Dare to be different…
The book of Daniel starts with an unfortunate episode where it says, ‘the Lord delivered the king of Judah to Babylon’. If you look at the history behind, God always wanted the Israelites to be faithful to Him. But they very often failed and disappointed God by their transgressions. It was during the time of Jehoiakim that the Lord finally gave up and delivered them to a heathen king. It is obvious that during the conquest of Babylon, the Israelites were in the pinnacle of sins. II Kings 24:8 says that “He (Jehoiakim) did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as his fathers had done”.
A kingdom under an evil king who had followed the evil of his fore-fathers- this was the prevailing scenario. People forgot God and His commandments and were deep down in sin. The later part of this chapter talks about a young handsome man named Daniel. I was so surprised when I read about Daniel because it was during such a state of ungodliness that Daniel still kept his faith in God. Though the Bible doesn’t tell about Daniel’s ancestry, it is surprising to know that He held on to God even when the people around him and the king sinned against God.
I’ve got a message for you! “It doesn’t mean where you are but it is what you are that costs” I could imagine how the youth during Jehoiakim’s rule would have transgressed. They would’ve invited Daniel to be a part of their fun. But Daniel watched his ways and trusted in God. That is why even when he was taken as an exile and was asked to serve a heathen king, he kept his stand to serve the King of Kings.
Today’s world is so alluring. Swanky gadgets, plush malls, fancy lifestyle, exuberant salaries and luxuries. There is nothing that could remind us of God. People who were faithful to God in their little have started fading away from God as their luxuries increased. My question to you today is “What are you today?” An entangled slave of what the world is or a person who makes a difference however the world is?
Look at Daniel! He kept his cool, walked in His ways ignoring how the others were. In further chapters down there comes a situation when the King decreed that no one should worship any other god (6:7). I like the verse which says “When Daniel learnt about this he prayed three times a day as usual”. Remember, Daniel had grown in his status and was in a high position in the kingdom. I am still amazed that his progress in status, money or fame, nothing shook his foundation in his God.
Shouldn’t we be making a difference in today’s world? We can’t blame the world for our callousness. It high time we get back on the highway with God!
Lord, forgive me for my carelessness. Please help me to have the first love and make a difference to everyone around me. Amen
WHAT HAS CHANGED?
Flashy Cars, MP3 Players, Plasma TVs, Camera Mobiles, Digital Cameras…the list goes on; today almost everything is Digital! There has been a major paradigm shift from analog to digital!! The good old tape recorder and the like are becoming a thing of the past.
It’s a fast life, we claim…email has replaced snail mail and everything is quick! The internet makes life easy, it’s a world out there….with everything available online!!
With such fast development and change, what else has changed? Where are we heading?
Even with all these changes and advances, you would agree with me, that how much ever easy life has become, it has also become proportionately tough.
- We find people not able to find time for actually ‘living’.
- We find people highly stressed out.
- We come across people finding it difficult to balance life and work.
My personal computer – a Pentium II – hardly had any anti-virus software some years back…but today along with the high speed P4’s, humongous hard disk sizes and voluminous RAMs; I also need to have updated anti-virus, anti-spam, firewall and OS software updates; to keep my system protected and kicking alive!! This is just an example of how we are caught in the grip of cyber crime and terrorism in spite of current technological advancements.
So, in spite of technological changes ‘for good’, we do still have problems to cope up with, in our daily life. Now, with all these pressures, has our outlook toward God changed?
- Has our God changed?
- Do we spend the same time with God?
- Are we online with Him?
The process of getting connected with Him….has not changed and will not change!!!
He is always ready to hear us and answer us and take us ahead. But do we really count on Him or do we count on technology?
Dear friend, let God be your first and TOP most priority in life and all the digital stuff will follow you!!!
‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you’ (Matthew 6:33)
The Attitude of Faith
Hebrews 11 is supposed to be the absolute tutorial for faith. The author begins with the definition of faith and goes on to explain it. This chapter details how faith has taken its place right from the creation of the world and how impossible it is to please God without faith (v6). I love this chapter because the author keeps emphasizing the fact that it was through faith that all the men of God were able to attain what they wanted from God.
Today, I am going to brush up a little on the levels of faith so that we could evaluate ourselves where we stand in our level of faith. Faith needs to grow and reach levels. We could categorize the levels of faith as
Little Faith – Mathew 8:26 A basic level of faith prevalent in spiritually immature Christians. Everything is perfect when everything else is perfect but their faith tosses as the boat tosses. The disciples in their early stages were of little faith. They were able to enjoy the company of God and second His miracles but when it came to facing troubles they wavered. Today, are you of little faith?
Faith with visible proofs – John 20:25 Here we see Thomas, a disciple of Jesus, who had been with Him and witnessed all His miracles, heard His teachings and the things that are going to happen, now doubting Jesus’ resurrection. He says “Unless I see the nail marks on His hands & put my hand and test myself, I will not believe it”. Did you notice the phrase “I will not believe it”? Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as being sure of what we do not see. Today, are you ready to be sure of what you do not see?
Faith in action – Every miracle that Jesus did turned a whole bunch of crowds to Him ? People questioned His authority, but were ready to believe Him if they witnessed a miracle. This attitude is more of a “He did it so I believe Him” -typically a faith that depends on actions. These people may easily waver when later a miracle is delayed or not done because they have faith in actions and not in the Miracle Worker. Today, is your faith based on what God did?
