Uni-verse 136/10,000 For better through verse I Peter 1 v 7
1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
What is gold to man is faith to God. Gold is precious, rare and can be pure or impure depending on the process it is put through. Life itself is a process that God uses to purify our faith. Believers in Christ likewise through the ages reckon their faith more valuable than gold. This is the precious jewel for which a merchant sold all his fortunes to acquire it. So much so, in the early years of the church, they gave their lives for their faith as many were tortured, crucified, burnt, put to the sword or thrown to wild beasts. Faith is tested by suffering even as gold is tested in fire. Only the degree of suffering may vary from believer to believer. Some women who were studying this verse went to the goldsmith and asked him," Till what point do you keep the gold in the fire?" The goldsmith replied," Till I see my image in the gold." God has made man in his image. We lost that image through sin. We regain the image of God through faith in Jesus, the only begotten Son of God who Himself embraced suffering and death on the cross. Suffering removes the dross or impurities in our faith and polishes or purifies the image of God in us. God does know that the best lessons of life are learnt in the school of hard knocks. He tests us in the furnace of afflictions.
It is not great fun when we undergo suffering. It is extreme pain. I know as I went through part of the bone-breaking pain that Jesus underwent as I suffered excruciating pain from multiple pellet injuries in various bones and parts of the body from the world's first "human bomb" that assassinated former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi. But, our faith is victorious when we can look back and say as I do today, " I thank the Lord for the suffering I underwent." St Paul wrote to the Romans in similar vein that tribulation brings patience, patience brings experience and experience brings hope. Suffering will make us more patient, more experienced in terms of the grace of God and therefore, more hopeful and faithful. In the midst of our sufferings, when we wait with patience and expectation that the Lord will deliver us according to His promise, it will result in the experience of deliverance that will further increase our hope in the future. It will make us complete in faith, whole in our character and perfect in Christ. Faith gives birth to grace and joy much like the pangs of childbearing give way to joyful smiles and happiness when a baby is born. As the Psalmist says," Tears by night but joy and laughter in the morning."
Our suffering will produce praise, honour and glory as an offering and an outpouring from our soul to the Lord Jesus. Our suffering will enable us to encourage others who suffer similarly. Our suffering will strengthen and purify our inner being. Our suffering will give us a testimony for as it is said, Jesus transforms trials into triumphs, our tests into testimony, our mess into a message, our scars into stars, victims into victors. The American flag has stars and stripes. Our flag has scars and the stripes of Christ.
Prateep V Philip
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
U-134 Shining lights
Uni-verse 134/10,000 For better through verse Philippians 2 v 15
Php 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
The dimmest light shines brightest in the darkest night. We are children of God and are called to shine as lights in a world of darkness. We are called to be blameless and harmless in the sight of God. The Word of God is the word of life and it will teach us how to lead blameless and harmless lives. We must hold on to the standards of righteousness described in the Word of God and not conform to the standards of the people around us.
The children of the world run after power, money and pleasure as a bee goes in search of honey. The children of the Word run to win the prize of eternal life. The Word gives us the templates and outlines that we need to follow. We need to fill in the details and the colours with what we think, speak and do. The Word transforms the patterns of our thoughts and values. It transforms our aims, goals and priorities. It transforms our communication. It transforms our actions, conduct and lifestyle. It tells us to be the wick that lights up, not the wicked who put the light out. In order to be a wick, we need to be soaked in oil- the Word of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
We live today in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation where right is paraded as wrong and wrong is paraded as right. People have lost their ability to distinguish between right and wrong. We, however, who trust the Word of eternal life must abhor evil and love good. We must hate the evil we find in ourselves and around us and passionately pursue what is noble, praiseworthy, pleasing to God, blameless, true and useful to others. We must leave evil and cleave to good. Obedience to the Word of life implies two movements: a turning away and a turning to.
