Only one lifetime to carry out His mission...

There is only one lifetime to carry out His mission; then, judgment. God can do more with a broken vessel in a day than with a million unbroken vessels in a million years. A fisherman broken at the Cross of Jesus is more useful than the High Priest with all his theological and ecclesiastical credentials.

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What does it mean to be led by the Spirit? - Criteria

What does it mean to be "led," "moved," or "driven" by the Spirit of God? ...is it something ineffable and very subjective like the experiences that yogis and Zen Buddhists talk about? In that case, it is not open to verification at all, and impossible to judge in any way, except investigation of the claims and results of such "leading". The Biblical criteria, however, is that (i) the leading must accord with the principles of scriptures (Deut.13:1-5) (ii) the leading must lead to the edification of the Church (1Cor.14:3) and (iii) the leading must bring glory to the Son (Jn.16:14).

Marbaniang, Domenic. "Wind of Winds", Basileia, Theological Journal, Vol. 4-1, April 2011, CITS, Itarsi, p.33

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True Godliness

1 Timothy 6:5 ...who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

There are some who contrive godliness as a means to earn money. There are others who think of it as a means of earning honor or respect or praise of men. Still others pursue it with the intention of accruing fame. All such pursuit is ungodly at heart and, therefore, detestable before God.

True godliness is accompanied by true contentment. And, it has great gain because it is the true kind of godliness that brings true results. The others are all fake.

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The Shield of Faith and the Spirit Inside

The enemy released his poisonous barbs,
And they sizzled into my fearful heart,
The shield of faith shuddered in rage,
As doubt and suspicion took centerstage;
Then, from the deep within,
A Voice chided me hard,
"'Tis not faith that walks by sight,
And waits not for divine insight,
'Tis not faith that rattles with disbelief,
And isn't ruled by divine peace!
These venomous barbs may sink and smoke,
These flaming darts may darken the sky;
But, faith will serve an impenetrable cloak,
And, faith will quench all missiles of fire.
So, fix your gaze on the Ancient of Days,
From whose glory no creature can hide;
And, may His vision guide your days,
Through His Spirit that lives inside!"

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Patience

A young man wanted to do some farming in his farm. So, he went and obtained some wheat seeds, had his farmland plowed and sown, and watered the field daily. He waited for 10 days. When he didn't see any sign of wheat, he got frustrated. He thought "It's not going to work!" However, he decided to wait for another 10 days. On the 8th day, however, when he saw no wheat, he said to himself "Either the seed was bad or this land is not suited for wheat." So, he replowed the land, destroying the tiny wheatblades that had already sprouted. He thought, "Let me try soyabean, this time." So, he sowed soyabean, but when he didn't see any beans after 10 days, he became frustrated again. He tried a few other crops this way, and finally surmised that farming was no longer his kind of job. So, he gave up.

Lesson:

1. Know well what you're doing and the principles of the work before you undertake it.

Luk 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it--
Luk 14:29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,
Luk 14:30 saying, "This man began to build and was not able to finish.'

2. Understand the importance of Timing.

Ecc 3:1 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
Ecc 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.

3. Do not lose heart midway. Remember that patience has a great reward. If you give in to your own doubts and suspicions, you will end up destroying things.

Heb 10:35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
Heb 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.

Prayer: Lord, we pray that Your will will be revealed to Your servants, and that we with patience and obedience of faith will obtain the promises that You have made. Blessed be Your Name!

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Understanding the Chastening of God

It is important to understand the chastening of the Lord and turn from evil ways and divine displeasure. Lack of understanding can lead to hardening of heart and self-destruction. It is important to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit for He speaks to us today and wants us to walk with Him in the light of God, in the Truth.

When we err and are hardened towards sin, God chastens us in order to correct us and lead us in the truth.

Why Does He Chasten

-Because He loves us and deals with us as His sons.
-It is meant for construction and not for destruction. 2Cor.13:10
-Rev.3:19; Heb.12:6 - The Lord chastens whom He loves.
-Heb.12:7 - The Lord chastens His sons.

