RECOMMENDATION

DANIEL 2 : 17 – 19 & 49.

Daniel was able to tell and interpret the strange dream of Nebuchadnezzar. Even though the secret was revealed to
Daniel only, to get that revelation Daniel didn’t pray alone
but prayed with his companions.
As Daniel shared and interpreted the dream to the king, the
king promoted Daniel and made him ruler over the whole
province of Babylon.

But, have you noticed that Daniel was not satisfied just with
his promotion?
He didn’t hesitate to use the opportunity to petition to the king
to promote his companions also to suitable positions.

Recommendation!

Many of us are having some kind of unusual hesitation to
recommend our people for suitable positions.
We are so serious minded that we think the recommendation
is not an act of faith.
We exhort our companions to pray and declare that they will get
what they deserve if it is the will of GOD, but fail to use our position
in a honest way for the welfare of our own people!

When the people of the world are recommending their own even
for not so suitable positions, we, the people of the WORD, never
prefer to identify with our own even in a honest way.

Of course, there is a risk factor in all recommendations, and so
don’t do it without prayer!

Daniel might have surely prayed for his companions’ promotion,
but he didn’t stop with that and went ahead to petition the king.
You know, Daniel got the promotion because GOD revealed the
secret to him and if any other companion got that revelation, then
that companion might have promoted!

If you believe that you reached your current position because of
the grace of GOD, never fail to take risk by being a channel of
grace to your companions!.

If CHRIST is not interceding for us, what will be our position?

You know, if you know to do good and not doing it, then it will be
a sin!

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FOR MORDECAI THE JEW WAS SECOND TO THE KING
AHASUERES, AND WAS GREAT AMONG THE JEWS AND
WELL RECEIVED BY THE MULTITUDE OF HIS BRETHREN,
SEEKING THE GOOD OF HIS PEOPLE AND SPEAKING
PEACE TO ALL HIS KINDRED. ( ESTHER 10 : 3 ).

MINISTERED MINISTER

2 TIMOTHY 1 : 16 – 18

Paul in Roman prison; In his life prisons and persecutions
were so common, but this time it was painfully different;.
Unlike his first imprisonment at Rome, where he was free to
meet his friends and fellow workers by staying in a rented
house ( Acts 28 : 31 ), this time he was forced to see the
true color of roman prison!

As the Emperor Nero started the official persecution of
Christians by blaming them for the massive fire accident
at Rome, the Christians either went underground or got
scattered and this added to the misery of Paul as no one
was willing even to visit Paul. He was abandoned by almost
all. ( 2 TIMOTHY 1 : 15 ).

The cold season might have become so unbearable to the
aged Paul, he was forced to write to Timothy to bring his
cloak to the prison!

Because of the fear of governmental action, no Christian
openly supported him even in his defense in the roman
court ( 2 TIMOTHY 4 : 16 ).

Aged; abandoned; lonely; imprisoned; close to death!

Paul’s second letter to Timothy speaks about the painful
and hidden side of the servant of GOD!

But even in that darkness, there was a ray of hope!

Onesiphorus!

From Ephesus, he came to Rome and sought Paul out
very diligently!
As local believers were afraid of Nero, even to find Paul
Onesiphorus had to take diligent efforts!
He was not even ashamed of Paul’s imprisonment but
found and refreshed Paul!

Is it not a challenge?

When the government was against Christians and when the
Christians were in hiding, visiting a person in prison who was
considered as the ring leader of the new found faith?

Yes, Onesiphorus risked his life and refreshed Paul!

Dear friend,
Most of the times, we all assume our leaders as some kind of
super heroes and hence fail to understand their other side;
their fears and loneliness, their tears and brokenness are all
not visible to our eyes and we always expect them to comfort
and encourage us!

Even the Apostle Paul longed for that kind of refreshment!
Why not our leaders?

Who knows how many of our leaders are silently giving up as
there is no Onesiphorus in their path?

Who knows how many of our pastors long for some kind of
heavenly touch through a down to earth Onesiphorus?

