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Christian Verbs :: A is for Asking

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On July 12, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

The Bible counsels that when we ask, we shall receive (Matthew 7:7-8). Why is it then that we don’t always feel that our request has been heard by God? What is it that can guarantee that God will hear us? The first is in what we ask, i.e., when we ask for something, it must be something that is according to His will (not ours), and this guarantees that God hears us (1 John 5:14). The second is in how we ask. When we ask we must ask without wavering/doubting (Matthew 21:22), presenting our supplications with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). The third is in who we are, because our lifestyle counts. We must be lovers of God, i.e., we must love God for when we love God, we keep His commandments, and those who keep His commandments can ask for any thing and be guaranteed that God will not only hear, but will also respond. (1 John 3:22)

A is for Asking, but the question that remains to be answered is
Are we asking God for the right thing (one that is in His will),
in the right way (without doubting; believing, and with thanksgiving),
with a right(eous) life that does that which is pleasing in His sight.

1 John 5:14 (KJV)
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

James 1:6 (KJV)
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

1 John 3:22 (KJV)
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

  1. 1 Peter 3:15
    But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
    1 Peter 3:14-16 (in Context) 1 Peter 3 (Whole Chapter)

God’s Order – Commands, Promises …

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On July 9, 2010

In Christian

In a day and age, where positive behavior is rewarded, we often attempt to fulfill what we have been commanded to do in order to reap the rewards of what is promised to us. When the mantle of leadership passed from Moses to Joshua, the Lord promised Joshua affirming His presence (I will be with you), prosperity (I will not fail you), and pursuit (I will not forsake you) and commanded him to “Be strong and of good courage”.  Many times, in our Christian walk, we attempt to be strong and of good courage, anticipating that God will be with us and not fail nor forsake us, but did you notice, that God’s order is not that the promise follows the command, but the other way round. The Lord promised Joshua and then commanded him, i.e., you can say, that the conversation between Joshua and the Lord was more like God saying to Joshua “I will be with you, I will not fail you, nor will I forsake you [so you can] Be strong and of good courage”.

God’s promise proceeds before His command and so next time you and I feel like we are being commanded to do something for the Lord, let us seek first to see what His promise is that precedes the command. Because the reward of God’s presence, prosperity and pursuit arrives before His command, following His commands should be as a result of the reward and not for the sake of the reward. In God’s order, it is not commands and then promises but promises and then commands!

Joshua 1:5-6 (KJV)
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

Doubly Fed

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On July 8, 2010

In Become a Child, Christian, Reuben

Many times, I have heard the story of Jesus, miraculously feeding the five thousand men with five loaves and two small fishes. I have heard preachers exposit on the generosity of the lad who gave his five loaves and two small fishes, the number of food items used to feed a multitude, the number of leftovers that was collected and more. But it was not until recently, when I heard our beloved 4 year old son, Reuben tell me this story in simple child-like terms, did it dawn on me several hidden treasures in this account as recorded in all four of the gospels (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:31-44; Luke 9:11-17; and John 6:1-14). As Reuben told me the story, I asked him, as to why Jesus did this miracle? His response, “because the people had walked up the mountain [to be with Jesus] and they were hungry!”

See a great crowd came unto Jesus, who was up in a mountain, to be with Him. They wanted to be with Jesus and had followed him on foot out of the cities (Matthew 14:13; Luke 9:11); They wanted to be with Jesus and ran and outran Jesus and the apostles to arrive before them (Mark 6:33); They wanted to be with Jesus because they saw the signs (miracles) of His healing of the diseased (John 6:2). As our son exclaimed, yes, the people were hungry but what were they hungry for? They were hungry for spiritual food and they got doubly fed, both spiritually and physically.

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. Are we climbing over our situations (mountains) to be with Jesus? Are we following Him, running to Him and outrunning others to be with him? Do we see the signs of His Salvation (spiritual healing) and are we following him as witnesses of the same?
  2. Are we hungry for Jesus and his words? Sadly many times, we seek after things and people that can physically provide food on the table and miss out on the spiritual provisions. Instead, if we seek Jesus first, his indomitable and eternal kingdom and his righteousness, we can assured of Him living up to His Name, Jehovah Jireh (our provider), and be doubly fed (both spiritually and physically). Jesus is the only one who can totally satisfy and in order to be satisfied, we must first be hungry for Him!

