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
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.]
Jonah
The last frontier is the frontier of forgiveness.
‘I will never forgive
As long as I live.’
Under the scorching sun
The prophet sat,
Half-stunned,
Unable to comprehend divine compassion,
For which God would care
For the beasts of the earth and the birds of the air?
For which God would have relented
When Nineveh repented?
‘How can I be merciful when they are so cruel?
There is no justice in this wicked world! ’
O Lord, Your forgiveness
Is far beyond human selfishness.
On a perishing plant Jonah felt so much pity
He ignored 120,000 innocent children in a great city!
Tom Prato
‘I will never forgive
As long as I live.’
Under the scorching sun
The prophet sat,
Half-stunned,
Unable to comprehend divine compassion,
For which God would care
For the beasts of the earth and the birds of the air?
For which God would have relented
When Nineveh repented?
‘How can I be merciful when they are so cruel?
There is no justice in this wicked world! ’
O Lord, Your forgiveness
Is far beyond human selfishness.
On a perishing plant Jonah felt so much pity
He ignored 120,000 innocent children in a great city!
Tom Prato
Visit to the Siwalik Hills
Recently I visited the Siwalik hills with my wife. I was there after 28 years. That's a long time. When we arrived it was cold. We missed our lunch. On the way up we bought strawberries and oranges, but they were not sufficient to quench our hunger. Dinner, too, was a flop. We felt bad.
The next day the sun came out. It was bright and warm. We could see the mountains. The snow peaks glistened in the sun. We had sunshine for the next four days. It was glorious.
We went for long walks. We visited places. We made new friends. We had a memorable time. All by the grace of God.
Is there something more that I should tell you? Yes. Up there in the hills, when we tried to witness for the Lord, we experienced a kind of counter-attack from Satan. We were in a region steeped in idolatry. There was complete resistance to the gospel. This was enemy territory. When we tried to distribute tracts, tell others about Christ, give our testimony and even pray with others -- we experienced a counter-reaction. When we really witness for Christ, and stand up for the gospel, we must expect resistance from the enemy.
The next day the sun came out. It was bright and warm. We could see the mountains. The snow peaks glistened in the sun. We had sunshine for the next four days. It was glorious.
We went for long walks. We visited places. We made new friends. We had a memorable time. All by the grace of God.
Is there something more that I should tell you? Yes. Up there in the hills, when we tried to witness for the Lord, we experienced a kind of counter-attack from Satan. We were in a region steeped in idolatry. There was complete resistance to the gospel. This was enemy territory. When we tried to distribute tracts, tell others about Christ, give our testimony and even pray with others -- we experienced a counter-reaction. When we really witness for Christ, and stand up for the gospel, we must expect resistance from the enemy.
Psalm 27.14
‘Wait on the Lord and He shall strengthen your heart.’ Wait on the Lord, trust in the Lord, abide in the Lord, ‘feed’ on the Lord [on His word, and in prayer]. He will strengthen your heart. There are times when we wake up with so many worries. Often when we neglect our quiet time, we feel miserable throughout the day. We feel weak. Satan batters us with worries and fears. We lose our peace of mind. Our heart is filled with fears. It shouldn’t be like that. We need to have the Lord strengthen our heart.
I am learning by experience. First thing in the morning: spend time with God. Read the Bible, read devotionals, pray. This is a battle, a daily battle. I need the Lord, I need His peace, I need His presence, I need His power. It’s a life of faith, and I have to overcome. It is not possible without meditating on the word of God and praying. Lord, when I wait on You, I am strengthened in my heart, in my inner man. Thank you, Lord, for teaching me this. Everyone of God’s children must learn to live on the Lord, live by His strength, by His peace, by His life.
Amen.
Our End is God's Beginning
What does it mean in everyday life to be delivered from the Law? It means that from henceforth I am going to do nothing whatever for God; I am never again going to try to please Him. 'What a doctrine!' you exclaim. 'What awful heresy! You cannot possibly mean that!'
But remember, if I try to please God 'in the flesh', then immediately I place myself under the Law. I broke the Law; the Law pronounced the death sentence; the sentence was executed, and now by death i - the carnal 'I' [Rom 7.14] - have been set free from all its claims. There is still a Law of God, and now there is in fact a 'new commandment' that is infinitely more exacting than the old, but, praise God! its demands are being met, for it is Christ who now fulfils them; it is Christ who works in me what is well-pleasing to God. 'I came...to fulfil [the law]' were His words [Matt 5.17]. Thus Paul, from the ground of resurrection, can say: 'Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for His good pleasure' [Phil 2.12, 13].
[Extracted from TNCL by W.N.]
'It is God who works in you', Phil 2.13
Having at last reached the point of utter despair in ourselves so that we cease even to try, we put our trust in the Lord to manifest His resurrection life in us...