Who knows how many of our ministers are doing the battle
all alone because of the careful carelessness of his flock?

Leaders are also humans; they also have needs; they also
have fears and frustrations; they also need your prayers
and encouragements!

Be an Onesiphorus; if not to the whole world, at least in your
local church to your elders!

Pray for them, encourage them and refresh them!

May GOD bless you abundantly!

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I AM A COMPANION OF ALL THOSE WHO FEAR YOU, AND
ALL THOSE WHO KEEP YOUR PRECEPTS ( PSALM 119 : 63 ).

GOOD WORKS WORK

TITUS

1. EXAMPLE ( TITUS 2 : 7 )
….. … in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of
GOOD WORKS, …. ……..

2. ZEALOUS ( TITUS 2 : 14 )

… … …. that HE might redeem us from every lawless
deed and purify for HIMSELF HIS own special people,
zealous for GOOD WORKS.

3. READY ( TITUS 3 : 1 )

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities,
to obey, to be ready for every GOOD WORK, …. ….

4. CAREFUL ( TITUS 3 : 8 )

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to
affirm constantly, that those who have believed in GOD
should be careful to maintain GOOD WORKS.

5.LEARN ( TITUS 3 : 14 )

And let our people also learn to maintain GOOD WORKS,
to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

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LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY
MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GLORIFY YOUR
FATHER IN HEAVEN. ( MATTHEW 5 : 16 )

FAILURE IN VICTORY

II KINGS 16 : 5 – 13 & II CHRONICLES 28 : 19 – 25

King Ahaz faced a crisis; King Rezin of Aram and King Pekah of Israel declared war on Ahaz and besieged Jerusalem; But King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria helped Ahaz by attacking Aram and killing King Rezim.
Somehow, the enemies were crushed.

But a strange thing happened!
King Ahaz, who went to the defeated capital Damascus of Aram, was mesmerized by the altar at Damascus and went to the extreme of building similar altar at Jerusalem!
Reason?
Because he assumed the reason for the unusual victories the army of Aram got was because of the help those kings got from their gods!
( II CHRONICLES 28 : 23 ).

Even though the army of Aram was defeated, their altar and worship methods conquered Ahaz’s heart!
Consequence?
That led to his ruin and the ruin of all Israel!

Even after victory he failed miserably and the victory became meaningless; Even the temple of GOD lost its glory during his reign!

Further, his attempt of getting help of the heathen king instead of trusting GOD also backfired; King Tiglath-pileser started dictating terms even in the temple related matters! ( II KINGS 16 : 18 )

Dear friend,
Even though we follow the victorious Christ, do we secretly admire and appreciate the means and methods of the world?
Do you wish to follow the ‘success steps’ and ‘ victorious ways’ of the gurus and monks?
Does the altar of the enemy appeals to you so much that you started sacrificing your talents, time and treasures at their altar?
Do you trust the ‘stars’ and the ‘psyches’ ?
Do you grieve the Holy Spirit by neglecting GOD’s WORD?

Remember Ahaz and his ruin!
Repair the Altar and ascribe greatness to the LORD and the LORD alone!

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STUDY THIS BOOK OF THE LAW CONTINUALLY.
MEDITATE ON IT DAY AND NIGHT SO YOU MAY
BE SURE TO OBEY ALL THAT IS WRITTEN IN IT.
ONLY THEN WILL YOU SUCCEED. ( JOSHUA 1 : 8 )

SAME SIDE GOAL

I KINGS 13 : 11 – 33

An old prophet living in Bethel;
Not just living, but comfortably settled!
Own house, own vehicle, obedient children, even his own grave!

But Bethel was under the control of Jeroboam and he slowly tried
to introduce an alternate religion at Bethel against the living GOD!
Why the old prophet didn’t confront Jeroboam?
Why there was no Word to and through him from the LORD?
Whether comfort corrupted his conviction?

