Your work is important to God: Pastor Rajiv's Daily Reflections

There is a fine line between our  religion and our work life and many of us do not know the difference. We tend to either completely  separate the two or let one completely dominate the other, relegating it to the background. Two dimensions, independent of each other - the spiritual and the physical. 

To get a Biblical insight into this lets read 2 Samuel 5:12 - 

" And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake".

This verse caught my eye today, because of the word "perceived" which means to become aware or conscious of (something) or come to realize or understand something. David understood very well that his kingship was from God, not his own achievement. 

David also realized that God was merciful because of the Israelites, who were His people. So David was placed by God, as King, with the objective of leading, protecting and serving God's people. 

So  two things emerge very clearly: 

A. What ever we are, wherever we are, we are placed there by the Lord and 

B. To fulfil His objective or purpose for us in that placement. 

As we progress in life, do we realize that wherever we are placed, we are placed by the Lord. And therefore we are placed there to do some work for Him. We need to achieve the purpose He has placed on us as well, in both work and personal circumstances. 

And therefore our duty is to give our 100% to our work and also, live our personal and work life according to God's word, fulfilling His purpose for our life.  

Two verses come to mind when we think about this - 

Colossians 3:23 
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, and 

Proverbs 16:3
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

David did not exclude God from his kingship and relegate Him to his personal life. He invited God to manage both. And he did both with zeal and excelled to become a great King as well as a man after God's own heart. 

How to Possess Possessions: Pastor Rajiv's Daily Reflections

 "...what do you have that you did not receive? ...." 1 Corinthians 4:7

How do you possess your possessions? By opening our hands. Sounds funny am sure, but think about this: when we are to receive we open our hands, but as soon as we have received, we close them.

This does not mean we are not grateful to God. We definitely are. But in my opinion, gratitude for blessings received for God is more than mere lip service. I like this four step approach. 

A. Thank God - praise him and glorify Him publicly and privately, which means we acknowledge that God is the provider of that blessing. In continuation of the opening verse, The apostle Paul asked the rhetorical question,

 "...Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" the implications being that we think we have achieved out of our own efforts and not from God.

And that is exactly what we have to stop.

B. Share - we need to keep that hand open and look forward opportunities to Glorify God by sharing. By this I don't mean just tithes. Peoples needs, peoples hunger, death, poverty, we have enough opportunities to demonstrate Gods love for man. To demonstrate this, I will point to the Sikh religion. As soon as they know that something is wrong somewhere, they are out looking for ways to serve people. During the pandemic they were feeding people. They landed up in Ukraine to help people suffering from the war. They did not wait to be asked. 

When we share we should not allow the receiver to thank us and think we have given from our own bounty, but let it be clear it is from the Bounty of God. It is not we who should be thanked but God.

C. His to Him- seek out ways in which we can use His blessings to glorify Him. Be proactive, not wait for opportunities to come to us. Above all be passionate. Because to be proactive, one has to be passionate. 

D. Do not misuse. Sadly this is one of the biggest problems with us all. We do not remember that as receivers of blessings we are only care takers. We need to use those blessings as responsible Christians, for His glory and our needs.

I will end with this Bible verse from 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work".

Passion over Pain: Pastor Rajiv's Daily Reflections

Passion over pain : A Mothers Legacy.

Have you ever thought what is passion? Although not the generally accepted context, I think Psalm 39:3 describes passions so vividly -

"I felt a fire burning inside,
and the more I thought,
the more it burned,
until at last I said:
4 “Please, Lord,
show me my future"

As we can see, the passion to do Gods will is of prime importance in whatever we have been chosen to do by God.

Today, think of the passion of a mother. She performs the role of a caretaker, chef, housekeeper, guard, adviser, saver, driver, nurse, governess, primary health care giver, discipline creator, relationship advisor, Bible teacher, moral guide, and on and on and on.

If we had to hire someone for all these roles, think of what it would cost; think if someone had to do all of this or even part of this, how tired that person will be. But more than that think of one single human being doing all these things- driven on by passion and fulfilment of a God given purpose.

We definitely need to thank God and our respective mums for all we have received - "honor her for all that her hands have done" (Proverbs 31:31) but of equal importance is to  continue the legacy that she has provided of doing the work God has given us with a passion equaling hers.

Like her, be passionate about what God has called us to do for our jobs, for His purpose and for our families, balancing our act so that not one of these becomes our idol but do justice to each of these.

