Self examination for personal revival Friday, Jun 6 2008 

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Self examination for personal revival

  1. Matthew 6:12-15 Is there anyone against whom you hold a grudge? Anyone you haven’t forgiven? Anyone you hate? Anyone you do not love? Are there misunderstandings that you are unwilling to forget? Is there any person against whom you are harboring bitterness, resentment of jealousy? Anyone you dislike to hear praised or well spoken of? Do you allow anything to justify a wrong attitude toward another?
  2. Matthew 6:33 Is there anything in which you have failed to put God first? Have your decisions been made after your own wisdom and desires, rather than seeking and following God’s will? Do any of the following, in any way, interfere with your surrender and service to God: ambition, pleasures, loved ones, friendships, desire for recognition, money or your plans?
  3. Mark 16:15 Have you failed to seek the lost for Christ? Have you failed to witness consistently with your mouth for the Lord Jesus Christ? Has your life not shown to the lost the Lord Jesus?
  4. John 13:35 Are you secretly pleased over the misfortunes of another? Are you secretly annoyed over the accomplishments or advancements of another? Are you guilty of any contention or strife? Do you quarrel, argue or engage in heated discussions? Are you a partaker in any division or party spirit? Are there people whom you deliberately slight?
  5. Acts 20:35 Have you robbed God by withholding His due of your time, talents and treasure? Have you failed to support Kingdom work either by service, prayer or giving?
  6. 1 Corinthians 4:2 Are you undependable so that you cannot be trusted with responsibilities in the Lord’s work? Are you allowing your emotions to be stirred for things of the Lord, but doing nothing about it?
  7. 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 Are you careless in any way with your body? Do you fail to care for it as the temple of the Holy Spirit? Are you guilty of intemperance in eating or drinking? Do you have any habits which defile the body?
  8. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Do you take the slightest credit for anything good about yourself, rather than give all the glory to God? Do you talk of what you have done rather than of what Christ has done? Do your statements begin mostly with “I”? Are your feelings easily hurt? Have you made a pretense of being something that you are not?
  9. Ephesians 3:20 Are you self-conscious rather than Christ-conscious? Do you allow feelings of inferiority to keep you from attempting things you should in serving God?
  10. Ephesians 4:28 Do you underpay? Do you do very little in your work? Have you been careless in the payment of your debts? Have you sought to evade payment of debts? Do you waste time? Do you waste time for others?
  11. Ephesians 4:31 Do you complain? Do you find fault? Do you have a critical attitude towards any person or thing? Are you irritable or cranky? Do you ever carry hidden anger? Do you become impatient with others? Are you ever harsh or unkind?
  12. Ephesians 5:16 Do you listen to unedifying radio or TV programs? Do you read unworthy magazines or web sites? Do you find it necessary to seek satisfaction from any questionable source? Are you doing certain things that show you are not satisfied in the Lord Jesus Christ?
  13. Ephesians 5:20 Have you neglected to thank Him for all things: the seemingly bad as well as the good? Have you virtually called God a liar by doubting His Word? Do you worry? Is your spiritual temperature based on your feelings instead of on the facts of God’s Word?
  14. Philippians 1:21 Are you taken up with the cares of this life? Is your conversation or heart joy over “things” rather than the Lord and His Word? Does anything mean more to you than living for and pleasing Christ?
  15. Philippians 2:14 Do you ever, by word or deed, seek to hurt someone? Do you gossip? Do you speak unkindly concerning people when they are not present? Do you carry prejudice against true Christians because they are of some different group than yours, or because they do not see everything exactly as you do?
  16. Philippians 4:4 Have you neglected to seek to be pleasing to Him in all things? Do you carry any bitterness toward God? Have you complained against Him in any way? Have you been dissatisfied with His provision for you? Is there any unwillingness in your heart to obey God fully? Do you have any reservations as to what you would or would not do concerning anything that might be His will? Have you disobeyed some direct leading from Him?
  17. Colossians 3:9 Do you engage in empty and unprofitable conversation? Do you ever lie? Do you ever exaggerate? Cheat? Steal? Do you overcharge?
  18. 2 Timothy 2:22 Do you have any personal habits that are not pure? Do you allow impure thoughts about the opposite sex to stay in your mind? Do you read that which is impure or suggests unholy things? Do you indulge in any entertainment that is unclean? Are you guilty of the lustful look?

