Tag Archives: Grace

ON FEARING GOD – Written by Dr. Daniel Sathiaraj

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Dear all,
Herewith I am forwarding the writings of Dr. Daniel Sathiaraj.
In Christ
The Journey Team
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Listen to the wisest man, King Solomon, as he summarizes his findings. “Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). The commandments of our loving heavenly Father are a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path. To fear the LORD is to obey and honour Him. Christ died for us on the cross; therefore I want to obey Him. The cost of disobedience is very high. Remember Adam and Eve the first parents and the consequence of disobedience! The wicked do not fear God, and it will not go well with them (Ecclesiastes 8: 13).
One of the Bible verses which has had a deep impression on me since my childhood is Job 28: 28: “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; to depart from evil is understanding.” The Bible says:”the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning” (Exodus 20:20).
“Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him” (Psalm 33:8). All of us in the world need to do just one thing — fear God. The world needs billions of God fearing people.
WHY SHOULD WE FEAR GOD?
1. He is our Creator
The realization of who we are and who God is must make us fear or revere God throughout our life. The greatness and wisdom of God as well as his eternal power and divine nature are understood through His creation. “Should you not fear me?” declares the LORD. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross”(Jeremiah 5: 22).
2. He has forgiven us
We fear God, because He has forgiven us. The psalmist prays, “If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared” (Psalm 130: 3,4).
3. Jesus the Messiah is our model
Jesus had the fear of the LORD, and He delighted in it. About 700 years before His birth, it was foretold: “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD, and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears” (Isaiah 11:2, 3). Do we delight in the fear of the LORD?
Jesus has asked us to fear God. He told his friends not to be afraid of those who could kill only the body. “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him” (Luke 12:5).
4. To be wise and secure
”He (the LORD) will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure” (Isaiah 33:6). People seek various treasures in this world. Many regard beauty, education, riches or pleasures as the sure foundation of their life. Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” From the God of the Bible, we can draw salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. We have access to this store of treasure with the key of the fear of the LORD. He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge (Proverbs 14:26).
5. He alone is holy and righteous
We fear Him because He alone is holy and His righteous acts have been revealed in history. These will be revealed also during the period of Great Tribulation. The apostle John saw those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name, and they sang: “Great and marvellous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed” (Revelation 15:3-4).
6. God removes our other fears
When we know God and fear Him, we have eternal life and Jesus removes our fear of death.
Since the children have flesh and blood, he[Jesus] too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death (Hebrews 2:14,15).
We will not have the fear of the future. We will not worry about anything.
PROVERBS FOR OUR MEDITATION
1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.
2:1-5 My son, … if you … search for it (wisdom) as for hidden treasure then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy one is understanding.
10:27 The fear of the LORD adds length to life.
14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
15:16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.
15:33 The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom.
19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
22:4 Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honour and life.
23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.
“Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgement has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea the springs of water” (see Revelation 14:6,7). We must worship, witness and serve God in reverential fear. In every city, town, village, we are to teach people the Word of God. Then the fear of the LORD will fall on all the people. The Bible records a similar instance.
In the third year of his reign, King Jehoshaphat sent his officials together with certain priests and Levites to teach in the towns of Judah. They went to all the towns and from the Book of the Law of the LORD taught the people throughout the kingdom. Let us praise our great God. Let us do our best and order our lives so that all the peoples will praise Him. Then “God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him” (Psalm 67:7)
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“JOYFUL JOURNEY WITH GOD IS INITIATED AND IGNITED IN LORD JESUS CHRIST BY THE POWER OF HOLY SPIRIT”

What guidelines we may follow in our Prayer? ACTS

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Dear all,
Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Word: Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4: 16
Thought: Prayer is our approach to God, and we are to come “boldly”. Come with reverence because He is your King. But also come with bold assurance because He is your friend and Counselor.
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Adoration – Psalm 145
Confession – Psalm 139: 23-24
Thanksgiving – Psalm 92: 1
Supplication – Matthew 6:11
Have a Victorious walk in Christ
The Journey Team
www. thechapelbr.com/adult/counseling
https://thejourneyinchrist.wordpress.com/

Prayer with faith contains the seed-corn of a million harvests

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Dear all,
Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Word: Mark 1: 35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed”.
Thought: “32.”
When we depend upon organizations, we get what organizations can do, when we depend upon education, we get what education can do; when we depend upon man, we get what man can do; but when we depend upon prayer, we get what God can do!” – A.C. Dixon
The Secret of Prayer is Praying Secretly – E. M. Pounds
Have a Victorious walk in Christ
The Journey Team

www. thechapelbr.com/adult/counseling
https://thejourneyinchrist.wordpress.com/

Can a believer hide the light of Christ Jesus in him???? What the Bible says

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Dear all,
Greetings. May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Word: Matthew 5: 14 –17 says, you are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Thought:
Can you hide a city that is sitting on top of a mountain? Its light at might can be seen for miles. If we live for Christ we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like.