Ways of Chastening

-Rod and Rebuke (Proverbs 29:15)

Rebuke
-Through His servants (Psalm 141:5; 1Tim.5:20; 2Tim.4:2; Tit.1:13; 2:15)
-Through His Word (2Tim.3:16)

Rod
External:
-With the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men (2 Samuel 7:14; Hos.10:10)
-Sword, Famine, Pestilence (national) (2 Sam. 24:13; 2Ch. 20:9; Jer. 11:22; 14:12,13; 15:2; 21:9; 24:10; 27:8,13; 29:17,18; 32:36; 34:17; 38:2; 42:17,22; 44:13; Eze. 6:11,12; 12:16)
-Infirmity, Sickness (1Cor.11:30, 32; James 5:14-16)

Internal:
-Inner agony and sensing the displeasure of God and God's silence towards our prayers (guilt, lack of peace, etc) (Psalm 6:1-3, 6; 38:1ff.; Eph.4:30; 1Pet.3:7)

Our Response to Chastening

-Repent from our sins
-Humble ourselves
-Turn completely to God
-Surrender to His will
-Obey what He commands

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He wept, and sought favor from Him...

(Hos 12:3)
He took his brother by the heel in the womb,
And in his strength he struggled with God.

(Hos 12:4)
Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed;
He wept, and sought favor from Him.
He found Him in Bethel,
And there He spoke to us–

How easy is it to give up seeking and settling down to simple satisfaction…
But, I must press on….

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Healing is an entry and an exit...

Healing is an entry and an exit- exit, not in the sense of leaving but of proceeding from and a resulting experience. It is IN ORDER THAT and BECAUSE OF, i.e. the faith of Christ who is our salvation. It leads towards and results from this faith. To some it is a sign leading to faith, to others it is a fruit proceeding from this faith. In the resurrection, healing will be complete and total.

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Walking in the Spirit is not merely intellectual...

Walking in the Spirit is not merely intellectual. The moment you’re out of the light, it’s all darkness, and you no longer know what you knew while in the light. But, when you’re in the light all things are different

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Here lies my weakness Here lies my strength…

Here lies my weakness,
Here lies my strength.
Lord, come and save me now,
For, I have reached my end.

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I'll Still Believe You Are There

When the night does hide its moon from my sight,
I'll still believe You are there;
When my dreams feel broken and I feel I'm lost,
I'll still believe You are there;
When the world feels so real and Your presence unfelt,
I'll still believe You are there;
When my enemies laugh at me and think I'm a fool,
I'll still believe You are there.

My hands may grow feeble and my eyes may faint;
Yet, Your grace is sufficient,
And, it's just enough that You are there!

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What is the meaning of Baptism?

Regarding Baptism, Jesus instituted it as the ordinance of initiation into discipleship. Anyone who wishes to publicly confess and accept Jesus Christ as his/her Savior and Lord and declare that he/she is disciple of Jesus Christ partakes of baptism. There are these two ordinances: baptism and Lord's supper.

Baptism means:
1. According to Romans 6. Identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When one goes under water, it shows he/she is dead to his/her old life of sin. When one comes out of water, it shows a new life in Jesus Christ.
2. According to Matthew 28:19ff. Initiation into discipleship. "making disciples.. baptising them.."
3. According to Mark 16:16. It goes along with faith in Jesus Christ. All who believe in Him take water baptism.

Baptism entails:
1. Obedience to Faith
2. Obedience to Counsel of God (Luke 7:30)

Mode of Baptism:
Immersion in water. Symbolizes death, burial, and resurrection.
The word "baptizo" in Greek itself means washing by immersion.

Formula:
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Recepient:
All who believe (anyone who can believe can be baptised). But, baptism before belief is not baptism (for example, an infant doesn't know what belief is or baptism is)

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Testing requires waiting on both sides...

Testing requires waiting on both sides. He also is waiting for us to bear fruit, while we wait for patience to have its way.

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If I am well-fed while my neighbor starves...

Ezekiel 34:20 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord GOD to them: “Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep.

IF I AM WELL-FED SPIRITUALLY WHILE MY NEIGHBOR STARVES, I STAND CONDEMNED.

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Three Levels of Aggression Against Religion

From Lectures on Methodological Issues in Missions, MTh Class, New Life College, Bangalore, 2011

1. Philosophical or Ideological Clashes
The clash is between ideologies, and aggression is usually vented through the media of literature, lectures, art forms and media.

E.g. Propaganda Literature of Communism, Da Vinci Code, etc.

2. Political Motives
Aggression and persecution with political motives.

E.g. When Nero burnt Rome and blamed the Christians, executing many of their leaders.

3. Profit Motives
Aggression to eliminate economic rivalries or blockades.

E.g. Persecution of Paul by Demetrius at Ephesus (Acts 19), Persecution of Jews...

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