WILL AND WISH

I CHRONICLES 17 : 1 – 15

David’s desire to build GOD’s house looked like a
honorable desire but GOD rejected David’s desire!
It was not in the will of GOD!.
What was wrong in his desire?
Was not he thinking about GOD’s glory?
In what way he was inferior to any other king?

The confusion between man’s Godly desires and
the will of GOD!

Even though GOD explained David the reason for
that rejection and HIS will about HIS house, it was
surely difficult to accept that rejection.

Even Moses’ desire to enter the promised land and
Paul’s desire to preach to his own people were not
approved by GOD!

If it is GOD who works in us both to will and to do
for HIS good pleasure (PHILIPPIANS 2 : 12), why
we need to be careful about our desires?. Are we
not having the freedom to take all our holy desires
as HIS will?

Dear friend,
Be clear about one thing; even though our spirit is
regenerated by the HOLY SPIRIT, our mind and body
are still in the fallen state; redemption of our body will
happen when JESUS comes again; but as the carnal
desires and the spiritual desires are always fighting
against each other to control the mind, most of the
desires in us will be having subtle embedding of
carnality even if our desires appears to be holy!

That is why the continuous renewal of mind by the
WORD is so important to prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of GOD. ( ROMANS 12 : 2 ).

Cultivate the art of having holy desires but learn to filter
and find the will of GOD from that holy desires;
Never ignore the regular renewal of mind by the WORD;
Before attempting to find the hidden will of GOD, check
whether you are obeying the revealed will of GOD.

If your desire and GOD’s will are not matching, don’t get
depressed, but help others to fulfill HIS will in their life;
See, even though David was denied the privilege of building
GOD’s house, David took so much pain to collect all the
things for the temple of GOD and to identify the right people
to do the work so that Solomon can easily complete the
assigned work (I CHRONICLES 22 & 23).

Remember, HIS sheep hears HIS voice;
Stay close to HIM so that you can hear HIS voice!

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THE ENTRANCE OF YOUR WORD GIVES LIGHT;
IT GIVES UNDERSTANDING TO THE SIMPLE.
( PSALM 119 : 130 )

SELFIE

DANIEL 4

Daniel 4th chapter, a selfie of Nebuchadnezzar?
It is doubtful that any book on ‘world history’ would have
this piece of information about that great king!

It may be so easy to take this kind of selfie with so many
dark spots but it needs real courage to like, comment and
share this ‘selfie’ with others; not just with a small group
of friends and followers but with the public! (DANIEL 4: 1).

But his motive is very clear; through this selfie he illustrated
the most important truth ‘The LORD Reigns!’.

We may not be having a great kingdom like Nebuchadnezzar’s
kingdom, but in our little kingdoms most of the times we fail to
acknowledge this fundamental truth!

Even though we claim that we surrender all, we are having so
many peculiar compartments in our kingdom which are not
governed by HIS WORD but by our own wish and will.

Remember, when GOD decided to teach Nebuchadnezzar this
truth, HE permitted the king to go down from the normal human
behaviour and attitude to animal kind of life!

Is not true that we also some times, may be most of the times,
express this kind of animal instincts in our life?
Our abnormal obsession with lust, power or money, our secret
desire to be worshipped, our angry outbursts and unashamed
rationalizations all may not be because of our DNAs or impact
of the generational curse!

Who knows that all the above may be the side effects of our
failure to acknowledge HIS authority in some of our secret
compartments!

Take selfie, not with some costly gadgets, but with the help of
the HOLY SPIRIT in the light of the WORD in the chamber of
solitude!
This selfie is not to impress others by covering the ugly dots
but to confess the dark side to your CREATOR and to forsake
them; To hand over the governance of all the compartments
of your kingdom to the EVERLASTING KING!

Believe, HE is so gentle and loving that he won’t share what
you confessed with others; In fact HE won’t even remember
them but will give you grace!

If you have secret struggles in your behaviour and attitude,
better take selfie; HE is waiting to give you HIS image and
HIS glory!

