According to His Will: Pastor Rajiv's Mid Week Message

 

He Hears AND He Answers 

Homeless: The Chained Baby

Today is the 12th of March 2024. 

Today, at 12 am, 2020, 4 years ago, the world officially went on to face a pandemic, of proportions unknown by these three generations which are present here today. The pandemic called Covid. 

Worse than the Spanish flu, it went on to claim 7,004,732 lives as of March 2024. That is more than 7 Million! 

To give you an idea of the depth of the tragedy, on November 5, 2020, Neapolitans woke up to discover a provocative white marble sculpture placed at the center of their most important square, Piazza del Plebiscito (Plebiscite Square): a chained baby lying down in a fetal position. Naked, with closed eyes and looking tired, the baby’s name is Homeless. Appropriate for this time of COVID lockdowns, the sculpture is called “Look Down” and invites each passerby to stop and look down at the human condition, chained by the health emergency and by the economic crisis heightened and exasperated by the ongoing pandemic. (Sage Journals)

And yet, here we are. Survivors. It changed the way we lived, isolated, masked, sanitized. It also changed the way we died. 

During this time, we tried all sorts of things to survive, facing shortages of food & supplies, were locked into our rooms / homes, were always masked and always FEARFUL. 

And every day, we gave thanks. And praise. Today, I would like to suggest we pray for those we have lost, and praise and thank God for those we still have.

As the world went into complete lockdown, God, gave us all the grace and strength and faith as promised. And though we lost loved ones or good friends and neighbors; though we lost our businesses or jobs and livelihoods, everyone, everywhere did gain someone: Jesus. 

A survivor family who got caught in lockdowns in foreign lands for all those years says this: 

"We have learnt two things: First, Christ Lives! and second, all resources we are blessed with are meant to be shared". 

Today, once again, after 3 years we are sharing with you this song, which was recorded during Covid lockdowns, across 2 continents of India and Australia, and 5 states and multiple cities, by these young people, bringing a message and assurance of hope and calling on His promise to save and protect.  As we hear this song, can we say simply say - Thank You Jesus. 

                           

(The credit for organizing this amazing rendition goes to Mr. Peter Baker from Bethel Methodist Church (BMC) in a city called NOIDA in India, and all these singers are the youth who at one time were part of the Praise and Worship Group of this church, led by Mr. Baker. Their names are given at the end of the video).  

The Wind and the Sail: Partnering with God

 

A sailing boat is an ideal example of a partnership between man and God. Even the law recognizes and divides actions into two parts - act of man and act of God.

When God works for us to provide various blessings, it is through a combination of actions - act of God combined with an action of man. Unlike the law it does not separate but combines. Much like a sailboat which sails when a sail is hoisted by man to use the wind sent by God.

In our earthly life, we have been destined to work the ground with labor to eat and live. Every action of ours, unless supported by God is useless. A farmer tills the ground, breaks his back to plant but unless the right weather conditions exist, he won't get a crop. Likewise, a factory worker will flourish when demand for that product is high which will happen if economic and natural forces are positive, both of which depend on nature which depends on God.

Yet, we try and solve our own problems, find our own solutions. How much more foolish can we get? Therefore, to overcome we need to partner with God. Listen to  His directions. If He needs us to perform an action, well, that is what we must do. But to do that we need to first "hear" Him. 

The Tipping Point

In the year 2000, Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book called the tipping point. According to the book summary "The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behaviors, crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.

Just as a single sick person can start an epidemic of the flu, so too can a small but precisely targeted push cause a change in mindset, a fashion trend, the popularity of a new product, or a drop in the crime rate. Or a powerful faith in Christ. 

You and I can discuss Christ, God and the Gospels because Christianity itself went through a tipping point when Christianity was rocket-propelled from a dynamic new religion to an official state sponsored religion and can be traced exactly to the day, it was 28th October 312 AD. 

