Christ and the Church

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Happy Reading!)

Form of Godliness
After the day of Pentecost, there was a revival in the early church- the apostles preached the gospel boldly; God confirmed His word with signs and wonders. People were being added to the church in great numbers. Saul- one of the persecutors was turned to the light and became Paul. Now, Paul went about preaching Christ as the Messiah and established new churches in places where no one had gone before.

But after about 30 years of the Ascension, Paul writes this to Timothy: “…having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” [2 Tim. 3:5]

Here we are some 2000 years after the happenings of the early church. And it is relevant for us to ponder what Paul is saying here: We may very well be practicing a form of Christian living- a Christian show, if you like; where the real power of Christ is missing, but the show goes on! And it is time for us to look around and see; and also to look at ourselves!

Right things / Right Person

What goes on here and now? All our actions and words may seem to reflect that we are doing all the right things, but indeed miss out on the right PERSON- Jesus Christ. We may participate in a church service with enthusiasm, partake of the emblems of the bread and the wine, parade our feelings of love for God- and yet miss out on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Even the children, who grow up amongst us, may read the Bible and pray, but still miss the content of the gospel. And the youth may only see the experiences and manifestations as real evidences and miss out on the greatest miracle- salvation of the soul… Yes, it can happen! We may all cultivate a form of godliness and miss out on the power of the gospel!

We need to have a revelation of who Jesus is. One day, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to Him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” [Matt. 16: 16, 17]

Being a Christian
That is why I said, we need to have a revelation of who Jesus is; and our children need to have a revelation too! Being a Christian is always by choice, and not by birth. We may have been born to godly parents in a Christian home. We may have been inducted into the church right from our baby years, but that does not make us a Christian. We may inherit so many things from our parents and even our beliefs about God and His word; but it does not make us a Christian. Only God who is in heaven can give us a revelation of who Jesus is.

Now, having a revelation once and then forgetting about it is of no use. It is for us to lay hold of the essence and establish a relationship with Jesus everyday of our lives; talking with Him, morning by morning with renewed minds and open hearts. Paul who established the church at Corinth writes: But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. [2 Cor. 11:3] The Corinthians did have a revelation about Jesus- once upon a time. But somehow, their minds got corrupted!

Having a relationship with Jesus is not complicated- it is simple. It is made of simple trust and obedience, in accordance with your revelation and your measure of faith. It is not obtained from a doctoral degree in theology or a masters’ in divinity. It is not based on philosophy and ‘ancient’ wisdom of the world. It is not science and logical reasoning. The gospel is for ALL- the poor, the rich, the literate, the illiterate, the learned, the simple, the master, the slave! Christian living is all about being devoted to one Person- Jesus Christ.

Now Up, Then Down
If you read the Old Testament (that is written over 1000 years and contains about 3000 years of history), we see in the book of Judges that people came close to God, according to the revelation and then went astray soon after. If you read the books of Chronicles and Kings, we see that the people followed God if the king followed after God; and went astray if the king went astray. And even in the New Testament, the early church disciples were close to God while sometime later, the disciples were only having a form of godliness but denied its power! All through history, there have been ups and downs, in people’s relationship with their Maker and Him who made heavens and the earth.

We also know of the establishment of mainstream traditional churches, each with their own follies. Some did not have the Bible, going into idolatry and vain repetitions; while others had a form of worship but restricted freedom.

One day, one of the scribes (the ‘church’ people) asked Jesus this question: Which is the foremost commandment? Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment.” [Mark 12: 29, 30]

Love Relationship
Last week, I talked about marriage- and how the relationship between man and woman ought to be. Today we are talking about the relationship between God and humans. Just as in the case of marriage, as years pass by, there may appear a coldness in the relationship between the husband and wife, and the marriage degenerates into something less than what it is meant to be. But they- the man and woman, may continue living together just to keep up an appearance for the sake of the world, or for their children's sake; or the marriage may even fall apart when the love completely disappears.

