Watch your step: Pastor Rajiv's Mid Week Message

 Ephesians 5: 15- 17

"So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants". (5:15–17 MSG)

The highlighted first statement is so familiar. Parents say that to children, people use that as a warning to others and so on. This is a general warning. But read further, it is a guideline for every Christian.

As we travel a path carefully chosen according to His will, word and purpose, God presents us with so many opportunities. Opportunities to flourish and prosper, and also opportunities to say NO. Opportunities to lead an exemplary life. Opportunities to use our gifts for others.

We cannot pass our time mindlessly, but realize every second we live is an investment we make into life.

And why? Because at the end of it all, we have the promise of His return and our saving from a second death. People don't think about their second death too seriously, specially young people. We are all pre- occupied with our physical death and how to prolong our physical life. But think this - if physical death is so fearsome to us, how much more horrible and painful the second death will be.

But we have a promise - to be saved that horrible fate. In this mid Week Message Pastor Rajiv talks about the second coming of Christ and what it means for our future and why we should invest in that future.

The Chicken or the Egg? : Daily Reflections

There is an interesting question nearly everyone knows and has asked at some point in their lives: Which came first- the chicken or the egg.

Like everyone else I have been trying to answer this question for 40 years now and I must confess I am at a loss to come to an unchallengeable and irrefutable answer.

However, I do have the answer to another similar question many Christians face: Do I have to become a citizen of the Kingdom of God first, or do I get blessings first. 

For the answer I will reference Matthew 6 Verses 32 and 33....

32 For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. 

First things first. What is the Kingdom of God and what do I seek in there? Now, we are all familiar with the virtual world where the internet reigns supreme. Think of the Kingdom of God as a virtual kingdom where God reigns supreme, where Jesus is the King. And because He is the King and it's His Kingdom we need to live by the rules of that kingdom. In this kingdom, God’s authority is recognized, and his will is obeyed. God's word and His will have been clearly laid down in His word - The Bible.

What is very clear is that we need to become citizens of the kingdom of God before blessings can fill our lives. And how do we do that? As a kingdom citizen, we align with God's lordship by aligning our life with what God has said in his word.

To become a citizen here, one obviously needs to follow the laws of the Kingdom. Consider His word, i.e., the Bible, as the constitution of the Kingdom of God, which contains all the laws and advisories for citizenship. But what benefits do we get from this citizenship?

1. As a Citizen WE Are under God’s Lordship

2. As a Citizen WE Are under God’s Protection

3. As a Citizen WE Are under God’s Provision

4. As a Citizen WE Surrender to God’s Purpose

You can study the above points  HERE 

So in effect it means that I need to first become a citizen before I can expect anything. How do I do that? I think there are four steps involved:

1. I need to give up citizenship of the Earth. I need to stop following the ways of the world - stop lying, cheating, fornication, adultery, murder (we may not murder anyone physically but character assassination is a very popular sport with us humans) and the list goes on and on.

2. I need to ask the King (Jesus Christ) for forgiveness. Keep going back to step 1 and repeat 1 and 2 till I have cleaned out my life. The Old Testament will be a guideline during this phase. Refer to Exodus 20 for each Law.

3. Replace each habit with a rule from the New Testament and teachings of the King.

4. Follow God’s agenda for us. I call this the POP principle - Preaching, Obeying and Praying. (To clarify, Preaching and Teaching can be done through example. One need not become a Pastor or a Preacher to do this.). 

As we pray we MUST also repeat the Pledge of Allegiance to the kingdom. This pledge can be found HERE 

So to conclude, becoming a responsible citizen in the Kingdom of God is the first and critical step. Everything else follows. 

APPLY NOW! 

All Things Bright and Beautiful : Pastor Rajiv's Daily Devotional

Genesis 2:15

"And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it".
The original mandate to humans was to look after and maintain this beautiful world God gave us. A utopian world which would be bereft of climate change, carbon emissions, pandemics, human tragedies. I could go on and on.
We have failed miserably. Our failure necessitated the coming of Jesus Christ as well. Necessitated His death.
We can't go back in time and correct what we failed in, but we sure can correct ourselves in the present time, on a personal basis, as a personal responsibility, given to us by none other than God and His son.
For starters, we can reduce our personal carbon footprint. You can calculate your personal footprint here and see how to reduce it and help the environment and our world that God gave us.
Second, we should see helping our fellow brothers and sisters as helping God because they are His children. God has commissioned us to be blessings to all His children – both the lost and the found. When we choose to withhold our help, we are turning our backs on God. Make sure that your heart is set on helping those in need at all times. It is always rewarding.
We have been chosen to be disciples and this means that we are the face and hands and feet of Jesus on earth. Jesus depends on us to bring the Good News to others, and most of the time that is by giving example of how Jesus acted during his time on earth.
It is not for us to judge and with hold. It is for us to do what we have been commissioned to do, which is to take care of our world and the people in it.


