The EXPLOSIVE, ALL-POWERFUL Word of God…!!

Let’s read Psalm 29:3-9 & Jeremiah 23:29 in tandem

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

Sound is produced as a result of a vibration. The sound produced by the vibration of God’s vocal cords is literally explosive in nature. “Cedars” are very tall and sturdy trees. They can grow over 100 feet tall and can have a trunk of over 2 meters wide.  The psalmist says that the voice of the Lord can break through these cedars with ease. The voice of God can break through ANY material of ANY quality. It can shake mountains, quake the earth, mow the forests and break rocks in a flash….!!

The Word of God broke-through the barrier of vacuum that surrounds the earth and was made manifest in flesh through Jesus Christ, the very Son of God. This Word-in-flesh broke through the intellectual, religious and political giants of His time and still does. This Voice-of-God-on-earth was so powerful that He broke through Time itself (BC & AD).

The Word of God (Jesus Christ) is gentle, humble (John 12:12-16), compassionate (Matthew 9:36) and yet zealous with righteous anger (John 2:13-25).

The word of man (Mark 15:13-15) put Jesus to death, but the Word of God (Christ) defeated death itself, once and for ALL (2 Timothy 1:9, 10). The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ proved that the Voice-of-God can break through EVEN DEATH..!!

Nothing can stop this POWERFUL & EXPLOSIVE Word of God from making or breaking anything, except for the heart of man. He does not force Himself into our hearts. The Word of God is ONE DOOR away from your heart and mine. He said: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20).

If the door of your heart is ALWAYS OPEN to Jesus Christ (the all-powerful WORD OF GOD), He is willing to BLESS you with an unparalleled BLESSING – ‘make rivers of living water flow out of your heart’ (John 7:37-39).

Go check the door of your heart NOW, to make sure it is wide open for Jesus…!!

The Cross of CALVARY vs The Cross of CADBURY..!

Let’s read Luke 14:25-27 & Matthew 16:24-26 in tandem

“Large crowds were travelling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:  “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.  And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple”

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

To most of humanity (christians & non-christians alike) “The Cross” is nothing but just a symbol of identity. For some it is more sacred than God Himself! For some it is “cool” to wear crucifix jewellery. For some it is nothing more than a good-luck talisman (An object that is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck).

But, what is the REAL CROSS?

Physically speaking, the Roman Cross was constructed using two rugged wooden beams. The cross was used to cause an extremely painful death. The accused was nailed to the cross with the arms stretched open wide resulting in fatigue, breathlessness and even heart attack in some cases. The word “excruciating” originated from the Latin word “crux”, meaning “cross”. Excruciating pain means unbearable, killing pain. Such was the gruesomeness of the death on a Roman Cross.

The above two scripture portions refer to the time BEFORE the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This clearly highlights the fact that He was not referring to a physical cross to be carried everyday to be His disciple. The CROSS which Jesus Christ was (and is) referring to is a spiritual one. It is a symbol of “self-denial”, “complete-dedication” & “total-sacrifice”. It’s an extremely painful yet abundantly profitable separation from the World. Scripturally illiterate and Spiritually immature people think that Jesus Christ carried His Cross ONLY ONCE in His lifetime. But, if we consider the REAL meaning of the Cross, we can understand the fact that Jesus Christ carried His CROSS all the days of His earthly life. In fact He took-up His CROSS even before His birth on this earth! (read Philippians 2:6-8). 

The CROSS of Calvary is not sweet as a chocolate, it’s bitter than vinegar. It is not smooth as polished rosewood, it’s a rugged bark. It is not meant for satisfaction, it’s meant for sanctification…!! Yet, the CROSS (sacrifice) is all but temporary. But, Redemption and Resurrection through the CROSS are comfortingly ETERNAL..!!  

Did you take up your REAL CROSS yet??

God’s EMBRACEMENT vs The World’s EMBARRASSMENT

Let’s read Matthew 3:16-17(NIV) & Matthew 27:27-31(MSG)

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

“Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him”

Jesus never tried to please men. He always strove to fulfil His heavenly father’s will and ONLY to please Him. In fact He said “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34). Seeking to do His father’s will was His source of energy. Jesus was least bothered about how men treated Him. But, He was very careful not to displease His heavenly father. 