Prateep V Philip
Php 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
The dimmest light shines brightest in the darkest night. We are children of God and are called to shine as lights in a world of darkness. We are called to be blameless and harmless in the sight of God. The Word of God is the word of life and it will teach us how to lead blameless and harmless lives. We must hold on to the standards of righteousness described in the Word of God and not conform to the standards of the people around us.
The children of the world run after power, money and pleasure as a bee goes in search of honey. The children of the Word run to win the prize of eternal life. The Word gives us the templates and outlines that we need to follow. We need to fill in the details and the colours with what we think, speak and do. The Word transforms the patterns of our thoughts and values. It transforms our aims, goals and priorities. It transforms our communication. It transforms our actions, conduct and lifestyle. It tells us to be the wick that lights up, not the wicked who put the light out. In order to be a wick, we need to be soaked in oil- the Word of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
We live today in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation where right is paraded as wrong and wrong is paraded as right. People have lost their ability to distinguish between right and wrong. We, however, who trust the Word of eternal life must abhor evil and love good. We must hate the evil we find in ourselves and around us and passionately pursue what is noble, praiseworthy, pleasing to God, blameless, true and useful to others. We must leave evil and cleave to good. Obedience to the Word of life implies two movements: a turning away and a turning to.
Prateep V Philip
Monday, June 27, 2011
U 133/10,000 Blessings on Spirit, Mind and Body
Uni-verse 133/10,000 Psalms 115 v 15
Psa 115:15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
The Lord who made Heaven and Earth blesses us with two types of blessings: heavenly blessings and earthly blessings. In contrast, the blessings of Satan may make a person very wealthy or very talented or very successful or very beautiful but these blessings would in due course destroy the person. Many of the aptly called icons of today's world like Michael Jackson or Tiger Woods get conned or deceived to believe in their superstar status. They become icons who con and who get conned. They each have more than their due share of talent or beauty or success or wealth and the sheer weight of their apparent blessing would destroy them in body and soul. Their sense of blessing elevate them to the status of being the very source of blessing, of being god-like or iconic.
But, the Lord knowing the frailties of our human nature and our vulnerabilities measures out blessings to His children appropriately. The heavenly blessings relate to eternal life, the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit, visions and prophetic revelations. The earthly blessings relate to our physical, material, financial, familial, filial, emotional, intellectual, professional and relational needs. He blesses us in proportion to our faith. He is pleased when our focus is on the heavenly blessings and not so much on the earthly ones. When we do so we are relishing and cherishing our treasures in Heaven which neither moth nor rust nor thief can destroy. Heavenly blessings are the blessings of the Kingdom of God where we experience the peace, grace, joy and righteousness of God. The ultimate blessing is the experience of salvation in Christ.
Recently, the voice of the Lord said, " I have blessed you in small measure and large measure." I realized that in all my blessings, He has not added any sorrow. Sometimes, I do the exercise of counting every breath and with every breath praising and thanking God for specific blessings.The Lord expects us not only to be blessed but to be a blessing to our generation. We can bless all the nearly 7 billion people on earth today by praying the blessing of Jehovah Shalom- of wholeness, blessedness, healing, deliverance and prosperity- on all and especially on our kith and kin, fellow believers and our mortal enemies.
Prateep V Philip
Psa 115:15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
The Lord who made Heaven and Earth blesses us with two types of blessings: heavenly blessings and earthly blessings. In contrast, the blessings of Satan may make a person very wealthy or very talented or very successful or very beautiful but these blessings would in due course destroy the person. Many of the aptly called icons of today's world like Michael Jackson or Tiger Woods get conned or deceived to believe in their superstar status. They become icons who con and who get conned. They each have more than their due share of talent or beauty or success or wealth and the sheer weight of their apparent blessing would destroy them in body and soul. Their sense of blessing elevate them to the status of being the very source of blessing, of being god-like or iconic.
