...What we need is an ever present reality check. Here's one that's very suggestable. Hold on to nothing and cling for life. Test everything with your fingers crossed and with a good amount of salt. Let the truth in it speak for itself. When it does, under a reasonable amount of salt, it will be the truth that's only worth hearing. You won't be fooled by the kind you'd be inclined to manufacture.
Watch the puzzle solve itself. Trust God to work His magic His way. Have a quest for God that is not centred on his acts. His acts are only for his own glory, mostly not necessarily for your comfort. You will end up filtering the anyway reality from the imagination in your head. You will have the real faith you need, not an over-rated one, in a God that truly does exist. If (and since) God is God, trust Him to lead you understanding of Him that is real, not imaginative.
Sunil Noronha
Friday, March 30, 2012
Day 32
Imagine a case if all that we believed didn't exist. If all that we bet our life on was not known to us. Thankful we are indeed that it now is. But if we did not the love of Jesus and then the joy of knowing God...
Now that we do know Him, what piece of the puzzle does that complete? Through our Christian journey, it's easy to believe absolutely anything that can fall under the category of God's ways that are 'amazing', 'powerful' and any other such quality that we'd like to (and sometimes are taught to) attribute to Him. But what if these particular ways of His are simply figments of our imagination. God is not necessarily existent to satisfy our desire for a swashbuckling divine saviour who will provide us the cushiest life we can think of.
Sunil Noronha
Now that we do know Him, what piece of the puzzle does that complete? Through our Christian journey, it's easy to believe absolutely anything that can fall under the category of God's ways that are 'amazing', 'powerful' and any other such quality that we'd like to (and sometimes are taught to) attribute to Him. But what if these particular ways of His are simply figments of our imagination. God is not necessarily existent to satisfy our desire for a swashbuckling divine saviour who will provide us the cushiest life we can think of.
Sunil Noronha
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Day 31
Phillipians 2:5-11
This passage gives us the grand key and perspective to everything. The way down is the way up. As you lower yourself to the point of nothingness, God comes bursting in and does the very thing you sought after but in a wrong way. Jesus was offered power, and fame when tempted in the desert. But he overcame selfish ambition and lowered himself to serve the interest of His Father in heaven thus serving us sinful men. The end result it not only glorious exaltation to the highest place but He has been given the highest Name – the name above every other. Satan would like to deceive us into thinking we need to do this for ourselves – how wrong!!! When we leave things in the hands of a sovereign God – He works out things for our best, ALWAYS.
When life rattles me, this is one of the passages of scripture I take refuge in and find great solace, comfort and assurance. I leave you with these thoughts – may you know rest in knowing His way- aligning your heart to the plumb line of this scripture.
Navaz D'cruz
This passage gives us the grand key and perspective to everything. The way down is the way up. As you lower yourself to the point of nothingness, God comes bursting in and does the very thing you sought after but in a wrong way. Jesus was offered power, and fame when tempted in the desert. But he overcame selfish ambition and lowered himself to serve the interest of His Father in heaven thus serving us sinful men. The end result it not only glorious exaltation to the highest place but He has been given the highest Name – the name above every other. Satan would like to deceive us into thinking we need to do this for ourselves – how wrong!!! When we leave things in the hands of a sovereign God – He works out things for our best, ALWAYS.
When life rattles me, this is one of the passages of scripture I take refuge in and find great solace, comfort and assurance. I leave you with these thoughts – may you know rest in knowing His way- aligning your heart to the plumb line of this scripture.
Navaz D'cruz
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Day 30
The Plumb Line - 3
Phil 2:3-4
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves
This gives me the antidote to the first half of the verse. How do I cure myself of this malady of selfish ambition? By practising the very opposite. Firstly, being humble- how does humility express itself? In this case, considering others better than yourself and not looking out to my own interests. How does this work out? Others better than your self- this will put the breaks on self-exalting thought patterns that constantly assail our minds. It will nudge us to look for ways to appreciate others. It will nudge us to release others, give others a chance to use their gifts.
...not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of
the others.