In just the same way, our relationship with our Lord Jesus may degenerate into something less than ideal; we may just want to keep up our ‘holy’ attitudes in front of others; we may read a few verses here and there, put some words together for prayer and maybe even sing a bit, without having a meaningful relationship with God Himself.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus says to the church of the Laodiceans, “…So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” [Rev. 3:16]. The church of Laodicea was one of those churches, not very different from quite a few churches today, where there were those just going through the motions of Christian living. It was one of those churches (not unlike those few even today), where Jesus was still outside the church, waiting and knocking at the door to be let inside! “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” [Rev. 3:20].

Is it any surprise that people are also like that? Jesus is waiting to be let into their lives. The invitation is open to all – “If anyone hears…”; but the relationship is individualistic, intimate, and depends on your invite – Jesus says “I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” This is the picture of the relationship between Jesus and me or Jesus and you- one of fulfilment and nourishment, of joy and fellowship, of communing and commitment.

Communication
If there is no communication between God and us, then we are in dangerous ground. The Old Testament covers over two-thirds of the Bible, where God is trying to reach out to His people, to get through to them. God is seeking to direct, comfort, help, and guide you in your life. Open your eyes to see Him; open your ears to hear Him. He too is waiting for a day by day walk with you- morning after morning.

If we say we love Jesus and show hatred to others, how can it be a true relationship? We can’t say we love Jesus and walk in darkness and dwell in sin. Jesus says: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” [John 14:15]. And many times, we think the problem of hatred and misunderstanding is with the other person. We may go on blaming others for a spoilt relationship. But really, do you love Jesus?

We can join with the psalmist in saying: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” [Psalm 139: 23, 24] This prayer has the power to shatter all blocks between you and your God. Blocks- that has been stopping His blessings.

By faith and patience
The Christian life is all about communion with Christ; walking in His word (commandments) day by day and from moment to moment, having faith to hold on to the promises of God. And with patience, we inherit the said promises (Heb. 11:6).

We can learn something from the patience of the Noah; who had not seen rain before, yet proceeded to build the ark according to God’s specifications, preaching repentance to those who mocked him, while continuing his ark-building work for more than 100 years.

We can learn something from Habakkuk, who in the midst of international crisis of his time, wrote these words: “The just shall live by his faith” [Hab. 2:4]. And proclaimed it with his life and with a hymn of faith: “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls- yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” [Hab. 3: 17, 18]. Amen.

God’s Will in Marriage

A. Introduction

Psalm 68:6 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

This verse tells us that God is interested in setting up families. The Bible begins with a marriage instituted by God Himself- between Adam and Eve. The Bible closes with a grand marriage between the Lamb and His Bride-the church. And in between these pages, we have numerous examples of how God set the solitary in families.

It is generally God’s will for you to be married, unless God has specifically spoken to you in this matter to remain single. One day Jesus was speaking to His disciples on what the law said about divorce. His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given;” [Matt. 19: 10, 11]

Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD [Prov. 19:14]. Therefore you can ask of the LORD, to answer your prayer in marriage. Ask, and it will be given to you. But, don’t stop with only asking; be an active participant- seek and you will find. Knock on the specific door shown to you, and the door will surely open for you (Matt. 7:7). I have heard quite a few ‘single’ persons say, if it is God’s will let Him bring it to pass. I say ‘Amen’. But I also say, do not sit passively waiting; be an active participant in fulfilling God’s will in your life. God is willing; and He wants us to be involved in the answer He provides. This is a similar situation, if you have finished your studies and waiting for a job. Unless you apply for a job, you have no reason to expect an answer!

B. Finding a Life Partner

Fellow believer: As a believer and single, look for another believer in marriage. 1 Cor. 7:39 says: A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. [See also 2 Cor. 6:14].

Agreement on major issues: Also, look for agreement on major issues in your life-partner. Amos 3:3 says: Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? And marriage is a decision to walk together for the rest of your lives as a couple. It is mostly a long walk. Therefore, before marriage, consider each other and see that you agree on major issues.

