Discontent with my Christianity

Christmas!

2011-01-20T03:22:00.000-08:00

How did the Christmas season go this time round? Carols, cakes and shopping – the three wise men that we wait for round the year finally arrived. This time round I couldn’t be home since I didn’t get vacation at work. Christmas is an avalanche experience. There is the winter, then come the lights, the carols, the vacation planning, the shopping. The first signs of the season start with the winter chill that meets you late November. Then the vacation planning adds its ‘thing’ to the season. Now we are in December and our vacations are planned. The season gathers momentum as the Christmas carols hit the music scene. Weekends are filled with Carol singsong services. The Christmas avalanche has gathered quite a bit of snow now. Living rooms suddenly sprout indoor plantation called Christmas trees loaded with tinsel and confetti. Stars dangle from porches and light arrangement greet you in the local store. Before you know it, Christmas shopping is here. It gets added to the huge Christmas avalanche. And “then one foggy Christmas eve, Santa came to sleigh” as the song goes, Santa with his plastic smile makes an appearance either at your Carol service or the Carol rounds. Cakes have vanished from the Baker’s counter overnight. The avalanche has picked up everything on the way now and has reached top speed. Christmas wishes start dominating SMS content and there you are at the eye of the storm. It’s Christmas eve. It’s a magical world. A glow everywhere. A glint in every eye. A smile on every face. Then the whole season culminates at the Christmas mass. The avalanche is about to hit the rock. The Church aisle is a heady mix of perfumes and new clothes. The Christmas day dawns as we leave church and reach home groggy from the rollercoaster ride. The avalanche has truly hit the rock and has collapsed leaving the riders dizzy.

Well, what is Christmas? In my opinion it’s an excuse for Christians to have fun. They would have you believe otherwise. They call it “a season of love”. “It’s the time to remember our Lord’s birth” they would tell you. Their carols speak of “peace on earth and goodwill to men”. But I would whistle and walk away singing an empty line from a silly song “tis a season to be jolly, fa la la la la, la la la la” as if to tell them that the season and all its accompaniments are as empty as the line.

To me Christmas is not the season. To me it’s the birth of our Lord. It is not remembering the birth. It’s the actual birth of our Lord. When a man would look at himself in comparison with God and cry out in his heart like Peter did on the shores of Galilee “Go away from me Lord, for I’m a sinner”, then its Christmas. When Christ is born in a man’s life just like he was formed in Mary’s womb miraculously by the Holy Spirit, its Christmas. When that birth is apart from man and only by God, just like the first Christmas, then its Christmas – the birth of Christ. Christmas happens when nobody expects it. It happens suddenly. It happens of God.

It’s not remembering the birth of the Lord, for you can remember all you want about the nativity and the manger scene but it still would make no difference to your life. The world will know when Christmas happens. It will show in the Christian’s life. You don’t have to sing carols and wear new clothes. The world will know by your life. The world will know when Christmas happens in a home. We don’t have to put up a Christmas tree and suspend a plastic star in the porch. The world will know. It knew when it happened in one Zacchaeus’ home and it will know when it happens in your home too.

What is Your Life - 2

2010-08-05T00:14:00.000-07:00

The whole world is out on a search. They are searching for something. Some who are articulate enough would tell you that they are searching for meaning. Some would say they are out there to get happiness. The world is always on the pursuit of something. Most are unaware of their own pursuit. But nevertheless they are searching. They are trying to figure out something.

Now, you tell a man that “you are searching for God”, he wouldn’t agree. When they tell you that “we are searching for the meaning of life”, in effect they are searching for the creator because man, apart from his creator has no reason for his existence. Most are on the lookout for something without knowing it.

We find a picture of this in the Old Testament of the Bible. Turn to the 2nd chapter of the book of Daniel. Here’s king Nebuchadnezzar who saw a dream and wants the interpretation. He doesn’t tell the dream for the fear of empty interpretation that you get from most learned men. So he demands that the dream be told and as well the interpretation be revealed.

26 The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), "Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?"

The King is a picture of the world. The world wants you to tell them what they are searching for and as well reveal the mystery. Could Daniel reveal the mystery and as well tell the king his dream? No sir. He couldn’t. Look at him reply the king in the very next verse.

27 Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about,

Daniel is the picture of the Church/Christians today. Can the Christians reveal the mystery to the world? No, they can’t! Who can? See Daniel's reply in Vs 28. Only God in heaven can reveal mysteries.

28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.

Only God can reveal mysteries. The Christians cannot interpret the mystery on their own just Daniel couldn't on his own.
This story is the picture of the world and the New Testament Christians today. The world is waiting for someone to reveal the mystery. That’s why there’s a craze for all kinds of self-help gurus and books. People are searching for something unawares. Who can reveal the mystery? Only God can. Whom does he use? He uses the Christians just like he used Daniel.

Why did God reveal the mystery to Daniel? Daniel gives the answer in the 30th verse -

30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than other living men, but so that you, O king, may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.

The only reason God revealed it to Daniel was that so the king may know the interpretation. The only reason that God reveals his mysteries to the Christians today is that the world will come to know the interpretation. Look at the exact parallel passage of this in the New Testament. Turn to Colossians1:26,27

26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

It is the exact parallel passage to that of Daniel 2nd chapter. The mystery is now disclosed to saints just like it was made known to Daniel. That they may make known the mystery to the gentiles/world. What is the mystery? The mystery which is “Christ in you the hope of glory”. Christ in us is the gospel.

Let me paraphrase it for you the verses – 26The mystery that was kept hidden till Jesus came to this earth is revealed to you the Christians. 27God has chosen you to reveal this to the world. Reveal what? This, that Christ lives in you and that because of that you have a hope of eternal life.

This is our duty. To reveal to the world the Christ life. When the world sees us it needs to see this mystery revealed. It needs to see Christ in us. That’s the only reason God saved us and revealed this life in us.

What is your life?

What is your life?

2010-07-12T22:32:00.000-07:00

James in his letter to the Jews scattered all over the world says “13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

Well, there is no harm in the above plan – Go to a place, work/trade and get money in return. I find no harm in such an honest idea. I think everyone of us have such an idea. Go to a place, work and earn money to live. But James poses a question to the ones who have such a common idea. In fact he thunders “What is your life?” James is very direct. He slaps you in your face and makes you think. James’ question is a very important one. “What is your life?” Have you thought about this question? Have you thought of answering this question? Have you thought what your life is? James is not asking “What is life?” rather he is asking “What is your life?” Many of us carry on living even if we don’t know why. We need not be philosophers to answer James’ question. We know what our life is. We know what we life for.

