession. Intercessory prayer arises out of a burden. What is this burden? It is given by the Holy Spirit.
Why do I not have a burden? Because I am allowing 'idols' to cloud my thinking and capture my heart. Those 'idols' must go; they may be various interests, pleasures, hobbies, pastimes, even friends, work, career, ambition, desires...anything that creates a barrier between me and God. I should live in the presence of God and be able to come to Him at any time. If I am truly sensitive I will realise that these idols have robbed me of God's presence and also robbed me of true inner peace.
Burden relates to the inner man. It is a weight upon the heart which I carry as I go about. It is a cry from deep within. "Lord, help me! Help my family! Help my church! Help those I pray for! And please give me a large and wide burden for the interests and purposes of God!"
Revival of the Prolix Blog
As you can see, there was a large gap of several months in my postings, especially from May 2006 onwards. However, I have now resumed this blog, and have put up a couple of posts.
I have also shifted to Blogger Beta, besides changing the Template of the blog to make it more attractive.
I hope this blog survives.
I have also shifted to Blogger Beta, besides changing the Template of the blog to make it more attractive.
I hope this blog survives.
Figs
Ripe and ready to eat
Figs in a shallow basket
Lined with newspaper.
You can see bits of paper
Stuck to the sweet figs.
And you can read
The fine print.
What's more,
This is a candid shot.
Even the fig-seller
Was surprised.
Figs in a shallow basket
Lined with newspaper.
You can see bits of paper
Stuck to the sweet figs.
And you can read
The fine print.
What's more,
This is a candid shot.
Even the fig-seller
Was surprised.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Cottage Meeting
The three young sisters from Sikkim
are singing a Nepali Christian song.
The sister in blue is suffering from cancer.
The elderly sister on the right has come
to visit these young sisters.
The husband of one is suffering
from tuberculosis.
Nepali Christian songs are very beautiful.
Daniel Chapter Six
The following are extracts from the little book, The Overcomers' Secret, by Bro Bakht Singh.
They are taken from Chapter 6 of the book. They are based on Chapter 6 of the Book of Daniel.
1. We believers do not use our spiritual rights in prayer. We often pray for many things connected with our natural life, but we fail to pray through for divine unction, the spiritual anointing, which we need every day if we are to live successfully for God. We rely too much on our human knowledge and qualifications, and neglect to seek the wisdom of God for our daily lives, which we have the right to do as believers.
2. Daniel was a very busy man with many important matters to attend to, but he never cut short his time of prayer. When the time for prayer came, he left all the files on the table, and never missed his time of communion with God, three times every day.
3. Some people wonder why they cannot pray; they want to pray but cannot do so for more than 10 or 15 minutes. They fail because they do not give enough time to worship and thanksgiving. They only make requests for things, and so soon become dried up.
4. After 43 years of divine training, Daniel was now facing his final test [i.e. the lions' den]. We find the whole kingdom against Daniel. He stood as one man alone, without a single person to help him. He did not seek help from man, but trusted in God only.
5. As before, he still prayed 3 times a day before his opened windows, and gave thanks to God. Here is the simple way of overcoming. Learn to praise and thank God. Do not allow any fears or doubts to come into your mind, even though you know the enemy is working against you... Daniel gave thanks to God. There was no murmuring or complaining. Thanking, praising and worshipping God is the secret.
6. God often allows our enemies to prosper for a while... but they do not realise that they are going to be punished. Daniel had suffered because of his testimony, but God delivered him because of his faithfulness. It is only when we are found faithful like Daniel that we shall find god delivering us. We must be faithful in our duty, true in our testimony, honouring God day and night, using our knees three times daily without fear or shame, constantly praising God and thanking Him for all things. Then we shall find He will send His angels to work on our behalf, and the enemy's schemes and plans against us will be confounded.
7. Perhaps God is putting us through a time of preparation, and we must be prepared for it. We may be taken through extreme sorrow, trials and sufferings and disappointment. Through these we shall receive a strong and divine faith, divine wisdom and God's excellent spirit; then we shall be given the revelation of heavenly mysteries which at the moment are hidden from us.
[May the Lord help us to be true overcomers. May He take all murmurings and complainings out of our hearts and give us a true strong faith. Bro Bakht Singh.]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)