The raise of King Jehoshaphat: Part-1

“The Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat.” 2Chron. 20: 1. King Jehoshaphat had a vast army which frightened all the kingdoms around Judah. (2Chron. 17:10, 14-19). Hence the Moabites & Ammonites with some more allies joined together to make a vast army to fight against King Jehoshaphat. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom … It is already in Hazazon Tamar”. 2Cron. 20: 2. By the time King Jehoshaphat came to know about it, the vast army of the enemy had already entered into his territory. “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judha” 2Chron. 20: 3. Though he himself had a vast army (2Chron. 17:14-19), he was frightened by the overwhelming and seemingly imminent catastrophic situation. Immediately, he decided to seek the Lord. He proclaimed a day of fasting and prayer through out Judah.

“The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him” 2Chron.20: 4. The whole nation including women and children took fast for one day and sat at the feet of the Lord. Good took mercy on the people of Judah and spoke to the people through a prophet, Jahaziel: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s… You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. Go out to face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with you.” 2Chron.20:15-17. Amazingly, the Lord set ambushes against the enemy and the enemies destroyed one another by killing each other!

In the same way, we may also face challenges, difficulties, and attacks by the enemy at some point in life. First thing to do is to call upon the name of the Lord with full heart (Jer.33:3) preferably with fasting & prayer along with your family and / or friends. The Lord will immediately hear our prayers and deliver us from the evil!

The fall of King Jehoshaphat: Part-11

Jehoshaphat obeyed God’s commands and walked blamelessly in his early years. “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the ways his father David had followed.” 2Chron.17:3

But he committed a mistake. Thought he set his heart on the Lord and followed his decrees, he yoked himself with enemy. “Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.” 2 Chrom.18:1. He made allies with a wicked King, Ahab by getting his son married to his daughter. Hence when Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to join with him to fight against Ramoth Gilead, he joined him. In spite of the warning by the prophet Micaiah, they fought the battle which was then lost. 2Chron.18:1-34. At the battlefield, Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord, (2Chron.18:31) and the Lord saved him. On return, Jehu rebukes him saying, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is upon you. However, there’s some good in you…you have set your heart on seeking the Lord.” 2Chron.19:2, 3

Jehoshaphat again repeated the same mistake, by making an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel. He made an agreement with him to construct a fleet of trading ships. The fatal mistake was that HE DID NOT INQUIRE OF THE LORD about this. HE DID NOT WAIT ON THE LORD WITH FASTING. Having been warned by a prophet Eliezer, the Lord destroyed his ships and his trade collapsed. Eventually he died.

The lesson we learn from the King Jehoshaphat’s life:

1. Always & always keep things in prayer, before making any decisions in your life.
2. Always keep fast during those times, according to your strength, and it shows your earnestness to God.
3. Always wait til you get a WORD from the Lord.
4. Always give praises & thanks even before the battle begins.

(When you send showers of praise to the Lord, the Lord gives victory at the same time!) Hallelujah!! “As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against them…they destroyed each other” 2Chron.20:22. The battle was won!!!

Why, God.........Why?

Many people in the world would find it easier to believe in God but for the suffering. They plead their case to God, just as Job did in the Old Testament days: “Why did God allow me this suffering, though I’ve not sinned against God?”

Job was a righteous man who lived according to God’s word. “In all this, Job did not sin with his lips” Job 2:10. But he lost everything including his own health. His wife said “Curse your God and die” – Job 2:9. There was nothing to live for in this world. “But Job did not sin by charging God with wrong doing” – Job 1:22. He wanted an answer from God: "Why did this happen to me, though I'm innocent?”.

Now, Job’s friends accepted the orthodox religious view of their day (‘Suffering is the result of sin and wickedness’) and accused Job and his children of sinning:

“Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright ever cut off? Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.” -Job 4:7, 8

“If your sons have sinned against Him, He has cast them away for their transgression.” - Job 8:4
“Is it for your piety that he rebukes you and brings charges against you?

Is not your wickedness great? Are not your sin endless?” – Job 22: 4, 5

But Job argues that he’s innocent.
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.” –Job 31: 1
“If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary, If I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless…” – Job 31: 16, 17

And he calls his friends,
“Worthless physicians”- Job 13:4 and “Miserable comforters” –Job 16:2.