But, the Lord knowing the frailties of our human nature and our vulnerabilities measures out blessings to His children appropriately. The heavenly blessings relate to eternal life, the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit, visions and prophetic revelations. The earthly blessings relate to our physical, material, financial, familial, filial, emotional, intellectual, professional and relational needs. He blesses us in proportion to our faith. He is pleased when our focus is on the heavenly blessings and not so much on the earthly ones. When we do so we are relishing and cherishing our treasures in Heaven which neither moth nor rust nor thief can destroy. Heavenly blessings are the blessings of the Kingdom of God where we experience the peace, grace, joy and righteousness of God. The ultimate blessing is the experience of salvation in Christ.
Recently, the voice of the Lord said, " I have blessed you in small measure and large measure." I realized that in all my blessings, He has not added any sorrow. Sometimes, I do the exercise of counting every breath and with every breath praising and thanking God for specific blessings.The Lord expects us not only to be blessed but to be a blessing to our generation. We can bless all the nearly 7 billion people on earth today by praying the blessing of Jehovah Shalom- of wholeness, blessedness, healing, deliverance and prosperity- on all and especially on our kith and kin, fellow believers and our mortal enemies.
Prateep V Philip
Saturday, June 25, 2011
U 131- Healing
Uni-verse 131/10,000 For better through verse Jeremiah 33 v 6
Jer 33:6 Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.
The Lord wounds and heals, smites and binds up. He is Jehovah Rapha- the One who heals. We all have our bruises in our lives- things that have hurt us in spirit, mind or body. But, the Lord sends His Word to heals our wounds, however deep it is. He promises to cure them completely and lead us through the process of healing into a greater revelation of peace and truth. We should experience peace like a river, always flowing through our hearts, minds and in everything we say or do. We should experience the dynamic of righteousness like the waves of the sea, always moving in us, swelling and falling like the surf of the sea.
Holistic health is a blessing of the Lord. Holistic health means health of spirit, mind and body. Our spirit should be at peace with God. Our mind and senses should perceive His truth hidden in His Word. The Holy Spirit reveals these hidden truths of the Word and when we apply these truths in our lives, these become the Balm that heals our hurts and deep wounds.
A couple of years ago, I fell ill with some severe pain in my legs. As I prayed, the Lord answered," I have heard your prayers and seen your tears. I am healing you and will not let you be afflicted again." Sometimes, the Lord takes us through afflictions so that we will experience greater intimacy with Him, so that our faith will increase. At such times, we can say with the Psalmist," It was good that I was afflicted that I might learn His holy will."
Prateep V Philip
"
Jer 33:6 Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.
The Lord wounds and heals, smites and binds up. He is Jehovah Rapha- the One who heals. We all have our bruises in our lives- things that have hurt us in spirit, mind or body. But, the Lord sends His Word to heals our wounds, however deep it is. He promises to cure them completely and lead us through the process of healing into a greater revelation of peace and truth. We should experience peace like a river, always flowing through our hearts, minds and in everything we say or do. We should experience the dynamic of righteousness like the waves of the sea, always moving in us, swelling and falling like the surf of the sea.
Holistic health is a blessing of the Lord. Holistic health means health of spirit, mind and body. Our spirit should be at peace with God. Our mind and senses should perceive His truth hidden in His Word. The Holy Spirit reveals these hidden truths of the Word and when we apply these truths in our lives, these become the Balm that heals our hurts and deep wounds.
A couple of years ago, I fell ill with some severe pain in my legs. As I prayed, the Lord answered," I have heard your prayers and seen your tears. I am healing you and will not let you be afflicted again." Sometimes, the Lord takes us through afflictions so that we will experience greater intimacy with Him, so that our faith will increase. At such times, we can say with the Psalmist," It was good that I was afflicted that I might learn His holy will."
Prateep V Philip
"
U 129 The riddle of life
Uni-verse 129/10,000 For better through verse Judges 14 v 14
Jdg 14:14 And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.
