Failures are not Finals

For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again,

Proverbs 24:16.

One thing which is common to all mankind is that we all fail. There isn’t one out there who hasn’t failed – some perhaps more than others. Failure is the inevitable price of trying to do something. Abraham Lincoln said, “Those who never fail: never does much of anything.” The Bible also has meaningful words to say about this – these are the words of the wise man Solomon: For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, Proverbs 24:16. We can all relate well “failure” along with some of famous Biblical characters as such as Jacob, King David and Simon Peter. Bible is the true Word of God therefore God allowed His prophets and Apostles to record their failures with the purpose to teach us that God is faithful and mighty enough to enable us to overcome our failures if only we truly repent from our sins and weaknesses.

Jacob is one of the most important characters in the Old Testament. If we look at Jacob's life, we soon recognize that the Bible does not cover up the weaknesses and frailty of its heroes. Jacob deceived his father and stole his brother’s inheritance, Genesis 27:19. Jacob, though not a qualified and not a very attractive person, was loved by God. In Genesis chapter 28 verses 10-22 we read Jacob’s transforming encounter with God. God revealed Himself to Jacob and called that place “Bethel” which means "the house of God." It's the place where he met the Lord. Meeting God at Bethel transformed Jacob's life. Our failures and weakness are nothing before God, He wants to take our life, turn it into a trophy of grace, and bring you to the place where you see that His hand has always been on you. He wants to turn that failure into a blessing. Jacob was a liar by nature therefore he was named Jacob which means "conniver" or "liar," and that's what he was. It was hard for him to do right. He was just moving through life from one failure to another. But God met Him at Bethel and his life was transformed completely. Are you frustrated and distressed over your repeated failure? There's a ladder that goes from Earth to heaven. His name is Jesus, and He said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." He wants to transform you from a failure into a success.

Let us also consider the case of King David who had the privilege to enjoy God’s favour wherever he went (2 Samuel 8: 6, 14). David sinned against God who choose him to become a king over Israel. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and mercilessly killed her husband Uriah the Hittite to make her his wife 2 Samuel 11 and 12.  As a result of his sin David had lost his peace of mind, his joy of salvation, and a good conscience. However God was not finished with His servant. God sent His prophet Nathan to confront and to convict David of his sin that he committed against God. God was displeased with David and reminded him the blessings that He added in David’s life apart from anointing David to be the King over Israel. David despised God in spite all the blessings and benefits that he had enjoyed from God 2 Samuel 12:1-14. When Prophet Nathan confronted David, he then immediately appealed God for mercy, he neither excuse himself nor attach blame to Bathsheba.  He confessed that he alone is responsible for this sin against God. He pleaded for a clean heart, and entreated God to restore the joy of salvation that he had. He fell before God with broken spirit and with contrite heart (Psalm 51:17).

God responded to David’s deep contrition and made David as an example how the broken man becomes the blessed man (Psalm 32). Psalms 32 describes God's sovereign grace upon a repented sinner. David was forgiven and counted as blessed counted blessed (Psalms 32: 1-2). The moment David repented and placed his trust upon God, God became his hiding place and surrounded him with the songs of praise and with His loving-kindness (Psalms 32: 7-10). Dear friends, failure are not final. God can freely forgive, restore, and use once more the man who shows genuine repentance for his sin. The Scriptures abound with promises of God’s ability to keep us from falling all of our days, provided we genuinely wish to follow Him (2 Timothy 1:12, Jude 24).

Roy Riegels was a star player, played for the California Golden Bears. He played against Georgia Tech fumble in 1929 Rose Bowl tournament. During the first half of the game he ran sixty-nine yards—in the wrong direction. A teammate finally caught up with him and turned him around just before he scored for the other team. His misplay created a change in field position that eventually resulted in points for Georgia Tech. When the first half was over the distressed Riegels hesitated to meet his coach because of guilty feeling. When he saw his coach he howled bitterly and said to him “coach, I can’t do it,” he continued “I've ruined you, I've ruined myself, I've ruined the University of California. I couldn't face the crowd to save my life.” The coach hugged Riegels with love and calmly told him, “Roy, get up and go back out there—the game is only half over.”

Dear friends, if you have made a thousand new beginnings in the past and have come to failure, you can still make the 1001st new beginning today. God can still make something glorious out of your life. While there is life, there is hope. So, never fail to trust God. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” God has marked out a course for each of us, and sometimes that course includes failure. But when we cling to the Savior, even our failures can be turned into successes by the One who controls all things and who strengthens us in our weakness (Philippians 4:11-13). Our ultimate victory in Jesus is assured, but complete victory will only come when we are out of this world of temptation and safe in the arms of the Lord in heaven

The Joy of Christmas

"What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John the Baptist answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." Luke 3:10-11. This Scripture verse invites us to place our emphasis on the right thing that we may not miss the simple joys of commemorating the birth of the Holy One of Bethlehem. The real joy of Christmas comes not in receiving instead in giving and making Jesus our Saviour the reason for the season. He came forth from heaven to earth to establish the kingdom of God in us. He lived among us, and He died for us. What can we, in return, give to Him? Read the heart touching words penned by the English poet Christina Rossetti:

                                             What can I give Him, Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.

If I were a Wise Man I would do my part,

Yet what can I give Him? Give my heart.

There is a story about a little boy who checked the presents under the tree every day. As he checked to see if any new presents had been added, he grouped the presents together according to the names on the gifts. Then, after he had them arranged, he counted the gifts. One day, he discovered that his sister had more gifts under the tree than he did. He became very upset and ran into the kitchen where his mother was preparing dinner. "Katie has more presents under the Christmas tree than I do!" the little boy cried. Then he turned and ran from the room. He went to his room, closed the door, and sat pouting. He couldn't even enjoy the Christmas season because he was so upset that someone else had more gifts under the tree than he did. What that this little boy did not understand was that the real joy of Christmas is not in how many gifts we receive, but in sharing what we have with others.

John the Baptist was sent to prepare people for the coming of Jesus. He told them to repent of their sins and prepare their hearts for the coming of the promised Messiah. "What should we do?" they asked. John answered them, "If you have two coats, give one of them to the one who has none. If you have food, share it with those who have none." That is the same message we need to hear today as we look forward to Christmas. If we want to experience the real joy that Jesus wants for us, then we must learn to share! By sharing what God has so generously given to us, we will receive an even greater gift -- the gift of joy.