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HOW GREAT ARE HIS SIGNS,
HOW POWERFUL HIS WONDERS!
HIS KINGDOM WILL LAST FOREVER,
HIS RULE THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS.
( DANIEL 4 : 3 )

THE FIRST MISSIONARY

MATTHEW 2 : 13 – 15
Happily lived ever after!
The dream of having a secure and settled life after marriage!
What was the dream of Joseph?
What was his plan about his married life?
The Divine intervention changed his dreams upside down!
Immediately after his engagement, his dreams distanced
themselves from reality and so he tried to distance himself
from Mary!
He was a just man but he was just a man!
His plan to break the engagement quietly was not approved by
GOD and he set aside his dreams because of the dream!
He obeyed, he sacrificed and he cared.
His obedience brought any immediate blessing?, No!
Again he got a dream, a warning, a command to flee to Egypt!
Reason?
To protect JESUS from Herod!
See the command, was it not peculiar?
A man who obeyed so much was not allowed even to stay in
that place!
He was not even asked to go but flee! That too in the night!
Why not some other option?
Why not instant removal of Herod so that the obedient Joseph
could have lived in the comfort zone?
Because, it was a fulfillment of Scripture!( MATTHEW 2 : 15 ).
But Joseph obeyed!
See, Joseph got up and fled to Egypt with Mary and JESUS,
not to protect himself or his dear wife but to protect JESUS!
The calling of a missionary!
The attitude of keeping JESUS, the WORD, as the reason
for all the moves and stops!
He didn’t even send but went! For Jesus sake!
The first missionary!
Dear friend,
Come out of your comfort zone!
Listen to the High calling!
Let the WORD decide your moves and stops!
If any of your move, vertical or horizontal, is going to hurt the
WORD, then you are not in his perfect will!
If necessary, let us suffer but not the WORD!

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I REFLECT AT NIGHT ON WHO YOU ARE, O LORD, AND
OBEY YOUR LAW BECAUSE OF THIS. ( PSALM 119 : 55 )

EXTRANEOUS EXPOSURE

2 CHRONICLES 35 : 20 – 24

The sad end of King Josiah!
The king
who was instrumental in the spiritual revival of Judah,
who began to seek the LORD when he was just sixteen,
who destroyed all the pagan shrines when he was twenty, and
who purified the land and the temple when he was twenty six,
died when he was just thirty nine!

Reason?
Extraneous exposure!
Unnecessary interfering in another man’s battle!

King Nero of Egypt was on his way to battle against his enemies,
but Josiah decided to fight against king Nero unnecessarily.
Even the King Nero’s patient explanation didn’t have any impact
on Josiah. He went ahead, embraced his own death!

See all his spiritual works!
His desire to purify the temple, his respect for the WORD of GOD,
his pledge to obey the LORD, the way he celebrated passover
and his tireless efforts in the restoration of the temple!
He was an excellent example in the list of kings of Judah!

But the strategic truth is even his spiritual standards were not able
to protect him from the consequence of his stubborn foolishness!

Dear friend,
An important strategy of the enemy is to sidetrack a sincere
believer to get entangled in another man’s battle. Whenever
a servant of GOD is having a steady growth, the possibility of
getting tempted to interfere in matters outside his boundary will
also come.

Expecting supernatural protection, because of your spiritual
achievements, in the areas outside GOD defined boundary is
highly dangerous!

Remember, even our LORD JESUS CHRIST declined to obey
the enemy when he misquoted the WORD about angelic
protection!( LUKE 4 : 9 – 12 ).

Discern the difference between acts of faith and adventures of presumption!

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A PERSON WHO STRAYS FROM HOME IS LIKE A BIRD
THAT STRAYS FROM ITS NEST ( PROVERBS 27 : 8 ).

SLEEPING SAVIOR

MATTHEW 8: 23 – 27, MARK 4: 35 -40, LUKE 8: 22 – 25

JESUS slept;
Even when a windstorm came down, HE slept;
Even when the waves beat into the boat, HE slept;
Even when the boat was already filling, HE slept;
Even when the disciples were in jeopardy, HE slept;
The Savior sleeping?
Difficult to accept; Difficult to understand;

But we have to accept the basic facts!
Whether you are a disciple or not, sometimes you may
have to face the storms in your life.

Whether you are in the will of GOD, like Paul, or away
from the will of GOD, like Jonah, in your journey storms
may come.
The political storm, the economical storm, the relational
storm, the cultural storm and the natural storm threaten
a believer and an unbeliever in the same way.
Till this world passes away, till the new earth comes, the
naturally occurring things will be there.

Then, in what way our faith and HIS presence matter?

Dear friend, read that portion carefully!

First of all, JESUS only initiated that journey!.
Not just HE initiated, HE also clearly stated the destination
of the journey; to the other side of the lake!.
In addition, He assured His presence ‘ Let us go to ‘!.

In fact, by the way HE slept, HE indirectly illustrates the
way a person of faith, moving in the will of GOD with the
assurance of HIS presence is expected to behave!

