“To be a father is a privilege and to have children are a heritage”.
• Ps.127:3 (Behold children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.)
Fathers are like a tree that should bear fruit.
• Mt. 7:17,18 NKJV (Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.)
Qualities of a good FATHER
Faithful to God and family • Col 4: 2 • Eph 5 : 2 Able to manage his household well • 1 Tim 3 : 4 Train his children to have good conduct • Is 54 : 13 • Pro 22 : 6 Honest and truthful in all his ways • Pro 12 : 17 • Pro 20 : 7 Exemplary man of excellent character • 1 Tim 4 : 2 • Titus 2 : 7 • Pro 11 : 3 Rebuke his children with love but not provoke them • Eph 6 : 4 • Col 3 : 21 • Pro 29 : 15 ; 23 : 13, 14 ; 13 : 24 BLESSED FATHER’S DAY !
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise),
so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.
And fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
On the 7th day of the new millennium, for a very first time I stepped into a new category of life, living behind my childhood, teenage and youth mind set and began to enter into the world called ‘fatherhood’. I was 30 years old then and was very glad to be called as ‘appa’ (daddy in Tamil).
My wife Josephine, bore a beautiful, chubby, cute little baby girl - Judith Kavitra - (Judith: which means She Who Praises & Kavithra: A Poet). My heart just melts when I gaze upon her pretty face and songs of joy bubbles up within me when I carry, hug and played with her.
Day by day, my heart just longs to be with her, talk, play and admire her beauty but I realize something… Judith did not only arouse the excitement of a father figure within me but began to teach me to carry new responsibilities as a father.
It’s true that no man is perfect, so are the fathers on this planet earth. We think we can love our kids to the point of death but sometimes we even fail them. We think we are caring enough but many times lost in the world of ‘busyness’ until we got no time even to say ‘hi!’ to them. We think we know every heart beat of our child yet quite often they go unheard of their inner feelings and desires that may eventually lead them to wrong structure of life.
On the other side, we as parents will surely have the feeling that we should get the honor, praise, thanksgiving and exaltation for raising up our children whether in good times or bad moments but in many occasion the parents get hurt and downcast just because these requirements are simply not met. Who are to be blamed?
Looking at all these, we may go frustrated and say to ourselves – “What in the world we need to do? Aaahhh!! I just care less...and why should I love and in return what I gain?” (Yes! Let me tell you that you’ve just sounded very human). Now is the time for us to think beyond our human understanding...not just dwelling in the natural but in the supernatural.
Earlier I draw the picture of an earthly father figure in your hearts and also the children's so called ‘misbehavior's’ that could cause the parents to be broken hearted .... but now I’m turning the table upside down for you to see, think and understand the other side of the picture. (If you don’t mind, would you please continue to follow me?)
Just as we are so concern for our little ones, the Father in Heaven is even more caring towards us and always seeking to love us and to be loved by us but often times He is heart broken because we don't respond to His call. He longs to communicate and be with us, to cuddle or embrace, play and even joke with us but we walk away from His presence because we got something much more important to settle.
You may ask: "When did I ever walk away from God's presence or neglected Him? Hey! Do you know that I don't miss any of the church services or programs?"
You sound quite right by saying that but at times we forgot to remember the uncountable days where we just rushed away to work without realizing that our Father in Heaven has been waiting to chat with us since the early morning. How do you think He would have felt? Only ‘God knows!’
How about the promises we made with God periodically that we would study and meditate on His Word (The Bible) everyday but couldn't really fulfill it because running short of time. Don't you think this reason also could have broken His sensitive heart?
Friends, He longs to speak unto our life through His powerful Word but we neglected Him, thinking that ‘He understands’ and it's okay if we don't keep our word, simply because He is GOD who Forgives and Forgets.
When our own children and loved ones turn away from us, disobey, misbehave or even neglect us, we feel down and out (sometimes, shed tears of hurt or even go without meal for days).
Just a moment, now put our Father God in that situation and think for a while how we could have hurt His feelings when we did the same to Him.
