God's Plan: Our Role

Acts 5:12 states: “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch)”

This verse highlights the miraculous works performed by the Apostles. But what about us? What can we do? 

Knowing your role in God's plan is a deeply personal and ongoing journey. There isn't a single, definitive answer that will be revealed in a moment, but rather a process of seeking, learning, and growing.

Your role may not include performing signs and wonder like the Apostles did, but we will have a role all the same, albeit a silent one. 

A KJV Bible study comments on Acts says that the early church was marked by these miraculous events to conform the message of the Gospel and draw people to faith in Christ. 

Today we may not see the same kind of dramatic signs and wonders that the Apostles performed, however we can still experience the power of God working in our lives and in the lives of those around us. God is still at work in the world and invites us to join Him in His mission. How? 

Perhaps we can be agents of God's love and compassion to those who are hurting and in need. Or maybe we can be ambassadors of reconciliation to those who are estranged from God and one another. Whatever our role maybe we can trust that God will use us to make a difference in the lives of others with the power of God working through us. 

A New Day

 

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." 

This verse beautifully illustrates the daily renewal of God's grace and mercy, offering a fresh start each day to each of us. 

Isaiah too gave similar counsel in chapter 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." 

This encourages us to look forward to the new things God is doing and a daily spiritual renewal and revival for each one.  So, every day let us be happy for another day to live. 

Today is a New Day so thank you for a chance for a new start. Yesterday's gone and with it are our failures, mistakes and regrets. Lets ask God to help us to start again. It's a good day to give thanks for this life. A new opportunity to love, give and be all that He wants us to be. 

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Sunday Quotes

"God has a time for everything, a perfect schedule. He is never too soon, never too late. The when of His will is as important as the what and the how." ~ Richard Halverson
"A grateful heart is like a sponge that soaks up God's goodness." ~ Joel Osteen
"God sees in you a masterpiece about to happen" ~ Max Lucado
"God loves purity so well He had rather see a hole than a spot in His child's garments." ~ William Gurnall
"Harboring unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping your enemy will die." ~ Joyce Meyer
"The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays." ~ Soren Kierkegaard
"I don't want to play with marbles, when God told me to move mountains!" ~ Reinhard Bonnke
"Religion says earn your life. Secular society says create your life. Jesus says, 'My life for your life." ~ Timothy Keller
"In reading our newspapers today, we can see how God is setting the table, getting everything in order, preparing the way for Christ to return." ~ David Jeremiah
"Before you speak to me about your religion, first show it to me in how you treat other people. Before you tell me how much you love your God, show me in how much you love all His children." ~ Cory Booker
"The Christian should never worry about tomorrow or give sparingly because of a possible future need. Only the present moment is ours to serve the Lord, and tomorrow may never come...Life is worth as much as it is spent for the Lord's service." ~ George Muller
"Thus there will be three effects of nearness to Jesus humility, happiness, and holiness." ~ Charles Spurgeon
"I got the best of Jesus. He got the worst of me." ~ LeCrae
"Whenever you find a preacher who takes the Bible allegorically and figuratively...that preacher is preaching an allegorical gospel which is no gospel. I thank God for a literal Christ, for a literal salvation. There is literal sorrow, literal death, literal Hell, and, thank God, there is a literal Heaven." ~ J. Frank Norris
"Love your children-and let them know you love them. Children who experience love find it far easier to believe God loves them." ~ Billy Graham

The Modern Eve

Despite the actions of Adam and Eve, and Eve's role in those events, God recognized the immense value and strategic importance of a woman as a wife. If Eve possessed the ability to influence Adam toward rebellion, she also had the potential to guide him toward faithfulness and obedience to God.

In this light, the modern-day woman embodies a vital role—serving as God’s influencer within the family. A wife has the capacity to inspire spiritual growth and foster faithfulness and godliness in her husband and children. Her influence, however, extends far beyond the boundaries of her immediate family, reaching into society, the church, the workplace, and the broader community.

Thus, today's Eve holds a very important position : that of being Gods influencer in the family.

The Bible features numerous women who wielded significant influence, demonstrating strength, faith, and leadership. Here are a few notable examples:

Miriam:

She was a prophetess and played a crucial role in the early life of Moses. Her leadership in song and dance after the crossing of the Red Sea highlights her influence.

Deborah:

She was a prophetess and judge, providing leadership and guidance to the Israelites.

She led the Israelite army to victory against their enemies.

Esther:

She was a queen who risked her life to save the Jewish people from annihilation. Her courage and strategic thinking had a profound impact on her nation's survival.

