How to Know the will of God?

Apparently every Christian will have a question of how to know the will of God and in fact would eager to know it. Everyone who walk with god, will always desire to know his will and to act upon HIS Will, we sometimes would try with human efforts, experiences and the things heard from sermons, churches, books, youtubes etc.. 

We could draw to a contextual understanding based on the incidents in the bible and with that understanding, we would try to replicate the same or similar to the occurrences in our life to identify the will of  God. 

In Judges 6th chapter we read Gideon asked God to know the will of God : “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.”  And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water.

 

Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.

Here Gideon wanted a clear confirmation from God to know whether it is his will to fight against the enemies, so he tested with a sign and it came to pass, perhaps it could be because of fear.

Outside the will of God,

There is nothing I want

inside the will of God

There is nothing I Fear.  - A.W Towzer

But if you read Romans 12 : 1-2 it depicts a very good view of the will of God, perhaps if we go for a fast reading then chances are there to miss the essence and the deeper understanding. So take a pause and read carefully & slowly and pay attention to the underline below - 

 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

When you get transformed by the renewing of your mind, you will be able to know the will of God. Here the subject renewal is the key element, it is a continual process of shaping our thoughts, mind & heart by walking and mediating the word of god every day. When we do this regularly, we will be able to test and approve what is his GOOD, PLEASING and PERFECT WILL.

 

It is not an immediate response or answers to expect from God to know HIS WILL, but Meditate, walk & exercise continually !

 

Amen !

Sinning Again & Again

Almost everyone will have a question whether or not GOD will forgive their repeated sinning? One of the  disciple asked how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Jesus said, it is unlimited ( seventy times seven). I believe the lord will forgive all our sins which are committed intentionally and unintentionally. He knows we are very vulnerable and prone to SIN because all have fallen short of glory.

This doesn't mean we can continue to SIN and use forgiveness as the license.  Though Jesus Christ had already paid for our sins on the cross, there are some sins which has resonance and will end up in paying the price or reap the consequences precipitously in this world itself.

He will not be pleased with us when we sin and it may provide way for the lord to grief and lose favor from HIM. For the grace surrounds for those who fear on HIM. During this time when you lose favor from GOD, it may result in paying immediate consequences of the SIN and thereby we would miss the heavenly gifts which are supposed to be offered at that time. However sin does not stop God's Grace from flowing but HIS Grace will Stop SIN !

If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that.  All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death - I John 5 : 16 -21

If I a drink a poison then it may leads to immediate death and if I threw myself in front of a running train then the death is for certain immediately. Although GOD is big enough to save from all of these, yet the consequence of sin follows by paying the price in this world.

So dear Brothers & Sisters, God's forgiveness is for certain and continue to ask god for strengthen to overcome the repeated SINS.

Take captive of every thought which is raising against the knowledge of god and bring it to obedience. II Cor 10:5

Do away with Sinning repenting cycle and live a life of holy!

GOD Bless !

Head Covering at Churches

Does Woman need to cover their head while Praying or Prophesying ?

This is one of the fascinating question to ponder upon. Most of the West do not cover their heads but the east does? 

Studying the bible can be seen in two perspective as Objective truth and Subjective Truth. 

This is a subject based Topic and can be seen in two context : Cultural Context & Biblical Doctrine context

Cultural context : 

• In the Roman society if a woman has a long hair that hangs loose or unbound then it is a dishonor for her husband. The action may have suggested sexual availability or implied that she was unmarried. In cultures where head coverings are not a sign of being married, wives could obey this command by wearing some other physical symbol of being married.(wedding ring or chain
  

• Roman men sometimes pull the loose folds of their toga over their head while they worshiped Pagan Gods. So Paul emphasis that men should not dishonor Christ by Praying according to Pagan Custom.

• 11: 14 Here the word nature probably means " your natural sense of what is appropriate from men and Women." Norms of appropriate hair style ( and dress) may vary from culture to culture. Paul's point is that men should look like men in that culture and women should look like women in that culture. People should not deny the God-given differences between the sexes. Any violation of God's standard is SIN.

