Encouragement

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph)

We have been blessed in the past few weeks from guest preachers who brought God’s word to us. Today, I would also like to hear testimonies of what God has done and what God has spoken to you in the past few weeks. Therefore, my message today is a short one-about encouragement.

Encouragement by Him

Romans 15:5 “Now may the God of patience and {comfort | encouragement} grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus.”

Our God is a God of encouragement / comfort. The Christian race here on earth is not a short 100 meter dash. It is most likely a marathon. You may have been part of athletics for a short sprint-where the race is over in just about 15 seconds. But not so in a marathon-where patience and endurance matters.

We have the entire life to walk with the Lord-just as in the marathon! The road goes on and on… and there is a tendency to give up mid-way. We may feel like slowing down a little bit, or walk instead of run, or even stop…But DON’T give up, because there are a whole bunch of people cheering us on in the way… somehow we find new strength to continue!

Once we finish the race, there will be no requirement for encouragement… only the rewards! That is why we must know our God as the One who gives encouragement to us in the Christian race-a God of patience… The race must end well, and we must go on till we finish.

Romans 15:13 says: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

So today, if you are feeling down and tired and weary, it is time to know your God as the God of hope. The race is on… and there is hope. We find in the book of Isaiah from Chapter 40 onwards, the revelation of God as the God of hope and comfort. The people of Israel are taken away captive to Babylon… there is fear, gloom and a sense of despair. The people, who had no hope, came to know God as the God of hope through Isaiah the prophet.

He knows us! “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.” (Isaiah 40:11). God is not just the God of heaven and earth, but He is also the God of each one of us. His eye searches out those whose hearts fear Him, and His arm saves those who are lowly and contrite of heart. He is a God of far and near!

He increases our strength! “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength” – Isaiah 40:29. The familiar verse from Isaiah 40:31 declares: ….those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Therefore keep walking! Keep running… you shall renew your strength in Him and not be tired.

He remembers! Do you feel forgotten and forsaken by Him? The people of Israel felt like that! God declares in Isaiah 49:15, 16 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of h womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands…” He is involved in all the little details of your life…He knows you inside out. A mother may forget her son, but God will not forget you. He arranges things in our life up to the finest detail… the paths are all set out. His plans for us to prosper! But the problems come when we want to have our own way… make our own roads; to have our own plans fulfilled!

He understands! He knows that our thoughts are not His thoughts, and our ways are not His ways. His ways are way higher than ours. (Isaiah 55:8). We must know this too! We are not alone! He has granted Himself to us, through His Son Jesus Christ. He dwells inside of us by His Holy Spirit who continuously encourages us to press on!

Encouragement by His Word

Romans 15:4 “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and {comfort | encouragement} of the Scriptures might have hope.”

If you have doubt, in hearing God’s encouragement, here it is – the Holy Bible, given to us that we may have hope-through it. Given to us in black and white- crystal clear; no two ways about it. Just as any legal document made in black and white! As we read God’s word, we can know of the encouragement from the Scriptures.

We all go through trials. Jesus went through trials and temptations. But He knew the comfort of the Scriptures. So He says, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”. (Matt. 4:4).

There are times when we feel we need to be comforted. We are hungry and thirsty. But man is more than just a physical and an emotional being-he is first a spiritual being! Therefore, before food for his stomach, there has to be food for his spirit. And this spiritual food is God’s word-given to us in black and white. We can feed on it, just as we feed on physical food daily. We require this spiritual food regularly to be strong in comfort.

Psalm 1: 2, 3 says: But his delight is in the LORD, and in his law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season… : God’s word, is like that rivers (or stream) of water that provides nourishment for each one of those trees planted by it. It all starts with God’s word to be patient and to bear fruit. Many have gone through and many are going through the trials and sufferings that you and I undergo right now in this world. Do not imagine that your problem alone is too big for anybody to handle; or that your temptation is weightier than any other. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful…” (1 Cor. 10:13) But in all these our trials, we know one thing-God’s word will provide encouragement; God’s word will provide comfort.