GOD sent another prophet from Judah to warn Jeroboam!
There was a remarkable change in the attitude of Jeroboam after
the confrontation by that prophet but that change was short lived.
Reason?
Possibly because of the same side goal of the old prophet!

The king was not able to convince the young prophet from Judah
to eat or to take rest at Bethel; That young prophet obeyed GOD’s
instruction very carefully, but the old prophet’s deliberate lies brought the younger prophet again to Bethel to eat!

Why did the older prophet tell lies to bring him back?
Instead of rejoicing in the exhibition of GOD’s power against the ungodly king and his first steps towards repentance, this old prophet
deliberately followed the younger prophet and brought him back!

Was he trying to show to the world that he was close to to the successful and powerful prophet?
Was he trying to cover-up his failure as a prophet?
His hospitality, his willingness to give his donkey, his lamentation after the death of the younger prophet, his attitude of even giving
his own grave to bury the younger prophet and his desire to be
buried next to the younger prophet are all looking like some kind of
genuine acts of love!

Was it so?
What was his objective?
Was not his lie the reason for the death of the younger prophet?
Whether the death of the prophet made Jeroboam to ignore the
warnings given by him and made him more ungodly?
Was not the older prophet’s interference in the path of the other
prophet made a successful ministry a failure?
Which side the older prophet belonged to?

Dear friend,
Honor the ‘elder’ brother, but be sharp enough to discern any lie
coming from them to entrap you in to disobedience!
All the pious, soft spoken, ‘GOD told me’ quotes may not be actually from GOD!
Your regular appointment and relationship with GOD only will give you the wisdom to escape from these kind of so called ” GODLY counsels’ from the ungodly ‘elders’!

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LOOK, I AM SENDING YOU OUT AS SHEEP AMONG
WOLVES. BE AS WARY AS SNAKES AND HARMLESS
AS DOVES. ( MATTHEW 10 : 16 )

RISKY RESPONSIBILITY

GENESIS 27 : 1 & 2

Isaac was old and almost blind and he decided to bless his
firstborn, Esau!
But, he failed to acknowledge GOD given prophecy ‘ the older son will serve the younger one’!
Further, it is a known fact that how Esau ignored his birthright for
the sake of some red stew!

Isaac somehow tried to do some favor to his first son and decided
to bless him; As a father he had the responsibility of blessing
both his sons and not just one!
Somehow favoritism entered his mind!
But see the consequence!
Rebekah’s manipulation, Jacob’s drama, Esau’s anger and plan to kill Jacob, Jacob’s escape to Paddan-aram and the twenty years of
suffering and slavery of Jacob in Laban’s place were all happening
just without any control!

Just one decision!
How it fractured Isaac’s family!
In fact Isaac started this confusion by expecting his death but the irony was that he didn’t die in a year or two but lived for 180 years and witnessed Jacob’s return to his place!
Unnecessary assumption! Unnecessary decisions!
Unnecessary consequences and heartbreaks!
Just one decision!

Dear friend,
Don’t underestimate the power of your choices and decisions
when you are in a responsible position, either in the family or
work place or ministry!
Just one decision can turn some Jacob’s life upside down!

Whether it is a minor matter or a major strategy, ask GOD’s
wisdom and don’t trust your own mind!

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TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN
NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. SEEK HIS WILL IN
ALL YOU DO AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATHS.
( PROVERBS 3 : 4 & 5 )

CHERITH ACADEMY

I KINGS 17 : 1 – 6

Brook Cherith;
Was it necessary for a man like Elijah to spend so many days there?
Especially when the powers of darkness were dancing through the nation?
Was it not the time to ‘think big, plan big and do big’?
When there is a need, how to ignore that need and take rest at Cherith?

But GOD’s instruction to Elijah was strange;
‘Go and hide by the brook Cherith’!
Simple life style; simple food; solitude!
No public display of power; no confrontation; no prophesy!