Samson's riddle is in fact the riddle of life. If we have understood this riddle, we have understood the riddle of life. Out of the killer came forth sweetness. The dead lion is our defeated foe, Satan who is today called the " roaring lion". There is no animal as strong and fierce as a lion. Satan likewise is a powerful killer, a subtle thief and a violent robber. Who doesn't desire long life on earth and eternal life thereon, good health, financial prosperity,marital bliss, blessings on our children,leaving a material, intellectual and spiritual legacy to them, security,a good reputation lasting and true friends and so on? But, Satan has plans to attack each of these desires. Satan combines the strength of a lion with the stealth, cunning and subtlety of a serpent. As Jesus said - he seeks to steal, kill and destroy. He attempts to steal our peace, our unity and our joy. He seeks to kill our hopes and destroy our souls. But, just as Samson with his bare hands killed the lion, the "Lion of Zion" , Jesus Christ has defeated and destroyed the plans of our powerful foe. By His grace, He has now called us to be overcomers. The Lion of Zion in contrast to the deceitful lion Satan desires to fulfill our natural and supernatural desires and needs. As Scripture says, " A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul." It is, in fact much sweeter than the best of honey.
Anything and everything that Satan throws at us, Jesus turns it into a source of spiritual nourishment and strength like honey nourishes our bodies. The promises of God contained in His Word are the honey and the Bible is the honeycomb. We must relish and enjoy each promise of God as if it is wild honey that has been taken out of the carcass of our defeated foe. We may be currently undergoing huge attacks of the enemy in our lives but the image of the dead lion( our present trouble) with a bee hive in its carcass, hanging on its very ribs, dripping with honey, should encourage us to hold on till we have ultimate victory.
This uni-verse is also a symbol of the communion, the Lord's table where we partake of the bread( the body of Christ) and the sweetness of wine. We have victory both immediate and ultimate over the "roaring lion" and all his attacks on our spirit, mind and body. Samson was empowered by the Holy Spirit to kill the lion- similarly, we too, must seek to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Those who believe in the Name of Jesus have indeed resolved the riddle of life. We can now face the remaining unresolved and unanswered questions and challenges that come our way with the power of the Name of Jesus, the Blood of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit and the promises of the Word of God.
Prateep V Philip
Jdg 14:14 And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle.
Samson's riddle is in fact the riddle of life. If we have understood this riddle, we have understood the riddle of life. Out of the killer came forth sweetness. The dead lion is our defeated foe, Satan who is today called the " roaring lion". There is no animal as strong and fierce as a lion. Satan likewise is a powerful killer, a subtle thief and a violent robber. Who doesn't desire long life on earth and eternal life thereon, good health, financial prosperity,marital bliss, blessings on our children,leaving a material, intellectual and spiritual legacy to them, security,a good reputation lasting and true friends and so on? But, Satan has plans to attack each of these desires. Satan combines the strength of a lion with the stealth, cunning and subtlety of a serpent. As Jesus said - he seeks to steal, kill and destroy. He attempts to steal our peace, our unity and our joy. He seeks to kill our hopes and destroy our souls. But, just as Samson with his bare hands killed the lion, the "Lion of Zion" , Jesus Christ has defeated and destroyed the plans of our powerful foe. By His grace, He has now called us to be overcomers. The Lion of Zion in contrast to the deceitful lion Satan desires to fulfill our natural and supernatural desires and needs. As Scripture says, " A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul." It is, in fact much sweeter than the best of honey.
Anything and everything that Satan throws at us, Jesus turns it into a source of spiritual nourishment and strength like honey nourishes our bodies. The promises of God contained in His Word are the honey and the Bible is the honeycomb. We must relish and enjoy each promise of God as if it is wild honey that has been taken out of the carcass of our defeated foe. We may be currently undergoing huge attacks of the enemy in our lives but the image of the dead lion( our present trouble) with a bee hive in its carcass, hanging on its very ribs, dripping with honey, should encourage us to hold on till we have ultimate victory.