Happy Mother's Day to all.

Design Thinking : Pastor Rajiv's Daily Reflections

In the professional world, "Design Thinking " is a powerful, tool/process to organize and point your thoughts to a desired action, especially in the creation of solutions.

Thoughts are powerful stuff. Thoughts lead to dreams. Dreams to desires. Desires to demands. demands to plans, plans to actions and actions to achievement.

As we can see, thoughts are the precursor to action and achievement. Whatever our input thoughts are, the action will be in the same direction.

It is the same in the spiritual world. If we indulge in spiritual thoughts, the action and achievement will tend towards the spiritual. If we allow thoughts of coveting, it will lead to acting on it which could be disaster. If we have thoughts of hate, we will end up destroying relationships. If we only think of ourselves, we will do things only for ourselves as well.

For Christians, thought control therefore is extremely critical. Paul says in Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things".

Why is thought control so important? For two reasons -

A. Thoughts influence our actions and effect our spirituality as well as physical actions.

B. God speaks to us through our thoughts. Hence it is crucial to keep our thoughts devoid of evil so that God can fill us with His knowledge and plans. He will talk to us if we still our minds and listen.

Here is what Peter says in 1 Peter 1:13-
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"

3. God gave us free choice but our thoughts and desires influence that decision. Deuteronomy 30:19 says

"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!"

So friends, this was the power of our thoughts. Let me end with this verse and advice from Paul in Romans 12:2

"Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect".

So you're a Christian : Pastor Rajiv's Daily Devotional

So you're a Christian! What are you doing about it?

Starting with 12 followers 2000 years ago, Christ has a following of more than 3 Billion people today. This is unprecedented growth.


So how did it happen?

A simple answer is sharing. Sharing the spiritual and the physical blessings, sharing Gods word and sharing strife.
And that is our mandate even today.

Sharing God's word doesn't always mean evangelizing to people who don't believe in Him. Sometimes, it means getting together with other believers and strengthening each other as well. 

Today, we have one simple request to make of you, our reader: participate with us and share these posts in your Christian friends circles. 

“Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.”

Someone, somewhere needs to hear God so please help us to spread the word as far and wide as possible.

God Bless you. 

Give God a Chance: Pastor Rajiv's Daily Reflections

Psalm 22:1

"For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?"

David starts Psalm 22 with this cry from the depths of his despair and our Lord cried it out as He hung on the tree.

Like David and Jesus, haven't we all felt forsaken at some point in our lives? Maybe today? When it seems everything is going against us? When it seems even the God we believe in has turned away?

There is nothing wrong if one feels like that. Our Christ felt it as well. But what does one do in such a situation?

1. Question God. God is our father, he listens to us, hears us and answers us. If we have some doubt, we should question Him and I believe He will answer.

2. Sit still and listen for His answer. "Be still and know that I am God" is Gods instruction to Israel to stop their frantic war activity and let God do His work. The same holds true today. 

What we should not do is panic and do many things to help ourselves or grumble and start calling friends and family hoping for some help or advice. In all this frantic activity where is the faith and belief in God ?

Where is the chance we give to God to do His work? Most importantly where is our acceptance of His will to be done? Did God answer David's prayer? Sure He did. David's was one of the most successful Israeli kings. Did God help him? Sure. 

The Bible contains so many instances of how God helped His people, instructions to them on how to receive His help etc. Why not fall back on His word and ask Him? 

Checkmate!

Hebrews 2:14-15

"Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives".

The greatest gift God has given to mankind is Jesus Christ. When mankind fell due to it's disobedience in the Garden of Eden, the devil thought he had destroyed the vision and dram of God for humanity. Little did he know that God is the creator of all things and never runs out of ideas and sent His son Jesus Christ to destroy sin by offering Himself on the cross. He brought the promise of unconditional love, unending hope and eternal life to every person who believes in Him. 

But the strangest thing about this gift is that it is for everyone. If I have received it today, it becomes my duty to pass it on. Pass on that hope. Pass on that love. And pass on that promise of eternal life.

Satan was checkmated and he will be defeated again and again and again and again.....

Are we greater than God? Sunday Reflections

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths".

Do we think we are greater than God? I am very sure most, if not all of us, will say NO!

AND I am very sure a lot many of us, in practice do exactly the opposite: Try to play God.

Man by nature strives to reach God's stature even to the extent of trying to create another human or humanoid. This is an extreme example, but we try and play God, every day in every way.