Dear people of God, now is the right time for us to turn our hearts to the Everlasting Father and give Him the opportunity and the privilege to commune with us daily. Yes! Daily. By doing this I believe the heart of the Father God will surely turn to us in a very special way to make us a holy generation.
Prayer: "Father in Heaven, please forgive me for neglecting You and breaking Your tender heart. Make me a child that will fulfill Your desires. I love You dear God Almighty, in Jesus name…Amen."
Earlier in Part 1, I started the article with the story of Jesus at the age of twelve. Now, since we have run so fast, we are almost at the end of JC’s ministry.
Jesus began His powerful teaching and preaching ministry followed by signs, wonders, miracles and healings at the age of 30. (Luke 3:23 ASV And Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age...)
In three and a half years, JC ran with such a speed to fulfill His divine assignment on earth. The success of Jesus’ ministry on earth was not ‘how big His church was’, or ‘how many followers or supporters He obtained’ or even ‘how many souls He saved’ etc but His success was in OBEYING the voice of the FATHER and being led by the HOLY SPIRIT.
Beloved, the beauty about this race is we are not running against our adversary the devil and his foes by our own strength or effort but God our rock and strength runs together with us.
Though, I know this truth for many years but it came to me like a revelation and confirmed my believe after I watched a glimpse of the remarkable father-son bond of Dick and Rick Hoyt, and their inspirational journey together in a triathlon and life itself on U-tube.
More than twenty years ago, Rick Hoyt ran a 5 kilometer while pushing his disabled son in a wheelchair. After the race his son told him that while racing he did not feel disabled. They have since competed in over a hundred triathlons and marathons together. This video clip is truly remarkable and highly inspirational.
In the first place, why do we need to run? 1Co 9:24-27 MKJV Do you not know that those running in a race all run, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. (25) And everyone who strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Then those truly that they may receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. (26) So then I run, not as if I were uncertain. And so I fight, not as one who beats the air. (27) But I buffet my body, and lead it captive, lest proclaiming to others I myself might be rejected.
Friends, can you see the passion that Paul the apostle had to be part of the great race. He proclaims that he treat his body severely and make it his slave (not to sin but to obedience to God) in order to win the challenge.
I believe, you can agree with me that we are not trained just to ‘run for fun’. However, we ought to run the race to achieve something valuable and to receive an incorruptible crown. Run in such a way to win. I mean, we got to be focused and not run with uncertainty.
In the recent reality TV show ‘The Biggest Loser Asia’, one man called ‘king David’ became the winner after he managed to lose a substantial amount of weight and out beating many of his contenders. At his victory, he said that he definitely couldn’t have won this challenge without a proper training and motivation by his coach.
Just imagine, if a man and his contenders can put so much effort with the help of their coaches to win a particular challenge, how much more we should trust our Great Coach who runs with us to win the spiritual race set before us.
1Jn 4:4 MKJV You are of God, little children, and you have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
1Jn 5:4-5 MKJV For everything that has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. (5) Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1Co 15:57 MKJV But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
July last year (2009) the LORD challenged me to run with JC and to expect great and glorious results in three and a half years. I am taking this challenge and want to challenge you as well: “How many of you wanted to make history in your own ways with the help of God in 3 ½ years from now? You got to make the choice.”
Conclusion: Isa 40:3-5 MKJV The voice of him who cries in the wilderness, Prepare the way of Jehovah, make straight a highway in the desert for our God. (4) Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked places shall be made level, and the rough places smooth; (5) and the glory of Jehovah shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of Jehovah has spoken. 29-31 He gives power to the weary; and to him with no vigor; He increases strength. (30) Even the young shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall; (31) but those who wait on Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Saints of God, if we choose to run along with Jesus on the track that has been prepared for us, God will empower us and increase our strength so that we can run and not grow weary or faint but be able not just to run with such a speed but to soar on wings like eagles to fly high.
A couple of months ago, I was invited to two different youth gatherings to share on a topic called ‘Run with Jesus Christ’.
It was an interesting theme that caught my mind and spirit. When I started to work on it, I found something that stirred my enthusiasm, build my charisma and felt like someone just grabbed me and put me back on track…
I would like to share this message as well as my experience with you.
