PRAYER OF CONSECRATION FOR 2013

Our Father in Heaven, we once again come to Your  Throne through the powerful Name of Jesus, our Saviour. We thank You for the blessing of another year, but the reality is that we are sustained by You moment by moment. We don’t know what our future holds, but we know that You hold all things together and, being outside the boundaries of time, You know our future.

You have assured us in Your Word that Your Plans for us are good and You desire to prosper us and give us a good future. Help us to trust in You and not to be anxious; it is easier said than done most times.

Lord, we thank You for the many doors of opportunity You have already opened to Your children, and to those who are still seeking,  we know You have the perfect answer to their petitions.  Grant us the privilege and ability to be  channels of blessing to those around us. Give those who are seeking work a good employment, that they may not remain idle, for in idleness is greater temptation to sin.

Thank You for the blessing of Your continual Protection over us. May the wisdom of Your Word lead us like a lamp through the unknown challenges that await us this year.  Help us to remember that we will not be alone, for  You have promised to be with us always. Help us to keep close to You, that we may not be led astray by the many distractions of this world that clamour for our daily affections. Help us to set our hearts on You, the Root, the Branch, the reason for our very existence.

May Your Holy Spirit dwell within the hearts of all who profess Your Name this year. Make us more compassionate and less judgmental, more generous and less selfish, more like You. Consecrate us to Your service this year, and help us to truly be  ambassadors of Your Kingdom. Let this be our primary mission and may everything else pale in comparison.  Help us to discover the treasury of talents and gifts which You have bestowed upon every person, and help us to use them not for vainglory, but in Your service.  May Your Perfect Will unfold in every life this year, as we trust in Your unfailing Love. Your plans are always the best plans! In You, may  we experience Life, Liberty and Happiness.  Amen.

God has the best plan for your life!

It all started with a nation in obscurity, yet chosen by God. The nation of Israel did not start out as a nation deserving of God’s favour, yet He chose to use this nation to showcase what He could do if they surrendered to Him. (Deut 10:15)

As long as the nation of Israel obeyed God, they were triumphant in battle and had the privilege of being led by God Himself through the pillar of cloud in the day and fire by night. This nation had nothing to boast about. They never chose God; rather it was God who chose them. (Ex 13:21)

God wanted the nation of Israel to be different. They were called to be His own peculiar people, a special people close to His heart. In and through them, all the families of the earth were to be blessed. However, instead of embracing their heritage, they yearned to be like the pagan tribes around them and desired their own king. They rejected the rule of the Majesty of Heaven in favour of an earthly king, slave to like passions as themselves. They wanted a king who would ride triumphantly into battle with them, yet their battles had always been the Lord’s! (1 Sam 8:5-20)

In the same manner we being the church, as spiritual Israel, have been called to be kings and priests to our God and to reign with Him in His kingdom which will never end. However, we find ourselves as pilgrims in this far country of life, and instead of seeking the everlasting City of God, we are distracted by this world and it’s people. We long to be like them more than we long to be like our Saviour. He has created us to shine like lights in a perverse world to show all people His glory, but instead we prefer to blend into the crowds. We claim to value originality, but we evidence a pitiful lack thereof. Our dress, the way we walk and talk, and conduct business is the same as is commonly found in this world. It is not often that others see the difference! (Phil 2:15, Heb 11:13, 1 Pet 2:11)

Why is it that we prefer to crawl when God has designed us to soar with Him? We were not made to be creatures of habit, slaves to sin. We are not meant to sit in church for years and years with nothing to show for it. We were made in the image of God, to triumph over evil. Christ is daily restoring that image in us and we are called to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and to overcome sin through the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit. The time has come to stop “playing church” and start living it out in our lives! We need the deliverance of Christ to manifest in our lives, so that the whole world can see the difference. (Gen 1:27, Col 3)

God has called us to perfection because He is perfect. He has called us to holiness because He is holy. As His people, we must reflect His character. It is a high ideal to strive for, but with Christ all things are possible! Although our righteousness pales in comparison to His, we are called to model our lives on His life and to walk just as He walked if we are to be His true disciples. Put aside selfish, carnal desires and let Christ unravel the puzzle that is your life today! (1 Jn 2:6, Acts 4:13) 

God has the best plan for your life; why don't you surrender to Him today? With God in your corner, there is nothing that life can throw at you that you and Him together can't handle.You can't afford NOT to know Him!

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." -John 6:37.

