Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!

Introduction: How important is your health? Would you like to wake up every morning feeling great? If money is any gauge, I have read that in the United States alone over two trillion dollars (trillion,

not billion)is spent each year on our health. Does God care about our health? Is there a connection between righteousness and health? Do we have an obligation to God to do our best to stay healthy?

Let's dive into our new series of studies to see what the Bible has to say about health!

  I.   Reasons for praise

                A.   Read Psalms 103:1. What does it mean to praise God with our "inmost being?" (This is not superficial praise. This is praising God from our core - from deep inside.)

               B.   Read Psalms 103:2. I often hear people say we should praise God "because of who He is."  What additional  reason does the Psalmist give us to praise God? (He gives us benefits! This seems a selfish reason to give praise,but it is natural (and easy) to praise someone who helps us.)

               C.   Read Psalms 103:3-5. What is the Psalmist describing? (The previously mentioned benefits that God gives us!)

  1.   Let's list these benefits. (Forgiveness of sin. Healing disease. Pulling us out of a pit. Giving us     love and compassion. Satisfying our desires with      good things. Giving us youth.)

 a.   As you look at this list, do any of these benefits have anything to do with health? (Yes! Giving us a youthful feeling and getting rid of our diseases.)

b.   Do you attach any importance to the fact that when the Psalmist lists our benefits he lists the forgiveness of sins first and healing of diseases second? (Eternal life is logically more important than life on earth.)

  (1)  Let's look at these two benefits - forgiving our sins and healing us from  disease - in more detail.

  II.    Praise for Forgiveness of Sin 

  A.   Read 2 Timothy 1:9. When did God formulate His plan to fix our sin problem? (Before the beginning of time. Before the beginning of our existence.)

  1.   What does this suggest about God's thinking when He created us? (He created us with the knowledge that we might reject Him.) 

  a.   Assume you are a parent and your child has rejected you. If you could turn back time and not have this child born, would you do it?

(A parent who says, "I would have this child anyway" shows incredible love. Our God has shown incredible love to us.)

  B.   Read Ephesians 2:8-10. Do we deserve to have our sins forgiven and eternal life? (No. It is a gift from God, and not the result of our works. However, we have been created to do good works.)

  C.   Now we understand why the Psalmist in Psalms 103:3 praises God for forgiving our sins.  

     III. Praise God for Healing Disease and Giving Us Youth  

A.   Read Exodus 15:26. What connection is there between obeying God and sickness? (God says that if we obey, he will not bring the diseases on us that He brought on the Egyptians.)

 1.   Does this mean that when we get sick it is because we sinned? (Perhaps.)

 2.   What does the book of Job teach us about this   subject? (Job's "friends" were telling him that he was sick and suffering because he had not been        obeying God. But, we know from the first chapter of Job that God told Satan that Job was "blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." Job 1:8.)

 a.   What should we conclude from Job and Exodus  15:26 about the origin of illness? (Sometimes          we get sick because we have not followed God          and sometimes we get sick because we have              followed God.  In addition, our common sense tells us that sometimes we get sick simply                   because we live in a sin-filled world.)

 3.   Let's look again at the last few words of Exodus 15:26: "I am the Lord, who heals you." Is there both a negative and positive involvement of God in our  health? (God seems to say He is a healing God. That is His normal attribute, the positive side of   health. However, He also brings diseases on the disobedient. God is involved in our health in both a positive and negative way.) 

 B.   Read Jeremiah 7:22-23.  Could God have just given the people commands about worshiping Him? (Of course. This is the way people viewed pagan gods)             

1.   What else did God do for us? (God is not just  seeking our worship, He is seeking to have a

relationship with us. He wants our lives to go well- and for that reason He has given us a series of commands. This is the positive side of obedience,

the "healing" side.)

  2.   What examples do we see of this in the Bible? (If you skim over Leviticus chapters 11-15 you will find numerous regulations that God gave Moses to keep the people healthy and disease-free.)

C.   Read Proverbs 3:7-8. Avoiding arrogance, fearing God, shunning evil: do these have any obvious connection to health and strong bones? 

(This suggests a connection between spiritual health and physical health. This seems more than the idea of God putting diseases on us as a judgment or a test, or healing us as a blessing. There is some inherent connection between righteousness and health. The natural result of obedience is a strong and healthy body.)

  IV.  Praise Sacrifice

   A.   Read Romans 12:1. I thought Jesus was the Lamb of God who died to take away our sins. Why are we sacrifices?

1.   Let's work through this problem. What is the reason for us to be sacrifices? ("In view of God's mercy." This is a reference to the mercy Jesus showed us by dying for our sins. As His followers, we need to have the same sacrificial attitude.)

2.   How is our sacrifice different from that of Jesus? (We are a "living" sacrifice. I'll choose that over  being a "dead" sacrifice!)

3.   How is this worship? (As part of our worship to a

God who gave His life for us, we make some sacrifices.)

  4.   Now for the tough question, what kind of sacrifice are we talking about? What does it mean for you to "offer" your "body" as a "living sacrifice?"

 B.   Read Romans 12:2. What does this suggest is the answer to the prior question? (Our "sacrifice" is to conform to God's will and not the will of the world.)