Real faith or Faith of Faiths – Daniel 3:13. This chapter talks about 4 young men refusing to bow before an idol. The king ordered them to be thrown into a furnace of fire. When the king questioned them they replied “O king, the God that we serve is able to rescue us”. I love the verse (v.18) which says “But even if He doesn’t we will still not bow before the idol”. Did you notice the level of faith where they stand? They decided that whatever God does is for their good; if He saves them or doesn’t. Their faith was not on the miracle but on God. So whether God saves them or not wasn’t important.
This is called the real faith or Faith of Faiths where we do not believe God for what He does or can do, but for what He really is! God is far beyond miracles and wonders. He is God Himself, superfluous, humungous, omnipresent and omnipotent. We worship Him for what He is. Our faith needs to stand on Him. We may expect many things which God may or may not grant, but our faith should not be based on what He could offer. God is God, period!!
God, give me an attitude of faith where I trust in you and you alone. I know you have the best plans for me and help me accept whatever you have in store for me. Let me to look up to you and not on what you can offer. Amen
The 3 Keys to keeping in charge of your life
In today’s world change is proceeding at an ever-quickening pace; jobs (and whole industries) seem to come and go at the drop of a hat. When those times come where you’re starting to look at the future with fear and worry, just keep three keys in mind. Some might call them affirmations; others may call them personal dedications. I call them “The 3 keys to keeping in charge of your life.”
Key Number 1: “I’m all I’ve got, but that’s enough.”
I know you’re not all you’ve got — you’ve got family, friends, co-workers, enemies, and the income tax people — all encouraging you to work. But sometimes, it starts to feel as if you’re doing it all alone. Some of us have extremely large challenges that are facing us — and yet no matter how large the challenge, you can address it a little bit at a time – as you have a faith in yourself and our Lord Jesus — the faith that you’re up to the challenge. The Lord Jesus explains in Matt 11:28, 29 that the Lord takes our burden and ensures that the burden we carry along with him is one that we can bear. “Praise God”. “You are not alone”
Key Number 2. “My future is in my control.”
“Sure,” you might say, “but what about disease, accidents, death, war, and tragedy?” Let’s get this straight right now. I do not believe that we can control every aspect of our future. I do believe we can control how we choose to view it, and utilize it. Bad things may happen in your future — but judging from my personal experience, some of the greatest growth in my life has come from the worst things that have happened to me. . If we never take on the challenges that life brings, we never manage to grow beyond those challenges. It’s this simple: things may happen, but the most important things will be when you’ve made them happen. “Yes” Jesus alone has the power to multiply 5 loaves & 2 fish to feed 5000 people but Hey!!!“Give him the 5 loaves & 2 fish that you have”
Key number 3: “Whatever the future brings, I’ll do all right.”
Troubles happen to everyone — but the people who grow from those troubles have one major difference: they believe everything happens for a reason, and that it serves them. The Bible says “All things happen to the good for those who love the Lord”. One way or the other, make a little promise to yourself, right here and now – that whatever comes your way in the future, you will grow from it. Will you be able to exercise control over everything in your life? Of course not – Things can happen that will derail your plans — and they will. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get back on track, get your speed back up, and make it to your destination — or an even better destination. Resolve now that no matter what happens, you’ll be all right. Once you’ve made that resolve, you’ve eliminated most worry about the future.
Whether this message shakes you up a bit or not understand something very powerful. You are in charge when the Lord is in charge.Praise the Lord. Amen.
Giving to God
First let us address the question – “Should we give to God?”. The answer to this question is found in Mat 25:40 , And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ So, the answer is “Yes”, we should give to God. When we give to the least of our brethren, we give to God.
Now, let us understand, How are we to give to God?
1) We should give God with a loyal heart
1Ch 29:9 , Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly. Whatever we are giving must be a whole hearted gesture to the Lord and not out of any worldly compulsion. Many give to please their pastor, church leader, etc, but the Bible says God loves a cheerful giver who gives without compulsion because of his/her love for God out of a loyal heart.
2) We should give according to the blessing of our Lord
Deut 16:17 , Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that he has given you. For some of us money is the easiest thing to give. Is that what God wants from you? Right now money is easy to give – Well God does not want 1/10th of your money now- He wants 1/10th of your time- He has given you the money you asked for, Now give him your time.
3) We should give the first fruits to God
Pro 3:9 &10 , Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your
produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting
with wine. We keep the best of the produce for ourselves and give the worst of our
produce to God. We do a Electronic Clearance (ECS) from bank to bank for our car loan but
give crumpled and crushed notes to God. Give God the first fruit & the best fruit and he will
bless you to be first in all that you attempt.
4) We should give tithes to God
Mal 3:10 , Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. Abraham gave tithes, Jesus thought us to give God what is due to God. Let us do so too.
To conclude, everything God has created, including money is for us to have dominion upon. When you give to God, it means that you are exercising your dominion over money and diverting it from other purposes to the purposes of God. When you have set your dominion over something that is likely to divert you from God, then God sets his blessings upon you.
As Jesus thought us frequently, giving God is a matter of the heart more than it is a matter of means. “God looks at the heart of the giver”. Let us not have any doubt in giving to God through our tithes, First fruits , in accordance to our blessing and with a loyal heart.
God Bless You.
V Chacko Jacob