Just like Christ was crucified between two thieves, now there are two kinds of Christians. Those two thieves each had something to say to Jesus that day. Both of them had just a few more hours to live. So it was almost their last words spoken. It was of high importance. Those last words reflected their philosophies of life. One said “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us.” Look at what he said. There is no harm in this. He was being honest. He wanted to live. He knew that the Messiah could do anything. He needed a miracle and he asked for it. Of course he asked the right person. In a few hours he would be killed. If there was one person who could save him from that it was the Messiah. Clever chap!

Look at what the other thief said. The other thief said “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”. What was that!! That was not very clever. C’mon here was the Messiah next to you and you ask him something that you cannot see now. Hey, don’t you want to live in the present? The Messiah is the maker of the universe. He made everything and he could do anything. Why would a thief with his death few hours away utter such a vague wish? Strange.

There are two kinds of Christians today in the Church. One kind is like the first thief. They seem to say “Lord, since you are the God of this universe - omnipotent, all-powerful, please get me this job. I could live comfortably with this secure job.” And you would hear them quote scripture too “Lord, since its written in your word that you will do much more than we ask for and beyond our imagination we ask you to help us build this Church building, because we don’t have a place to sit on Sunday mornings.” Does this sound similar to the prayers in your church? Well, this kind of Christians are only bothered about this life (this life that James calls a mist). This life is very precious to them. They are always looking to be secure and comfortable. Their idea of God blessing a person is when he gets a good job and is comfortable. Their idea of God blessing a church is when the church can afford a mega structure with air conditioning or arrange mega meetings in the city with star preachers. You’ll find this kind everywhere. “Of course, God said he offers life to the full” is what they say.

There is another kind. They are like the second thief. Their attitude to life is very different. They rarely pray for things. They are not bothered about this life very much. They live here but they are always thinking about eternity. Their prayers are for spiritual growth – things that would matter in eternity. Their prayers are for other people. You rarely see them pray long public prayers. They are not bothered much about salaries or possessions. They are pre-occupied with going the way Jesus went. They study Jesus’ life and try to follow that. Their idea of God blessing a person is when there is power in that person's witness. You rarely find people from this group. They are not the ones in the lime light. They are not the ones who pray in meetings. But we will only know them in eternity when we stand before the Judgment seat.

What is your life?

Reckless Abandon (contd.)

2010-04-13T06:23:00.000-07:00

Alfred Tennyson in his poem ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ talks of soldiers who would not disobey the command to charge despite knowing that the command was a big blunder and it would eventually cost them their lives. The lines go thus – “Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die…”; Yes, ours is to follow and His is to lead. Ours in not to ask “why”, and ours is not to look for reason. Ours is to do and if it requires, die. Ours is to just obey. Obedience most often is out of fashion. Jim Elliot was one of the five martyrs who died in Ecuador trying to reach the Aucas with the Gospel. Elliot, a compelling preacher and a winsome personality, could have stayed back in the US and stirred the youth of his day. Why did he go to some obscure jungle station in Ecuador where his eloquence will not matter? Did he go there to be a martyr? Did he go there to die a hero’s death? No, Sir. He was just obeying the voice of God. He went to Ecuador to be an ordinary missionary. He went there in obedience to the Call of God. Hear him say this in his journal “Impelled, then, by these voices, I dare not stay home while Quichuas perish.” He went there to do the thankless job of working among Quichua tribesmen and he ended up dying a martyr’s death. When staying back in his home country was considered wise and necessary, he would heed God’s call. It’s that recklessness in obeying God that made him look foolish in man’s eyes. Recklessness will always be looked down upon as foolishness. But recklessness in obeying God was what marked these men apart. Elliot wrote in his journal “he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose”. John in his camel hair attire and locust meal, pitching a tent in the wilderness; Ed Mc Cully abandoning his Law studies to preach to tribesmen in a foreign country; Stephen the star preacher faithfully distributing food; Jim Elliot walking away from a preaching career in the USA to some obscure village in Ecuador – Reckless Abandon in obedience. No questions asked. No reasons given. Yes, theirs was only to follow the call. Men of reckless abandon.

God requires holiness from HIS men

2010-03-16T21:14:00.000-07:00

In the story of Gideon in Judges 6 we see that Gideon offered a sacrifice to know if it is God who is speaking to him. In verses17-19 - 17 Gideon replied, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. 18 Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you." And the LORD said, "I will wait until you return." 19 Gideon went in, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah [b] of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak.

In the New Testament the unleavened bread is symbolic of a holy life. We see that in ICor5:7-9. Paul likens the unleavened bread to sincerity and truth in vs 8.

When God chooses his men he requires them to offer him 'unleavened bread' which is a holy life. Just like the way Gideon went inside to make the unleavened bread while the LORD said, "I will wait until you return" (Judg6:18) He also waits untill the man he has chosen offers a life of holiness. Look at Jesus' life. Before he started his ministry, before God's hand could be mightily manifested in his ministry he had to go to the wilderness to be tempted. It was the same with Paul. He was sent to Tarsus (Acts9:30). God waits for His man to offer a holy life and then He'll come and manifest his hand upon his ministry with fire just like the fire consumed Gideon's offering on the rock. When Gideon saw that fire consumed his offering he knew that it was God who called him.

If you know you are chosen by God and are still not seeing his hand in your life, then he is waiting for you to offer a holy life as an offering. It could take years but God waits. He said to Gideon "I will wait untill you return" and He says the same to us. Once you've offered the offering of holy life God's fire will be upon your work and everyone will know that it is so.

