P G B D

II CHRONICLES 26

King Uzziah!
Excellent beginning but embarrassing end!

A king at sixteen(VERSE 1),
great warrior(VERSES 6,7 & 8),
sincere seeker and a devout follower (VERSE 5),
skilled administrator (VERSE 11),
enthusiastic lover of the soil and agriculture (VERSE 10),
victorious and famous (VERSE 8) and
a technophile (VERSE 15)!

But he was forced to dwell in an isolated house till his
death;
Reason?
Pride, the root cause of all sin! (VERSE 16).
Not willing to stay within the boundary, not ready to listen
to counsel, not hesitating to show the fury against children
of GOD and silently sidelined by Divine act (VERSES 16-20)!

Dear friend,
Not just Uzziah, but many promising servants fell in this subtle
pit and got sidelined; Servants who had humble beginnings in
their faith life, sometimes somehow start assuming themselves
as indispensable in the Kingdom and manipulate anything and
everything to prove that.
After every victory, take time to check and humble yourself in
HIS presence and give HIM glory!
Never allow the enemy to plant a weed of pride in your heart!
GOD is not going to be impressed by your list of achievements
or statistics about your success but only by your humility!

Not just for Uzziah, but for all human beings P G B D!
Yes, Pride Goes Before Destruction!

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…….GOD RESISTS THE PROUD,
BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. ( I PETER 5 : 5 )

SUPER STARS

DANIEL 12

Have you noticed?
The only group which is going to shine like stars
forever is the group which is focusing on turning
many to righteousness?( DANIEL 12 : 3 ).
Not to the self-righteousness but to the CHRIST’s
righteousness!

Dear friend,
Don’t get frustrated by seeing the self-styled pseudo
super stars inside and outside the church!
Read the chapter carefully!
It is not saying the charismatic personalities will be
eternal super stars; Even the worship leaders are
not going to be the super stars; What about the
group donating billions for this and that? No, they
are also not given that privilege!
In fact, even the prayer warriors are not mentioned
in that verse!
The only group is that that turn many to righteousness!

Dear friend,
we can pray, give, work tirelessly but if our praying,
giving and working are not having ‘ winning the lost’
as the ultimate aim, we may not be given that privilege
of shining like stars forever!.
Of course, we can have the eternal life but not the privilege
of shining like a star forever!
We have to be careful whenever a person or group tries
to separate discipleship or social work from evangelism!
Wherever we are placed and whatever may be our position
‘ bringing others to righteousness’ should be our heartbeat!

Remember,
The ultimate prayer is praying for the lost soul!
Don’t consider yourself as a prayer warrior, if your prayer is
not bringing many to the LIGHT regularly!
Don’t give your money just to please some personalities and
leaders!
Always check, before giving, whether the recipient’s mission
statement is directly or indirectly linked to soul winning!

GOD send HIS SON to the cross, not to recruit a creamy
group of arm-chair theologians or harm-ear musicians but to
bring many sons to GLORY!
Don’t devalue that BLOOD by compromising your calling!
Don’t just work for GOD but work with GOD!

Be wise! Win souls!( PROVERBS 11 : 30 )
Why run behind a pseudo-star, when you can be a super star?

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BUT IT WAS THE LORD’S GOOD PLAN TO CRUSH HIM
AND FILL HIM WITH GRIEF. YET WHEN HIS LIFE IS MADE
AN OFFERING FOR SIN, HE WILL HAVE A MULTITUDE OF
CHILDREN, MANY HEIRS.
…. AND BECAUSE OF WHAT HE HAS EXPERIENCED, MY
RIGHTEOUS SERVANT WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR MANY
TO BE COUNTED RIGHTEOUS,….
( ISAIAH 53 : 10 & 11 ).

PENALTY CLAUSE

DEUTERONOMY 4 : 23 – 28

Have you noticed?.

The Israelites who murmured against GOD and doubted HIS goodness, because of the wrong report of the ten spies, were
denied entry to the promised land.
But their leader Moses, who never murmured against GOD but
always interceded for the Israelites, also got the same kind of punishment. No entry to the promised land!.