We hide our light by
• 1. Being quiet when we should speak
• 2. Going along with the crowd
• 3. Denying the light
• 4. Letting sin dim the light
• 5. Not explaining our light to others
• 6. Ignoring the needs of others
Let us be an inspiration of truth
Have a victorious walk in Christ
The Journey Team
www. thechapelbr.com/adult/counseling
https://thejourneyinchrist.wordpress.com/

“JOYFUL JOURNEY WITH GOD IS INITIATED AND IGNITED IN LORD JESUS CHRIST BY THE POWER OF HOLY SPIRIT”

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty

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Dear all,
May God give you more and more grace and peace.
Word: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. (Zech 4:6)
Thought:
I cannot always understand,

The way God leadeth me,

The why, and when and wherefore

Is oft a mystery.

But I can trust His wisdom,

I know His way is best,

His heart knows no unkindness

And on His love I rest – Author Unknown

God’s quiet performances are indirect, deep and tremendously wise. God works through individuals, conquering some heart intentionally through that heart He pours His purpose like a mighty river. He continues to perform His wonders behind the scenes and below the surface of roaring waters. Adapted from Streams in the desert by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

Stand firm in Christ

The Journey Team

thechapelbr.com/adult/counseling

https://thejourneyinchrist.wordpress.com/

Father, glorify your name

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Dear all,

Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Herewith we are forwarding the writing of Dr. Daniel Sathiaraj  entitled “Father, glorify your name”.

Father, glorify your name.

Daniel Sathiaraj

These are Jesus’ words. This prayer shows Jesus’ concern for His Father’s glory. He glorified the Father by dying on the cross for humanity and by completing the work God gave Him to do. Jesus said: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

As a response to Jesus’ prayer above (John 12: 28), the Father replied, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

Jesus left us a model by being concerned about God’s glory. Jesus obeyed God fully. He came to earth to take us to heaven.

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.  I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began” (John 17: 1-5).

Are we concerned about our heavenly Father’s name? Even as a 12-year-old boy, Jesus was concerned about His Father’s house. He sat among the teachers and listened to them and asked them questions. “Why were you searching for me?” he asked his parents. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work”(John 4: 34).

Example of Daniel

Daniel was concerned about God’s name. He was a prisoner in Babylon and the Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonians. His wonderful prayer in Daniel 9 shows his concern.

“Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary.Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name” [vv17-19].

Example of Nehemiah

Through some men who came from Jerusalem and Judah, Nehemiah in a foreign land learnt about those who had returned from the Babylonian exile and about Jerusalem. He came to know that God’s people were in great trouble and disgrace and that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down. In response, Nehemiah wept, mourned, fasted and prayed. He mobilized the people and rebuilt the Jerusalem wall in 52 days.

Example of Paul

Paul was concerned about the glory of God. From the time of his conversion till the end of his life, Paul preached the Kingdom of God in various countries of the world and he established many churches.

Paul faceddaily the pressure of his concern for all the churches [2 Corinthians 11: 28].

He wrote: whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10: 31).

Application

Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory (Psalm 115: 1). What work has God given us? How do we complete that work? In many countries including North Korea and Saudi Arabia, may God’s kingdom come. May God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. All people in the world should know that Jesus Christ died for them on the cross and that He is the risen Saviour of the world.

Father, we love you; we worship and adore you; glorify your name in all the earth.

 

Stand firm in Christ

The Journey Team

thechapelbr.com/adult/counseling

https://thejourneyinchrist.wordpress.com/

“Abba, Father”

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Dear all,

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Phil 1: 2

Word:

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4: 6-7

Thought: As adopted children of God, we share with Jesus all rights to God’s resources. As God’s heirs, we can claim what he has provided for us-our full identity as his children.

Stand firm in Christ

The Journey Team

thechapelbr.com/adult/counseling

https://thejourneyinchrist.wordpress.com/

Merry Christmas

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Dear all,

Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Ephesians 6: 10

Word:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given”. (Isaiah 9:6)

Thought:

God sent us the light of the world- Jesus Christ- to show His light to those who are in darkness.

