Are you a positioned weapon?
March 4th, 2010 by Shyju Mathew
Consider these events; the United Nations to counter eventual threats deployed missiles to Bulgaria and Romania. The Russian president Vladimir Putin was quick to oppose it. The United States, around the same time, fortified Hawaii to oppose threats from Korea. This kind of reactive response to threats has been followed by many other countries all over the world including China, Pakistan and India. Whether it is a matter of insecurity or not is another topic all together.
The radars, satellites, sensors on these kill vehicles are positioned to detect the light, heat and range of the attacking object. These positioned weapons are quick to detect the threat and respond with speed and accuracy destroying the intentions of the enemy.
Each nation strives and spends millions of dollars to develop their defence technology and missiles, even today, despite the severe economical challenges. These weapons are strangers to the concept of rest, boredom, vacations; they are ever ready for their masters to use. Here is what I want you to know; the truth is that God has his own positioned weapons against the work of the enemy.
The Lord has always used men and women for His purpose against the work of the enemy and the ones that will create HIStory are the ones who are completely surrendered to His will and ready at all times.
While I was praying, the Lord reminded me of a message that I had preached when I was 14 years old. It was about David’s anointing. Notice that when Samuel arrived, he called the sons of Jesse to consecration and sacrifice. That was to purify themselves to be anointed as king. He said, “Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” 1 Samuel 16:5. And after all of that, he still did not find the king among them.
Then came David, the youngest who was keeping the sheep. And as soon as he came in, the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he…” 1 Samuel 16:12, 13 Wait a minute!! Does he not need to be consecrated like the other brothers? What’s the hurry to anoint him?
The simple truth was that David lived in consecration in the fields while he attended the sheep. He lived in holiness. David did not have to switch gears to worship God for the anointing to fall. He lived his life s an act of worship. He, David, was a positioned weapon for God. Some of us struggle to get into a prayer or worship atmosphere when we enter into the presence of God. It is simply because throughout the day and the rest of the week, we are not positioned weapons.
I had one of my spiritual sons text message me the other day saying, “Dad, I want to be used by God.” I wrote back to him to saying, “Don’t pursue ministry. Pursue God.” We are God’s weapons that will damage the kingdom of satan. We do not need to tell God how to use us. We just need to be available to let Him deploy us the way He deems best. We need to keep pursuing God despite our struggles. (If you missed reading ‘The secret of the standing man’ Read, HERE
Do not let your carnal desires mould your spiritual dreams. Gifts of the Holy Spirit are not for our fame, prestige or money.
Let God use you for whatever He purposes, only surrender to His will in grateful worship and passionate seeking throughout the week and throughout the day. Then, He’ll use you when He wants and however He wants and in that, there is complete glory to God. In His perfect will, there is joy and completeness. Let’s be ever ready, positioned weapons for God!
Are you a positioned weapon for God?
Pass this link on and help me share this word for this hour, to this generation.
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The Secret of a Standing Man
February 24th, 2010 by Shyju MathewAs a child, I really enjoyed cycling. My memories of my first cycling lessons were on a very small rented bicycle. But my dad had a bigger utility cycle which was our main means of transportation to anywhere. At the time, a motorbike was too much of a luxury to ask for.
As a family, we would all ride on that cycle to every possible Church meeting. Being the child, I would sit on the top tube of the bicycle frame and hang on to the handlebar as my dad rode miles down the streets with my mom seated on the rear luggage carrier. I watched my dad manoeuvre around every pothole possible to make our ride comfortable. (At which, he was not very successful given that they were not very good tarred roads) The joy in serving the Lord kept us motivated.
One fine day, I got a little over-ambitious and I decided to try and ride my dad’s large wheeled cycle (like the one in the picture, a brand called HERO, if anyone can remember from the good ol’ days).
My legs barely reached the ground but I managed to set the cycle into motion and jumped on it. After a few minutes, I realized that if I could not stop the cycle if I wanted to because my leg could not reach the ground and the cycle had picked up a little pace by then. I somehow managed to slow down a little and lunged at a pole at the side of the road. I held on to it while I was still seated on the cycle and I stayed there that way
A few people passing by were willing to help me get off the bike but I refused to up until my dad arrived on the scene, who was resting as he had come back from work for his lunch break. This whole incident had me badly shaken and I began to cry. Soon my dad was on the scene and his large arms rescued me. For a long time after this entire episode, I was scared to try cycling again, till one day when my dad sat me down and said, “Son, you will have many scary moments in life but that does not mean you should give up.”
What he said rings true even today. There are many scary and hurtful moments in life that keep knocking at our doors. That does not mean we should give up. We have to keep at it.
Have we not noticed that from toddlers to grownups, people trip and fall? And they fall more than once but the secret behind their success story is simple. They keep getting back up. How then can we quit from getting back up in our walk with the Lord?
“The secret of a standing man is that he got back up from where he last fell.”
Dear friends, it’s a simple success secret, it is to keep getting back up.
Keep getting back up till you can stand tall.
Keep getting back up till you begin to walk.
Keep getting back up till you are not afraid.
Keep getting back up till you can run.
And keep getting back up till you see Jesus face to face.
There is a relentless God searching for a relentless generation.
Keep getting back up.
Have you had situations where you were afraid to get back up? How have you overcome your fears?
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Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is required. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by SMMinistries. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: Shyju Mathew © SMMinistries. Website: http://www.shyjumathew.com
Truth about Freedom and Freewill
February 17th, 2010 by Shyju Mathew
This is a guest post by: Pst. Stanley Thomas, USA
A great American freedom fighter, Patrick Henry, once declared ‘Give me liberty or give me death!’ This idea of freedom has been something we all strive for. Whether it is something we try to obtain from our parents or higher authority, it is something we all want but seldom know how to use. If there is any one series of questions I have heard from college students, it has been regarding free will. Am I absolutely free to make my own decisions? Does God decide for me? How does free will work with God’s sovereignty?
I’ve come to realize that though free will exists, no one is completely free. Yes I might decide my own hair style and clothing for the day, but my freedom is limited. I did not get to choose who my parents were going to be or in which city I was born. It was not mine to decide or pick. But with that said, though complete freedom isn’t given to all, there is a sense of freedom God has given to all humans. We have to realize that when talking about freedom, there are restrictions in the true sense of freedom. Freedom is directly connected to your purpose and the fulfillment of your created purpose.
If I look at a fish in a small bowl of water swimming, in my eyes, it is restricted from the vast lands that surround it. Taking the fish out of the bowl and throwing it up in the air and screaming, ‘Freedom!!’ so it can roam on the grass that sits before it will actually cause the fish to shrivel up and die. It’s in the restriction of the water the fish is actually free to go about it’s intended and created purpose.
When you talk about having freedom and free will, you have to view it through the lens of the One who has given this gift. History goes like this: the lines of true freedom got blurred when Adam sinned against God in the garden of Eden. He chose willingly to disobey God. But one can not forget that God was fully aware of Adam’s decision and had in mind the perfect plan already on how to deal with the situation. The result, a sovereign God perfectly planning history and presenting us the ultimate sacrifice for redemption and hope – His Son, Jesus Christ. God has planned everything from eternity, but He planned it in His sovereignty with our freedom in mind.
In God’s plan, we are given the choices to act freely according to the boundaries set before us. The Bible tells us that while we were in our mother’s womb, God knew us. It also takes the time to declare that we were predestined before the foundations of the earth. Though these verses might cause us to wrestle with the thought of how a supreme God has planned out history and still allowed us to work within the freedom He has given us, it does give us an insight into how our free will works within the terms of God’s sovereignty. When looking at freedom through the lens of your relationship with God, you realize that the process of salvation (accepting Jesus as your Savior and God) can only happen by God’s initiation, but our decision to do sinful acts can only happen as God permits us to do so. Those are our two choices. If you wonder how it works, think of this:
Imagine if a mother, who has two children, finds her children leaving their room messy every single day. Every day she tells them to clean it and because of her sovereignty, they obey. Finally, after being so tired of forcing them, she tells them, “I’m not going to tell you anymore. You remember to do it on your own.” Sure enough, she finds the room messy again the next day. Now, while it isn’t her “will” that the room is messy, the only reason the room can be messy in the first place is because of her “will” – she permitted it. It is her sovereignty that would force the children to clean it, and her sovereignty that would permit their freedom to rebel. In both cases, in telling the children to clean it, and leaving them to do it on their own, she is sovereign.
Outside of knowing God, does man have free will? Yes, but there are limits. Unless God opens our hearts to receive Him, we will be free, but only to rebel against Him. In a relationship with God, man receives the ultimate understanding of seeing light in the midst of darkness and walking in His full potential.
Leave your thoughts below.
Stanley Thomas is a young and dynamic pastor from U.S. He is now working as a Director at the Kodaikanal Christian College, South India.
