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"Grace & Peace" is an e-periodical for spiritual
enlightenment,
edification and encouragement.
Issue No.090 February,
2012

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In this issue:- Perspective:- Divine leading: Believer’s Privilege Out line: -Christian and the world Anecdote: - A Pretext Gospel:- - Characteristics of a Good Minister Home Call:- - Evangelist Babu Thopil, Katni, India

Perspective:- Divine leading: Believer’s Privilege         It is one of the wonderful privileges of a Christian that he is being led and guided by the Lord. Before we came to Christ, we were wandering as sheep. We could never have come back to our Master. It pleased the Lord to search and find us as a Good Shepherd by giving His life. In His grace He has brought us back to the fold and constantly leading us as a Great Shepherd. 1Peter 2:25; John 10:10. Heb 13:20.         Even though we know this truth, are we really conscious of this fact and live accordingly. He is our Lord and the Master who is concerned about our safety, satisfaction and progress. But do we take it seriously and abide by His leading and guidance.         Listen what the Lord says to the Israelites, “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. Oh that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river..” Isaiah 48:17, 18a.         Notice how passionately the Lord God is calling upon the people of Israel to be submissive to His leading, for that alone can bring joy and peace to them. Beloved in this uncertain world, as our knowledge and ability is limited; it is the care and control of our Lord that sustains us. He knows exactly, the way we ought to take. Our impression and preference may go wrong. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Pro. 16:25. How we ought to yield ourselves to His leadership. Let us consider few aspects of the divine leading in our life. 1. He leads us by holding our hands. Psalm 73:24. The Lord is not far away from us. We walk together, He holds us at certain times even He upholds us on His shoulder. Psa. 37:24; Luke 15:5. That’s a wonderful method of leading us. We don’t need to worry about the steps ahead. Our responsibility is to hold on to His hands and walk along with Him. 2. He leads us by His counsel. Psalm 73:24. As we walk with the Lord holding on to His hands, he gives us valuable lessons. Cf. Mat.11: 29. He will help us to hear a still small voice from behind. If we are successful in recognizing the voice of the Lord in every moment of our life, we shall be saved from many errors and adverse events. Are we really committed to hear His counsel and keep life accordingly? 3. He leads us by His eye. Psalm 32: 8. Psalmist again sings of the way the Lord leads His people. He is watching every movement of a Christian and carefully observing our path. Isaiah says, “He will lead His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lamb with His arm, and carry them in His bosom. And gently lead those who are with young.” Isaiah 31: 11. See, how cautiously the Lord takes a note of our state. He leads us fully knowing our state; He will not allow anything that is beyond our ability. Cf. Due 32:11, 12. 4. He leads us continually. Isaiah 58:11a With out any stop or interruption the Lord leads us. If at all we face any failure or feeling of an absence of divine leading, it’s because of our own failure to acknowledge and appreciate the sustaining hands of God. Even when we fail Him, He does not take away His attention towards us. In the most adverse circumstances of life God’s people have the privilege to recognize the divine hands that lead them mysteriously. May His name be glorified.      However, are we prepared to allow the Lord to take leadership on our life continuously? Do we think that in certain matters of life we do not need the guidance and control of the Lord? 5. He leads us to satisfaction. Isaiah 58:11 When He leads us there is no confusion or complication. No need to regret later. He will make darkness light for us and crooked places straight. Cf. Isaiah 42:16. He will lead us only to the right path and destination: to peace (Luke 1:79), to refreshment (Psa 23:2), and to right decision (Psa 25:9).      Beloved, there are much more about the various aspects of the wonderful guidance and leading a Christian is privileged to experience through Jesus Christ. He leads us by example (Jn. 10:4); He leads us to the end (Psalm 48:14). But the question is; are we conscious of it and yield to the Lord continuously? No need of worry or anxiety, just listen to the voice of the Spirit of God who indwells in us and be obedient to His promptings.      Do not forget, it is through the word of God –Bible - that God speaks to us today. To be led and guided by the Lord, one should read and meditate upon His word. Then we shall be in the right path, fulfilling God’s purposes in our life. The satisfaction and peace of mind resulting from God’s guidance and leading is indescribable and incomparable. NTK Out line:- Christian and the world 1. Sent in to the world. Jn 17:18 2. Preaching to the world. Mark 16:15 3. The light of the world. Phil 2:15 4. The light of the world. Phil 2:15 5. Live godly in the world. Titus 2;12. 6. Not conformed to the world. Rom 12:2 7. Love not the world. 1John 2:16 8. Passing through the world. 1Peter 2:11 9 No friendship with the world. James 4:4. Anecdote: - A Pretext         A wolf wanted to find a pretext for devouring a lamb drinking from a river. He accused the lamb of muddying the water so he could not drink. The lamb replied that he drank only with the tip of his tongue and was standing lower down the river.         Then the wolf accused the lamb of insulting the wolf’s father the previous year. The lamb replied he was not even born then. “You are good at finding answers”, said the wolf, “but I am going to eat you up all the same.” Study Note: - Characteristics of a Good Minister. 1Timothy ch. 4. K.S. Thomas Mumbai “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ.” 1Timothy 4:6a. Introduction: - Apostle Paul outlines the essential qualities of a good and effective Servant of God. Though we do find many other useful traits elsewhere in the word of God, we will see only from this chapter, what Paul; one of the greatest ministers of Jesus Christ wants to say about a good minister. 1. Nourished in the words of faith. V. 6. Not only it speaks of the constant reading and meditation of God’s word –it refers to the obedience of it. “Words of faith and of the good doctrine you have carefully followed”. Nourishment comes by obedience. A good minister would obey the word and then instructs. This verse speaks of a suitable spiritual diet. 2. Spiritual exercise. V. 7. More Home Call: Evangelist Babu Thopil, Katni, India. Evangelist Babu Thopil (55), Katni, India was called home on Sunday 29th January at 7.30 am at Katni, MP. He was about to take his jeep to bring believers from faraway villages for worship service that morning. His sudden death is attributed to kidney failure. Funeral was held at Katni Christian Cemetery, on Tuesday 31st Jan in the presence of many believers who came from different part of India and abroad.      Our dear was a diabetic, he also had a stroke and paralyzed earlier. The Lord wonderfully .... More. Worthy Quotes:- Guidance “Man proposes, God disposes.” _____________________  Proverb “I am satisfied that when the Almighty wants me to do or not to do any particular thing, he finds a way of letting me know it.”   _________ Abraham Lincoln

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