परमेश्वर के उद्देश्य से दूर बहने के संकेत

गिनती 32 अध्याय से अध्ययन

👉 पूरी रीती से परमेश्वर के पीछे नहीं हो लेना (11,12)

👉 बुराई और दुष्टता में हिस्सा लेना (13)

👉 परमेश्वर के उद्देश्य में आगे बढ़ने के लिए तैयार नहीं होना, बल्कि बसने की स्थानों और पदों (पदवी) को खोजना (1-4)

👉 दूसरों को हतोत्साहित करके परमेश्वर के उद्देश्य को पूरा करने से रोकना (7-9)

👉 आत्मिक युद्ध या सेवा के लिए तैयार नहीं होना, बल्कि पीछे हटने और लौटने के लिए तैयार होना (17,20-22,27)

👉 हमने जो वादा किया था, उस पर ध्यान न देना (22-24)

  

👉 संपत्ति और पदों का आनंद लेना और परमेश्वर ने जो सौंपा उसके निर्माण में संलग्न नहीं होना (36,38)

Signs of Drifting Away from God's Purpose

Meditation from Numbers 32

👉 Partake in evil & wickedness (13)

👉Unreservedly not follow the Lord, but seek personal preferences (11,12)

👉Ready not for spiritual warfare or to serve, but only to retreat & return (17,20-22,27)

👉Prevent others from fulfilling God's purpose by discouraging them (6,9)

👉Obligate not oneself to do what we promised (22,24)

👉Seek places & positions to settle, not willing to move forward in God's purpose (1,4)

👉Enjoy possessions & positions and not engage in building what God entrusted (34,37)

Foretaste of Four Test

Meditation from Luke Chapter 4

The tests that Jesus went through teach us valuable lessons to overcome those tests. Every test is pertaining to our Identity & Purpose in Christ.

Test 1: From the Devil

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God… (Luke 4:3)

The devil tested Jesus on His identity and purpose (4:6,9). In overcoming these Jesus shows three necessities for us to overcome tests & temptations in our life – Word, Worship & Work (Serving God).

Everyday reading & meditation of the Word, daily Worship & prayer and committedly Working to serve Him are keys to overcome temptations of the devil.

Test 2: From the People

They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” (4:22)

We go through this test of our identity & purpose when people look at us and judge us through our past and parentage (background). If we don’t overcome this we will resign to our past failures and background barriers. How did Jesus overcome this?

Just a few verses back we see Jesus reading from the scroll of Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to…” (4:18). He quotes from the Scriptures and shares about the Spirit’s anointing on Him.

Whenever we go through such tests, which could cause doubt within us, we need to go to the Scripture and read & remind ourselves of what God has said about us and need to increase the Spirit’s anointing through a Spirit-filled life (4:14).

Test 3: From the Ministry / Work

I know who you are, the Holy One of God. (4:34)

This is an instance of success in Jesus’ ministry and yet he orders him to ‘be silent’ (4:35). Just a few verses back we read that the people were so raged that they drove him out of the town and tried to push him off the cliff; but silently Jesus moved from there (4:29,30).

This is a test of how do we face success and failure / rejection. Jesus was neither elated at the success nor discouraged at the rejection. Neither success nor rejection defines our identity or purpose, but God does!

Test 4: From the Self

I was sent for this purpose. (4:43)

In every place Jesus went people were amazed at his teaching (4:15,22,36) and every place had success & need. But Jesus was not taken away by these parameters, but was focused on the Purpose of God for which He came.

We need to overcome this test within ourselves and should not yield to every seemingly good places & desires, but should yield only to the will & purpose of God. If we yield ourselves to every person & place, we cannot fulfill God’s purpose.

Let us overcome these tests & temptations with a Strong resolve, by the Scripture’s guidance and with the Spirit’s help.

Purity that leads to Purpose

Meditation from Nehemiah Chapter 13

God has called us with a Purpose & for His purpose.

Nehemiah establishes work for the priests & levies and just before doing that he says that he cleansed the people (13:30).

We who have been called to the holy & royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5,9) are to be cleansed completely by His blood and through complete submission to His Lordship. Only then we can fulfill the Purpose for which we are called and like Nehemiah we will Provide everything for God's kingdom & His work (13:31).

From what do we need to be cleansed?