This uni-verse is also a symbol of the communion, the Lord's table where we partake of the bread( the body of Christ) and the sweetness of wine. We have victory both immediate and ultimate over the "roaring lion" and all his attacks on our spirit, mind and body. Samson was empowered by the Holy Spirit to kill the lion- similarly, we too, must seek to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Those who believe in the Name of Jesus have indeed resolved the riddle of life. We can now face the remaining unresolved and unanswered questions and challenges that come our way with the power of the Name of Jesus, the Blood of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit and the promises of the Word of God.
Prateep V Philip
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
U127
Uni-verse 127 For Better through verse
Dan 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Daniel was mindful of the irrevocable command of the Persian empire but he was unmindful of the consequences. He made no secret of his faith as he kept his windows open as before towards Jerusalem as he knelt in prayer three times a day. In the sixth chapter of the gospel of Mathew, Jesus advices us to close our doors and windows and to pray in secret. When we close the doors of anxiety and worldly desires as well as the windows of doubt whether God will answer our prayers, He will deliver us from the pit of lions. We need to keep the door of Jerusalem or faith in Christ open. We need to keep wide open the windows of praise and gratitude to the Lord for His benefits and blessings. This, indeed is the open secret of answered prayer.
When we pray with our physical doors and windows closed and our spiritual door and windows open, the Lord will intervene to deliver us from all the plans of Satan, the roaring lion and his pride. Even King Darius despaired that he could not save Daniel as a command sealed by him was irrevocable. Daniel's implacable foes thought that they had sealed his fate by this ploy. But, not only did they fail in their plot, they became a prey along with their families to the very fate they had plotted for Daniel. So we must pray even more fervently when there is a threat of us becoming a prey to our enemies's conspiracies.
When the threat of lions loom large in our lives, we must not be perturbed. When our lives are threatened on account of our faith, we must kneel in prayer before the Lord as before. While we may pray in secret, the Lord will answer us in the open that all will know that it is He who delivers. He takes us sometime into the very pit of lions in order that our faith is tested and we obtain a testimony of His love, power and mercy. Daniel's deliverance led to Darius issuing another edict asking people to pray and praise the living God of Daniel. When we are delivered from our lions, our faith is strengthened and His Name is glorified.
Prateep V Philip
Dan 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Daniel was mindful of the irrevocable command of the Persian empire but he was unmindful of the consequences. He made no secret of his faith as he kept his windows open as before towards Jerusalem as he knelt in prayer three times a day. In the sixth chapter of the gospel of Mathew, Jesus advices us to close our doors and windows and to pray in secret. When we close the doors of anxiety and worldly desires as well as the windows of doubt whether God will answer our prayers, He will deliver us from the pit of lions. We need to keep the door of Jerusalem or faith in Christ open. We need to keep wide open the windows of praise and gratitude to the Lord for His benefits and blessings. This, indeed is the open secret of answered prayer.
When we pray with our physical doors and windows closed and our spiritual door and windows open, the Lord will intervene to deliver us from all the plans of Satan, the roaring lion and his pride. Even King Darius despaired that he could not save Daniel as a command sealed by him was irrevocable. Daniel's implacable foes thought that they had sealed his fate by this ploy. But, not only did they fail in their plot, they became a prey along with their families to the very fate they had plotted for Daniel. So we must pray even more fervently when there is a threat of us becoming a prey to our enemies's conspiracies.
When the threat of lions loom large in our lives, we must not be perturbed. When our lives are threatened on account of our faith, we must kneel in prayer before the Lord as before. While we may pray in secret, the Lord will answer us in the open that all will know that it is He who delivers. He takes us sometime into the very pit of lions in order that our faith is tested and we obtain a testimony of His love, power and mercy. Daniel's deliverance led to Darius issuing another edict asking people to pray and praise the living God of Daniel. When we are delivered from our lions, our faith is strengthened and His Name is glorified.
