The Gift of Eternal Life

In our last few messages we have seen that being discipled is a life-long process which begins prior to Salvation with a clear presentation of the gospel and continues all the rest of our days. As Jesus was talking with Nicodemus, He began the process of discipleship by giving clear instruction on belief and eternal life.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
The moment we truly believe, our heart is transformed and we are given the gift of eternal life; “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). However, we need to consider what Jesus meant when He said, “whoever believes in Him.” The prior verses help yield a better understanding; “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).
When Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt, they soon began to complain: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” (Numbers 21:5). God punished the people for this sin by sending poisonous snakes. Many began to die from snake bites, so they went to Moses and said: “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us” (Numbers 21:7).
Moses prayed and God replied: “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live” (Numbers 21:8). To be saved from the snakes, the people had to recognize their sin, repent of their sin, and understand death was certain without God’s intervention. They then had to believe God’s Word and act in faith; “Look at the snake and you will live.”
Our Salvation “process” is the same today. We have all been snake-bit by sin! We must recognize our sin (Romans 3:23), desire to turn away from our sin (repentance), and understand eternal death is certain without God’s intervention (Romans 6:23). We must then believe God’s Word: “God presented Him {Jesus} as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood” (Romans 3:25). His sacrifice paid the penalty for our sins! “Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins” (Acts 10:43). We must believe the sacrifice of Jesus is sufficient for complete forgiveness and then act on that belief by submitting our life into His hands, trusting in Him and Him alone!
God gave us His Son, that whoever, by faith, enters through the gate of forgiveness – whoever “believes in Him” – will not perish but receive the gift of eternal life.

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

 

Knowing Christ

The Apostle Paul had a definite passion to serve God. Even before his conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul strictly observed God’s law; “as for legalistic righteousness, faultless” (Philippians 3:6). But after being confronted by Jesus, his focus forever changed; his passion remained, but his every desire now centered around faith in Jesus and the good news of His gospel message.

Philippians 3:10
“I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.”
Paul pursued an intimate relationship with Jesus and sought to be identified with His death and resurrection. He knew the only way to experience the power of Jesus was to live as a new creation whose sinful nature had been crucified with Christ; and as a new creation, he continually desired to know his Creator.

Truly knowing Jesus Christ is much more than simply knowing “about” Him. We can fill our head with every possible biblical fact and still never know Christ. To know Him is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength; to trust Him regardless of our circumstances, and to draw close to His side in our joy as well as our suffering. Nothing else in life has any real meaning; “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8a).

Paul’s passion for Jesus allowed him to loose his hold of all worldly attachments; “I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8b). This uncontested supremacy of Jesus allowed Paul to be “content in any and every situation” (Philippians 4:12). By giving himself fully to knowing Christ, Paul gained true contentment and peace.
We have the same ability to know Christ today. We are also promised the same results! Peace and contentment will NEVER be achieved through more possessions, activities, or relationships – these are ALL temporary and will fade away with time. Our life will only be truly content when we give ourselves to Jesus and love Him without reservation; we will only be filled with His peace as we seek to know Him.

We may never be asked to give up much for the sake of the gospel; but then again, we may be asked to give up everything! Either way, our heart must always hold loosely to the things of this world. Anything which cannot be released has effectively become a god and crowds the throne which MUST be reserved for the King of Kings. Let’s reconsider our priorities – where we spend our time and what commands our thoughts and consumes our energy. Let’s give ourselves fully to Him and make sure nothing has become more important than knowing Christ.

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

The Risk of Faith

At the beginning of Elijah’s ministry, God sent him to stay with a widow and her son. When he first arrived, Elijah asked the widow for some bread. The woman sadly said she only had enough for one final meal: “I don’t have any bread – only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it – and die” (1 Kings 17:12). [Let's remember those in the world today with this same feeling of hopelessness.]
The widow had completely given up on life. She believed she was preparing her last meal, but Elijah told her to trust God and make him something to eat out of the remaining flour. Elijah said it was God’s plan to provide for all her needs…but she must believe.
1 Kings 17:14
“For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.’”
The widow could have used the remaining food to feed herself and her son, but she risked all she had and did as Elijah requested. Even though she couldn’t see the extra food or understand how it would arrive, she had faith in God’s Word and took action based on her faith. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).
The risk was great, but God’s promise and provision were even greater: “So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the Word of the Lord spoken by Elijah” (1 Kings 17:15-16).
Taking a step of faith ALWAYS requires risk – always requires stepping into the unknown. If we could see every detail about where God was leading and how He would provide, we wouldn’t need faith. But if there is any “success” to be had in the Christian walk, it will only come as we daily live by faith – as we live each and every moment by listening intently for the call of God and then trusting Him, even through our fear, as we step into what we cannot see. This is where the true blessings of God reside.
When God calls us to a place where we must be “certain of what we do not see,” we must boldly step. We must overcome our fears with a faith grounded in the promises of His Word and trust Him with all our heart to never leave our side. We can be sure of the hope found in Jesus Christ! Let’s share this message of faithful hope all around the world.
If we are careful to listen, we most certainly will hear the call of God. He is faithful and will never lead us astray. So when we hear His call, let’s be prepared to step and take the risk of faith.