Compatibility: See if the other person is suitable for you in aspects of spirit, soul and body. Here I am not saying that you should look for 100% compatibility or wait for a perfect life-partner according to your imaginations. Please understand that perfect people are not here on earth (they are only in heaven!!). In Gen. 2:18, when God made Eve for Adam, it says in the Bible that He made him a helper compatible {suitable corresponding} to him.

Make your choice: The life-partner in marriage must be our choice, too. In the verse in 1 Cor. 7:39, it says “… whom she wishes, …” If you are having difficulty making a choice, look for God’s peace in your decision. It is God’s peace that acts as an umpire in our hearts [Col. 3: 15] to know and to do His will.

Be decisive: Once you have found His will, go ahead and prove it in your decision, whether to marry or not. It is we who have to prove the good, acceptable and perfect will of God in our lives (Romans 12:2). Don’t endlessly wait and become doubtful later of God’s intentions. Take a step- decide!

C. Living together Harmoniously

Lifelong Covenant: Some people came to Jesus, and testing Him asked “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife?” And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

For believers, divorce is not an option. We have a covenant with one another as man and wife. It is from the beginning as God ordained. We have taken a vow to be with our spouse, in sickness and in health, in riches and poverty; in joy and in sorrow… till death do us part. Therefore what God has joined, man shall not put asunder.

Leaving and Cleaving: Jesus quotes from the Old Testament- it has not changed in the New Covenant- Man shall LEAVE his father and mother… and be JOINED to his wife. And the two shall become one flesh.

Love: Col. 3:14 says: But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Love is the bond that binds us- makes us one; keeps us united. If you lack love, the marriage is bound for troubled waters. PUT ON LOVE. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [1 Cor. 13:4-7]. These are practical truths possible to display in a husband-wife relationship.

Husbands, love your wives. (Eph 5:25) Wives, love your husbands. (Titus 2:4). There should be mutual respect between husband and wife- the wife honouring the husband (Eph 5:33), in private and in public; and the husband honouring the wife (1 Pet. 3:7).

Faithfulness: Before marriage, you may have been independent and making your own decisions. But after marriage, we must learn to adapt, adjust and to be inter-dependent. Keep in mind the interest of the other person in marriage. And in this depraved world, it is absolute faithfulness to one’s own spouse, which is the standard set for us as believers. It has not changed! The biblical standard of purity and faithfulness is relevant even in today’s world. For fornicators and adulterers, God will judge [Heb. 13:4].

Live your Defined Roles of Responsibility: I do believe that it is the husband’s role, primarily, to earn and provide for the home, although we have, in today’s world, both the husband and wife going about their work. And although there is equality between man and his wife, there are also well-defined roles in the family where man IS the head of the family. And the wife must see to it that she respects her husband in this his role [1 Peter 3:1]. Therefore, let us seek to do our defined roles at home [See also Titus 2:4, 5].

We have the example of the equality in the Triune God- God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit- Three equal One. And the Bible also says about God the Father being the head of Christ. (1 Cor 11:3). In a similar manner, the equality of the man and woman in marriage is complemented by the submission of the wife to the authority of her husband.
It is God’s will to settle us in families; if you are single, look forward to God’s work in your lives. Be adaptable and be willing to actively involve yourself, in asking in prayer; seek to find, and knock on specific doors. Look for a suitable life-partner and decide on the basis of God’s leading and peace. Do not decide on the basis of your understanding. God desires for you to live harmoniously together. Therefore, know that what God has joined together, man shall not separate. Put on love and participate in the defined roles of responsibility.

Blessed and harmonious life together is our portion. Even if it feels like a desert in your marriage, there is One who can make streams to flow in the desert; and the wilderness will blossom and the field will be counted as a forest – flourish like Lebanon. There is always HOPE- even against hope. Put your faith in the living God; He is for us. Even if one is unbelieving, the love of Jesus Christ will change hearts. Love that will not let us go… Love that is, till the end. We- the married man and wife, can display this love, till death do us part. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bringing Up Children

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Children- bring them; become them; bring them up!)