 

Thoughts – 1 Corinthians Friday, Jun 6 2008 

Thoughts by Prithvi - 1 Corinthians prithvionnet 6:19 pm

Problems that rocked a famous Christian Church

Reference : 1 Corinthians 1-6

 

Paul ministered 18 months in Corinth during his second missionary journey.

The city, Corinth was destroyed totally in 146 BC. by Roman emperor and in 46 BC the city was rebuilt by another Roman emperor, Julius Caesar. It was a famous and busy port city and the city was made as Capital for Achaia (now Greece) in AD 50. The city was experiencing wicked and immoral culture and the church in Corinth happened to be influenced by the world. Paul, when he was in Ephesus was complained on the serious issues rocking the church founded by him. There are couple of problems that are highlighted in these chapters.

 

1. Divisions in the church.

There were various groups formed around the personalities like Paul, Apollos and others. It could be out of jealousy and pride. The church which was supposed to multiply started dividing. Paul clarified them that the ministers and ministries are mere means used by God to bring each one of the believers in to the fellowship of Lord Jesus Christ. It is foolish and spiritually immature to create, favor and develop groupisms in the church and in Christendom at large. It is a time to examine ourselves if we are involved directly or indirectly in bringing divisions in our church, organization or in any way.

 

2. Sexual Immorality

Paul out rightly condemned the behavior of the church justifying and protecting those involved in Sexual immorality. Corinthian Church was greatly influenced by the immoral culture around them. Paul ordered to expel the sexually immoral members and to disassociate with them. He clarified that our body is member of Christ. Our body is temple of Holy spirit. We (including our body) are bought by God and it belongs to Him and we are expected to honor God with our body at all times in every aspect. Is God honored and glorified by our body?

Paul answers Corinthians’ queries on marriage

Reference: 1cor 7

Paul responds and clarifies to Corinthian Christians, when he was asked to clarify few issues related to marriage.The concept of marriage was introduced by God. He also added the necessary attractions, love and affection, responsibility to the created human kind to keep the marriage in tact. The marriage could be an environment where each one involved in family can experience heaven on earth, when every thing is kept as per the rules and expectations of God.

1. Which is better for a believer – to be unmarried or married?
Paul advised that each one has own gift concerning marriage, whether to marry or to remain single and the decision making is left to the individual. An unmarried believer is concerned about things related to God but the married ones have the obligation to please their spouses and to take care of their children in addition to their devotion to God and  godly things and their their attentions are divided. He also urged the believers to marry to avoid any immorality.

2. Can a Believer and non-believer live together in marriage?

When Paul was writing this epistle, many Christians had their spouses from pagan culture. Paul clarified them that they have to live together and should not separate, citing this reason. In this case, an unbeliever can be led to Christ through believing spouse and the children would be sanctified because of them (till they grow up). This is an exception against the established Biblical truth that believer has to marry believer only.

3. Can the partners separate after marriage?
Paul clarified that the partners should live together except for a period of prayer, meaning that they should not separate as this would harm their relationship. In case, if they are separated, they have to spend their lives unmarried and should not divorce. If a partner dies, other is free to remarry.

4. Is it wrong to separate after engagement?
The ones who are engaged to get married are under no compulsion to marry each other.The  decision making is left to the individuals till they get married.

Issues concerning food sacrificed to Idols”

Reference: 1Cor 8; 1Cor 10:14-33

 

In Corinth, Christians were in minority and the city was influenced by Pagan culture. The city had lot of temples and foods were given freely for needy ones in the temples. The new Christians from the pagan culture background had a serious question related to their faith  ” Is it wrong to eat foods sacrificed to Idols?”

 

Paul clarifies them in two contexts, viz.  1 Cor 8 (Food sacrificed to Idols) and in 1 Cor 10:14-33 (Fellowship feast at pagan temple). Instead of giving direct Yes/No answer, he lets the reader to decide the best for themselves. One of the plain teaching of Bible is to flee from Idolatry. People trust in 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional replicas of so called gods and give reverence to the images and statues. They happened to trust them for help, health, wealth, lucks, fortunes etc.(Our modern idols could be those symbols of power, pleasure, prestige etc that we highly regard in our life)

 

Paul clarified that

- There is only one God and the other so called gods are nothing and it will not be able to influence those who trust in the real God.