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Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is required. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by SMMinistries. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: Shyju Mathew © SMMinistries. Website: http://www.shyjumathew.com
How to read the Bible and what matters the most
February 10th, 2010 by Shyju Mathew
I DO NOT like to read especially if it extends more than a few paragraphs. In fact, even after much coercing, I am still not a voracious reader. Over a period of time, I have learned that it is beneficial for us, whether we agree or disagree with the content in the books that we read. Reading has many advantages. Yet, at times, I seem to struggle with the idea of actually having to go through an entire book.
For a while now, I have begun to enjoy reading books or matter with the areas that I am involved with. When it comes to the Bible, we do not have an option because, if I choose not to read the Bible, then I am choose not to know who my creator is and what I am created for. Now that would be an epic failure! I have realized that there are plenty of young (and old) people who struggle with reading the Bible.
These are some ways to help you re-energize your walk with God in taking in His Eternal word.
Depend completely on the Holy Spirit It was mom who first taught me to read the Bible. As some of you know, my preaching ministry began when I was 7 years old. I approached my mom to ask her what I should preach about. She taught me the importance of going to God and asking Him about it more than man.
She also, told me that every sentence is inspired by the Holy Spirit for a purpose. There is a hidden revelation in every verse for our edification, motivation and direction. Now get me right, there is nothing wrong in looking for more understanding with Bible encyclopedias, commentaries, etc. but the more we depend on the Holy Spirit to reveal what He has written, the more we will be awed by the word of God. It is only then it will become alive to us in our day to day life.
If you are asking me, so how do I begin? I would say, the same way you would ask me, ask the Holy Spirit. He will provide the inspiration in your heart as you depend on Him with each of those verses.
Where do I begin?
If you are a new believer and are trying to understand the Bible, I would say the best place to start with, is with your Savior and Lord Jesus. Even though, it is true that Jesus can be seen in almost all of the books of the Bible in hidden revelations, we can best start with the gospel according to John, the fourth book in the New Testament. And then proceed to the other gospels starting from Mathew, then to Mark and then Luke. Moving on, next would be Acts, which is the book about the disciples of Jesus. You can take your study further to the books after Acts learning how the Church must prepare for the second coming of Jesus.
Is there a commandment that I need to obey? Is there a valuable principal here that I can learn? Is this verse speaking into my life right now? How can I apply it in my everyday life? Is there a prayer I can make?
Write the answers to these questions in your notebook and you will soon build up a treasure house of scriptural knowledge. It is important to pray as you read the bible. It doesn’t have to be a long prayer, just something like ”Dear God show me what this means and help me to obey”
Read cover to cover
There are many ‘Bible Reading Plans’ available to complete your Bible study in a year. This is one of them: “http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/readingplans/”
But apart from that, I would suggest that you do more than just reading based on given direction. Another option is to read your Bible through email, ”http://www.bibleinayear.org/signup.asp“ but there is nothing like having your own Bible that you carry with you, and studying it at every possible hour. And oh, I love underlining, circling, making squares around words; it just makes it so personal!
Going deeper
I have developed a pattern of reading, one chapter from the 5 books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) One chapter from the prophetic books (Jeremiah, Isaiah, Hosea, Amos, etc.) One chapter or two from Psalms. One chapter from Proverbs. One chapter from the Gospels, Epistles, etc.
So, in short, each day I get a wide view of the Bible and not just one portion of it. Mind you, that personally, this does not happen every day nor do I stick to each chapter strictly.Sometimes I end up reading more than just one chapter according to how I feel in my spirit. I do this basically because different books of the Bible teach you different things. Take for an example, mainly in Psalms, you learn more about God. In Proverbs, you learn more about people and many wise things. In the gospels, you discover more about Jesus, etc. So to have a wider perspective of the word in a day really helps going deeper in the Lord.
How often?
Even though it is good discipline to have a set timetable for your Bible study, I would suggest that you take it beyond your timetable. Carry your Bible to work or even school. I’ve always said this; it is not about how many chapters you cover in a day, it is about how many chapters have gone into your heart. That means sometimes I’ve been stuck with few verses for days! Read it over and over and enjoy new revelations from the Holy Spirit. Literally soaking in the word of God.
Caution in using resources
At this point, we must be careful that we do not over-do any of the commentaries or articles. Let’s face it, as much as there are really good ones, they are all still man’s understanding of the Word of God. So, what better place to be than on your knees with the Holy Spirit who inspired the word of God through these Bible authors! Yet there are resources that can be of great help, ask your leader what resources you can use best for your level of understanding as there are many confusing commentaries, too.
There are many great online resources. One of which I use often, HYPERLINK “http://biblos.com/” There are thousands of others, too but again, I insist that you stick to the Bible and on your knees in prayer that is the greatest place to be.
WHAT really MATTERS:
Perspective matters
How you approach the Bible is important. Those who see the Bible as a help tool will have a tendency to view verses that give more enlightening when going through a relevant situation. For me, I enjoy more of prayer and intimacy so I end up seeing everything through that inspiration. I understand that it is not very easy but try to keep a neutral heart for the Holy Spirit to throw light on anything He wants. There are all kinds of revelations that the Holy Spirit can fill you with from each of those verses. Now don’t get me wrong, it is great to have the Holy Spirit speak into our circumstances yet keep your heart open to any new revelations that the Holy Spirit may reveal into your future than just your past or present.
Passion matters
Like I said earlier, it is not about how many chapters you complete but about whether your heart is in it. I have known of some who rush through their Bible before they go to the college or before they hit the bed as if it is a custom or ritual. It seems like they are answerable to their parents or pastors more than God. Put your heart into reading the word. There will be times that as you read the word; some verse gets your attention. Some verse has a stronger pull or stands out of The Book. Stay on that verse. Ask the Holy Spirit for more revelation on it. You will be surprised at how much you can learn from it the more you stay on it with the Holy Spirit.
Persistence matters
Problem with people like me would be that they are not great, voracious readers making it hard to make it a daily pattern! But the fact about the importance of knowing more about God and what God wants to know about us on a daily basis should help us focus on it every day. Like I said before, carry your Bible everywhere so that you can read it bit by bit every opportunity so that it becomes a part of your life.
Prayer matters
Finally, I’d like to conclude with this – PRAYER MATTERS. Bible reading alone will not get you anywhere. You need spend time seeking God based on what you have meditated on. It is the prayer that empowers you to live the word of God in its fullness. Bible reading without prayer is food without water
I hope this helps you “Live a balanced Christian Life.” Don’t forget to FB & Twitter share it with your friends and family and help them with the same.
Question: What more tips can you add to this? What’s your motivation to concentrate on the word of God? Reply below.
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Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is required. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by SMMinistries. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: Shyju Mathew © SMMinistries. Website: http://www.shyjumathew.com
Handling Office Pressures
February 3rd, 2010 by Shyju MathewLet’s face it! Life is not easy all the time and it does not get any easier when you are a Christian. It almost leaves you feeling like a fish in the bowl. Everybody is watching your walk and your talk. The desire to live right in a so-wrong world seems so pointless with the human perspective especially when people around you do not play fair. Here are few ways to handle office pressures.
Expect reality Well, the truth is that since the fall of Adam, it has been in the nature of the fallen man to slander, play unfair, lie blatantly, be jealous of another person’s promotion and every other vile thing you can think of. So, to go into a secular setting where the fear of God is a rarity and then to expect everything to be fine and dandy may be a farfetched expectation. As a child of God, you must also be prepared to face these kinds of challenges before you decide to skip the job.
Others have issues, too! Let’s be real! Your boss, your manager, your colleagues; they all have their own set of frustrations in life. Now, if there is anyone with hope that would be you because you have Christ in you. Your joy is not set on the things of this world but on things to come, the eternal life. Then it could be possible that your boss may be having a bad time at home or having a problem with his boss; or your manager is frustrated with the quality of work your colleagues have turned in, this is your perfect opportunity where you can be the understanding person like a Christian should try to be every single day.
Take a heart test The question you really need to ask is, ‘Is my heart in this place?’ Majority of your issues can be solved if you put your heart into what you do. It is a fact that if you do not enjoy what you do, you will find something or another that will tick you off.Questions you must then ask yourself:- Why is my heart not in it?- If you are doing something that is not what you want to do, then what are your prospects of doing what your heart wants to do?- Has the Lord put me here for a reason? If so, what is it? What can I do then to adjust to see that purpose fulfilled?
Are you the problem? Now you might not want to do this but you must ask yourself, ‘Am I the problem?’ Some people are just hard to work with. Now to know if that is you, you really need to humble yourself and find out if you are the problem. Are you contributing to the stress at the work place? Are you really an innocent bystander being blamed? Have you done anything that would fan the flames of discontent? Ask your colleague for an honest opinion and don’t be mad at them for being honest.