To reach that tipping point were the efforts of Jesus’ disciples, who along with the apostle Paul were on fire with the new Gospel to the point that all but a few of the 12 apostles died natural deaths. The majority were persecuted and executed for their faith. But the virality of that tipping point continued. Like then, today too we need followers who have fire in the belly, not hordes of lukewarm "me too" Christians, trying to fit in with a crowd,  

We need that tipping point again, both individually and as a society. The context with which we evaluate our lives is the material world, on a material scale. Lies often become the truth and truth becomes lies, because that is convenient. We all, without exception, rebel against God while rationalising our behaviours. Obviously we are not happy. We are ever searching for something beyond, something we don’t know. We all have a void that we are constantly trying to fill – maybe social, physical or financial etc.

To create a tipping point or helping to create one, we first need to change our own context and reference points. From materialism to the fullness offered by God. This fullness has no place for farce, ego, social climbing, gossiping and so on. 

Ephesians 3:19,says "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God"

How do create a tipping point? There are three factors - the messenger, the message itself, and the context of the message. These three factors need to be in sync with each other. 

Further, these three factors can be rolled into one: Become a living example. Create so much value that people want what you have, whether it is peace, satisfaction, the glow of God's love.  Be genuine. Be caring. Be forgiving. Do not put on a farce - People see through you. Our speech often exposes who we are, so let us be careful. 

In fact, what each of us need to become are individual tipping points, creating the gateway to a life in Christ, infecting each other with the joy, peace and security of God. If each of us reach our tipping point, imagine the peace and love we will transmit to each other; the joy we will share and the security we will experience, creating a spiritual fire that will transform the world.

How to become an Asset!

2 Timothy 2 14-26

People must see us as different—and different in ways they want to emulate.

Our world revolves around two things - assets and liabilities. We define and classify people around us with these two scales. That is of course in the material world.

In the Christian world, a similar question arises: are we an asset to Christ?

Firstly, let us understand that we are NOT a liability. We, each one, each one of us are valuable to God. Not because of who we are or what we have done, but because of what we have cost.

Second, just because we are not a liability does not mean we are an asset. An asset is something or someone who is useful to God and to the world, people around us and to society at large. As assets we become agents of change for the better.

Last, and following from the above, as assets we become agents of change for God. His word tells us what we need to do, how we must behave and act. How we need to build a relationship with Him as well as the people around us.

That we, become a lighthouse for Him, guiding others to Him. If our light starts to dim, we help each other to brighten it again. That we live a life of praise and thanksgiving, so others want to emulate and experience what we are experiencing.

How can we live as an asset? The quoted verses from Paul can be used as guideline. His Word helps us develop ourselves first and the very nature of our spiritual character will show the world around us, the truth which we know and have experienced.

Prayer

Lord, we ask that you draw us closer to you. Open our hearts and minds, that we may receive your revelations and guidance. May we continually seek you early in our days., prioritizing you above all else. . 

When You Pray: Pastor Rajiv's Mid Week Message

 

A Rudderless Boat

"Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

Amos 8:12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD and shall not find it".

As believers and followers, we are extremely dependent on the word. We may not be regular, we may run to in times of trouble only, we may not be familiar with it, but the truth is our lives are centered around the word of God. The word acts like a rudder as we sail to the other end. 

What then would happen if suddenly we were left bereft of the word? Bereft of the rudder? Can we imagine such a scenario in our lives? We would panic at the slightest mishap; we would feel directionless. 

The fact is that we realize the value of something, when we are left without it. It could be a person, a blessing or anything we take for granted like food and water.

Without Gods word we would be left rudderless, drifting from one direction to another.

Today let us not take His word for granted; nor His son's sacrifice for granted but value it and honor it. His word is not for hearing but for listening and following, not for academic discussion, but for our hope and our fulfilment and our peace.

Is Adversity a Footnote or a Chapter

 

Have you made adversity the main chapter or a footnote in your life?

Adversity is something every human being goes through at some point in life. A lot of us in the midst of prosperity think that we are self-sufficient. Adversity helps us to realize how much we depend on Him.

How we react to and treat adversity is a different matter though. Some people let it weigh them down and some know it's a passing phase and with the promise of divine help they will get through it. Some give up on God, on the other hand for some it is a strengthening of faith and an opportunity for a deeper relationship with God, friends and family.