• To think of cultural based definition, then cultural relativism invokes here indirectly, in cultural relativism there is no such thing called Absolutes or single point of reference. It is based on each culture belief, behavior, objects, life style etc. and they draw a moral truth based on a particular or individual circumstances. In short, who are right is widely being practiced but ignored what are rights

What does the translation says :

• Paul begins this argument with the creation of Man & Women purpose. The head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband and the head of Christ is God.  The term " head" refers to authority and not the physical head.

• The Greek word " Head" means "source or origin" but in over 50 occurrences of this word in ancient sources, saying that person A is head of person B and person A has authority over person B. here, it is best to understand that Paul refers the " Head" metaphorically as " authority"

• By saying "authority" it doesn’t mean women is inferior to men. Christ is not inferior to God the Father. Submission does not indicate inferiority, but subordination. Just as Christ and God are equally divine, men and Women are equal beings. But just as Jesus and God the father have different roles in God's Plan of salvation, so men and women are given different roles

Here is what we learned ;

• Paul words are not merely directed to the cultural situation of his day - see I Cor 11 : 3, 11 -12. because he starts with the creation of Man & Women. He simply didn’t instruct for Woman but began the note whence on Husband & wife relationship.

• In the Roman society if a woman has a long hair that hangs loose then it is a dishonor for her husband. Only the Woman who is caught in adultery will be allowed to have loose hair as an act of shame or perhaps of mourning. Ref Numb 5:18. Also it is a dishonor before god to have loose hair(unbound) hair - Lev  10:6 & 21:10

• Shaved hair is dishonor

• Having a long bound hair is a covering I Cor 11 :15

Loose/free hair = Uncovered

Bind hair = Covered

Also one cannot claim leaving the head uncovered by Shawl or scarf is wrong.

in HIM

Wilson

How Christianity is Viewed from Outside?

The current generation is a very counterfeit culture, always pass criticism and it is not that easy to get into all the people good books and in fact it is inevitable. It is always good for every Christian to do a self-check or validation about his life with GOD.

We have to do this because we will know how Christianity is viewed from outside? we are not called only to preach, but also to live a life of example. By living a life of Christ we can show Christ to this world.  People pay attention to the actions or behavior more than the words, in other words more than we speak ,exhort etc..

Let us see an illustration to understand -

A boy desired to get his wish come true, so he surfed some Christian TV channels and learned to pray.

Before going to bed, he said, Lord upon your majesty Will, please grant the desires of your servant wish. I need a bicycle tomorrow by 6 clock in the morning and he went to bed.

Next morning when he woke up there was no bicycle. He got angry and decided to surf more Christian TV channels.

Before going to bed, he said, I declare my need of a bicycle, which is blue in colour and silver rail finish.

Next morning when he woke up there was no bicycle. He was very frustrated !

So he thought on & on and took the mother Mary statute from his house, ran into the forest and hid the statue there and came back home. He then prayed Lord if you want to see your mother back again? Then continues ….

 From this little story we could comprehend that, the boy mind was made up to the wrong direction. Isn’t it very critical for us to ponder upon the condition of the Christendom today.  could hear some saying where are the healers of God servants and where is GOD in this Coronavirus situation. Are the servants of God hiding?

 Our society has started to ask these questions, because the way Christianity had projected paves way for them to ask self-destructing questions.  If the gospel was rightly preached emphasizing more on SIN and repentance we wouldn’t have been in this situation. Compromising on human emotion, feelings will lead the life to Jeorpardy while preaching the truth. Investment of words without truth leads to spiritual bankruptcy(RZIM)

The line has to be carefully drawn while preaching , exhorting and it should be followed with the guidance of  holy spirit and not by means of Fleshly thoughts and guidance.

People always heed to Virtue, actions rather by mere words of emptiness.

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.  Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. I Peter 2 : 11 -12

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives I Peter 3 :1. it is only not applicable to the husband and wives relationship but to every others outside the Christian world.

II Corinthians 3 :2  -You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.

Having said the above, we are the open Bible read by everyone in this world.  Habakkuk says

“Write the vision;

    make it plain on tablets,

    so he may run who reads it.

If we live a practical life, then we can harvest more souls for his kingdom !