Luke 2:40-52 MKJVAnd the Child (Jesus) grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom. And the grace of God was on Him.
(41) And His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. (42) And when He was twelve yearsold, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the Feast… (46) And it happened that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them and questioning them. (47)And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. (48) And seeing Him, they were amazed. And His mother said to Him, Child, why have you done so to us? Behold, your father and I have looked for you, greatly distressed. (49) And He said to them, Why did you look for Me? Do you not know that I must be about My Father's business? (50) And they did not understand the word which He spoke to them. (51) And He went with them and came to Nazareth, and He was subject to them. But His mother kept all these sayings in her heart. (52)And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
The first thing that caught my attention was that Jesus when he turned 12 years of age – He was not childish but mature in His way of thinking, speech and action. Just as Jesus’ youth began at 12 and He increased in wisdom and stature, so we can train our young people to stop being childish and grow up to have favor with God and man.
As I was meditating upon chapter 2 of Luke and thinking deeply about the number 12, which speaks about apostleship and the Kingdom of God etc; the Holy Spirit brought to my attention chapter 12 in various scriptures that points to this topic.
In Jeremiah12we will see that the prophet in his frustration will ask God, why does the wicked prosper:
(Jer 12:1-5 MKJV Righteous are You, O Jehovah, that I might contend with You; yet let me speak with You about Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are all those happy who deal treacherously? (2) You have planted them; yea, they take root. They grow, yea, they make fruit. You are near in their mouth and far from their reins. (3) But You, O Jehovah, know me. You have seen me and tried my heart toward You. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and devote them for the day of slaughter. (4) How long shall the land mourn, and the grass of every field wither from the evil of those who dwell in it? The beasts and the birds have been destroyed, because they said, He shall not see our last end.)
Doesn’t this sound a little bit like us when we are frustrated?
God answered him:
(5)If you have run with footmen, and they wore you out, then how can you compete with horses? And if you feel secure in the land of peace, then how will you do in the swelling of the Jordan?
Friends, as you see the scripture, God is not training us to compete with men but with horses. (Can you perceive God’s intention to train us and His desire to make us victors?) Horses, speaks about a greater force that without a shadow of doubt is unbeatable when compared with man’s strength.
Remember, we are in God’s gym and training camp that prepares us to face and face-out our greatest contender – the beast! Now, look at: Heb 12:1 MKJV Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God...(12) Because of this, straighten up the hands which hang down and the enfeebled knees. (13) And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed.
The only way to win this race is to get away from sinful life and run with endurance by looking at the Princely Leader and Perfecter of our belief, Jesus. (Taken from the literal translation – The Scriptures)
Beloved, let us strengthen the hands that hang down for so long and get up quickly. STOP looking down on your selves and staying put in the place of your defeat. Be healed and rise up on your feet with such a power and put your confidence in the LORD. May the Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead, raise you up once again to finish the race that has been set before all of us.
As apostle Paul advised us in Romans 12, we are rather trained by God not just to flap our muscles and win a mere race but to be a holy generation that has been transformed by the renewing of our mind to fulfill the perfect will of God.
(Rom 12:1-21 MKJV I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.)
Lastly, don’t just remember the training and forget about the trainer. Just look at this reminder from: Ecc 12:1 MKJVRemember now your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days do not come, nor the years draw near, when you shall say, I have no pleasure in them.
(12-14) And further, by these, my son, be warned: The making of many books has no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. (13) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man. (14) For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good, or whether evil.
Dear friends, may God stir your spirit as well and put you on the right tract to finish the race in style. Let’s run with JC!!
Life is full of challenges. People we trust may fail us; our health may deteriorate; our vehicle can breakdown; our family can face hard times; we may run out of funds and finances; work or even education can be pressuring. The list can go on and on....
Nevertheless, "DON'T GIVE UP; JUST GIVE IT UP TO GOD"... because He who created us has also created in us the strength and wisdom to face those challenges.
God will make away, where there is no other way. He will guide us and supernaturally lead us.