Encouragement through Us

Now is when the rubber meets the road! Not only do we find encouragement, we are also called to encourage one another. There is no need for us to live self-centered lives, thinking only of ourselves. ‘Poor me’, and ‘pity me’ are not the motives for our Christian living! Romans 15:2 says: Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. We are not here to please ourselves and to let others please us. Our part is also to please and encourage others leading to edification.

Everyone needs encouragement at times. We ought to comfort one another with the comfort that we ourselves have received. (2 Cor. 1:4). Paul writes: Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. (Romans 15:14). And again: “…that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” (Romans 1:12).

It is your job and my job in the purposes of God to encourage one another. “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). In Acts 4:36 there was a man named Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement)… we are all called to be like Barnabas-sons of encouragement.

What is your name? What does your name say about you? Have you encouraged someone today? Yes, we are called to encourage one another every day. Hebrews 3:13 says: but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,”… Let us not be a closed Christian-talking about ‘my God, my needs, my comfort…’; there is a life to give encouragement! 

We have a God of encouragement. We have His word of encouragement. (We are privileged here in Mumbai and India to have God’s Holy Bible available freely to us. It is not so in a few countries of the world!). We have churches that are open, where people can gather together openly. It is not so in some countries, where the church meetings are still a secret! We have all we need to finish our Christian race-faithfully and with endurance. Therefore we will not be downcast or depressed; we will encourage one another while it is still “Today”. Amen.

Prayer

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Happy Praying!)

In the key verses for this year (Ezek. 37: 38, 39), there are 3 parts- Prayer, Promise and People (3 P’s); these are intertwined- connected, with one another. In prayer, we claim God’s promises concerning His people. It is my prayer today, that we will appropriate God’s word into our own lives as meditate on the aspect of prayer.

We may think we know a lot about prayer, and to some extent it may be true. If we look into God’s word, there are about 301 references to prayer-that is quite a lot to learn from. If we focus only on the New Testament, we have 141 verses connected with prayer, and we can talk about it all day. But today, let me summarize a few verses from the New Testament on prayer. I just want to make some key points that we can practice in our prayer life.

1 Peter 3:12 says: For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers;…

Your prayer-and mine, gets God’s attention! God loves to hear from you! In the book of Revelation, we find that the prayers of the saints ascend like incense in God’s presence and before the throne of the Lord Almighty (Rev. 5:8). Imagine what a privilege we have as saints-although we are not yet there in heaven, our prayers are! Therefore we ought to pray-to a God who answers the prayers of His people. 

Hindrances to Prayer

Since prayer is part and parcel (if I may use the cliché) of the saints in Christ, let us also know about the hindrances to a prayer filled life.

Mark 11:25 “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone…”

You see, prayer reaffirms our relationship with God the Father. As we submit our petitions concerning what affects us in our lives, we must also know of what affects Him-a heart of unforgiveness. Whatever you may have against anybody, forgive…before starting you prayer; this is what Jesus teaches you and me-forgive...

Psalms 66:18 says: If I regard {iniquity | wickedness} in my heart, the Lord will not hear.

God is full of goodness; in Him there is no shadow of turning… and His face is turned against the wicked. Man sees the face, but God searches out the deep secrets of the heart. Prayer is not an optional (or routine) lip-service to God, it is the essence of a relationship when one speaks and the Lord hears. But if you regard evil in your heart, you snap out of a conversation. How can you fool God?

Essence of Prayer

Colossians 4:2 says: Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

If we are to be called as men and women of prayer, here is the essence-put in some earnestness, be vigilant and be thankful and continue in prayer. Devote yourself to prayer! Laugh with Him, cry on His shoulders, plead with Him, but listen to Him, too! Prayer is not a one-way communication; as we come with a thankful heart, we sense His presence, and hear what He has to say to us. Oh yes, He loves us.

Individual Prayer

Luke 5:16 says about Jesus: So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

What better example than Jesus… Jesus had His disciples with Him most of the time; and there were still many who followed Him from place to place-wanting His healing, hearing His word and receiving His blessings. Yet Jesus found time and a place to have a chat with the Father-one on one.