Standing still is so boring; so difficult!
So most of us ignore the discipline of solitude from our curriculum.
We see a need; we consider it as our calling; we form a team;
We jump in to action; We pray to GOD to bless our move;
We present statistics; we please our sponsors; we celebrate;
But no fire from heaven; No Mount Carmel experience!

As iron sharpens iron, solitude sharpens a saint;
Only at the boot camp of brook cherith, every saint can understand the
meaning of ‘ deep calling the deep ‘; His inner man will get tuned to the
promptings of the Spirit; His heart will lean on his LOVER;
The process of emptying-cleansing-filling will be effective;
The power to run and win will be bestowed;
The theory and theology of GOD’s power will become personal and practical;
The vision will become the burden;
The mission will become the passion;
The eternal fire will engulf the saint and he will start burning for the LORD!

Dear friend,
Ignore it, we will have premature ministries bringing dishonor to LORD!
Needs are everywhere, but every need may not be a part of your call!
Elijah needs food but ravens can meet the need only till GOD permits;
If GOD prepares some other person to meet Elijah’s need, the ravens
need not worry about Elijah’s need at Zarephath!

The enemy knows this and that is why the intensely attacked area in
every saint’s life is the area of solitude!
We find it difficult to wait in HIS presence, but want to have a fruitful
life and mission!
Give GOD the control to decide and define, not just your steps but, your
stops.
The victory of an army depends on the clear execution of the superior’s
instruction by the subordinates and not on their own assumptions!

Know this, wait for HIS instruction and stand still till HE asks you to move!

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HE WHO DWELLS IN THE SECRET PLACE OF
THE MOST HIGH SHALL ABIDE UNDER THE
SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY. ( PSALM 91 : 1 )

PESSIMIST & OPTIMIST

MARK 5 : 25 – 34

PESSIMIST: You are having this problem for the last twelve
years. You met so many doctors, spent so much money but
no deliverance; you have no hope; learn to live with this problem!
( MARK 5 : 25, 26 )

OPTIMIST : But I heard about JESUS; Even in my own place, I
heard about the deliverance a man, possessed by legion, got.
I trust HIM!

PESSIMIST : Even if you trust HIM, you won’t have the opportunity
to meet HIM!

OPTIMIST : Yes, but the LORD is close to all who call on HIM, to
all who call on HIM sincerely.( PSALM 145 : 18 )
HE will create an opportunity for my sake!

PESSIMIST : Even if HE is close to you, HIS focus is not you, but
the daughter of Jairus ( MARK 5 : 22 ) . HE won’t stop for you!

OPTIMIST : HE need not stop for me; HE need not touch me; I
will use the opportunity and some how I will touch HIM!

PESSIMIST : You see, how many are behind HIM; It is a big crowd;
But you are so weak because of your problem; How are you going
to touch HIM? It is not possible.

OPTIMIST : Yes, but because of the crowd, HE can’t move fast; SO I
will get more time to go close to HIM; With all my mind, with all my
strength, with all my heart I will persevere. At least HIS dress I will touch!

PESSIMIST : Dress? Do you have any scriptural reference to believe
that by touching a dress you can get healed?

OPTIMIST : I am not trusting the method but the PERSON and HIS
presence; HE can. that much I know and that is enough!

PESSIMIST : Suppose some one in the crowd knows about your
problem, what they will think ? you know, when you are having this
kind of problem, you should not come near other people?

OPTIMIST : when I started my faith walk towards HIM, the first thing
I learned is not to worry about ‘ what others will think?’.
Let them worry about their problems and their master!
Further, I am not following the crowd but JESUS.

PESSIMIST : You see how many are touching HIM and HIS dress;
nothing is happening; why waste time? Go back!

OPTIMIST : Can you please move and give me space to touch
HIS dress? I believe ‘ If I can touch HIS clothing, I will be healed’.
This is my faith; I don’t know about others!

She touched the fringe of HIS robe, and the healing power had
gone out from HIM and she got healed!

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YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU WELL. GO IN PEACE.
YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED, ( MARK 5 : 34 ).