Our Lord Jesus was concerned for each one of the little children (infants) brought to Him. (Luke 18:15-17). We too must be concerned for our own children- it is our responsibility. Our parents may leave us wealth and houses, but it is written “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward.” (Psalm 127:3). They are like arrows that go before us, and this is what I tell my son, too- that he has to go farther than me; that he has to go higher… As parents, I know we all wish well for our children. But, let me share with you 7 principles from the Bible in which we must show responsibility towards our children.

If you are a parent, then these words should encourage you to know of God’s plan for your children. If you are an young adult waiting to get married, you too can read and prepare yourself for the forthcoming responsibility.

I do not speak these 7 principles of bringing up children, as someone who has already accomplished it, but rather from a heart-felt burden that we may all become and be parents according to God’s word and ways. God’s word is not just theory that we read and seek an explanation; but is also practical, that we can surely DO and follow. And in today’s world (of worldwide web, active information-dissemination and hugely popular social networks), it is really a challenge for parents to guide their own children in godly ways. We can take up this challenge by following these 7 principles.

1. Faith Hebrews 11:23 “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.”
This entire chapter of Hebrews 11 is about champions of faith- people who had accomplished mighty things in the Lord by faith and appropriated God’s blessings. By faith, Sarah, a woman barren for long, received strength to conceive and she bore a child although she was past the ‘child-bearing’ age (Heb. 11:11). And by faith, Moses’ parents, knowing the king’s harsh command to slay every male child, did not do so… but hid him for 3 months. And we know how Moses, was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter, was nursed by his own mother, and grew up and chose to be different from the Egyptian princes. I believe that his parents played a part in imbibing and transmitting something spiritual into Moses’ life- that he should choose to suffer affliction with the people of God (Heb. 11:25) many years later.

Moses’ life is a wonderful example of how our Sovereign God can ordain circumstances in the life of a person, to answer the faith of his parents. In case of Moses, it would be many years later that he would ‘turn’ in of obedience to God’s call. He took a stand for the Jewish people- his own people, and turned history on its head.
Today, God is waiting to answer your faith – towards your own children. Have you imparted something spiritual- a spiritual seed, in them that can grow? “That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style…” [Psalm 144:12].

2. Intercession

Job 1:5 says: So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.

Give yourself to intercessory prayer for your children. Job was a man who was not satisfied with his own wonderful relationship with God. He wanted the relationship to extend even towards his own children. So he regularly interceded for them, offering sacrifices. We can be like Job, and intercede for our children, pray on their behalf, before our One Mediator. We will certainly receive mercy. For, love covers a multitude of sins, and we will have joy as we receive our children, even if they have gone astray for now. Continue steadfastly in interceding for your children.

In Col. 4:2, Paul encourages the believers to continue earnestly in prayer, in the context of family relationships. If you love your children, pray for them.

3. Love

Titus 2:4 “…that they may admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children…”
Love is the greatest thing… and loving our children must be one of our priorities. It seems strange that the author should even write to parents reminding them to love their children, but there it is- it is the parent’s responsibility to love.

As children, they may be prone to life’s errors while learning their life-lessons. And our children may misunderstand us sometimes; and we may misunderstand them too, sometimes. But in all, the children must always have the assurance of our love; and they must be secure in our love. Even as I say this, I know that this is one aspect that I was blessed with in my own life- that I have always felt that I am greatly loved by my parents. Our children must have free access to us anytime they require us, and feel confident and secure in the love we give them.

4. Discipline

Eph. 6:4 “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”
It is the parents’ responsibility to discipline their own children- promptly and to their own good, in the things of the Lord. Do not nag them, or provoke them to anger… but train and discipline them.

