03/03/11

Challenging time require strong steps

Mark 4:39 - And he awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.


Firstly people do not know me and one person I met who receives my message thought there was a whole team or ministry which sends the daily messages. I am an ordinary person like anyone else and may be sitting beside you in a train or bus, or walking down the street with you and you will not know me.

My benefit is that you become strong in the Lord and one day lead others into His Kingdom.

I have been sending daily mails since nearly 3 years and what I am sending today was known to me even at that time. If I wanted I could have sent these mails even at that time, but like I keep saying my words and my wisdom may please people but doing according to God instruction can only bring change.

God's time works according to the heart of a person and He knows whose heart will change or not. His word reaches the heart of those who desire Him at the right time and those who are stiff neck or stubborn in heart He hardens them further and sets them to their destruction.

In India just 2 days back we had the Annual Budget and there were not many changes in the budget. People were neither very happy nor disappointed. Common man was pleased looking at it, but those who really know economics were disappointed. They did not see any reforms pushing ahead. They know there is going to be hard times ahead and for the country to be strong then, now is the right time to take strong steps even if it hurts us somewhat.

When they put this question to the Finance Minister, he simple told them since his government did not enjoy total majority in the Parliament and depended on alliance his hands were tied.

God is not in a minority nor is His Hands tied. He knows the times ahead are going to be difficult and therefore He is asking of us to make strong changes in our spiritual life so that we will sail smoothly during those times.

God's love and my love for you has not changed but grown and out of true concern, the things that were hidden are exposed at the right time so that they do not lead to your destruction.

In today's message Jesus rebuked the wind and we see it obeyed and was silenced.

In that part of the sea it was an odd wind, Jesus was asleep in one boat and there were other boats along. The waves were getting bigger and the water had filled the boat. Had they not woken up Jesus, by normal understanding the boats could have capsized. Therefore Jesus first took the step of rebuking the wind and then He asked them if they did not have faith.

What faith did Jesus talk of them and is asking of us today?

Faith to know that the Lord is there with us therefore nothing will harm us. Faith that in the right time God will take action against the powers which come against us and show He is God and we are His loved ones.

I have seen many people know the Truth but do not want to come out from their pagan way of life due to social fears and real stupid reasons.

Some of them are like, what will happen to their body when they die, will people bury them, if so where? When they have children where will they baptize them? How do they get married and where? Who will issue birth certificates? What will they do on Sundays? Will they receive communion or just bread?

Like the priest rightly asked the couple to give him a letter stating they would not require any service from the RC church. What they were getting was nothing to do with God but municipal services with a religious face.

For municipal services the government is there, so let us not mix spiritual things with municipal things.

It is all these rituals and traditions which have been like iron chains around the legs of people. God has opened the prison door and given us the power to break all kind of chains which hold us down. Have faith and walk through the prison door and the chains will break by themselves.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, Your people are far from You and cannot see You. They trust man more than they trust You. They call themselves by your Name but they do not truly know your Name since they do not know You. Lord, reveal to this world that You alone are God and no powers can stand before You. All knees will bow and all tongues will confess You are God. Lord, the chains of bondage are very great for some of our brothers and sisters. We ask you to shower abundant grace on them and may your favor be on them...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripture ]
Mark 4:35-40
35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)