With whom you are united?

I was attending church on Sunday and the preacher read the following verses form the bible. Genesis 11 verses 1,2 and 6 and then explained about the power of unity. Genesis 11:1-2 says, “Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.” And then on verse 6 it says,  “The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” In this verse the preacher was talking about how we can do anything if we have one language and speech that means if we are united in everything. Being in a tough time attacked by a very organised people march as united with their systematic abuse towards me I found myself fearing the result of their united act towards me to cover their  dreadful  plot. At that very moment I heard one gentle voice speaking into my heart “With whom are united?”  The voice continued, “They are humans united together to do what their god wants them to do. If you are united with the one who created them and even their god why are you frightened?”

The circumstance saying they are wining. It seems they are getting everything what they are looking for. It seems they are flourishing at this moment. But there is always victory at the end when we stay with the one who defeated the world. As He himself said in John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Again in 1 John 4:4 it says, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

In 2 Kings 6 there is a story Elisha and his servant. Elisha asked God to open the eyes of his servant, as his servant was devastated when he saw the chariots of the enemy who has surrounded them. 2 Kings 6:15-17 “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

Most of the time we feel abandoned by God when we are surrounded by those who do harm us and on top of that it looks like they are thriving despite they are keep doing bad and living a greedy life. At this time we might say, “God what is going on? Why you forsaken us?” But instead let us ask God to help us to open our eyes so that we can see the one who has defeated the sting of death is right next to us to carry us through the dark time of our life. As long as we are united with Him then we will be winners. As Abraham Lincoln said, “my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.” Be concerned about being in God’s side; no matter what the circumstances are saying you will be the winner. The question is “With whom are you united?” If the answer is “With Jesus.” Then take heart He has overcome your enemy!!

Have you decided not to defile?

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1:8

There are very interesting stories of Daniel and his three countrymen in the time of exile in the land of Babylon. But all those stories are started with a simple truth of making decisions not to defile with the royal treatment. The King Nebuchadnezzar chose Daniel and other young men among the captives and ordered his chief to train them so that they can serve in the king’s palace. In Daniel 1: 4 it says the selected are “young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified” and then special treatment of food and training was given to them verse 5.

But Daniel made a decision and also had as unshakable faith in God so he decided not to eat the royal food and asked only for a vegetable to eat and drink only water. Even he told to the Chief to compare them with the others after ten days (Daniel 1:11-14). What the king arranged and Daniel’s decision are quiet opposite. A lot can be said by comparing the two. But the main point here is about Daniel’s decision, and faith. In our day-to-day life, how do we make decisions. Especially in these days that only how we look on the outside, how much money we have in the bank, what kind of car or house we have, in general the material possessions we have are considered as success. If our eyes are on those then we do whatever it takes to get them. Sin easily get its way in us; sins like selfishness, lie, bribe, greed, cheating,... etc. To get what the world thinks best it is easy to defile ourselves. When our goal is hanging only on how we look and how much we have, then we are easily found ourselves chasing those in a wrong way. But, if we decided like Daniel not to defile ourselves, the result will be different. We might be considered as fools, stupids and even old-fashioned. But at the end we will save ourselves form the great disaster every day and on the final day. It might take time to see the result of our decision not to defile but we will be rewarded indeed at the right time. The main way to get the whole inward and outward success is waiting on the Lord. After 10 days Daniel and the other three young men looked healthier and more nourished (Daniel 1:15). Have you decided not to defile and not to take the shortcut to get rich or famous? When God’s time comes you will look better than the others who took the shortcut, wait in the Lord. At the end, Daniel served in prominent positions in the governments of several Babylonian and Medo-Persian rulers, including Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus. Daniel’s wonderful and interesting successes were the result of his firm decision at the very beginning not to defile himself with the royal food and wine. Have you decided? 

“Son of man, if a country sins against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its food supply and send famine upon it and kill its people and their animals, even if these three men—Noah, Daniel and Job—were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign Lord.” Ezekiel 14:13-14

Forgiven a lot loves a lot

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7 : 47 - 50

Whenever I think of myself in terms of being worthy to be a Child of God, I think of the woman who weep at Jesus' feet and wet his feet with her tears, then wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. Luke 7:35-50

If it were by performance I wouldn’t be here writing these blogs, and thanks to God it is by grace, not only we are saved but live day by day. He keeps  forgiving our sins every day, the power of His mercy and grace allow us to fellowship with Him and with others who are much better than us in their performance. Yes, all of us are sinners but if forgiveness were granted by performing to compensate for the sin we have done but not only by confessing it, I am sure I wouldn’t be here enjoying His word; instead I would be still doing all I can to gain forgiveness for the sins that I have done years before. In every aspect of my life, I have been forgiven day by day when I confess my sins. That always amazes me, one word makes me to feel His comforting hand wrapped around me and hear His comforting words saying “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

In case you are not in peace with yourself perhaps it is good to check whether there is unconfessed sin. It takes only a moment to get forgiveness. Go and kneel down and confess it. In 1 John 1:9 it says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (NIV)

Personally, the more I understand that I have a God who has limitless forgiveness the more I hate sin and stay away from it. One of the main lies of the enemy that hold us from going to the throne of God and from prayer is by  accusing us as if we are not worthy to pray or go to church because of our sins. But there is one and only one truth, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentation 3:22-13 (NIV)

I am forgiven a lot hence I love a lot.