My Presence Shall Go with You (2)

(Message by Pastor Joseph. Happy reading!)

I am so glad to be again in God’s presence. Change must continue in us as long as we live. And change is happening not just in us, but also in the world around us. And just as in the natural world, if we do not allow God to change us, we too will be left behind. As I keep saying, you are old when you stop learning!

I do not know how many of you made decisions and resolutions of ‘change’, when we heard God’s promise for this year 2012 as the year of change-from glory to glory according to 2 Cor. 3:18. But now, 2 months are past and how many of you can say that there is some change in you? Maybe you had bitterness, anger, a short-temper, or was inconsiderate towards your spouses in the past; and now, is there any change yet? How do you now treat your wife-as an angel or demon? How is your relationship with your children, or parents? Has it improved? If your answer is “Yes”, this becomes our testimony; it is always the change in us that is a testimony to the world, and to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Every seed produces its own kind, and the seed of God’s word produces the fruit of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. You cannot sow brinjal seeds and expect tomatoes to grow-no matter how often you pray or fast! We are all learners, and Jesus said: …learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [Matt. 11: 29]

And today, I want to continue on the title: My Presence Shall Go with You. Last time I began with an introduction, about Moses and how God buries His workers and carries on His work. But it turned out to be the major part of the message itself, as I ministered in the Presence of God. Two things that we can learn from the life of Moses is that: (i) We cannot take credit for anything that we do- and that is why it is inappropriate to say ‘my ministry’, ‘my church’… and (ii) it is our privilege to work for the Lord-because after we go (after God buries us), our works will follow us.

God calls us to Himself, commands us to do His will, communes with us in His presence and accompanies us in all that we do for Him. As in the Old Covenant, even in the New, as disciples and heavenly people of Jesus Christ, God promised His Presence according to Matt. 28: 18-20. Jesus said:

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

(a)    All authority-Jesus has taken the redemption authority upon Himself on our behalf. And that is why he commands us-His disciples, to go.

(b)   All the nations-are included in God’s plan; not a single one is left out. Rich, poor, high, low, black, white, east, west… out of every tongue and tribe, will you hear the cry, “Jesus is Lord”.

(c)    All things that Jesus taught us we must also teach others to observe. We have an example in Paul who in Acts 20: 20 says: “…I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you {publicly | in the marketplace} and from house to house.”

(d)   Always-God with us. If you notice, God has not promised money and material things, possessions and provisions while we are on the way to talk about the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has promised His presence; because where His presence is, provision will follow. Silver is Mine, Gold is Mine, says the LORD.

This redemption authority is given to us as we go according to His command. On our behalf Jesus has all redemption authority, and on His behalf we go to make disciples. Also, notice the two mono-syllabic words: GO, in the beginning and LO, at the end. These two words are inter-connected and therefore cannot be separated; if there is no GO, there is no LO! Therefore ponder these words:

• Therefore GO and make disciples of all the nations…
• And LO, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

If you are not involved in the great commission, how can you imagine having God’s presence with you always? Therefore, go preach and prove God’s presence.

Now, does it sound radical to you? But I am telling the truth; do you imagine, some 7 billion people in the face of this earth, that all will somehow go to heaven one way or the other? NO. Jesus said, “I am the way…” If these verses are true, then the question is what are you doing about your responsibility towards the great commission of Jesus Christ? What are you doing sitting here? Nowhere is it written in the Bible, that you give first place to your family, or children or work…but rather “Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” [Matt. 6: 33]

Now let me come back to Exodus 33:14 and God’s promise to Moses: My Presence shall go with you and I will give you rest.

Beloved, it is God’s presence that makes a world of difference in our lives. As in the time of Moses, even today, the distinguishing factor that separates us-His disciples, from the rest of the world is God’s presence. Moses knew this and acknowledges in Exo. 33:16. David knew it and brought in the Ark of the Covenant to the city of David. Noah knew it and built an ark-separate from the rest of the world-the world that perished in that great flood. Do you say, “Hey, that’s not fair; what about those who do not know”? But Noah did preach many, many years, but people refused to listen and instead mocked him.

God raised up Joshua in the place of Moses, to lead the children into the Promised Land. In Joshua 1:2, God says to Joshua: Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them-the children of Israel.

Joshua, Moses’ assistant-the timid, fearful man living in the shadow of Moses, is suddenly thrust into the thick of things; and he has to make a choice-either to obey God’s command to cross over Jordan and go possess the entire land, or to sit back and relax on this side of Jordan, satisfied with partial inheritance. And he said “Yes” to God’s command. And if you say yes, God says, My Presence shall go with you.

1.      Every place you walk-My Presence shall go with you.

Joshua 1:3 “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.”