-  Idols are just the materials and they do not possess any power

-  Foods do not bring anyone closer or farer to God. Eating or not eating food will not make any difference with respect to our devotion to God and the same principle applies to food sacrificed to idols

-  We cannot control foods being sacrificed to gods. Poojas and other type of rituals are done at different stages of food cycle.

 

By all means, we have to avoid foods sacrificed to idols. When we participate in fellowship feast with non believers at the temple, we acknowledge our fellowship with them (like we confess our fellowship with God in holy communion). It also affect the faith of new believers with weak conscience and we would become a stumbling block . There may be unavoidable circumstances in places, where we work and live and may be under compulsion to eat the foods being sacrificed to idols .In such situations, we ought act/react wisely so that the relationship with a non believer will not be affected.

” Gifts of Holy Spirit” Refer: I Cor 12, 13, 14

 

In the church, God established different ministries, works, services and gifts to evangelize, edify and equip the members in the Universal church of God. The purpose of God concerning each one of us is to conform us to the likeness of Lord Jesus Christ.

The manifestation of the Holy Spirit (gifts,miracle working) is given for the common good of the body of Christ, the universal church. God established apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers,healers etc in the church and they are equipped with different gifts (appropriate to their role/ministry). Each of these ministries are not expected to operate in isolation, misusing the gifts, building their own empires.The purpose of any gift given and operated by Holy Spirit is to compliment other ministries in the church of God.

All gifts have to be exercised in love. When we discharge our ministries and operate gifts in Love, there will be no self-seeking, no boasting, no envy and will be no divisions. Then the will of God will be done in the church and through the church.

We are expected to operate the gifts in orderly manner (not creating and confusions). Every ones’ work is as important as others in the body of Christ. No one is bigger or better because of so called spectacular spiritual gifts. As we engage in seeking the gifts of Holy Spirit, we need to ensure that the will of God  be done in and through us. When we commit ourselves to the execution of the will of God, God will entrust us with various responsibilities in the body of Christ and we would be provided with the gifts of Holy Spirit so that we will be powerful and effective in our roles.

” Bodily Resurrection” Refer: I Cor 15

 

The central point of Christian faith is bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is an established historic fact. Lord Jesus Christ preached bodily resurrection, foretold His resurrection and rose from the dead as forewritten in the Scripture.The resurrected Christ appeared to 500 plus persons at various instances for 40 days before ascending to heaven (Acts 1:9-11). Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Paul, the author of this epistle as well. Greeks did not believe in bodily resurrection as it is against their belief that Souls alone departs from body at death and nothing would happen to physical body. Paul clarified their doubts concerning bodily resurrection. Perhaps majority of Christians want to follow Lord Jesus Christ for worldly gains. Paul warned that if only for this life, we have hope in Lord Jesus Christ, we are to be pitied than all other men. A believer/follower of Lord Jesus Christ need to hope for bodily resurrection and eternal life as promised in the Bible. If death is the end of our life, enjoying the moment is only what would matter but as a follower of Lord Jesus Christ, we believe in the life after death and the type of life we live on earth determines the type of our life after death. What we do today matter for eternity.

When we die, our body is sown as perishable seed and we would have new type of imperishable powerful spiritual body. If we believe in Christ’s bodily resurrection and hope for our bodily, Our life ought to affirm our faith. Do you really believe in the bodily resurrection and living a life confirming it?

 

Thoughts from 1 Peter Friday, Jun 6 2008 

Thoughts by Prithvi - 1 Peter prithvionnet 6:13 pm

Provision of God

God is not only almighty but He is merciful as well. The mercy of God provided us every thing for our Spiritual enrichment and for our material fulfillment. The God who is holy expects us to be holy in this world ( 1:15 ). He judges every one impartially ( 1:17 ). The power of God shields us in times of trial and temptations (1:5). The righteous one died for the unrighteous ones. In incarnation, Jesus became human, at cross he became spiritual and at resurrection He became divine (3:18-21). Jesus suffered and set an example for us (Not to retaliate, not to make threats using our powers) and He bore our sins, enabling us to die to sin and live for righteous ness(2:23,24). God of all grace who called us to His eternal glory in Christ will restore us and make us strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever ( 5:10 )

Healthy interpersonal relationships

 As a matured and experienced Christian, Peter understood the need for healthy interpersonal relationships; we are advised by him to

 

1) Love one another deeply (1:22; 3:8; 2:17; 4:

We are expected to love deeply from the heart. Our purification has to inspire and motivate us to love others. It is worthy to remind ourselves that we are commanded by Jesus Christ to love God and love our neighbors.