Mary, the mother of Jesus:

Her acceptance of God's call to bear Jesus had a pivotal role in Christian history. Her faith and obedience are held as examples.

Mary Magdalene:

She was a devoted follower of Jesus and the first witness to his resurrection. Her testimony played a vital role in spreading the news of Jesus's resurrection.

Lydia:

She was a successful businesswoman, and a very early convert to Christianity in Europe. Her hospitality, and the conversion of her household, provided a place for the early church to grow.

These remarkable women demonstrate that, throughout biblical history, women held profound influence and made significant contributions to their communities and to the unfolding of God’s plan. While some, like Eve and Potiphar's wife, are remembered for negative influence, countless others serve as sources of inspiration for using influence to uplift and bring about goodness.

Today, we appreciate the women around us and have seen them play a significant role during Lent, both in biblical narratives and in modern spiritual practices. They continue to embody the spirit of Lent through acts of service, prayer, and leadership in their communities.

Losses and Gains of Prayer

There is this story of a man who was asked what he gained by praying so much to God. The man replied nothing. But I lost a lot. How so, he was asked, what did you lose?

"I lost anger, greed, ego, insecurity and fear of death to start with".

On reading this, maybe fictitious, story, one thinks - what did I gain or lose by praying and spending time with God?

For starters we may gain a relationship with the Father. By having that we can be assured that all things, no matter how dismal they may look today, work together for our good. So that builds up faith. We also realize we are under His protection. That builds up a sense of security. We also realize that He is very real, because we see Him at work in our life. Therefore, He exists in a realm which is our destination and therefore death is not final. And till then, we are at peace with ourselves and our fellow men, which adds to happiness

Finally, our deep peace comes from not being at loggerheads with God over who's will we want. Our will aligns with Gods will and we, together, develop a common vision for us.

And then I realize the truth: sometimes what we see as a loss at the moment, turns out to be a blessing.

Prayer is not about gaining something or losing something. It's about building a relationship with our creator, which takes care of each of us in this life on earth and assures us of a life in His realm thereafter.

Keeping praying, even if what you want is not happening because What you truly and really need will always happen.

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Is the Church Important? - Pastor Rajiv's Mid-Week Message

 

Godly Surrender

Read Mark 10:21 

Many a Sunday morning we stand up and sing the song - "All to Jesus I surrender". But do we truly mean that? Do we truly surrender all? 

In the quoted passage we have a near perfect young man, who did everything God expected but could not surrender.

Today let us think, have we truly surrendered? - what does surrender look like?

First and foremost, surrender needs us to let go of the control we want over our lives. Realize that that fantastic job, that promotion or a great business are not because of our abilities but because of Gods blessings. Therefore, they are not our priority even though they may give us economic power. It involves recognizing that one is not self-sufficient, and that divine grace is essential. And divine grace comes from divine wisdom.

It means letting go of the desire to dictate the course of one's life and trusting that God's plan is superior. It involves a profound act of yielding one's will and control to divine authority.

In practice this means that we become executors of Gods will in our lives rather than decision makers. It means we put every situation, every day, every problem, every solution, every honor at Gods feet first.

This is not to be confused with revering God or respecting God. There is a difference between respecting God and making Him first in our lives.

When we make God first, we may start our day by asking God - what would you have me do today? Or how do you want me to act in "x" situation? Essentially start the day by passing control of everything for the day to God.

Surrender therefore requires humility, acknowledging one's own limitations and dependence on God.

This may involve making changes in one's behavior, attitudes, and priorities to align with divine principles and a willingness to accept His authority.

In theory we all do that: in practice maybe we don't.

King David consulted God before taking any action. Do we consult God say, before a meeting? If the meeting is critical we may pray and ask for His guidance and help. But do we ask His will? No. We state our will and may we end it by saying - "but your will be done". That to my mind is not total surrender. It is "grudging acceptance or maybe defeated acceptance".  

Therefore, total surrender also includes an "embracement" of Gods decision, His wisdom and His will, with happiness, joy and priority because we place our trust in Him more than in our own abilities.

What is the outcome? Ultimately, surrender will bring inner peace and freedom. By relinquishing the burden of control, one can experience a sense of release and trust. It's like sitting in a chauffeur driven car and driven through chaotic traffic as opposed to driving and navigating that traffic ourselves.

Surrender therefore is good for us. It not only helps us navigate this life peacefully but helps to build our next life as well by building a relationship with God, with Jesus and with the Holy Spirit.

Finally, It is important to understand that surrender is often a process, and not a one time event. It is something that is worked on daily.

In essence, surrendering to Jesus or God is about placing one's life in divine hands, trusting in divine guidance, and seeking to live in accordance with divine will.