You too-must find time amidst your busy schedules and away from the noise and the crowd-yes, even close family members and friends, to have a little talk with the Father-alone before His throne.

Intercessory Prayer

In Luke 22:32 Jesus said to Peter: “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

This is only one of many such examples in the Bible, where we are called to pray for others. As humans, there is a part of our self that seeks its own gratification, greatness and glory. We can tend to become selfish and self-centered in our prayers, too! Oh yes, in our distress we run to Him; but how is that we are rather lukewarm in our responses when others-maybe in the body of Christ (church), are going through tough times? Why do you feel that you need not be too concerned, because anyway it is their life and their faith?

1 Thessalonians 5:25 says: Brethren, pray for us.

Here Paul is exhorting the church at Thessaloniki, to pray for him and his companions in the preaching of the gospel of Christ. It is a young church with doubts and questions; Paul takes time to clarify their misunderstandings and yet concludes the letter with a request for prayer. Therefore, I ask you to pray for your pastor; the spiritual leader God has set for you, that God will protect and preserve their lives and that the gospel they preach will reach forth and grasp the hearts of many. "Lord, keep them from the evil one."

Collective Prayer

1 Tim. 2:8 says: I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

In Matt. 18: 19 Jesus says: “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”

There is room for collective prayer, whether in the church or at home – lift up holy hands and agree concerning anything; do not doubt and it will be done. In marriage and at home, we have an opportunity to pray with our spouses – just the two of you can agree together and it will be done. A couple that prays together, stays together. 1 Peter 3:7 talks about the husband giving honor to the wife and dwelling together with understanding, that their prayers may not be hindered. A blessed life together is within your reach… as you continue in prayer.

If you do not know how to pray, you can start off with the prayer our Lord Jesus taught us in Matt. 6:9-13.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

As we read about the prayers of the saints in the Bible, we know that we too can pray and receive the His answers in our day to day life.

• Pray that you may receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:15).
• When you speak in tongues, pray, that you may also interpret (1 Cor. 14:13).
• Pray in the Spirit and build yourself up on your most holy faith (Jude 1:20).
• Pray in the Spirit and pray with understanding (1 Cor. 14:14, 15).
• Pray and believe that you have received it (Matt. 21:22).
• Pray in accordance to the faith God has given you (Mark 11:24).
• Pray for God’s guidance and to know His will (Romans 1:10)
• Pray in times of trouble that we may not enter into temptation (Matt. 26:41)
• Pray for the suffering and the sick (James 5:13, 14)
• Pray for those who spitefully use you (Luke 6:28)
• Pray without anxiety for everything and anything (Phi. 4:6)

Remember the verses in James about Elijah? One person prayed an earnest prayer, and the rain stopped for 3½ years! He prayed again and it rained. Is there anything too hard for the Lord? Is His hand shortened that it cannot save? God is there with us; He is for us. Remember Elijah- he was in need of protection and provision, and God gave that to Elijah miraculously. 

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior still our refuge…take it to the Lord in prayer. Yes, take it to the Lord in prayer! In Jesus is our answer where human solutions cease or do not exist! What is impossible with man is possible with God.

In Jesus are our prayers Yes and Amen!

3-2-1

(Message by Bro. Ashok Vedanayagam, Ex-Director, Navodaya (FMPB) and Founder, ‘Sishya’)

Good to see you all. I know when someone new comes along to share the word, there is a tendency to compare and rate the new preacher against their favorite preacher-they may even give marks according to the choice of words, clarity and depth…if you are going to do that to me, let me confess I will fail; my confidence comes from the fact that once upon a time, a donkey spoke to a prophet! If God can use a donkey to convey a message…you know He can use me! Shall we pray?

Thank You, O God-for You are a God who wants to communicate with your children. Here we are to hear You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

I’ve titled my message as ‘3-2-1’ You will find out, soon enough, why! 

