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Christian Verbs :: M is for Magnifying

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On July 28, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

The Psalmist says, “O magnify the LORD with me,  and let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3). When Mary was given the news that she would be a earthern vessel through whom the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, would be born, she responded by saying “My soul doth magnify the Lord” (Luke 1:46).

What does it mean to magnify the Lord? I remember when I was little, we would use a magnifying glass to light a fire by holding it in the rays of the sun. The sun rays would be concentrated, focused and channelized to create a beam of light that burnt the object on which the beam of light was focused. Additionally,  a magnifying glass makes the object on the other side appear bigger and closer. Likewise, the word of God which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105), needs to be concentrated, focused and channelized to burn into the hearts of those who hear of God, through our lives. We ought to be God’s magnifying glasses. We need to be God’s magnifying glasses so that people who see God through us, would see Him for how big He is and how close He is to all.

Point(s) to ponder:
As Christians we need to magnify the Lord. Are we focusing Christ in the lives of others and making God appear closer and bigger to those who are seeking to see Him?

Psalm 34:3 (KJV)
3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Christian Verbs :: L is for Loving

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On July 27, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

The entirety of Christianity can be summed up in one word – “Love”. It is about a God who loved the world so much, that He offered His Only begotten Son (John 3:!6), who was Love personified Himself, to be a sacrifice, so that a world that was made to love Him, will repent and return to Him, and love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). In fact, the very first time, the word “love” is used in the King James Version of the Bible is symbolic of the offering of Jesus, God’s only son, whom he loved as we see in Genesis 22:2 when God tells Abraham, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, who thou lovest, …; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

The speaker before the assembly (Ekklesia) says that the whole duty of man; the conclusion of the matter is this – Fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Jesus said, if you love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15). In other words, Jesus was saying, the conclusion of the matter; the whole duty of man is this – Fear God and Love Him, since keeping His commandments is an expression of our love for Him. As Christians, we must Fear God and Love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30), for He who loves, knows God, who is Love (1 John 4:7-8), and this is our whole duty.

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. How are we doing in our duty to God? Are we loving Him by keeping His commandments?

1 John 4:7-8 (KJV)
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Christian Verbs :: K is for Kissing

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On July 26, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

The Bible talks about kissing in several contexts, the most familiar one, of course, being the kiss from Judas on Jesus as Judas betrayed Jesus, so much so, that the phrase “kiss of death” that is used to signify this event is now part of Merriam-Webster’s Top 10 words from the Bible. Then we have the manner in which, one is to greet/salute each other with a holy kiss or kiss of love (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12,  1 Thessalonians  5:26,  1 Peter 5:14) and the kiss that Isaac sought of Esau his son, that Jacob stole deceiving his father for his blessings (Genesis 27:25-27). The kiss on Jacob was a kiss of deception and the kiss of Judas was a kiss of death. But the Bible also teaches us of another type of kiss, a kiss not of deception or death, but of dedication. The Psalmist expresses that we ought to Kiss the Son lest He be angry, and you perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. (Psalm 2:12). Kiss the Son, what does that mean?  This means that we ought to pay homage as servants who are dedicated to a master and show reverence to the Son of God (Jesus Christ). In fact, Jesus himself recognized the importance of the kiss of dedication when he asked Simon the disciple, as to where his kiss from Simon was, while pointing out that the woman who had a heart of devotion, seeking Jesus for forgiveness had not ceased to kiss his feet in dedication. (Luke 7:44-50). We ought to be expressing our dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ as well. God expects a kiss of devotion and dedication, not deception or death. He expects a kiss from the brokenhearted not the betrayer.

Point(s) to ponder:

1. If Jesus was to tell you/me what He told Simon,”Thou gavest me no kiss”, what would your/mine response be? Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, ~ Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Genesis 27:25-27 (KJV)
25 And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine and he drank.|
26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

Psalm 2:12 (KJV)
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Luke 7:38-39; 44-50 (KJV)
37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
~
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Christian Verbs :: J is for Joining

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On July 23, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

The Bible tells that if Christ be in us, then the Spirit of God bears witness that we are children of God, and as children heirs, but not just heirs, but joint-heirs with Christ Jesus (Romans 8:10, 16-17). This means that we also jointly inherit what God has  provisioned for Jesus Christ, His Only begotten Son. The operative phrase in this text is “If Christ be in you”. This means that we ought to join with Christ, because He responds by joining in us with His Spirit. Jesus said, I am the Vine and you are branches, abide (join) in me an I in you (John 15:1,4). To abide in Jesus is to be grafted (joined) into the Vine. In horticulture, grafting is the process of fusing dissimilar plants so that the result is one plant. Likewise, when we join we Christ, we need to be fused with Him and we should be One with Him. And when we are One with Him, we are not just heirs, but joint-heirs with Him.