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

 

We Will Not Fear

In these times of great uncertainty – with concern about things like war, terrorism, and the economy – let’s always remember, our Heavenly Father is the Creator of the Universe. He formed the Heavens and the Earth out of nothing; and, as we place our trust in Him, He has given a basic promise: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). His desire is for us to draw nearer in our love and worship, and allow His Spirit to remove all fear.
Psalm 46:1-3
“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.”
Although we are uncertain what tomorrow may bring, we ought to have confidence in the One who really controls tomorrow. If we believe Jesus died for our sin, rose again in victory over death, and is seated at the right hand of the Father – if we surrender our life to who He is and what He has done – our eternal home has been firmly established; “Our citizenship is in Heaven” (Philippians 3:20). As a child of the Sovereign King, as one who believes in our eternal future, we no longer have reason to fear; “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship” (Romans 8:15).
We no longer have a reason, but still we fear. The unknown is scary and makes us feel out of control. But as we pray for an end to violence, and as we strive to make this world safer, better educated, and more prosperous, we must understand there is only one true solution to our fear.
Our fear will only be removed as we love the Lord with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength. When we understand that our life is not our own, we will love with a complete abandonment to His desire. We will pray and live each day with the surrender demonstrated by Christ; “Father…not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). As we live each day to bring Him glory and honor, fear WILL begin to fade: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).
Yes, these days contain some uncertainty. If we continue to focus on what we can see, there will always be uncertainties. But our faith, hope, and joy are in His eternal glory, not in this world which will one day pass away. Let’s refuse to let our fear of the unknown cripple our service for God. There is still much work He has for us to do. Let’s pray that our love will increase, that our worship will intensify, and that we will boldly stand up and proclaim, “We will not fear!”

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

An Unsearchable Love

As I look back through the Scriptural account of history, I can see how God sent His Son to be born in a manger, grow and live among us, and die for our sins upon a cross. I can clearly see how the sacrifice of Jesus allows us, through faith, to enter into God’s presence. I can even see the purpose of His humble birth as a permanent example of humility and service. But what I don’t think I’ll ever fully understand is why. Oh, sure, I know the reason is love; “For God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16), but I seriously doubt I’ll ever understand the amount of love required to sacrifice so much – the amount of love He had (and has)…for me!
Paul wrote his letter to the Romans with the intent of setting foundational beliefs for the church. In this letter, Paul presented the greatest amount of teaching found anywhere in the Bible. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote on topics ranging from sin and judgement, to faith and salvation; from the purpose of the Law and life through the Spirit, to the sovereignty of God and the future of Israel. But toward the end of the letter, Paul paused and wrote a short prayer of praise and glory.
Romans 11:33-36
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay Him? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.”
We almost get the feeling that Paul had reviewed the first portion of his letter and just couldn’t continue writing without praising the Lord. Paul had wrestled through many difficult issues and learned a most valuable lesson: God is God…and sometimes this simple truth defies understanding.
God has a perfect plan where every piece fits neatly together; but there are MANY connections which our finite minds fail to comprehend. I almost never see the purpose of my trials until long after they have past. I get impatient and frustrated with God’s timing – I want to know His plan, now! And yet, I know His love for me gave everything; “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8). I may not fully understand this love, but the little I know is enough to create a desire to live a life of devotion and faith. One day, I will stand before His throne and all His mysteries will be perfectly revealed. Until then I will simply continue to worship and trust.
We may never fully understand, but I pray we are all drawn a little closer today. If you have never experienced His love, I pray that you will release your heart into His care. If you’re feeling unloved by the world, I pray you will look to Him and see a Father who gave His Son so He could hold you for all eternity. He is an unsearchable God who has poured out, for you, an unsearchable love.

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