God Bless ! Amen.

Family Planning !

It is uncommon for believers in India to raise a question of doing Family Planning is right or wrong?  Perhaps it is very less to give a thought of drawing a line whether or not it is right or wrong?

The current world is stopping at one or two children.

But it is imperative to know the truth which will help us to lead our fellow brothers & sisters to the right direction.

we will see some close answers from Bible although there is no direct reference to make our understanding

 

Close answers 1:

God had given the children as a blessings - Psalm 127.  In Genesis 1:28, He Said Be fruitful and multiply, Fill the earth and subdue it.

Looking at the above reference god has given us the ability to give birth to children's which is the most sacred gift.

No one will ever remain in a long time decision to stop having a children in their family. Perhaps, newly married folks might postpone their child bearing temporarily, however, eventually everyone will wish to have a generation after them to say their name.

We are the temple of god , designed by HIM in unique fashion with different similarities to one another. There are billions of People in this world but no one will ever look the same or have the same qualities, even the twins will have some dissimilarities in any of the virtues, appearance etc.  

But did He not make them one,

Having a remnant of the Spirit?

And why one?

He seeks godly offspring. Malachi 2: 15

So, the very purpose of GOD creating each one of us in this world is to have his ultimate will be fulfilled.

God has given SEX as the most beautiful and sacred gift to human beings. But this will be seen and ordained as HOLY, only inside the marriage.  Anything which is outside marriage is considered to be fornication, debauchery etc.. It is a violation of GOD's Law.

If we choose to abort the conception then it is SIN which is equal to Murder.

Close answer 2

Here’s a biblical reference from Genesis 38 to ponder upon;

Judah left his brothers and went down to stay with a man of Adullam named Hirah. There Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua. He married her and made love to her;  she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, who was named Er.  She conceived again and gave birth to a son and named him Onan.  She gave birth to still another son and named him Shelah. It was at Kezib that she gave birth to him.

 Judah got a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.  But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the Lord’s sight; so the Lord put him to death.

Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your brother.” But Onan knew that the child would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from providing offspring for his brother. What he did was wicked in the Lord’s sight; so the Lord put him to death also.

Onan violated the law ( Deut 25: 5 -10) because it is a  covenantal responsibility to provide offspring for his brother wife but he didnt.

Having said the above, it is Onan bad intention to only have pleasure and there by violating the law of NOT giving her offspring. 

GOD always look after the intention of heart.

Certain Abstain may not be a sinful act but can be sinful depending on the intentions of abstaining.

Close answer 3

Perhaps, it will be permissible from GOD when we have intercourse with our wedded partner only for pleasure and not for further offspring's.

It is purely the calculative decision made by each one of us considering the finance, family situation, environment situation etc.

There are some protective measures found by human being like condom's, Family planning, which are considered to be SAFE sex for avoiding a conception as per worldly terms

However in other perspective, family planning could be considered, as a violation of GODs law or principle, because it perhaps can be correlated with the alteration of our body parts. We are not supposed to defile our body. Our body is designed and created as per GOD's plan , so any changes of his design result in violation.

In other perspective, if one decides to abstain from having child further, considering the vulnerability or lack of self-control leading to conception  during intercourse in future, it can also be taken as permissive will, approved by GOD. Since SEX is considered to be sacred and allowed inside the marriage, so usage of condoms and family planning can't be wrong.

Abstaining is not a sinful act but can be sinful depending on the intentions of abstaining from having children.

Having said all the above, are the closest reference for our contextual answers, although there are no direct answers from the bible.

So Live as you are called. ( I Corinthians 7 : 17-24)

But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. 

Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.  

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.  Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 

For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave.  You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 

Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

No Answers Found in Bible?

Only in Christianity you can find answers to all the tough questions raised in this world. Every Christian would obviously turn to bible when they don’t find answers to their question in this world. 

The world perhaps could show some temporary answers which may looks like a permanent answer. But the real thirst, needs, Justice can be quenched only in the Bible.

 However, there are also some situations where we may find hard to locate the answers from the bible for a tough and a complex question.

Let’s see some biblical reference happened during Israelite's journey to Canaan from Numbers 9.

