A Living Sanctuary

Our Heavenly Father desires our life to be FILLED with praise and worship. When we gather together with other believers for church services, we generally begin with songs of praise. We praise God for His love and faithfulness, and for the gift of His Son. We worship Him for His awesome majesty as we prepare our hearts to receive His Word. These are wonderful times, but they are only a small part of God’s true desire for our life.
Ephesians 5:19-20
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
As Paul wrote these instructions to the Ephesians he never said, “give thanks only during your worship service,” or, “make music in your heart only when you gather together with other believers.” He clearly instructed “always” and “for everything.” The “music” of praise and worship to God should always reside in our heart.

This can be a real challenge without a shift in the way we view our life – a shift from the way we’ve been “trained” by the world. We absolutely must learn to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Though the world teaches us to “take charge of your own destiny,” we are called to release control to our Lord and patiently trust. For it’s only through faith and trust that we can praise in ALL situations, even through our confusion and pain.
One of my favorite praise songs contains the words: “Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary; pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for You.” The word sanctuary means: A place set aside as sacred and holy, especially a place of worship. The meaning of this song then becomes, Lord prepare my life to be a sacred and holy place of worship!

There can be no greater ambition for the Child of God. With a proper understanding of eternity and the saving grace of Jesus, our life only has real purpose as we live each day to bring Him glory and honor – as we live each moment in praise and worship, no matter what circumstances our day may bring. The way we walk through our trials as well as how we accomplish our daily tasks, ministry activities, or times of prayer and study should all be done through a heart devoted to worship.
Let’s allow the “music” of our heart to sing out with praise and worship – not just for a few set hours each week, but every day with every word, thought and deed. Let’s patiently trust in all areas of our life and ask our Father to teach us to live as a living sanctuary.

CONTACT US :

For more information, Prayers and counseling you can contact,

Rev. Adbhuta Rao. Garnepudi

Millinium Baptist Church

Nambur, Guntur (Dist), A.P, S.India.

VISIT US : http://www.sites.google.com/site/wordmini/home

MAIL US : wordministries.india@gmail.com

CALL US : (+91)9848150491, 9908054910

Run With Perseverance

Our life can be a long and sometimes difficult race. We often grow weary and are in great need of rest; but this race is not like any we have ever run. We do not compete against the other runners, nor do we all even run the same course. We run the race marked out by our Heavenly Father; and yet, we ALL must strive toward the same finish line.
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
Perseverance means “to persist in spite of opposition or discouragement.” But the original Greek includes the idea of patience and a determined endurance. We are therefore being told to patiently run the race, and to keep on running with determination and endurance, in spite of opposition or discouragement. What a wonderful picture!
Hindrances to our race can be represented by weeds which try to wrap around our legs and slow us down. This “sin that so easily entangles” can often be difficult to even recognize. We may be running a clear path without a hint of weeds; everything has been going well and we feel immune to the temptations of this world. But without our eyes fixed on Jesus – without our heart fully trusting Him for every step – our path can become covered before we even realize there is a problem.
We must maintain an acute awareness of the condition of our path. Weeds are not acceptable and must be cleared away (the word of God and prayer is an excellent weed killer!). There are no circumstances where weeds add beneficial “flavor” or excitement – they ALWAYS hinder!!
Please remember that our race is a long marathon, not a quick sprint. In order to persevere, we must prepare for many hills and valleys (and weeds) along the way. We must develop a burning desire to one day boldly say; “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Jesus endured the cross (finished the race) because of “the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). And if we will keep our eyes on Jesus as our eternal joy, we “will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3).
No matter what this day may bring, we must persist with our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus until we hear Him say: “Well done, good and faithful servant….Come and share your Master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:23). Some days we may only be able to take small baby steps, but still we must continue and run with the sole purpose of bringing Him glory and honor in ALL we do. Our race can be filled with joy and peace, but we must commit to a life of absolute trust and run with perseverance!

CONTACT US :

For more information, Prayers and counseling you can contact,

Rev. Adbhuta Rao. Garnepudi

Millinium Baptist Church

Nambur, Guntur (Dist), A.P, S.India.