The Secret to Contentment Part 1: One Day at a Time

This week, I was reminded of the fragility of life when a good friend of my father passed away. He was fine the one day, and two days later he had passed on! Needless to say, it was a great shock to his family and many friends.

We often live our lives thinking that we’re invincible, but little do we realize the fine line between life and death. One could hope that all of us are alive to be caught up in the air with the Lord at His glorious return, but that would be wishful thinking. Some of us will not be alive then, although that will not detract from the excitement of the resurrection that awaits us! (1 Thes 4:15-18, Phil 1:21)

Life is fragile. It can end at any time, meaning the close of probation for each individual may well be closer than the general close of probation. Wise King Solomon said it well when he said that the living know they shall die, but the dead know not anything. Since life passes so quickly, it should be all the more reason to find those things that matter the most and make your life count for something bigger and better than your wildest dreams -  something that will last for eternity! I speak of the Kingdom of God which will never pass away. Jesus said: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things will be added unto you.” (Matt 6:24-34, Matt 6:19-21)

Are you stressed about things that often seem beyond your control? Do you feel like a headless chicken, or a wave in a tempest, tossed to and fro? Do the little annoyances in life leave you feeling angry and bitter, and then worst of all…ALONE? Are you suffering the negative physical effects of a body and spirit that is exhausted from the relentless pressures of life and the wild dreams and fantasies you chase that mean nothing in the greater scheme of things? Do you feel like a hamster on a wheel, running as fast as you can, but going nowhere? Are you trapped in a vicious cycle of debt that leaves a lump in your throat and feels like an anaconda squeezing the life out of you?

I speak from personal experience when I tell people that Jesus is the answer to true contentment. After all, if the Spirit of the Lord of the Universe dwells within you, what more could you want? I felt my colleague’s sentiments this week when he said that if he didn’t have Jesus, he probably would have committed suicide a long time ago. Don’t get me wrong; there’s nothing wrong with forward planning and a healthy sense of God-given ambition. God wants us to use all our talents, but most times we take it beyond the boundaries for healthful living. None of us is given a guarantee that we will have tomorrow; all we have is today. Make it count! As the old hymn goes: “…one day at a time, Sweet Jesus; that’s all I am asking of You…”

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."- Matt 6:24-34

Scripture refs: Read the whole of Matthew ch 6, 1Thes 4:15-18, Phil 1:21

Jesus Christ-The Reason for Life itself!

Famous playwright and author, William Shakespeare once described the world as a stage and all the people on it as players. For a short while, they strut their stuff but before long the curtains close and death marks the end of the last chapter of their lives.

For most people, life is a mad rush to nowhere. Like a hamster on a never-ending wheel, we follow the same tireless routine day after day, often not taking time to ponder upon the reason for life. Renowned poet T S Eliot wrote about this in his poem entitled “Preludes”. He wrote about how people who have lost their purpose go through life suffering, as their creativity and emotions are crushed day after painful day. To repeat what does not work is to be trapped in a cycle of insanity.

Some people find themselves impatient and always on the run, but have no reason why. What is the hurry? To what end is the needless fuss and stress? I am reminded of an old children’s story. It told of a young boy who, in his eagerness to grow up, asked God to speed up the process. God granted his wish. Finding himself encumbered with the stress and responsibility of supporting his family in gainful employment, he wished for the bliss of retirement. God granted his wish. Having retired, he sought out his family but found that most of them had passed away. Alone, he traveled to the village of his birth to visit his mother and on seeing her, was shocked to find her aged, infirm and unable to remember him. He had embarked on a mad rush through life only to discover that he had let his life slip through his fingers, and had paid a great price.

Don’t live a life of regrets. Live your life in a way that will not leave you wishing you could turn back the clock. Great and small, rich and poor rush through life only to meet with the grave. There is much meaningful work to do in life, yet much of it is left undone while we chase after wind. (Eccles 5:15-16)

To those who put their hope in Christ, the grave is not the final destination. They will be raised incorruptible at the last day. However, Jesus desires that we surrender ourselves to Him now while we are yet in this world. In Jesus Christ, one finds a mission and a purpose like no other. He is the Reason for life itself! He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Put Him first and you will not regret it! (Jn 14:6, Job 19:25-27, 1 Cor 15)

"What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah." -Ps 89:48 


The question above is asked in the book of Psalms. It's answer is found in the Resurrection Chapter of 1 Cor 15, Rom 8:11, John 5:28-29, John 11:25. In the same way that God raised Christ from the dead, so will HE raise all those who believe in Him and whose works reveal the REALITY of their belief and testimony. They will reign forever with Christ, while the wicked will be raised for judgment and damnation.