Compared to the rebellious nature of those Israelites in the
wilderness, Moses’ sudden outburst and the consequent action,
of striking the rock instead of speaking to it as commanded, looks like an infinitesimally small mistake.

But strangely, he also got the same punishment!
Even his pleading to enter the promised land was rejected!

Is it not a warning to all the leaders?
Many times people in leadership role assume, because of the
way GOD uses them, that they are privileged and hence GOD
will ignore their small mistakes. But, on the contrary, GOD’s
expectation and standard of leaders is much higher.

Leaders are expected not to cross even the minor commands.
GOD is gracious, no doubt, but the leaders are expected to use
HIS grace in such a way to hallow HIM! (NUMBERS 27 : 14).

More power means more responsibility!
More growth means more depth!
More time with people means more time with GOD!
More limelight means more hidden life!
More useful means more careful!

Leaders, who are gracious in their dealings with others but
strict with themselves with the help of the HOLY SPIRIT, are
needed!
Are you ready?

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WHO KNOWS THE POWER OF YOUR ANGER?
FOR AS THE FEAR OF YOU, SO IS YOUR WRATH.
SO TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS,
THAT WE MAY GAIN A HEART OF WISDOM.
( PSALM 90 : 11 & 12 ).

SECOND FIDDLE

NUMBERS 14 : 20 – 30
Ten spies brought negative report about the promised land;
Only two spies, Caleb from the tribe of Judah and Joshua of
Ephraim, brought good report about Canaan.

The negative report disturbed the Israelites so much that they
decided to go back to Egypt; And they decided even to stone
Caleb and Joshua!

But the Glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle and
consequent to that GOD declared that the rebellious people
would not see the promised land.

Only two exceptions; Caleb and Joshua!

But notice GOD’s declaration about that carefully;
HE declared, in verse 24, that only Caleb would enter the
promised land!
Only after some time, in verse 30, GOD uttered Joshua’s
name also along with that of Caleb!
Further, GOD commended Caleb as HIS servant, a man of
different spirit and followed GOD fully. (verse 24 ).
No word about Joshua!
Looks like Caleb a better candidate than Joshua!
May be the next leader!

But after Moses’ death, Joshua, not Caleb, became the leader!
Caleb taking care of just the tribe Judah!
Passed the test together, faced people’s anger together, saved
by the Glory of GOD together and given the privilege of entering
the promised land together; but the one who looked like number
two became the leader and the one who looked like number one
was asked to play the second fiddle!
Was it right?
Why not two leaders to lead Israel?
In what way Joshua better than Caleb?

We are not getting much news about Caleb and the journey
revolves around Joshua; we wonder whether Caleb got hurt and
retired because of his position as there were no news about him
for a long time!

But, Praise the LORD, suddenly we hear his familiar voice after
so many years; ‘Give me the mountain'( JOSHUA 14 : 12 ).
Even though he was 85, by his attitude, again he proved that
he followed his GOD fully!

All these years, as a faithful commander in Joshua’s army, he
played his part well; Never trying to overtake Joshua!
Perfect second fiddle!

Even after Joshua’s death, we see his warrior spirit in full action
by the way he challenges the other warriors to attack and take
the land of Debir (JUDGES 1 : 12).

Playing the second fiddle!
The most difficult assignment!
Important but won’t get much appreciation!
Will be there, but won’t get the limelight!
But if it is not properly played, the team will fail!

Dear friend,
Hurt because you are always asked to play the second fiddle?
Remember, that position is reserved for the servants of GOD
like Caleb who are having a different spirit and following GOD
fully!.

Yes, you are unique and you are so special!
Don’t worry about the appreciation and limelight!
Play your part well, for the glory of GOD!

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HE MUST INCREASE, BUT I MUST DECREASE. ( JOHN 3 : 30 ).

INVISIBLE INFLUENCE

ESTHER 4 : 16

Mordecai mentored Esther.
We don’t know the details of his mentoring, but we know that
he took her as his own daughter. (ESTHER 2 : 7)

We notice at least three special points about Esther which gives
us some kind of hint about Mordecai’s invisible influence;

1. We don’t know how many crises she faced when she was in
Mordecai’s house, but when she faced a crisis in the palace
she decided to face it with fasting and prayer!
Where she learned that? Who trained her in that?
Was it Mordecai’s usual method of handling crisis?