If HE is sleeping, it simply means that HIS intervention
is not at all needed to reach the destination.
What HE told will surely come to pass!
HIS spoken WORD and HIS Presence,
No storm has the power to stop them!
Remember, if it is a real danger, even if you are not calling
HIM, HE will swiftly come and gather you under HIS wings!

But our problem is actually because of our assumptions!

We assume, every storm is here to destroy us;
We assume, silence of GOD as absence of GOD;
We assume, Heavenly promises can be disturbed by
the earthly storms;
We assume, calming the storms is more important than
using the storms to declare and grow in faith;

See JESUS’ response!
He never asked ‘ How could the storm come?’ or
appreciated ‘Thanks, in the right time you cried, we
all escaped’ or even consoled ‘it won’t happen again’!

But HE certified them ‘men of little faith’ and questioned
them ‘where is your faith?’.

Facing a storm?
Fear not; Check who initiated your project; Check HIS
promises about your project; Check HIS presence in
your project; yes, whatever may be your project!

If GOD is silent in your storm, understand, this is a minor
storm and won’t have any impact; just relax in HIM!

Remember, your SAVIOR is IMMANUEL too.

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FOR HE SPOKE, AND IT WAS DONE,
HE COMMANDED, AND IT STOOD FAST.
(PSALM 33 : 9 )

REASONABLE REBELLION

NUMBERS 22 : 21 – 32

Balaam’s reliable mode of transport rebelled!

Submission to its master is the only thing expected from 
Balaam’s donkey. Obeying higher authorities is not an 
option, but mandatory. The donkey is supposed to obey
its master and submit to all his travel instructions!

But, this journey is different!
First, Balaam’s move is against the revealed will of GOD. 
Second, the donkey’s eyes are ‘opened’.

Will of GOD against the ‘teachings on submission’

Continue to obey irrespective of the spiritual insight?
Or changing the direction even if it is considered as a
rebellious one by the spiritually blind Balaam?

The donkey changed its direction but got punished by
its’ stubborn master! 

Again it saw clearly the foolishness of Balaam and tried
to disturb the journey by disturbing Balaam’s foot!
Again got punished by Balaam!
He is not obeying GOD but expects obedience from donkey!
Spiritually blind people are mostly self righteous, you see!

Again the donkey was forced to travel in the same direction!
But, this time the donkey did not cooperate! break down!
Balaam, in a fit of rage, beat it again with the staff!
Backsliding and rage are twins, you know!

Then it happened! Yes, the donkey spoke!
Something against the nature of the donkeys!
Something supernatural! An act of GOD!

But Balaam responded in a most foolish way!
He talked back, he did not even get surprised!
A donkey is talking and he is answering!
Yes, Spiritual blindness and passive mind are companions! 

Finallly, the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes!
Rest of the story you know( or supposed to know !). 

Now, come to your submission!
If any of your official or spiritual higher authorities are moving
clearly against the revealed will of GOD, how to obey them?
If you are not able to decide at least follow the donkey!
How the donkey responded?
1. Get clear spiritual vision!
2. Change your direction, a rebellion with respect!
3. If necessary hurt them, a rebellion with determination!
4. If no change, enter a state of non co operation, a 
rebellion with a strong will!
5. If all else fails, do something against your nature, to get 
their attention, a rebellion of confrontation!
6. In all these things, expect beatings also!. If you suffer, 
because of the right thing, is it not good?
7. We are not donkeys and so we can pray unlike the donkey!
So silently pray for their eyes to get the ‘Heavenly vision’.

Remember, rebelling against a rebellious person can not be cosidered as a rebellion!
Obedience and submission are good, but only up to the level of
GOD honoring principles and practices!

On the other hand, if your reliable servants are changing direction,
entering non cooperation or confrontation, don’t get raged!
Humble yourself, repent and come back to GOD!
It is not between you and your donkey, you know, 
but between you and your HEAVENLY MASTER!

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SEARCH ME, O GOD, AND KNOW MY HEART;
TEST ME AND KNOW MY THOUGHTS.
POINT OUT ANYTHING IN ME THAT OFFENDS 
YOU AND LEADS ME ALONG THE PATH OF 
EVERLASTING LIFE ( PSALMS 139 : 23 & 24 ).

PATTERN RECOGNITION

WILDERNESS WANDERING 1 : GENESIS 16;
Hagar in the wilderness; Away from Abraham and Sarah;
GOD send HIS angel to meet Hagar in the wilderness.