Eli was a priest before God. But he let his sons go astray in the service to the Lord. His sons grew wicked in their ways and Eli failed to discipline them. This was so displeasing in the sight of the Lord (1 Sam. 2:29). We know of the tragic end of Eli as well as his sons.

5. Instruction

We need to instruct our children in the ways of the Lord. Look at Timothy in the Bible. Paul says : “…and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” [2 Tim. 3:15].

Timothy’s mother was Jewish; but his father was Greek. Now see the role of Timothy’s mother (and grand-mother) shaping the destiny of the young child, Timothy. He was, from the childhood, taught by his mother about the Holy Scriptures.

We thank God for Sunday School teachers who take part in the responsibility of sharing God’s word to our children. It is indeed a great sacrifice. But the primary responsibility of sharing instructions from God’s word still rests with the parents. Eli displeased God; but in contrast, Abraham pleased God. The Bible says about Abraham: “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” [Gen. 18:19]. And we know of Isaac, how he too followed his father Abraham, in the ways of the LORD; obedient even to the sacrificial offering on the altar.

6. Provision
1 Tim. 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

In those days, there were believers who gathered together and were busy in one thing or other, even to the extent of neglecting their own family; and Paul cautions them that they first care and provide for their own lest they become worse than an unbeliever!

If you are a young adult waiting to get married, God’s word for you is this: Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field and afterward build your house. [Prov. 24:27] Don’t rush into marriage before being able to provide for your family.

7. Be an example

In 1 Cor. 11:1 Paul says: Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

I know this is a challenge for any parent to say these very words to their own children. You see, we may speak of so many good things from God’s word to our children, but if our lifestyle does not match what we speak, our children will get some mixed signals. Instead, we must prove to our children that what we speak is also what we do! Even without words, if our children see what we are upto in God’s ways, it is certain that the right seed is going into their hearts. It will produce a fruit-filled life in them.

Indeed, we wish our children well; but we must have faith, lift them in prayer, love them deeply, and discipline them out of love; instruct them in the right way and provide for their needs.

We ought to follow the example of Abraham (and not Eli) in disciplining and in instructing our children. We can be examples of Godly character, just as Paul saying with confidence “Imitate me”. And our children will be like well-nourished plants and like pillars in the house of God. Let this be our heritage as parents. Amen.

Do Not Fear

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. As you read, drive your fears away!)

There are 66 books in the Bible. Every word is God-inspired and written by many authors over many centuries. And every word is useful in our day-to-day living. That is why it is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. That is why we must systematically expose ourselves to the full measure of God’s written word that is given to us.

I know some of us have our favourite verses, passages, chapters and books of the Bible. We read them over and over so many times even to the extent of neglecting other portions of the Bible. When I was a young boy I remember overleaping the books of the Prophets, which, was difficult for me to understand then- the Major Prophets and more readily the Minor Prophets! But now, as an adult I take time to read and try to understand the message of the prophets.

I am personally blessed by what the LORD spoke through the prophet Isaiah, in chapters starting from 40 and right till the end, to bring comfort to His people. If you are feeling down and discouraged at this moment, I encourage you today to open up the book of Isaiah and read through these chapters from 40 to 66. And when you complete these 27 chapters, I tell you, you will come up to be in a completely different and higher level of perception.

Is fear gripping you? Let these words from the book of Isaiah set you free from any kind of fear- whether of man, devil or the future.

1. Isaiah 43:1

When God says to you “Do not fear”, He also gives you the reason why you should not fear. In this verse God says, “Fear Not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” He has redeemed me; He has called us, not as a group but, individually- by name! What a blessed assurance! “I am His and He is mine”. O what a foretaste of glory divine; I am an heir of salvation- is there any reason for fear? The promises continue: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”

Like the people of Israel, we too sometimes feel that the Lord does not notice us; or that we are not getting our due justice; or that others who do not know the Lord are better off; and we are seemingly left on our own- forgotten and forsaken by God! (Isaiah 49:14). The LORD’s answer remains the same even today: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;”

Do you feel forgotten by God? Know that He is a personal God Who sometimes (I do not know why) chooses to hide Himself. We may not feel His presence sometimes; we may not see Him sometimes; but, He is there! Sometimes He comes in the very clouds that darken your skies… sometimes His face cannot be found; but some things can only be KNOWN, and sometimes our faith can only grow… He sees us... in His hands!