2. Esther was able to form a prayer fellowship of maids even
inside the palace!
A queen having prayer partnership with the maids?
Where she got that type of humble spirit?
Where she learned to form a prayer cell like that?
Was it Mordecai’s usual method of spending his time?

3. She asked Mordecai to raise prayer support for her by
informing all the Jews of Susan.
Who taught her not to trust her position or strength?
What influenced her to give importance to intercession
before the mission?
Was it Mordecai’s strategy for years?

Mordecai influenced Esther;
Esther influenced King Ahasuerus!
And you know the consequence!
A day of deliverance for all the Jews!

That is not the end!
Do you know King Artaxerxes was a stepson of Queen Esther?
We know the extreme favors shown by this King to Nehemiah to
build the walls of Jerusalem and to Ezra to bring a spiritual revival
among the Jews;
Even though we are not having any reference in the Bible about
Esther’s spiritual influence on her step son. the King Artaxerxes,
the king’s letter to Ezra (Ezra 7 : 12 – 26), clearly indicates some kind of invisible influence!

One Esther!
One person mentored by Mordecai!
Just only one!
See the impact!

Dear friend,
Never underestimate your influence in HIS Kingdom by seeing
the size of your flock!
Don’t get depressed by comparing your work with the mega
campaigns and statistics!
Never try to cancel a meeting just because the expected number
didn’t turn up!
Even if only one person is listening, preach!
Even if one person is reading, write!
Even if only one person is agreeing, pray!
Quantity is needed, but when that quantity will be reached is not
in our hands; only the quality of our work is in our hands; Strive!

Think and dream globally but focus and concentrate locally!

Your work will be rewarded!

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FOR WHO HAS DESPISED THE DAY OF SMALL
THINGS?  ( ZECHARIAH 4 : 10 )

PROACTIVE PROFESSIONALS

GENESIS 41 : 25 – 38

Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream to the satisfaction
of Pharaoh, but he didn’t stop with the interpretation.
Read the verses 33 to 36, we can see Joseph’s proactive
way of responding to his own interpretation!

Joseph’s request to Pharaoh to find a wise man, to appoint
officers over the land to collect one-fifth of the produce in
the seven plentiful years and to store the grains as a reserve
are not part of the dream of Pharaoh!

See the convincing action plan of Joseph!
How he arrived at the number one-fifth?
How was it possible for him to explain his proactive strategy so instantaneously with out taking even a fraction of second to
think and ponder over the seriousness of the issue?
A proactive professional?

Pharaoh declared that that was because of the Spirit of GOD!

Dear friend,
We claim that we are filled with the Spirit and led by the Spirit,
but where is the proof in our life?
Sometimes we even brag about so many kinds of Spirit baptism
and anointing, but in our personal or professional life rarely we
exhibit Joseph’s kind of proactive thinking!.

Always remember that the Holy Spirit is a Spirit of order!

If a person is having a mind that is undergoing rigorous renewal
by regular meditation of the WORD of GOD, the Spirit of GOD
will help him to exercise proactive thinking!

We concentrate on so many gifts but most of the time ignore the
gift of administration and won’t even consider that as a gift of
the Spirit;
Result?
Leadership crisis: chaos and confusion; lack of order in our
personal life as well as in our professional life.

Check for yourself.
How many Spirit filled Christians are sincere in their place of
work?
How many of us are actively engaged in making our place of
work a better place by applying the Spirit controlled proactive
thinking?

Change gear from the reactive mode to the proactive mode!

Even if you don’t like your employer, as you are placed there
by your GOD, you are expected to think about the welfare of our
employer, as if you are working for your GOD, till you leave that
place.

There are enough Christians to prove that they are ‘gifted’ inside
the four walls of the church, but how many of us can show that
we are ‘gifted’ in the market place?

Yes, we are called to be the witnesses throughout the world!