In these circumstances, how can Job TRUST God?
“God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me” – Job 23:16

The broken hearted Job waits for an answer from God.

Why did God reply him with lots of questions from Cosmology to Zoology? (Job 38 & 39). The purpose is to demonstrate how incomprehensible God’s wisdom and knowledge are. He is the mighty creator and no one can understand the depth of his knowledge and the purpose of his creative power fully. Does that mean that Job’s suffering was in vain? No, not at all. It does mean that there’s always an inscrutable wisdom and purpose behind these sufferings. As we are human beings, our understanding is extremely limited. And God does not give total explanation for everything. But even if Job was able to get an answer from God, it wouldn’t meet his real needs. In sufferings, theories about God aren’t enough. Indeed what Job really needed was God’s supernatural presence, a touch from the Master, a word from the Almighty.

Job replies after tasting the word from God, “I know that you can do all things; no plans of yours can be thwarted… Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know…My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” – Job 42: 1-6. Surely, God blessed his later life with double portion of blessings!

In the same way, when we go thru' trials and tribulations, the personal encounter with Jesus at the foot of the Cross will give us strength. We may not understand fully why these things happen. But we get peace and joy with the comforter, who had undergone much suffering at the Cross.

When we are really suffering, it’s not explanations we need, but the assurance that our Creator God is ours and therefore we can endure anything. That’s the miracle we need! It’s a miracle we get at the foot of the Cross! Amen!

Special thanks to:

Pastor Francis Bates, Kenton Evangelical Church.

www.ewtn.com (for Job's picture)

The story behind Christmas

This is a joyous season! Yes, it’s Christmas!! Hurray……!!! It’s time to decorate our house with christmas trees, balloons and lightings. It’s the time to have friends and families visiting. There are plenty of cakes and cookies to eat. But what are the origin and the real purpose for Christmas?

Historical background:

Long back, Romans celebrated a festival known as “Saturnalia” (worship of pagan god, Saturn) in the month of December. This period was considered by the people as a time of absolute relaxation and cheerfulness. It’s a time of absolute freedom, when the courts were closed. None were punished for damaging property or injuring people during the week long celebration. All the schools were closed and there were no business transactions. The festival began by selecting an innocent victim whom they forced to indulge in eating and other physical pleasures. At the end of festival on 25th December, they murdered the innocent victim with a belief that they destroyed the forces of darkness.

This festival, “Saturnalia”, was becoming very popular among the pagans. Christianity was also spreading at that time. The Christians were alarmed by the continuing celebration of this pagan custom. Hence to tame this pagan celebration, the church was successful to bring this pagan celebration characterized by idolatry, revelry, debauchery and drunkenness into a meaningful festival of joyous Christmas. In 350 AD, Pope Julius 1 declared that the birth of Christ would be celebrated on 25th December. This declaration made it easier for the pagans to leave their sinful celebration and to celebrate Christmas in a good manner and to accept Christianity.

The Origins of Christmas Customs

Santa Claus (‘Father Christmas’)

St. Nicholas, popularly known as Santa Claus, probably lived between 250 AD and 350 AD in Myra (current -Turkey). He became the bishop of the Church of Myra. Though only limited information is available on him, he was generously giving gifts to children during autumn season. He was a shy person and wished to give money to poor people without them knowing about it. It is believed that one day, he climbed the roof of a house and dropped a purse of money down the chimney. It landed in the stocking which a girl had put to dry by the fire! This may explain the belief that Father Christmas comes down the chimney and places gifts in children's stockings. He gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick.

Christmas Trees

"Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the sky, though the nations are terrified by them. For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.” - Jer.10: 1-4
People from Asheira cult worshipped trees in the forest, or brought them into their homes and decorated them. Jeremiah 10 can be applied, if those who set up a Christmas tree fall down and worship it as a god, complete with altars and incense stands. Or if someone loves their Christmas tree more than God, then it can be a spiritual idolatry. But apart from these exceptions, it is clear that Christians who erect Christmas trees are NOT worshiping them as gods, nor do they love them more than their Savior Jesus Christ. They are simply using the Christmas tree as a fun custom, one that can remind them of Jesus who is the branch of David (Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15), the root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1). One that can remind them of the tree that led Adam and Eve to sin, but more importantly, the tree on which Christ Jesus died to make atonement for the sins of the whole world (Acts 5:30; Gal. 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24).