Right Christmas with the Right Master

Right Christmas with the Right Master

LUKE 2:1-20

This passage helps us to know and to understand the foundation of right Christmas. The trees, the decorations, the lights, and the presents are only the signs of traditional Christmas. In reality, this type of traditional Christmas makes us rush around, push us to spend our money on useless things and perverts the real sense of Christmas into a major hassle. God is not interested in our outward celebrations instead He is interested in our having a right Christmas. This text tells us how to have a right Christmas. Having right Christmas will bring changes in our hearts and minds and it will allow Christmas to be a time of blessing and wonder instead of being a time of stress and mere celebration.

YOU NEED THE RIGHT MASTER (V: 1-20): Having right Master is to having right Christmas, Jesus is the reason for the season thus He is the centre of Christmas without Him our Christmas is nothing but mere celebration. The first celebrants had Jesus at the centre of their Christmas; He was the Master of their Christmas. First, In Luke 1:38 we see the drastic change in Mary’s life she moved from question to commitment. In this verse she makes a decision, “Be it done to me.” William Barclay writes that world’s commonest prayer is, “Thy will be changed.” But here Mary refused the world’s commonest prayer and prayed the world’s greatest prayer: “Thy will be done.” Second, God was the master of Joseph’s dream and desire. He had dream and desire to start his life with Mary but suddenly an angel appeared to him and explained him about God’s will in their lives Matthew 1:18-25. From that moment Joseph renounced all his desire and allowed God to be the Master of his plans. He yielded himself to take care of the expectant mother as best he could. When the time came and the baby was born, Joseph did the job of the father, he named the boy Jesus. Naming the child was the responsibility of the Father, Luke 1:63. He embraced the plan of God for his life; he yielded himself to the will of God to take care of the child as his own. In short Joseph gave up all his plans that he had and completely yielded himself to God’s plan to be the surrogate human father to the Messiah! Third, the wise men from east followed the star till they found Jesus, thus God was their Master all through their ways.

Let God be the Mater of our decisions, thought and actions not just in theory but in real-life and in our day-to-day living! God is not interested in claiming Him as our Lord instead He is more concerned whether we let Him to be the Lord in all the aspects of our life. It is sad to see those who claim that Jesus is Lord, live in open rebellion to His teachings. It seems that the Lordship of Jesus is simply just another title that he holds. 

Let us have right Master in this season to have right Christmas. Do you have a right Christmas? If not, commit yourself into His mighty hands and allow Him to be the Master of your will, plan, desire and your ways. Come to Jesus and let Him give you the best Christmas you ever had!

Growing Faith and Non-Growing Trials

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind……………………..He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Trials and sufferings will remain same forever it will neither grow nor evolve to the next stage. They can’t grow any bigger but our faith can. The more trials and sufferings we face the more matured and stronger Christians we become.  We have promise in the Bible that God will never allow us to be tested beyond what we are able to handle and in all things will provide a way out of the test (1 Corinthians 10:13). This does not mean He will remove the trial from us. Rather, He will provide us the “way out” to reach the other side of it by His grace and power that we may become stronger and more matured Christians.

In 1924, two climbers were part of an expedition that set out to conquer Mount Everest. As far as is known, they never reached the summit; and they never returned. Somewhere on that gigantic mountain they were overpowered by the elements and died. After the failure of the expedition, the rest of the party returned home. Addressing a meeting in London, one of those who returned described the ill-fated adventure. He then turned to a huge photograph of Mount Everest, mounted on the wall behind him. "Everest," he cried, "we tried to conquer you once, but you overpowered us. We tried to conquer you a second time, but again you were too much for us. But, Everest, I want you to know that we are going to conquer you, for you can't grow any bigger, and we can!" (Gene Getz Doing Your Part, Regal: 1984, 152-3). There is no valley so dark that His light cannot prevail, no affliction so grievous that He cannot prevent. Through all our trails and sufferings God enables us and supports us, and in the end He will overrule it to our advantage. 

Mary: Who She Was (and Wasn't)

Mary: Who She Was (and Wasn't)

Walk as wise not as unwise (Ephesians) 5:15-17

Here in these verses Paul exhorted believers to use their time to full and to make the most of every opportunity that comes to them. The world Apostle Paul and the believers lived was hostile to Christianity and filled with immorality therefore he told them not to lose any opportunity to please God and do His will that they may win their persecutors for the Kingdom of God. Dear friends once the time goes by then it never comes back likewise an opportunity lost will never return. An old Chinese adage says, "Opportunity has a forelock so you can seize it when you meet it. Once it is past, you cannot seize it again." The brevity of life is a strong argument for making the best use of the opportunities God gives us.

The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer's beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and responded, "Son, go stand out in that field and I'm going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter." The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate. The barn door opened again unbelievable he had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life. It stood - pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber - as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture, out the back gate. The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed... but the bull had no tail!

Life is full of opportunities. Some will be easy to take advantage of, some will be difficult. But once we let them pass (often in hopes of something better), those opportunities may never again be available. In the Book of Acts, King Agrippa was given an opportunity to accept Christ as his Savior Bible clearly states the king was almost persuaded by the Apostle to be a Christian but something held him back. I wonder how much he regrets that missed opportunity today as he lives out his eternal damnation.

The same thing is also true of opportunities to serve and to live for Christ. God often opens doors of opportunities to speak up for Him, opportunities to minister to someone who is hurting or in need, opportunities to make an influence on the world around us. Make sure if we allow them to pass by (perhaps because we are waiting for something easier to come along), we may miss out on them altogether.

Finally, every opportunity that God gives you demands a steadfast, persevering spirit. Ambition alone is not enough. You've got to be willing to take risks, lay it all on the line, and even be willing to lose it all in order to seize an opportunity. Your attitude and perspective about the situation has everything to do with your outcome. When the armies of Israel saw Goliath, they said, "He's too big to kill!" When David saw Goliath, he said, "He's too big to miss!" Same problem, different perspective! Someone once said that if all you see is obstacles, then you've taken your eyes off the goals. You're no longer focused on your vision. You're no longer focused on Jesus. If you hear someone talking about all their problems, that's a good indication that they've taken their eyes off of Jesus!  God never gives us opportunities without first giving us the ability to achieve them. So, quit making excuses.