Don’t be passive!
Exercise your proactive skills!
Feed on the WORD!
Renew your mind!
Rest in HIS presence!
Walk in the Spirit!
Not just on Sunday but always!

You know, just one proactive strategy can save a nation from
seven years of famine!

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…….BEZALAEL, …………, AND I HAVE FILLED HIM WITH
THE SPIRIT OF GOD, IN WISDOM, IN UNDERSTANDING,
IN KNOWLEDGE, AND IN ALL MANNER OF WORKMANSHIP, ….
…… ( EXODUS 31 : 1,2 & 3 )

SLING THEORY

I SAMUEL 17 : 49 & 50

David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone!
But have you noticed that that was the last time we read
anything about that talent of David?

After that battle, David, either as a commander in Saul’s army
or as the king of Israel, was involved in so many other wars
and battles; but nowhere he tried to use the sling!
He didn’t declare that his sling was more than sufficient to wage
war against all his enemies!
He didn’t form a team of soldiers with sling shot skills!
In short, he didn’t try to make his experience as a rule!

By the grace of GOD, he trained himself in all the warfare
strategies and skills; Leaning on his GOD, he meticulously
applied the learned skills in all his endeavors!

Dear friend!
How many of us are having the problem of making an
experience as a doctrine!
GOD, in HIS grace, might have permitted us to gain a victory
using some techniques in some areas ; but that does not mean
that you are a new wave prophet with an unusual anointing and
new revelations!.
Never ignore the systematic equipping opportunities provided
by GOD!.
Don’t cling to your sling!
It is not the beginning, but the end is going to be important!

Even if there is a break through in your ministry because of the
new experience, come back to the WORD and train yourself in
handling the TRUTH in the proper way to be an unashamed
servant of GOD!
Don’t try to inject your experience to other soldiers!
Don’t encourage others to be your xerox copies!
Teach them the TRUTH! Honor the scriptural boundary!
Let them learn and have their own experiences!
If you are a child of GOD, they are also!

Put on the whole armor of GOD!
Praise GOD for your experiences!
But, exalt the WORD and use it as the sword!

Remember, the real reason for David’s victory was not the
sling and stone but his unwavering trust on the Almighty!

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BLESSED BE THE LORD MY ROCK,
WHO TRAINS MY HANDS FOR WAR,
AND MY FINGERS FOR BATTLE.
( PSALM 144 : 1 ).

VERTICAL DIMENSION

I SAMUEL 15 : 1 – 13

Saul defeated Amalekites!
After the victory, he went to Carmel and set up a monument
for himself as if he was the reason for that victory!( verse 12).
But the actual reason for the defeat of Amalekites was GOD’s
anger against them for their cruelty against Israel when they
came up from Egypt (verse 2).

When Samuel met Saul, Saul claimed that he had performed
the commandments of the LORD even though Saul didn’t kill
the king of Amalekite as commanded by the LORD!.

One side Saul celebrated the victory by setting up monument
for himself and claiming total obedience to GOD’s commands
and on the other side GOD greatly regretted for making Saul as
the king of Israel!(verse 11).

In the horizontal dimension, Saul celebrated;
In the vertical dimension, GOD regretted!

Dear friend,
How many of us are having the same kind of mindset?
Even though we know very well that the victories we got in our
life and ministry are purely because of HIS grace, many times
we set up monuments for ourselves!
Even our thanksgiving meetings are subtly projecting our gifts,
our holiness, our uniqueness and our special relationship to
GOD instead of giving glory to GOD!
We pretend as if we are totally surrendered to GOD without
even bothering about the number of Amalekites we are yet
to destroy in our personal life!
We celebrate as if we are the chosen one for this end time
whereas GOD is regretting and grieving because of us!

Celebration is to rejoice in the LORD and not to rejoice in your
might; It is the time to give glory to GOD and not the time to
steal the glory from GOD!

For any true servant of GOD and any GOD honoring ministry,
the real celebration will be on the other side of the shore; Only
there, the fire will test our works to decide whether they are hay
or gold; The vertical dimension will vindicate the true ministry!
Why silver,golden or platinum celebrations and special editions
to advertise your achievements on this side of the shore?