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."- John 11:25

A "Crossless" Christianity?

The Apostle Paul described life as a marathon. Sometimes, what makes it even more grueling to most people is the discouragement and lack of appreciation one experiences along the way. This message is for those times when you feel that nothing you do is good enough or even matters. I wrote it specially for a friend of mine who was feeling discouraged, but it can be applied to everyone! Read it when you’re feeling down. It goes as follows:

“Christ stood as the most unappreciated and rejected character in the history of the world. He saw the cross looming before Him (Luk 9:31), but also knew that the number of those who would reject Him were like the sand of the seashore (Rev 20:8-9). However, He also saw that His sacrifice would bring many sons to glory (Heb 2:10). Christianity is a package deal, and no matter how much we try to throw the cross of self-denial, pain and rejection out of the package, we cannot succeed. True disciples are called to carry the cross daily. Jesus said: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” (Matt 16:24)

Each of us has a different cross to bear, but know one thing-Christ’s cross was the heaviest cross for He bore the sins, shame and rejection of the whole world (2 Cor 5:21, John 11:50-52). Sometimes life is not about finding out what WE want, its being still in His presence and listening to His voice telling us what He wants from us-where He wants us to go, what He has planned for us to accomplish and who He wants us to become. Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, embraced the will of His Father though it cost Him His life. You may be assigned thankless tasks in life, but do them without complaining, for the glory of God. John the Baptist, as his ministry faded into obscurity, said: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” This world has put a lot of emphasis on “finding yourself” when really, what we should be focusing on is returning to the God who fashioned us in His likeness and desires a relationship with each and every one of us.

Work not for the appreciation of men, for it is better to seek the praise of God than men. Men’s praise is empty flattery, while God does not lie. The sweetest words you will hear one day will be said by Christ the Master Himself, when He says of you: “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy that was prepared for you before the foundation of the world.” (Matt 25:21-34)

Remember in your time of trials, and indecision: Jesus loves you and has the perfect plan for your life. Don’t fight it-just surrender to Him. Walk in the dust of Your Rabbi, and do not put your trust in mere mortal men.”

The essence of discipleship-take up your cross and follow the Master!

Scripture refs: Luke 9:31, Rev 20:8-9, Heb 2:10, Matt 16:24, 2 Cor 5:21, John 11:50-52, Matt 25:21-34

Run to the Redeemer

When life pelts you with problems

And all around you dances darkness;

When you’re not sure you can carry on…

Run to the Redeemer!

His arms are open wide;

He’s a tower of refuge to those seeking to hide

He said: “Come to me all who labour,

Lay your burdens aside;

I will give you rest and respite.”

When you’re in distress with nowhere to run,

Alone and afraid as friendships fade

When you’re not sure you can carry on…

Run to the Redeemer!

His arms are open wide;

He’s a tower of refuge to those seeking to hide

He said: “Come to me all who labour,

Lay your burdens aside;

I will give you rest and respite.”

When your heart fails for fear,

And deadly doubt clouds your mind;

When you’re not sure you can carry on…

Run to the Redeemer!

His arms are open wide;

He’s a tower of refuge to those seeking to hide

He said: “Come to me all who labour,

Lay your burdens aside;

I will give you rest and respite.”

When the world seems to reject you

And testing trials assail you,

Remember Jesus will never forsake you;

He’s right there by your side

Man of sorrows acquainted with grief,

He’ll turn your cross into triumph

And give you relief!

So just run to the Redeemer!

His arms are open wide;

He’s a tower of refuge to those seeking to hide

He said: “Come to me all who labour,

Lay your burdens aside;

I will give you rest and respite.

Child, I will give you rest and respite.”

This poem/hymn was inspired by the words of Prov 18:10-"The Name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous runneth into it, and is safe."

Light up the world for Jesus!

Life is a celebration of our creation, salvation and redemption which Christ has accomplished for us. Life is not supposed to be a meaningless existence. God has given each of us a mission and a purpose which is clearly spelt out for us in Matt 28:20.

We are to go into all the world and preach the good news to every creature, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When we are given a task by our superiors at work, we hasten to complete it. Why is it that we cannot seem to employ the same principle in having some enthusiasm for doing the work of our ultimate Master, the Lord Jesus Christ?