Our Sufficiency is in HIM

2010-02-19T21:06:00.000-08:00

When Pharaoh asked Joseph whether he could interpret dreams Joseph replies (Gen41:16) "I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." Remember Joseph by then had experienced success at everything he set his hand to. Hear Jesus in John 5:19 - "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself;”. Jesus when he uttered these words was sought after for his miracles. But each of them showed total dependence on God while at the top of their game. This is what God is looking for in the man he chooses. Total dependence upon Him in everything. We are too reliant on our abilities that we handicap God to work through us. Leonard Ravenhill cried out “Brethren, our abilities are our handicaps, and our talents our stumbling blocks!” He was right because today we have smart men doing great things without God. For example with some eloquence and humour you could deliver a perfect sermon that would satisfy a crowd. You could make your church go back to their homes thinking that they worshipped God with some nice, slow, soulish music and some husky voiced singing. We are reliant on our equipment and endowments rather than the El-Shaddai. We are reliant on our own will power to overcome sin. We are reliant on psychology and crowd dynamics to ‘move’ the people and thats why our preaching is filled with gimmicks and antics. Oh for a man like John Baptist who would serve the plain diet of repentance hot to his cold hearers! Oh for a man like Paul whose religion was Christ and Christ only.

Jim Elliot entered this in his journal on October 27, 1948 – "Sufficiency in myself is a persistent thought, though I try to judge it. Lord Jesus, Tender Lover of this brute soul, wilt Thou make me weak? I long to understand Thy sufficiency and my inadequacy, and how can I sense this except in experience? So, Lord, Thou knowest what I am able to bear. Send trouble that I might know peace; send anxiety that I might know rest in Thee. Send hard things that I may learn to rely on Thy dissolving them. Strange askings, and I do not know what I speak, but “my desire is toward Thee”—anything that will intensify and make me tender, Savior. O desire to be like Thee, Thou knowest."

Lord, let me be constantly reminded of my insufficiency and of thy all-sufficient grace.

Stephen the forerunner to Paul

2010-02-03T06:16:00.001-08:00

I’d like to think that when Stephen, being stoned after that great sermon, prayed "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit"(Acts 7:59), the Lord received his spirit and put it upon one Saul standing there. I think it was a moment like the one that happened on the banks of Jordan years ago between Elijah and Elisha (2Kings2:9). Just like how Elisha received double the portion of Elijah’s spirit (note that it was his spirit and not blessings that Elisha received as some preachers would like to preach), I would like to think that Saul standing there received double portion of the spirit of Stephen that day. Paul went on to preach blistering sermons like Stephen, he was found arguing and teaching scriptures in synagogues just like Stephen did, he was stoned once and left for dead just like Stephen, he was falsely accused and persecuted like his predecessor Stephen and finally like Stephen he died a martyr’s death. I think Stephen was a forerunner to Paul. I think when Stephen passed into glory his spirit (rather double portion of his spirit) landed on his murderer. Paul stood there that day little knowing that he would later go on to live the life that Stephen, the very man that he killed that day, would have lived. HIS ways are mysterious. Have your way in me Lord!

Make Me Thy Fuel

2010-01-17T01:00:00.000-08:00

From prayer that asks that I may be
Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,
From fearing when I should aspire,
From faltering when I should climb higher,
From silken self, O Captain, free
Thy soldier who would follow Thee.

From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakenings,
Not thus are spirits fortified,
Not this way went the crucified)
From all that dims Thy Calvary,
O Lamb of God, deliver me.

Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire;
Let me not sink to be a clod:
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.

- Amy Carmichael

Reckless Abandon

2009-10-26T06:38:00.000-07:00

Our Lord Jesus showed reckless abandon to do the will of the Father during his time on this earth. His was a life of obedience. His obedience was his life blood. Hear him say this in John 4:34 - "My food, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” He would not do anything on his own (John5:19 “"I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself ;”). He would not take one step out of the Father’s plan. Even when they wanted to make him the King, he would walk away. He would not give in to satan’s temptation to gain the crown without the cross in the desert at the inception of his ministry (Mt4:9) and also throughout his ministry at various times (Mt12:38, Jn6:15). He would resist that same temptation even when his closest friend Peter would suggest it (Mk8:32) and would not fall into it even at the cross (Mk15:31). At Gethsemane he would pray “yet not my will but yours” even when it meant he would be led to his execution carrying a heavy cross. “(Jesus) became obedient to death— even death on a cross” (Phil2:8). Recklessly abandoned to do the will of God.

Alfred Tennyson in his poem ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ talks of soldiers who would not disobey the command to charge despite knowing that the command was a big blunder and it would eventually cost them their lives. The lines go thus – “Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die…”; Yes, ours is to follow and His is to lead. Ours in not to ask “why”, and ours is not to look for reason. Ours is to do and if it requires, die. Our Lord while he was on the earth showed us what it is to be recklessly abandoned to the will of God. And we his servants should follow suit.

Reckless Abandon

2009-08-12T22:30:00.000-07:00

There was this young man called Stephen in the early church. A man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (Acts6:5). Filled with God's grace and power, he did great wonders and miraculous signs among people (Acts6:8). The learned men in the synagogues could not stand up to his wisdom (Acts6:10). His long sermon found in the book of Acts is testament to his preaching skills. What would such a young man do today? He would be trying to fill his calendar with preaching assignments (that's what preachers do, don't they). He would be busy imitating the mannerisms of the big boys in the business (he has to develop). His preacher dad may share his pulpit with him overlooking some of the seniors (because he has the 'skill'). Not so our man. Stephen was chosen to wait on tables and he submitted to it. Now there's a man recklessly abandoned to the will of God. We think we are working for God and fail to realize that we are not letting God work in us. Be clear on this - God's purpose for you is to make you like Jesus (Rom8:29) and not a big preacher, singer, missionary or what-have-you.

We read about John Baptist in Luke:1. The child was in the desert till the day of his showing forth. Long years of waiting. Oh sure he could have tried to make a move through his 'connections' in the Temple. Remember his dad Zachariah was a priest. He also could have become a priest. If he became a priest he would have a platform to preach. People may at least listen to him. Nope. Not for him the clerical clout or the priestly pamper. He was recklessly abandoned to the will of God. For him was waiting the office of a prophet along with a prison sentence. He would wait “till the day of his shewing unto Israel” (Luke1:80 KJV). He would not hurry his training. He would not act on his own. The Holy Spirit would show him forth unto Israel. He would not mistake his own ambitions for the will of God. Ambitions are better left at the foot of the cross. Abandon is what it takes to be used by God.

When people ask 'how do we find God's will?', I'm tempted to ask them 'why do you want to find God's will?'. Would you still be raring to fulfill it if he told you that it is to wait on tables?