3: Three

Turn with me to Matt. 8:23, 24: Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But he was asleep. Three times in the entire Bible, there is a word used that comes from the original greek word seismos- meaning shaken violently. Here it is translated as ‘a great tempest’ or in some other version as ‘a furious tempest’. While trying to describe this strong tempest, Matthew picks up the word ‘seismos’ – an earth shaking moment.

2. The second time the word ‘seismos’ occurs is also found in the same book of Matthew. Matt. 27:51-54: Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

And again-‘seismos’ is used for the third time in Matt. 28:2. “And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.”

The events describe of something being shaken-in these three places where ‘seismos’ is used. The people who physically see it happening are all gripped with fear-a fear that even seems legitimate. I know you all know what fear is-for some people, it is the fear of darkness, for others-fear of death; and to some others fear of failure in a job or marriage.

Beloved, when you see shaking all around, stand on the strong ground! Put your confidence in Jesus-we have received a faith that cannot be shaken! I tell you that the antidote to fear is faith-A faith that is unmoved by any seismos! You will physically see, physically feel the seismos, but that is not going to move your precious faith one inch!

2: Two

If you know the feeling of amazement, Jesus knew it too! Two times in the Bible it is written Jesus was amazed; that He marveled…The first time is mentioned in Mark 6:6 “And He {Jesus} marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. How is that? Jesus was amazed at their unbelief. His own countrymen!

The other time Jesus was amazed is found in Luke 7:9: When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”

Now, how do you like that? Jesus was amazed at the Centurion’s faith. Do you remember the instance of the Centurion coming to Jesus, because one of his servants was sick? Now this man came and said to Jesus to the effect: ‘Please do not trouble to come to this unworthy man’s house. Just say the word and my servant will be healed.’ And Jesus was amazed at his faith!

Now there are two things that can amaze Jesus-your unbelief or your faith. Now I don’t know anything about you whether you live in fear or faith. I have been through much to know that fear seems real sometimes. But I don’t know the reasons for your fear. 

Young people that we-my wife and I, have ministered to since 1977, have a fear of marriage too! Because, they have seen it painful and broken in other people’s lives-maybe their own cousin or aunt or a close relative. And this is what they say “It didn’t work for them; how can I be sure it will work for me?” All I can say is that the anti-dote to fear is faith. Go toward Jesus-you and your spouse and the boat will float! This is what we say to the young people preparing for marriage or starting their married life.

The fear can be from financial insecurity. I personally believe that credit card is one of the biggest wreckers of young homes-if you cannot manage your finances and pay your debt. I am not against credit card (I carry one myself) but I encourage you to get a grip on your finances by proper planning. If you have a credit card, and suppose your credit limit is 2 lakh rupees…and your salary is Rs. 50000 per month, and you spend 1.25 lakhs within a month…man, I say, you are in big trouble! Because you will now try to pay in more than one installments; and it will only become worse if you make further purchases the next month! The interest charges that are charge by the credit bank are no less than the micro-financing money lenders who charge exorbitant rates-it is usury! Instead if you spend 20000/-, while your salary is still 50000/-, and when you receive the statement for credit at the beginning of the next month, you are able to pay it full-in one shot! That would be just about perfect financial planning.

But beware; because, this is when your silver card will be upgraded to gold card and an increase in credit limit; and if you still continue to make wise, one-shot payments, for your credit shopping, you may then be upgraded to a platinum card to tempt you to spend more! Be steadfast; be sure to pay it back all at once. After the platinum upgrade, if you are still able to do that, I say, man you have mastered the master card!

As a 17 year old, in February 1976, I was slapped with a false case and was put in jail. If you knew the law of the country, a 17-year old should not be put in jail, but be sent to a remand home. But they wrote my age as 24. Thirteen days later, my parents brought me out by bail. I remember a doctor uncle coming along (they were all filled with shame and worry)-and he informed me that the college had given me the sack. He said that I cannot get admission thereafter in any college because of my ill-repute, that I would not get a job if I did not study and that there would be no one willing to marry me, if there was no job! Thinking about it, it all seems very logical – one leads to the other – education, job and then marriage.