Don’t deceive yourselves by seeing the statistics of your impact!
Even when you are not approved by GOD, like Saul, your ministry
may have impact but that may be because of some other reason!

Got victory?
Humble yourselves; acknowledge your unworthiness;
Give thanks to HIM for the victory;
Confess your personal failures and receive HIS grace;
And give glory to HIM and HIM alone!

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SO LIKEWISE YOU, WHEN YOU HAVE DONE ALL THOSE
THINGS WHICH YOU ARE COMMANDED, SAY, ‘WE ARE
UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS, WE HAVE DONE WHAT WAS
OUR DUTY TO DO.’.( LUKE 17 : 10 ).

REMOTE RECORDING

JUDE 14 & 15

Jude quotes Enoch’s preaching!
But, if we go back to the book of GENESIS 5,
Enoch’s 365 years of life in this earth was mentioned
in just seven verses( verses 18 to 24 )!
Even in these seven verses, not even a single verse
mentions anything about his preaching or prophesy.
Somehow, the book of GENESIS, failed to record his
preaching!
But after thousands of years, Jude quotes Enoch and
his preaching!
What happened in the first few chapters of the Bible,
but was not recorded there, is clearly explained in the
last but one book of the Bible!

So what?
Dear friend,
Some times when we see the limelight and statistics
of some other preachers, do we silently enter a shell
of inferiority complex?
Our small groups, simple messages, silent prayers,
struggles and burdens may not be getting any place
in the annals of modern mission movement, but be
sure of one thing, in HIS book all your deeds of love
and labor will be promptly recorded and, if necessary,
HE will bring your work to limelight!
If GOD is so faithful to record Enoch’s preaching, why
not yours?
Continue your good work!

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AND WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT HEARTILY, AS TO
THE LORD AND NOT TO MEN, KNOWING THAT
FROM THE LORD YOU WILL RECEIVE THE REWARD
OF INHERITANCE, FOR YOU SERVE THE LORD CHRIST.
( COLOSSIANS 3 : 23 & 24 )

FIRST COME; FIRST SERVE!

JOSHUA 1 : 10 – 17

After so many years of wandering, finally the Israelites
were ready to possess the promised land.
Of the twelve tribes of Israel, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and
the half tribe of Manasseh were the first to settle.
They were allotted their portion on the other side of Jordan.
The remaining nine and half tribes were to cross Jordan.

Think about the two and half tribes who got their portion;
After so many years of sufferings and wanderings, was it
not the time to take rest?
Was it not the time to relax and enjoy?
Was it not the time to build big houses ?
Was it not the time to celebrate?

No, Read Joshua’s instruction!
Those who received their portion first should also cross the
Jordan and go with the nine and half tribes till all the tribes
get their portion!
But there was a challenge!
They were supposed to leave their wives, children and
cattle there on the other side of Jordan and only the
men were going to cross Jordan!

New land; New challenges and threats; Leaving the
women and children there and moving forward was not
so easy.
In fact, the extended journey was not even for the welfare
of their tribes but for the remaining tribes;
Further, when the nine and half tribes were travelling with
their families and enjoying the family, the two and half tribes
had to walk all alone carrying their family in their heart?

Thoughts and tensions about the protection and the provision
for their families, their lonelines and their sacrifices didn’t stop
their move! They trusted their GOD and crossed Jordan!
They came first; They were expected to serve first!

Dear friend,
Is it not strange, now, those of us who got blessed first,
relax and enjoy without bothering about others?
We got victory first so that we help others to attain victory!
We got blessed first so that we help others to get blessed!

Yes friend,
How many of us are happily settled and enjoying the
blessings when our brethren are wandering?

Know your responsibility!
Trust HIM and fight for your brethren!
First come? First serve!
It is mandatory and not an option!
Let us enter and enjoy THE REST together!

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WHAT’S MORE, WHO CAN SAY BUT THAT
YOU HAVE BEEN ELEVATED TO THE PALACE
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS? ( ESTHER 4 : 14 )