NO SCAR? - Amy Carmichael

2009-07-14T05:01:00.000-07:00

Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole; can he have followed far
Who hast no wound or scar?

Reckless Abandon

2009-06-26T05:39:00.000-07:00

I picked this pharse from Ed Mccully (one of the five missionaries along with Jim Elliot who died in Ecuador trying to reach a primitive tribe with the Gospel). “I have one desire now - to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it,” Ed Mccully wrote in a letter to Jim Elliot. Ed McCully was president of his senior class at Wheaton and won the National Hearst Oratorical Contest in San Francisco in 1949. He wrote this when he gave up his seat in Marquette University Law School and went into ministry. I tried to pick out a similar phrase or a life lived in similar fashion from the Bible and needless to say I bumped into the man Paul. Reckless abandon for God - the phrase neatly summed up his life after conversion. Paul writes in his journal (Acts 20:24) "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me". This breed of men lived a life of reckless abandon for God because their life had no value to them. God's will was more important. Paul's t-shirt line was their life-motto - For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Their thoughts were soaked in it. Their actions showed it. Their life spoke it.

What courage it must have taken to write something like that. A life of reckless abandon would mean that God could use you however he wanted. John the Baptist was the best preacher in town but his 'ministry' lasted for a very short time and some of it was in the jail. Paul wanted to preach to the Jews, but he was sent to the Gentiles. Philip was doing a wonderful job in Samaria while he was sent to the desert road. Stephen, "a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people", was asked to take care of the distribution of food. Moses, at the prime of his life was sent to tend sheep. This is reckless abandon. Can God ask us young people to go do the thankless job of tract distribution while our guitar skills & swanky english lay useless in our skillset bag? Can he trust us with food distribution when we want to preach? Can he trust us with embarrassment when we are looking for signs and wonders. Can he trust us in faithful prayer when we are trying to fill our schedule with events. God is not looking for heroics rather humble surrender. He is not looking for accomplishments rather abandon.

Oh Lord invade my compromised life. Let my thoughts of heroics turn to humble surrender. Let my ambitions turn to abandon. Let me die so that Christ would live in me.

Men of God

2009-03-17T06:04:00.000-07:00

Stephen in the 7th chapter of Acts stands before the Sanhedrin in response to some false accusation. But what we witness in the following verses is a composed and calm Steve making no attempt to defend himself, rather preaching the longest recorded sermon in the book of Acts. I like the way he started his sermon - "Brothers and Fathers". No unease here. No disturbed mind here. Stephen did not look threatened. Peter who drew the sword at Jesus' arrest at Gethsemane did not protest when they came for him in Acts 4:3. What a change from the Gethsemane scene a few weeks back. The impulsive Peter, who drew his sword and wounded a soldier weeks back, gives in meekly to the guards here. Paul was arrested many a time and all through he was more interested in preaching the Gospel than putting up a defense. The apostles seemed to show calm and composure under extreme pressure. Threats wouldn’t stop them from preaching. Feeling of injustice was the last thing on their mind when they were falsely accused.

God's men will not be put off by false accusation and bad report. Men of God will not try to defend themselves when accused. Their pulpits will not be a platform to defend or boast. They go about their jobs quietly knowing who is in control. They are not shaken when threatened. They will not be moved by petty things that move us (today’s so called Christians). They will not be moved by lack of funds. They will not be moved by false reports. They will not be fretting when the church ignores them. They are not swung by popular opinions. Their vision is eternity. Their mission is to please God.

The same Stephen at the end of his sermon fumes at his hearers in Acts 7:51. The same calm man is now stirred. The same Paul who was calm and composed before kings and rulers, tore his clothes and begged the crowd in Acts 14:14. What happened now? Where did their composure go? What happened to the peace they seemed to be exhibiting under pressure?

Their hearts beat to God's heart. What grieves the heart of God will grieve their hearts too. Just like Paul tore his clothes when he was worshipped as a God, the man of God will jump out of his pulpit and tear his clothes when people worship him (idol worship). Just like Stephen's convicting sermon made the crowd go mad, their sermons always leave their audience either convicted or outraged. Just like Peter pronounced the death sentence of his congregation members (Ananias & Sapphira) for hypocrisy, these men will not sit back and smile when there is sickness in the church. What affects God’s heart will affect the men of God.

Prayer Group That Met in Solomon's Colonnade

2008-12-30T05:32:00.000-08:00

Acts5:12,13 "And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. 13No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people."

Notice the word 'dared' in that description of the early church prayer group? I was wondering what did the people find in this prayer group that made them scared to join them even though they thought highly of the group?

I speculate that the prayer group that met in Solomon's Colonnade was at a different plateau in their praying. I belive that this prayer group did not pray for board exams and fine weather rather they must have interceded for men and wrestled with the devil (like Epaphras did). They must have praised God for being counted worthy to suffer. This must have baffled the onlookers. Their prayers must have been with power unlike the usual prayer meetings that we attend. They must have put their whole lives behind their prayers. They must have got exhausted after their prayers. Their prayers must have been without the flowery words and eloquence that we like, rather it must have been with groanings and unintelligible utterances (like that of Hanah's). Their prayers must have created havoc in hell. They must NOT have prayed for finances. They must NOT have prayed for church buildings. They must have prayed for men. They must have prayed for courage. They must have prayed for the resurrection power. Oh how foolish our prayer meetings look in the light of this one?

I believe that the prayers made by this group was out of the world. They must have learnt it from the Lord himself as some of them witnessed the Lord's Gethsemane prayer. Mere men must have been so afraid to join them. The very sight must have given them a complex.

Or it could be that 'their righteousness reflected the world's corruptness' as somebody put it. I belive that these God-consumed men were so out-of-the-world. So otherworldly that the worldly men wouldn't dare join them.

Can that be said of our prayer groups? Can that be said of my prayer group? No!

A Man Consumed by God

2008-12-29T06:20:00.000-08:00

If you were thinking that there is no ‘human sacrifice’ done in the 21st century, you are wrong. There is human sacrifice done these days. Yes, Christianity advocates human sacrifice. Paul in his letter (Rom12:1) to the Roman Church writes thus “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices…”.