But my mother, being a prayerful woman, kept me in prayer and I was sent away to another place, some 400 km from Chennai. After 3 months, my bail was relaxed (otherwise I had to sign in the police station everyday). Then a friend of mine, who was also the church youth leader and a lecturer in a college, talked about me to his Principal, and got me a seat in B.A (Economics). That’s how I came to study in Madras Christian College! But I was not done yet-my case was transferred from Magistrate to the Session’s court for trial once more, and I had to spend a day in jail again during my first year in college.

To my curious friends, I gave varying reasons of why I did not attend college the previous day, but was caught out by a professor in the 4^th hour – he looked at me and said that my name had appeared in the newspaper where it was also mentioned that some case was pending against me and I had spent some time in jail. I was aghast and taken aback! My friends, who took offense at the professor’s affront, dismissed it by calling him by his nickname; incredibly, his nickname was “convict” (whatever reasons I do not know!)

But, I was filled with shame and remorse-because I knew what the professor was saying was entirely true! After that hour, I went to the library to browse the newspaper and indeed found that my name was in the papers with all the sordid details. My mind was filled with dread and the only desire I had at that time was that my mother, somehow, would not see the article in the newspaper. Also at that time, I was addicted to cigarette and was into drugs and I was into all kinds of trouble, but hoped that somehow my mother would not know!

That evening, I saw my mother in tears. She had obviously seen the newspaper!. I went up to her, took her by her shoulder and shook her hard: “Mother, why are you crying? There is no God” After a pause and a concession in my thinking, I continued, “Even if there was a God, He must be blind. Look at all the trouble with my case in court.” She said, “Ashok, you can never cheat God!” and cried inconsolably. I did not know what to say... and at that time somehow this verse hit me “It is hard for you to kick against the thorns” (Saul’s conversion in Acts 9:5). I went into my room and started crying… I told Him-I told my Jesus, that I was sorry because I had been hurting my mummy and daddy; that I was sorry for hurting Him, too! Not only that, I was hurting myself (with my habits) and I said I was sorry! I confessed and asked Him for help. I said, “God, if you will help me in my case in the Sessions court, I will serve you full-time!”

From that moment, I knew a change in me that I had not known before. Jesus took control of my life.. My life changed; miraculously my case was dissolved in the court (it was a false case, in the first place). I quit smoking and drugs with Jesus’ help. God’s word filled my life. My life took the best turn it could possibly ever take!

Remember the doctor's prediction-I would not study...? I completed my BA; I won’t get a job? I was on the job even before the final year exams were over! I will not get married? Beloved, I did get married and now my daughter is married too! What a wonderful and awesome God is on our side. Nothing is impossible!

I don’t know what is your fear-maybe your future, a job or marriage? I do not know anything about you…But I know one thing-God is able! Increase your faith-faith comes by hearing … (Romans 10:17). If you have an ipod or a business phone, hear the word of God… yes, I know about all your interests in listening to good music. But give it a try for maybe 15 minutes to start with? Then gradually you will find the word of God make a lasting impression and maybe then you would like to increase your time of hearing God’ word? Read God’s word…Study God’s word… meditate on God’s word; and memorize God’s word.

He is the same God who is there in the Bible, who is now with us! God of Daniel (in the lion’s den), God of Joshua (up against the walls of Jericho), God of Jehoshaphat (up against the battle with many armies surrounding him)… He is the same God now with me!

If Jesus is there with you in your boat, you can be sure nothing will happen to the boat! Yes, there may be a storm raging over the sea; yes, there may be upheavals and shaking; yes, there may even be tossing and turning of the boat; but Jesus is at rest inside the boat. Peace… be still, and the storm will be gone! Now go ahead and amaze Jesus by your faith. Will you?

1: One

Psalm 27:4: One thing I have desired of the LORD, that I will seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.

There is one thing that you can do-behold His beauty! If you know of a Mac user and ask him what’s wrong in having a PC, he will say that the Mac is unbeatable-because it can multitask! This has become some catch-phrase these days-multi-tasking. People tend to think that they can do many things at the same time… it is not true. We are designed to do one thing at a time-only one thing is needed, only one thing I have desired. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33)-and all these ‘other’ things of food, clothing and shelter will be added to you!