GIFT DRIFT

 GENESIS 37 : 5 – 10

Joseph had a dream and reported the details to his brothers!
The dream got interpreted;
Wait!
Who interpreted the dream ?
Joseph? No, his brothers!
Joseph shared his dreams but he didn’t interpret;
Only his brothers interpreted!

Joseph had another dream and this time also he didn’t interpret;
Only his father, Jacob, interpreted the dream!
This means, in Jacob’s family, many more, not just Joseph, were
having the gift of interpreting the dream!
But, only Joseph exercised that GOD given gift in a proper way
and reached a GOD-honoring position!

See, how Joseph’s brothers used the gift; They interpreted the
dream correctly but used that interpretation to hate and mock
Joseph; They didn’t believe their own interpretation!

See, how Joseph used his gift; even in the prison, he voluntarily
came forward to interpret the dreams of two prisoners by giving
honor to GOD! ( GENESIS 40 : 8 ). Even when exercising the
GOD given gift, he was not trusting his experience and expertise
but was leaning on GOD!
Note that, this attitude opened the way to stand before Pharaoh
to interpret his dreams!

Are we not seeing the same trend even in now in GOD’s family?
Many gifted and talented youngsters who started their faith walk
in a prominent and promising manner, slowly drifted away from
their goal and started using their gifts just to criticize others and
ended up like Joseph’s brothers!
Few, very few, only leaning on GOD and showing to the world
that they are of different spirit, like Joseph!

Dear friend,
having gifts and talents is not sufficient if your attitude in using
that gift is not correct;
You are gifted; know this and show this by leaning on HIM!
The kings are waiting for the Josephs!

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DO NOT NEGLECT THE SPIRITUAL GIFT YOU
RECEIVED ……..GIVE YOUR
COMPLETE ATTENTION TO THESE MATTERS.
THROW YOURSELF INTO YOUR TASKS SO
THAT EVERYONE WILL SEE YOUR PROGRESS.
( I TIMOTHY 4: 14 & 15 )

 

THIS IS WHY I REMIND YOU TO FAN INTO
FLAMES THE SPIRITUAL GIFT GOD GAVE
YOU

( II TIMOTHY 1 : 6 )

ROBOTIC RESPONSE

JOHN 2 : 1 – 10

“Whatever HE says to you, do it”!.
Mary’s instruction to the servants looked so simple;
To manage the crisis, the servants were ready to do
anything, but they didn’t even imagine that their logical
nerves would be tested like that in that process!

Test 1 : Selection of stone water pots which were set
aside for purification of the Jews!
Logic: What is the connection between wedding function
and purification ceremony? Instead of wine pressing stones
why He chose these water pots?

Test 2 : Fill the water pots with water;
Logic : Filling nearly 120 to 180 gallons of water is a time
consuming, tough work; When there is an emergency in
the dining hall, is it not waste of time?
Why not we ignore HIM and do some thing to manage the
situation?

Test 3 : Draw some out and take it to the master of the
feast!
Logic: Who asked water? The master of the feast is
waiting for the wine and HE asks them to give water!
How his need and my supply are going to match?

Test 4 : The master of the feast certified what he received
was indeed good wine!
Logic : The servants poured the water in the jars; they only
drew some out; they only took it to the master; how can he
certify that as good wine?

But, Praise the Lord, the servants obeyed all HIS instructions
just like a robot!
No questions; No murmurings; No hesitations; just obedience!
No wonder a miracle happened on that day!

And no wonder we are not seeing any miracle in our crisis!
You see, how many questions we ask; how much hesitation
we have and how often we murmur even after receiving, the
RHEMA, HIS clear instructions.

Dear friend,
Ensure that the WORD received by you is from the LORD;
Once you are sure of that, give a robotic response!
To come out of your crisis, just trust and obey!
Whatever HE says to you, do it!

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“FOR MY THOUGHTS ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS,
NOR ARE YOUR WAYS MY WAYS” SAYS 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. ( ISAIAH 55 : 8 & 9 )