Apostolic Prayers

- Pastor Philip Joseph

One significant aspect of our relationship with God is through our prayer. From Genesis to Revelation, if we look at the Bible, we see many instances of prayer by many different people. One thing that we learn is that for God’s will to be fulfilled on earth, it is essential that we pray. For example, Daniel knew God’s will and that the time of 70y spoken by prophet was completed. But then he prayed that God will return mercy upon His people, and then it was fulfilled.

While reading the 66 books of the Bible, one must pause and read the prayers of saints, and also read it in context of what is written before and after. Today, I would just like us to focus our attention on Apostolic prayer from the letters of New Testament saints.

2 Thessalonians 1:11 NKJV: Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,

In context, Paul is encouraging believers in Thessalonica, through this prayer, to show forth faith and patience in all their persecutions, and endure tribulations; telling them that God will judge those perpetrators of troubles, as they continue their work of faith with power. Do not be idle, but be willing to work.

2 Corinthians 13:7 NKJV: Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified…. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete.

Be discerning, examine yourself, pursue gentleness. As you continue in gentleness, God will make good the things that we may lack and make us complete. Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts.

Ephesians 1:18-19 NKJV: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.

A prayer for understanding, and how our inner eyes are to be enlightened. How great is our God-His calling, His inheritance, and His great power.

Philippians 1:9-10 NKJV: And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, [10] that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

The Philippian church had internal competition, like some of us here. Love is not sincere. Paul prays that our love may abound still more… till the day of Christ.

Colossian church was founded by Epaphras. Supernatural experiences a premium here. A sect became a cult with instigation to worship of angels. Some others went to the other extreme of being ascetics. Paul prays for Colossians...

Colossians 1:9 NKJV: For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Apostle John prays for Gaius in 3 John 1:2 NKJV: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

God is in interested in your Prosperity and good health. Whatever you do shall prosper and you will have good success. Health in your body is God’s will. God is interested in your entire being… seeking to bless you in spirit, soul and body and make you complete.

What kind of prayer do you have in your life? What do you pray over your children? Is it any near to these Apostolic prayers for saints? Or is it just education, career and financial prosperity?

May our inner eyes be enlightened, may we be patient in our faith works, may we prosper in our soul. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Jesus is Coming-Be Prepared

Pastor S. Joseph, NLMI

Are we really prepared to meet Jesus at His coming? There is a story about a preacher in South India who secretly appointed 4 people to blow trumpets at a pre-defined time as he was about to deliver a message about the second coming of Jesus Christ. It was a gathering of more than 200 people, all intently listened to the preacher as he expounded on the second coming of Jesus. Suddenly, the trumpet blared and except for a handful of people many ran for shelter, and some even hid under the chairs!

What happened? Though we may have an intellectual, theoretical and theological understanding of the coming of the Lord Jesus, and raise our hands and sing ‘Come soon, Lord Jesus’ – when it comes to reality and practical life, many would feel overwhelmed and under-prepared. Let me explain… if somehow you come to know that Jesus would come tomorrow, will it cause you to make some necessary changes in your life today, maybe finish some unfinished work-or will you go about doing just what you are doing today? If some changes to your schedule is seen, then certainly you are not prepared to meet the Lord! On the other hand, if you ask me, I would go about doing the same things that I am doing. If the Lord tarries, I am prepared to go and meet Him-absent in the body present with the Lord!

We can read about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in the gospels: Matt. 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. We must have this attitude of preparation in our day-to-day life.

Remember we met Jesus at the cross, held on to His word, just as He took hold of us at our word of confession. Now being forgiven of our sins, we have peace {that transcends human understanding} within us, and we have peace with God. And joy bubbles over as we start ministering His word that sets sinners free-day after day, week after week and month after month, not being discouraged by any barbs and back-biting, but being able to forgive others even while we hurt, Jesus being the change inside.

And we tell others about Jesus, and what He has done for us. No, I am not talking of religion – from Catholic to Protestant, or from Protestant to Charismatic movement… I am talking of real change inside. Do you have this peace and joy due in whole because of a direct relationship with God our Father in Jesus Christ?