** From the Poem All Things Bright and Beautiful" by Cecil Frances Alexander. You can read this beautiful poem, now a hymn, HERE.

The Applied Christ: Daily Reflections

Read Matthew 5:14 -16

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven"

The world population in 1 AD is estimated at about 150 Million people. Published estimates for the 1st century ("AD 1") suggest uncertainty of the order of 50% (estimates range between 150 and 330 million). Who would have believed then that a movement that started with 12 people, would include 1/3rd of world population in 2021 or 2.38 Billion people?

This kind of growth is not possible to sustain unless we, as followers, become that light on the hill that Christ talked about. We need to be  active points of dissemination of God's word through our attitudes, behaviors and lifestyle, and lastly His witnesses. We need to become living witnesses to the word. So how do we do that? I think a four dimensional change and practice is needed in each of us. 

1. Change our attitude towards fellow men. It matters not that our theology maybe perfect yet our attitude is negative to others, within and outside the immediate circle or family. We need to show compassion to fellow men, as our Lord did. Compassion is not only what you may think but it literally means “to suffer together, in thought word and deed. Its not what you do behind the curtains for someone, like praying for them, but also how we treat people around us. Its a great temptation to put people down around us - so that we stand tall and we all do it, some more and some less. . But it is not what Christ did. Contrary to what we do, He humbled Himself to His followers among whom He was anyway standing tall.

2. Practice what we preach, otherwise we are liars - and untrustworthy and no one looks up to an untrustworthy person. . The way one can do this is strengthen the mind and the day with the scripture. Take it as God's word for the day. The Old Testament teaches us what not to do while Christ taught us what to do. We can cover ourselves with the Word. On top of that, pray for the day, for challenges, for fellow men and women, for careers, for family etc. Pray for strength to do what God tells us to do. Remember, It took Jesus great courage and sweat of blood to do what He was asked by God the Father to do. Religiously practice the two commandments Christ gave us - "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Now lets ask ourselves - would I do that to me?

3. Maintain a stable mind. What causes instability of mind leading to sinfulness? Simply our thoughts and actions, brought on by perceptions and fear. Both of these are FUDs (we have talked about this earlier). But Prayer is what can provide the even keel. "If your right eye has caused you to sin, gouge it out". Kill thoughts of temptations, sins, anger, revenge. How? By prayer. Prayer is the key. Fear is another source of instability - and can only be fought through scripture and prayer.

4. Hope. Our life on this earth is to create hope. Hope and faith go hand in hand. Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope Our Christian life is based on these two. Do we spread hope? Do we spread faith in that hope? Of are we consistent pessimists, discouraged and discouraging. 

These are the four basic needs of anyone to look up and follow us. For us to become that light on the Hill. If we can demonstrate these four attributes, which Christ Jesus did and taught us as well, we will be that lamp which is kept high on the stand to illuminate others. I know one can say I practice the first and the second, but am weak in the three. Well, we need to be strong in all four to be effective. 

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attend unto the prayer that is made in this place".

40 Days After Easter - Peter

Matthew 16:18

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

Peter had to be reinstated

Jesus had called Peter the "Rock". Yet when the odds were against them, Peter ran away and denied Jesus. In his own eyes he had fallen, knowing he had betrayed as well. Twice he had shown his biggest weakness - fear. Once when he tried to walk on the water and again when Jesus had been taken away. 

But if Peter had to become the rock of Christianity, Jesus needed to reinstate his position among the disciples as well build Peters self confidence. This was critical if this group of 12 or G-12 was to be successful. Note the following verses: 

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

This is what Christ had to do. Reinstate Peter's leadership, Peters commitment and Peters assignment, after the debacle. 

These three commands may sound similar but they are actually different. 

