20/10/09

Where are the Christians?

Hebrew 10:35-38 [NIV] - So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."


I was very let down yesterday, when I went to sit with a group of people who hold churches in different parts of Mumbai. They themselves were non-believers before and now have become instruments to bring many people into the Lord. They have sacrificed their lives totally to God's work; full time ministering to the people. One of the leaders raised a question about a topic which different churches do differently, saying what they do is right and what others do is wrong. So I asked them if we could sit and debate on this matter and study it to its depth.

We were sitting with one of their seniors and I was surprised to hear from his mouth that we do not need to go too deep into scriptures and just stick to the God News of salvation. It would be like being a newspaper having only headlines!

It sounded foolishness to me, but then I stood back and said what have I achieved in God's Kingdom compared to these people who have done so much? Is it necessary to dig so deep into scriptures or is it better to be just simple Christians?

Also this is the reason why we have differences between us Christians because we do not want to sit and study the scriptures together until we come to one understanding.

But then I took another step behind and saw where are the sons of God who hold the power of God within them. Why do not we have people like Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Isaiah, Ezekiel etc. who would shake nations with their presence?

People are satisfied with a God who does small wonders, Who heals their bodies and solves their financial problems. They do not want to testify to a God Whom the whole will stand in awe of and bend their knees too.

Why do we need to plead people to come to the Lord? Why can not we manifest the power of God within us, that the people know that our God alone is God. If we are not root in true faith and have the knowledge of God within us then where is that power going to come from?

The Lord had given me a promise where He would use me to make such mighty people out of those whom He has called to work in His Kingdom. And today's message gave me a boost to continue my work and hold on to that promise irrespective of what happens.

It is high time the world sees some real Christians.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Father God, You are God almighty. The Heavens and all creation bows to You. In your Breathe the whole of creation was made. The world is your foot stool and man is like a mere worm compared to You. Yet You went out of the way for us and called us to be your sons, to inherit from You. Lord God open the minds of your people especially those whom You have called to serve in your vineyard...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Matthew 22:29
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Luke 4:14
14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

Acts 4:32-35
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Revelations 15:1-4
1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

John 1:12-13
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Romans 8:16-23
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

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