VISIT US : http://www.sites.google.com/site/wordmini/home

MAIL US : wordministries.india@gmail.com

CALL US : (+91)9848150491, 9908054910

God Makes It Grow

Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthian church to correct several problems. The Corinthian’s needed instruction in marriage, Christian freedom, worship, and various issues which tended to cause division. He rebuked the church for quarreling about whom they followed: “You are still worldly… For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere men?” (1 Corinthians 3:3,4).
Apollos was a good teacher, but Paul reminds us that all ministers of the Gospel – all preachers, teachers, parents, and anyone else who desires to share Biblical truths – are simply servants through whom God accomplishes His work. We become worldly and fail to live according to the Spirit of God any time we become followers of a specific minister or feel personally responsible for someone’s growth and maturity.
1 Corinthians 3:5-6
“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.”
We must always remain exclusive followers of Jesus Christ! Though He may use many others to assist in the process, God must receive ALL the credit and glory for our growth. In the same manner, God uses each of us to ASSIST in the growth of others. We can teach truth with our words and demonstrate truth with our lives, but we can never cause someone to accept the truth or even grow to a deeper understanding. Our instructions are to plant the seed of His Word and water with discipleship, prayer, and encouragement at every opportunity; “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
As we plant and water, it’s normal to want to see some growth. We may desire to see blossoms overnight, but God is growing a mighty shade tree with deep roots and wide branches that will not break in the wind – and this kind of growth takes time. We may NEVER see the eternal results of our effort, but we must patiently continue to plant and water, and trust God to accomplish His work; “{My Word} will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I have sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
Each of us knows someone who needs to know our Heavenly Father in a more personal way. And there are great ministry opportunities placed in our path every day. Let’s obediently follow by being well nourished and casting forth the seed and water of His Word without becoming discouraged. Let’s remember we are the servants through whom He works, but let’s ALWAYS remember that God makes it grow!

CONTACT US :

For more information, Prayers and counseling you can contact,

Rev. Adbhuta Rao. Garnepudi

Millinium Baptist Church

Nambur, Guntur (Dist), A.P, S.India.

VISIT US : http://www.sites.google.com/site/wordmini/home

MAIL US : wordministries.india@gmail.com

CALL US : (+91)9848150491, 9908054910

How to Know the Purpose the Lord Jesus Christ Has For Your Life!

Previously, I wrote, the length of time between hearing the initial Word of God, and when we receive salvation varies from person to person. Saul’s case is a perfect example of this principle. Saul waited three days to know his purpose, to be baptized in water and to receive the Holy Spirit.
Saul already knew the Word being a Pharisee. However, he needed an experience with Jesus Christ to believe in his name, this he did. Saul now believes in Jesus Christ we know this from his question; “Lord what will you thou have me to do?” We obey those whom we believe.
At this point, Saul only believes, he has not experienced salvation. If Saul were saved, Ananias would not come to perform  five tasks.It was for a similar reason  Apostle Peter and John went to the “city of Samaria” . The Lord Jesus sent Ananias to Saul to do these five things:

1. Announce to Saul the same Lord Jesus who appeared to him on route to Damascus has sent him now to Saul, Acts 9:17.
2. To restore Saul’s sight, Acts 9:18.
3. So Saul will receive the Holy Ghost, Acts 9:17.
4. To baptize Saul, Acts 9:18.
5. To inform Saul that the Lord Jesus Christ, has chosen him, Acts 9:15.

 This is the similar process the citizens of the City of Samaria experienced to receive salvation: believe, water baptism and baptism of the Holy Spirit. The difference here, Saul knew the Word being Jewish. The Samaritans, Gentiles, never heard of Jesus Christ before. Therefore, it was necessary for Apostle Philip to preach Christ to them before they could believe. Saul being a Jew and a Pharisee grew up hearing about the Christ.
Therefore, observe a pattern, all who become members of the body of Christ MUST have the same initial experience; believe in Jesus Christ, baptize in water in Jesus’ name and Spirit baptism.

The Lord Sent Saul’s Purpose by Another Person

The Lord Jesus revealed Saul’s purpose to Ananias. Then Ananias went to Saul to complete his salvation activities (as listed above) and to inform Saul of the Lord’s purpose for his life, as the Lord promised Saul, Acts 9:6.

Saul’s purpose in the Kingdom of God: “to bear” or tell, teach, or carry the name of Jesus Christ:

1. To teach the name of Jesus to Gentiles, non – Jews, Acts 9:15.
2. To teach the name of Jesus Christ to kings, Acts 9:15.
3. To teach the name of Jesus Christ to the Children of Israel, Acts 9:15.
4. To suffer “great things” for the name of Jesus Christ, Acts 9:15.

 Previously, Saul causes the Church to suffer through his persecution. Now, he will suffer persecution for the name of Jesus Christ he once persecuted. Now Saul will suffer because he will “bear” the ”name” of Jesus Christ “before” three groups of people.
In closing, Saul had an encounter with Jesus and realized his purpose in life. From this point in Saul’s life, all he encounters will be because of his purpose. All his life’s experiences are tied to this one purpose, to teach the name of Jesus Christ. All of Saul sufferings are because of this one purpose, “bearing” the name of Jesus. Saul learnt the purpose God had for his life by accepting Jesus Christ as his Savior. Similarly, you can discover your purpose in life by becoming a Believer in Jesus Christ, he will reveal your God given purpose.