WHEN LIFE HURTS (PSALMS: 88)

Introduction: Suffering is no stranger to humanity. Millions of people are trapped in human trafficking. Countless suffer from a physical, mental, or emotional disability that ostracizes them from society. The stress of losing a job, paying debts, natural disasters, broken relationships, unmet longings, or the loss of a loved one plague us on a daily basis. It has been observed in Bible resource books and commentaries, that the 88th Psalm is the most mournful of all the psalms. According to Barnes this Psalm is “altogether of a mournful and desponding character”. Adam Clarke describes Psalms 88 in this way “this Psalm is the earnest prayer of a person in deep distress, abandoned by his friends and neighbors, and apparently forsaken of God”. Matthew Henry calls “the entire is mourning and woe.”

Every word in this Psalm is literally heartbreaking, and the Psalmist of this Psalm literally does not want to continue living and wanted to die V: 15.  The root of his problem stems from his youth, v. 15. We are not sure what his affliction was, but we only can assume by the words he spoke in verses 3-7; 8-9; 15-18 that leprosy might be the cause for his sufferings. One thing is sure the Psalmist was very defeated, discouraged and deeply depressed due to the affliction he went through. Uncertainty, hopeless future (V.1-7; v.3-4), and loneliness (v: 8) literally deteriorated his life. Verses 9-12 say he was without foundation and had nothing to hold on to.  He feels that even all his reaching out to the Lord for help has been in vain. Dear friends are you in the same situation? Have you fallen into the depths of despair? Do you feel lonely and abandoned by your friends and relatives? This Psalm poses challenges to the hurting saints and hope to all those who are in hopeless condition. Let us learn together about the challenges that this Psalm gives to the suffering saint.

I. DON’T STOP PRAYING (VS: 1, 2, 9, 13): The first challenge and the hope for the suffering servant that we learn from this Psalm is prayer. The prayer of the Psalmist in this Psalm teaches us how to pray. First, the Psalmist even in the midst of all his problems kept calling the Lord his God. Verses 1, 9, and 13 say that he prayed unto God continually. Dear friend, don’t give up, the Word of God encourages us to pray incessantly. The Psalmist in Psalms 55: 16-17 says, “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.  Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Second, the Psalmist didn’t pray just like that instead he poured his heart or in other words he prayed with the burden. In verse 1 the Psalmist says I “cry” and in verse 9 the he says “My eyes were worn out from crying”. This gives us the picture of a small child who pesters his or her parents until they give heed to its cry. As a little child, the Psalmist reached up to the Lord and cried at His feet until his prayers are answered.  In Hebrews 4: 15-16 we read “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” The throne of grace is open to us therefore let us approach it to obtain grace and the help in time of our need. Third, we learn the Psalmist directed his prayer toward God and God alone.  He called out to God Who hears and answers the prayers of His saints. The Word of God encourages us in this way “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” 1 Peter 5:7. The Word of God further says “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT). Our God is the God who can do the impossible, any time and in any place.

II. DON’T STOP PERSEVERING: The second challenge is perseverance; there is no hint throughout this Psalm that God spoke or answered the prayer of the Psalmist. The Psalmist continued or persevered in his prayers even though there was no answer for his prayer from God. It is baseless to argue that God completely ignored this man on the basis of God’s silence. It simply means that God chose not to answer here. We are told that the Psalmist does begin to question God’s silence, v. 14. It is hard to go forward when it seems that the heavens have turned to brass! Still, he never gives up! Do you think that your prayers for deliverance are unanswered? Remember God did not answer a single one of Job’s questions however his perseverance was rewarded by what the “Lord finally brought about” (James 5:11). Abraham, too, waited patiently and “received what was promised” (Hebrews 6:15). Jesus is our model in all things, and He demonstrated patient endurance: “Who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Perseverance is the only criteria to measure our faith in God’s timing, omnipotence, and love.  Therefore, dear friends no matter how hard the winds blow, God is Ruler of the winds.  No matter how rough the sea becomes, He is still the Master of the sea! So, even when God does not answer you, keep on looking to Him!  Persist in your faith and it will pay dividends in His time! Never give up!

III. DON’T STOP PRAISING: Praising is not merely shouting, to be true there is no spirituality in shouting. The Word of God defines the term “Praise” beautifully. The book of Psalms (sacred songs) is well-known for its focus on praising God. The Hebrew word for “praise” is YADAH, which means to praise, give thanks, or confess. Apart from the word “YADAH”, there are multiple Hebrew words that can be translated as “praise,” and it does not necessarily just have one definition. For example, there are two different Hebrew words for “praise” in Psalm 149:3: “Let them praise [halal] His name with the dance; Let them sing praises [zamar] to Him with the timbrel and harp.” Halal means to praise, glorify, boast, commend, etc., and zamar means to make music or sing praises. In all of these instances, praising God is simply giving Him the recognition He deserves. One way we can define what we mean by praising God is to consider the end result. The end result of giving God praise is to exalt Him and His name.

Here in this Psalm in Verse: 1 the Psalmist exalted God’s name and called Him as his Savior. He calls out to “The God of his SALVATION!” No matter how dark the valley, how deep the trial, or how difficult the way, He is still God of our Salvation and we are to exalt His name and confess Him that He is our Savior. Exalting the Lord our Savior may not do with our pain but it will bring us into the Lord’s presence Psalms 22:3. In this Psalm the Psalmist cried bitterly, wept and emptied his heart of bitterness of sorrow and called on the name of the Lord His Savior and offered up thanksgiving for all He has done for Him. Similarly, you also: cry as the Psalmist did in this Psalm, weep, empty your heart of the bitterness of sorrow; call on the Lord and offer up thanksgiving for all He has done for you! In His time and in His Own way, He will lift your burdens, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain you: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved,” Psalms 55:22.

Conclusion:  Sometimes life hurts. When it does, we need to do as the Psalmist did in this passage. We need to keep on praying, keep on persevering, and keep on praising. It may not always change the situation, but it can change us in the situations we face in life. C. S. Lewis once said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Sometimes life hurts, but when it does, there is help and hope for those who know the Lord!

REST IN YOUR SITUATION (PHILIPPIANS 4:11)

In this world there are many people that seem to get no satisfaction out of life. They seem to be unhappy, unfulfilled and unsatisfied. They walk around in a season of discontent. They lack fulfillment in their lives. But Paul in this verse says that in whatever situation he has found himself and learned how to be content. Contentment is not self-satisfaction which makes a person to settle for less than his or her best. Contentment is not self-sufficiency what the motivational speakers proclaim. They proclaim “You can do anything you want, just put your mind to it”. Contentment is different from self-sufficiency which is completely independent of all things and people.  “What is contentment?” According to Paul it is to take a realistic view of your situation and adjusting to it.  Webster defines contentment as: the state or quality of being satisfied not displeased. How many people, including yourself, feel that way? Satisfied, not displeased. Its power comes from relying on God – no matter what situation you find yourself in. The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. 