1. Ungodly Words & Intentions - Nehemiah says to the people to keep away from the Ammonite & Moabite because they hired Balaam to curse the people of God (13:1,2).

We need to cleanse ourselves from all kinds of unwholesome & ungodly words & intentions. We should only bless others and not curse. Our words should be seasoned with salt of grace (Col 4:6). Our intentions should be pure and pleasing unto God.

2. Discouragement & Selfishness - Tobiah attempted many times to hinder the work. He also used his influence to acquire a place in the temple and to use its provision because of his selfishness. (13:4-8).

We should cleanse ourselves from discouraging others, from hindering God's work and from using God's resources with selfish motives.

Even when we correct someone we need to exhort and encourage them.

3. Unfaithfulness - Nehemiah found that the allotted portions of the levites were not distributed and then he gives responsibility to a few people whom he found "faithful" (13:10-13).

We need to cleanse ourselves from all unfaithfulness; especially in handling God's money and resources. We cannot be lethargic.

How well we take care of the resources entrusted to us and the way we properly utilise time and fulfil responsibilities will demonstrate our faithfulness.

4. Unrest - Nehemiah exhorts people about the Sabbath and to not allow anything to compromise with the Sabbath (13:17).

Sabbath is a day of rest - to do away with all our unrest by being rest assured in God's presence. And to rest one's mind and body from all mundane works.

We need to cleanse ourselves from all unrest and should not leave the discipline of resting in God through personal "quiet time" and Sabbath worship.

5. Unequally yoked - Nehemiah warns the people to not get into marital relationship with unbelievers and to not defile oneself like Solomon (13:23-26).

The Bible warns not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Cor 6:14). And to keep one's marriage undefiled (Heb 13:4) meaning to not get into extra marital relationships.

We need to cleanse ourselves from all such relationships so that our relationship with God may be right.

These five areas are powerful enough to derail our life and to make us unfruitful. If we cleanse ourselves by God's word and His blood and are careful, we will be able to fulfil God's purpose and our whole life will be spent for God's kingdom and His glory.

Take time to introspect these and if you need to be cleansed, pray and ask forgiveness and take strong decision. Only one life and let it not go waste! Let it shine for God's glory!!

Have a blessed day!

Facing Difficulties and Opposition

Meditation from Ezra Chapter 5

The people of God continue to face opposition in building the house of God and in this chapter we see their response (5:3,4); from which we can learn wonderful truths to face difficulties & opposition.

1. Identity : The people of God, though they were involved in different works, they could clearly present that they are the servants of God. (5:11)
Our true identity comes not from our profession or passion but from God. Our identity is in Christ.

2. Purpose : They responded saying 'we are building...', that is they were clear about their purpose. (5:11)
Whatever work we might do, we are building the kingdom of God. That's our purpose.

3. Introspection : They could confess the errors and the consequence (5:12).
It is not about pointing out someone's mistakes but taking responsibility for it as a whole team. It is also essential to understand that one person's sin will affect the whole team & the work. Constant Introspection & correction is the sign of a healthy individual and team.

4. Resources : A summary of the entrusted resources is given (5:14).
We need to know what God and the Team has entrusted to us and should put it to use in God's work. Unless we use well what we have, we will not be entrusted more.

5. Responsibility : The resources were entrusted to a person and for the rebuilding of the temple (5:14,15).
We are called to be stewards. A steward is a one who knows that God is the owner, he owns nothing, but is responsible for everything. We need to know & take responsibility and not push away responsibilities.

6. Review : The people of God said that the work is under construction and it is not yet finished (5:16).
If we are truly responsible we will review our work. Jesus at the end of His mission on earth reported to the Father and said that he has done all that which was entrusted to Him.
We should review our work and know what we have done and what is left undone, so that it can be finished.

7. Attitude : The way the people of God responded to the king shows their attitude of humility. (5:17)
We can let go of our personal hurts,
One, because we are crucified in Christ;
Two, because we don't want the work of God to be spoiled.
Humility is not natural, but learnt and when we are humble we receive more grace.

We are servants of God, called with the purpose to build His kingdom and are entrusted with resources & responsibilities to complete the task given to us and we can do it well when we constantly Introspect ourselves & grow in humility and stewardship.

Today's Intercession :

# Pray for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in India.
# Pray for a fair election and for no illegal & wicked plans to prosper.
# Pray that a God pleasing and Just government will be elected to power.

Have a blessed day!