THE UNNOTICED

 
Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven    Matthew 5:3

 When we were young our parents influenced us .But who are the Christians who have influenced us most? Most of them srved God behind the scenes with no spotlight of them. Do not feel little at the sight of great speakers.Thay have their calling and accountability and so have  you. If you are a Christian , you  are in the ministry. You may not be called to do it from behind a pulpit but you are called to service wherever you are. That old song got it right with its lyrics- This little light of mine, I am going to let it shine, let it shine.You are as much a minister of Christ as anybody else. There are no "insignificants" in the Kingdom of God. Your reward is with God- and you can be sure about that.

THE KINGDOM

My kingdom is not of this world  John 18:36

Busyness and hurriedness seems to be the norm of the day for almost everyone. Yet our Lord was never in a hurry.One of the greatest deceptions of our day is that we have to be engaged in endless church activities for God's approval. This attitude has no basis in the New Testament but has been brought in from the systems of the world. There are times you need to get away from the exhausting activity that swirls around you. It is the private life with God that must take the precedence and it is a hidden obscure thing. It appears that many Christians workers just do their duties to be seen by others. Endless activity to keep people engaged or service for God who called you  into His service? That is the one question that every born again believer must face.

THE PREPARATION

"... first be reconciled to your brother,and then come and offer your gift..."    Matthew 5:23-24

There are wounds in every heart, whether believers or unbelievers. Many believers too carry secret wounds which  festers over the  long years.If the fault is not with you, its no point despairing. Whisper the despair in your most private prayers. Let God search you out.Dont just admit it- confess it. Even among Christians there are many abusive animals out there.Whisper out the name of the  unrefined brute who abused your trust and caused much pain. We can only do the possible- only God does the impossible.God sees the attitude in which you approach Him- and thats what counts."...the tax collector would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but smote his breast,..."

As far is possible with you, live at peace with everyone .... Hebrews
 If it is not possible with you, let God do the impossible...

BEING BORN AGAIN

 And now the Lord  says, who formed Me from the womb to be His servant....."   Isaiah 49:5

Who wants to be addressed as a servant these days? We would rather have servants to our beck and call. And in the present business and  commercial world, it is relatively easy to forget that we are called to serve Him- as servants.A  Christian is called for the purpose of being  God's servant, one in whom God is glorified.Beware lest you forget God's purpose for your life.Let you heart always be open to Him to be used in whichever way He desires. God bless you as you serve.

" I am among you as one who serves."

THE LORDS TEMPTATION

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are , yet without sin    Hebrews 4:15

The temptations of Jesus were not of those of a mere man.But they were the temptations of God when He appeared as a man. They were in completely different realms.Whenever God takes you into the deeper realms of His mysteries, to be prepared for His purposes- expect the tempter to appear. If he apppeared before the Master, he will surely approach you when God is preparing to use you in some special way. And without the quickening of the Holy Spirit within, our defences are sure to crumble.The Son of Man is acquainted with all our weaknesses.So take heart- He is symphathetic.He did not bring you this far to see you drown.Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

TEMPTATIONS

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man  1 Corinthians 10:13

It is impossible to completely escape from temptations in this life.But beware of thinking that you are the only person being tempted to do evil. What you are going through is something common to all believers everywhere.What is it that the tempter tempts? The answer is that he is tempting something within each one of us-our fallen nature.At the sight of the forbidden, something awakens within us-"...it looks pleasant in our eyes...". Remember all actions have consequences. Much better to avoid it, than trying  bitterly to conceal the evidence later.

HE SEES IN SECRET

"But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is  in the secret place."   Matthew 6:6

Even the  meanest looking person  we encounter have their  tender  areas. Keep your eyes on God, not on people.Let me say something strange here. Churches preach that Christians must  be known as praying people.The fact is , here in Malaysia- everybody seems to be praying-some are really loud prayers.On the contrary, your motivation should not be the desire to be known as a praying person. Find an inner room in which to pray where no one even knows you are there- and shut out the world and everything that is in it.It is impossible to carry on the life of a Christian, without definite times of secret prayer.

"When you pray, do not pray in the street corners to be seen by them....."  Jesus

RENUNCIATION

 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame   2 Corinthinas 4:2

 These are not Satans strongholds. It is within the Christians power to renounce them. It is very much an individuals choice.Have you renounced the hidden things of you life- things that your sense of  honour and pride will not allow to come into the light? David faced 2 great temptaions in his life. The first one with a woman, Satan had nothing to do with it. The second act of numbering the army- Satan moved him do do it. The tempter's whisper' So how great are your now?" spoke to Davids ego and he slipped. Are there areas in your life today that you can consciously renounce today? To it today.