John 6:3-13 (KJV)
3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,
9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.|
12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten

Equal and opposite reaction

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On July 7, 2010

In Christian, Physics and Christ

Someone once asked, “If you are not as close to God as you used to be, who moved?” God is the same yesterday, today and forever and He is constantly and consistently seeking our friendship and fellowship. He is unchangeable (Hebrews 7:24) and does not move away from those who move away from Him. In fact, the Bible portrays God to be the expectant Father, waiting daily, for the return of his prodigal sons/daughters.

Newton’s third law of Thermodynamics states that “For every action, there is equal and opposite reaction”. The same is true when it comes to agreeing and becoming closer/one with God. God is one who draws near to those who draw near unto him. The initiative should be ours to draw near (first); to backslide from backsliding and when we take the initiative to draw closer to Him, God takes the initiative to draw closer to us. For our action of drawing near to God, there is equal and opposite reaction of God drawing near unto us (James 4:8).

James 4:8a (KJV)
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you …

Enoch’s Job Title

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On July 6, 2010

In Character-(istics), Christian

The Bible records that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, walked with God until he was taken to be with the Lord (Genesis 5:24). In fact, Enoch lived 365 years in this earth and 300 of those years, he walked with God. This got me wondering as to what it really means to “walk” with God. The first synonyms of the word ‘walk’ in the Thesaurus to my surprise was “a brief travel on foot” such as a parade. 300 out of 365 years is in no way “brief” in today’s context. However, the word “walk” is also used to mean “discipline” or “profession”. In other words, Enoch did not merely parade with God, but his profession itself was to be with God. To be with God is the key. To be one with God; in other words, it is to be grafted into the vine. To be grafted is to be in agreement and not at loggerheads with God. Amos 3:3 rightfully questions “Can two walk together, unless they be agreed?” Unless we are in agreement with God, we cannot walk with him and the agreement begins with a time of reasoning. The voice of God beckons “Come NOW, let us reason (agree) together, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). The shed blood of Jesus cleanses all of all sins and unrighteousness, when we believe in Him.

Though today, Enoch’s job title, as “The disciplined walker” would not seem too attractive in earthly sentiments, it has magnitude proportions in the heavenly realms. It far supersedes any earthly title we may have, be it Wife, Husband, Mother, Father, CEO, President, Director, Manager, or any other. So what is going to be your/my job title/testimony when you meet Jesus? I pray that mine be, Mano, walked with God and the epitaph on my tombstone (should I depart before the Lord’s return) be “The disciplined walker!” as was Enoch’s, whose profession was to be in agreement with God.

Genesis 5:21-24 (KJV)
21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

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Give me liberty, or give me death!

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On July 5, 2010

In Christian, Independence Series

A year before America got its independence from Great Britain, on March 23rd, 1775, the to be Governor of Virginia, an influential and radical advocate of American revolution and defender of historic rights, Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech to the gathering of delegates in the St. John’s Church in Richmond. It is 234 years since the declaration of American independence but even today the words of the man who claimed to revere the majesty of heaven above all else, still rings as a battle cry for liberty. We can apply the words of this historic speech quite aptly to our Christian life. Christian life is warfare. It is a fight. The great commission is indeed a command of war. When we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we do not merely become sinners turned saints, but soldiers in His army.

The final paragraph in Patrick Henry’s speech was “It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, ‘Peace! Peace!’ — but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

Indeed it is true that the war is actually begun [and it culminates in Armageddon (Revelation 16: 14,16)]! Our brethren (missionary men and women serving God) are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? Is our life so dear, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery [to sin and the adversary of God (Satan)]? Life without Liberty in Christ Jesus is no life at all. Let the following be our cry as well. Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty [in Christ alone], or give me death [For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain]!

Points to ponder:
1. Are you/I standing idly? Let us equip ourselves with the armor of God and engage in the fight.

1 Timothy 6:12 (KJV)
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Comprehending the Cross

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On July 2, 2010

In Christian

People connect the Cross with Christianity. Christians often view the Cross as a punishment that Jesus had to undergo in the hands of the Romans. While the Cross is an object of affection, many dont want to have to do anything with it and some even hate it because it convicts of sin, and commands to surrender totally.

