Flip side of the Christmas Story

Mat 2:18  “A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH, WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING  RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN, AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE.”

Ever thought that there was rejoicing on account of Jesus birth at the same time weeping & wailing too in a city”

Just a brief understand of Herod and the Message of Christmas penned down below for our inspiration. On account of Jesus birth many children below the age of two was killed. The people who desperately waited for the Messiah had to now wail over their children who lost their lives so brutally. Only Jesus was able to comfort the irreparable loss. The statistics says that 70 in every 1000 children born in India do not see their first birthday. 95 in every 1000 children born in India do not see their fifth birthday. And approximately 1.83 million children die on account of various causes. How often these numbers and figures makes no meaning to us. And occasion like Christmas becomes just a celebration and honouring everyone and everything else beside the Messiah, and that too with reduced love or with no Love at all. Pro 15:17  says “Better is a dish of vegetables where LOVE is than fatten ox served with hatred”

A brief Understanding of Herod

Herod was an Edomite, enmity to Israel was bred in the bone with him. Doeg was an Edomite, who, for David's sake, slew all the priests of the Lord 1Sam 22:9; 18. The history says that Herod put to death several of his own children and some of his wives whom he thought were plotting against him. Emperor Augustus reportedly said it was better to be Herod’s sow than his son, for his sow had a better chance of surviving in a Jewish community. The usage of the country forbade him to kill a swine, but nothing could restrain him from killing his son. It was also seen that Herod had killed his own sons Alexander and Aristobulus and then his Son Antipater after this, but five days before he himself died. What we see also that the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:15 comes to fulfilment. And then our responsibilities to restore the Christmas Message in our times.

1.     The Message of Christmas is the  message of Salvation

Luk  2:11 For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord You are wretched because of your sins. Rom 7:24  “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death” God understanding the stage of our helplessness had to make a provision so that we live a victorious life. We are wretched because of the guilt that we possess due to the Result of our Sin. Psychologist says that are about 175 Symptoms of guilt

o   Socio economic breakdown. work became difficult & tiresome on account of sin by the first Man

o   Physical dysfunction like sleep and sexual. Stress, Anger (BP)

o   Emotional dysfunction self-hatred and self-loathing,

o   Relational dysfunction in conflict and attempts to control others

And only God is big enough to help us and save us from our wretchedness. Then in  Jer 5:25  it says “Your sins have withheld good from you.” Most often we assume it is the circumstances and our failure that have clogged the blessings from the Lord, forgetting the presence of the sin that is present in us. Unless the saviour is born in our hearts, we shall die in our sins as said in John 8:24 The soul will keep hunting till you have  Jesus in the empty place. Let us not distort the message of Christmas with the external, but rededicate our lives afresh by believing and accepting the lordship.  Acts 15:9 “… Cleansing the heart by faith” By your heart purged and cleansed you make Christmas more meaningful to you and to others

2.     The Message of Christmas is about Sacrifice and paying a Price.

1Pet 1:20  “For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but has appeared in this last times for the sake of you”. Knowing that the SON is going to be on the cross still came to the earth for making a way for us. The infants in Ramah who became the first infant martyrs paid the price to welcome Jesus Mat 2 18 in this world. What have you paid so far? God does not want the external as this earth and that contains therein belongs to the Lord. It is seen in 1 Sam 24:24 David Paying price  “Surely I will buy it from you for a price, I will not offer burnt offering to the Lord my God which cost me  nothing.” What are you going to sacrifice for the sake of the Lord Jesus. The Most common verse John 3:16 “God so Loved the world that he gave His Son” Greater love means greater sacrifice and paying a price.

3.     The Message of Christmas is about the message of Judgement

John says in Mat 3:10 “The axe is already laid at the root of the trees therefore every tree that does not bear the fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Do not forget that we are also accountable to Him Rom 14:12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” We are living in a time where both reverence and fear of the Lord is obliterated. May the Lord help us to understand the accountability for us at first, then for others and accept the great salvation with reverence. In the busyness of the celebration do not belittle or neglect the great Salvation came to us through His Son Jesus Christ.. Heb 2:3 says “how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”

4.     The Message of Christmas is the message of sharing the good news to others

Luk 2:10 “good tidings and great joy which shall be to all people.”  A common verse that is recited so fluently but  sadly the celebrations and Carols makes no more meaning, as it is only shared among ourselves forgetting that there are still about 60% and above who have not heard the Gospel even for the first time. Who shall go to them?  Forget about going to them most of the time we forget to exemplify Christ by our walks, talks and by our attitude. Can we this year seriously become an epistles that can be written in every hearts and read by all men and pass on the Salvation and message of Christmas meaningfully as said in 2 Cor 3:2. May God bless you and wish you a meaningful Christmas and a Blessed New Year 2012