Look not only to your own interest but also the interest of others. This strikes a death blow to self ambition. When we put others betterment before our own – we cannot exalt ourselves. We can only do one or the others. If we all had this attitude – it would breed so much growth for everyone (including yourself because someone else will be looking out to your interests well). It will breed an atmosphere of acceptance, grace and security. It will breed an atmosphere of encouragement and appreciation and an atmosphere of wanting to mentor others so that they progress and get on in their walk with God and all that God has called them to with no strings attached.
It will mean that sometimes we have to let go of our lofty ideals/standards for the sake of unity, for the sake of brotherhood and oneness in Spirit ( without compromising your principles). But when you look at the big picture, when you look from Eternity’s perspective it won’t seem that ideal at all.
Navaz D'cruz
Phil 2:3-4
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves
This gives me the antidote to the first half of the verse. How do I cure myself of this malady of selfish ambition? By practising the very opposite. Firstly, being humble- how does humility express itself? In this case, considering others better than yourself and not looking out to my own interests. How does this work out? Others better than your self- this will put the breaks on self-exalting thought patterns that constantly assail our minds. It will nudge us to look for ways to appreciate others. It will nudge us to release others, give others a chance to use their gifts.
...not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of
the others.
Look not only to your own interest but also the interest of others. This strikes a death blow to self ambition. When we put others betterment before our own – we cannot exalt ourselves. We can only do one or the others. If we all had this attitude – it would breed so much growth for everyone (including yourself because someone else will be looking out to your interests well). It will breed an atmosphere of acceptance, grace and security. It will breed an atmosphere of encouragement and appreciation and an atmosphere of wanting to mentor others so that they progress and get on in their walk with God and all that God has called them to with no strings attached.
It will mean that sometimes we have to let go of our lofty ideals/standards for the sake of unity, for the sake of brotherhood and oneness in Spirit ( without compromising your principles). But when you look at the big picture, when you look from Eternity’s perspective it won’t seem that ideal at all.
Navaz D'cruz
Monday, March 26, 2012
Day 29
The Plumb Line - 2
Phil 2:3-4
Selfish ambition
Doing things that promote self interest, self glory.*Doing things that get me recognition, for my glory, promotion and elevation in the eyes of men. Often this would involved putting others down, even subtly, ignoring others peoples gifts and talents so that only “I” get noticed. The object with which I conduct myself is that “I” increase and. that “I” get glory. This is nothing but “I-dolatry”.
Vain conceit
The dictionary tells me the synonyms of conceit* are egoism, egotism, narcissism, vanity. The dictionary tells me vanity is being inordinately proud of one's appearance, possessions, or
achievements, given to ostentatious display, especially of one's beauty, worthless, senseless or futile. It is the very opposite of humility. It’s thinking that only I can do the job well. What is the fall out of this? We don’t train others to do our job. We think we are indispensible. We get very critical and condemning of other peoples efforts. We don’t delegate. We are unable to encourage and appreciate the baby steps others take to grow their gifts. It also shows a lack of humility to realize that all our gifts and talents are “Grace Gifts” that we don’t deserve in the first place. We owe it all to God and need to hold these things lightly.
Navaz D'cruz
Phil 2:3-4
Selfish ambition
Doing things that promote self interest, self glory.*Doing things that get me recognition, for my glory, promotion and elevation in the eyes of men. Often this would involved putting others down, even subtly, ignoring others peoples gifts and talents so that only “I” get noticed. The object with which I conduct myself is that “I” increase and. that “I” get glory. This is nothing but “I-dolatry”.
Vain conceit
The dictionary tells me the synonyms of conceit* are egoism, egotism, narcissism, vanity. The dictionary tells me vanity is being inordinately proud of one's appearance, possessions, or
achievements, given to ostentatious display, especially of one's beauty, worthless, senseless or futile. It is the very opposite of humility. It’s thinking that only I can do the job well. What is the fall out of this? We don’t train others to do our job. We think we are indispensible. We get very critical and condemning of other peoples efforts. We don’t delegate. We are unable to encourage and appreciate the baby steps others take to grow their gifts. It also shows a lack of humility to realize that all our gifts and talents are “Grace Gifts” that we don’t deserve in the first place. We owe it all to God and need to hold these things lightly.
