Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Life's Purpose--2

" Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will."[Romans 12:2]

Knowing that we have to aspire, is not enough for a Christian. A formation has to take place. Formation denotes, a process of being made.

As we grow in our life in Christ, a transformation has to happen . We are to be formed according to the divine plan, to be like Jesus . This plan that God has for each of us is nothing but the best. To follow the example of Jesus, is the best way to conform to God's plan for us, as He was the only perfect one led by the Holy spirit.

" I have given you an example and you should do as I have done to you" [John13:5] said Jesus to his disciples after He washed their feet. It is an example of humility and servant hood. Such a character should be formed in us.

No doubt it is easily said than done. It is not easy to be holy in every thing we do in this present society we live in. We will be ridiculed and avoided as unsociable prigs. Fearing this sometimes makes us compromise with the world. This hinders our being like Jesus.

When Jesus asks us to do something, He enables us and supplies His grace in abundance. It is the holy Spirit that helps us in this process. " We all with an open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord."[2nd Cor.3:18]

Apostle Peter says the same thing in the following manner. "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance, but as He who has called is holy, you be holy in all manner of conversation" [1stPeter1:14,15] [Conversation means our daily dealings.]

This is the transformation that has to take place in each one of us. How ever ugly our nature may be, God is able to make it holy and beautiful like His if we submit to Him. He will renew our minds and make us know His perfect will.

May the holy Spirit transform us to be like Jesus.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Life's Purpose-1

Life is meaningless without a purpose. For some the sole purpose in life is to make money. Some are duty bound. There are others for whom seeking pleasure wherever and whenever possible is all that they look for in life.

It was refreshing for me to learn this morning that for a christian there are three purposes for their life, based on the word of God: Appropriation, formation and donation. All these three have to take place in a Christian's life. It may take place at the same time in different areas of one's life or at different times.

Aspiration is a time of taking in. We should aspire to receive salvation." I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the lord." says the psalmist . [Ps. 116:13]

Instruction is another thing one has to aspire for. " Take hold of instruction; Let her not go; Keep her, for she is your life."[Pr.4:13]

We ought to aspire for divine strength too. With out God's strength we just cannot go on in this life is an experiential truth. Our Lord offers it to us freely:
" Let him take hold of my strength that he may make peace with me and he shall make peace with me."[Is.27:5]


We have to be aware of the opportunities God gives us to be useful in His kingdom. The parable Jesus said about stewardship in Luke 19 tells of the Lord who gave his servants money and told them " Occupy till I come." He is telling the same thing to us, as He bestows gifts to us. We ought to seize that opportunity and gain the resulting blessing for now and eternity.

The greatest of all aspiration is for the water of life ." The Spirit and the bride say come and let him that hear say come and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." [Rev.22:17]

When we have such Godly aspirations, I am sure Our Lord will help us to fulfill this part of our purpose in our spiritual growth.

I hope you are blessed by this as I am. May th Lord help us to have the right kind of purpose for our life.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Family Gettogether Is Essential

"For this reason, I kneel before the Father from whom His whole family in heaven and earth derives it's name, that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power, through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know that this love surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. [Ep.3:14-19]

The above is, St. Paul's much needed prayer for the church family.

Much attention is given to the family these days: Having a family name is considered important. Family roots are being searched. Family time and values are emphasized. Family reunions are celebrated.
With out being a member of a family a family, one will be a loner. It is considered a tragedy if some one is disowned by the family or gets away from his family

As Christians we belong to the family of God. It is such a huge and great family where God is our loving heavenly father! We have the same family name. Our father in heaven promises His love and power to each and every member of this great family.

We know that it is the' word' of our father that created the heaven and the earth. His love made provision for our sins to be pardoned. His everlasting love wants to us to be saved and have eternal security. Such a great father desires to impart his love and power to us His children. That could be attained only by coming together in unity to worship, comprehend his love and grow in it. All who wish to receive this blessing should remain in the family.

It is sad to note that many Christians wish to be loners for various reasons. Those who isolate themselves from the family become losers, devoid of God's love and power.

It is not easy to get along with every one in the church family. It is good to remember that all are in the process of growing up and are liable to falter or hurt. That is why Paul says "God is able to do more than what we ask or think according to His power working in us." [Eph3: 20] He is able to accomplish anything. We should desire to be in His family at any cost so that God's power could work in and through us. His power gives us the ability to be together.

Many members of our great family of God need our prayers and encouragement. Many are going through persecutions for following Christ. We should be in a position to pray for the power of the enemy to be paralysed and deliverance come to our brothers and sisters.

It is time for us to meet with our family to grow in the love of our father and to use His power to bring answers to the seeking , suffering world.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Whom are we serving?

I was taken aback at the remark of a sweet, successful, young lady, after the service one Sunday. 'Do we have to leave our jobs, homes and be in the church all the time? She suddenly asked. This is a girl who always says positive encouraging things! I was troubled why she said so.

The sermon was on serving the Lord. It was evident that she did not understand what is expected of her. So many like her are disillusioned about serving God.

All are expected to serve God. Some are called like the apostles to forsake all and follow Christ. "If any man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall also my servant be: If any man serve me him will my father honor" [John12:26] What a great reward is promised to the one who serves Christ by following Him! He will be with Christ in eternity and the father will honor him!

How do we serve Christ? We do have our jobs studies and daily tasks to attend to. We are entitled to rest and recreation as well, one may say.

As we go through the day, how, where and with what attitude we engage in our daily activities, show whom we serve. Are we serving ourselves, the devil or Christ? It is a good habit to take a stock of our day, at the end of each day.

Serving self, is being selfish and self centered in our motives, in the things that we do. Engaging ourselves in talking and planning things that are not pleasing to God, is serving the devil. No one can please two masters, is a well known saying.

We may be doing a secular job. If we do it well, as doing a service" unto the Lord and not unto men", [Eph, 6:7] it become a service to God. It will bring glory to God.

Bearing other peoples' burdens, [Galationns6:2] helping them and praying for them are counted as service to God. "As we have therefore opportunities, let us do good unto all men"[Gal.6:10]
It is not the lack of time, but the lack of willingness that prevents people from serving the right master.

When we start doing every thing as though we are doing it to the Lord, He will bring in more opportunities to be a blessing, giving joy to others. There by we will introduce Jesus to them.
Serving the Lord becomes easy and joyful, if 'Self' goes out of us.

May God help us to serve our master the right way, selflessly through out the day.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Thanks Giving.

Most of you would have noticed that I had not posted anything for a few months. The reason is not that there was no inspiration. The Lord never stops talking to any one who seek Him diligently! It was the lack of facility that hindered my writing.

I was away in Sri lanka. It is an island, torn by civil war for many years. Yet there is no peace over there. People are living in uncertainty, fear and danger. Those who trust in the Lord are being over shadowed under His wings. I thank you for praying for me. The Lord was good to me. his protection and provision was with me. He blessed me and made me a blessing to others as well.

Yesterday was Thanks giving day in Canada. It is a good practice to be thankful to parents , friends and all who are good to us, not only on a particular day, but every day!

The word of God says , " Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." [1 Th.5:18]. We ought to give thanks to God at all times, in every thing. It is not easy to do. A contented heart will be able to praise God even when things are bad. There will be no room for complaining, murmuring or fault finding in a heart that is contented .

May God give all of us such a heart, I pray.