Prateep V Philip
Monday, June 20, 2011
U-126
Uni-verse 126/10,000 For better through verse Hebrews 11 v 6
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Belief is a deeper level than even thoughts or emotions. Belief implies that one trusts someone or something without enough physical or verifiable evidence of the reality or truth of the matter. Our minds are conditioned by our experience to the truism: " Seeing is believing." That is why it is impossible for otherwise intelligent and knowledgeable people like Stephen Hawking to believe even in the existence of God. Their mental conditioning is that everything that exists is based on cause and effect. It is impossible for them to believe in the Self-existent God who called Himself, " I Am". He says,” I am the cause and I control the effects.” "I Am" , the God who has revealed Himself in the Bible is both the Ultimate and Immediate Cause of all that exists, both animate and inanimate. Hence, we need to look at our immediate circumstances through the lens of the ultimate and vice versa. " I Am" operates on the principle of " Seeking is believing." The Bible says that if we seek Him with all our heart, we will find Him. The clause," with all our heart" implies that a willingness to give up everything else on which we once trusted in exchange for the One in whom we trust.
The word " belief" holds in it two words," be " and " lief". Lief is old English for kingdom. When we believe in Jesus as the Way, we become part of the Kingdom of God. This uni-verse describes the manner in which we should seek God- "diligently". Diligence is a combination of the qualities of spirit, head and heart of dedication, devotion, determination and discipline. When we seek Him, we will find Him but when we seek Him diligently, we will be rewarded with His presence and His blessings in our lives. Over a period of time, our belief in God will mature into a holistic faith that encompasses the entire universe of our existence.
Faith enables God to be in our lives and to bless us with eternal life, fulfillment of our purpose on earth through His protection, His provision and His plans for our promotion. The extent of our faith can limit the possibilities that God has in mind for us. Faith releases both the presence and the power of God in our lives. His presence and our connecting with Him fills us with love, joy, peace and a sense of security. His power deals with opposing forces and factors and provides for all our needs.
Prateep V Philip
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Belief is a deeper level than even thoughts or emotions. Belief implies that one trusts someone or something without enough physical or verifiable evidence of the reality or truth of the matter. Our minds are conditioned by our experience to the truism: " Seeing is believing." That is why it is impossible for otherwise intelligent and knowledgeable people like Stephen Hawking to believe even in the existence of God. Their mental conditioning is that everything that exists is based on cause and effect. It is impossible for them to believe in the Self-existent God who called Himself, " I Am". He says,” I am the cause and I control the effects.” "I Am" , the God who has revealed Himself in the Bible is both the Ultimate and Immediate Cause of all that exists, both animate and inanimate. Hence, we need to look at our immediate circumstances through the lens of the ultimate and vice versa. " I Am" operates on the principle of " Seeking is believing." The Bible says that if we seek Him with all our heart, we will find Him. The clause," with all our heart" implies that a willingness to give up everything else on which we once trusted in exchange for the One in whom we trust.
The word " belief" holds in it two words," be " and " lief". Lief is old English for kingdom. When we believe in Jesus as the Way, we become part of the Kingdom of God. This uni-verse describes the manner in which we should seek God- "diligently". Diligence is a combination of the qualities of spirit, head and heart of dedication, devotion, determination and discipline. When we seek Him, we will find Him but when we seek Him diligently, we will be rewarded with His presence and His blessings in our lives. Over a period of time, our belief in God will mature into a holistic faith that encompasses the entire universe of our existence.
Faith enables God to be in our lives and to bless us with eternal life, fulfillment of our purpose on earth through His protection, His provision and His plans for our promotion. The extent of our faith can limit the possibilities that God has in mind for us. Faith releases both the presence and the power of God in our lives. His presence and our connecting with Him fills us with love, joy, peace and a sense of security. His power deals with opposing forces and factors and provides for all our needs.
