विश्वासयोग्य होना

गिनती 5 और 6 अध्याय से अध्ययन

👉प्रभु के प्रति विश्वासयोग्य – स्वयं को अपवित्र न करके और प्रत्येक अवगुण और पाप को बाहर निकालने के द्वारा हम परमेश्वर के प्रति विश्वासयोग्य रह सकते हैं, क्योंकि वह हम में बसता है (5:3; 6:7,8)

👉एक-दूसरे के साथ विश्वासयोग्य – एक-दूसरे को धोखा न देखे और उनके प्रति अपराध न करने के द्वारा हम एक-दूसरे के साथ विश्वास योग्य रह सकते हैं (5:5-7)

👉विवाहित जीवन में विश्वासयोग्य – बेवफा (अपने पति या पत्नी से दूर जाना) न होकर और भटक (वासनापूर्ण संबंध रखना) न जाने के द्वारा विवाहित जीवन में विश्वास योग्य रह सकते हैं (5:12)

👉व्यक्तिगत जीवन में विश्वासयोग्य – अनुशासित जीवन जीने के द्वारा, व्यक्तिगत जीवन में विश्वासयोग्य रह सकते हैं (6:3,4)

👉सेवा में विश्वासयोग्य – अर्पणता के साथ सेवा करके और प्रतिबद्धता को पूरा करके परमेश्वर की सेवा में विश्वासयोग्य रह सकते हैं (6:2,5)

உண்மையாக இருத்தல்

[எண்ணாகமம் 5 & 6 இலிருந்து தியானம்]

👉கர்த்தரிடம் உண்மை – நம்மைத் தீட்டுப்படுத்தாமலும் நம்மை தீட்டுப்படுத்தும் ஒவ்வொரு பாவங்களையும் நம்மை விட்டு வெளியேற்றுவதன் மூலமும் நாம் கர்த்தரிடம் உண்மையாய் இருக்க முடியும், ஏனெனில் கர்த்தர் நம்மில் வாசம் பண்ணுகிறார். (5:3; 6:7,8)

👉ஒருவருக்கொருவர் உண்மை – ஒருவருக்கொருவர் மோசடி மற்றும் குற்றம் செய்யாமலும் இருத்தல் (5:5-7)

👉திருமண வாழ்வில் உண்மை – உண்மையற்றவர்களாய் மாறாமலும் (தன் மனைவியிடமிருந்து அல்லது கணவனிடமிருந்து விலகிச் செல்வது) வழிதவறாமலும் (காம உறவை வளர்ப்பது) இருப்பதன் மூலம் திருமண வாழ்வில் உண்மையாய் இருக்க முடியும் (5:12)

👉தனிப்பட்ட வாழ்வில் உன்மை – ஒழுக்கமான வாழ்க்கையை நடத்துவதன் மூலம் தனிப்பட்ட வாழ்வில் உண்மையாய் இருக்க முடியும் (6:3,4)

👉கடவுளின் சேவையில் உண்மை – அர்ப்பணிப்புடன் வாழ்வதன் மூலம் மற்றும் செய்த அர்ப்பணிப்பை நிறைவேற்றுவதன் மூலம் தேவ சேவையில் உண்மையாய் இருக்க முடியும் (6:2,5)

Being Faithful

Meditation from Numbers 5&6

👉Faithful with the Lord, by defiling not ourselves & by putting out every defilement, for He dwells in us (5:3; 6:7,8)

👉Faithful with one another, by not defrauding or wronging one another (5:5-7)

👉Faithful in marriage, by not going astray (drifting away from one's spouse) or becoming unfaithful (developing lustful relationship) (5:12)

👉Faithful in personal life, by leading a disciplined life (6:3,4)

👉Faithful in God's service, by living by & fulfilling the commitment (dedication) (6:2,5)

Are we Faithful Stewards?

Meditation from Luke Chapter 16

Jesus shares a parable on an unfaithful and unjust steward in Luke 16:1-8. Through this parable and from the context of the chapter we can learn the qualities of a faithful steward.

First, God is the Master and we are called to be Stewards to whom He has entrusted many things.

1. In the Least – “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.” (Luke 16:10 NKJV)

We need to be faithful even in the least matters. There is always a possibility of missing or compromising faithfulness in little and trivial matters; but God is concerned about those little things. Because faithfulness is not a practice but lifestyle. Only when it becomes a lifestyle we will not overlook even little things to be faithful.

2. In the unrighteous mammon – “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (16:11)

Faithfulness in money, wealth and things of the world that are entrusted to us. This is possible only when we live as a true Christian in all the areas of life and not just be spiritual in matters of spirituality; which is hypocrisy. This is a true test of one’s Christian life – how he reflects Christ likeness in the so called “non-sacred” areas.

3. In what is another man’s – “…if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” (16:12)

We tend be careless when it comes to other’s things that are entrusted to us, to use. They are not merely used, but often, misused. But we are called to be faithful in what belongs to others. Examples of borrowed vehicles, rented space & places, etc.

4. In loving & serving God – “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Luke 16:13).

We cannot be faithful in our love & service to God if we are divided between Him and money / worldly things.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:15,16 NRSV)

5. In Preaching & Witnessing –

“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” (Luke 16:16)

“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’” (Luke 16:27,28)

We are called to be faithful in preaching the kingdom of God and testifying God’s word and the gospel. Like the rich man many will be crying out from the hades to God, for their families and friends who have not heard God’s word and the gospel. We who have the Word are called to be the Witnesses! Not just witnesses, but faithful witnesses who will testify to everyone around them.

