Have we become oblivious to the power of the word of God?

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” – Heb 4:12 (KJV)

When I sit back for a moment and think about the influence the word of God has had in my unstable life, I am awe-struck. If it were not for the Bible, I would have been in the pits of darkness groping for a hold, just to remain alive. My faith has built so much just by standing on his promises and completely trusting and obeying him, no matter what the consequences might be. In today’s world of principalities, philosophies and false doctrines, I see the misuse or “no use” of the power that we inherently have with us as Christians. And that is the Word of God! “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God” – Matt 22:29

The key to our faith is obedience and obedience to God’s word. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” – Rom: 10:17(KJV). James speaks about being the doers of the word of God and not just hearers. “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” Jas 1:25(KJV). If only I can know and obey what God commands me; will I really be able to enjoy the fruits of my deeds. If our hearts, minds and consciences are not set right with God, our works are no good though it might be good in the sight of the world.

The more I read and understand His word, the more I see my old self chipping off and the new me taking shape. In fact it is like a mirror which unravels the incredible and darkest truths of my life; judges the thoughts and intentions of my heart. It can sometimes be hard to believe but it is the truth. All this is possible only if I give due respect, time and importance to the role of God’s word in my life. Our obedience to the word of God is nothing but bringing Christ into our lives and living. It is a token of our love for Him.

Bereans were considered noble people because they searched the scriptures – “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:10-11 and Jesus clearly says that in the scriptures, you have eternal life. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”- John 5:39. That discernment of what is right or wrong and what is Biblical or not, does not come to us if we fail to go back and search and verify with the scriptures. And when we fail to do so, we become followers and pleasers of men and not God.

I will leave you with a thought, if we want to enjoy a abundant life, we need to know what it is all about; if we want to be imitators of Christ and not “Hero- Worshipers” or “Friends of the World”, we need to know what it means to follow Him; if we claim to be the salt and light of the world, we ought to live up to our calling. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you”- John 15:14. “My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it”- Luke 8:21

So friends- “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”- 2 Tim 2:15

When the Waiting gets too long…….it is Wonderful! (Lam 3:25)

It has been a long journey since I lost my job in February 2009. God has been leading me ever since, holding my hand and walking beside me through fears and tears, through pains and gains, through nopes and hopes! Its like the darkness which keeps getting denser and blinding my eyes from the power of the light within me. My apprehensions and my fears seem so real that they keep preventing me from setting my eyes on things above. The beautiful road I travelled thus far had many destinations some good and some bad. The moment I say to myself “I’m fine”, I find myself in a thought of despair the very next, saying “Why me?” However it is God’s lovingkindness which he bestowed upon me that makes me say “I’m still alive and so is my God and that is all that matters to live!”(Rom 8:28)

Surviving in this world of pace, technology and competition is not easy unless you ensure that you are not gripped by the rat race of power and riches. I have been learning to stand on solid ground so that even though the world around me collapses I can still bank on the corner stone. It is the Spirit of God that comforts and assures me of a hope in the future when I think of the chaotic present and contemplate the hopeless tomorrow(Isa 40:31). If only I had the eyes of God to see how this crisis of mine would end!

I always felt like Job in the beginning when I lost my job. God gave me one of the best jobs on campus and took it away even before a year passed by. Having declined the offer at Qualcomm and taking up BCS is something that my family regrets now. But I can only see God’s hand. It’s hard to understand the decision but it is easy to trust and say it was God’s planning for my best. Each time I try to understand the unfortunate turn of events in my recent past, it is humbling to see how God has rescued me from things worse than I could dream of. Whenever my fears and doubts take over me the only words that come to my lips are “I need you. More of you and less of me in my life.” Though I could never make complete sense of what I kept telling myself, there was a peace that calmed me down. (Jn14:27)

The character of Joseph has been another real encouragement to me. I mean if only Joseph could question God saying “What have I done to deserve this?” for all that he underwent. It was nearly two years that he had to wait in the prison until the butler who was supposed to request the King for his release actually did. I am sure he might have spent nights filled with tears and hope in his heart, waiting to be delivered. From the age of 17 when he was happily shepherding his father’s cattle until the age of 30 when he stood before the King, it was a remarkable journey. Times of tests, trials and temptations but each time God was with him(Gen 39:2,3,21,23). It becomes tough when the waiting exceeds the time we initially thought it could be. It gets tougher in the end and only real strength that comes from God can help calm the storm within. It was easy for me to convince others that I was doing fine but then I cannot but ask God at the end of the day, “How long O Lord would you turn your ears away from me?” Especially when all my attempts fail and when nothing seems to be moving, it is hard to understand if God is really hearing my prayers. That is when waiting taught me to trust God and put my hope in Him alone and not relying on my wisdom and my thoughts.(Prov 16:3,3:5)

