Welcome!
Date: Monday, August 23, 2010
Today: God of the City
Passage: Joshua 6: 16-17 NIV
16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! 17 The city and all that is in it are to be devoted [a] to the LORD. (emphasis added)
Seven days of marching around a city, and the City finally falls into the hands of God and His people!
It did not happen easily. It took a commitment, obedience and involvement
Each person was committed to march around. They had to do it quietly; they had to do it in unity
There are powers that rule over the City. People felt very secure inside the strong, tall walls of Jericho
But the safety and security of that city was not based what the people felt
While they were very proud of their great city, destruction came suddenly
The false prophets might have told them, “nothing bad is going to happen; everything is going to be O.K (Jer 23: 17)
But, unless the Lord builds and keeps a home, city or a church, there is no safety or security (Psalm 127)
These days, children of God are so busy, have no time for God
These Israelites, to whom God gave the land of Canan, later went away from the Lord
It is true that our fore-fathers trusted in the Lord and served Him
God blessed the generations
But today, God is grieving because we have become thankless
Our priorities does not involve God
Our plans, our ways are different from that of God
Yesterday (Sunday, Aug 22) we were attending a combined service with the PYFA, in New York. The theme of the convention was “You’re the God of this City”
Both the preachers – one from India and the another from the US, spoke the same message, based on the scripture from Ezekiel 37- the army of God that was formed from the valley full of dry bones
There is hope for the children of God, even when they are scattered and “dead” for a long time
During the last 30-40 years, TV and internet has replaced our prayer and meditation of God’s word
If our children are failing, tell them to read the word and pray
You can see progress in their studies
They may not feel like doing it. Pray for them that God will put that interest in them. Parents need to be educated in the word, to answer their questions
I talk with some parents. They say, they fast and pray for the children before the school opens. If we are willing to do some sacrifice for our children instead of all that yelling and stuff, we can see the progress
Prophecy to them like Ezekiel did, even if things look hopeless. I know, it is not always easy, but is possible
Do not curse your employer or company. Pray for them
All things are possible-with God
Even a City itself is not impossible for God
At City Seminary of NY, we used to do PBB (Pray and break bread)
If we don’t do what we are supposed to do, someone else will do it
God expects us to be committed, obedient and involved
God bless you and help you
BG
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for being careless and for taking your things for granted. Help to make your dreams mine and do what you want me to do. I ask for your grace to bless and not curse even as I don’t feel like blessing. Amen