The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable

Most often it slips from our mind to consciously thank Him for the gift of life, for our families, and for the cohesiveness in general. Paul in 2 Cor 9:15 says “Thanks be to God for the indescribable gift” .That which comes from the Lord is definitely beyond measure, only that we are taken up by what we behold more, over what is not visible. I am sure anybody is excited at least for a short moment if we have to receive gifts,  especially surprised gifts excites us more. Bible also talks about the Perfect gift in Jam 1:17 “Every good thing given and every Perfect Gift is from above coming from the Father of lights…” It is therefore certain that everyone has received a unique gift and talent from the Lord as per our ability as said in Mat 25:15, and definitely required to use it for the glory of God. 

I assume most of the time the unique gift and talent that we have received from the Lord remains inactive because of our commitment towards it seems to be fragile. And sometime we are confused with what we have received from the Lord as the result of our longing ness, and what we have acquired by training and learning’s in the course of time. Jesus said in Mk 1:17 “I will MAKE you become the fishers of men.” Anything that happens as the result of being made has a marvellous significance. Therefore, as the result of your dedication and commitment you are MADE to bear the unique gift, and to have the same operated for His purpose alone. One amazing truth that we learn from the title verse Rom11: 29 The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable, which simply means that he does not snatch the unique gift already given. My dear friends this also means that there remains a danger to it I suppose, because the gift can still operate in spite of our failed relationship with God or even unfaithfulness towards Him.  It is seen that the gifts keeps active at least for some time before the destruction. Most of the times when one is known to be rhetoric and has a great convincing power or specialised skill, having a higher status fail to notice the fall, and keep managing the situation without being held. In Job 11:2 “..and should a man full of talk be justified?”,  definitely the answerer is no. Sadly most of the times people use words to substitute the integrity of the heart.

Let us see the situations of Samson who was called by the Lord and given a unique strength for a divine purpose. When his entanglement with sin grew higher, then Samson was slowly disconnected from the Lord, but the Lord did not withhold His compassion towards Samson, whereas He allowed the gift still to be operated for quite some period of time, expecting Samson to repent and come back to the Lord, but he seemed to be lost, gone too far wriggling in the sinful mire. And we read in Judges 16:20 it says “She said the Philistines are upon you Samson. And he woke up from his sleep and said “I will go out as other times and shake myself free But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him” and you know the end.

So my dear friends it is possible that you perform great, having everything on your favour without any impediment. But should not fail to remember that “sin will find you out” Num32:23, also refer Pro10:9 “..He who perverts in his way will be found out.” I thank God for the greatest gift of God i.e. intervening and disciplining us while we err, in order to draw us nigh to Him.  Heb 12:11 “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful…..afterwards it yields peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Suppose we are allowed to a physical sickness our immediate and normal response is to manage with a pill. And when the sickness increases our pill increases. We have learned to manage the situation well justifying ourselves, instead to know who we are. Can we be conscious to hold to the unique gift with reverence?  May the Good Lord help us to be conscious in being with the triune God John17:21 “… that they also may be in us” and bring glory to Him and draw all to God.

They will run and not get tired……

We have reached a point where everything can be acquired in less time; we force to increase our pace beyond our comprehension. The enormous knowledge boom is unimaginable. Huge erosion in the Value system and in the ethics is noticed during the race to win. In the corporate world you are expected to be faster than your friend or colleague, in order to be noticed and able to make your livelihood.   

Talk to anyone the chorus is “Sorry Sir, I am very busy”, talk to friends and people in mission they wish if they day were protracted. If we have to  pause, and see whether we have Jesus in our run or in a hurry have left him behind, then sadly most of the time the latter is convincible, to be true. Yes I do understand that we need to catch up with the enormous demands of life, and work in our times, but with that, are we able to practice our spiritual devotion in all the walks of our life? Or does it become a stand alone? A meaningful relationship is what the Lord expects. Daniel 12:4 “Many will run to and fro, and knowledge will increase”

The work demand is so high that we, in the influence of coercion strive to accomplish at the cost of our relationship, primarily with God and then comes family, children, environment, etc, etc. Most of the times end up with disappointment. How can we in the midst of our unyielding schedule also keep our relationship with Him Intact? It is necessary that we practice Physical discipline primarily that will lead to spiritual regulation. The bible tells us in 1 Cor 9:27 “Disciplining my body and make it my slave” Remember, this body needs continue discipline on a daily basis. Paul in  2Tim 2:3-6 compares us to  a Soldier, Hard-working Farmer & Athlete. And as you agree, that all the 3 areas, requires enormous amount of discipline to be successful. Sadly most of the time we force our self to this standard, primarily to manage in adhering to the standard set in our work  place and in the arena of our commitments for living, but fail to live up to the expectation of God, His word and  to our inner voice.  