CONTACT US :

For more information, Prayers and counseling you can contact,

Rev. Adbhuta Rao. Garnepudi

Millinium Baptist Church

Nambur, Guntur (Dist), A.P, S.India.

VISIT US : http://www.sites.google.com/site/wordmini/home

MAIL US : wordministries.india@gmail.com

CALL US : (+91)9848150491, 9908054910

Have I Found Grace in Your Eyes?

Have I Found Grace in Your Eyes? The concept of grace is interesting. It lends itself to many contagious assumptions. However, if they do not stand up to the scrutiny of the Scriptures they are pie-in-the-sky theories.
The Lord God is the source of all grace. Nevertheless, grace falls into two main categories: the grace of God and grace with man. The grace of God is divine favor; grace in the eyes of man is divine favour through a third party, man. So, whether with man or with God grace is divine.
Grace is given. God gives grace. In the Old Testament, there are many references of “if now I have found grace in thy sight.” This is a figure of speech. You do not find grace but the person in whose eyes you find grace gives it to you. You don’t find grace similar to how you would find objects, say money or gold. How, a third party perceives your behavior or lifestyle describes finding grace in his eyes.
Ruth explains this concept perfectly in conversation with her mother-in-law, Naomi. “And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter,” Ruth 2:2.

Grace in The Eyes of Someone

When you find grace in the eyes of someone, it never about what you did or plant to do. Grace is from God. Instead, this is God moving on that person’s heart on your behalf. The result, s/he gives you grace, favour from God via a third party.
Ruth asked Boaz the essence of this concept when she inquired of him: “Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
Ruth could not understand why she should have favor with someone who is a “stranger” to her. However, favour (grace) transcends every boundary: including race, color, language, religion and customs. The source of grace is universal, the Lord God. God uses whom ever He chooses to dispense favour on you.
Similarly, Jacob could not understand, gifts cannot purchase grace in the eyes of another person. After more than twenty years away, Jacob was returning home a wealthy man. With the reason for leaving home still fresh in his mind he attempted to purchase favour in his brother, Esau eyes’ with gifts, Genesis 32:5.

These are to Find Grace in Your Eyes My Lord

Jacob’s attempt to buy grace with his brother with costly gift was lost on Esau. He saw Jacob’s gift but did not comprehend what his brother was attempting to achieve.
Listen to what Esau asked Jacob. “…What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, these are to find grace in the sight of my lord,” Genesis 33:8.
Esau had already forgiven his brother before he saw him. God had already worked on Esau’s heart.
“And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself. And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me,” Genesis 33:9-10.
David did not find grace in the eyes of King Saul but God gave David grace in Jonathan’s eyes. David was aware of it for he knew grace with the king’s son is God means by which He preserved His anointed life.
“And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death,” 1 Samuel 20:3.
God gives grace to anyone He chooses. However, He discriminately issues grace or favor. He never gives grace to a person whose lifestyle opposes His Word. This is grace via a third party and not the “grace of God”.

Learn How Scriptures Differentiate “Grace in the Eyes” of a Person From “Grace From God”

Ruth was caring and dedicated to her mother-in-law when she was under no legal obligation for her husband was dead; she could have remarried and forget about Naomi.
Jacob was transformed into a new person, Israel. Now, he has a relationship and a covenant with the Lord God.
David was humble, trying his best to stay alive to reign over Israel like God promised him.
The Scriptures utilize “grace of God”, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” or “grace” in the New Testament to differentiate from “grace in the eyes” of a person.
Therefore, when you examine a situation where someone receives grace from another person examine his relationship with Jesus Christ. God give grace to anyone He chooses but always He chooses those who please Him. Grace is God’s divine provision. Grace in the eyes of another person is always the grace of God via a third party. God’s grace has touched his heart to bless you.
Jesus Christ is the grace of God. God gives him and he is God’s divine provision. God “gave” him as payment for our sins, John 3:16. He is God’s heavenly provision for payment for our sins. Won’t you accept Jesus Christ as your LORD and Savior today? Accept him and receive the daily grace of God.

CONTACT US :

For more information, Prayers and counseling you can contact,

Rev. Adbhuta Rao. Garnepudi

Millinium Baptist Church

Nambur, Guntur (Dist), A.P, S.India.

VISIT US : http://www.sites.google.com/site/wordmini/home

MAIL US : wordministries.india@gmail.com

CALL US : (+91)9848150491, 9908054910