Love suffers long and is kind.  1 John 3:2

SURRENDER WHAAAATTT?????

 'I have finished the work which You have given Me to do"   John 17:4

The Christian life is all about the inward life- in  other words, inward sanctification. And that is where real  battle is done with God and with Satan.True surrender is not simply staying away from alcohol, tobacco and idle talk- It is the surrender of our will.And that is precisely where the battle and the resistance begins.The greatest crisis we wil ever face is the surrender of the will.And the fear of surrender is understandable.Especially when we have been abused by others at a human level.God does not demand us that we hurl ourselves at the foot of the cross in a suicidal attitude.He patiently waits until the person willingly yield to Him. Begin in the small areas in your inward life where there are patches of darkness. As He gives you  victory,start yielding to Him in the bigger areas.

"Begin to engage him in battle.Every step that you take will I give it to you for a possession." Joshua

SPIRITUAL CONFUSION

"You do not know what you ask"   Matthew 20:22

Yes, even  Christians can be confused at times not knowing what to ask from God.Our natural inclinations indicates one thing- but our souls  uneasiness is witness that that course is not the will  of God. Instead of asking God for some other thing every day- ask what  is the spritual  vocation He has called you to do.No sooner asked , you will find a tiny door in your circumstance inviting you to come in. Begin  right there and the light will continue to lead.

".... so you may know what is the hope of His  calling..."

WHY NOT NOW??

PETER SAID TO HIM, " LORD, WHY CANT I FOLLOW YOU  NOW?"   JOHN 13:37

There are seasons when you cant understand why you cannot do what you want to do. When God brings a time of waiting and appears to be unresponsive, do not fill with it business and what nots.Just wait.   VJ

LOVE OF CHRIST

WHO SHALL SEPERATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST? ROMANS 8:35

 During my early Christian days- I was rather naive. I thought the love of God wil shield me from every distress and sorrow. Of course, it did not take long for those delusions to be shattered. God does not and will not keep His children immune from troubles. Sometimes the troubles come from our own wrong doing  and at other time unruly monkeys  who surround us under the guise of friendship and even "Christian" fellowship. In fact, our Master was played out by one of His own. Never allow tribulations and ' cares of this world' seperate you from remembering that God  is fashioning your feet of clay into something better. You are to be used for His own purposes.Praise God when you are played  out.  Now God and you can get closer to each  other.   Vijay

LIVING SIMPLY MATTHEW 6:26,28

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow- they neither toil nor spin- they simply appear and disappear by Gods will! Many generations have come and gone before our time and one day it will be our turn to disppear into the dust. We inevitable will. In the meantime- we can be content and just rest our souls in the hands of God. Most os us desire luxuries. But big properties and big enterprises have overhead costs- which nags at the soul and rob you of your peace. Learn a a lesson from the Gods nature.The rains come down in due time and all is refreshed. God will do the same for you. Vijay

JOABS TREACHERY 1 KINGS 2:28

FOR JOAB HAD DEFECTED TO ADONIJAH,THOUGH HE HAD NOT DEFECTED TO ABSALOM.

A Chinese Philosopher who lived before the time of Jesus once said
" Nothing lasts forever- everything changes" How true it is- especialy in
the area of friendships and relationships. Our Lord Jesus welcomed sinners and religious people alike, at times the crowds mobbed Him.But He was inwardly detached from everyone. At the crucial moment when everyone deserted Him- He was still calm and serene. He expected it.So He was not devastated when the disciples ran for their lives.Silently firm- He faced a new situation.No more supper times and supper stories. Suddenly the lonely road to the cross loomed before Him.That sense of betrayal- it must have been awful.He faced it calmly and firmly. So must you. May God give you grace to handle those who abuse your friendship and trust . Vijay

THE UNFAILING LIGHT 2 Cor 3 :18

We all with unveiled face, beholding... the glory of the Lord....

In every stage of the Christian life, there are bound to be heartbreaks, disappointments and sorrows. It can be particularly difficult when the troubles spring from people with whom we have fellowshipped before- people who used to be lights in our life.We must build our faith not on fading lights but on the one Light that never fades away.

2009- YESTERDAY

"THE GOD OF ISRAEL SHALL BE YOUR REREWARD."

The year 2009 with all its turbulences has finally slipped away.This year we turn to all that God has for us in the future and yet anxiety is apt to rise in our hearts from all that happened yesterday.Sometimes just thinking of yesterdays blunders and sins is enough to weigh us down. But the God of yesterdays is also the God of our todays and of tomorrows.All that happened had to happen. God had to allow it to manifest that our ways always brings in a sour crop.With that in mind, lets step into the new year determined not to be self willed- or we will reap the same crop again.