When we pray, don't we say, Lord I have this challenge and I need to do X to solve it. Or Lord can you please help me achieve Y so I can do this or that?

Why are we trying to tell God how to solve a problem, instead of just putting out the problem and letting Him solve it the way He deems fit? Who are we to tell God what to do? Do we trust ourselves more than we trust God?

As an exercise, just think of your prayers in the last 3 days. How many times we have "suggested" an action plan to God?

I know, as a professional I was faced with challenges which I needed to overcome to be able to keep my job. And when I prayed I would often tell God "look God, I am about to lose my job so I am taking this action, pls bless what I am doing so I can find success" ?

In short we tell God How to answer our prayer. We tell Him how to do his work. What we forget is to pray for His will to be done.

The opening verse is a direct reminder, actually an instruction, not to tell God what to do. With me it's a habit which I consciously need to stop and get rid of.

I think we all need to remember this verse always -

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts".

The 3 Sieves of Socrates: Daily Reflections

John 12 .."And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people".

There is a poison each one of us are prone to: Gossip. 

Gossip is a sad and destructive fact of life. It damages reputations, ruins relationships, divides families and creates too much bad blood. Gossip is as old as history itself. In John’s gospel, Jesus’ absence from Jerusalem during Tabernacles evokes gossip among “the crowds” that is interestingly ambivalent about Jesus’ character: “And there was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, ‘He is a good man,’ others were saying, ‘No, he is deceiving the crowd’” (John 7:12). Jesus’ assessment by some as “good” and by others as “deceiving” underscores the social process through which gossip can create tension—in this case, over Jesus’ very identity.

Throughout the Bible we have been warned not to gossip, not listen to gossip. Ephesians - 29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen".

But how do we know what is gossip or information? Well Socrates faced the same things and has given us a way to discern. Its called the three sieves  and this is how it goes :

When some one is trying to tell us something we need to put the 3 sieve test and ask these questions : 

First Sieve : The first is the sieve of Truth. We need to ask, are you sure that what you are going to tell me is true or is it hearsay? 

Second Sieve: The second one is the  sieve of Goodness. The question to ask is - Are you going to tell me  something good or positive?

Third Sieve : Is it necessary to tell me ?

If what is being told  is neither true or is hearsay, good or necessary, just forget it and stay away. 

The story about the three sieves is something we can apply to our lives. Before you tell a story or pass on a rumor, ask yourself whether it is true, kind or necessary. 

Often we pass on gossip we’ve heard to keep the conversation going or talk negatively about somebody we know. Why not focus on “uptalking” others, concentrating on their strengths?

What is your JD? Pastor Rajiv's Daily Devotional

What is your Job Responsibility? 

Responsibility is defined as the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone.

Starting with Adam and Eve, we all have responsibilities. They were supposed to be caretakers of creation by virtue of having control or dominion. Peter was also given specific responsibilities ("take care of my sheep"). Paul also points out in his letter to the Corinthians that whatever we do, should be for the glory of God. 

Drawing on these I like to think that our JD primarily consists of these -

1. Taking care of God's creation : We have been given dominion or charge over the entire creation, or nature as we call it. With this charge comes a responsibility to maintain it, for ourselves and the generations to come. We are stewards and must fulfil that responsibilities of a steward. 

2. Take care of people: In line with Christ's commandments, loving our fellow citizens passively is not enough. We need to actively practice that love by caring for people, specially those maybe down in life. Sharing provisions, time, blessings which we have received are some ways we can. It means we need to be sensitive to people, societies, norms, governments, etc. Remember, Paul said - " Give no Offense, either to Jews, or to Greeks or to the Church of God, just as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many so that they maybe saved". 

3. Reflect the Glory of God in our life - By far the most important. Like Jesus summed up 613 commandments into 2, this one wraps up all  our JD  into one. To reflect God's glory one must first then know God's Glory and it's characteristics. If we have received a miracle, don't keep it a secret. If we have received a blessing share it. Acknowledge God in all things good and acknowledge His strength and grace given to us to survive the bad. Encourage one another in faith and it's practice. But above all, practice that faith. Dr. Irv Busenitz has captured this very well in his article "The Christian's Job Description"  - 

"Our job is to glorify God. This must be our purpose in life, whatever we do, do all to the glory of God. How are we to accomplish this? By placing the benefit of others ahead of ourselves, by foregoing our liberties so that the lost might be saved, and by pursuing the likeness of Christ".