There’s not much written about the events in Stephen’s life. But there’s one event that finds its place in the book of Acts. Its his death. Paul for his exhortation in Romans12:1 must have been inspired primarily by Christ’s sacrificial death and I strongly believe that this inspiration must have been seconded by the haunting memories of a death he witnessed some days before he was met by God on the road to Damascus. Yes, Stephen’s death must have inspired Paul when he wrote his letter to the Roman Church. This young man Stephen, knowing that he may not come out alive from that preaching assignment, placed himself on the altar as the sacrifice. God answers by fire. The same God who consumed the drenched sacrifice on Elijah’s altar on Mount Carmel, answered by fire this time too. That’s why I belive Stephen’s face shone like an angel’s. This is New Testament theology demonstrated. In the olden days God consumed the animal sacrifice as a proof of his existence (IKings18:36,37). Today he consumes human lives and shows the world the proof of his existence. Stephen was a man consumed by God.

The sacrifice on the altar is helpless and dead. It cannot move from the altar. When it is brought to the altar it is killed. When Paul said “offer your bodies as living sacrifices..” he must have meant this, that we ought to be come to the altar helpless and dead. He goes on in the next verse (Rom12:2) to say “ be dead to the ways of the world”. He begins (Rom12:1) by saying “ by God’s mercies…”. You cannot do it on your own because you are helpless. You cannot thrive in the ways of the world because you are dead to it. This is the kind of ‘Living’ sacrifice every Christian ought to be. When God consumes a sacrifice, the world will know it (as they did on Mount Carmel). When God consumes a man, the world will know it as they did on that trial as Stephen stood to deliver his last sermon (Acts6:15).

Peter’s Healing Meeting

2008-10-31T00:36:00.000-07:00

I’m making an attempt to get a peep into Peter’s sermon notes for the sermon he delivered when he healed a cripple at the Beautiful gate. Here’s how he started…
#1. Acts3: 12 - …as if by our own power or godliness…
#2. Acts3 :13
You handed him over…
You disowned him…
Vs 14 - You disowned the Holy and Righteous One …
You killed him
#3. Acts3 : 19 – Repent, then, and turn to God…

Today’s Healing meetings…
What a contrast from the one mentioned above. Our meetings are orchestrated to draw crowds. We call those who have been healed, to the stage and do a talk show. Usually the lines that the hosts say will go along this one “ God heard Pastor’s prayer and healed….”.
But Peter shouted “…as if by our own godliness…”.

We make a big spectacle of the healing, but Peter made a big spectacle of their sins (You handed him, …disowned him, …killed him).

We are interested in filling the pews for our next meeting and so we say “Do you want to be healed also… come to the meeting/watch this program…” But Peter was interested in filling heaven and that’s why he said “Repent, then, and turn to God…”.

Jesus pronounced woes on the cities that did not repent on account of the miracles done there (Matt 11). Let’s hear some MEN being as plain as Peter was. Let’s hear some ‘Woe unto you Korazin’ (Matt 11:21).

Repentance - The missing theme

2008-10-10T22:27:00.000-07:00

In Matthew 11 Jesus pronounces 'woes' on the unrepentant cities. He had done miracles and had healed the sick in these cities. Now he was expecting repentance. Jesus' healing ministry had a purpose - It was repentance. Today one thing that seems to be missing in the healing ministries is this - the emphasis on repentance. Let's hear our healing ministers shout 'woes' on our cities because we don't repent.

The death of a man of God.

2008-04-10T23:43:00.000-07:00

If you want to see the death of a man of God then read Acts chapter 7. What a contrast to today’s so called prophets.

Look at Stephen driving the crowds crazy. Hear Stephen expose their hypocrisy. I can imagine the high priest driving his index fingers into his ears to try and stop those convicting potent words of Stephen. Imagine the crowd gnash their teeth at Stephen’s cry. Imagine the bulging vein on Saul’s neck line. They couldn’t take it anymore. Stephen, full of the holy spirit, told it like it was. Can you smell their anger in the air? Can you hear the commotion? Can you hear the thud of the stones hitting flesh? Can you hear Stephen’s convicting words mingled with their vicious abuses and the rising dust? Can you hear the preacher’s words flavoured with pain? Can you hear Stephen’s “forgive them Lord” as they drag him out. Oh what a scene.

This is the funeral of a true prophet. There would be no politicians in the scene. There would be no celebrity homage. There would be no TV coverage. There would be no pomp and glory. No one to eulogise. It would be a different scene than the death of today’s star evangelist. It’s a different dimension altogether. Hell would breathe a sigh. Heaven would give a standing ovation. The King of Kings would rise to receive his knight.

Where are the Stephens today? Where are the preachers who would preach till they’re stoned? Where are the preachers who would tell the people what they need to hear and not what they want to hear? Where are the Stephens whose death would raise Pauls? Where are they?

No man is greater than his prayer life - Ravenhill

2008-04-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

One cannot find much information on the life of Leonard Ravenhill. You can find details of any big preacher's life on the internet. But Ravenhill's is not possible. Its because he shunned popularity. He turned down offers to publish his life and ministry. Even Keith Green's Biography, who was Ravenhill's close associate and was greatly influenced by him, does not bear much about Ravenhill. Among the little we know about him there's one line said by a woman who was a member of his congregation.... " That man could pray". Can this be said of our preachers today? Can this be said of us? Ravenhill was the best deomonstration of his own Theology. "No man is greater than his prayer life."

God's Men - Dead Men.

2008-03-27T23:05:00.000-07:00

When God came shopping for a front-man to introduce Jesus to the world he found his man in John. John’s attire was out of fashion. John’s diet was outrageous. John’s residence was out of town. If our youth group met John the Baptist today they’d say “get a life, man”. In other words he was 'DEAD'. Jesus calls him the greatest prophet to have ever walked on the planet. When God wanted to take Christianity to the gentiles he found a thoroughbred Jewish Pharisee named Paul. Paul’s pedigree and certificates had no bearing on the gentiles. But his name created havoc in hell. When God wanted to reach the Jews he called an impulsive, illiterate fisherman and names him the Rock (Peter). God’s men were always out-of-fashion (they didn't fit the bill), obnoxious (not pleasant to hear) and otherworldly (they were eternity men). In other words they were boring dead men. They were totally sold out to God. They had nothing to do with the world. God’s men had no possessions to hold on to. They had no reputation to guard. They had no ambition to fight for. They had no organization to establish. Their only goal was Christ. Perhaps Paul’s t-shirt bore this line “For me to live is Christ”.