God First… Make a decision “Today God Is First”! Do you know what they do to train a lion? The trainer, they say, carry 3 things-a pistol (to shoot in case the lion decides it is lunch-time instead of training time!), a whip (understandable, when a ‘crack’ of it will sound an alarm to the lion), a stool! Now, what can you possibly do with a 3-legged (or 4-legged) stool? But they say, it is the best weapon to tame the lion. They say it is for the trainer’s defense-that a lion when charging will lose its focus, not knowing what to charge at-if 3 legs are thrust in front of him! And it will just stare at it or sit down! Even a lion (king of the jungle) cannot handle 3 things at the same time!

Everyday God must be First, family next and farther down is your job, secular work or whatever. Recently, we encouraged the young couples in our fellowship to spend time talking with one another for at least 20 minutes everyday. The same Wednesday, I received a telephone call from a brother asking me “Brother, what can I talk for 20 minutes…I’m trying to and looking at my watch…and it’s just 13 minutes over! How is it that we spend hours talking to one another, and run up huge telephone bills, before marriage-but not after?

See, the whole exercise of asking them to spend 20 min. talking with one another, was prompted from our own experience, as well. I did not realize that I have been talking less and less with my wife-who has a habit of making long prayers (I like to pray short ones-maybe many times throughout the day). But as I prayed with her, and listened, I heard phrases and sentences meant entirely for me in her prayers! I told her ‘Hey, that’s for me-talk to me, why would you disturb Him?’ She replied, ‘In the morning you are always in a hurry to go to office and so rush about; and in the evening you are grumpy because of something that happened in the office. Tell me, when should I talk?’ That was the time we decided we will chalk out 20 minutes, at least, to talk to one another. And it has been a blessing to me in our family.

Put God First, Family Next and the Secular Work last! God Bless You.

Dealing With Difficult People

(Message by Pastor Dominic Rodrigues from Korba, Chhattisgarh)

It is my privilege to share the Word with you today. I am pastoring the Masih Aradhana Church, in Korba, Chhattisgarh, which is part of Race of Joy Ministries based in Agra.

Today, as we open up our bibles, let us focus our hearts and minds to hear the word of God. May His word richly dwell in us-this is the purpose of hearing. We know the verse from John 3:16- an open invitation to all to believe in Christ and experience everlasting life; but let us remember the verse from Col. 3:16 as well-a call to Christians for correct living-“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Today, I want to talk about how to deal with difficult people and circumstances. Remember-we are called to be His witnesses wherever we go! How can we show-up Christ in our everyday life? We are going to face some difficult people, and some unpleasant circumstances; but thank God for Word. We read in it about people who found favor with God-even as they dealt with difficult people and situations in their own lives; and we can learn from them. You see, they were no different from you and me; for they faced similar hurdles, yet overcame those hurdles by displaying some unique traits of Christ-likeness. We will see them one-by-one

Noah

God called this man to do something special; He gave Noah a vision and a mission-something that had never been accomplished before-building an ark! You see, those days, there was no rain. People around had no idea of what he was talking about, as he went about building the ark. They mocked at him. But it is written about Noah in Gen. 6:9 “…Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.”

And in verse 22, “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” (Gen. 6:22). The character of obedience was Noah’s forte-no matter how little he understood of what God told him-he was determined to fulfill it. We can learn from Noah, obedience to God’s word-complete and immediate obedience. Not partial obedience of taking what suits you-which is in effect disobedience! Whatever God says, do it all for Him! This will help us face difficult people, because we live not as men-pleasers, but God-pleasers.

Jacob

We know the history of Jacob-a schemer, through and through. But there was a time in his life, when he had to deal with his past-he was about to meet his estranged brother Esau! He had heard Esau was coming with a company of 400 men. Left alone, Jacob struggled with his own emotions and fears, and he met God. He prayed, please bless me – “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”  What happened? He was a changed man from then on-his name was changed from Jacob to Israel.