God has poured out gifts upon every person in His Kingdom. These are to be employed in the earnest work of God that brings sinners to the Saviour. Some people have not yet discovered their gifts of service because they have chosen not to take a step of faith in trying new things. Every investment that yields a good return contains an inherent amount of risk therein. The best investment you can make in your lifetime is that of investing in the life of someone else. When we go all out for God, He multiplies our efforts. After all, it’s only our job to plant the seed. The Holy Spirit is the one who waters it, working conviction and repentance in the heart of the lost.

Some have gifts that seem greater than others; some people have the ability to preach eloquent sermons while many can only hope that others see the image of Christ in their daily conduct. God’s purpose is not to give you great wealth and riches but rather to impart the eternal riches of His grace and His Word in your life so that you may be a wellspring of life to a world that is thirsting after Him.

From every good relationship come life lessons. God tests us and brings us victorious through many trials to show us just how powerful He is and to give us a testimony. “Every person is born into the Kingdom of God to be a missionary”. You don’t have to go to a far-flung island to tell others about God’s saving grace. Your testimony can make a difference in your local community. No one on this earth has the exact same testimony as you, but someone may steal somebody else’s sermon or revelation.  Your testimony is like your fingerprint, as it stems from your unique relationship with God.

Your life is a living epistle to the world. We are called to be shining lights in a dark and perverse world, reflecting the glory of our eternal Father. I challenge you today: Don’t just exist. Live with meaning and purpose. Drink the cup of life to its dregs. And last but not least, remember that having fun is not a stereotype. Life is not about being part of the “in crowd” or partying away mindlessly as if there is no tomorrow. You can choose to have fun any way you choose, but the best way to have fun is to have fun God’s way-reaching out to the world one soul at a time and being part of Jesus’ plan to restore us to His image. Let’s leave a legacy that continues into eternity! Let’s go out there and light up the world for Jesus! 

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid." -Matt 5:14

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven."-Matt 5:16

Scripture refs: Matt 28:20; 2Cor 3:2-3; 2 Cor 3:18; Phil 2:15-16; John 4:14;  Prov 11:30; Matt 5:13-16

Go and sin no more!

One night in the week that has just flown by, I had some unusual dreams. I dreamed about snakes for two consecutive nights. I did not remember much of the details of the dream on the first night, and this left me quite uncomfortable as I hate snakes. It also reminded me of the times that I used to dream about them as a child. Fortunately for me, those dreams never plagued me once I learned the power of prayer.

However, when I had the dream for the second consecutive night I found that the details of the dream were very vivid in my mind. A summary of said details follows:

I was at home when suddenly some very venomous snakes were found in the house. I tried to capture them and managed to kill them all, but it wasn’t easy to do so. In fact, one of them bit my hand as I killed it but I did not suffer any ill effects. Eventually all the snakes were dead, or so I thought. Then I saw a black python. It was by far the biggest snake of all, but it had stealthily crept away and was hiding somewhere. I looked for it in vain. My family told me to stop looking for it, but I continued nevertheless. I searched every nook and cranny of the house in my search for the elusive reptile. The dream ended with me on the border of sleep and wakefulness, wanting to know what this dream meant.

In a split second, I was given an understanding regarding the meaning of the dream. I heard a voice in my mind say: “The snakes symbolize the sins in your life.” I then realized that the snakes I had killed represented sins that I had managed to conquer with much difficulty. However, there are still some big issues in my life that need to be dealt with. I may not even know they exist, but they are there. I need to search my heart and life just I had searched for the elusive python in the dream.  I knew that I needed to take this seriously because if I didn’t, it could ruin me. I could not rely on the fact that others had told me to stop searching; the sins in my life are a personal matter between me and my Saviour.

We all have sins in our lives. Sometimes, they take the form of destructive habits which are hard to escape but we should remember that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil 4:13). Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. We must not hide from Him, but let His piercing gaze search the depths of our hearts and remove all the impurities. We must come before Him in contrition and ask His forgiveness, for He has promised to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. As He forgives our sins, He gives us the power to “go and sin no more.” (John 8:11)

We should not harbour cherished sins in our lives as these separate us from God. Maintain a continual spirit of repentance and an ongoing desire to be in right standing with God.Unconfessed sins will not then be your downfall. Remember, He calls you to be perfect and His grace is not license to sin! Be covered by His robe of righteousness.

