Pastor Rajiv: The Church That Should Be

 

The Bunker of God

As we hear / see the news about the Iran Isarael conflict and other conflicts around the world, there are so many stories of missile attacks and bombings. We hear and see people running to bunkers to keep safe. Cars get into tunnels to escape the bombs. Everyone runs for the cover of safety - a good man, rich man, poor man, rebel, criminal, murderer, they all try and get to safety in  the bunkers. 

There is also a war which is going on around us, against us waged by satanic forces, luring us, tempting us, scaring us, threatening us with even death. But human bunkers cannot protect us from those attacks.

Yet, There is another bunker which is available for all those who are afflicted, to run to. People who are suffering not only in physical war but from pain, sickness, pestilence, emotional trauma, loneliness and any kind of danger - even the war or attacks of Satan and his cohort of spirits. That is the bunker of God. The secret place where God keeps everyone who comes there , keeps them and provides for them.

God makes a promise through Isiaah in Chapter 44 verse 3 and 4

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.

The way to the bunker is free, no tolls or tax and certainly no barricades saying it is full. There is always space.

How does one get there? The way is through Jesus. Believe in Him. Ask Him and let Him guide you. Let Him show the way.

What It does need is for us to trust Him completely. Make no others' God's and idols; not money not man nor nature, nor fortunetellers or stones or diamonds. He alone is God, the Almighty and who knows us from when we were formed in the womb. Who designed us. Who created us. We need to, humbly, depend on Him alone. He will protect us. There is no situation so bad that He cannot solve, so ask Him. 

As the world around us erupts in violence and tragedy, or maybe we ourselves are going though a period of need, or are suffering from the wiles and attacks of Satan, let us go the  Bunker of God and find refuge, healing and peace.

Pastor Rajiv: The Church That Should Be

 

Pastor Rajiv's last Message on the 7 Churches in Revelations. 

Uninvited

Today Pastor Vikram Masih of India shared a very valid devotion from the KJV devotional. It truly makes one think. It is about celebrations.

When we are joyous and happy, on birthdays, anniversaries, promotion etc., we like to celebrate the occasion with a party - replete with friends, rich foods, drinks, music and possibly dance. We invite all our good friends to the party - all except one. Jesus.

Like the above scenario, there was a feast in Martha and Mary's home to welcome Jesus. This devotional is about that and we reproduce it here for you:

"Presence Over Presents

"And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her". Luke 10:41-42 KJV

A child will always prefer a parent who is present rather than just the presents. No matter how hard we work to bring home gifts, in the end, children will long to spend more time with their mommy and daddy than to have plenty of gifts. This illustration highlights what Jesus longs for from His children —presence over presents. Martha was so concerned to please Jesus that she chose something that she could give, while Mary sat down at the feet of Jesus and chose to be present with Him.

The truth is that many of today’s Christians are stuck in the same mindset as Martha’s. They’d rather perform for God or do something for God rather than just be with Him. The Lord did not rebuke Martha but gently showed her what truly matters to God’s heart. It’s not our performance but our connection with Him. He wants us to be present with Him! What a sweet God we have!

Prayer point: Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me that living in Your presence is more valuable than all the gold in the world. Help me to always value Your presence".

Tomorrow is Pentecost and the end of the Easter season. Lets make sure we invite Jesus to our homes and every occasion. 

Desperate Moments

If we think we have troubles, remember, the man after God’s own heart was not exempt from trouble, nay, his life was full of it. As maybe ours.

We all face desperate moments in our lives, so it maybe interesting to look for "desperate moments" in the Bible and draw inspiration. While the Bible doesn't explicitly label moments as "desperate," we can certainly identify situations where individuals or groups faced extreme peril, emotional distress, or seemingly insurmountable challenges, leading to feelings of desperation. Let us think deeply about these moments, put ourselves in the place of the protagonist and think: What would we have done? 

1. Hagar in the Wilderness (Genesis 21:14-19): After being sent away by Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael are in the wilderness of Beersheba, and their water runs out. Hagar lays her son under a bush, walks a distance away, and weeps, saying, "Let me not look on the death of the child." This is a desperate cry from a mother facing the imminent death of her son.

2. Jacob's Fear of Esau (Genesis 32:6-8, 24-30): Upon returning to his homeland, Jacob hears that Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men. He is "greatly afraid and distressed," dividing his people and flocks, and then wrestles with God all night, begging for protection. This is a desperate prayer for survival in the face of a perceived threat.

3. The Israelites Trapped at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10-12): With Pharaoh's army pursuing them and the Red Sea before them, the Israelites cry out to Moses, saying, "Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?" They feel utterly trapped and doomed.

4. David Fleeing from Saul (1 Samuel 21:10-15): David is on the run from Saul, who is trying to kill him. He is so desperate that he feigns madness before Achish, king of Gath, in order to escape.

5. Elijah Under the Juniper Tree (1 Kings 19:4): After his victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah is threatened by Jezebel and flees into the wilderness. He sits under a juniper tree and prays that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers." This is a moment of deep despondency and despair.