In this context Paul was in prison, unable to pursue his tent-making trade, and he was in a tight spot (“affliction” in Philippians 4:14-note literally means “pressure”). He wrote a number of letters during this time to various churches and individuals (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon), and he asks for prayer in those letters. But never once does he mention his financial needs. Rather, he asks for prayer for boldness and faithfulness in his witness. He trusted in and submitted to the sovereignty of God to provide for his needs. Sometimes God supplied abundantly, and so Paul had learned how to live in prosperity. But sometimes God withheld support, and so Paul had to learn to get along with humble means. At those times, he did not grumble or panic, but submitted to the sovereign hand of God, trusting that God knew what was best for him and that He always cared for His children. Paul learned to be content in all conditions. It didn’t come naturally to him, and it wasn’t an instantaneous transformation. It is a process, something that we learn from walking with God each day. Key to this process is to understand that everything, major and minor, is under God’s sovereignty. He uses all our circumstances to train us in godliness if we submit to Him and trust Him. Our attitude in trials and our deliberate submission to His sovereignty in the trial is crucial.

In his famous lecture on "Clocks and Watches," Dr. Joseph Parker related the following story: A little watch, delicately strung, was dissatisfied with its restricted sphere of influence in a lady's pocket. It envied the position of Big Ben, the great tower clock. One day as it passed with her ladyship over London's Westminster Bridge, the tiny watch exclaimed, "I wish I could go up there! I could then serve multitudes, instead of just one individual." "You shall have your opportunity, small watch," she said. The lecturer then dramatically described how the pocket timepiece was drawn up the side of the mammoth tower by a slender thread. When it reached the top, it was completely lost to view. In his dramatic way, Dr. Parker concluded his lecture by exclaiming, "Its elevation had become its annihilation!" (Daily Bread). If you are walking with God and you find yourself in a desperate situation, you can know that you are not there by chance. The sovereign God has put you there for your training in faith, that you might share His holiness. It may be a small crisis or a major, life-threatening crisis. Submit and trust the Sovereign God and you will know the contentment that comes from Him.

In all the situations he trusted and submitted himself to the sovereignty of God meet his needs. He was faithful to God when God supplied abundantly, and had learned how to live in prosperity. He also served God faithfully even in the times when God withheld support, and had learned to get along with humble means. When he was down he neither grumble nor panic instead he submitted to the sovereign hand of God and learned to rest in that situation.  Paul learned to be content in all situations because he knew that everything, major and minor, is under God’s sovereignty. Yes God is sovereign to use all our circumstances to train us in godliness only when we submit to Him and trust Him. He uses all our circumstances to train us in godliness if we submit to Him and trust Him. Our reaction in trials and our honest submission to His sovereignty in the trial is the criteria to measure our faith in Him.

OVERCOMING STRONGHOLDS JOSHUA 6:1-27

OVERCOMING STRONGHOLDS

JOSHUA 6:1-27

Introduction: Israelites on their journey towards the Promised Land faced many obstacles and went through many difficulties. The difficulties that they had gone through were the result of their disobedience and unbelief. Their lack of belief in God’s word and promises brought forth the wrath of God. Jericho wall was one of the obstacles stood before them that they may learn victory and blessing depends on faith in God and obedience to Him. The walled city of Jericho stood as a physical and psychological obstacle between the people of Israel and claiming the land God had promised them. Before they could move deeper into Canaan, the walled city of Jericho first had to fall. That ancient city that stood between Israel and victory is a picture of those things that are entrenched and rooted in our lives.

This historic event can be well suited with the obstacles that prevent us from going deeper with God.  It may be some besetting sin that prevents you from going deeper in the things of God. It may be a root of bitterness and unforgiveness that stands between you and God’s best. Whatever obstacle or stronghold that may be, we have to overcome it to move further in our journey towards heaven.  As we consider this pivotal moment in Israel’s history, we can find the help we need to overcome our own strongholds. Notice with me the lessons that present themselves in this passage as we talk about Overcoming Our Strongholds.

I. THERE IS A LESSON ABOUT SUPREMACY (VV: 5:13-15): In these verses we see Joshua the warrior met a person outside the camp who introduced Himself as “The Captain of the host of the Lord.” This is nothing less than a personal, pre-Bethlehem manifestation and appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Joshua came face to face with Jesus Christ! That is, He is the One Who is always victorious. He is the One Who is walking in victory even before the battle is fought. He is the One Who is in control of all situations.  He is reminding Joshua Who really fights the battles and His answer to the question Joshua raised made Joshua to realize that God, not Joshua, is the power behind the victory that will come. We must learn that our success and our victory over the obstacles that we face will never be a matter of our own power or ability but God’s. Today God is simply reminding us, as He did to Joshua, that He is not here to take sides in our battles; He is here to take over!

Second, Why did the Lord just ask Joshua to remove his shoes? It was a call for him to surrender to the Lord. According to the ancient custom when a covenant was made between two individuals, the weaker individual handed the other individual one of his shoes (Ruth 4:6-8). This ancient practice conveys the message that “I can’t, but you can.” For Joshua, this was a challenge for him to come to the place where he could admit his own weakness and inability to gain the victory. For us, we need to learn the truth that we can’t, but He can when Joshua the mighty warrior got down before the Lord, he placed himself in a vulnerable position. He was totally yielded to the Lord! Until we reach the place where we recognize His supremacy in all things, there will never be victory over the strongholds in our lives.