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. Are you joined with Christ i.e., Have you believed in Him and accepted Him as your Savior and Lord?
  2. Are you grafted with Him i.e., Are you fused with Jesus Christ and His Holiness. When the Root is Holy, the entire plant bears good fruit? What is the kind of fruit you/I are bearing?

Romans 8:16-17 (KJV)
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Christian Verbs :: I is for Interceding

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On July 22, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

Jesus Christ is an intercessor.

Isaiah 53:12 affirms that Jesus interceded for sinners. It reads “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”  Hebrews 7:25 expresses that Jesus is able also to save all who come unto God by him, seeing He lives forever to make intercession for the repentant sinner on his/her road to reconciliation and recovery to God and no one can condemn (Romans 8:34).

Romans 8:27 indicates that Jesus intercedes for the saints. It reads “And he [Jesus] that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

As Christians (Christ-Ones), we ought to be imitators of Jesus Christ and if He intercedes for the sinner and for the saint, we ought to do likewise as well. Paul writes to his co-laborer Timothy, exhorting him to make intercession for all men. (1 Timothy 2:1).Jesus interceded for sinners, and He intercedes for saints and for all who come to God, just as we ought to. I is for interceding, a.k.a., for us to stand in the gap. If God was to offer that position of standing in the gap for Him, would He see you/I faithful in that task?

1 Timothy 2:1 (KJV)
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

Christian Verbs :: H is for Helping

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On July 21, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

One of the very first statements in which God said, it is NOT good had to do with ‘help’ for man (Genesis 2:18). It was not good for man to be alone, and since we know that man was created in the image of God, we can recognize that it is not good for the creator to be alone (without the fellowship of his creation) as well. This is the very reason that God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to help in the restoration of the relationship that man had severed through his disobedience and rebellion. And what is interesting is that, in order to even belief this truth about Jesus and His power over spiritual bondage, we need to pray a prayer for help, as the father of the son who was afflicted by a dumb spirit expressed, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” (Mark 9:17-24). And when God delivers us from spiritual bondage when we believe in His Son, assuring us eternal life (John 3:16), we as Christians are expected to return the unmerited favor, by helping others see the Truth, as well (2 Corinthians 1:10-12).

Points to ponder:

  1. The Apostle Paul called Priscilla, Aquila, and Urbane his helpers in Christ Jesus (Romans 16:3; Romans 16:9). Can you and I be known as helpers in Christ Jesus?
  2. The Prophet Samuel took a stone and called in Ebenezer (meaning Stone of Help) because the LORD had helped his people against their enemies. Can you or I be the Ebenezer for someone i.e., Can you or I be the stepping stone of help for someone to come to know Jesus Christ, the Rock of Help (Deuteronomy 32:4) .

2 Corinthians 1:10-12 (KJV)
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Christian Verbs :: G is for Giving

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On July 20, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

When it comes to the topic of giving, we often hear about giving our tithes, time and talents to God. But what does giving truly mean? As I pondered on “what it meant to give?”, it dawned on me that “Giving” has two significant truths hidden in it. The first is that “giving” implies possession and second “giving is more than an act, it is an expression”.

Giving implies possession. The litmus test that you own/possess something is that you also have the ability to give it away to anyone you choose. And when you do, no one should be able to question you for your act of giving. If you possess something, you should be able to give it away, but if that things possesses you, you cannot. In order for God to give us eternal life (redemption/Salvation), we must first recognize that God is the author and possessor of life. Jesus said, that He came to GIVE life; life abundantly and we must believe in Him to inherit eternal life, because He is not merely the possessor of life, but the personification of life itself. His very words was “I AM the Resurrection and the Life”.

Giving is more than an act, it is an expression. Some have a lot while others not so much. But when Jesus talked about giving, it was not the amount that mattered, but the attitude. The poor widow who gave all that she could out of her lack (not abundance) was deemed to be the one having given the most (Luke 21:1-4). Giving is not an act, it is an expression. An expression of love. God so loved, that He GAVE. If you love, you will express it by giving.

Point(s) to ponder:
1. What is it that you and I possess that we need to give to God? Is there something that possesses us that we cannot give away?
2. Can we express our love to God by giving our selves, our life, our all to Jesus Christ?

