Skip to main content

His name is being trusted

While going house to house inviting families to church I met Tom.  He vigorously mentioned that he is against organized religion and that he finds that all people are good irrespective of their faiths. I had a good time speaking with him and I shared my personal testimony about how I became a Christian. And spoke about how God's love was what attracted me to Jesus. We got to pray for him and left. In a way Jesus did the same during His days though I have much more to learn about His ways. Jesus also came against organized religion in His time of ministry.  Jesus speaks here strongly to Pharisees.

Matthew 12:3-5
But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?

In this chapter, we read about everything from the sabbath to the casting out of demons. Jesus spent time in the synagogue and outside. He spoke to all peoples. He spoke against the ways of the religion of the day.  Though they had the holy scriptures, they did not follow them.  He had strong words for the Pharisees when they questioned the source of the power He demonstrated through healing and deliverance.  All Jesus was doing was fulfilling prophesy from the holy scriptures.

Matthew 12:18-21
“Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory; And in His name Gentiles will trust.”

And in His name Gentiles will trust! This is taken from Isaiah 42:1-4. This is a prophecy of Jesus. There is nothing wrong with being organized as long as the Holy Spirit is honored in His unique work among us. Many times He will do something that is different and we are unfamiliar with it. But, it is always consistent with the Word of God.  We need to hear and obey so that many will put their trust in Him.

Father, help me know what I should do each moment and in every occasion so that your Name is glorified.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

My Journey of Faith

Sreedhar standing to the left of his grandfather in the center Almost 55 years ago a son was born to a Hindu family.  The parents were 2nd generation Malaysians raised in a rubber estate near a small town called Sungei Petani in Northern Malaya at that time.  This first child was given much love and care by their parents and had the privilege of growing up in 3 different states of Malaysia, most of which was in Petaling Jaya.  He was blessed with his first domestic airplane ride when he was 10 years old, and made his first trip by airplane to Bangkok at the age of 11.  In the mid 1970's the family moved to a large house in a relatively exclusive neighborhood in Petaling Jaya. This was a result of the favor his father, aged about 35 at that time, had in the workplace,. As a result, this son grew up in a mostly multicultural environment with Indian, Chinese and Malay children.  In the process, his perspectives became cosmopolitan and racially neutral.  One thing that kept him at

Rags to riches need something else

Can the impossible become possible? I have read many stories of rags to riches and have been naturally impressed by everything that has been said. It required great persistence, hardwork, endurance and something else. That something else is what differentiates between one rags to riches story, and the many other rags to rags stories. Unfortunately, we do not hear or read many of the latter. The successful ones had a "good break" that is a gift from God. Psalms 126:6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him. The people of Israel could only dream of being released from captivity. That is how this chapter started. Yes, the sowing of seed is needed. Hard work cannot be missed. But, along with the hardwork is the weeping. Weeping before God. He alone provided the deliverance when the people cried before God. Father, my heart's desire is to see all saved. Hear my cry O Lord fo

Seek a good personal testimony

In the same way you can have professional wedding planners, you also have funeral planners. I know some of you who are superstitious will be saying "touch wood". I have written something on this before and you can read it here. Have you planned your funeral? I have not and neither did Abraham plan his wife's funeral until her death. Don't get me wrong. Nothing wrong with planning your funeral but there is something interesting here in this chapter. Genesis 23:6, “Hear us, my lord: You are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our burial places. None of us will withhold from you his burial place, that you may bury your dead.” Abraham is recognized as a Mighty Prince. He is about to have his first big funeral, and it is for his wife. The people of the land were ready to give whatever Abraham wanted. He gained huge respect because of the favor that God had given him. He insisted on paying full price for the burial ground and he paid in cash. G

You will look good

In today's world many are not happy with how they look naturally. They do everything possible to get it "right". Some of these include almost permanent changes that affects their bodies for the rest of their lives. This includes tattoos. I am not going to saying anything about this but we need to be careful about the agenda of people that do these things. There is something better. Revelation 22:4, They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. How God's name is going to be on our foreheads, I am not sure. But it would be like wearing a uniform of an organization that you are very proud of, and want to be associated with publicly. There will also be the tree of life. There will be no more pain. No more sorrow. God's presence will be so tangible that we can see His face. Revelation 22:12-13, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and t

Time alone is important

Character is what you do when no one is looking. It can be good or bad. It eminates from the heart. It cannot be seen, but through a person's words, actions and attitudes, you can have a sense of the character of the person. But with God, nothing is hidden. He sees everything. Psalms 101:6 My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, That they may dwell with me; He who walks in a perfect way, He shall serve me. In my human nature I have a tendency to do wrong things. Over the years of a close walk with God, my heart has been transformed, and my mind is yielded to God's wisdom and direction. You may ask, how did you do it? First a caveat. God is not done with me yet. I have my imperfections. My wife will tell you that. One of the actions that has helped me greatly is what I am doing now. Read the Word of God, write a journal and pray. Father, it is simple, but help me be consistent in my time alone with You.

Stay home for protection

When I was growing up there were many things we were told to do and others that we were to refrain from. Because I grew up in a Hindu home, much superstition was used to scare us into compliance. It was simple things like don't swing the door, and don't cut your nails after dark. Moses got clear instructions from the Lord for the people of Israel on how they were to maintain a right relationship with God. Leviticus 26:1, You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the Lord your God. This was first thing repeated for the people of Israel. The peoples all around them and even their forefather Abraham's relatives worshiped idols. But here clear instruction is given. The blessings for obedience is great. You can read it in the chapter. But, disobedience will yield dire consequences. Leviticus 26:25, And I will bring a swor