If so, then begin by accepting it. Have an honest discussion with your boss and accept areas that you lack in. Remember people are not God and that they can take their own sweet time to forgive or chances are they may never forget what you did. That’s alright; move on to what best you can do today. If you do not have the knowledge to handle something, what can you do to improve yourself to handle the same? Can you go one step ahead and do things more passionately so that the name of Jesus that you carry is glorified?
Don’t lose foresight It is this big picture of the problem that helps you solve the problem. Now, beyond natural challenges and you being there in the eye of the storm may make people seem very irrational. Remember, the devil would love to pressurize you at your work place just to let you lose your peace and joy. For this you must be cautious about the unreasonable situations at your work place. So before deciding on the best course of action, take a step back and pray. Guard your heart from losing your joy. The joy of the Lord should remain your strength; not your wallet, your promotion or even people.
The Spiritual Problem I have heard and seen countless situations when there has been a strong battle between the spiritual forces that clash with the Spirit of God in you. Before you take things into your own hands, fight the evil spirits working behind it on your knees. Ask the Lord to show you the potential hurdles that slow you down. Ask God for wisdom and favor. Most of all, believe that God would give you directions. Be sensitive to where God wants to lead you to from this place. Note: If you are fighting your own battle, God may wait till you are done!
A powerful verse in Proverbs 21: 1 says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turns it to wherever he pleases.” If that is so then the heart of your boss or your colleagues are in God’s hands, too. God cannot work if you have already given up. Be strengthened for nothing is impossible with God.
Practical ways to stay cool While you are engaged in spiritual battle, remember to be practical, too. Don’t blame everything on the enemy and stay ignorant. Now that you are in the battle, take decisions in a proper manner. Prioritize your tasks, as the time is the most critical element. Maintain a notebook if you have to. Don’t waste your time. Delegate work if that is an option. Identify if there is a project overload. Write down precautions of possible problems and goals to avoid the past mistakes. Do you have a set of goals? Make plans to support your goals.
Additionally, stay healthy. Don’t overstress yourself. Keep your mind in the present. Drink plenty of water to avoid fatigue and to be fresh. Find someone who can mentor you on these challenges. And oh, should I say, read plenty of BIBLE every single moment that you can, even in your breaks (Try Proverbs). To sum it up, one of my favorite verse from Romans 8: 28 says, “All things work together for good, for them that love God”
Question: What are your strategies to handle the battles at your work? Are there any more points that you add to this? Don’t forget to share this.
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Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is required. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by SMMinistries. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: Shyju Mathew © SMMinistries. Website: http://www.shyjumathew.com
3 Keys to a Mountain Top Prayer Life
January 27th, 2010 by Shyju Mathew
There was a time, a few years ago, when traveling by air was not as affordable as now with so many cost-effective airlines. The most frequently used means of traveling for me to conferences was either by bus or train. I preferred the train for a lesser bumpy ride and it would also give me the opportunity to peep through the window bars and watch the creation of God unfold before me as we passed through mountains and fields.
I was always enraptured the most by the mountains. Reading stories about how Moses talked with God on the mountaintop would leave me standing in wonder at the sight of a mountain. And often, I wished I was on top of one of those mountains that were covered with the clouds.
Talk about being careful about what you wish for! Well, that’s exactly what happened when I was 19. I was invited to study at the Kodaikanal Christian College in Kodaikanal. I also had the privilege of serving as a Chaplain at the college while I was pursuing my studies. The college is halfway on a mountaintop and my hostel room was right on top of the mount with an amazing view outside my window. Every day I used to walk up to my room along this beautiful scenic wonder and it is a memory that I will always cherish. Those 3 years gave me an opportunity to seek the Lord like never before.
The phrase, a ‘Mountain Top Experience’ has been quoted from instances in the Bible where Old Testament prophets like Moses, Elijah, and even Jesus in the New Testament went to the mountain top to pray. A Mountain Top Experience is much more beyond mere positions or pattern of prayer. I’d like to share with you a few lessons that we can learn from their passion to pray in our daily life.
A Selfless Experience One of the important things we need to do in our prayer is to identify our motives. Every time Moses went up the mountain it was for God’s purpose more than his. God called Moses up the mountain to speak to the Israelites. Every time Jesus went to prayer it was about the will of the Father for humanity
A mountain top experience is a very selfless experience but somehow our generation has been convinced otherwise and has come to believe that prayer is about the blessings we can receive. It is about praying, ‘yet not my will but yours be done. ‘
Notice that when you climb up the mountain, you are leaving behind your camp, your situations, your life, and the whole perspective changes to that of a bird’s view. It is no more about how you see things but about how God see things. When you are in the presence of God, the problems may not have changed below but how you see the problem will change.
POA (Plan of Action): Identify your motives in prayer; crucify your flesh by surrendering to God’s desires over your desires. Tune out of your world, your emotions and tune yourself to hearing from God.
A Heart and Might Experience Very often, we focus so much about loving God with all our heart and mind but the greatest commandment is not complete with loving God with just our heart and mind but it also includes, “with all your might” Deut 6: 5
Three years of my mountaintop experience has taught me that climbing up the mountain requires a lot of energy. It was only once that I tried mountain trekking with my Founder Chairman Dr. Sam Abraham, ever since every time he asked me if I wanted to trek, I opted to pray for him as he trekked!
As a preacher, I know how tiring it is to come back home after a fiery sermon and after praying for everyone waiting there but Jesus waited till he prayed for everyone and then, go up the mountain to pray. I am sure Jesus had a longer prayer line having raised a few dead people back to life! (Mathew 14: 22, 23). Remember, Jesus got tired as you and me while on earth, but He knew the importance of prayer
What really interests me about Jesus, even at Gethsemane, is that though he knew that the 3 disciples were exhausted, tired and that their spirit was willing yet their flesh was weak and that their eyes were heavy, he went up to them three times to see if they were praying. (Mark 14: 34 – 41) This clearly shows that we must have our life disciplined for prayer and that too, in top priority!
POA: Identify your excuses, get rid of them, no more compromise, recommit to your prayer time, this time with all your might!
An Undistracted Experience For those who enjoy trekking and hiking up mountainous terrains, I’m sure you understand the beauty of silence. Now, it is also a fact that to have a distraction-free location is a rarity, especially when our greatest distractions are with us in the form of computers, mobiles, television etc.
But then, that is the beauty of the Mountain Top Experience! We must learn to break free from everything that distracts us from God. It’s a choice that you make. Beyond the distractions around us, we need to discipline our minds by taking efforts to be focused in prayer. A person after God’s heart must make it a habit to get away from the normal routines to seek God.
POA: Identify your distractions and re-prioritize your prayer times. Refocus in prayer, this time with all your mind!
The key is simply this, let us draw near to God in full assurance of faith, guiltless and as we draw near to God and he will draw near to us. James 4: 8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
So let us draw to him, this very day, right now with all our heart, mind and might!
Question: What helps you with your prayer time? How do you climb your mountain of prayer?
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Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is required. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by SMMinistries. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: Shyju Mathew © SMMinistries. Website: http://www.shyjumathew.com
Interview with leader Lee Grady
January 20th, 2010 by Shyju MathewFrom the time I started to preach and minister, I have learnt so much from other leaders. One of the purposes of my blog is to share what I’ve learnt; as the scriptures encourage, to freely give what we freely receive.
Here is a short interview with Lee Grady. Lee Grady is editor of Charisma international magazine. He is also the founder of The Mordecai Project, a ministry focused on empowering women leaders and confronting the abuse of women around the world.
We had organized a conference in our church with Lee Grady. He is a man who walks his talk in all humility. God used him powerfully in India, specifically to set many men free who were bound by the enemy of domestic violence. I am sure this interview will throw light to lot of areas in our lives.
What fuels the passion behind what you do? What is your driving force?
I was baptized in the Holy Spirit when I was 18 years old. That experience is still a defining moment for me. That is when my Christianity came alive. I had been raised in the church, but after the Holy Spirit touched me my faith became vibrant and my relationship with the Lord became intimate.
How did your ministry begin?
I have been involved in writing and Christian publishing all of my adult life. My natural giftings involve writing and editing. But I was called to preach and minister publicly in 1998 when I was praying in a renewal service. The Lord asked me to surrender my fears—and two of those fears were of speaking in public and flying in airplanes. I knew when He asked me to surrender those fears that He was going to send me to the nations. Sure enough, after I surrendered the conditions I had placed on my obedience, I was flying all over the world. I have ministered in 24 nations since then.
What are your greatest challenges in the ministry? And how do you overcome it?
I have always struggled with confidence. I don’t think I am that great of a speaker, and I compare myself to other preachers. They always sound so much more dynamic than I do! Yet the Lord has shown me that He has not called me to be like anyone else. I have to be who I am. I have to minister in the style that He gave me. And many, many people come to me after I preach and tell me how much God used my messages, my prophetic words or my prayers to help them.
Who is the one person, apart from the Bible personalities, who most helped to shape your leadership and how did they help you?