And then maybe you join a fellowship like the one you are now attending, or any other Christian fellowship. And over many days and weeks, you slowly find the effervescence of joy and fullness of peace waning, because there are people in Christian fellowship waiting with a cold blanket! And even if you start ministering in a small way, there are bricks and bats thrown at you-never directly, of course; but now you sense the sorrow of suffering within the house of your friends. But through all this, you persevere to show up and show forth your light, and your own children are slowly led towards the light of the gospel. And the family soon join together to glorify god in every circumstance-yes, a small church begins at home.

Beloved, I am speaking from my heart, and if you have experienced these, I want you to meditate on the first epistle of Paul to Thessalonians…

In 1 Thess. 1:2, 3 Paul says: We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ …

So there is a faith that works, a love that labours and a hope that is patient. When this continues every day, it means that we are prepared to meet the Lord. Paul, while writing his first epistle to Thessalonians, answers the question of the believers there concerning the death and resurrection of saints at the coming of the Lord. And this book of five chapters – all end with the coming of the Lord Jesus, and how we believers ought to be prepared. And this is what I would like to share with you today.

1.      Jesus is Coming-Be Saved

1 Thess. 1: 9, 10
For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

This is how we came, turning from idols - whether seen or unseen, religious or social, institutional or traditional; and we found Jesus, no one else. Now we are in God's service, through Jesus Christ. 

2.       Jesus is Coming-Be a Soul Winner

1 Thess. 2: 19, 20
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.

Would you go empty-handed to meet Jesus? Or would you be like Paul rejoicing to see some, then and there, who you have led to Jesus?

3.       Jesus is Coming-Be Strengthened

1 Thess. 3: 13
So that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Be stable, be established, be strengthened… in your hearts.

4.      Jesus is Coming-Sorrow No More

1 Thess. 4:15 – 18
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

We have comfort because of His coming. Therefore we do not sorrow like others without hope. But for a brief moment, even if we sorrow, we have hope…

a.       Hope in the Return of Lord Jesus
b.      Hope in the Resurrection of the Sleeping Saints
c.       Hope in the Rapture of the Living Saints
d.      Hope in the Reunion of ALL Saints

Hallelujah! There will be sorrow no more!

 5.       Jesus is Coming-Be Sanctified

1 Thess. 5: 23, 24
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Complete sanctification-spirit, soul and body. Cooperate with Him, He will DO it.

(v28) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Ruth

-Pastor Philip Joseph

Today, my heart is for character study from the Bible. If you look at the Old Testament and the New, there are many persons from whom we can learn and draw closer to God. And today I have chosen a very simple lady from the Bible.

Why simple? Because the book of Ruth is wedged between Judges and I Samuel; Judges-a book of great men and women who judged Israel, and 1 Samuel which describes the start of Kings like Saul and then David. And apart from the book of Ruth, you hardly find mention of Ruth in other books of the Bible, except in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in the gospel according to Matthew, where it is written: …Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth … (Matt. 1:5)

The book of Ruth has only 4 chapters. But let us look at 5 things that Ruth did, that not only blessed her life but also made her a blessing for generations to come.

 

1. Make Correct Choices

Ruth 1:16

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (NIV)

Here is Ruth-a young widow, a Moabite, and obviously very poor, making a choice that was going to change her life and destiny. Remember, she had left her father and mother to cling on to Naomi-her mother-in-law, and was willing to embrace a new people, leaving her own nation and people. But the life defining choice is, to me, her choice of embracing the God of Israel. She declares, “Your God will be my God”.

Remember, Joshua declared a similar statement while bring the children of Israel into the promised land, only to find them disillusioned about life and possessions. Joshua declares, “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Josh. 24:15). It is written about this Joshua that he followed the LORD wholeheartedly (Num. 32: 12).

For me, as a believer, I want to follow the Lord fully, wholeheartedly. Not sitting in the fence and waiting endlessly.