Yes, I do agree that with the limited strength we are weary and exhausted physically and psychologically. But if you notice what the Bible tells in Isaiah 41:31 “…….they will run and not get tired they will walk and not become weary”, Don’t you think this is the greatest promise to the all the runners in this time? Yes, we have to understand in not getting tired and weary, you are required not only to be refueled, but to be plugged into the relationship with the most High. Do not also forget that this definitely promises that we will be pressed to run, but to remain unexhausted demands that you wait on the Lord. At any point you feel that you are drained and likely to be fragmented then remember the promise in Isaiah 42:3 “A bruised reed will he not break, and a dimly burning wick will he not quench: ….” He is concerned about you my friend, and He longs to be Gracious to you as said in Is 30:18. But how much you prioritize Him without any compromises, matters a lot.

Be sensitive to His feelings and keep yourself blameless in the sight of God. Prov 11:5 says “The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way” I wish and pray that the Lord will continue to keep you safe, blameless and you run with full vigor. I would like to leave with this last challenging question from Jer 12:6  “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and  if in the land of peace,  wherein thou trustedst,  they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan.” There are long way to go, so be motivated for He cares for you.

Blessings

David Raj

 

When the faithful ceases to exist……….

       Hi Friends Just a few thoughts I would like to pen down that I trust will help us to redefine in the way we consider Gods intervention. We are in the time when the atrocities of the so called Christians specially who are in the forefront of the ministry are becoming unbearable and heartbreaking, and we are confused whether the Lord is really beholding on the Evil that is eating away the little faith of the ones who grapple to trust God. David in Psalms 12:1-4 says “Help Lord ; for the godly man ceaseth; For the faithful fail from among the children of men.” And he ends in verse 12:8  “The wicked walk on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men. When generally all think themselves to be the saviour and keep proclaiming about themselves as said in Proverbs 20:6 “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” .Lets examine ourselves to understand what sustains us. Ps 18:35 says “ your gentleness makes me great” sadly it’s the manipulation, Ungodliness, power, money, fame, etc & etc you can think of, sustains us and reaches us on the top. Can we seriously examine to know that,  are we still in the Lord? And if necessary recommit our lives afresh to Jesus. Even the Lord is disappointed and broken to see that he is reproached hurt from us and not from the anti-socials of the world. “Psa 55:12-13  For it was not an enemy that reproached me; Then I could have borne it: Neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; Then I would have hid myself from him. But it was thou, a man mine equal, My companion, and my familiar friend.”

Now let’s carefully understand the fact of How God will intervene. Firstly we should understand that we are in the culmination of times, where necessarily God would not bring everything to standstill which if happens yes, it may or may not build our trust in God, but it is important to understand Gods sovereign way to do things.

If there is a situation unbearable or sufferings that you go through we should understand and be prepared to know the testing of our faith and the Love for him has begun. How much obedient are you. As you read Heb 5:8 “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;” therefore it is important that we continue to obey governance as said in 1 Pet 2:18 “You servants must submit yourselves to your masters and show them complete respect, not only to those who are kind and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.” GNB and ensure that you are not treated bad because of your folly 1 Pet 1:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.  Therefore my friends do not loose your temper at any case James 1:20 “for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” During the course wait patiently displaying your obedience and righteousness towards God.  We will be foolish if we think to prove a point. The lord is concern how you obey and trust in every steps. Remember we are living in a world that is called “Present imperfect” and heading towards “Future Perfect”. Eternity is our destination my friend Eccles 3:11, So keep looking ahead towards the destination that God has prepared  for us 1 Cor 2:9 “but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And which entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him. Read Heb 11:37-40 It talks about the suffering and hardships of people who did not get any justification in this world. So God will honour you based on your faithfulness. Continue to cling to God in prayer and in His word. Isa 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee” and read Rev 22:11 “He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still”  and consider Malachi 3:17-18 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

I trust these thoughts would help you to continue to Trust God faithfully.

Blessings