But what is the Cross? It is more than two pieces of wood, on which Jesus was crucified. It is God’s billboard of love for his people. To comprehend the Cross is to understand the fullness of God’s love. It is the breadth, the length, and depth and height of the love of Christ [that passeth all knowledge]. And Jesus said, “Take up your cross [daily] and follow me” (Luke 9:23).  The Cross is not merely an ornament to be worn, but an ordinance (command) to be borne.

Point(s) to ponder:
Are you/I wearing the Cross or bearing the Cross?

Ephesians 3:17-19 (KJV)
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Luke 9:23-24 (KJV)
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Schizophrenic Christians

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On July 1, 2010

In Christian

When working as a Shark researcher in the Bimini Biological Field Station, Bahamas each of the researchers were assigned a skiff (small boat) that they had to maintain. One day when cleaning the skiff assigned to me, I had one foot of mine on the dock and the other in the skiff. The tether that was holding the skiff to the dock had been released and the skiff start to move away from the dock. Very soon, I found myself doing a karate kid side split, until I could no longer stretch and fell into the water getting completely soaked. I should have made up my mind to have my feet securely anchored on solid ground (dock) or both foot in the skiff to avoid the fall.

Bad outcomes are often observed to occur when the decision maker is double minded. Missed penalty kicks in Soccer or strikeouts in Baseball are testaments to players not being focused . Many times these players are double minded when they miss their shot.

Our frame of mind in our Christian walk has an effect as well. We are asked to renew our mind (Romans 12:2) so that we are no longer conformed to the patterns of this world that is unstable. We are to be with the God given sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) and what is more is that we are to be of a single mind, the same mind that was in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5). We cannot be double minded. In other words, we cannot be schizophrenic Christians, serving two masters. We can pledge our allegiance to God or to the world, not both. To be part of God and be part of the world simultaneously is like having one feet on the dock (solid ground) and the other in the skiff (that is moving away from solid ground); the end result of which will be a sure fall.

Point(s) to ponder:
1. Have you/I renewed our minds to conform to that of Christ Jesus and not to the world?
2. Are you/I double minded in our allegiance? If so, let us choose this day, whom we shall serve!

Image: Christ in the Storm, by Rembrandt

James 1:8 (KJV)
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

The ventriloquist God

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On June 30, 2010

In Christian

As one of America’s premiere ventriloquists, David Pendleton will make you believe that anything can talk! As a 20-year veteran  entertainer and born again Christian believer, David uses his humor and stellar techniques to keep the audience engaged and laughing from start to finish, mixing in the truths of God’s plan for their lives. He has created a series of puppets for his characters that he uses in his shows and brings them to life by projecting his voice through them. Until the puppets start to talk, they are simply lifeless, but when, what is in the mind of David’s is projected through these puppets, it seems as if the lifeless puppets are alive.  See David can only use puppets that are lifeless for his show. If he was to use an organism that had a mind of its own and one that could verbally express it’s feelings, emotions and thoughts, then David cannot really use that organism to tell his story.

Similarly, we are created in the image of God. We are dead (lifeless) spiritually and until the voice of God which in the beginning said “Let there be light (that dispels the darkness)” is heard and received by those dead in sin, we remain lifeless. Jesus Christ is THE Light that dispels the darkness of sin and until He is received by you and me, we remain in spiritual darkness. When we hear God speak and when we respond, we can be used by Him to tell His story of grace, mercy, and love to the world that is in audience. Just like without David, the puppets can do nothing. Without Jesus, we can do nothing (John 15:5). We are merely God’s mouthpiece. It is not our wisdom or words that brings life, but it is the voice of God that is communicated through our lives that bring life to the lifeless and in order for God to work through us, we must be lifeless and have not a mind of our own. Instead, we are not to be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed (more and more) into God’s likeness by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2).

Point(s) to ponder:
Does the world around you hear the voice of God projected in and through you?