Prateep V Philip
Uni-verse 125-10,000
Uni-verse 125/10,000 For better through verse Proverbs 15 v 4
Pro 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
A tongue that is disciplined and controlled by the Holy Spirit is a fruitful tree. Almost all the fruits of the Spirit can be perceived by the way we use our tongue. If we listen to ourselves or others for a couple of days, by observing the speech we can discover the underlying patterns- whether it is marked by love,joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self control and wisdom. A wholesome tongue is one that manifests all these qualities on a day to day basis. In order to undertake this exercise of speech observation, we must quieten ourselves and listen to the words that fly off human tongues and discern the spirit or attitude behind the words.
A wholesome tongue should give appreciation where appreciation is due, correction where correction is due, understanding where understanding is needed and backed by love at all times. It is a tree of life as it is by virtue of the tongue that people are led to Jesus- the source of eternal life. The highest and best use of the tongue is in sharing the gospel and in building up believers or edifying the body of Christ. The Psalmist says that in order to offer praise and to glorify God,we must order our conversation aright or that we must command or arrange our speech
Often, when we are born again our tongue is not " born again". Old habits both die hard and hardly die and we continue to use our tongues to convey bitterness, sarcasm, vulgarity, to speak lies and to hurt the feelings of others. This causes a breach or disruption or imbalance in our spiritual growth. Instead, we must progressively yield our tongues to the control and direction of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit often manifests Himself as " tongues of fire" - this is an indication that the Lord wants to transform our tongues into a life-giving fire that brings warmth, comfort and strength to those who shiver in the darkness of sin,sorrow and misery. Our mouth speaks what our heart is full of. Therefore, we must get rid of all evil and malice from our hearts and instead fill it with treasures from the Word of God. Sound speech patterns are referred to in the book of Proverbs as " apples of gold in settings of silver." The world says that silence is golden and speech is silver. But, the Word of God says that an apt word is like gold while silence is likened to silver. We must shape or forge precious golden words in furnaces of silver or backgrounds of silence.
Prateep V Philip
Pro 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
A tongue that is disciplined and controlled by the Holy Spirit is a fruitful tree. Almost all the fruits of the Spirit can be perceived by the way we use our tongue. If we listen to ourselves or others for a couple of days, by observing the speech we can discover the underlying patterns- whether it is marked by love,joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self control and wisdom. A wholesome tongue is one that manifests all these qualities on a day to day basis. In order to undertake this exercise of speech observation, we must quieten ourselves and listen to the words that fly off human tongues and discern the spirit or attitude behind the words.
A wholesome tongue should give appreciation where appreciation is due, correction where correction is due, understanding where understanding is needed and backed by love at all times. It is a tree of life as it is by virtue of the tongue that people are led to Jesus- the source of eternal life. The highest and best use of the tongue is in sharing the gospel and in building up believers or edifying the body of Christ. The Psalmist says that in order to offer praise and to glorify God,we must order our conversation aright or that we must command or arrange our speech
Often, when we are born again our tongue is not " born again". Old habits both die hard and hardly die and we continue to use our tongues to convey bitterness, sarcasm, vulgarity, to speak lies and to hurt the feelings of others. This causes a breach or disruption or imbalance in our spiritual growth. Instead, we must progressively yield our tongues to the control and direction of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit often manifests Himself as " tongues of fire" - this is an indication that the Lord wants to transform our tongues into a life-giving fire that brings warmth, comfort and strength to those who shiver in the darkness of sin,sorrow and misery. Our mouth speaks what our heart is full of. Therefore, we must get rid of all evil and malice from our hearts and instead fill it with treasures from the Word of God. Sound speech patterns are referred to in the book of Proverbs as " apples of gold in settings of silver." The world says that silence is golden and speech is silver. But, the Word of God says that an apt word is like gold while silence is likened to silver. We must shape or forge precious golden words in furnaces of silver or backgrounds of silence.