 

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Scripture refs: John 1:29; 1 John 1:9; Ps 139:23-24; Is 59:2,20; Ps 51; Jude v 4 (Jude has only 1 chapter)

Your Task: Read the Scripture verses above and also read the story of the woman arrested for adultery and Jesus' response to her in John 8:1-11. What do you think of His response? Ask God to search your heart and reveal your sins to you. Confess them to Him and ask for a heart of repentance, seeking His forgiveness. Ask for His Holy Spirit to transform you into a better person. Thank Him for His grace and the victory. Then resolve to go and sin no more. When you feel tempted to sin, pray and ask God for strength and victory. Read your Bible daily, and remember God won't allow you to be tempted more than you can handle. (1 Cor 10:13)

Life and Death (Part 1)

“Do not go gentle into that good night…but rage, rage against the dying of the light…” Those were the words of a poet a long time ago. He wrote that death is something to be fought with every ounce of strength we have. Although the fear of death is not a healthy approach to life, neither is living with a death wish.

Life is difficult, and somewhere in the midst of all of the hustle and bustle of living we have forgotten the sanctity and sacredness of life. Life is a gift given by God and not something that we are entitled to. Life is God’s breath in us from the time He stooped down and breathed it into the lifeless form of Adam in Eden.

We have lost the will to live and as a result, many people commit suicide in an effort to take the easy way out. Some do it because of the uncaring actions and hurtful words of kinsfolk, while others simply believe that their contribution to the world is insignificant at best.

The Bible teaches much about life and death. Deut 30:19 says life is a choice. Life is God’s gift, but we choose whether we want to live or not and to some extent, what type of life we have. Proverbs 18:21 says death and life are in the power of the tongue. It is therefore important to speak words of life into someone’s soul and not words that kill their self-esteem, erode their emotional worth and make them forget that they are a son or daughter of the Most High God.

The book of Job teaches us that although we face diverse challenges in life, God is still in control and He still holds our lives in His hand. He even controls the reach and power of satan so that we are not destroyed by him (Job 1:12, Job 2:6).

Sometimes it is not the final act of suicide that kills a person, but the process of worry and stress which gradually erodes a person’s life force. Jesus said that we should not worry about tomorrow, for today has enough has problems in itself to deal with (Matt 6:34).  Worrying will not make tomorrow any easier to deal with, neither will it add one day to your lifespan. This does not mean that one should not plan ahead and prepare for life; by all means be prudent and prepare, but don’t let worry kill you.  God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us and His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9).  Rest assured that God is not constrained to time and He knows your tomorrow and He walks with you.

When Jesus died, He didn’t just take away my sins. He gave me a reason to live. I can face tomorrow because even if no one else cares, I know He cares and He loves me and that’s more than enough. Life is difficult, but life without God is even worse. The righteous man falls seven times, but he gets up in the strength of God every time! (Prov 24:16) We have Christ now and we will be with Him forever in His new Kingdom (1 Cor 15:19, Rev 21). That’s reason enough to want to live!

Unlocking the Meaning of Life through Jesus Christ

Jesus said in John 10:10 that He has come to give us life and life more abundantly. For centuries, the ancients have pondered the meaning of life without coming to a holistic answer. Yet, the Bible gives us the answer we so earnestly search for.

In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon comes to the conclusion that all our strivings are often in vain and we run away from the main purpose of our lives. Fear God, and reverence Him- this is the whole duty of man. (Ecc 12:12-13)

In life we often put the cart before the horse. We long to make a name for ourselves, to be famous, to be rich and honoured, yet Jesus says: “Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto You.” (Matt 6:33)

Material possessions and great prestige without the peace of God mean nothing but leave us empty, and still pondering the meaning of life. The fairy tale stories we learned as children were not far from the truth. Good and evil DO exist. We DO have a choice. There are indeed two kingdoms- the kingdom of darkness and the Kingdom of Light. My Father is a noble King, which makes me a noble Prince/Princess and an ambassador of His Kingdom. However, my God has taught me that royalty holds greater responsibility, and in fact leads to servanthood. Jesus said: “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me and to finish His work.” (John 4:33-35)

The saying: “Like father, like son” does not have to have a negative connotation. Our earthly fathers have done the best they can for us. For some, that means leaving us a legacy of pain and disappointment.  Let’s rather choose to follow in the footsteps of our Heavenly Father as shown through Jesus Christ, His Son who is the visible representation on this Earth of Him whom we worship but have not yet seen.

"The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I HAVE COME SO THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY."-John 10:10