Let us be faithful even in the least things, in money & world’s things, in what belongs to others, in our love & service to God and in witnessing the word and kingdom of God!

If He is Our Master…

Meditation from Luke Chapter 12

“Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching…. And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward…” (Luke 12:37,42)

Jesus is our Master and we are called to be His stewards. In this chapter, taking the analogy of the Master-Steward, Jesus talks about His second coming. “…the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware…” (12:46).

In this context, Jesus shares the Purpose in our life in respect to His coming and the Punishment for not fulfilling His purpose,

“And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” (12:47)

A right steward is the one who,

a) Knows the Master’s will

b) Prepares himself

c) Does according to His will

A steward is responsible for everything the master has entrusted him and gives account to the master. In this chapter we can find the signs of being a ‘faithful and wise steward’.

1. Covered Words – “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.” (Luke 12:2,3)

On the Day of Judgment we need to give account to every word that we spoke; words that we covered and spoke in hiding.

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36)

How are our words?

2. Confessing Jesus – “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:8,9)

If He is our Master and we are His steward we will confess Jesus and not deny Him, through our words and life.

Does my words and life confess & demonstrate Christ or deny Him?

3. Covetousness – “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15)

A steward is always satisfied with what he has, for he knows that the giver is the Master and He makes no mistake. “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (12:21).

We should not allow covetousness and greed for money and possessions to creep into our life. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (12:34). Our heart should seek eternal treasures!

4. Cares & Concerns of Life – “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing… If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?” (Luke 12:22,23,26)

A steward is not anxious! For He trusts the Master for his life and of his family and people with him. If I am anxious for everything, then I am not trusting Jesus to be my Lord and Master!

We should not be anxiety-centered or anxiety-driven, but Christ-centered and Christ-driven!

5. Complacency – “But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.” (Luke 12:45,46)

Complacency will rob us of faithfulness and wisdom and will make us evil servants and not good stewards. It is the lack of preparedness and a sign of lack of fear of God.

To summarize need to “…seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.” (12:31).

Let us as faithful and wise stewards, continue to know the Master’s will, prepare ourselves and do according to His will, for we need to give account of everything He gave in our life.

Open the Gates to Light

Meditation from Nehemiah Chapter 7

After the wall had been built Nehemiah gives the charge over Jerusalem to Hanani. His two characteristics are exemplary. He was Faithful & Feared God (7:2).

1. Faithfulness - We can understand faithfulness better only when we understand that we are "stewards".
That is, God is the owner and He has given to us time, talents, money, relationships, His Son, the Bible and everything.

When I understand that I am a steward and I need to give account to everything to God, I will be faithful in everything.

2. Fear of God - This fear is not fear based on 'fear of punishment' but on the fact that He deserves our fear, respect and it's out of love for God.

Fear of God is to acknowledge His undeparting presence and to live in conscious awareness of His presence all the time.

When we talk about faithfulness and fear of God one another person's life in the Bible that strikes chord is of Joseph in the Old Testament. Because he was faithful God put him in charge of responsibilities. Because he feared God he overcame the temptation and declared, "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9).

Even though the walls of Jerusalem are built, Nehemiah gives a warning to not open the gates until the sun is hot (7:3).

This teaches a beautiful truth to safeguard faithfulness & fear of God.

Jerusalem was under threat of attack by the enemy. That's why Nehemiah exhorts to not open the gates in the dark.

Likewise, even though the walls of our spiritual life are built in Christ, we are prone to the attack of the evil one and temptations. These attacks enter through the gates of the senses. 

We need to be very careful about what we see, what we hear, what we touch, etc. And we need to set a guard to our eyes, ears & mind.

It's must be a strong decision to not open the gates of senses to darkness but only to light.

When we are careful to set guard to our senses and to be faithful in everything because we fear God, He will set us responsible over more things for His glory.

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You

I want to see only that pleases You 

Today's Intercession:

# Pray for the General elections of our country India which begins on 11th April.

# Pray for smooth proceedings, clean and peaceful polling.

# Pray for all eligible citizens to vote. And to vote not for money but to elect right people and right government.

# Pray for the government to be elected according to God's will and that will truly work for people's development and eradicate all forms of evil in the society.

Have a blessed day!

Fruits of Walking in God’s Ways

Meditation from Hosea Chapter 14

Wise is the person who chooses to walk in God's ways.

Fool is he who chooses to walk in world's ways & he sins & stumbles.

When we walk in God's ways and are Faithful to Him we see these things evident in our life:

1. Fruitfulness - useful to God & others 

2. Flourishing - successful in all that we do

3. Fragrance - we will spread the fragrance of God & His glory

Today's Intercession: Pray for the children in India who are victims of Child Labour. Lakhs and lakhs of children are forced to work in Dhabas (roadside hotels), garages, brick kilns and industries. They are robbed of their innocence & childhood, often addicted to drugs and are extracted many hours of hard labour. Please pray that the people who are exploiting them will have a change of heart, that government will take action, for such children to be rehabilitated and for Christians to pray and act. 

Have a blessed October and a blessed day!

Personal Revival

Meditation from Hosea Chapter 6

Personal Revival is necessary to be a useful vessel of God, because only a person with life can give life to others. Revival is to return to God and returning to God means –

1. A thirst for God's word and pursuit to know the LORD more.

2. Not momentary or circumstantial love, but ever present love for the LORD. That is to live & to do only that will please God.

3. Always remembering and honouring the Covenant, the commitment between you and God.

4. Being Faithful to God. Let no one or nothing to take that place.

When we never allow the thirst for God's word and the love for the LORD to quench, we will honour the covenant and will remain faithful to God. 

Have a blessed day!