II. THERE IS A LESSON ABOUT SUBMISSION (VV: 6:1-5): The second major step in the path toward spiritual victory over the strongholds of life demands confidence in the Lord. There are three areas in which Joshua displayed absolute submission. These need to be true concerning us as well. First, Joshua was submissive to God’s promise (6:1-2). God’s promise in chapter 6:2 reminded Joshua that the Lord had not forgotten His promise that He made in chapter 2:9. God still intended to give Israel the victory in this matter. As we look at our strongholds today, we may think that we will never see them fall at our feet. May we ever remember that God will always keep His promises! He has promised us the victory, and the victory shall be ours, 1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14; Rom. 8:37. Second, Joshua was submissive to God’s plan (vv 3-5) on the surface; in these verses God’s plan for Israel’s victory seems really strange, God commanded all the Israelites to march around the city in a quiet and peaceful way but on the seventh day, they were to walk around the city seven times and at the end of the seventh time, they were to shout. The Israelites completely yielded to God’s plan and overcame the obstacles. What a lesson for us! As you yield to His plan, and let Him live through you, you will enjoy His victory, Gal. 2:20. All God wants you to do is to stop trying and just rest in Him. He has already won the victory. We win by doing nothing! By merely being in Him and having absolute confidence in His plan, we enjoy the victory that only He can give. Third, Joshua was submissive to God’s power (V: 5). Aren’t you tired of trying to live the Christian life and failing? Then stop doing both! Stop trying, and you will stop failing! Start trusting! Just learn to rest in the finished work of Christ. Realize that you have no one to please but God. And, if you are in Jesus, He is already satisfied with you!

III. THERE IS A LESSON ABOUT SUCCESS (VV: 6:6-21): These verses tell the thrilling story of the victory Israel received at Jericho. Imagine what the people inside the city must have thought! The people of Israel received the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise to them. As they did, there are a couple of truths that I want to mention here. First, the Israelites were determined to do what God told them to do (6-15). They simply did it God’s way. He will give grace for those who do exactly what He told them to do. If you want to overcome the obstacles then take strong decision to do what God told you do. Second, there was dedication among them to overcome Jericho (16-20) Israel walked around that city 6 days and on seventh day seven times. This was the sign of their dedication to overcome Jericho. Their dedication was shown by their obedience and faith in God’s word Heb. 11:1. God honors sincere obedience and simple faith in His words. Let us remember that victory over our strongholds will come when we totally dedicate ourselves to obey and to believe His words. We are to get away from the realm of our ability and move into the realm of God’s ability; then we will see what God can bring to pass in a life that is wholly dedicated to Him! Third, Israelites eradicated everything that was abominable to God (V: 21). After the walls fell down, the Israelites went into Jericho and killed everything that lived, with the exception of Rahab and her family, v. 22-25. Does this seem extreme to you? God knew that if the people of Jericho were allowed to live, they would influence the people of Israel away from Him. So, when the walls of that stronghold came down, everyone in the city had to die. When the word of God instructs you to abolish the strongholds that reside in you, don’t hesitate raise up, and eradicate them from you by His power. Those strongholds must not be allowed to live lest they become stronger to bring you down. Whatever it takes to root out the strongholds in your life, I challenge you to do it today! God will enable you to see those things put to death forever!

Conclusion: As we think about this passage, I am thankful that God was able to give the people of Israel victory over Jericho. God was with them and He gave them victory over all the enemies they faced when they obeyed His words and kept their faith in Him. God is telling the same thing with you today. Have you identified the strongholds that prevent you from going deeper with the Lord? Are you ready to be free of them forever? If you will be, they must be destroyed. The place to do battle with your strongholds is on your knees, before the Lord in humble worship and surrender to His will. If you are struggling in your walk with Him, there is help in the Lord for you to reach a place of victory in your own walk with God. There are strongholds in our lives and in our churches that need to be destroyed. We need to yield to Him, lay our swords at His feet, acknowledge the fact that we can’t but that He can, and follow His plan for victory.

Impossible yet Possible

Impossible yet Possible

Matthew 5:44

One of the most amazing commands of Christ is to love our enemies. In our flesh, we naturally want to retaliate or fight back when we are treated unkindly or persecuted. But our willingness to love and pray for those who persecute or mistreat us mystifies unbelievers, and yet this is the lifestyle to which we are called by God. We are to love all people regardless of how they treat us. Although some may set themselves up as enemies against us, they are people in need of a saving relationship with Jesus and an understanding of His Lordship in their lives. The Word of God instructs us to love them, praying that they might enter into His kingdom! Before reading any further, bring someone to mind whom you would consider to be your enemy. Have your family members do the same. Read, study, apply and pray the truths from God’s Word that your enemies might be drawn to Jesus’ kingdom.

There is a book called “Legenda Aurea,” – the Golden Legend – which extensively deals with the lives of the saints. It’s there that we learn the story of Saint Valentine. According to that version, St Valentine was persecuted as a Christian and interrogated by the Roman Emperor Claudius II in person. Claudius was impressed by Valentine and had a discussion with him, attempting to get him to convert to Roman paganism in order to save his life. Valentine refused and tried to convert Claudius to Christianity instead. Because of this Claudius ordered his execution and threw him into the prison in Rome to await his fate.

No one knows how long Valentine spent in the Mamertine before his execution, but it’s safe to say it wasn’t an overnight stay. Against this backdrop of extended, unjust and cruel imprisonment, torture and execution that the Legenda Aurea tells this story of Valentine’s last day:… then he prayed to God, saying: Lord Jesus Christ very God, which art very light, enlumine this house in such wise that they that dwell therein may know thee to be very God. And the (jailer) said: It marveled me that thou sayest that thy God is very light, and nevertheless, if he may make my daughter to hear and see, which long time hath been blind.

The author of “Legenda Aurea,” goes on to say that Valentine’s heart filled with compassion and forgiveness for the jailer and his long-blind daughter, restored her sight through intercessory prayer. Certainly that’s the lesson of the Saint Valentine story. In the face of his unjust and torturous imprisonment and execution, does he call down the wrath of a justice-wielding? No. He took compassion on his jailer and called forth healing mercy to cure the jailer’s long-blind daughter – no strings attached. That’s the lesson held up to us as the model in all the lives of the saints. Divine love and forgiveness is unconditional, and we are all invited to take the spiritual journey to that place in our own hearts.

It is impossible for us to follow this amazing command of our Lord on our own. But remember the very Word of God which says “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). That which God demands, only He can accomplish, including the demand to love our enemies. What is impossible for man becomes possible for those who give their lives to Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in our hearts. 