2. Take Concrete Steps

As Ruth made her right choices, some radical changes took place in her life. Some in the world would call it a fluke, or a stroke of luck-but for believers, as you all know, there is no such thing as luck. It is called God’s favour!

It says in Ruth 2:3 – So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz…

Prov. 20:24 confirms that a man’s step is ordained by the Lord. Psalm 37: 23, 24 says: The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

What a wonderful God we serve! We can fully trust God for every circumstance we may face in our own life. I am sure none of us have a situation as bad as Ruth’s. But it God who ordains our steps, day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year. It may seem like routine for many of us. But beyond the unseen, we can know of his Hand that had held us from falling, His hand in making a way of escape for us, his hand in providing the right things at the right time… whatever you have in your life at present is because of a faithful and promise-keeping God.

3.  Come to God, Our Refuge

When Ruth acknowledged God as her refuge, everyone around could see her virtuousness and faith. Boaz had this to say of Ruth, in Ruth 2:12.

May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.

One of the most memorised of Psalms is Psalm 91, full of promises and with one condition-come under His wings, acknowledge Him. Psalm 91: 2, 4 says,

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

He will cover you with his feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

And the Psalm ends with God proclaiming “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name. (v14).

Psalm 46: 1,2 says: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea…

We can constantly be led to pray that prayer of David, saying, Search me O God, and know my heart today. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Acknowledge Him and come under His everlasting wings.

4. Court God’s will

Ruth, being a foreigner, was unaware of the customs and practices in Israel. But she was willing to learn and live according to all that Naomi began to teach. She pursued the path of peace with courage, speaking to Boaz about marriage. Imagine a young foreign widow, coming and seeking the cover of her near relative Boaz. But she knew she was already under the cover of God’s hand, and so Ruth took steps of boldness as instructed by her mother-in-law, and she found the answer in Ruth 3:10 when Boaz replied:

“The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.”

It is God’s will for your marriage, beloved brothers and sisters. And I know of people seeking God’s will in marriage, but along with that, take instructions from your dear ones and pursue the path of peace. It is not God’s will for you to be endlessly waiting at the same place … seeking, seeking and not acting accordingly. Romans 12:2 says, that you have to prove what the will of the Lord is, by doing.

Some in their youth also have this attitude of seeking their own will in marriage, to the point that they reject every other path shown. Seek the Lord, get counsel from the elders, and submit your will to God saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

5. Find God’s Blessings

Ruth 4:13 (NIV)

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.

The Lord enabled her to conceive! Earlier, she had no children. But now, God’s blessing hand was upon her and she became a joyful mother. Her barrenness was taken away in the most wonderful way. Psalm 113:9 says,

He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.

The end of the book is that Ruth became so well loved, with neighbours pouring in to name her child, and she had great possessions too and was richly blessed. Imagine Ruth the Moabite, became Ruth the great-grandmother to the great king David and found herself in the everlasting genealogy of our LORD Jesus. What blessedness!

So, here we are. The crux of the matter is to come under God’s wings-under His authority to obey Him in all matters. Deut. 28:2 says,

All these blessings will come on you and {accompany | overtake} you if you obey the LORD you God:

Be blessed in Jesus. Amen.

Sing to the LORD

-Pastor Philip Joseph

1. Grasp eternity in singing

Today I have in my heart a very simple message- Sing to the LORD. This seems so simple that people have the impression that it is optional.

People, yes, even Christians, have this idea that prayer is mandatory, but singing is meant only for those special few or is reserved only for special occasions like a church-gathering! But I want to encourage you today, it does not matter whether you have a gripping voice or not, whether you can sing the tunes to perfection or not, it is important for each one of us to start singing, and join those innumerable voices already involved in singing.

People spend so much time in doing the things that are temporal, but let me show you how singing is for both now and for ever. Yes, singing started much before time began, and will continue even in the life hereafter.

Singing in the Beginning

Job 38:6-7 NKJV: To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Singing by the heavenly hosts

Rev. 5: 9 : And they sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood, Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

Singing by the 144,000

Rev. 14:3 : They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.