Luke 21:1-4 (KJV)
1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

John 11:25-26 (KJV)
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Christian Verbs :: F is for Finishing

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On July 19, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

Two times, before Jesus affirms the words of finality “It is finished”, he expresses in the book of John that He was sent by God the Father to finish the work that God had ordained for Him (John 4:34, John 5:36). Then when Jesus prays for Himself, He states that He has glorified God the Father on earth and that He has finished the work, that God the Father had given Him (John 17:4). Then on the Cross, Jesus’ sixth saying was “Tetelastai” meaning it is finished; meaning that the access to the throne of God was opened and man could be restored into a relationship with God by simply believing in Jesus.

God has in deed finished the work of redemption for all mankind, by offering His Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as a perfect offering for our sins, but His requirement (will) which is for all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), i.e., to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), is still pending. It is commissioned to all those who have come to the knowledge of the truth about Jesus; to you and me. As Christians (Christ-ones), we are called to finish the assignment (commission) that God has bestowed upon each one of us. There is no unfinished business with God. He is the author AND he is the finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Like Jesus, can we be determined as well to finish the work that is assigned to us; in glorifying God (John 17:4), in calling all to repentance (2 Peter 3:9); in the great commission (Matthew 28: 19-20). Imagine for a moment, as to what our state would be when we meet Jesus face to face and He asks us about our work on earth. Would it be plight or pleasure? Today, can you/I say that “I have finished the race!”

John 17:3-4 (KJV)
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Christian Verbs :: E is for Exalting

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On July 16, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

The word ‘Exalt’ means ‘to lift up’ or ‘to lift high’. We often seek to reach the zenith with a selfish self-aggrandizement attitude. We strive hard to be on the top, and our corporate/work culture pushes us to pursue a status quo as one above the rest, sometimes at the cost of our Biblical virtues, principles, ethics and morals.

Interestingly, the Bible uses the word ‘exalt’, explicitly in two contexts. One is to exalt the Lord and the other is to not exalt ourselves. In fact, it is only the Lord that is to be exalted because He is Holy (Psalm 99:5,9); because He is our God (Psalm 118:28, Isaiah 25:1); because He does wondrous thing (Isaiah 25:1) and because He is Faithful and True (Isaiah 25:1). It is solely the Lord God that is to be lifted up (exalted) and not ourselves. In fact, it is quite the contrary that we need to be doing when it comes to exalting ourselves. Instead of trying to lift ourselves up, we are to be humbling our selves. The Bible cautions that whosoever will exalt himself  shall be abased (brought down low) and he that humbles himself shall be exalted (Matthew 23:12). A classic example of these very words of Jesus can be seen demonstrated, even before Jesus spoke of it, during the time of Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar built a statue ninety feet high and nine feet wide, exalting himself above and was abased to the status of a beast of the field, until he repented and acknowledge that it the Lord of heaven who has the power to raise up or to put down. (Daniel 4).

We are to exalt the Lord God, Jesus Christ alone.  God the Father has exalted Jesus the Son, and given Him a name which is above every other name (Philippians 2:9). So the question that remains is if we are doing the same in exalting (lifting up) Jesus. O magnify the Lord (Jesus) with me, and let us exalt (lift up) His Name together. (Psalm 34:3)

Matthew 23:12 (KJV)
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Psalm 34:4 (KJV)
3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Christian Verbs :: D is for Doing

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On July 15, 2010

In Christian, Christian Verbs

If I was to ask you, “have you ever been deceived by others?”, the probability that you would answer ‘yes’ is fairly high, but should I ask you “have you ever been deceived by yourself?”, even the question kind of seems absurd. The idea that one would deceive themselves is not only foreign, but also seems improbable. The Bible however has some very clear cut guidelines regarding deceiving ourselves and each one of us have been guilty of this charge in times past or we continue to be in times present. How can one deceive themselves? James 1:21-22 states “Receive with meekness, the word that can save your souls, and be ye DOERS of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves.” By being merely hearers and not doers of the saving word, we deceive our own selves. Jesus himself said, whoever hears his sayings but does them not is likened unto a fool, who built his house upon the sand, which had a great fall, when the wind and waves beat upon it. (Matthew 7:26-27)

While faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17), faith produces action as mandated in the word of God. Those justified by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (the living Word of God) shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4) and faith (hearing) without actions (doing) is dead (James 2:20), which when extrapolated implies that the just shall live by doing. If we are merely hearers of the word, and not doers, we not only deceive our own selves but we are also dead.

Point(s) to ponder:
A Christian must DO, according to the scripture. The highest accolade that one can receive is “Well DONE, (not well heard), my good and faithful (doing) servant”.  Will this be the accolade that Jesus can tell of you/me at the appointed time, or would He liken us to be a fool with shaky and failing foundations. Let us not deceive our own selves and more importantly let us not be dead (with a faith but no action).

James 1:21-22 (KJV)
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Matthew 25:31-40 (KJV)
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

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