There were times when I tried to put myself into the shoes of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Can I really say, “Even though God does not give me a job (may be for one full year!), I will still worship him and continue to love him.” I get Goosebumps when I think of myself in that situation. When I go to church will I be able to sing meaningful praises to God along with the others? It may be easy to say but surely very hard to live it out loud. Waiting has given me the ability to stand still and know that God is God.(Exo 3:14,Psa 27:14). God has always been faithful to me and has brought me out from difficult situations. It is that confidence that keeps me going from one crossroad to the next. It is difficult sometimes to bring your family along with you in this journey. While you need them, they need you as well. My family has been a big support in the sense that they always tried to ease the pressure of me. God also sends beautiful people all through the journey to help you keep moving. It is amazing to see how God orchestrates things according to his plan and pleasure which are beyond our human understanding.

Finally I would like to close with James 1:2-4

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Team Work - Basket Ball Analogy

Today I was playing basketball with one of my friends and it struck me how big a lesson of team building can be learnt from it. Since I was told that the article I wrote about the basketball analogy is too technical I will try to put my point across in a way a layman can understand. In a basketball 5 players are actually on the court playing the game. If you have followed a basketball match closely you would have noticed that the players usually take a shot from specific points frequently. For example Shaquille O'Neil is good at pivot shots close to the ring and in collecting rebounds. Similarly the one who feeds the ball and gets it is the play maker. You cannot have a team which has all 5 rebounders or all 5 play makers. Ultimately each one plays what he can do the best and performs well to win games.

Though the game we watch might be entertaining, that would not have been possible without the strenuous physical training they undergo and the way they discipline their bodies and develop their skills and strategies each time they have a game or a tournament coming up. All of them have to go through the same basic physical training to be graded as fit for the game. They are coached by one Leading Coach who is also their manager with the same goal of winning games. Huh! If you think I am blabbering yeah you are probably right but you can just imagine some other game you know where each player requires diversified abilities (I guess any game will)!!

Technical stuff apart, I see that today's churches, Christian organizations or ministries are very enthusiastic and prayerful about starting off a ministry or an organization or an activity with let’s say one vision, mission, objectives, goals or whatever. They are doing tremendous work and I have seen amazing results coming out of them. Many testimonies and a lot of change in people attending the camps and events happening around. That is really good. Praise God for that! But one big thing I see that is missing is the "Principles" on which they are built and held together as a team. I think God would surely be watching that missing link. I have seen great musicians, preachers, speakers, helpers and teachers in different Christian circles but what are the principles they are based on is something that puzzles me. I am not looking for a monotonic or a flat system where everyone is a preacher or everyone is a musician but one where the value system is strongly built with the diversifications adding beauty, strength and glory to the team.

In Ephesians Paul says that God gives people as gifts to the church by His grace.(Eph 4:11). So God provides people enabled with Spiritual gifts to different churches accordingly. What he says we need to be doing as a team is something not easy but challenging. We cannot be tossing to and fro with every wind of doctrine or by the sleight of men. (Eph 4:14) There will always be people waiting to deceive, both within and outside the organization but then we ought not to be deceived because by being deceived we are going to become partakers with them (Eph 5:6,7). The only way we can be saved from deception is by being renewed in the mind and walking as the children of God.(Eph 4:23, 5:8) It is interesting to see that Paul says we need to be trying to learn what is acceptable unto the Lord. (Eph 5:10) But there will be people who will be learning for ever but never be able to come to the knowledge of the truth.(2 Tim 3:6) I was wondering how can this be? I mean on one hand we are trying to learn and prove what is pleasing to God but on the other hand there will be people doing exactly the same but based on the principles of darkness.

So I think the only way we can work as team is when our physical training, disciplining of our bodies and development of skills and strategies happens based on one value system and a given set of principles that is of the Bible. I mean what other way do we have to know what pleases God and not men! If that is not common then we can never be working together or stand united. If we are not letting the Holy Spirit our head coach to teach us and correct us and to be wise in keeping away from darkness then we can never win games. (Eph 5: 15-17) This is where we are called to be united, this is where we are to be one and simultaneously play our distinct and irreplaceable roles in the ministry. (Eph 4: 13,17)

If you have observed that most of the references are from Ephesians then yes you are right, I’ve been studying Ephesians and just wanted to restrict mostly to Ephesians.