I have many mentors in ministry. One man discipled me when I was a teenager and I still keep in touch with him today. He is like a spiritual father. Another mentor prays with me about important ministry decisions. I have another close friend, a pastor, who is both a mentor and an accountability partner. This man knows everything about me, including all my faults and sinful tendencies. I share with him about my temptations. These kinds of relationships are so important if we want to walk in holiness.
Has there been anyone who has helped you shape your thought process about dealing with life that surrounds the ministry?
Again, I have so many mentors and ministry relationships. I believe that one of the most important safeguards in ministry is to surround ourselves with mature leaders who can coach us and correct us when necessary. We are walking in pride if we don’t have people in our lives who are more spiritual than we are!
In recent years I have also built relationships with leaders from other nations. One of them is an evangelist from India, Harry Gomes, who is based in Coimbatore. Harry has spoken into my life at key times. He prays for me and has been a real encouragement. And he has helped me to understand how church leaders outside the United States are thinking. It is so important for us to gain a world perspective.
What is your greatest strength when it comes to leadership? How did you develop it?
I believe one of my gifts is encouragement. I love people, and I love to help younger leaders grow and develop. I love to disciple young leaders. I believe this came to me because a man invested his life in me when I was much younger. That is a biblical pattern. So I want to do it for many others.
The Lord has also given me a prophetic gift. I am able to come into a church and help the leaders see where God wants to take them. Often I can also see where the enemy is hindering them. I can speak into the situation and help those leaders step forward, advance and take territory.
I developed my prophetic gift by stepping out and speaking when God was giving me a word. Sometimes it was scary. And I had to be open to correction if I was wrong.
And what is your greatest weakness in leadership? How do you fight it?
I am very sensitive and I can get discouraged easily. I have to be careful about how I deal with criticism. I don’t avoid it, but I have to process it with people who love me. They help me sort through it. I also have to stay in the place of prayer, and read God’s Word regularly, so that I keep my faith level up. The devil is most effective when we are discouraged.
How do you manage your Prayer and Bible reading?
I spend time every morning with the Lord. I love to study the Word and I usually pick one book of the Bible to read and study. Right now I am doing a study of the life of Abraham, so I am reading passages in Genesis, Romans, Hebrews and Galatians. I also love to use a study Bible so that I can get the most out of my reading. I use the New American Standard Study Bible, but I also like to read Matthew Henry’s Commentary on that portion of Scripture I am reading.
When I pray, I like to focus on a few major concerns each time. Sometimes I use a prayer list that contains names of my friends and family. I pray for my wife and daughters constantly. I also pray a lot in tongues. I believe praying in the Holy Spirit is one of the secrets of spiritual power.
Also I have a special place where I pray and study. It is quiet and no one else is around. I like to be able to pray out loud without others hearing me. For me it is important that I can sing, worship and pray without any inhibitions.
At times when you are low, how do you come out of it?
I have to run to the secret place! I have to pray until I feel a breakthrough. If I am still feeling discouraged or oppressed sometimes I will call one of my friends and ask them to pray with me.
What would your advice be to the young leaders, from your experience?
Be really careful of becoming proud. Don’t let the devil convince you that you are so great and special. No matter how anointed you are, no matter how many people are healed in your meetings, and no matter how many fans are begging for your autograph, realize that you are
young, inexperienced and immature.
Stay humble. Don’t ever get to the place that you cannot take out the garbage in the church, or clean the toilets. The moment you are too
“good” to do those things is the moment the devil can take advantage of you. This is the main reason leaders fall into all kinds of failure in my country. They became proud.
If people are trying to make you a Christian celebrity, run! Don’t let that spirit anywhere near you. Jesus was a servant and he washed his disciples’ feet. If you can’t do that, you have no business being in the ministry.
Lee Grady’s Blog Here Lee Grady on twitter Here Mordecai Project Website Here
Question: what do we youth learn from our older generation leaders?
© SMMinistries Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is required. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by SMMinistries. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: Shyju Mathew © SMMinistries. Website: http://www.shyjumathew.com
When dreams shatter and failure befriends
January 18th, 2010 by Shyju Mathew
© subi samuel photography
It’s been long but brilliant birthday, this 17th Jan, 2010. I enjoyed an amazing time with the Lord and all the dear friends God sent my way. I am overwhelmed seeing my Facebook inbox but I hope to take time to reply to everyone who sent their prayers and wishes. I believe friends are a blessing from God. I want to thank each one of you for taking time to simply wish the best for me. I thank the Lord for each one of you and request you to continually pray for me. You can also partner here to receive our monthly newsletter that will update you with our prayer requests and meetings itinerary.
After a lot of thought, I decided to share this, with the hope of it being an encouragement to someone. Last year held a lot of different things for me but it has also been year of moulding in my life. God brought a great change in my perspective in my heart with regard to the overall ministry.
One of the most significant times was when I found myself with a broken dream. For more than a year (early part of 2009), I dreamed about studying in this particular Bible College in England. I was accepted by the college. I even almost brought some winter clothes. I went through the long and tough ordeal to apply for a UK visa. I was very excited at the prospect of gaining new exposure, the disciplined life of Bible study and the thought that finally people would stop asking me which Bible college I had studied. But I was completely shattered when I heard that I didn’t get the visa.
It was not the first time that I felt rejection or did not get a visa to a country. Yet this particular time it was my very long ‘godly’ dream that was shattered. Well, I hid my rejection well from, in fact, everyone. But from within my heart was crushed. I wondered why God had been so unkind with a godly ambition. Heaven didn’t help either; it was as silent as ever. I tried to live my life numb to the pain of my heart. But, a month went by and I struggled with my prayer life. I felt rejected by God.
I finally decided to deal with it. I took my praying to the road. Strangers passing on by ignoring to the tears that blended with the darkness around that evening. I silenced my heart in the midst of the noise of bikes and cars zipping by. I began to ask God, “Why did you allow this? Had I done something that You are mad about? Lord please speak to me”
There was only silence the more I spoke. Finally, I began to move from questions to thanking God for everything else in my life. As tears continued to flow down my cheeks, I heard the distinct voice of the Holy Spirit within me. It was the simple yet powerful three words, “I love you.”
I love you? Really!?! It felt like a joke. This was preaching to the preacher! I know God loves. I needed more. I wanted to hear the heavens open. Maybe, give me some complicated verses that I would have to find the roots words for. I just wished He would give me more. The mere words, “I love you” did not feel practical enough an answer, to my questions. To my unsatisfied, questioning heart, I then heard the Holy Spirit ask me if I believed God loved me. To which I blurted, “Yes! Yes, I believe you love me.” And then what the Holy Spirit replied changed my whole perspective itself. He said, “Then, trust me 100%.”
It felt like lightning in my heart. For a second I froze and I quickly wiped away my tears. There was a strength that came into my heart. A revelation crept into my Spirit. If I believed God loves me then I would trust Him all the way! How often do we trust God with the beginning and we want to maneuver the end of the plan according to what seem best to us? God is looking for complete surrender through our lives.
It changed my whole perspective on how I saw blessings. It was not about where I was in life but instead about where God wants me to be. Even, when Jesus was hanging on the cross, with the three nails holding Him up, calling out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He was still in the centre of the will of God.
Someone asked me what I learnt last year and it got me thinking. One of the lessons I learned is that, “Failure does not mean defeat; it simply means God loves us too much to allow the danger of pre-matured success in our lives.” What we, many a times, fail to understand is that handling success before time also means that we are not yet moulded for success. God’s perfect time prepares us for the side effects of success. It keeps us from pride, evil and sin. His time is beautiful than our time.
Here are few verses to draw more light on how different God’s ways are. In Romans 11:33 “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” Ecclesiastes 3: 11, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
So, let’s continue trusting Him!
Question: Are there any areas where you find it tough to trust God entirely? How do you handle failure?
Next Post: Thursday, 21st Jan 2010. Don’t miss! Interview with leader, Lee Grady.
Break free from the web – Don’t let computer master you.
January 13th, 2010 by Shyju Mathew
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Our world has been redefined to a faster pace than we thought, especially in the last 5 years. Our world has grown additional tongues, ears and eyes; we call it the virtual world. My mother is still trying to wrap her head around that fact that majority of the ministry work is actually done on the computer. And from the way it seems, the virtual world has taken over a generation itself.
From relationships to direct communications, everything seems to be moulded by this world. Now since there are thousands of benefits available, if we are not careful, we may end up becoming slaves to the computer and it in turn affecting our overall job performance, relationships and other activities.
Here are a few tips to avoid letting your computer being your master.
First thing in the morning?
The psalm of this generation seems to be, “O computer, you are my dear computer; early will I rise and seek you” Avoid switching your computer on, the first thing in the morning. It seems to have a crazy butterfly effect of being able to drag you from one thing into another. Honestly, this has been my toughest challenge.
I recently took an internet addiction test and fared fairly well but I think I can be a little more of focused. HERE is the site if you would like to test your internet addiction.