Thoughts for Your Spiritual Journey

Thoughts for Your Spiritual Journey

G. Paul Raj

1. Christianity is Unique and Christians are different why?

What makes Christians different and what makes Christianity distinct from any other religion? It is grace — treating others, not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated — with loving-kindness and mercy. God is good to the unjust as well as the just. His love embraces saint and sinner alike. God seeks our highest good and teaches us to seek the greatest good of others, even those who hate and abuse us. Our love for others, even those who are ungrateful and selfish towards us, must be marked by the same kindness and mercy which God has shown to us. It is easier to show kindness and mercy when we can expect to benefit from doing so, but it is harder and painful when we can expect nothing in return. Our prayer for those who do us ill both breaks the power of revenge and releases the power of love to do good in the face of evil. How can we possibly love those who cause us harm and ill-will? With God all things are possible. He gives power and grace to those who believe and accept the gift of the Holy Spirit. His love conquers all, even our hurts, fears, prejudices and griefs. Only the cross of Jesus Christ can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment and gives us the courage to return evil with good. Such love and grace has power to heal and to save from destruction. Do you know the power of Christ's redeeming love and mercy?

2. The Secret to be Successful Christian

Bible is an honest Book it not only speaks of the success of God's people but also their failure and defeat, it not only speaks of their strength but also their weakness. For instance i Genesis 8:20 we read that Noah build and altar to the Lord whereas in Genesis 9:20 we read that Noah proceeded to plant a vineyard. In first instance Bible says that he was in the presence of God whereas in the later instance it says that he was under the control of intoxication. Thus victory and defeat are at either extreme, but never far apart. The hour victory can easily become an hour of defeat and failure within the fracture of seconds. We will never out of the reach of temptation. Therefore to protect ourselves from the temptations of temptor, defeat and failure we God's children should always have the shield of faith in our hands. To have a successful Christian life it requires a daily exercise of entering into His presence, listening to His instructions and to follow them without reservation. If we do so then surely we will keep defeat far apart and retain the victory with us till the day we meet the Lord in mid-sky.

 How to find God’s will?

When people tell me they are having difficulty discerning God’s will for their life, I want to ask one question: How much quiet, still time are you spending in God’s presence, listening to Him through prayer and His Word? I do not believe God wants us to be confused about His will and calling for our life. But I also believe that God is not interested in competing with the roar of our culture in order to get our attention and be heard. If we spend more time listening to the voices all around us—musicians, celebrities, commentators, friends, and yes, preachers—than we spend listening to Him, it’s no surprise that we are often confused.” –David Jeremiah

What does the Gospel content: Prosperity, health and success or the message of salvation?

The careful study of the Scripture will clarify the truth that the core elements in the prosperity gospel are not part of the Gospel of Salvation. The core message of the Gospel of Salvation is eternal life through forgiveness of sin by faith in Jesus Christ (cf. Rom.1). Nowhere in the Bible Jesus had never promised us "prosperity, health and success". Instead He said: "In this world, you will have tribulation" (Jn.16:33). The word peace in this verse does not mean material wealth as it contradicts the context in which Jesus said this verse. Further Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me", so if we want to follow Jesus then we also must deny self. The Bible tells us of many great men and women of faith who, like Jesus, denied themselves all things to serve God. These saints humbled themselves and turned their backs on worldly power, position and wealth to serve the living God whom they loved more than life.

 Jesus Himself left heaven and humbly denied all things to become God's greatest servant. Denying self is one of the greatest challenges in our Christian walk. We can't be a disciple of Jesus and love the things of this world at the same time; we must be willing to deny ourselves worldly power, position, wealth and reputation; anything we put ahead of God is an idol. However this doesn’t mean that Christians should suffer and starve God blesses us to glorify His name through all that we have. Jesus Himself saw wealth as a gift from God to be used in His service (Matthew 25:14-30).

Where Are the Voices of Repentance Today?

Where Are the Voices of Repentance Today?

John the Baptist was perhaps one of or in other words the most unusual preacher GOD ever called into the ministry. Unlike today’s preachers he never sought sophisticated and comfort zone to preach the word that he had received from heaven as today’s preachers seek.  Instead Day after day JOHN THE BAPTIST went out to the hot dusty JUDEAN DESERT to preach the one sermon that BURNED in his soul like a blazing fire “Repent......for the kingdom of heaven is near.” His preaching was not decked adorned with any homiltical structure and with POINTS and SUBPOINTS either. He had never used illustrations or tear jerking stories or jokes to charm and capture the minds of his audience. His message was just a simple straightforward, powerful and cut right to the very soul of his audience.......... “Repent.....for the kingdom of heaven is near!”

He had never preached THE HEALTH AND WEALTH GOSPEL. He didn’t PROMISE PEOPLE boats and cars and abundant earnings beyond what we need.  HE didn’t sell people “Prayer Cloths” or “Angel Lapel Pins” or “Blessed Fish Symbol Necklaces.” HE JUST PREACHED THE MESSAGE OF REPENTANCE! JOHN THE BAPTIST   never preached the sweet quoted sermon to please PEOPLE. HE was preaching to PLEASE GOD!

In a day and time when all the religious leaders were preaching their VAIN HUMAN TRADITIONS, John the Baptist stood as GOD’S LONE VOICE OF TRUTH to SINFUL MAN! Whereas the PREACHING of the PHARISEES and SADDUCEES drove people farther and farther away from GOD JOHN’S preaching DROVE PEOPLE BACK TO GOD! That was the message of REPENTENCE. Throughout history, GOD has always raised up men to preach REPENTANCE! Repentance has never been a POPULAR MESSAGE and those who have preached it have never been POPULAR PREACHERS.

THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS preached repentance!

·         JOHN THE BAPTIST preached repentance!

·         JESUS CHRIST preached repentance!

·         THE APOSTLES preached repentance!

·         OUR GREAT RESTORATION FOREFATHERS preached repentance!

·         The great revivalists and missionaries of yester centuries preached repentance!

Where Are the Voices of Repentance Today? We hear the VOICES of love and mercy and grace. We hear the VOICES of health and wealth and prosperity. We hear the VOICES of positive thinking and the “I’m OK, you’re OK” theology. But where are the VOICES crying out for THE REPENTANCE OF SINFUL MAN?

·         Is the MESSAGE of REPENTANCE outdated?

·         Is it TOO OLD-FASHIONED?

·         Is it IRRELEVANT to our lives today?

To this era of technology and to this contemporary context the message of REPENTANCE needs to be preached from every pulpit across the universe. God’s plan for the families marred and deformed, today’s youths have become wild and wayward, our society is filled with sexual immorality, inhuman acts and violence can be seen everywhere and the churches have become dead and inactive it miserably failed shine the light of salvation because the PREACHERS have stopped preaching REPENTANCE!