1Co 10:13 No temptation has taken you but what is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation also will make a way to escape, so that you may be able to bear it. (MKJV) Isa 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall sprout; shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Isa 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way they knew not; I will lead them in paths they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. I will do these things to them, and not forsake them.
Surely, you have heard about siblings’ rivalry.It is not new; it has been there since the times of Cain and Abel and continues until the time of the sons of Abraham – Ishmael and Isaac. Know what, it is still untamed. For centuries, Christians and the Muslims have differences in opinions, beliefs and even terms. Look at history, they fight (major wars and war of words) just to prove each other’s religious stand. NO ONE WINS!
Now as we know, a peaceful country such as Malaysia that has been an attraction of the world for it’s diversity of culture and unity among different races, has shown her ugly sight especially since the ‘Allah’ issue has been politicized.We also hear a lot of dissatisfaction about the policies of this nation, which has been ‘stamped’ by many as a bias governance and full of partiality.
If we keep talking sensitive issues, arguing about who is right and condemning each other’s beliefs, what we gain? Only hatred against each other will keep growing and we ourselves will become the victims of self-destruction.
Christians please listen: Don’t allow hatred to continue to grow in you towards our Muslim brothers and also others of different faith for their wrong doings. Love them because Jesus loves them. Keep your heart and mind and even your church OPEN. We believe the fullness of revival that we have been praying and hoping for is just at our doorstep but it will not come to past without the Muslims come into the fold!
Few days ago, the LORD showed us something wonderful from the book of ACTS chapter 10.When we read and discussed about it, we once again begin to hear the heart of God who is looking out for the lost including the Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and devout people of other faith.
Acts 10:1-6 (MKJV)And a certain man named Cornelius was in Caesarea, a centurion of the Italian cohort, one devout and fearing God, with all his household, both doing many merciful deeds to the people, and praying continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw plainly in a vision an angel of God coming to him and saying to him, Cornelius! And he was gazing at him, and becoming terrified, he said, What is it, lord? And he said to him, Your prayers and your merciful deeds have come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, whose last name is Peter. He is staying with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside. He will tell you what you must do.
1)God fearing:
Cornelius is not a Jew or a Christian but he was definitely a devout and God-fearing man including his household. Think a moment. Don’t you think there are many Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists etc are devoted and God-fearing people? They spent much time praying, involve in religious activities, giving arms to the needy and want to please God in any way possible by their words and deeds.
We personally have seen these kinds of people. We also have heard of many testimonies, how they found the true light (Christ) as they were searching their own holy scriptures or while they we performing their religious obligations.
2)God encounter:
Can we think a bit loud? If God can give vision of an angel to Cornelius, why can’t He do it again? We believe, God is going to assign His angels to visit many non-Christians who are God-fearing.
There’s going to be divine encounters among others who are yet to be born again Christians. For ones again, God by His mercy and grace will open their eyes to see visions and get the revelation of who Jesus is. Just as it happened to Saul the zealot who later became Paul the apostle and to Cornelius and his household, we know history will repeat itself. Even many of us, while we were still sinners, God knew us and gave us the privilege to accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior.
Without a shadow of doubt, we believe that God - base on the Word of God- will visit or assign His angels to reveal the true path to everlasting life to devoted, God-fearing men and women right in their prayer closets including in the mosques, temples and Sikh gurdwaras.
3)God remembers:
Friends, take note – Our God is not a God of partiality, just as He remembers His covenanted people, He will also remember the prayers and supplications of non-believers who are God-fearing.
The angel told Cornelius that his prayers and generous deeds as come up as a memorial before God. Wow! That’s really wonderful.
1Pe 3:12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears open to their prayers. But the Lord's face is against those who do evil.
Look, when God finds His chosen among the heathen – just like He chose us – He will give the instructions and direct their path to look for the believers (Christian and Churches) to get further information and revelation in order for them to know what they must do to be saved.
Church, what will be your response when a non-believer suddenly enters your home or even the church to check or to confirm with you what they saw in a vision? You may personally know some of them -he or she could be a well known person,devoted to their own religious beliefs, may be an ‘ulama’ (Muslim religious leader), ‘pusari’ (Hindu priest) or a Buddhist monk.