Prayer signifies our dependence on God; prayer leads to humility. This is what we learn from Jacob-Humility. Jesus humbled Himself and He calls us to humble ourselves. This may be quite easy in God’s presence; but how about humbling yourself as you face others in the world? The Lord sees the heart; and His hand is stretched out against the haughty. Jacob humbled himself before Esau. We can learn this from him and humble ourselves before our brothers and sisters, here and now.

Joseph

Yes, we know about Joseph too! We know of his dreams and his interpretations. He loved his brothers and would visit them, bring them food. But you know what- his brothers hated him and sought an opportunity to put him away! People around us would do the same-they will forget our good deeds and even become ungrateful over a period of time, they will misuse us – these are the ‘well’ experiences that Joseph faced too! Or there may be a temptation we may face in our life; Joseph faced it too! And he triumphed over it. Gen.39:2 says that the LORD was with Joseph and He found the favor of God (v21). His question can be our quest too-“How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

Holiness is what God is calling us to. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and the Lord does watch over His temple. No temptation will be too great-for the Holy Spirit will be our Helper; the church leaders are there to help us; our brothers and sisters in Christ are there to help us lead a holy life-there is no excuse for ‘falling’ in sin!

Moses

Do you wonder what we can learn from Moses? Really, a lot! We know of all his excuses when God called him. We know of his anger and burden for the people of Israel. But let me choose for now one instance in Moses’ life and his character revealed through it – He longed for God’s presence. His Holy Presence will help us deal with difficult circumstances. Moses wanted God’s presence more than anything; remember in Exodus 33, he was given an option to proceed further to the Promised Land-with an Angel! But Moses cried out in verse 15 …and said to Him “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.”

We can learn to pray like Moses... Lord, I long for Your Presence only. Let me find grace in Your sight. Come with me! Help me.

David

Have you ever wondered how many people are willing to give advice and opinions when you have to face the difficulties in life? There will be quite a few. David faced it too. The young lad had heard Goliath and was determined to face the giant alone in battle (1 Samuel 17). But then he heard various opinions from his own brothers. Even king Saul had his own opinions (v33) and adviced David on what to wear and what to carry. And you know what David did – He followed none of their advices, but remembered his past victories in God-victories over a lion and a bear! David said to Saul: "Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God."

Remember what God has done for you. For Saul had a plan for young David-but it was not God’s plan! David had a plan based on his own experiences of what God had done in the past; and a vision of the future-of what would happen to Goliath. And it worked perfectly!

Where do you go for your own vision of the future? Do you run to the church leaders and search for answers; or would you rather remember of what God has done with you in the past and yield to God’s plan? Forget not all His benefits-for He has redeemed your life from destruction.

Joseph (of Arimathea)

Luke 23:50, 51 talks about a just man, Joseph-who was watching and waiting for the kingdom of God. That speaks a lot about that man Joseph who, though being a council member of the Jews, did not consent to the decision of handing over Jesus to Pilate. Now, this Joseph, after Jesus’ death on the cross, went and asked Pilate for the body of Jesus-the One who was handed over to Pilate by the Jewish council members!

Here we are waiting for the Lord’s return. The Lord is coming to take His people… the harvest is indeed plenty, but the laborers are few. If you are watching and waiting for the Lord’s return, let us also do the right things-be just, be righteous, be merciful, be honest. Because we fear God, we will not consent to evil. Trust in God and do the right!

Jesus

Jesus left His glory, came as a baby; lived as a human but underwent inhuman sufferings; convicted though sinless, died among sinners, but rose again victorious. Peter had this image of Jesus fixed on his mind “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth…” (Isaiah 53: 7). That is why Peter writes:

1 Peter 2: 20-24

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten  for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed.

Suffer in silence. This is what we learn from Jesus. This is what we are called for when we have to deal with difficult people in our own lives. We have a perfect example in Jesus.

May we learn from these people in the Bible and learn to deal with different people and difficult circumstances. Amen.