Many who call themselves CHRISTIANS lived for the DEVIL before they became a CHRISTIAN and they are STILL LIVING FOR THE DEVIL. Our church pews today are filled with CHURCH MEMBERS who want to ......DRINK UP! SHOOT UP! SHACK UP! STIR UP! ACT UP! and PARTY UP! But don’t want to: STRAIGHTEN UP! CLEAN UP! FESS UP! GIVE UP! or LOOK UP!

Dear friends God did not send his One and Only Son here to die on a cross just so you and I could go on living the same old sinful lives we’ve always lived. He sent His Son here to die on the Cross to save our wretched souls in order that we might become a brand new creation! II CORINTHIANS 5: 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Do you know what that means? That means if you have truly surrendered your life to Jesus Christ......

Ø  YOUR TALK will be new!

Ø  YOUR THOUGHTS will be new!

Ø  YOUR HABITS will be new!

Ø  YOUR ATTITUDE will be new!

Ø  YOUR PRIORITIES will be new!

Ø  YOUR DESIRES will be new!

Ø  YOUR LIFESTYLE will be new!

Ø  YOUR FRIENDS will be new!

My friend, if you still TALK THE WAY YOU USED TO TALK

THINK THE WAY YOU USED TO THINK

ACT LIKE YOU USED TO ACT

LIVE LIKE YOU USED TO LIVE

CRAVE WHAT YOU USED TO CRAVE

CHEAT LIKE YOU USED TO CHEAT

GOSSIP LIKE YOU USED TO GOSSIP

LIE LIKE YOU USED TO LIE

LUST LIKE YOU USED TO LUST

SWEAR LIKE YOU USED TO SWEAR

DRINK LIKE YOU USED TO DRINK

Then the TRUTH is you haven’t truly REPENTED…….And I John 3:9,10 says, No one who is born of GOD will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of GOD. This is how we know who the children of GOD are and who the children of the devil are. Anyone who does not do what is right is NOT A CHILD OF GOD; nor is anyone who does NOT LOVE HIS BROTHER.

Brothers and sisters do you understand what GOD is telling us? He is telling us “NO CHILD OF MINE WILL CONTINUE IN A LIFE OF SIN.” A TRUE CHILD OF GOD WILL REPENT OF HIS OR HER SINFUL WAYS.  WHEN YOU GENUINELY REPENT..............You don’t feel sorry for the PAIN your SIN has caused you..........You feel SORRY FOR THE PAIN YOUR SIN HAS CAUSED GOD! GENUINE REPENTANCE is when we can look inside the VERY HEART OF GOD and feel the PAIN, the SHAME and the DISHONOR our sin has brought upon His Holy Name. GENUINE REPENTANCE is when you can look at the CROSS and say, “Oh dear JESUS, MY SINS did this to you........MY SINS put you there! And when you experience that kind of GODLY SORROW.......you FORSAKE YOUR SINS.........YOU WALK AWAY FROM YOUR SINS..........THROUGH THE POWER OF GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT YOU AMPUTATE THAT SIN FROM YOUR LIFE AND THROW IT AWAY ONCE AND FOR ALL!

CONCLUSION: ACTS 17: 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. Today......more than ever before, WE NEED A VOICE TO CRY OUT IN THIS WILDERNESS. We need a VOICE that loves GOD and hates SIN! We need a VOICE that LIFTS UP RIGHT and TEARS DOWN WRONG! We need a voice that LEADS PEOPLE AWAY FROM SIN and TOWARD JESUS CHRIST. We need a voice that will NOT change GOD’S MESSAGE OF REPENTANCE........NO matter how much the times change. John the Baptist was the Preacher with One Sermon. It was a sermon that made him UNPOPULAR and eventually COST him his life, when he called for the REPENTANCE of HEROD and HERODIAS. If you know in your heart your life is not right with GOD then it is time to get right. The road to healing the road to wholeness and sweet fellowship with God starts the moment you come out with your hands up and say, “God, I SURRENDER ALL! 

Extra Biblical Revelation

Extra Biblical Revelation

Introduction

Today’s Christianity is badly plagued with cultic teachings one of the Christian research says that the Body of Christ is competing with more than 1000’s of  new belief systems which are very sophisticated in its nature and extremely evangelistic in delivering their message. These cultic teachings or the roving wolves are nothing new to the Church. From its inception Satan raised up tares among the pure wheat of God to deceive and mislead the sheep; to lead them to hell and not to heaven. If we carefully study the teachings of the cults we could draw a conclusion, that the denial of the doctrine of the trinity and the claim to have an extra biblical revelation are the most common unifying factors between the cults and their teachings. In this note I would like concentrate on the topic “Extra Biblical Revelation”.  

I. What is Extra Biblical Revelation?

Any supernatural knowledge that cannot be directly attributed to Scripture may be called extra biblical revelation. Joseph Smith, 1805-1844, the prophet of the Mormon Church insisted that the Bible was not GOD'S holy Word and therefore needed his visions and input. The book of Mormon is the result and supplanted the Holy Scriptures. And in the same way Seventh-day Adventists believe there is enough biblical evidence for a modern non-canonical manifestation of the gift of prophecy. When modern criticism began to undermine the trustworthiness of Scripture, God chose Ellen G. White as a special prophetic voice to uplift the normative authority of His Word. The Seventh-day Adventists have published their own bible called “The Clear Word Bible”. It is purely a cultic Bible that which failed to separate the Bible text from the author’s personal commentary, opinions, which slant the text to agree with the writings of Ellen G. White and whatever else to make the text say what he wants it to say. Prophet William Marion Branham died in 1963 and was a Baptist Christian before turning to as Oneness Pentecostal prophet. He claimed to be Elijah even still today his followers are propagating his views all over the world.  Jehovah’s Witness too published their own Anti – Trinitarian Bible called “New World Translation”. (Note: The following contents are directly copied from www.blueletterbible.org/faq/canon.cfm‎)

II. Has God Revealed Anything Further to Mankind Since the First Century? There is evidence that the canon of Scripture was complete in the first century. Has God, since that time, revealed anything that is to be added to Holy Scripture?

Claims Do Not Make It True: The mere claim that God spoke to an individual does not make it true. There has to be evidence to back up the claim. The question Is, "Does the evidence support the claim that God spoke through them?" The Bible instructs us to test the spirits: Beloved, “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1)”. When we test the claims of those who have brought forth a "new Scripture" we find them to be untrue. The downfall of all the books that have had inspiration claimed for them is that they present a different revelation from what has previously been recorded. They contradict the Bible.