Essence of Christmas

The true origin of Christmas is packed with controversies and compromise. In short, the Christmas holiday we celebrate today is indicative of Christianity's willingness to absorb the world's customs and traditions. Christmas is a wonderful reminder of Christ's humble beginning as a human child in this world. His birth set the stage for the power, glory, and salvation that would be revealed in His life, death, and resurrection! Whether it's December 25th or any other day of the year, we should use each and every opportunity to reflect on Jesus Christ and His message of hope for all of us.

Practical ways

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks.” – Luke 2: 8.

The shepherds were living in the field. They were probably, living away from their home. Perhaps they didn’t have one. They did not know it was Christmas time. There might be some one in a similar situation just 10 miles away from you, who do not know about Christ. This is the best time show them Christ’s love. Even a small gift or a tiny lunch pack or a visit will bring more joy to their hearts during this season.

“An angel of the lord appeared to them……..and said to them ‘Do not be afraid. Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” - Luke 2: 8-12.

God can use you as an angel to proclaim the good news to them. Let’s make a difference this Christmas; Let’s join our hands with millions of homeless people, destitutes, orphans, poor and the needy around the world to celebrate this Christmas!

We wish you a Merry & a Meaningful Christmas!

References:
1. www.allaboutjesuschrist.org
2. Pastor Richard Bucher

A Banquet with Bennyhinn!

It was a lovely evening to have a banquet with Pastor Bennyhinn at the Hilton hotel, London. What amazed me was not the grandeur of the banquet with the well- known Evangelist Bennyhinn, but the practical message he gave about ‘How to preach the Salvation to the lost souls’. I give glory to our Lord for his ministry. I was in awe when I noted that there was neither filming / photography of the event nor any security. The meeting was very simple and so was the man, Bennyhinn! As all of us were having dinner around a big table in the Ballroom, he appeared on the small platform and joked, saying, “You all can continue to have the desert, while I start talking to you!” I was really surprised to see this evangelist who is very popular among the crowd, stood there humbly, giving glory to Jesus all the time. He called some special people from the audience to come to the stage to share their testimonies. Pastors from the Middle East shared how God touched them by appearing in their dreams.

Pastor Bennyhinn shared his personal prayer life. Few days before this meeting, he was called by God in a dream twice to go and pray for 2 days continually. He obeyed and started to pray. As we all know Bennyhinn is a man of God who prays for more than 5 to 6 hrs a day. But still he admitted that his prayers were mainly centered on the needs for his ministry, financial needs, and needs of the world (and also his family). During the continuous prayer, God gently rebuked him and asked, “Do you like the ministry or me? Which is your first?” Then God showed him that he spent more time in praying for the ministry / his family / finance etc, but only less time in seeking his face.

The truth is: God wants people to seek his face and not his hand!

I’ve summed up his message shortly:-

Matt. 24th chapter: 24 Signs of the second coming
1. Deceptions (v.4-5, 11, 24)
2. False Christs (v.5, 23-26)
3. Wars and rumors of wars (v.6-7)
4. Famines (v.7)
5. Pestilences (v.7)
6. Earthquakes (v.7)
7. Anti-semitism (v.9)
8. Offences (v.10)
9. Betrayals (v.9)
10.Hatred (v.10)
11.False prophets (v.11, 24)
12.Lawlessness abounding (v.12)
13.Love of many getting cold (v.12)
14.Increased missionary work (v.14)
15.Abomination of desolation (v.15)
16.New Jewish nation in Judea (v.9, 15-26; Dan.9:27)
17.New Jewish temple (v.15, 26; Dan.8:9-13)
18.Great tribulation of 3 and ½ yrs (v.21; Dan.12:1)
19.Martyrdoms (v.9, 22; Rev.11:7)
20.Flight of Jews from Judea (v.16-21)
21.Increased satanic powers (v.24)
22.Surfeiting (v.38)
23.Sex crimes (v.38)
24.Procrastination and lethargy (v.39)