 

2) Submit to authority (2:3; 3:1; 5:5)

As Christian we are advised to submit to every authority instituted-national, social, secular, family, hierarchical etc. We ought to be submissive to others as we submit to God.

 

3) Respect and honour others (2:17; 3:7)

We have to give proper respect to everyone irrespective of caste, creed, colour and social status and should not fail to extend gratitude and honour to those who deserves it. We should not look down on others because of their shortcomings, failures, etc

 

4) Live in harmony with one another ( 3:18)

Christians are expected to be promoters of peace, harmony etc. We need to lead by example in times of conflicts and contradictions. The type of love expressed in Bible is loving even the enemies and those doing harm to us. When our dear and near ones go through times of pain and suffering, we would have to empathize and sympathize with them

 

5) Do not retaliate (3:9)

The heart of retaliation is normal and common but we need to reflect the character of God, who does not punish us when we fail to live according to His expectations. He wants us to be doers of good even to those who harm us.

 

6) Offer hospitality (4:9)

It refers to friendly and generous behavior towards visitors and guests. Christian hospitality differs from social entertaining. Hospitality focuses on guest and their needs – place, food, listening to them etc.

Stand firm in faith

(Reference 1pet 1:5; 3:15; 5:9; 5:12)

 Faith in Bible also refers to the set of basic beliefs /convictions of Christian. Jude writes to his readers to contend for the faith given to the saints (Believers in Christ) . As a Christian our belief differs from Non- Christians in many ways. We believe in eternal life, saviour hood and Lordship of Jesus Christ, resurrection from the death, divinity of Jesus Christ etc.,  Lot of things and issues in the world and in us can act towards shaking our faith in God but we are advised to stand firm – Strong and steadfast in faith. Dedication and determination are required to achieve the same. We also need to know why we believe, what we believe and be prepared and ready to answer those, who questions our faith.

Suffering

 

Reference : 1peter 4: 1, 13, 16,19 ;5:7

 

Peter wrote this epistle to suffering Christians, encouraging them to stand firm in the faith when their faith in Christ was challenged by problems and persecutions from near and dear ones, from the followers of adverse faith etc. The sufferings could be persecutions for righteousness, because of misunderstandings, defamations, despising, troubles, afflictions, distresses, tumults, labours, wrong reports, reproaches etc. The cause of problems in the world is similar to both Christians and non-Christians. Belief in Christ does not guarantee freedom from problems and sufferings in this world. In fact, the call to Christians to follow Christ is to bear cross daily and walk along with Christ in the path of mental tortures, physical pains, insults and mockeries. Paul also writes that those choose to walk godly in this world will face problems and sufferings. Jesus never promised rosy life to His followers in this world.

Then the question is ” How do we respond to sufferings? When we suffer instead of showcasing our power, we are told to imitate Christ – in Forgiveness, Meekness, Gentleness etc. The Scriptures ask the readers to consider the sufferings joyfully and bear the pain without murmuring.  It does not mean that we have to choose suffering and go for it but we should equip ourselves with right attitude so that we will not slip from the faith when we encounter sufferings, losses and failures in this life. As Jesus cares for us, we are encouraged to cast our burdens and anxieties on Him, who frees and fills us with peace and joy

Humility

Reference: 1Peter 3:8; 5:5,6

 

We are told to clothe ourselves with humility,  humble ourselves before the Lord etc. Humility would denote, not being proud or arrogant but having the spirit of submission. God respects humble ones (IS 66:2). Humility is not denying the power, one have. It is the knowledge and demonstration that what we are (or we have) today is because of the contribution from various others (Known or unknown) in direct/indirect way. Humility is a vital godly character that God expects in us. We ought to practice humility consciously and consistently