Singing by the Victorious

Rev. 15:3 : They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the lamb, saying:
“Great and marvellous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!”

Singing is what happens in the heavenly realm. The angels, the four-living creatures, the twenty-four elders are involved in the act of praising God by singing out loud and clear. You too, start singing!

2. Get acclimatised to singing

And when we sing, we bring the heavenly atmosphere down here on earth, and as we sang today, there is refreshment that enters our spirit, when we sing “You bring times of refreshing in my soul”. So, go ahead and bring in times of refreshing - start to sing!

Decide to sing

I have decided no matter what the circumstance is around me, I will let out a joyful song of praise to my Lord. It is a decision, and does not depend on what goes on around me, or whether I feel good or not so good. This is one secret of a victorious life in Christ.

If you lack singing in your personal life, and if the only moments you sing are those in the church service on Sundays, my beloved brothers and sisters, you are in a sorry state. It is necessary to cultivate, start, and habituate singing as an integral part of your life.

It is written about Jesus, thus in Heb. 2:12,
saying: “I {Jesus} will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”

We read and hear much about the prayer-life of Jesus. But do you know that Jesus had a singing life, too? The writer of Hebrews quotes the Psalmist (Ps. 22:22) that Jesus’ earthly ministry had something to do with singing praises to the Father, too. And again, we see that between the Passover feast and the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus took time out to sing a hymn together. As it is written,

Matt. 26:30 : And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

And for us who know now of what Jesus underwent in that Mount of Olives, how He would be betrayed by one of His own, we may well wonder what gain would Jesus gather, in this His hour of gravity, just by singing a hymn. Why? Isn’t prayer supposed to be sufficient? Isn’t it interesting to you that Jesus sang a hymn before He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane? And it is here that we again learn the secret that refreshment in the spirit happens because of singing.

And we know the familiar passages of the Scripture where Paul and Silas, when thrown into prison started praying and singing hymns.

Acts 16:25 : But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

The further sequences of events are only too familiar for us-the sudden earth-quake, the open prison doors, and the saving grace to the Jailer… Have you started singing?

3. Greet one another in singing

Eph. 5:19-20 : Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

The Apostles not only practiced what they saw in Jesus, but they also preached what they practiced. Here is Paul’s letter to Ephesians, asking them to have a ‘singing’ conversation with one another – psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

What a privilege to have a good voice or to be proficient in playing an instrument! But even without that, one must start singing-making melody in your heart. Paul emphasises the same again in the letter to Colossians.

Col. 3:16 : 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.

If you think that you do not have the right words to make a song, delve deep into the Scriptures and the word of Christ. There is a entire book of Psalms with 150 songs. King David who wrote more than 70 of those. David had a variety of experiences: As a small boy ignored by his own folks at home, he tended sheep but came closer to the heart of God in songs. Once pursued by king Saul, he had to hide in a cave-but then came a song of praise; once he feigned madness just to escape from Achish-the king of Gath, again came a song of praise.

In times of exhilarating victories, in times of despairing anguish, in times of deepening sin, in times of delightful deliverances and in times of overwhelming pain, running, hiding, fleeing, fighting, resting, dancing-in every circumstance of his own life, David could grasp the eternity of song, gather his wits to find refreshment and climb out of the deepest of pits in his life, by surrounding himself with songs of deliverance.

Psalms are those written in a very personal way in our every-day circumstances.

James 5:13 says: Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.

Hymns are those written for singing together in gatherings-songs of encouragement and hope. And spiritual songs are those sung from the very depths of your spirit.

Gather yourselves, greet one another. Start singing! Is singing important in a believer’s life? Absolutely.

If you are still in doubt, you may take the four-fold test to convince yourself of this truth on this or any other subject: 1. Did Jesus talk about this? 2. Did Jesus practice this? 3. Did the Apostles preach about this? And 4. Did the Apostles practice this?

With respect to singing, you will find all answers are in the affirmative.

1 Cor. 14:15 : What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

Start singing!