No Book Qualifies: Every book written since the completion of the Bible that claims to be further revelation from God fails on the same ground. They all deny that Jesus Christ is God Himself, second Person of the Trinity. These works also deny salvation by grace through faith. They preached a different gospel. The Apostle Paul warned the church at Galatia about such people. “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel ... But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:6,8)”.

No Evidence: Furthermore, there is no substantiating evidence such as fulfilled prophecy to demonstrate the books are of divine inspiration. Thus, as we examine the various books that have been written since the completion of the New Testament that have claimed to be further revelation from God, we find them coming short of the mark. The Bible warns: Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He reprove you and you be found a liar (Proverbs 30:5, 6).

III. Can Anything Be Added to the Bible Today? We have seen that the canon was closed in the first century, and that since then God has not revealed anything on the level with Holy Scripture.

Westminster Confession "The Westminster Confession," a seventeenth-century statement of faith, says concerning the Bible, The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men ("Westminster Confession," 1:6). According to this statement, which sums up the Protestant view of Scripture, nothing is to be added or subtracted from the Bible. The revelation from God to man has been completed.

No Direct Word: however, there is any direct word in the Bible that says God has stopped revealing Himself. Some have appealed to the following verses in the Book of Revelation. For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life (Revelation 22:18, 19). This is only speaking of the Book of Revelation. It is not a commandment against adding any other book to Scripture. If taken literally, then you could not have any other book in Scripture but the Book of Revelation! Yet there is a principle here that is clearly taught. No one is to add or to take away from the revealed Word of God.

Jude makes a statement that Is pertinent to' our discussion. “I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3)”. This verse teaches that a body of truth from God has been delivered to man and that this faith has been wholly delivered. This seems to indicate that no further revelation from God is necessary. God has told us in Scripture everything that we need to know about who He is, who we are, and what will happen to the earth in the future.

We know the nature of God does not change: For I am the Lord, I do not change (Malachi 3:6). The Bible says clearly that the faith has been completely revealed. Therefore, If any new revelation were to come from God, it would be consistent with past revelations. Even if a work met all of the above criteria, it would not necessarily be the Word of God. While theoretically it is possible that God could add something to what He has previously revealed, it is highly unlikely that this would be the case. The faith has already been delivered to mankind. Any further word from God to man is not necessary. The canon of Scripture is complete.

When did Jesus become real to you?

There are thousands of arguments to prove the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ historically, and theologically. However all those arguments are vague and futile unless a person encounters the Lord personally. Even the disciples found hard to believe the word “Jesus is risen” uttered by the women who met the resurrected Lord. But it was their personal encounter with the Risen Lord that brought them to believe in the Resurrection. Today what made us to believe in the resurrected Lord? Is it the words of the people whom we respect? Do we believe because the Church has taught that doctrine for 2,000 years? Do we believe because such a belief gives us hope that we have a future beyond the grave? Do we believe because even nature itself seems to proclaim resurrection and new life as spring follows winter? Perhaps those may be the reasons to believe but the basic reason we believe is because in some way we have experienced the presence of the Risen Lord. We have encountered him in our lives. But the crucial question here is when have you encountered the resurrected Lord in your life? Or in other words when did Jesus become real for you? For every Christian, there is a moment when we encounter the risen Lord, when Jesus becomes real. For some, Jesus becomes real in a dramatic Damascus-road experience like that of Paul. For others, Jesus becomes real in a much more subtle way.

Maybe your experience is like that of John Wesley, who did not truly encounter the risen Lord until he had been a preacher for several years. In his journals, Wesley tells of the time when he encountered the risen Lord in a new way. On May 25, 1738, Wesley John 20:19-31 2 accidentally walked in on the meeting of an Anglican gathering on Aldersgate Street in London, and he heard Luther's preface to the Commentary on Romans being read. “About a quarter before nine,” Wesley wrote, “while Luther was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me, that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.” One can hardly dispute the impact that that moment had, when John Wesley, who became one of the greatest preachers to the masses, encountered Christ. The impact of the moment when Jesus became real to John Wesley is still being felt today, for John Wesley is considered the founder of the Methodist Church.

Have you encountered the risen Lord? When was your heart strangely warmed? When did Jesus become more than a word for you? Do you remember that moment? Sometimes Jesus becomes real to those who are most opposed to him. Several years ago there was a young Marxist student who, on a dare, went into a church and told the priest that religion was just the opiate of the people, and that there was no need for religion in a communist society. The priest countered with a dare of his own, that the young man go into the sanctuary and look at crucifix and say, “Jesus died for my sins, and I couldn’t care less.” The student took the priest up on the dare, and he went in and said, “Jesus died for my sins, and I couldn’t care less.” But before he could leave, the priest said, “Do it again, and this time look into the eyes of Christ on the cross.” The young man went back in, looked at Jesus on the cross, and something happened in his heart that made it impossible for him to get the words out of his mouth. That young Marxist encountered the risen Lord that day, and twenty years later as he retold the story, he was telling the story as a priest.

When did Jesus become real to you? Do you remember? Something happens when people encounter the risen Lord. You see it in the disciples and in Thomas in the upper room. When people encounter the risen Lord, something happens within a person, and suddenly things are different. It’s a before-Christ, after-Christ dynamic, a formerly-but-now change in perspective. Paul reminds us of this change when he says, “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation – behold, the old is gone and the new has come.” We look at the world differently once Jesus becomes real in our lives.

Before Jesus becomes real, Good Friday represents the real world where death, tragedy, hopelessness, despair, bitterness, anxiety, restlessness abound. Before Jesus becomes real, you look at the world and you assume that the forces of evil have the upper hand, that there is no hope of overcoming.  But the resurrection represents for us a new reality. When Jesus becomes real, then the hopelessness, despair, bitterness, anxiety, restlessness of our Good Friday existence are transformed. Healing and life are possible in ways that only God can grant. Hatred and animosity are conquered by the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Hope conquers despair. Divisions are broken down, and unity is made possible. Death is conquered by eternal life. When Jesus becomes real, truly it is a gift from God. And, like all gifts from God, it’s not our gift to keep, but to share. To the disciples in the upper room, Jesus said, “As my Father has sent me, I am sending you.” We have the opportunity – actually, we have the calling – to make Jesus real to others. How can you make Jesus real?