**The three commands, although often translated the same way, are subtly different. The first time Jesus says it, the Greek means literally “pasture (tend) the lambs” (v. 15). The Greek word for “pasture” is in the present tense, denoting a continual action of tending, feeding and caring for animals. 

The second time, the literal meaning is “tend My sheep” (v. 16). In this exchange, Jesus was emphasizing tending the sheep in a supervisory capacity, not only feeding but ruling over them. This expresses the full scope of pastoral oversight, both in Peter’s future and in all those who would follow him in pastoral ministry.

The third time, the literal translation is “pasture (tend) the sheep” (v. 17). Here Jesus combines the different Greek words to make clear the job of the shepherd of the flock of God. They are to tend, care for, and provide spiritual food for God’s people, from the youngest lambs to the full-grown sheep** 

(** sourced from Got Questions Ministries). 

Very clear instructions to Peter as well as other disciples, and maybe to us today. 

Like Peter,  we often forget that God is in control, and we overstep our limited authority. God works through us in spite of our human frailties. No offense is too great to be forgiven by God. We can accomplish great things when we put our faith in God instead of ourselves and follow His purpose for our lives. 

the 40 days after Easter - Living by Faith. : Pastor Rajiv's Daily Devotional

Earlier we talked about why Jesus stayed on after His resurrection. In 2000 years, 12 followers became 2.38 Billion! So those 12 had to be well equipped in faith, in strength and vision. They had to have a shared vision with Jesus. They had to have faith, which needed to be built.

Live By Faith, not by sight.

He had one unfinished task and that was to replace Himself with His disciples and friends. Yes he was risen, but he knew He had to go. Look at the question they asked Him "will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel ''? They still had not grasped the fact that Jesus's kingdom was a different ball game! They still had a lot to learn and a lot to be taught, which He did at different times and places, throughout those 40 days. So what did He have to do?

For one, He had to teach them to live by and be led by faith, something they did not know as He was hitherto been with them physically. Till now the disciples were used to seeing Jesus, interacting with Him and following a leader. Now He had to teach them to live by faith and not by sight, as they had been doing. He had to tell them "I’m going to heaven, and you will have the Comforter in My place. You need to start walking by faith, Mary, not by sight".

Two very interesting incidents depict this. One where May tries to touch Him and is stopped and the other when Thomas is invited to touch Him. Both Mary and Thomas needed more faith. Mary needed faith enough to let Jesus go. Thomas needed faith enough to believe without empirical proof. Mary needed to loosen her grip; Thomas needed to strengthen his. The resurrected Christ gave both of them the faith they needed. He came in different guises to meet them and they did not recognize Him from His physical appearance, but did so from His ways and actions.

Tomorrow we will talk about Hope and why He had to give His disciples that Hope which drove them forward. 

Pastor Rajiv's Mid week Message

One week after He was crucified,  Pastor Rajiv talks about the Resurrection on Easter day. Is it valid today in 2022? 

The Great commission: Pastor Rajiv's Daily Reflections

He had to enable them for the Great commission with  Hope and Faith. 

Read Hebrews Chapter 11 HERE, if you have not read that fantastic Chapter from the Bible. 

Hope is the belief in what could be. Hope redefines what is probable and opens the paths to the impossible. Hope opens the door to even let yourself consider that there may be a way out of your problem. Our Christian faith revolves around hope and faith today, both going hand in hand.  

But in those days after His crucifixion, hope had to be rekindled. There was no Paul and no letter to the Hebrews. Jesus’ crucifixion had devastated His followers, just as it must have filled his enemies with pride. 

In Matthew 19:27 Peter said to Jesus, “We have left everything to follow you.” And in John 6:68 Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” 

Above all, in John 20:9 we also learn that they “did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.” 

As they watched Him being crucified, everything they had hoped in and believed in was destroyed before their eyes. They thought that once again, Rome had managed to steal the future of Israel right out from under them. They did not understand that Jesus would rise from the dead. They did not understand that it was not over yet. So, when He appeared to them after His resurrection, Jesus restored their hope. And this was one of the most important tasks Jesus had to achieve, to revive the disciples so they could carry His hope to a hopeless world, because this was the Great commission He had for them. 