Where you walk, matters! An interesting choice was set before a man and his nephew in Genesis 13. Yes, Abram and Lot had to separate from each other, and Abram let Lot make the first choice. In retrospect, it tells me that Abram left the choice to God. And the Bible says, “Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.” [Gen. 13:11] Remember that it is God’s presence that makes us separate from the rest of the world. And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are-northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.” [Gen. 13: 14, 15] “Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” [Gen. 13: 17]

Now the question comes to mind, that if God has given Abraham possessions of land in all four directions around him-north, south, east and west, what did Lot really choose for himself? The answer is ‘Nothing’; Lot had to flee even the place of his choice-Sodom, and sojourned in a far mountain and died there.

What an amazing God we serve! Abram had to just stand-up and see, and God will give it to him-this was His promise to Abram. What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG)! Not only that, Abram also had to walk the land-its length and width to inherit what God has promised.

And it was the same with Moses and Joshua: walk and inherit the Promised Land. What is your goal for this year 2012?

2.      Every person you meet-My Presence shall go with you.

Joshua 1: 5 “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.”

In your walk, you will meet people and the favour of God will rest upon you. What a wonderful God we serve? Has it happened to you, that you had this special favour when you had to go and meet someone, somewhere? Someone said that “it is better to have a day of God’s favour, than a lifetime of hard labour” -I agree.

Once in Navi Mumbai, I was called to speak in a conference that was orgainised in a big hall of some hotel. I was ministering and talking about Jabez, and suddenly saw this well-built Sardarji entering the door, and standing by it. I continued my message, and he continued standing by the door, not making any attempt to come in and sit, but stood there till the message was finished. The next day, the co-ordinator of the conference calls me and informed that a certain Sardarji-the owner of the hotel, refused not just to take the rent for the conference hall, but also returned the advance he had collected earlier. The co-ordinator confirmed what I had in mind, that this was the same Sardarji who said that somehow he wanted to see what was going on and entered that door and heard the words the ‘suit-wallah’ was talking; and stood there shell-shocked, not knowing what to do, during the entire message, … I tell you, it is not the suit or coat, but the favour of God!

Moses knew it – about God’s favour and God’s grace. Hannah knew it and sang of God’s favour. Mary knew it, when she conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, and she too sang about God’s favour.

3.      Every plan you make-My Presence shall go with you.

Joshua 1:6 “Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”

Now the question is, do you want to fit into God’s plan? God has a plan-a blueprint, a well thought-out layout of what your future holds for you. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. [Jer. 29: 11-13]

If we plan to fit, we plan to succeed, for we will find Him with us. His Presence shall go with us. If you are hungry, a feast will be spread before you-yes, I have experienced this. If you think you are poor, God will show you the riches that He has stored for you, right here on earth. If you think you will be defeated in your plan, God will open your eyes to see the armies of God around you.

4.      Every precept you follow-My Presence shall go with you.

Joshua 1: 7-9 “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

God’s word must not depart from our mouth. That is why I never cease to say these five points: (i) Read God’s word (ii) Study God’s word (iii) Meditate God’s word (iv) Memorize God’s word and (v) Obey God’s word.

It is our mouth that will lead us to the Promised Land, when it is filled with God’s word. Why do I say this? Because Promised Land is a land of milk and honey and if you read Song of Solomon 4: 11 it says: “Honey and milk are under your tongue” Don’t we know that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Choose life! Isn’t it interesting that the Promised Land is under your tongue-hidden together with the word of God’s commands?

The Psalmist says “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119: 11). If you have kept His words in your heart, you will have a revelation for every tough situation in your life; and you will be well on your way to the Promised Land, with your mouth confession of God’s word.

He has plans for you and me-plans of peace and future and hope; plans to prosper. There is overflowing joy in His presence. And He has promised His Presence-in every place we walk, every person we meet, every plan we make and every precept we keep. Be strong and very courageous; for you God is with you wherever you go.

My Presence Shall Go With You (1)

(Message by Pastor S. Joseph, Founder NLMI. Happy reading!)

When God’s presence comes down among us, His power does something within those of us who respond. For with God all things are possible. But if you have the question, ‘why is it not happening in my life?’- I say this: Because you do not respond in faith. Every step that we walk is by faith. Maybe for those of this world, fate plays a role; but for those in Christ, faith matters! I realize over these years I have walked with Him, that God has given us SO MUCH in the super-natural, and faith is the key to unlock those treasures given to us.