Dying to Program

2008-03-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

Today we are preoccupied with ourselves and our programs. We are so into thinking of what we can do that we miss out on what God can do. We are looking to impress. We are looking for recognition. Brother, if there is no fire in your preaching and if there’s no power in your singing then its time you packed your bags and waited upon God. God is not interested in your program. God is not interested in your organization. God is interested in the lost. We have men living beyond their vision. We have men holding on to office. No wonder most churches are dead. No wonder there are crowds but no God.

Just like in the Laodecian church (of Revelation) God is standing outside and knocking. He is not inside but outside. Today we are interested in our programs. We pray for gadgets and power supply. We pray for favourable weather conditions. We pray for the musicians and preachers. But alas we take it for granted that God will be there. No wonder we have good musicians and bigger crowds and NO God.

We are interested in our organizations. We take great pains in building dynasties at the expense of fire. We make plans with the organization in mind. Holy Spirit’s leading is nowhere in our agenda. Leonard Ravenhill used to say that “No man can live beyond his vision”. Yes, look at John the Baptist. After a training of 20 long years in the desert his ministry was just for six months. He was the best preacher in town. He was the voice of God after almost 400 years of silence. Crowds came from all over the place to hear him. He even attracted the Pharisees, spiritual superiors of the time. They even wondered if he was the Christ. Did he try to set up an organization? No, instead he introduced Jesus to his disciples (Joh1:37). Did he try to establish his baptism? No, instead he spoke about Jesus’ baptism (Matt3:11). He accomplished his mission and got out of the way. Look at him say this in John3:30 ”He (Christ) must become greater; I must become less.” That’s dying to program brother.

Paul says “for me to live is Christ..”. His ambition was Christ. It was not his ministry but Christ. Not his writing career but Christ. Not his preaching but Christ. Not his church but Christ. Here’s a man completely sold out. Give me one man surrendered such. We ought to be ashamed at ourselves. I am.

Prayer

2008-01-31T01:53:00.000-08:00

I don't know how many times I must have read these lines, but it pricks me every time. It makes my eyes go moist and makes me look for a place to pray. When in office it makes me long for the prayer closet. I wish it does the same thing for you.

Excerpts from the book 'Why Revival Tarries' by Leonard Ravenhill...

The Cinderella of the church of today is the prayer meeting. This handmaid of the Lord is unloved and unwooed because she is not dripping with the pearls of intellectualism, nor glamourous with the silks of philosophy; neither is she enchanting with the tiara of psychology. She wears the homespuns of sincerity and humility and so is not afraid to kneel! No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying. The pulpit can be a shopwindow to display one's talents; the prayer closet allows no showing off. When a man who has crept along for years in conventional Christianity suddenly zooms into spiritual alertness, becomes aggressive int he battle of the Lord, and has a quenchless zeal for the lost, there is a reason for it. (But we are so subnormal these days that the normal New Testament experience seems abnormal.) The secret of this "jet-propelled fellow" we have just mentioned is that somewhere he has had Jacob-like wrestling with God and has come out stripped, but also "strengthened by the Holy Ghost!"

The secret of praying is praying in secret. A sinning man will stop praying, and a praying man will stop sinning. We are beggared and bankrupt, but not broken, nor even bent.

Prayer is profoundly simple and simply profound. 'Prayer is the simplest form of speech that infant lips can try', and yet so sublime that it outranges all speech and exhausts mans vocabulary. A Niagara of burning words does not mean that God is either impressed or moved. One of the most profound of Old Testament intercessors had no language - 'Her lips moved, BUT HER VOICE WAS NOT HEARD. No linguist here ! There are groanings that cannot be uttered.

Are we so substandard in New Testament Christianity that we know not the historical faith of our fathers (with its implications and operations), but only the hysterical faith of our fellows ?

Prayer is to the believer what capital is to the business man.

Can any deny that in the modern church setup the main cause of anxiety is money? Yet that which tries the modern churches the most, troubled the New Testament Church the least. Our accent is on paying, theirs was on praying. When we have paid, the place is taken; when they had prayed, the place was shaken !

In the matter of New Testament, Spirit-inspired, hell-shaking, world-breaking prayer, never has so much been left by so many to so few.

For this kind of prayer there is no substitute. We do it - or die !

Sold Out to God!

2008-01-20T21:29:00.000-08:00

One reason why we don’t yet see men being used as Paul was used is that we are still preoccupied with some petty stuff rather than being sold out to God completely. Paul says in Galatians 6:17 that he is branded for Christ. Read IICorinthians 11:25-29. Look at the man’s back who bore flogging and beating. See the scars from the stoning he endured. Look at his frail body that has weathered many a shipwreck. Look at him kneeling there hungry and cold yet praying for the churches that they may be strong. Can anyone be more surrendered to God? Can anyone burn with more passion? Can anyone overflow with more love? No wonder Paul was known in hell and the demons were terrified (Read Acts 19:15). Paul died to his preoccupations when he came to Christ. Paul died to his personality when he was led as a blind man to Damascus where he waited for Ananias to come and heal his eyes. Paul died to public opinion when his conversion made headlines in Damascus. He died to security when he preached the gospel that made his own countrymen conspire against him. Paul’s only aim was that Christ be preached. He had no personal agenda. Paul died to fame. Look at him preach to the top socialites of his time King Agrippa, Bernice and Festus. The sophisticated King Agrippa was so moved that he was afraid he’d become a Christian. Is our preaching so passionate or is it trying to impress people. We are mired in mediocrity because we are reluctant to die to our preoccupations. I sincerely pray that I go to my own funeral every day. Amen!

God Is Raising A Remnant

2008-01-01T18:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a glorious day. I went to this camp-fire event organized by the local CSI church youth group. It was a fun event and I went there reluctantly as I did not fit in with the crowd. The final event in the agenda was a small sharing time. A brother shared from the Bible and his own life. After this he starts praying.... And there is an immense anointing of the spirit. I was shocked with this as it was a 'CSI' youth group. The Presbyterians are not usually gung ho about the Pentecost experience. Here was a small presbyterian group praying in the Holy Spirit and some speaking in tongues. For some time now I have been praying for the anointing. Today, though wanting to be anointed, I was quite skeptic at first and thought God would work in a different way in me. I was not totally convinced of the violent shaking experience that some were having that day. I wanted some thing clean and neat. But I was wrong. To hell with my ideas. As the praying session wore on one of the brothers who were leading stopped and turned right towards me (closing his eyes) and said that God was telling him of a young man who was having doubts about what was happening. I was amazed at this and was hell sure it was me. My doubts vanished that moment and I asked to be filled. Shaken violently and pleading for the fire to come down on me then and there, I was anointed. Glorious anointing. A very bad day for hell. A tragedy for satan.