John 15:15 (KJV)
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Lessons from a blind man

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On June 29, 2010

In Christian

Mark 10:46-52 and Luke 18:35-43 records the healing of the blind beggar man Bar-ti-mae’-us (i.e., son of Ti-mae’-us) whose sight was restored when he pleaded and cried out to Jesus, asking Jesus to have mercy on him. This encounter starts with Bar-ti-mae’-us crying out to Jesus when he comes to know that Jesus was passing by. The people rebuke him and ask him to keep quiet, but Bar-ti-mae’-us does not succumb to peer pressure. He cries out even more with the same plea “Jesus, have mercy on me”. Interestingly, the Bible records that Jesus stood still and commanded that Bar-ti-mae’-us be called to him. When those who carried the words of Christ to this blind man, came to him, they said “Rise” for “Jesus is calling for you”. And casting away (laying aside) his garments, Bar-ti-mae’-us rose and came to Jesus. When Bar-ti-mae’-us reached Jesus, Jesus asks a question which on the onset may seem rhetorical and even absurd to some. Jesus asks Bar-ti-mae’-us, “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?”. Was it not obvious that Bar-ti-mae’-us wanted to be able to see; to have his sight back. Bar-ti-mae’-us responded, “Lord, [what I will that you should do is] that I might receive my sight”. Jesus tells Bar-ti-mae’-us that his faith [in the Faithful one] has made him whole and asks him to go his own way. Immediately Bar-ti-mae’-us receives his sight (is able to see) and followed Jesus in the way.

Though this account may on the surface seem to be yet another miraculous encounter with Jesus, closer introspection of the text reveal treasures hidden in it that can edify us. What are some of the lessons we can learn from this blind man?

  1. Bar-ti-mae’-us took the initiative to call out to Jesus and plead for his mercy. If Bar-ti-mae’-us had not cried out, he would have died a blind man. Those who don’t know Jesus or those who have forgotten their first love (Jesus) are very much in the same state as was Bar-ti-mae’-us; blind spiritually. If we are one of them, we must cry out to Jesus and ask for his mercy to remove the darkness.
  2. The people rebuked Bar-ti-mae’-us and charged him to hold his peace (i.e. keep quiet). The world today is no different than the people in Jesus’ times on earth. When they hear someone call out to the Savior, you invariably find the world rebuking and charging all those seeking mercy to be quiet.
  3. Bar-ti-mae’-us cried out even a great deal more. We must not succumb to peer pressure or pressures of this world, when we are calling on Jesus. When the cry for mercy reaches the son of God, Jesus Christ, he stands stills. He does not pass anyone by, because He paid it all, for all, and the will of God is that all be saved.
  4. The message that was brought to Bar-ti-mae’-us was “Rise” for “Jesus is calling for you.” and Bar-ti-mae’us rose and went to Jesus. We must rise from our sinful and fallen state when we know that Jesus is calling for us. Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. When we call out to Jesus, don’t be surprised, when he calls back for you. We must rise to meet the RISEN one. But did you notice, that before Bar-ti-mae’-us rose to meet with Jesus, he cast away his clothes. We must in like manner lay aside every thing that besets us and rise to meet Jesus, the resurrected risen Savior.
  5. When Bar-ti-mae’-us reached Jesus, he was asked a question as to what he willed that Jesus should do. What a powerful question that is. Jesus is asking you and me the same question. What is your will that I must do? Often we see that we are asking for God’s will, but our God is not a puppeteer. He asks us as to what we will, that He should do as well. Bar-ti-mae’-us responded that “He would like to receive his sight” and Jesus granted him that request. Imagine for a moment, if Bar-ti-mae’-us had asked for riches or for some other selfish gain. Do you think Jesus would have satisfied his request. Well, Jesus could have but should Jesus have. Note, Jesus did not ask, what he COULD do, but instead asked, what he SHOULD do. If you hear the words of Jesus, asking you what he SHOULD do, tell that you would like have the spiritual darkness lifted so that you and I may see. It is our confession and request for redemption that Jesus wants to hear. For when we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.
  6. Jesus heals Bar-ti-mae’-us telling him that it was his faith that healed him. Faith in the Faithful One makes all those who are  incomplete to be whole.
  7. Finally, note how Bar-ti-mae’-us was asked to go his way. Jesus did not ask Bar-ti-mae’-us to follow Him. Nonetheless, when Bar-ti-mae’-us could see the very One who could make the blind to see, he did not go his own way, but instead followed Jesus. Bar-ti-mae’-us was not just restored physically but spiritually as well. When spiritual darkness is lifted and we receive sight by faith in Jesus Christ, we must resolve to not go back to our beggarly (sinful) lifestyle and follow Jesus.

Mark 10:46-52 (KJV)
46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

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