Organize your email activities
When checking your emails once a day keeps you in touch with your work. But for those who have a higher inflow of emails restrict it to twice a day. While it is important to reply to your emails in a timely manner, don’t let it overrule your life. Most of the time, you would end up going through your inbox more than you need to and thus, lose direction for the day. Make sure you take a holiday from your inbox at least once or twice a week. And, if you get anxious when you don’t get a reply to your email the very same day, then it is definitely time to take a break from the computer itself.
For those who don’t believe in bothering to maintain your inbox, you might have to be a little more disciplined to become more productive. Let’s face it, emails are today’s best means of communication.
Restrict Web surfing
Google, ofcourse, can be a very informative teacher yet if we are not careful we may be getting addicted to the internet and be bogged down by an information overload (Note: Googling does not work well when it comes to learning about God, stick to Bible, taste and see principle). Now before you start web surfing, find your mission and stick to it. Make a schedule for the amount of time you will spend on your computer and stick to it. Use Google reader or plenty of other similar resources to organize blog feeds in a central location. Avoid being on every social networking site you discover. Carefully choose what networks you want to be on.
Schedule a timetable
Doubly focus yourself to limit your time with your computer. Try using a timer if it’s really bad. Take a complete vacation from your computer if you feel you are not able to take a break. Have you set internet hours for yourself? Then, Stick to it. Or, you might end up spending more hours before your computer than you intended to do. Force yourself to the time that you get comfortable with it. Give your mind the rest it needs. Make sure you have 7 to 8 hours of sleep atleast; it will help you remain human. Oh and one more thing, don’t forget food! At times I hear my mom say, “You don’t survive on computer” 
(bad, bad!) Put your computer to sleep as soon as it is time for food, you can either way continue it once you are back.
Avoid distractions
There are endless numbers of games that are freely available to play online and download which seems to be a great distraction to many youngsters. If you are someone who gets easily addicted to games then keep away from clicking on those alluring icons (even if it is only field farming on Facebook!). You won’t be new to adverts like, Make online buddies, Feeling lonely? Looking for Mr. Right? Dating sites etc. Now this is where you need to be disciplined and keep your focus right. Have an accountability software on your computer that will alert your accountability partners if you stray into any questionable sites accidently or intentionally.
The real focus
Now for short, have the big picture in your mind. Don’t make your computer, or your mobile phone for that matter, your companion. Many people use their computers as a vent or a replacement for friends. Remember to guard your prayer life and Bible reading on all costs. Don’t substitute internet sermons for Church or fellowship. Don’t forget the real world you live in.
Question: How do you break your computer addiction? Any points you can add?
© SMMinistries
Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is required. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by SMMinistries. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: Shyju Mathew © SMMinistries. Website: http://www.shyjumathew.com
Help, I’m messed up! – 4 steps to a turn around!
January 7th, 2010 by Shyju MathewThis is the second time today, I have heard this plea. The first person to ask for help was a Pastor’s son who was being honest about how messed up he was. He told me how he had seen the price that his father had to pay because he decided to steer down his own path but that way had him entangled and now he wanted to get back and didn’t know how. Another girl contacted me, by email, who had grown up in a Christian family. She didn’t know where her life was headed and felt messed up. She wrote to me asking why she could not figure out what God wanted her in her life.
When the first boy asked me this question, I felt his pain. We’ve all been there in our own ways. You feel like you’ve messed everything up and now, what next? So, instead of answering a traditionally right but clichéd answer, I decided to pray with this young man. Crying with him from the depth of my heart, I asked the Holy Spirit as if my life depended on knowing what the Holy Spirit would reply, “Lord what must he do, please speak to us now.”
I generally don’t entertain the I’d-like-to-hear-a-prophesy attitude but his situation was something that many youngsters or probably even older ones face. As I shut my eyes desperately seeking an answer from God for that young man, I saw a vision. In that vision was a young man with messed up clothes. Immediately, I interpreted it in my Spirit as the prodigal son. Now, in the vision I seen that young man was hugging the Father or the Father was hugging the son, I could not really say exactly.
Then the Holy Spirit began to speak to me and answered my question “I’ve messed up now, what next?”
Here’s what happened when the prodigal son returned. Luke 15:20, “So he got up and went to his father.”But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
1. The first step was that he repented his ways in his heart. He decided to go back. His heart was to cry out to his father, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ True repentance means that we leave the ways of the old, being transformed by the word of God. Your repentance must be done in all earnestness.
God says in Rev 3:19, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.” So, if you are convicted and feel the need for repentance, it is because you are being wrapped by the love of God. God is drawing you closer to Him! Don’t hold back, it’s time to go all out!
2. Even before the prodigal son could receive any of the fathers blessings, what he did was receive the hug of the Father. Maybe, you are messed up but when you find yourself in face of a love so strong, the Father’s love, then you ought to forget yourself in those arms.
The second step is to then get back into that relationship with Him with prayer and the bible. It may sound simple but, my friend, but that is the step that sets you free. It is through prayer that you communicate with God and through the Bible that the Holy Spirit talks to you. The word of God is God.
The enemy will try his best to keep you away from talking to God and from meditating on the Word, so fix that first and NOW! I am blessed by the recent song I heard by Chris Tomlin that says, “If you know you’re loved by the King, and then live for him, sing for him!” So, knowing that Christ loves you the way you are in whatever the mess might be, why don’t you shut the door behind you, lift your hands in gratitude and worship him beyond your mess! There, thats another big leap!
3. The third step was the Father’s initiative out of love towards His son! The Bible says, “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him.” God is interested to see your messiness replaced by His righteousness. Delete everything that has to be deleted. From the wrong numbers on your phone to that questionable file on your laptop. Everything must go! Throw away the messed up attire!
Proverbs 21:21 says, “He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honour.” But you can only pursue righteousness by fleeing evil. “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Tim 2: 22. You can’t hold on to your past and then try to hold on to what God is about to begin anew in your life. Let go completely without turning back! JESUS WILL BE YOUR STRENGTH!
4. Now then, with this relationship with God, with the gratitude and worship begins to flow the rivers of God from within you. “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.” Ring in the word signifies relationship, gifts of the Holy Spirit, authority and more. Sandals on the feet depict purpose. The ones that are washed by the blood and forgiven cannot waste time sitting around and do nothing. We must pursue the call of God in our life. If you are ready to go, God is ready to equip you for that purpose of God.
There are places for you to go. There are people that need to know the love that you have felt. Tell them about it, too. The Samaritan lady brought a whole village to Jesus when she found the love of Jesus. Change your status. Twitter it, if you have to. Let the whole world know what Jesus has done for you. That’s a good way to start out serving God in this technologically-advanced world. The rest will follow as you continue to thirst after righteousness. Mathew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Now, I believe this should get you started. Go on and find other articles on this blog that would strengthen your faith in God. Find people who pursue God. (Note: the word is pursue, not stagger!) If you find people who are more passionate about God than you, it will keep you encouraged to seek more of God.
My sincere prayers for you from my prayer time!
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Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is required. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by SMMinistries. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: Shyju Mathew © SMMinistries. Website: http://www.shyjumathew.com
You have the key to the nations!
December 29th, 2009 by Shyju MathewPut your seat belts on and get ready to ride with these quick, short and powerful truths. The following scripture will throw light o n the reality of the people around us. This will lead us to the key into releasing an unprecedented move of God.
Considering from Mark 6:32-44, Jesus took the disciples on a boat to a secluded place. Yet when the news spread about it people ran there on foot from all the cities and got there even ahead of them. At the sight of the crowd, Jesus felt compassion for them but as the place was a secluded area they had nothing to eat. The disciples asked Jesus to send them away but Jesus turned to them and said “You give themsomething to eat!” (vs. 37)
As we approach this year 2010, I believe this is the same scenario that the Church is facing. Jesus looking at us at the Church, as a whole, and saying, “You give them 
something to eat!”. I’m not talking about having a form of godliness but denying its power. But the fact of the matter is that this dying, confused and disoriented world needs to see something more than just some passion. They have to see the demonstration of the tangible and genuine power of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:4
But the truth is that even when our churches are draped in cute programs and designed walls yet we have very little power. We have amazing event managers that can bring crowds but we do not have the conviction of the Holy Spirit to change our generation. The great revivals and city conversions and convictions from streets to metro stations seem to be the stories of the past. But how did Jesus respond to the situation?
One young lad, who was ready to give all, placed five loaves and two fishes into the hands of the master. Jesus lifted the loaves and the two fishes and blessed it. The broken bread and the fish began to multiply till it fed more than five thousand people and yet there were twelve baskets of fish left over.
The prophetic understanding of the breaking of the bread is that it was the breaking of the bread that brought multiplication. Even at the Passover of Jesus, when He broke the bread it stood as a symbol of the multiplication of the sons of God by the breaking of Jesus on the cross. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26
Notice that, few loaves of bread had to be broken before it began to be multiplied to fill the hunger of thousands. The fact is that there is a need out there, but the question is who will be broken?