God is raising a remnant in unexpected places. To hell with our sophisticated ways. God is looking for men who would be totally sold out to him. If you come to him you are risking personality, pedigree and public opinion. If the Pentecostals are pre-occupied with prosperity and hero worship God will raise fire-brands from unexpected places. He is doing that in South India. While the pentecostals are busy with building bigger buildings and praying for blessings there is a small remnant scattered seeking revival. An unimpressive bunch who are not after blessing but burning. A group of ordinary men who are seeking fire rather than power. A league of prophets who would not tickle your ear but kindle the fire.

Lord Invade our Prayer Meetings

2007-12-17T21:41:00.000-08:00

If you want to know how popular the Church is - go there on sunday mornings.
If you want to know how popular the Preacher is - go to the church on sunday evenings.
If you want to know how popular God is - go to the Prayer meeting.

- Leonard Ravenhill

Where are the martyrs?

2007-12-13T22:50:00.000-08:00

I guess the reason why the coming of the Lord is delayed is found in the book of Revelation. Read ch6 : 9 - 11. Here the souls of the martyrs are asking the reason for the delay and the answer is given in verse 11. It says that the number of martyrs to be slaughtered have to be completed. The second coming is delayed because not enough people have died as martyrs for Christ. It is us who are delaying His coming. Enough martyrs haven’t been martyred. Enough people have not laid down their lives for God. It’s the battle cry. Why is our victory delayed? Enough people haven’t laid down lives for Christ. Have we become comfortable here. Have we diluted the Gospel to such an extent that the same world, that hounded the 1st century Christians to their graves, is not offended by us (supposedly following the same Christ) today. Why is that? Have we compromised our lives? Have we compromised our message? The first martyr was a deacon (Stephen). He was not even an apostle. He was not a missionary. He was a deacon in the church. Where are the deacons who would preach untill they are stoned. What are we doing today? Where have we gone wrong?

Preoccupied with Public Opinion

2007-12-05T22:16:00.001-08:00

We are very often preoccupied with what others would think of us. We are afraid of Public Opinion. More often than not this gets us down. We could dream heroics for God but when it comes down to doing it we are paralyzed with fear of public opinion. One reason why we still walk the streets of mediocrity is that we are afraid of public opinion. Did Noah worry about public opinion? Did Isaiah wear shorts when he was commanded to preach naked? Did Jeremiah shy away when he was asked to wear a yoke on his neck as accessory to his pulpit attire? Paul says the world is crucified to him and he to the world (Gal6:14). Do not confirm to the pattern of this world (Rom12:2). If the world is crucified to you, you wouldn’t care what your friends think of you for praying all the time. You wouldn’t care what the people would think if you shared Gospel to them. You cannot beat mediocrity confirming to the world. You have to be radical. You have to let go of your inhibitions. You have to be branded crazy. Jesus was. The world’s opinion doesn’t count on the final day. Think eternity.

Let’s pray that our reputation dies today and has a funeral. Unless we die to ourselves and yield like a mass of clay on the potter’s wheel we will not be of any good.

Preoccupied with Pedigree

2007-11-30T22:08:00.000-08:00

We are preoccupied with our pedigree. Our pedigrees go to the trash once we come to God. There’s Moses fresh from the Ivy League Egyptian University brimming with confidence who was asked to spend quality time in wilderness tending sheep. Paul inspite of his Jewish pedigree was the apostle to the gentiles.

Moses had to shed his 'prince' identity. Paul had to give-up his Hebrew-of-Hebrews identity. What you had been does not matter to God when you come to him. Where you had studied doesn't count. Your area of expertise would add up to nothing. Your pedigree goes to the trash.

Our identity is not what we are and what we have done. Read Exodus 3: 11, 12. Moses asks God why of all the people he was selected to bring His people out of Egypt. Look at God’s reply. He says “I will be with you…”. He does not talk of Moses’ pedigree. He does not talk about his training in the palace or knowledge of the wilderness or his striking personality that impressed midianite girls or his muscles that killed the Egyptian. Nothing matters. All that matters is that we surrender all to God. He’d throw our credentials and certificates into the trash and then cleanse us and use us. Our identity is in HIM only.

Let’s look at the greatest apostle of the New Testament – Paul. Paul was the right candidate for preaching to the Jews. Look at his resume’ – Born of the tribe of Benjamin, Circumcised on the eighth day, Hebrew of Hebrews, a student of Gamaliel, a Pharisee, legalistically faultless, had connections in the top places… He’d be definitely hired if they were hiring for the post of ‘apostle to the Jews’. Along with this he had the passion to reach the Jews (Rom11:13, 14). But God had other plans. He was not accepted in the synagogues Acts9:23. The disciples were not friendly until Barnabas vouched for him. Even in Jerusalem they tried to kill him Acts9:29. Only when he left was there a peace in the Judean Church Acts9:31. Paul’s ministry started from the time he accompanied Barnabas to the Greeks in Antioch. Paul had to give in to God’s plan and only then he would be used.

If we are pre-occupied with our past and pedigree we’d still trod the paths of mediocrity. We'll be limiting God. We have to comprehend the fact that God doesn’t operate the way we do. Henry Varley challenged once “ The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him” If only we’d give up our ideas and give in to God’s. Paul had to go through that. Moses had to stomach that. And what fine instruments they were turned to. Let's come a clean slate.

For God's Sake Let's Grow Up!!