Navaz D'cruz
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Day 28
The Plumb Line - 1
In a world full of worldly management fundas filling up bookshelves, it's easy to get lost in a world of advice from almost everyone who's willing to win you over with their advice on absolutely anything under the sun. However, I find the best advice in the enduring, flawless, timeless Word of God, and it is important to set my heart right against that plumb line.
Phil 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
This is such an area of temptation. I need to keep a guard over my heart and motives knowing the heart is deceitful above all else. Every now and then it’s good to take a pit stop and take stock of what is going on in the boiler room of the heart. If I don’t, busyness gets me or the “success” of what I am involved in can cloud/dull and even blind me to what’s going on, on the inside.
Jesus was always interested in what goes on in our hearts. Everything will be tested by fire (1Cor 3:12-15). So I would be wise to stop in my tracks every now and them and do a heart check up – allowing the Holy Spirit to shed His light, wash and clean me – which He does with much grace and love.
Navaz D'cruz
In a world full of worldly management fundas filling up bookshelves, it's easy to get lost in a world of advice from almost everyone who's willing to win you over with their advice on absolutely anything under the sun. However, I find the best advice in the enduring, flawless, timeless Word of God, and it is important to set my heart right against that plumb line.
Phil 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
This is such an area of temptation. I need to keep a guard over my heart and motives knowing the heart is deceitful above all else. Every now and then it’s good to take a pit stop and take stock of what is going on in the boiler room of the heart. If I don’t, busyness gets me or the “success” of what I am involved in can cloud/dull and even blind me to what’s going on, on the inside.
Jesus was always interested in what goes on in our hearts. Everything will be tested by fire (1Cor 3:12-15). So I would be wise to stop in my tracks every now and them and do a heart check up – allowing the Holy Spirit to shed His light, wash and clean me – which He does with much grace and love.
Navaz D'cruz
Day 27
The Cross - III
...The Cross of Jesus calms me. No earthquake can touch it. Because all the horrors the world can concoct, were met, and neutered, on the Cross. There was no enemy left standing, however loud, however brute, however powerful, however inexorable. No one was left. And this was done wordlessly, soundlessly. In the dead calm of pin-drop silence.
Permanence. Purpose. Resolute resilience. For all time. No marauder or invader would render the Cross a ruin. It can never become just a sign; it will stand for all time no matter who or what came against it. The battle would rage all around it but he who came to its foot would not be molested.
The ultimate, ultimate safe place. The one fortress in this world no one can conquer. Its sanctuary is eternal; its protection irrevocable. No one who
enters will ever be taken to his doom by force. The ultimate unstormable citadel.
Come away to the foot of the Cross of Jesus. Let the battle rage around you. Let the heat of the day burn unquenched. Let the burden bear down. None of these will touch you. Because you are in the safest place you will ever find.
Praveen Deepak
...The Cross of Jesus calms me. No earthquake can touch it. Because all the horrors the world can concoct, were met, and neutered, on the Cross. There was no enemy left standing, however loud, however brute, however powerful, however inexorable. No one was left. And this was done wordlessly, soundlessly. In the dead calm of pin-drop silence.
Permanence. Purpose. Resolute resilience. For all time. No marauder or invader would render the Cross a ruin. It can never become just a sign; it will stand for all time no matter who or what came against it. The battle would rage all around it but he who came to its foot would not be molested.
The ultimate, ultimate safe place. The one fortress in this world no one can conquer. Its sanctuary is eternal; its protection irrevocable. No one who
enters will ever be taken to his doom by force. The ultimate unstormable citadel.
Come away to the foot of the Cross of Jesus. Let the battle rage around you. Let the heat of the day burn unquenched. Let the burden bear down. None of these will touch you. Because you are in the safest place you will ever find.
Praveen Deepak
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)