This was a key success factor for their success in their life after Jesus's departure to heaven, and this is what we are called on to do today as well. Carry His word to the world, using whatever Gift God has given us - be it a good voice, communication skills, analytical mind, sales and marketing skills, physical strength, mental fortitude, exceptional education, - you name it. God needs everything, no matter how silly it sounds. For example why would God need  sales skills? Friends, sales skills , is the ability to convince other people of a need and a product or service to fulfil that need. Does not the world need God? Is everyone aware they need God? does everyone believe in God? 

Today, as we are filled with the hope that is in Christ, can we analyze our selves and identify one thing, just one thing we can do for the Great commission. 

I am not done yet! Pastor Rajiv's daily Reflections

John 20:7 "and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself".

Why would the Son of God, who had just conquered death, bother to pause and leave His tomb tidy?

According to the tradition of that day, after a servant set the dinner table, he would wait, just out of sight, until the family had finished eating. If one of them was done, they would rise, wad up the napkin and toss it onto the table -- the signal to clear their setting. However, if they got up from the table, folded their napkin and laid it beside their plate, the message was "I'm not finished yet." The folded cloth served to whisper to those who listened, "I'm coming back!"

And He did, as we all know. But why come back AND stay for 40 days? to do what? Jesus knew He had a lot of business to attend to, primarily to serve the singular objective of the Great Commission.

Matthew 28:19–20 contains what this Great commission is: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you".

In the coming days we shall see what were those tasks and why they were important enough for Jesus to have spent 40 days, before His ascension. We shall also see why they are important today an d how 12 people created a movement of 2.5 Billion people today! 

After all, the Great Commission is still alive.

Operation Sting

The Heavenly Gazette

Monday edition

STING OPERATION SUCCESSFUL ! 

It is with a great sense of relief and joy that we report that the sting operation we carried out against Satan, headed by the son of God, is concluded with an immense victory against his satanic  forces. 

According to our correspondent on Earth, God's son, Jesus, as He is known on Earth,  has succeeded in the most impossible task of standing in for the world's sins - past present and future, by offering Himself as the required sacrifice, ensuring the  humans down on earth can follow their original charter of being Gods people. Our correspondent has also been promoted and will remain on Earth after Jesus to ensure His work continues.

He further reports that Satan, along with his cohort was laughing in delight on Friday, when silly and selfish humans killed Jesus, little realizing that Jesus would over come even physical death and rise again. Today they have realized that no force in the universe is equipped to overcome God, our king.

We are also happy to report that Jesus's  resurrection means that eternal life is granted to all who believe in Him, meaning that those who do, are potential citizens of our heavenly world. We welcome all the new applicants as they qualify. Human followers of Jesus have been tasked with the job of maximizing applicants  by spreading Jesus's teachings and increasing His followers on Earth so that we can increase heavenly citizenship.  

While Satan and his forces tried their best to sow doubts about Jesus being the son of God, His resurrection rebuked all that and provided final and undeniable proof that He is really the Son of God and that He had overcome both deaths once and for all.

The resurrection further affirms Jesus of Nazareth  as the King and Lord of the new Jerusalem: a new heaven and a new earth, which is our Kings plan.

Some key humans were excited to know that Gods love for humans was proven in sending His son and our brother to the earth to be crucified and killed, in keeping with His promise to save the world. Jesus's love for humankind was what kept Him hanging on that cross, despite the extreme physical pain and finally, Gods love for His son, proving the sons heirship, which resurrected Jesus from the grave, defeating satanic forces and opening the door once again between humans and  God.

Perpetual Victory

The satanic world never realized what was going to happen and what was the actual plan of God. While they cheered and celebrated, Jesus neutralized their threat completely, triumphing over sin and spiritual death, once and for all. 

Our Lord the king has ruled that today should be celebrated by all, in heaven and the earth where humans now know that they can die to their old way of living and resurrect into a new life with Jesus Christ. They are calling it Easter. For followers worldwide, the importance of Easter will be in  praising and acknowledging Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead, and His glorious assurances of eternal life in heaven for all who believe in Him. On the practical side, every Easter will be an opportunity for Christ's followers to crucify their old self and resurrect into a new life in Christ. In fact, one senior follower of Jesus by the name of  שמעון בן יונה (or shimon ben yonah) is quoted as saying-

"Praise be to the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

Meanwhile Jesus has a few chores left and will be returning to us after 40 days. Mr. Moses and Mr. Elijah have been requested to accompany Him on His return journey.