2. Isaiah 41:10

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

He is with us- God Immanuel. Sometimes in our distress, we look to the left, look to the right; but we fail to look up! But now, let it be that our eyes are lifted up to the hills, from whence comes our help; our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. Look up… and LIVE. Have the waters of affliction come up to our knees? Or maybe even up to our neck… but the promise is sure and we confess in faith, that the waters will not overflow us! I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The trial by fire is not going to burn us! God is allowing us to pass through the waters and the fire that we may come out with praise. God’s ways are indeed mysterious and His thoughts much, much higher than our thoughts.

Job was a man who went through difficult times. He tried to understand the reason for his suffering. The elusive answer for his question ‘why?’ when he, really, did nothing wrong! All he wanted was a rational, logical reasoning for all his sufferings. His friends could offer no help. Finally God spoke to him- and suddenly he understood his own foolishness, as he was transported to see from God’s perspective. He said, “Once I have spoken… now I lay my hand over my mouth… I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me… I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job: 42: 3-6). Is there something for us to learn here? Let it be today that we see from God’s perspective.

3. Isaiah 41:14

“Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you,” says the LORD and your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Sometimes, we may feel inadequate and whatever we do may seem insignificant- we may feel like a worm; but, God says to us that He will help us. Our adequacy comes only from Him; yes, it has always been that way! Not only has He redeemed us once, but He will help us continually. He who made the heavens and the earth, will HELP us. Do you have a revelation of who is speaking to you? It is He who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure; weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance (Isaiah 40:12). The oceans may be deep and vast, where ships sail and sink… but it is within the hollow of His hand; the expanding universe may baffle our scientists who are still discovering new planets. But God has measured the universe in the span of his hand. Our God is so BIG… and He will help us.

Our deepest sorrows and greatest troubles are so small in His hand. Therefore we need not fear, but rise up and face any challenges that come our way- every day of our lives.

4. Isaiah 54:4

“Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame;”

Is future your worry and fear? Do not fear, for you will not be put to shame. You have been upheld by Him from birth; He has carried us from the womb; and even to our old age and grey hairs, He will carry us. (Isaiah 46: 3, 4). This chapter of Isaiah talks about our God, in comparison with gods of the Gentiles- idols. The idols are useless and offer no hope; and the people have to carry the idols. In comparison, our God says to us, “I will carry you”; What a great God we have… therefore we need not fear. From the womb to the tomb He will carry us. He holds our future, and He will lead us by His righteous right hand. Knowing our past, how we were born, intricately woven in our mother’s womb, to the days of our youth… we can look with assurance at God who leads us. Do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults (Isaiah 51:7). Today, we can choose to listen to our God, who speaks to us “Do not fear”

Let me close with the promise of God: Those who hope in the Lord, those who depend on His word, those who wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength; they will surely mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31). Amen.

Heart Matters

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph. Hearty reading!)
When God rejected king Saul because he did not follow the LORD fully, He sent prophet Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint the next king of Israel. Samuel on reaching the house of Jesse, and seeing his elder sons thought to himself that they were fit for God’s anointing because they were valiant-looking and strong: But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” [1 Samuel 16:7]

The heart of the matter is matters concerning the heart; God is interested in our heart-condition. Think about how much time you spend on your outward appearance- the gazing in the mirror, the arranging of hair, the grooming and so much more… Now do we not neglect the matters concerning the heart? The inner man remains neglected! It is my burden today to share with you this: Let us check our heart condition.
We may look “cool” outwardly- dress well, come to church, join in worship and prayer, and yet can leave the place without any edification in our heart. But God is now looking at your heart… is it anyway tuned to hear Him? Is it anyway nearer in kindness and dearer in God’s love? Apostle Paul spent an entire day in Rome, explaining salvation in the name of Jesus and that Jesus was Christ indeed; but at the end he concludes this quoting from Isaiah 6: For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them [Acts 28:27].