6. The Widow of Zarephath and Her Son (1 Kings 17:12): During a famine, the widow is preparing to make a last meal for herself and her son with a tiny bit of flour and oil, after which they expect to die. Her situation is one of dire poverty and impending starvation.

7. Job's Suffering (Job 3:1-26, and throughout the book): After losing his children, wealth, and health, Job is in immense physical and emotional pain. He curses the day he was born and expresses profound desperation, longing for death as an escape from his suffering.

8. The Disciples in the Storm (Matthew 8:23-26 / Mark 4:37-38): A fierce storm arises while Jesus is asleep in the boat, filling the disciples with fear. They desperately wake Jesus, crying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!"

9. Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38-39 / Mark 14:34-36): In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus is deeply distressed and sorrowful, even to the point of death. He prays repeatedly for the cup of suffering to be taken from him, if possible, demonstrating the intense human struggle and desperation he felt in the face of his impending crucifixion.

These moments highlight the raw human experience of fear, sorrow, and perceived hopelessness, often leading to fervent prayer and a reliance on God and His divine intervention in each case.

The question is: Who are we dependent on? 

The Dying Church: Pastor Rajiv's Message

What causes the death of a church? For example, the Church at Sardis? In this 5th letter, today we will explore the history and outcome of the Church at Sardis and the parallels we see today.

I want to share with you a quote from William Ramsay, a renowned historian, and biblical scholar. He explored the decline and death of churches particularly in his work on the "letters to the seven churches of Asia". This is what he wrote -

‘A church is in danger of death when it begins to worship its own past….when it is more concerned with forms than with life….when it loves systems more than it loves Jesus Christ….when it is more concerned with material than spiritual things’.

This sounds so familiar when we look at the churches around us. Today we will study the 5th Letter to the Church at Sardis and what we can learn from them, to NOT do. 

Decisive Leadership

Genesis Chapter 14 is a rich narrative that offers several important lessons. Here are some key takeaways:

A. Courageous and Decisive Leadership: Abram (later Abraham) demonstrates remarkable courage and decisive leadership when he learns that his nephew Lot has been captured. Despite being significantly outnumbered, he gathers his trained men and allies and pursues the victorious kings to rescue Lot. This highlights the importance of acting swiftly and boldly, especially when those we care about are in danger.

A. Loyalty and Family Ties: Abram's immediate response to Lot's capture underscores the strong bond of loyalty and family ties, as an extension of his leadership style. Even though Lot had previously chosen to separate from Abram and settle in a potentially dangerous area (Sodom), Abram risked everything to rescue him. This emphasizes the value of family and the responsibility we have to one another. 

C. The Importance of Preparedness: Leaders are always prepared. Abram's ability to mobilize 318 "trained men" suggests that he was not only a man of faith but also a prudent and prepared leader. He had a disciplined household, ready to respond to unexpected challenges. This teaches us the value of being prepared, both physically and spiritually, for whatever life may bring.

D. Acknowledging God's Sovereignty: Abram attributed his victory to God's intervention, Despite the overwhelming odds. This reminds us that ultimate victory comes from God, and we should trust in His power and sovereignty even in the face of daunting circumstances. "The battle is the LORD's" (1 Samuel 17:47) is a recurring theme in the Bible, and this chapter provides an early example.

E. Righteousness and Humility in Victory: After his triumph, Abram is met by two kings: the king of Sodom and Melchizedek, king of Salem (who is also a priest of God Most High). Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of all the spoils, acknowledging God's role in his victory and recognizing Melchizedek's spiritual authority. (This is the first mention of tithing in the Bible and highlights the principle of acknowledging God as the source of our blessings).

F. Ethical Wealth Source: Abram refuses to take any spoils from the king of Sodom, stating that he does not want it said that the king of Sodom made him rich. This demonstrates Abram's integrity, his reliance on God alone for provision, and his refusal to be associated with ungodly influence. It teaches us to be careful about the sources of our wealth and to ensure that our motives are pure.

G. Consequences of Association: Leaders know the value of associates. Lot's presence in Sodom led to his capture and involvement in the war. While Abram rescued him, Lot's continued return to Sodom (as seen in later chapters) ultimately led to further difficulties. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of associating with ungodly environments and the potential consequences of compromising one's values for worldly advantages.

In summary, Genesis 14 offers profound lessons on courageous leadership, family loyalty, preparedness, divine assistance, and the importance of maintaining integrity and faith in God amidst worldly temptations.

Righteous Action

We humans are great visionaries and planners. At least that's what we think.

When we envision something, maybe a job, or great wealth, social standing, maybe a visit abroad, we set about planning for it and working on schemes to achieve it. 

As we continue our study of Genesis, we once again, focus on Abram, learning about human nature of planning, scheming and strategizing. An ancient reflection of what we do till today, leading to the saying - "Homo proponit, sed Deus disponit" or man proposes but God disposes.

Abraham had immense wealth - and as all wealthy people, he needed an heir. So he set about planning for it.

First, he plans for his wealth to go to Eliezer of Damacus as he is called, a trusted steward and member of his household.