I want to remind you of the promise this year-the year of change 2012, from glory to glory according to the words of 2 Cor. 3: 18 and that NLMI is involved in the upcoming media campaign POWER TO CHANGE, that will happen in Mumbai around April this year. I am so blessed that God hears prayer and confirms His promise through His work among all believers. I ask you to be involved in this media campaign POWER TO CHANGE through prayer, winning souls for Christ, counseling and follow-up activities, for those who will believe among people in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and beyond. Many other churches too are involved in this; look around and you can see there is hunger for true knowledge and people are looking for peace all around and you can introduce the Prince of Peace to them (and for that you should know the Prince of peace yourself!)

I know there are millions around the world, posting their status, quotes, photos in facebook… but you know what? We have to look at our FACE in His BOOK-to see if there are any spot, wrinkle or blemish; because His BOOK is the mirror. As we read from His Book, we see the perfect Bridegroom and then see our self too-and say ‘Hey, what’s this spot here on my face?’ Or ‘Oh, I have a wrinkle!’ Then we may learn to pray, Lord please remove those wrinkles (get me an anti-ageing cream). {I am not against facebook, I too have an account and recently one of status message on my wall was ‘You are OLD when you stop learning’}

Do you know what are those spots, wrinkles and blemish written in Eph 5: 27? The SPOT represents our testimony in this world; the WRINKLE represents our relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ; and BLEMISH is something known only between God and you, in your relationship with God. Hot temper, short-temper, irritation, lust, greed, slander, gossip- you name any vice, and you will find it in spot, wrinkle or blemish. Only when you look into His word and choose to walk by faith, change takes place. This is an everyday battle-you know that, whether you are single or married, whether young or old.

I also want to say this that happiness depends on the happenings around us; and you must always look to make someone happy-whether in the house, or in the church or in the street even to a beggar , because an ounce of action is better than tons of preaching. 

Now let us turn to Exodus 33: 13 where Moses asks God to show him the way forward. Moses asks direction from God (even when he had the pillar of fire and the cloud before him); you see direction from God is important, whether for your ministry, whether as a leader or as a layman. God answers in verse 14: My Presence will go with you.

Exodus 33: 13 - 23

“Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.”

And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Then he said to him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”

So the LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.”

And he said, “Please show me Your glory.”

Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you, I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.”

And the LORD said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”

Beloved, it is God’s Presence that divides light from darkness; and differentiates between people of this world and people of God. That is why we ought to be careful-what we think, what we say, what we do, where we go and who we are with. A man like Moses, so close to God, and delivering the Law to His people, was also hungry for God-or may I say greedy for God. Moses wanted more-MORE OF His glory, more of his grace.

But look at the two things Moses was refused: (i) he wanted to go to the promised land, but he was denied; (ii) he wanted see God’s glorious face , but this also he was denied-instead it was God’s goodness, all of His goodness that Moses was granted to see from the cleft of the rock.(yes, it’s a mystery how it is also written that God talked with Moses face to face Ex. 33: 11)

Spiritually speaking, Moses represented the Law, and Law CANNOT take one to the Promised Land, but grace CAN! 

But Moses DID see God’s glorious face in Jesus Christ. Turn with me to Luke 9: 28, where Moses, already in the Promised Land, speaks with Jesus who was transfigured on that mountain; it was there Moses saw the full glory of the Lord.

The glory from the Law is temporal-when Moses face was covered for only some time as he came down that mountain; but the glory from grace received within, is eternal. This is the glorious gospel that we share; and Jesus is our glorious Lord for whom we change from glory to glory. Jesus while praying for all believers who would believe, says in John17: 22 “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one;”

God’s work goes on-in us and around us, till the coming of Jesus Christ. That is why I want to encourage any believer here, whose prayers are yet to be answered: keep on praying. Know that God’s work in precious young men and women continues. In Joshua 1:2, we hear God’s terse command: Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan… Charles Wesley puts it wisely: God buries His workers, and carries on His work. Therefore, one cannot say it is MY work, or MY ministry or MY church… but rather consider it a privilege to work along with Him, to serve Him in our lifetime, knowing that God can do anything without your permission. If you are obsessed with self, while seeking God, He says “I will give you rest.”

“Moses My servant is dead” – really? Then, how did he appear with Jesus on the mount of Transfiguration? You see, God is speaking in human figurative language-death of the physical body here. But then, we will have a glorious body, absent here and present there. Where is your eternal home? Are you afraid to die? Or are you prepared to go home? Have you laid up your treasures in heaven? [Matt. 6: 20] I do not know about you, but I am prepared to go home; yes, a burial place is also booked for me in the cemetery!

This life is temporal. Therefore live to fulfill His purposes, to declare His majesty, to have an eternal perspective of all that you do and wherever you go. Be willing to change from glory to glory, and God says “My Presence shall go with you”; whether in the workplace, or school, or any business place or at home. Psalm 16: 11 says “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” God Bless you.