Prateep V Philip
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Uni-verse 124 A Meditation on Joshua 1 v 8
Uni-verse 124/10,000 For better through verse Joshua 1 v 8
Jos 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Meditation is medicine. When we meditate constantly on the Word of God 24x7x365 , it heals our mouth, it heals our mind, it instills courage and strength in our hearts. Like a compass or a Global Positioning System, the Word of God will give us a sense of our bearings of where we are and where we should go. It heals the deep hurts of our hearts. It takes the poison out of our tongues. Our tongue will cease to be a fiery evil, the spark that can set a forest on fire and foments trouble in our lives. Instead, it will become a rudder that will direct our communication in wholesome ways. Our thoughts will be transformed so that the negative ones are negated and made positive and the positive ones even more reinforced. It teaches us to think on the right lines. The man who bases his life on the Word of God follows a 5-4-3 pattern of living meaning Think, Plan and Act. The result(6) will be prosperity, fulfillment and good success. The world' s patterns will give us an empty, vain or futile success but living in accordance with the Word of God will produce a lasting and fulfilling result.
The Word of God teaches us not to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds-intellect, emotions and will- by continually meditating on what the Bible says on how we need to live and act. When we meditate on the Word of God, we are focussing on the priorities of God. He in turn, will be involved in our thoughts and goals and give us enabling grace to do whatever we think and plan in accordance with his Word. The Word of God has a tremendous transforming effect on our thought, temperament, tongue, talent and time. The result is a life that is pleasing to God.
The Law given through Moses required a complete adherence to ALL that is written therein. This is considered a virtually impossible and unattainable standard. But, the love and grace of Christ Jesus today enables us as He fills up the gaps. Hence, in addition to meditating on the Word, we must meditate on the Person, character and message of Jesus. This is the reason that both in the gospel of John as well as in Revelation, Jesus is called the Word of God. He is the Word of God incarnate and therefore, we too must become the Word of God incarnate. We become so when we meditate on the Word of God and the Son of God all the time, both day and night. Isn't it a mind-boggling thought to think that we are the Word of God in flesh and blood today?
Prateep V Philip
Jos 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Meditation is medicine. When we meditate constantly on the Word of God 24x7x365 , it heals our mouth, it heals our mind, it instills courage and strength in our hearts. Like a compass or a Global Positioning System, the Word of God will give us a sense of our bearings of where we are and where we should go. It heals the deep hurts of our hearts. It takes the poison out of our tongues. Our tongue will cease to be a fiery evil, the spark that can set a forest on fire and foments trouble in our lives. Instead, it will become a rudder that will direct our communication in wholesome ways. Our thoughts will be transformed so that the negative ones are negated and made positive and the positive ones even more reinforced. It teaches us to think on the right lines. The man who bases his life on the Word of God follows a 5-4-3 pattern of living meaning Think, Plan and Act. The result(6) will be prosperity, fulfillment and good success. The world' s patterns will give us an empty, vain or futile success but living in accordance with the Word of God will produce a lasting and fulfilling result.
The Word of God teaches us not to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds-intellect, emotions and will- by continually meditating on what the Bible says on how we need to live and act. When we meditate on the Word of God, we are focussing on the priorities of God. He in turn, will be involved in our thoughts and goals and give us enabling grace to do whatever we think and plan in accordance with his Word. The Word of God has a tremendous transforming effect on our thought, temperament, tongue, talent and time. The result is a life that is pleasing to God.
The Law given through Moses required a complete adherence to ALL that is written therein. This is considered a virtually impossible and unattainable standard. But, the love and grace of Christ Jesus today enables us as He fills up the gaps. Hence, in addition to meditating on the Word, we must meditate on the Person, character and message of Jesus. This is the reason that both in the gospel of John as well as in Revelation, Jesus is called the Word of God. He is the Word of God incarnate and therefore, we too must become the Word of God incarnate. We become so when we meditate on the Word of God and the Son of God all the time, both day and night. Isn't it a mind-boggling thought to think that we are the Word of God in flesh and blood today?
Prateep V Philip
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