Read Psalm 46
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
There are always almost two reactions when we hear of wars, uprisings, epidemics and natural disasters. The first reaction is to be overwhelmed and become crippled by fears toward the happenings. We then switch off the news or becomes so glued to the television with a sense of helplessness.
The second reaction is to numb ourselves from feeling anything. Casualties are just statistics and figures to us. What happens somewhere else has nothing to do with us and we stay in our bubble-world; refusing to be emotionally engaged with any bad news.
The psalmist is neither unaware, nor unaffected by the events of his world but declares his confidence in the Lord. In our turbulent world, do we have the faith that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Verse 1).
Verse 10 “be still and know that I am God’ is perhaps the most misquoted verse in the Bible. It is used before worship services and prayer meetings to request the people to quiet down their hearts and pray.
In its context, this verse is a call for God’s people to remain steady in the midst of disasters and great unrest. It is a call for God’s people to remember who God is. He is who He claims to be – the Lord of the universe. Our hearts and minds must be completely at rest, confidence that He is in full control of all things on earth and everything in heaven. Nothing surprises Him and disturbs Him. He is Creator, Sustainer and King of all things seen and unseen.
With that quiet confident trust comes the realization that God is exalting Himself in all the world and making Himself known to all nations. God is the God of the universe and He reveals and is still revealing Himself to the peoples – we are then to be still and see God at His mission – knowing His Name great.
The next time you steady your heart using this verse, reminds yourself that God is the One you know and He wants others to know Him too.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Love Redefined
Read John 13:1-17
John 13:1
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
Everyone wants to believe in love. Love is much talked about but short in supply. It is a sellable commodity in theatres and because of our sinful nature, it is a concept much distorted these days.
Jesus took the form of human because of love. He ministered because He loved. He is the epitome of what real love is. He took the towel, washed the feet of His disciples as a prelude to that final show – the cross and the crucifixion.
“Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”
The best love movies pale in comparison to the expression of Christ’s love.
Looking at his band of followers on that day, Jesus felt love – intense and jealous love for them. Did he know they were all going to deny, abandon and betray Him? He did. Was He looking forward to His own death? I doubt so. Were they deserving of His love? We cry, ‘No’. So we too – are undeserving recipients indeed.
But our betrayals, denials, failures and pains inflicted on Him stop Him not. He is motivated by love for His creatures because He loves – not because we are lovely.
We are loved.
I John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.”
Because He loves us and we accept His love, the Holy Spirit, God’s nature of love now resides and forms in us. We are then able to love God and others as a response of being in love with God.
Love therefore starts with knowing God’s love, growing God’s love in us and then ends up showing God’s love to Him by loving others.
Love, therefore is a state of being that spills into our doing. It is supernatural. Having received such extravagant love, we love Him back to the end.
John 13:1
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
Everyone wants to believe in love. Love is much talked about but short in supply. It is a sellable commodity in theatres and because of our sinful nature, it is a concept much distorted these days.
Jesus took the form of human because of love. He ministered because He loved. He is the epitome of what real love is. He took the towel, washed the feet of His disciples as a prelude to that final show – the cross and the crucifixion.
“Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”
The best love movies pale in comparison to the expression of Christ’s love.
Looking at his band of followers on that day, Jesus felt love – intense and jealous love for them. Did he know they were all going to deny, abandon and betray Him? He did. Was He looking forward to His own death? I doubt so. Were they deserving of His love? We cry, ‘No’. So we too – are undeserving recipients indeed.
But our betrayals, denials, failures and pains inflicted on Him stop Him not. He is motivated by love for His creatures because He loves – not because we are lovely.
We are loved.
I John 4:19 says, “We love because he first loved us.”
Because He loves us and we accept His love, the Holy Spirit, God’s nature of love now resides and forms in us. We are then able to love God and others as a response of being in love with God.
Love therefore starts with knowing God’s love, growing God’s love in us and then ends up showing God’s love to Him by loving others.
Love, therefore is a state of being that spills into our doing. It is supernatural. Having received such extravagant love, we love Him back to the end.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Be a Clear Channel for God
Read John 14:15-31
John 14:22
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
Judas had a valid question. People after Judas have asked God the same question. Some have even given Him some helpful suggestions as well. Surely something spectacular will show everyone who the true God is and solve our world’s entire problem.
My sons told me that a pilot would write across the sky “Jesus loves you” in his plane daily without fail near their cousin’s house in Florida.
To Judas’ question, Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. (John 14:23)
The only way for God to show Himself to the world is through those who love Him and obey His teaching. If we are such God-lovers, God’s love for us will be so clearly manifested that it is as if God is the Host and Resident in our lives.
In other words, the God nature becomes our nature. God’s home is us and we are the showcase that God is real and God is alive. We do so by obeying His words and loving Him passionately with the daily Presence of the Holy Spirit.
God intends to show Himself to the world through us. We are the only channel through which the world views the reality, nature and character of God. To the world, their evaluation of God depends on their reading of us, His disciples.
Represent Christ well. Be a clear channel for God to the world.
John 14:22
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
Judas had a valid question. People after Judas have asked God the same question. Some have even given Him some helpful suggestions as well. Surely something spectacular will show everyone who the true God is and solve our world’s entire problem.
My sons told me that a pilot would write across the sky “Jesus loves you” in his plane daily without fail near their cousin’s house in Florida.
To Judas’ question, Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. (John 14:23)
The only way for God to show Himself to the world is through those who love Him and obey His teaching. If we are such God-lovers, God’s love for us will be so clearly manifested that it is as if God is the Host and Resident in our lives.
In other words, the God nature becomes our nature. God’s home is us and we are the showcase that God is real and God is alive. We do so by obeying His words and loving Him passionately with the daily Presence of the Holy Spirit.
God intends to show Himself to the world through us. We are the only channel through which the world views the reality, nature and character of God. To the world, their evaluation of God depends on their reading of us, His disciples.
Represent Christ well. Be a clear channel for God to the world.
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