What we need is 100% surrender into the hands of Jesus.Let Him mould you to His will. Our thoughts. Our desires. Our dreams. Our spiritual ambitions. Everything!!!
Even, “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed” Rom 8:19. ”What you soak in is what you bring forth.” Soak yourself so much in prayer and in the Word of God that this year, Jesus cannot be hidden anymore in you. Soak yourself so much in God that he shines through you even on the streets. Let it sound so loud within us that the world hears about Him through us even in our classrooms and work places.
Here’s an interesting conversation of a young man of God named Evan Roberts who learnt to soak in God praying from 1:00 am to 5:00 am everyday
“Oh, Syd,” he said to his best friend, Sydney Evans, in late 1904, “We are going to see the mightiest revival that Wales has ever known – the Holy Spirit is coming just now.” In great anticipation, he added, “We must get ready. We must get a little band and go all over the country preaching.” Suddenly Roberts stopped, looked at Sydney, and said, “Do you believe that God can give us 100,000 now?”
Within six months, 100,000 souls were saved in Wales.
Revivals don’t happen accidently. There is a need of loaves that will be broken, those who will allow the Holy Spirit to bend them. “Bend your knees and let the Holy Spirit bend your character and nations will bend to the God you preach!”
I personally believe, in this year 2010, God will release great revival in different parts of the world. But God needs broken and surrendered vessels which He will form into the shape that seems best to HIM! Wishing you a Happy, New, Soaking-in-God, Revival Year 2010!
What are your thoughts on the above? What is God preparing you for this year? Please feel free to share it with me below. Love.
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Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is required. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by SMMinistries. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: Shyju Mathew © SMMinistries. Website: http://www.shyjumathew.com
Hear the Sounds of the Season – By Peggy I. Kennedy
December 23rd, 2009 by Shyju Mathew
Rev.Peggy Kennedy
Rev.Peggy I.Kennedy, conference speaker and author, and her husband Jack are two ” Silver trumpets” ( see Num. 10:1-10) committed to hearing the “now” word of the Lord for His church.
It’s my pleasure to have Rev. Peggy Kennedy on our blog. I first met her when she and her husband came to my conference in Toronto, she’s been a blessing ever since. Here is a inspirational post,“Hear the sounds of the Season” Have a blessed Christmas with Jesus. – Shyju
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host
appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest…” - Luke 2:13-14
appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest…” - Luke 2:13-14
Hear the sounds of the season…no, not those! Not the sounds of carols over loudspeakers in malls…not the sounds of families in distress over the stress of the season…not even the sounds of children’s laughter nor of hushed tones of “Silent Night”. Hear the sounds of the season from the realms of His glory! In both Luke 1 & 2 and Matthew 1 & 2 there is the unveiling of the divine dynamics whereby the Christ will be revealed. As it was for those who were “people of His plan” in that hour, so it is with us who are today’s cast for divine purposes on the earth. There are sounds to this season! Those who have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying will hear the sounds which are right now being released in the realms of glory
As angelic hosts filled the sky over the hillsides near Bethlehem their “sound” was very different than the sounds on the earth. In the natural realm there were sounds of social unrest, of government decrees imposing very inconvenient edicts among men, and of oppression and injustice. Even among those called into the Lord’s plan there were likely sounds of expectation nearly diluted with second-guessing: “Did God really say that?…to me?” “If it is such an amazing “day of the Lord” planned for us, why are things this contradictory?”
The ears tuned to the Spirit were hearing something very different. We’ve become accustomed to the mention of angels and glory appearing to some shepherds; it has become familiar and nearly sentimental. Actually, this is one of the few yet glorious “windows” into the sounds to be heard in the eternal realm of the Lord’s Presence. The prophet Isaiah heard the same sounds in his vision of the throne. John, the Revelator, heard them! From the realms of glory there is a sound of His triumph and supremacy. There is the sound of authority. There is the sound of His prevailing purposes and power. Choose to incline your ear to that realm. Go higher in your hearing to what He will say and reveal. Here is the military choir coming to escort the Commander in Chief to a manger enroute to a cross and ultimately returning to His throne! Triumph, authority, supremacy, divine activity, thrones and worship of the Enthroned One: all of these are available to us as the soundtrack of this season of God’s plans on the earth! And, gloriously we are part of that plan! Hear the sounds of the season!
With rejoicing,
Rev. Peggy I. Kennedy
Author’s website: www.TwoSilverTrumpets.ca Published with permisson from the author.
Please feel free to leave your response to this post below.
© SMMinistries
Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is required. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by SMMinistries. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: Shyju Mathew © SMMinistries. Website: http://www.shyjumathew.com
The Spirit man’s moonwalk – Learn how not to slip back!
December 23rd, 2009 by Shyju MathewThe title itself is self-explanatory but just incase you are not familiar to the term ‘moonwalk’, it is a dance step with a gliding motion, appearing as a forward step but in fact moving the dancer backward, resembling the characteristic weightless movement of walking on the moon.
Many a times, we find our spirit man religiously doing everything that a Christian is supposed to be doing, saying and wearing but yet on the inside it seems to be numb and walking backwards. Allow me to name a person in this phenomenon, ‘Peter Christian.’ High on one day, low on the other. Walking on the waters for a moment, sinking in the other. Receiving godly revelations on who Jesus is on one day and the other, stopping Jesus from God’s plan for redemption. Bravely cutting off the ears of a Roman soldier and shortly after, betraying Jesus at the questioning of a young girl. The highs and lows of Peter’s spirituality seem to be a good example for many of us.
The bitter fact was that as often as Peter was excited, ignited and delighted about Jesus, the same amount of time he was quick enough to stare into the storms of this life. Let’s look at the gospel of Mark, chapter 14 verse 54, it says, “And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.” There are a few precious lessons we, as believers, can learn from this verse. Here is a man, who for three and a half years experienced the love and power of Jesus. It says, ‘…following Jesus from a distance…’ Distance? Had he not learnt from the water walking experience that as long as he had his eyes completely fixed on Jesus and not the storm that he was safe? We cannot be distant in our Spirit walk with God. Distancing away from God then would be walking in the wrong direction! And this ‘moonwalk’, however cool it might sound to you, is not an option to the Spirit man.
Even though we could excuse Peter and compliment his slight courage for atleast following him, the fact remains that it also led him to a different company altogether. He who was used to walking with Jesus, the Son of God was now in the wrong company. Thankfully, there was so much about Jesus that had rubbed on to him that they could tell him apart from the others. Yet, sadly, it was the beginning of a series of betrayal. Every time you warm yourself in the company of the godless, you are preparing yourself for denial of who you really are in Christ. We must be very diligent that in the process of reaching out to the lost that we do not warm ourselves in the same fire that comforts them.
Friends, my point here is simple. In a world where the enemy is trying to snatch away the children of truth to the world of darkness, it is very important that we guard our hearts by walking closely with God. We do not make much about not reading our bibles everyday or skipping our prayer times but the truth is that it is this following from a distance kind of lifestyle that paves way for sin to creep into our life. Sadly, before you know it, the passion for God and the discipline to study the word is long gone forgotten, making it easier for the enemy to find us in the wrong situation even to the extent of denying our Maker!
Eighty years ago, we thought that the entire universe consisted of what we know today as our Milky Way Galaxy, with its diameter of 100,000 light years. Today, we know that there are about 200 billion galaxies, and each galaxy is home to 200 billion stars. To my amazement, I read about how astronomers have discovered more than 300 planets orbiting other stars.
Bigger, however, doesn’t always mean better, say scientists. We exist because the Earth orbits at just the right distance, 148 million kilometers away from the Sun. It would be dreadful to think what would happen if our planet orbited further out and was not in its present location! Well, the scientists call the present zone that our planet exists as the Goldilocks zone. Interesting that, science notices that even ten per cent further out, and it would freeze, turning our planet into an icy wasteland covered with glaciers.
Have we not felt the same in our walk with God? A little further away from God, our lives get cold and then the things of the world become normal to us. Every time we do not stay tuned with God, we then become tuned to the world. It does not take long to realize that we are that spiritual icy wasteland; religiously right yet we shadow the moonwalk effect in our daily walk with Christ.
The Truth: JESUS LOVES YOU! So then, don’t let your Spirit man do the moonwalking. Run close with Jesus. I want to encourage you, through this post, which we would refocus and stay as close as possible to the heart of God, it would keep us far from sin.
2 Timothy 2: 22, “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Have you been compromising? Have you been a “Peter Christian”? What areas have you been letting the icy cold winds to blow into your heart? Fix it, my friend, right now. Let’s get back to passionately running close to JESUS!
Are there any friends you can encourage to run closer with Jesus? Share this post link with them right away. Thanks for your comments below, I love hearing from you each time.