Moses told the children of Israel that they should keep the Passover.  And they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month, at twilight, in the Wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did.

Now there were certain men who were defiled by a human corpse, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day; and they came before Moses and Aaron that day. And those men said to him, “We became defiled by a human corpse. Why are we kept from presenting the offering of the Lord at its appointed time among the children of Israel?”

And Moses said to them, “Stand still, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you.”

When they do not find a reference in their Law on this situation, Moses immediately went to Pray, and he returned with answers from God to Israel People.

Needless to emphasize that, always we could find answers when we bend our knees in prayer.

in HIM
Wilson

The Unconditional Love

The chapter John 21 talks about the third visit of Jesus to His disciples after His resurrection. Peter and other disciples were seen spending time in the sea shore and peter takes the other disciples along with him to catch fish. (v. 3). They tried the whole night but couldn't catch any. In the morning Jesus was standing on the shore, but they didn't recognize Him. He asks them, have you caught anything to eat? and they said, No!

Then Jesus asks the disciples to cast their net on the right side of the boat. They did as He said, and it was such a big catch, that they were not able to haul it. Seeing this John realizes that He is the Lord and tells peter that it is indeed Jesus. Immediately peter finding himself without cloth, wears his upper garment and dives into the sea to meet Jesus by swimming as they were approaching closer to the shore. While the other disciples were still trying hard to haul the catch and bring it to the shore.

Two kinds of people are seen here, one is peter and the other disciples. Peter love towards Jesus, was evident in Gethsemane garden when he cuts the soldier ear, as the soldier tried to arrest Jesus. So as soon as he realizes it is Jesus, he covers himself and jumps into the sea to meet Him before others. But the rest of the disciples brought all the fishes they caught after much struggle of hauling yet the leader left them in the boat and rushed towards Jesus. 

 
Some people are like peter, who loves Jesus but doesn't love Him unconditionally, enough to obey His command, but would like stay in His presence and Glorify Him. Jesus's command is to catch some fish to eat, the other disciples also found out that He is Jesus, but still they finished the job Jesus gave them by bringing the net to the shore, if they all had followed peter, the job wouldn't have been done. It is not good to be alone in His presence, without obeying Him. Yes, being in His presence every day makes us happy and will spiritually enrich us. But obeying His command of catching fish(people) is what makes Him happy. In the end the disciples were able to have breakfast with Him! What a glory and honor for them to share the fish and bread with Jesus. This is the reward we would get for obeying Him unconditionally.

Probably that is why Jesus kept asking peter three times if he loves Him unconditionally(v. 15,16,17)  but peter kept saying that he loves Him with a brotherly/friendly love. No disciples were perfect, everyone had their flaws but in the end everyone finished their jobs given to them and died as martyrs, what a privilege! Even though peter didn't love Jesus like He would have liked, still He gave peter a big responsibility, to Shepard His sheep. Unconditional love is what Jesus wants from us, no matter what come across we have to continue to finish the job given to us. Yes, being in His presence, worshiping Him and glorifying Him is good, but its only good for us. God expects more from us. More unconditional love, more of action from us. So Lets catch some fish.

in HIM
Derickson Timothy

10 Reasons i Like to work in IT company

1. All employees are treated with respect  ( other sectors – disrespect based on levels)
2. Have freedom of speech ( employees can share their opinions, suggestions, whilst the decision are taken by Management – Other sectors don’t)
3. Can work from Home ( location doesn’t matter – if you have internet, can work even from farm house)
4. Can address people by their names ( without losing respect )
5. Centralized Air conditioned for all employees
6. Individual computer/Laptop ( By Default mostly)
7. Leaves can be availed without hampering the work ( colleagues are there to take care – Team work)
8. Can travel abroad & possibly can get settled in other countries
9. Decent Salary
10. Insurance for family ( Default package)

Deuteronomy

Principal Theme :     A call to covenant faithfulness

Excerpt

1. Moses Open Speech
     a. Moses summarizes the older generation story
2. Moses retold the Law and emphasis on hearing & obeying
     a. Civil Laws & Social Justice
     b. To love & serve the God alone
     c. The promises & covenant
     d. Renewal of covenant fellowship
3. Moses Final speech & Warning
     a. Poem of curse
     b. Poem of blessings
     c. Prophecy of future rebellious Israelites
4.  Moses death
     a. Moses was buried by God
     b. Joshua anointed to take the Moses role