2007-11-27T21:21:00.000-08:00

We need to grow up out of our crib. We need to upgrade to solid food. We cannot be spoonfed all along. At some stage we need to leave the crib and crawl. Most preachers today don't kindle the nest. And the church is fat and obese in the nest with wings that have never been execised. We have been saved (though most are superficial). Our calling, when we become christians is to be Holy (ICor1:2). We don't realize that since we are still dazed in our superficial, often emotionally manipulated salvation. We don't pray in the spirit. That's one reason why we keep sinning. Because a praying christian will stop sinning. And a sinning christian will stop praying. Once we establish a connection with God through prayer, then we'll be nudged by the Holy Spirit if any sin hinders that connection. In this way we keep the connection going. In this way we'll stop sinning. I guess we'll have to grow out of the 'worship song' crib that we are accustomed to in our churches. Today the church is content in getting to sing a good worship song and go high emotionally on sundays and then go back to their sinning ways. Pathetic piety. You ask an youngster why he/she goes to that particular church you'd hear them answer "the worship is good". This sums up the state our churches are in today. First lets learn to get out of the crib and then we'll learn what's 'worship'.

Preoccupied with Personality

2007-11-23T02:35:00.000-08:00

One of the critical things that happen when a man surrenders to God is the breaking down of his personality. When we come to God he wants us to shed everything including our personality. He'd break our personality so that His Glory is revealed in us. What a privilege to be a vessel that reflects His Glory. He cannot operate unless we give him the controls on everything. There was this guy who wrestled with God… one Jacob. Jacob had an awkward limp in his gait after that encounter Gen32: 31. Then there’s Paul who was blinded at the encounter and his eyes was one problem he carried to his grave (as said by some historians). Then there’s Moses fresh from the Ivy League Egyptian University who was asked to spend quality time in wilderness with some sheep. Jeremiah had to preach wearing a yoke on his neck once. Isaiah had to go stripped and barefoot for 3 years (Isa20). Read Galatians 4:14, Paul talks about his illness as a nuisance to his hosts (some believe that this illness was his poor eyesight that he carried to his grave). I’m tempted to believe that it was the result of his meeting with God on the road to Damascus. God breaks and makes us soft enough to leave His fingerprints.

Dear Lord break me today, my personality and all;

Here I am, heeding your call.

We are compromised!!!!

2007-11-19T23:43:00.000-08:00

We are caught camouflaging instead of confronting. Instead of preaching we are pleasing. We are caught selling prayer keys and prayer oil rather than praying. We are fishing in the bathtub. What a ridiculous bunch of clowns we have become. Our pulpits rely on antics and gimmicks rather than the Holy Spirit fire. Our churches rely on LCD projectors and electric guitars instead of praying deacons and firebrand preachers. We are interested in challenging rather than changing. We have replaced Eternity with prosperity. We have replaced happiness for Holiness. We have made stupid substitutions. We are doomed.

I want to pray like Jonathan Edwards "Lord stamp eternity on my eyeballs..."

Paul's Lifestyle

2007-11-18T19:12:00.000-08:00

What a contrast between our lifestyle and Paul's.
IICor 6:4-10
4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Dear Lord, scale off the desires of prosperity in us. Replace it with eternity. I pray like Jonathan Edwards did "Stamp eternity on my eye balls".

Gloried in Tribulation.

2007-11-16T21:12:00.000-08:00

David Brainerd gloried in his tribulation. I quote him from his journal

"...such fatigues and hardships as these seem to wean me more from the earth and I trust will make heaven the sweeter."

O Lord, I'm ashamed of myself and my empty, hipocritcal life. How often I fall and often I do it willingly. Save me O God from this life of stinking mediocrity. Burn my pride on my broken altar. Deal with my earthly desires. Knead me till I'm soft to mould. Break the edges and scrape the rust. Break me untill there's left no more of me. Untill I humbly say with Paul "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain".

2007-11-16T20:41:00.000-08:00

Oh, the bitter shame and sorrow
That a time could ever be
When I let the Saviour's pity
Plead in vain, and proudly answered:
"All of self, and none of Thee."

Yet He found me: I beheld Him
Bleeding on the accursed tree;
Heard Him pray, "Forgive them, Father,"
And my wistful heart said faintly:
"Some of self and some of Thee."

Day by day, His tender mercy,
Healing, helping, full and free,
Sweet and strong, and oh, so patient,
Brought me lower, while I whispered:
"Less of self and more of Thee."

Higher than the highest heaven,
Deeper than the deepest sea,
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered:
Grant me now my soul's desire,
"None of self and all of Thee."

Where are we heading?

2007-11-05T20:56:00.000-08:00

Hyderabad blasts
Communal riots - (Gujjars and Meenas)
Murder and Rape - (Call centre employee)
Kidnapped and Killed - (Mumbai school kid)
Child trafficking - (Teachers in Delhi)
Rape and Cannibalism - (Pandher and Surender)
Jailed - (Film stars)

All these in a very short time. Where are we heading? Who is responsible for the moral climate of the country? I'm sure it's us - The Church. The salt and light of the world. What a shame on us. While the country is speeding to hell we are comfortable and cozy in our cushioned pews. The pulpit is ice cold. Guess we need to cut out the Air conditioner. We need to set the pulpits on fire. Out with materialism and humanism that has dimmed our minds and hearts.

We have got our formula wrong. We are getting comfortable in our transit itself. Too early. We celebrate over superficially so called 'saved' souls in our humanistic evangelistic meetings. We may end up embarrassed on the final day when our works are quality examined in fire.
Lord prepare us for greater things.

Ravenhill - Burning!!

2007-11-05T20:49:00.000-08:00

To watch some soul stirring sermons which were brought out by agonizing and unction. Ravenhill's very voice rings with a tinge of unction, his eyes are moist with agonizing, his aching body is still waiting to witness the mighty visitations of God in these videos and audio clips.

http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/viewcat.php?cid=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuXpEz34TY8

Revival or Funeral

2007-11-05T20:17:00.000-08:00

I have been hearing Leonard Ravenhill for the past week from sermonindex.net and am greatly blessed. What a burning soul had he. The church in South India is dead. Either its getting an extra dosage of the materialistic prosperity or it is sunk in traditions and ceremonies. The pulpit is ice cold with icicles at the edges. After hearing Ravenhill the trip to local chruch is even more painful. It is ridiculous that the majority have jumped on the humanism bandwagon. We either need a revival or a funeral. People are content with the way the worship leader takes them to an emotional realm with the slow music and antics.... The mainline preachers are making the pew comfortable and hence are bringing judgement on themselves. Its time we had a prophet of God among us. Lord send us a John the Baptist. We are undone....