Yes! We are fully aware of incidents where the police personals from the special branch or the religious departments send spies to check on Christian activities in churches from time to time. Despite all these, how as a true born again, Spirit filled Christian, we would handle this issue?
Will we put them off because of law and shut our doors on their faces because of fears? Let’s say if they are truly genuine and you know it, how would you handle them?
PART 2
Act 10:7-8And when the angel who spoke to Cornelius departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from those who waited on him continually. And explaining all things to them, he sent them to Joppa (to meet Peter).
Be ready Church...the non believers are definitely coming our way when God opens the door. Now someone got to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit to help open their eyes as well, so that they can serve the one, true, living and loving God.
Don’t worry my dear friends, just as you were saved – may be through the help and concern of others – God can do the same, by using us to set others free from their bondage. The only requirement is our willingness to submit to God, obedience and courage to work hand in hand with the Almighty
4)God prepares:
We believe, God will prepare His people to hear Him well and to respond to His call – that is to set the captives free. Even though it was not easy for Peter to make decision but at last, he did it.
Act 10:9-23On the next day, as these went on the road, and drawing near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.
And he became very hungry and desired to eat. But while they made ready, an ecstasy fell on him.
And he saw the heaven opened and a certain vessel like a sheet coming down to him, being bound at the four corners and let down to the earth;
in which were all the four-footed animals of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the reptiles, and the birds of the heaven.
And a voice came to him, saying, Rise, Peter! Kill and eat!
But Peter said, Not so, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.
And the voice spoke to him again the second time, What God has made clean, you do not call common.
This happened three times, and the vessel was received up again into the heaven.
And while Peter doubted within himself what the vision which he had seen might be, even behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius had asked for Simon's house and stood on the porch.
And they called and asked if Simon whose last name is Peter was staying there.
And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are looking for you.
5)God commands:
Just as the LORD commanded Peter, He will give His church clear instructions how to handle such kind of issues. God will remove our doubts and help us to see things through His eyes. We just have to trust God, obey Him and share His good news of love to the oppressed as He commands us to do so.
Act 10:20-43Therefore arise and go down and go with them without doubting, for I have sent them.
And going down to the men, those sent to him from Cornelius, Peter said, Behold, I am the one you are seeking. For what reason have you come?
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man and one who fears God, and one of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear words from you.
Then he called them in and lodged them. And on the next day Peter went away with them, and certain brothers from Joppa went with him.
And the next day they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped.
But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up! I also am a man myself.
And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together.
And he said to them, You know that it is an unlawful thing for a man, a Jew to keep company with or to come near to one of another nation. But God has shown me not to call any man common or unclean.
Therefore I came without complaint, being sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me.
And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour. And at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing.
And he said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your merciful deeds have been remembered before God.
Therefore send to Joppa and call here Simon whose last name is Peter, he is staying in the house of Simon, a tanner by the seaside; who, when he comes, shall speak to you.
Therefore I immediately sent to you, and you have done well to come. Now therefore we are all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded you by God.
Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Truly I see that God is no respecter of persons;
but in every nation he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted with Him.
You know the Word which God sent to the sons of Israel, preaching the gospel of peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all!);
that word which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed;
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went about doing good, and healing all those who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with Him.
And we are witnesses of all things which He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed Him and hanged Him on a tree;
but God raised Him up the third day and showed Him openly,
not to all the people, but to witnesses hand-picked before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.
And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.
All the Prophets give witness to Him, that through His name whoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins.
6)God takes over:
Act 10:44-48While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those hearing the Word.
And those of the circumcision, who believed (as many as came with Peter), were astonished because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the nations also.
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
Can anyone forbid water that these, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we, should not be baptized?
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they begged him to stay certain days.
My dear friends, the good news is…our God is in the business of taking over. When God moves, He will take over the entire family, clan and even nation. When we the church obey God with all our heart, soul and strength, He will turn every situation around for His glory.
The people that ones said to be untouchables will be touched by His mighty power. Let’s believe God together that the unsaved people group will be saved by His great love and mercy. Hallelujah!! God will surely WIN by winning them over to His side.
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