How we react to adversity really defines who we are and our relationship with God. With the power and presence of Jesus in our lives, we are called to endure and thus shine the light of Christ in a dark world. we can choose to make adversity the very center of our life and rave and rant and cry, thereby reducing another's faith, or we can choose to smile our way through, trusting in and standing on the promises of God. When we do that, we actually encourage another person's faith. We let through the peace of God and let it show to everyone. 

So: The question is are we relating to adversity in a Biblical way? Do we treat adversity as a footnote in our lives? 

 

The Lord's Prayer: Pastor Rajiv's Message

 

The Snare of the Hunter.

"Surely he will save you, from the fowler’s snare"

Have you heard the reference to of the fowler's snare in the Bible? Most would have. The standard operating procedure of a fowler is based on stealth and surprise.

Today we will base this post on a post by Martin Kiogara for a deeper explanation and understanding.

The fowler in Psalm 91:3 represents Satan, as well as manipulative and exploitative people who use evil tactics to entice us into falling into sin and compromising our faith. This metaphor is apt because Satan is portrayed in scripture as a skilled manipulator (John 8:44) and deceiver (1 Peter 5:8–9), much like a fowler.

Like a fowler, manipulative individuals often hide in plain sight, disguising their true intentions and presenting themselves as trustworthy and reliable friends. They exploit our vulnerabilities, fears, and weaknesses for their self-serving purposes. Employing charm and charisma as a facade, they initially gain our trust, only to later exploit it, causing us to fall prey to their deceitful intentions.

Manipulative people use deceptive tactics such as gaslighting, guilt-tripping, and isolation to control and manipulate others. These traps may be in the form of lies, flattery, or false promises, designed to lure people into harmful situations.

The consequences of such manipulations can be devastating, leading to physical, emotional, and spiritual harm. We must remain vigilant against their evil plots and rely on God’s protection and guidance to shield us from spiritual and moral ruin.

Now that we have defined who the fowler is, let’s explore the meaning of the phrase “snare of the fowler.”

The phrase “snare of the fowler” in Psalm 91:3 is a metaphor for Satan’s evil schemes, devices, traps, and snares that he uses to lure innocent souls away from God and into sin. The snare of the fowler is anything—whether internal or external, subtle or overt, visible or invisible—that poses a danger to a believer’s life, impedes their walk with God, diverts their attention from following God, or is calculated to weaken and sever their relationship with God.

Satan tempts us in a variety of ways, but his most effective tools are stealth and surprise. He stalks us as his prey and strikes when we least expect it. Satan disguises his snares as something appealing, luring people into sin with false promises of worldly pleasures and treasures. His ultimate goal is to lure unsuspecting souls into his net and ensnare them in his web until they die without hope in God.

How Can We Escape the “Snare of the Fowler”? We can escape the “fowler’s snare” in four ways:

Turn to God as Our First and Only Recourse

When the psalmist was faced with a life-threatening situation, the first thing that came to mind was to turn to God. The psalmist in Psalm 91 sought refuge in God when he was faced with threats in his life. He turned to God, believing that God would deliver him from disease, disaster, evil plans, and evil powers. Similarly, we must turn to God in all circumstances, whether they are dangerous or not

Overcome Spiritual Complacency

Spiritual complacency is a state of being content or satisfied with one’s spiritual condition, even if it is not growing or thriving. It can be a dangerous state, as it can lead to a decline in faith and a vulnerability to sin. Satan thrives in darkness, and one of his most effective tactics is to lull us into spiritual complacency.

Don’t Allow Others to Manipulate You

Satan often disguises himself as an angel of light in order to deceive us into doing his bindings. We must develop spiritual discernment in order to recognize Satan’s deceptions and avoid being led astray by Satan and his henchmen

Acknowledge God’s sovereignty

In the midst of spiritual battles, it is important to remember that God is sovereign over all creation. He is stronger than Satan, and He ultimately has control over our lives. Trusting in His power and relying on His grace can provide us with the strength to resist Satan’s temptations and walk in obedience to God’s will. This acknowledgment fosters trust and submission to God’s will.