Then he tries to get a son through Hagar, Sara's maid.

Though Eliezer is a role model of an ideal elder son, a manager or a caretaker, and Ishmael (Abram's first born and Hagars son) does become a nation, neither were God's choice or His will.

So all of Abraham's plans come to nought. But what does fructify is Gods promise in the form of Isaac.

This situation is echoed throughout the Bible. We can plan and plan and scheme to the best of our abilities, but it is finally God who decides and decides for the best.

So, what does that mean? Does it mean we sit with folded hands or lay on the couch waiting for God to do something? No. As we had said in an earlier post, Gods works through people. 

God's plan often involves human beings actively participating. Your efforts, choices, and actions become the means through which God's plan unfolds. It's not about God doing everything while you wait, but about God working through you.

In Abram's case, his responsibility was to keep trying for a child through Sara, not fall prey to finding other ways to get a child. His human responsibility was to pray and take "righteous action" not alternative means. To fulfill His will, God does not need our help but needs righteous action in line with His will.

The action God needs will always be within our capabilities and abilities. He will never ask more than we can do.

Second is "Waiting on God" which often means seeking His wisdom, direction, and strength through prayer, contemplation, and studying sacred texts, rather than passively doing nothing. It's about discerning His will so you can act in alignment with it.

And then we have Faith and works: we know that faith without works is dead. While believing in God's plan is important, it's often seen as a catalyst for righteous action, not a substitute for it.

Bible Fact

Job's Daughters: In Job 42:15, it's mentioned that Job's daughters were not only beautiful but also received an inheritance along with their brothers, which was unusual for that time.

The Essence of Leadership: Honoring God

Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

A once-great Christian nation—respected for its leadership, scientific excellence, and technological innovation—sought to reclaim its lost position in the world. They gathered under a powerful slogan, aiming to restore their past glory. Yet, in their pursuit of greatness, they overlooked the very foundation of true leadership: wisdom of honoring God. 

Wisdom, as Scripture reminds us, begins with honoring God. They forgot His promise: "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." – Malachi 4:2

The act of honoring God was once the cornerstone of their greatness. It remains the cornerstone of a purposeful life for anyone. True leadership, whether within a nation or in our personal lives, flows from a heart that reveres and obeys Him.

How to Honor God in Leadership and Life

1. With Our Heart (Inward Devotion)

Love God above all – Give Him priority in every decision.

Trust and obey Him – Respect His authority through faithfulness.

Humble yourself – A contrite spirit is valued by God (Isaiah 66:2).

Practice gratitude – Acknowledge His blessings (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Seek His presence – Spend time in prayer, reflection, and His Word.

2. With Our Lips (Verbal Expression)

Praise and worship – Honor Him through songs and declarations.

Give thanks – Express gratitude openly and often.

Guard your words – Speak life, encouragement, and truth.

3. With Our Life (Actions and Behavior)

Live with integrity – Maintain honesty and ethics, even in secret (Proverbs 11:3).

Use your talents for His glory – Serve with excellence and purpose.

Be a witness – Inspire others through your faith-filled actions (Matthew 5:16).

4. In Specific Areas of Life

In our work – Strive for excellence and diligence in our professions.

In our relationships – Treat others with love, respect, and kindness.

In our home – Foster a God-honoring environment through prayer and hospitality (Romans 13:1).
5. Through Faith and Humility
Walk humbly before God – "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)
Fear the Lord (reverence and awe) – "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." (Proverbs 9:10)
Put God first in all things – "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)
Honoring God is not just about outward actions—it's about a life transformed by His love and grace.

True leadership therefore, is not found in ambition alone, but in the wisdom to honor God first. May we remember that greatness is not reclaimed by slogans, but by faith, humility, and obedience to Him.

Till We Meet Again

As one gets older, most of us may wonder what will happen to us. What next? We look forward, and depending on faith, we hope we will live with God. But as we look back, we wonder what will happen to our families. Will we see them again? Or is this it?

This short message from Ms. Francis Taylor answers that. But when you think deeper, Jesus' life itself is proof of what happens. He lived, died, was resurrected, and taken to heaven in His physical form. What more proof or assurance do we need?

Let's read what Ms. Taylor says -

Acts 1 9- 11

"Don't you sometimes wonder what was going through the minds of the apostles as they looked up to heaven watching Jesus disappear from their sight. Despite what Jesus had told them about the sending of an Advocate – the Holy Spirit – they must have felt abandoned. I know I would have. They had already suffered the loss of his presence once, and now they had no idea how long his absence would be. But it is interesting to think about the fact that Jesus's ascension involves his physical body. It is a sign of what he had been teaching about the resurrection, that it is not just a resurrection of spirit but of the total person. How this will be, we can't begin to imagine. We read of a new heaven and a new earth in Revelations, but it is a concept so far beyond our experience that it is difficult to comprehend. However, the ascension of Jesus gives me hope and consolation. Hope that I will be reunited with those whom I have loved and lost, and consolation for the grief I have felt on losing them. I hope it does the same for you".