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Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is required. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by SMMinistries. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: Shyju Mathew © SMMinistries. Website: http://www.shyjumathew.com
The duplicity of the feelings
December 17th, 2009 by Shyju Mathew
One of the most used phrases by Christians, trying to ascertain whether they are in the will of God, is the phrase, ‘I FEEL PEACE’ and I am not against it. There have been many times that I have felt the peace of God about situations but over the years being in the ministry, I have noticed that this statement is also abused by some; intentionally or unintentionally. I’ve seen some people change their ‘peace feeling’ as often as who they were dating that week!
It is important for us to know the difference between the will of God and the misguiding of our emotions or feelings. For a long time, I was deceived with the thought of ‘feel like praying’. There were certain times that we feel like praying but let me insist there are many more days that we don’t feel like praying. So, to have procrastinated your time of prayer for the lack of feeling to pray is not you being guided by the Lord but by your own flesh!
Feelings are basic emotions. It can be great, good, bad or worse depending on the circumstance or situations that surround us. A true Christian is not founded on his or her feelings but on the word of God. That certainly means that I need to pray even when I do not feel like praying. It’s a matter of discipline in your walk with God.
Another constant whine that I hear is, “I prayed and I did not feel God”. Now trying to understand what they mean from that statement would then end up to be, I did not feel my usual goosebumps, heat or tingling. Friends, with tingling or no tingling, the Bible promises, ‘He will never leave us nor forsake us’. So that means irrespective of what I feel, He is with me and He hears my prayer!!!
I am not against feelings, infact I feel the presence of God in my palms when I pray but what I’m trying to say is that, I do not base my prayer life or my authority in God or ministry or faith for healings on how I feel in my palms or head. Depending solely on feelings will open your heart to a lot of disappointment.
Imagine if Jesus, through his entire lifetime on earth, depended on feelings rather than the Holy Spirit who led him to the wilderness to fast and pray. To start with, why is it so hot? I am too exhausted to pray. I need some water to cool my throat after an hour of prayer. The wild animals including the creepy-crawly ones are a distraction. I can’t find a decent shower. I feel tired, lethargic, sun-burnt, dry… What more excuses can we come up with? He certainly didn’t come up with the excuse that, ‘God understands my situation.’
Jesus was not led by His feelings instead was led by the Holy Spirit. Now notice the word is led, not guided. Meaning He was fully dependent on the Holy Spirit. No wonder why regardless of how tiresome Jesus’ impromptu conferences felt or how long the healing line was, he still went up to pray throughout the night!
God help us – from the enemy using the duplicity of our feelings against our walk with God!
So, whether you feel Him or not,hear Him or not, do not be discouraged. He is our ever present help.
P.S – look forward for a important post here next friday on “The Spirit man’s moonwalk“
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Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is required. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by SMMinistries. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: Shyju Mathew © SMMinistries. Website: http://www.shyjumathew.com
BROKEN, Crushed and Not Destroyed!
December 10th, 2009 by Shyju MathewMy greatest desire would be to bear fruit for my Master in His will. I believe that is the cry of every tree planted by the Master, to bear fruit, much fruit for the Master. Yet even out of the bearing much fruit comes crushing blows that sometimes threaten to shake our very foundation of faith in God’s love for us. If that is you, don’t you move from this page till you are done with this post because I believe this word is for you – a lesson from the olive.
Uniquely, a hot growing season is required to ripen the fruit of the olive tree. Proudly, the trees survive and fruit well even with considerable neglect of the dry climate.
Somewhere around the end of October, just when the hot climate turns to pleasant, the olives are ready to be plucked by their Master. The hot season has turned the olive fruits into their full green hue and they have grown into the fullest size.
The olives are then washed to eliminate the impurities and every other small strange thing that could hinder the purity of its purpose! Thorough cleaning and hand picking among tons of olives to discard unwanted ones and foreign objects is another painstaking step that makes the olive oil so special.
After it is washed, the Master takes them to the stone mill to be crushed by huge stones. Before long, all the green full-sized olive fruits are crushed into mere paste before it is further introduced to the pressing machine. The resulting olive paste is then mixed and the process of separation begins. After which, it is left alone to rest to separate the watery part of olives from the oil which begins to flow, by now.
This olive oil, also called as liquid gold, starts its life not in the bottle but at the crushing and pressing of its beautiful self.
Truth be told, it is not the pleasant familiar situations of life that makes us strong but the breaking and the crushing of life that brings the best out of us. The more we struggle to surrender the more difficult, we make it for ourselves.
I remember counseling someone who was going through a time of tough rejection in life and telling that they had 2 options. The first, he could come out of this problem angry, bitter and difficult to deal with. The other, he could surrender to the hands of God and allow God to then polish him and fill him with wisdom, for further purposes of God.
Being human, there are times when I stand at the door of decisions where I flinch for a second and come up with questions like, ‘Why Lord? Why this? Why me? How could you?’, just to be reminded by the Holy Spirit about the pressing that brings the best of what is within us. I then try to replace these questions with a thankful heart and say, ‘God you are faithful, you know better than me, help me get through this too, help me praise and worship you like Job in the Bible.’
Speaking to a young girl who was blamed wrongly for her mother’s sickness, she mentioned how all the insults and pain had brought great change in her character. As she took the hurt into the presence of God, the Spirit of God brought great humility into her heart. Crushing not only changes your heart but when surrendered, it polishes you into a precious pearl. Like it is seen about the women in the New Testament, the breaking of the alabaster box allowed the aroma to spread beyond the house. Standing between God and man I’ve felt the pressure of seeing many unanswered broken families and situations. All I know from my personal experience is that as we lift those unanswered situations to God in worship, there is much that God will bring out of it beyond what our minds can fathom.
Notice this, 430 years of Slavery led to the anointed Moses being born. Further, 400 years of silence from God between Malachi and Matthew brought forth the birth of Jesus. Your brokenness and helplessness is leading to the birth of an anointing and a purpose you have never experienced before! So, why not surrender into full-hearted worship right away?
Here’s a verse, I’ll leave you with that holds my life’s reins in my greatest need. Notice specifically, he is the ever-present help!
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, ,though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46:1-7
Question: What’s your experience of being crushed? & What verse helps you the most?
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Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is required. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by SMMinistries. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: Shyju Mathew © SMMinistries. Website: http://www.shyjumathew.com
How Pornography Kills Love
December 4th, 2009 by Shyju MathewHuHere’s an article I got by mail by Laurie Hall. I thought this could be informative if I posted it for everyone. Be blessed.
How Pornography Kills Love
By Laurie Hall
Dear Laurie,
I’m grieving the loss of my young womanhood and the countless nights I went to bed wounded in heart and frustrated sexually. It’s hard to look at my face in mid-life and wonder how my husband rejected me when I was at my best—I was really pretty.
I went through the stages you did. I was obedient, submitting even over tiny issues. I ministered to his needs and enjoyed it, even when he was oblivious to mine. For years, I’ve suffered from exhaustion— afraid that if I went to bed before my husband, I’d be neglecting his sexual or emotional needs.In the process, I was punished by his lack of involvement in our home and our children’s lives. Worse, he’d spend days picking at me until I exploded. Looking back, I realize that I was so hungry for an emotional connection with him that I was willing to get it through anger if that was the only way he would hear me.
Meanwhile, I suffered terrible guilt from the increasing breakdowns I was having due to exhaustion. When I fell apart because I was overly exhausted or confused by lies, I was viewed as “the problem.”
Once, when I ran out of a Bible time he was having because I was upset that he was demeaning me, my husband shoved me, tore the keys out of my hand and swore at me. I was afraid to tell him how I felt. I thought that would be unsubmissive since a good wife should like everything her husband does and not suggest any changes.
Afterward, I ran to all his counseling books. Not a single Christian source I checked told me these “minor” abuses not only weren’t minor but were repugnant to God. I had to go to a secular book to find information on abuse.
It seems Christians assume the wounded must be under some sort of judgment or discipline from the Lord. It’s almost a Hindu approach to life—fatalistic, instead of a good, clean anger after a wrong done.
I constantly wonder what I could have done differently. The question absolutely hounds me!
I was living within the context of a lie. I wasn’t responsible for that lie. The false data gave me wrong clues as well as wrong ideas about myself, the Lord and my husband. Looking back, the one thing I should have done is pray more for truth.
Hurting
Are you as moved by that letter as I am? It came from a woman who eschewed the feminist philosophy of self-fulfillment. She “came home” from the workplace to give herself to her husband and children.
Highly respected by both their church and their community, her family appeared to have it all together. Her husband, a well-known speaker on family issues, seemed to be a godly man.
But the truth was, the husband was hiding a secret life filled with pornography and sexual betrayal. The guilt accompanying his deceit showed up in the form of mind games that he played on his wife.