WILDERNESS WANDERING 2 : GENESIS 21;
Hagar in the wilderness; Away from Abraham and Sarah;
GOD send HIS angel to meet Hagar in the wilderness.

Almost similar kind of problems; so, what is the solution?.
Check the answer of Problem 1. Copy. Apply to Problem 2!.

Here lies the problem of all counselings!
I hear your problem; compare with my database;
Select the nearest possible pattern; apply the same answer!
Your problem becomes deeper!

But watch carefully! From wilderness point of view, the problems
of Hagar almost similar; Superficial survey ensures similarity.
Hagar; wilderness; Angel. So what we expect the second time?
‘Go back to Abraham’s house. How many times I have to tell?’

But the background analysis gives a completely different picture!
First time, Hagar ran away; pregnant; Abraham didn’t send her;
GOD didn’t give any instruction to Abraham to send her away!

Second time, Hagar sent out by Abraham; Ishmael in his teens;
GOD gave specific instruction to Abraham to send her away!

So first time ‘ Go back to Abraham’s house’.
Second time ‘ Lift up the lad and hold him with your hand’.

Those who counsel others, be sure about your analysis;
Don’t judge by the appearances!. Do pattern recognition;
Remember, Joshua thrashed Jericho but crushed at Ai;
Every one is unique and so is their problems;
Your Experiences, Databases, Flowcharts and Algorithms;
Divine Programming is not depending on these tools!
Only relationship counts;
Go to His Presence; Pour out your heart; Wait at His feet;
Spend time with The Word; He will calm you and guide you;
Memorize the Scriptures, not your quick fix formula;
At any cost, guard your quiet time;
Your future hangs on that and that only!

THE LORD GOD HAS GIVEN ME THE TONGUE OF THE LEARNED, THAT I SHOULD KNOW HOW TO SPEAK A WORD IN SEASON TO HIM WHO IS WEARY. HE AWAKENS ME MORNING BY MORNING, HE AWAKENS MY EAR TO HEAR AS THE LEARNED.(ISAIAH 50:4)

THE BROOK DRIED UP

I KINGS 17 : 7.

Elijah hiding by Kerith Brook; The water from Jordan River;
Meat and bread brought by the ravens;
Little boring but so comfortable.

But one day, after a while, the brook dried up;
No more water to drink, may be, because of his own prophecy!
He saw it coming. Slowly. Steadily.
Elijah prayed?
Expected any last minute miracle? No idea.
But nothing happened, no rain, no sign;
The brook dried up. The only source of water!

Sometimes, in our lives also, the brook dries up;
Slowly. Steadily. Seeing it coming?
Tensed, perplexed, secretly wishing and waiting for a miracle?
But the brook dried up!

Wondering what next?
Elijah heard the Voice of the Lord!
Be still and hear His voice.
Brook dried up? May be the time to move!

Time to move? No, I can’t. How can I?
The Brook, The Ravens, The Meat, The Bread.
No way! Think about the ravens, the good times we had!

No my friend, You have to move, yes, to Zarephath;
I commanded a widow to take care of you.

To Zarepath?. Yes Lord, Let THY will be done, but,
I have one request, Lord, please,
Permit me to take the ravens with me,
Not just to Zarephath, Anywhere in the world, I go;
But, How can I imagine a life without the ravens?

Yes, the sad story of modern day Elijahs!

The emotional entanglements; Affairs;
Work place romances; Unwed mothers;
Broken families; Cruel justifications;
Possessiveness; Partial obedience;

Why, friend, why?
Yes, we need people; we need relationships; but,
Be careful to keep them in the right place!
Never allow yesterday’s supplier to become tomorrow’s suppressor!

Hearing God’s still voice?

If He says you to move, move, don’t wait;
If He says you to leave, leave, don’t fight!

Thank God and say a farewell to the ravens;
Tomorrow you have to bring fire from the heavens!

Yes friend, understand the basic fact of life;
Separation and maturity cannot be separated!. Yes!
The rung of a ladder is not to rest upon,
But to go high. Look up. Move.

You are anointed to be a king;
Don’t get addicted to a rung!
Move!

Crying for the rung?
Crying for the ravens?
Cry, we all are emotional beings; humans; so cry.
But don’t stay there, move!

Thank and acknowledge Him in all your ways;
Ask Him to teach you to number your days;
It is not the ravens that fed you, it is His grace;
Understand this, your life will be a life of praise!

THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU;
THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU
AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU;
THE LORD TURN HIS FACE TOWARD YOU
AND GIVE YOU PEACE. (NUMBERS 6 : 24, 25, 26 ).