Numbers

Principal Theme

       * Israelite's rebellion in wilderness
       * Gods Judgment &

Excerpt

uCensus of Israelites

uLaws of Ritual purity

uComplaints of Israelites

uMiriam & Aaron opposes Moses

uSpies explore the promise land.

uMany feared of inheriting land

uOnly Joshua & Caleb trusted

uRebellion of Korah & Kohath

uIsraelites disobedience

uDeath of Israelites by Serpent

uBronze Serpent for healing

uMoab & Balaam

uPlan of Moab to destroy Israelites

uDonkey speaks

uBalaam blessings and prophecy about future Israel

uVictory over Enemies

uEntry of Canaan

uCensus of new generation

uNone of the Israelites entered Canaan

uOnly their sons entered the Canaan

uJoshua & Caleb alone entered from older generation

 

THE GOD & LANGUAGES

 The pantheistic and theist groups claim a godly language to speak or communicate with God.  But to our logical mind it is more convincing to accept that there is no need of a specific language to communicate with GOD. The question of godly language self-destructs because it is GOD alone who is all powerful, Almighty, omnipotent & omniscience can truly understand all language. It is irrelevant to claim that god needs a heavenly language to make him understand. so, claiming godly language from any religion simply stands nullified both the language and GOD.

Early pope considered translating the BIBLE as a blasphemy because of their pride and complacency. The scriptures were available only at pope’s kingdom and not circulated to anyone. When martin Luther read and understood the word of GOD, he started translating the bible in local vernacular which spread like a fire and made every people to read in their local language. Martin nailed 95 theses about these restrictions and salvation of GOD to everyone.

The LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Exodus 33:11

Truly our GOD Is an awesome and almighty GOD who loves to hear every dialect and understands our prayer in our mother tongues.

History of Dialects:

Genesis 11-1 - Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

 

5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called [c]Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

LEVITICUS

Purpose: God Graciously provides a way for Sinful, corrupt people to live in his Holy Presence.

EXCERPT

1. System of Sacrifice. Chap 1-6

      A. Burnt Offering

      B. Grain Offering

      C. Peace Offering

      D. Sin Offering

      E. Trespass or reparation Offering

      F. Instructions about Offering

2. Priestly Instructions  chap 8 - 10

      A. Ordination of Priest

      B. Dress Codes

      C. SIN of Aaron Sons.

3. Laws concerning Clean & Unclean  chap 11- 15

      A.  Food - Animals

      B.  Skin Disease 

      C.  Garments

      D.  Bodily Discharge

4. Day of Atonment Chap 16

      A.  Purification from moral uncleanness

5.  Holiness Code - Laws for Holy Living Chap 17 - 26

      A.  Killing Animals

      B.  Purity in Sexual Relation

      C.  Penalties for Violations

      D.  Seven Holy Convocations

      D.  Pure Oil & Holy Bread

      E.  Punishment for Blasphemy

      F.  Sabbath year, year of Jubilee and redemption

      G. Blessings for Obedience & Curse for Disobedience

in HIM

Wilson

EXODUS

Principle Theme: 

·         Israelite's Deliverance from Slavery

·         Origin & the foundational charter for Israel

·         Gods Covenant for a Holy Living

         

Excerpt:

1.  Entry of Jacob Family to Egypt

2.  Israelite's became slavery to Egyptian

3.  Birth of Moses

4.  Pharaohs plans to destroy Israelite's

5.  Moses encounter with God in bush

6.  Confrontation between God & King Pharaoh

7.  Plagues & Passover

8.  Crossing of Red Sea

9.  40 years of Wilderness

10. 10 Commandments & Laws 

11.  Calf idol Worship

12.  Building Tabernacle

       A. Instructions of Tabernacle

       B. Calling or Selection of Bezalel & Aholiab

                                                                                    In HIM

                                                                                    Wilson