In the above scripture (Matthew 3:16-17) we see that Jesus had just been baptized. This baptism was indicative of His willingness to be rightly separated from His earthly responsibilities and to be totally committed to His heavenly calling. Here we see the heavenly father’s expression of His love and pleasure towards His only begotten son Jesus Christ. Jesus treasured this divine EMBRACEMENT and considered it to be the most valuable of all.

In the second scripture portion (Matthew 27:27-31) we see the complete opposite of an EMBRACEMENT. Those were moments of great EMBARRASSMENT. This was just one of the many instances when Jesus was put to shame by the people around Him. 

How could Jesus survive this unimaginable embarrassment and shame? What protected Him from such hatred and mockery? – Nothing but the father’s EMBRACEMENT…!!

No matter how GOOD and RIGHT you and I try to be, our righteous deeds can never go past the standard of filthy rags (read Isaiah 64:6). If the only Sin-less man (Jesus Christ) ever to walk on this planet “treasured” God’s EMBRACEMENT all of His earthly life, what is our attitude towards it??

The EMBRACEMENT of God may not guarantee the absence of the world’s EMBARRASSMENT, but it definitely guarantees empowerment to endure and victory at the end…!!

Say “NO”, so they may know..!!

Let’s read Genesis 39:9b, Daniel 3:16-18 & Matthew 4: 8-11 in tandem

Joseph said to Potiphar’s Wife - “….How then could I do such a wicked thing and SIN AGAINST GOD?”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that WE WILL NEVER SERVE YOUR gods OR WORSHIP THE GOLD STATUE YOU HAVE SET UP.”

“….the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

The former Prime Minister of UK Tony Blair once said this – “The art of leadership is saying NO, not yes. It is very easy to say yes.” This is true not only in leadership but also in any relationship. The mark of a true disciple of Christ is to have the unshaken willingness to say “NO” to sin, no matter how attractive or compulsive it may present itself to be. 

Joseph had everything going in his favour (read Genesis 39) till he faced a tricky challenge that demanded great levels of self-control to overcome sin. He was quick to respond, and respond the right way. He said “NO” being aware of the fact that he could lose everything he had, including his job. Although he did lose his job and spent a brief time in prison, the Lord was with him and gave him success in whatever he did and restored his good reputation.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (read Daniel 3) said “NO” to a man who was more powerful in stature than the likes of today’s Obamas. Eventually, King Nebuchadnezzar himself testified “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants!” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Jesus said “NO” to Satan and “YES” to His heavenly father AND SERVED HIM ONLY all the days of His earthly life. “Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honoured him far beyond anyone or anything” (Philippians 2:9MSG)

Are you ready to say “NO” to sin….ALWAYS..??

“CHRISTian” or “CHRISTfan”

Let’s read Matthew 14:20, 21 & Luke 14:26-30 in tandem

“They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.  The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children”

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

In Matthew chapter 14(v13-21), we read about the famous incident of “Jesus feeding the five thousand”. However, at the end of this passage (v21) we notice that “..The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children”. Hence, the actual number of those who ate may have possibly been anywhere between eight thousand to ten thousand. 

This is just one of the many instances when multitudes of people “followed” Jesus and “admired” Him for His compassionate personality, His mesmerising miracles and His comforting & uplifting sermons. Most of them were just “admirers” or “fans” of Jesus. But only a few, very few chose to be His disciples…!!

Even today “Jesus Christ” is being treated like any another celebrity by millions of people (including name-sake christians) around the world. They are nothing more than “emotional admirers”. They are not “CHRISTians”; they are just “fans” of Christ. The word “CHRISTIAN” means not just to be a “follower of Christ” but much more than that; it means to be “Christ-like”, to be “a reflection of Christ”, to be “an ambassador for Christ”.

Local/National or International celebrities around the world from any field (sports, entertainment, politics etc) do not expect you to first sit down and estimate the cost of being their follower. That is because they have a hunger for “admiration” and “fan-following”. But, Jesus says “..whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple”. 

Jesus Christ came down to this world not to make mere “admirers” or “fans”; He came to make DISCIPLES who surrender their all to Him and for Him…!!

Did you ever sit down and estimate the cost of being a genuine disciple of Jesus Christ..??