God sent us the Savior to seek and save  those who are lost.

Wish you all a Merry Christmas and a blessed new-year 2013.

Be strong and glad!

Stand firm in Christ

The Journey Team

thechapelbr.com/adult/counseling

https://thejourneyinchrist.wordpress.com/

WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES FOR A GRACE FILLED MARRIAGE

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The Heart of Marriage

Dennis & Jill Eenigenburg

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8. WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES FOR A GRACE FILLED MARRIAGE?

I. GRACE-FILLED MARRIAGES FOLLOW CHRIST’S EXAMPLE

A. Husbands and wives need to humbly serve each other. Philippians 2:5-8

B. Husbands and wives need to demonstrate sacrificial love. Ephesians 5:2

C. Husbands and wives need to be committed to unity. John 17:22-23

D. Husbands and wives need be willing to suffer without sinning. I Peter 2:19-20

II. GRACE-FILLED MARRIAGES OBEY BIBLICAL EXHORTATIONS

A. Wives are called to influence their husbands through their Godliness. I Peter 3:1-6

• The wife’s godliness is expressed through submission to her husband’s God give headship in the marriage.

• The wife’s godliness is expressed without words.

• The wife’s godliness is expressed with deeds.

B. Husbands are called to influence their wives through their graciousness. I Peter 3:7

• The husband demonstrates graciousness by being a good student of his wife’s needs.

• The husband demonstrates graciousness by being sensitive to her limitations.

• The husband demonstrates graciousness by honoring her as his spiritual sister.

C. Husbands and wives are called to “out grace” each other. I Peter 3:8-9

1. To sum up husbands and wives “let all be harmonious.”

Harmony is not uniformity. Harmony is produced by complimentary differences. Diferent sounds in music are combined in a way to produce harmony. When a husband and wife both “sing from the Divine music of God’s Word,” they produce harmony with their different strengths and weaknesses in marriage.

2. To sum up husbands and wives, “let all be sympathetic.”

Sympathy is being touched by the feeling of another person. To enter into their joy and sorrow produces emotional support and closeness. Romans 12:15

3. To sum up husband and wives, “let all be brotherly.”

Husbands and wives are to exhibit a family love. Family celebrates the oneness we have with a common Father, a common Lord and a common Life. No longer do we speak of yours and mine. We speak of ours.

Our bond is such that all we have is available for the wellbeing of our spouse. We share one another’s burdens and seek to make the others load lighter.

4. To sum up husbands and wives, “let all be kindhearted.”

Unconfessed sin leads to hardheartedness. The Spirit-filled heart is compassionate and sensitive to the needs of one’s spouse. Caring and sharing are expressions of kindheartedness.

5. To sum up husbands and wives, “let all be humble in spirit.”

Humility is a proper estimation of our inability to do anything worthwhile apart from God’s provision and strength. Pride and self-confidence always result in failure. Humility allows us to tolerate the shortcomings of others, as we are aware of our own.

III. GRACE-FILLED MARRIAGES RETURN GOOD FOR BAD I Peter 3:9

A. Grace-filled marriages never return “evil for evil” nor “insult for insult.”

B. Grace-filled marriages always give a blessing in return for evil or insult.

“Blessings” are verbal or concrete acts of kindness.

C. Grace-filled marriages enjoy God’s blessings.

D. Grace-filled marriages pass on God’s blessings to each other and others. I Peter 3:10-12

Those who wish to “love life” live the “grace-filled” life by:

• Refusing to speak evil against others

• Turning from evil deed to do good

• Seeking peace with others

Those who live the grace-filled life are rewarded by God.

• God’s eyes are on you

• God’s ears hear you.

GRACE MEANS TREATING EACH OTHER BETTER THAN WE DESERVE

TAKE IT TO HEART

1. In what ways does your marriage fall short of a “grace-based” marriage?

2. In what ways does your marriage reflect a “grace-based” marriage?

3. How do you treat your spouse?

Rate your treatment of your spouse:

1= Almost Never, 2 = Sometimes, 3 = Usually, 4 = Almost Always

___ Harmonious

___ Sympathetic

___ Brotherly

___ Kindhearted

___ Humble in spirit

3. How can you return a blessing the next time you feel hurt or disappointed with your spouse?

Growing in Transforming God’ Grace

Growing in Transforming God’ Grace

Word:

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:9-14 (New International Version)

Thought:

God wants us to learn more about Him and also to put it in to practice by helping others. Thank God for what we have received in Christ. “Count your blessings, not your sorrows”