The sooner we give up trying the better, for if we monopolize the task, then there is no room for the Holy Spirit. But if we say: 'I'll not do it; I'll trust Thee, Lord, to do it for me', then we shall find that a Power stronger than ourselves is carrying us through.
[Extracted from TNCL by W.N.]
Christ as our Example
One of the reasons Jesus came into the world was to give as the example of how a child of God should live. He was a model or pattern. Peter says, ‘Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow in His steps’, 1 Pet 2.21. Paul prayed, ‘I am in travail till Christ is fully formed in you.’ Gal 4.19.
Christ is our example. Paul says, ‘Imitate me as I imitate Christ.’ [1 Cor 11.1] Or ‘Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.’ [NIV] Jesus told His disciples, ‘Follow Me.’ We have to walk in His steps. We have to ‘walk as He walked’, 1 John 2.16. It is not something static, we have to ‘walk’. It is more than looking into a mirror; we have to walk in the path of obedience, appropriating His grace, and then we will know what it is to ‘follow Him’ or ‘emulate Him’.
Paul tells Timothy, ‘Be an example.’ 1 Tim 4.12. Paul tells Titus, ‘Be a pattern of good works.’ Christ was a pattern of good works, and His life was the model of a holy and separated life. Though He was ‘in’ the world, and was a ‘Friend of sinners’, yet He was not ‘of’ the world. His was a heavenly, a spiritual walk, but extremely practical.
Jesus said, ‘Learn of Me; I am meek and lowly.’ Matt 11.29. Do we have the lowliness and meekness of Christ? A change has to take place in me, as I am being transformed into His likeness. Others must see the meekness of Christ, the patience of Christ, in me. James says, ‘Take the prophets as an example of suffering and patience.’ Jas 5.10. Paul tells Timothy that his life of long-suffering was a pattern to the believers [1 Tim 1.16].
We often need to ask the question, ‘What would Jesus do [in this situation]?’ When we examine ourselves, we realize there is so much carnality, so much impatience and intolerance, so much lack of understanding, so much of a critical spirit, so much of the flesh and the world in us. It will take a long time, and a deep work of the cross, before we are transformed into His image.
This is not following Christ in an outward way. Thomas a Kempis wrote ‘The Imitation of Christ’; which was ‘outward’. We have to know Christ in an inward way, and as we keep ‘looking unto Him’ we are being changed into His likeness day by day. Remember, the Lord is faithful, and He will do it! [1 Thess 5.24]
An Adventure in Montreal, Canada
It was after a very long time that I got an opportunity to go abroad, this time to Canada. I said, Lord, I want to witness for You; make me Your witness! I was so excited to go to the West!
It was Sunday evening when I landed in Montreal. Heavy jet-lag, tired and disoriented. Within 15 minutes of getting down at Hotel Belvedere, I crashed into the front glass door! I almost chipped a tooth and a lens came out of my spectacles [fortunately not broken]. My lip was cut and swollen. I was praying, Lord, have mercy on me! The hotel management was absolutely indifferent. {It's another matter that exactly 2 days later somebody else crashed into the front side glass door and shattered it into smithereens!} [Canada is dust-free, unlike Asia! And we Asians have never seen dust-free transparent doors!]
I rang up to a pastor friend in Michigan, USA and got medical advice and prayer. Tylenol helped!
The next day I ate in Macdonalds; they use beef-fat and that upset my stomach. The first was an exterior attack; now it was interior! I said, Lord, I wanted to witness for you, and look what is happening. Once again, pastorly advice over phone from Michigan and prayer. Imodium helped! [As for food, I switched over to Subway; goodbye Mac, forever! ]
It was on the third day that I 'rose again', i.e. came to normal. I stood outside my hotel and tried to distribute tracts. White Canadian passed by; the tract was rejected. [I felt a sinking feeling; would they refuse the tracts? ] Then an immigrant; he took the tract. It was like 50-50; the local 'christian?' Canadians rejected the tracts; the 'heathen' immigrants and tourists took them!
The prosperity of Montreal. The complacency. The indifference to spiritual things. The way material riches choked out the things of the spirit. Fine Catholic churches; all empty. Quebec didn't need God; they worshipped money.
The same week I opened the papers and read that Canada had passed an Act legalizing homosexual marriages!
Rue St Catherine is a fascinating part of Downtown Montreal. I saw a group of American youngsters doing some kind of skit watched mostly by tourists. They were trying to give the gospel through dance! The method was wrong; it had the effect of a flea-bite on the seared Canadian conscience. Another man was trying to distribute Bibles [New Testaments]; nobody was taking them!