The Truth About Pornography
Hurting’s letter is only one of many hundreds of letters that poured in after the publication of my book, An Affair of the Mind, which explores the devastating impact pornography has on marriages. I am saddened to discover that so many others have experienced the betrayal that pornography brings to a marriage.
My letter writers and I are not alone. Studies show that 40 percent to 50 percent of Christian men are involved in pornography. Wondering if your husband is one of them is scary.
But, some of you already know. Some of you have friends who are suffering through this. Some of you are wondering what you should tell your teens about why they should avoid X-rated Web sites.
Whatever your situation, the truth will set you free to be a healthy wife, supportive friend and loving mother. So let’s look at some of the truths about pornography.
Pornography is addictive. Dr. Mary Ann Layden, Director for the Center for Cognitive Therapy, says that an addiction to pornography is harder to break than a cocaine addiction and that recovery from it is more likely to result in relapse than any other addiction. Why?
When you view pornography, a powerful mix of hormones is released in the brain. Two hundred times more potent than morphine and more addictive than cocaine, endorphins and enkephalins bring on a “rush.” The brain is just as driven to want this “rush” as a drug addict’s body is driven to want drugs.
Pornography causes sexual dysfunction. Many people believe that pornography, especially “soft-core” erotica, is simply a depiction of normal, healthy heterosexuality. Nothing could be further from the truth. Pornography contains much false, misleading and scientifically inaccurate information about sexuality, especially female sexual nature and response.
For example, pornography portrays an endless round of thrilling sexual escapades with an endless bevy of breathless, hot-blooded babes and stud-muffins. The not-so-subtle message is that these babes and stud-muffins are more breathless and hot-blooded if you’re not married to them. This is more fantasy than fact.
“Couples not involved [sexually] before their marriage and faithful during marriage are more satisfied with their current sex life and also with their marriage, compared to those who were involved sexually before marriage,” says Dr. David Larson of the National Institutes of Health in an unpublished manuscript entitled “Behind Closed Doors.” Dr. Larson and his associates also found that women who feel secure and loved and who trust that their man is around to stay are twice as fulfilled as women who are promiscuous.
There are physiological reasons why this is so. In healthy sexuality, two special parts of our nervous system, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) work together in harmony to bring about sexual arousal and release. If you give a fearful, guilty or embarrassed meaning to a sexual experience, the SNS will over-react, blocking normal sexual arousal.
Recently, I held a sobbing woman I’ll call Jane. Jane stammered out her shame over things she had done in her marriage bed. Her husband stood nearby, hanging his head, saying he had asked her to perform those acts.
He thought they were OK—after all, the women in pornography enjoyed them. But in real life, those sexual practices cause pain. Jane’s nervous system overloaded on the shame, fear and pain she was experiencing. As a result, she became sexually dysfunctional.
Pornography can cause sexual dysfunction in other ways. Those who use pornography often develop “sexual anorexia.” This means they are unable or unwilling to enter into a sexual relationship with their spouses.
Sometimes this is because shame about the things they have done in secret make them want to hide from their spouses. Other times it’s because they are angry with their spouses for not agreeing to act out a pornographic fantasy. Either way, sex is infrequent, and the innocent spouse wonders why he or she is no longer desirable.
Finally, pornography usage can lead to sexual dissatisfaction. Being compared to some unrealistic standard is a real turn-off. Women who clean bathrooms, make lunches and kiss boo-boos can’t compete with women who are pumped up, tucked up and air-brushed.
Pornography leads to abuse. The myth that women secretly want to be raped is a big part of pornography. Many of our young people believe this myth. A study of 1,700 junior high teens found that 65 percent of the boys and 57 percent of the girls believe it’s OK for a male to force a female to have sex if they have been dating for six months.
Pornography also causes more subtle forms of abuse. In pornography, a woman does whatever a man wants her to do. For example, there’s one interactive CD on which it’s possible to have over a million virtual sex experiences with a woman—you simply program in what you want her to do.
The normal needs of a live woman anger a man who has been used to being in total control of fantasy women. That may be why the states that have the highest readership of pornography also have the highest rates of domestic violence.
Recently, I heard a talk show host tell a caller that as long as no body fluids were exchanged, she needn’t worry about her husband’s exploration of Internet porn. The talk show host was wrong—pornography kills love.
Has pornography hurt your life or the life of someone you love? Don’t despair. There are steps you can take to restore what the enemy has stolen (see p. 37).
And you can take solace in God’s word to you: “Your Maker is Your Husband—and I’m not just any husband. I’m the God of the whole earth, the Lord of Hosts, and your Redeemer. I’m calling to you.
“I know you feel forsaken. I know you’re heartbroken. You were wooed and won in your youth. Now you’ve been rejected and scorned. Listen to Me. I’ll tenderly gather you into My arms, and I will have compassion on you” (Is. 54:5-7, paraphased).
P. S - Here is a good free software for those who desire online integrity. http://x3watch.com/x3watch.html This might help you to be honest and be more accountable online.© SMMinistriesPermissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is required. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by SMMinistries. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: Shyju Mathew © SMMinistries. Website: http://www.shyjumathew.com
Want to give up? Read this first.
December 3rd, 2009 by Shyju MathewI am not a therapist or a health professional. What pushes me to write this is that I am simply someone who has seen many people, who wanted to give it all up, set free by the power of Jesus. Often people end up with this decision because they are not able to cope up with things in life because something inside them feels it’s best to quit than to face that situation itself. I don’t know what has led you to feel what you feel but I want you to know this that just because it did not work for you, does not mean it’s over. Don’t give up on your life because someone walked away from you or disappointed you. There is so much to life beyond your box of experience. The reason because you feel you cannot breathe in your life is because you are shut in your situation.
Expose yourself to more
Your life is more than just that one incident that has disappointed you. Just because some incident has repeated itself in your life does not mean you have to give up. Maybe you should just stop being around things that trigger situation that hold you bound. You have all kinds of options. You haven’t seen life yet. How could you think of dying before you even live? Expose yourself beyond your element of pain.
Hope in Jesus.
Pain has no prejudice. It comes everywhere. You are not alone; the truth is that the rich and the poor feel pain. But the good news is that God wants to empower you to live your life. I want you to know that Jesus came for you and died in your place so that you can have life in abundance. In John 10: 10b Jesus says, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
I was shocked, the other day in one of the meetings, as the Lord spoke to me about a young girl who has suicidal tendencies. What shocked me further was that when the girl came up for prayer, she was only 14 years old. She didn’t even know why she felt that way. My friend, you must understand the truth that this suicidal tendency is not from God or even from yourself. Because Jesus says, in John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
You have a helper
When Jesus left the earth, He promised His disciples a helper. His name is Holy Spirit. When you have Jesus in your heart, you also have Holy Spirit who is interceding for you and is there for you 24/7. You need to open your heart for him to take control over your life. Here is an amazing verse written for you: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.’ Rom 8: 26
Now accept this simple truth with this prayer from your heart. “Dear Jesus, I believe you died on the cross for me in my place. Thank you for the life in abundance that you give me through my faith in you. I resist this thought and the spirit of suicide. I command you to leave me in the name of Jesus. Dear Holy Spirit, I invite you to take over me. Thank you for your help and peace. In Jesus name, Amen”
I believe that this message from my heart has given you some relief but the best way to cope this is to talk to a person that you think will understand you. I would suggest you find a elder, leader or a Pastor whom you’ve known. Tell them how you feel and tell them how you got to this point. Spend time reading the word of God; it will give you the strength to face life.
Not all Tomorrow is from Yesterday
November 19th, 2009 by Shyju MathewOne of the constant mistakes people do is to fit tomorrow into a box of yesterday’s know-how. Truth be told, there is a huge contrast between our experiences and expectations. Whether it is in a business or relationships, the truth is that tomorrow keeps changing. We cannot step into tomorrow based on what happened 10 years ago.
A struggling businessman who is afraid to take any more chances because of the past financial losses; a girl with her time ticking, still running away, afraid of any relationships because of the past hurts. We hear it again and again. Additionally, many genuine relationships are broken because of doubting and mistrust. Comparing your husband or wife with someone else that hurt you before does not add to the solution at all. Just because a Judas Iscariot betrayed you does not mean that you go around distrusting everyone else.
Now, it is a fact that past experiences do help you get smarter but it also has the power to keep you from your future if you are not careful with it. So, gain your wisdom from your past but also remember to be open and trust God more than before with your future. Don’t let your past come into your mind or be remembered. Isaiah 65:17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.” How about entering our lives daily without specific assumptions about how things are going to turn out?
So, even if you were hurt by your first love, broken by your past abuse, failed by the ones you trusted the most, and so on and so forth – let us not live life by yesterday. Do not expect your current relationship to deliver those same things. Isaiah 43:18 says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Suspend your presumptions, throw away those anxieties and just enjoy today, the day that the Lord has made.
How about you? Have those past memories overshadowed you? Let’s refocus.
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