Why do Christians who are filled with knowledge let their hearts grow dull? Why did the people of Israel, who saw the greatest of miracles in Egypt and in the wilderness- being filled with manna from above, day after day- not for weeks or months, but imagine a full 40 years- and water out of rock, and meat in the wilderness, constantly murmured and complained and let down their guard and faith while facing the ‘giants’ of Palestine, before whom they looked like grass-hoppers? In Hebrews 3:10 God says: Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.

The Psalmist contemplates teaching the children- the generation to come, of God’s ways and to set their hope in Him. And not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; and may not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set its heart aright. (Psalm 78: 8). Have you been taught by your parents? Have you taught your children to put their hope in God?

The people of Jesus’ time had such a privilege of meeting the Master Himself- and hearing Him speak, words of grace and truth. Yet, many turned away and did not quite get what Jesus was saying. “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” [Matt. 15:8] How do you draw near to Jesus? Is your heart far away? The Pharisees were experts in the law of Moses; and they made a routine and ritual out of God’s commandments and laws. They had long robes and made long prayers, but fell way short of God’s expectation; because they were blind!

There is one miracle of Jesus (out of so many miracles) that all the four gospel writers – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, write about: The miracle of how more than 5000 men (apart from women and children) were fed by five loaves of bread and 2 fishes. But immediately after, on seeing Jesus walking on the sea, the disciples were terrified. Mark writes: For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. [Mark 6:52]
Like the people of Rome, or the Israelites during the time of Moses, or the Pharisees during the time of Jesus, or the disciples themselves, there may be a hardening of our heart. We must be careful not to allow this that our hearts become hardened, but allow His Spirit to always reach us, teach us- always being tender-hearted and yielding to His love. God is really interested in taking away our hearts of stone and giving us hearts of flesh; God is interested in creating in us a clean heart. That you may be people who can keep the one great (first) commandment: Love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, all your strength. [Mark 12: 30]

From the people in the Old testament, there is one person who was careful to keep his heart tender- the young lad David, who was finally anointed as king over Israel by the prophet Samuel. God’s testimony of David is remarkable: I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will. [Acts 13:22]
God’s rejection of Saul, and approval of David is a lesson of the heart for all of us. There were kings after David, who obeyed God’s commands, and served Him alone. But what set David apart is that he went on to touch the heart of God. He was not only a great composer of music, a great poet, a courageous warrior- but as he was given rest, he would contemplate on what to do for God. One day, he was sitting in his palace, and pondered why God’s ark is still in a tent! Immediately he called for the prophet Nathan and told him of his plan to build God’s temple. God was so pleased that He told David that He would make his name great because he had thought about this thing. And even though God appointed David’s heir to throne to actually build the temple (because David was a man of bloodshed), David went about with passion to design and make arrangements for artisans and skilled workers, and making provisions for materials and resources. Later on, all Solomon had to do was coordinate the work to see the completion of the temple. Even on his deathbed, David instructed Solomon to complete the building of the temple. Mark his words: As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. (1 Chr. 28:9)

The LORD knows our hearts intentions. We may hide it from our people, but the Lord knows. You see- the LORD loved Solomon too and granted him to have such great wisdom and understanding, that he set right many proverbs, wrote theses on animals, plants and life and living in general. But, he lacked the willing heart that would go after God at all costs.

Today let it be us and our hearts that would go after God. Do not let your hearts go astray; do not let your hearts grow dull; do not let your hearts go far away from God; do not let your hearts be hardened. But let us love the Lord with all our hearts; let us pursue after God and seek His will; let us be men and women after God own’s heart doing God’s will; let us serve Him with all our heart.

God grant us hearts of flesh to be tender-hearted. Amen.