The main theme to consider is the TIME: We are at the end of the time. Paul the apostle preached the gospel for about 30 yrs. His preaching shook the whole world. So, we need at least 30 yrs to evangelize effectively. But we don’t have that length of time. The time is short! Evangelists like Bennyhinn CANNOT reach your neighbours; not everyone watches Christian channels. It is the responsibility of each and every born-again believer to preach the message of salvation to their neighbours! Bring your neighbour to your home for a tea and at the end present them Bible. Then, continue to pray for their Salvation. There’s no need to be ashamed of the Gospel. It’s time that we all, as a part of the Kingdom of Heaven, act in union to preach the salvation to those lost souls. I pray that the Holy Sprit strengthen us and touch the hearts of all the unbelievers. Amen!

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God… God choose the weak things of the world to shame the strong…” I Cor. 1:18, 27

Take that old staff...

“So, Moses took his wife and son, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took his staff in his hand…..” - Ex.4:20

Moses had spent almost 40 years in the wilderness, when he was called by God to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. When he set out on a journey to Egypt, he remembered to take his old staff with him, which he probably was using it to lead the flock in the wilderness. One of the reason for Moses to carry his old staff could be to remember his old days in wilderness….to remember his hard times in the desert….and to humble himself before the Lord.

Bro. D.G.S. narrated the following story: A rich man lived in a big palace which was built with expensive stones and marbles. People marveled at the beauty of his house. But in his living room, he had kept an old jagged chair. When his friends asked him why he had kept that old chair, he answered them, “My parents were very poor. We hardly had one meal a day. From that very poor situation God has lifted me up. So, I want to remember where I’ve come from. And I do not wish to forget the Lord who has blessed me with all this riches. So whenever I see that chair, I’ll remember the goodness and mercy of my Lord.”

Let’s consider a different scenario here. God anointed Saul, when he was small. God made him a King over Israel. But he forgot to fulfill the commandment of God (Read 1 Sam. 15). (Obeying a part of God’s law is NOT enough). Samuel said to Saul, “When you were small in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel? Why, then, did you not obey the voice of the Lord?” – 1 Sam. 15:17. Saul’s heart became proud, when he became the king and did not obey God.

God has blessed this generation. This generation is being blessed economically, physically, socially, spiritually as well as intellectually. When one becomes blessed, he should remember the place where he was raised from. He should remember his old days and give thanks to the Lord continually for all His blessings (Read Deut. 8). “When you have eaten and are satisfied, PRAISE the LORD for the good land He has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, in keeping His commands, his laws, and his decrees that He is giving you this day. Otherwise, your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God……” - Deut. 8:10- 14.

The Ephesus church endured hardships for our Lord’s name, worked hard with perseverance. But still, God was very unhappy with this church, as they did not love God, as they did in their early days. To the church in Ephesus, the Lord says, “I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.” –Rev.2:4. Hence, God warns them to show their original / first love to Him. “Repent and do the things you did at first.” – Rev.2:5

Our Lord needs undivided love for Him. The first and greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind” – Matt. 22: 37. Jesus has made a very strong statement here. “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” - Matt. 10:37. So, how much more we have to be careful in honoring and loving God, giving Him the First place in everything in our lives.

So, take the old staff with you always, which you used to carry in your old days. It may be a personal prayer which you used to do all night long….or a regular fast which you used to do…..or a prayer from the depth of your heart with tears in your eyes…or simply a praise & worship song which you used to murmur all the time….Remember those days when you were born again and remember your old days when you were called by God…. Do the same spiritual things which you used to do before….have the same humble attitude in your heart…. Take that old staff of God with you all the time, where ever you go…..and you will be blessed! Amen!!

The End!

The Empty Tomb !

John 20: 1-9 & 18

1. Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2. So, she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him!”

3. So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but he did not go in. 6. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there,7 as well as the burial cloth that has been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded by itself, separate from the linen.8. Finally, the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9. They still did not understand from the scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

18. Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that He had said these things to her.