How can the walls of Montreal come tumbling down? Much prayer! Much mourning over sin! Waiting upon the Lord! But if there a consecrated few [even a group of five, Lev 26.8] they can bring the gospel into this beautiful but God-forsaken province, destroying every Satanic stronghold!
It was Sunday evening when I landed in Montreal. Heavy jet-lag, tired and disoriented. Within 15 minutes of getting down at Hotel Belvedere, I crashed into the front glass door! I almost chipped a tooth and a lens came out of my spectacles [fortunately not broken]. My lip was cut and swollen. I was praying, Lord, have mercy on me! The hotel management was absolutely indifferent. {It's another matter that exactly 2 days later somebody else crashed into the front side glass door and shattered it into smithereens!} [Canada is dust-free, unlike Asia! And we Asians have never seen dust-free transparent doors!]
I rang up to a pastor friend in Michigan, USA and got medical advice and prayer. Tylenol helped!
The next day I ate in Macdonalds; they use beef-fat and that upset my stomach. The first was an exterior attack; now it was interior! I said, Lord, I wanted to witness for you, and look what is happening. Once again, pastorly advice over phone from Michigan and prayer. Imodium helped! [As for food, I switched over to Subway; goodbye Mac, forever! ]
It was on the third day that I 'rose again', i.e. came to normal. I stood outside my hotel and tried to distribute tracts. White Canadian passed by; the tract was rejected. [I felt a sinking feeling; would they refuse the tracts? ] Then an immigrant; he took the tract. It was like 50-50; the local 'christian?' Canadians rejected the tracts; the 'heathen' immigrants and tourists took them!
The prosperity of Montreal. The complacency. The indifference to spiritual things. The way material riches choked out the things of the spirit. Fine Catholic churches; all empty. Quebec didn't need God; they worshipped money.
The same week I opened the papers and read that Canada had passed an Act legalizing homosexual marriages!
Rue St Catherine is a fascinating part of Downtown Montreal. I saw a group of American youngsters doing some kind of skit watched mostly by tourists. They were trying to give the gospel through dance! The method was wrong; it had the effect of a flea-bite on the seared Canadian conscience. Another man was trying to distribute Bibles [New Testaments]; nobody was taking them!
How can the walls of Montreal come tumbling down? Much prayer! Much mourning over sin! Waiting upon the Lord! But if there a consecrated few [even a group of five, Lev 26.8] they can bring the gospel into this beautiful but God-forsaken province, destroying every Satanic stronghold!
Three Ways in which the World Entices a Believer
The world works in three ways to entice the believer away from the Lord. The first way is Imitation. So we have antichrists and false prophets. We have an imitation church, a harlot actually. We have an imitation cross [worn round the neck or placed on a steeple], instead of the cross working in our heart and lives. We have worldly churches, worldly believers - which can be traditional churches and traditional believers. Tradition will not save a man; only a born-again experience will. The world will listen to false prophets, 1 John 4.5; and they will be very popular because of their eloquent preaching, miracles and wonders! I believe this is the group that protested, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Matt 7.22
Imitation will not work; God does not look at the outward appearance, He looks at the heart.
The second method is Compromise. The world will protest if you go all the way with Christ. Though Pilgrim's Progress is the most popular book after the Bible, it is mostly read by children in an abridged edition, when it should be read and studied by adults and especially those who profess to follow Christ. But the world, enraptured by Harry Potter, would prefer C.S.Lewis' semi-Christian Narnia books rather than the staid but sturdy classic of Bunyan.
The message is that you can enjoy the best of both worlds, as proved by Korean and T.V. evangelists. You can live a luxurious life like most charismatic preachers. That is their 'worldly faith' [not Word of Faith!] The majority of Christians seem to be living in Moab. They are the modern version of Lot's infamous grandchildren, Moab and Ammon. They would love to settle down in Sodom. Paul says, We are the scum of the world, 1 Cor 4.13; but today's brand of 'popular Christianity' is a cocktail enjoyed by the masses. Both Schuller's and Yonggi Cho's churches are bursting with numbers!
But the third method is more sinister; Gravitational Attraction. As the earth has its gravity or downward pull, so the world weighs us down with cares and worries. We are so beset by anxiety over food, clothing, career, children, earthly security - that we simply don't look up to heaven. The plant of faith is choked by thorns. Like Jacob we settle down in Shechem, Gen 33, bringing tragedy to our children, Gen 34. Even as we begin our spiritual journey, Satan plants many attractions and distractions [like mine-fields] on the way. So Israel, though protected from the curse of Balaam, fell through the enticements of the women of Moab.
No wonder, John, a spiritual writer, familiar with the world of the Spirit, warns us of the world and its invidious attractions. None of us would like to lose our heavenly protection or the heavenly blessings.
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