1.   Romans 12:1 referred to our body and this refers to our mind. Are both involved in this living sacrifice? (Clearly, there is a physical component

to this. A healthy body reflecting a positive relationship with God is part of the "sacrifice." Our actions begin with attitudes of our minds. We need to present a total sacrifice: mind and body!)

2.   Is health a part of this? (The parallel seems to be a renewed mind and renewed body. These reflect our total worship of God.)

3.   All sorts of people worship their body.  This is one of the main goals of our age. Is that what is being discussed here? (The text warns us about conforming to the pattern of the world. Instead, our worship is a mind and body reflecting the greatness of our God.)  

 C.   Friend, if you have not thought about the relationship between health and spirituality, if you have not thought about taking care of your body as part of your worship of God, will you consider it today?  Why not commit today to asking God to help you renew not only your mind, but also your body as part of your "living sacrifice?"

  V.   Next week: The Power of Choice.

Yes Mothers, You Have a Calling!/हाँ माँओं, तुम्हारी बुलाहट है!

जन्म एक बच्चे का पहला अनुभव है, जब वह अपनी माँ के गर्भ के गर्म और सुरक्षित वातावरण से दूर जाता है| उसे प्यार और दुलार की ज़रुरत होती है ताकि वह इस अज्ञात दुनिया के भय से उबर सके |

रूथ बेनेडिक्ट सामाजिक मानवविज्ञानी कहते हैं, "उसके जन्म के समय से वह जिस पर्यावेश में पैदा होता है वे उसके जीवन अनुभव और व्यवहार को आकार देतें हैं| जब वह बात कर सकने वाला हो जाता हैं, वह अपनी संस्कृति का एक छोटा प्राणी हो जाता है, और जब वह बडा हो जाता है और इसकी गतिविधियों में भाग लेने के लिए सक्षम हो जाता है, इनकी आदतों उसकी आदतें हो जाती हैं, इनके विश्वास उसके विश्वास हो जाते हैं, इनकी असम्भावनाएं उसकी असम्भावनाएं हो जाती हैं "|

एक माँ का अपने बच्चों पर प्रभाव उनके व्यक्तित्व पर अमिट छाप छोड़ सकता हैं.
मुझे अभी भी याद है, जब मेरे बेटे का जन्म हुआ तब मैंने जब तक वह तीन साल का ना हो जाये नौकरी ना करने का फैसला लिया | जब वह तीन साल का हो गया तब मैंने एक सीनिअर शिक्षक के रूप में काम शुरू कर दिया, लेकिन मैंने एहसास किया कि मैं अपना अधिक समय उससे दूर बिता रही थी मैंने अपनी नौकरी बदल दी और मैंने एक नर्सरी स्कूल में पढ़ाना शुरू कर दिया ताकि मैं अपने बेटे की देखभाल कर सकूं और उसे अच्छे संस्कार दे सकूं आज मुझे उस पर गर्व है, वह अपनी नैतिकता की वजह से हर जगह प्यार पता है |

परमेश्वर ने  मेरे बेटे के पालन-पोषण करने का जो ज्ञान मुझे दिया उसके लिए मैं उसे धन्यवाद देती हूँ|

क्या तुम एक माँ हो?

तो तुम्हें पता होना चाहिए परमेश्वर ने तुम्हें भविष्यद्वाणी और मध्यस्ता के लिए बुलाया है| जब तुम्हारे बच्चे घर से बहार जाएँ उनके लिए मध्यस्ता करो  

जब तुम्हारे पति घर से बहार जाएँ उनके लिए मध्यस्ता करो

अपने बच्चों के जीवन में ज्ञान और बुद्धी बोलो

आप जो भी बोलोगे, कोई भी उसे उनके जीवन से मिटा सकने में सक्षम ना होगा | मैं एक पत्रिका से आपको यह कहानी बताने जा रही हूँ (क्लार्गी जर्नल, अप्रिल 1993. पेज 36)
"रूफ़स जोन्स अक्सर अपने बचपन की कहानी को बताया करता था ऐसा लगता है कि एक दिन जब वह 12 या 13 साल का था, उसकी माँ जब शहर गयी, तो उसे खेत पर कुछ काम करने को दे गयी| वह पूरी तरह से काम करना चाहता था, लेकिन उसके दोस्तों के 'खेलने के इशारे ज्यादा जोर पकड़ गए| पर जब उसने शाम अपनी माँ की कार को रास्ते पर आते देखा तो उसका दिल डूब गया| वह जानता था कि वह एक अपने जीवन की सबसे खराब पिटाई खाने जा रहा था | उसकी माँ ने गाड़ी पार्क की और घर में आयीं | उन्होंने सीधा उसकी आँखों में देखा| उन्हें कुछ भी पूछने की ज़रुरत नहीं थी| "रूफ़स ने कहा कि वह हमेशा याद रखेगा कि आगे क्या हुआ होगा यह उसे इतना प्रभावित कर गयी जितनी कोई सजा न कर सकी| उसकी माँ उसे बेडरूम में ऊपर ले गयी,और उसके पास घुटनों के बल बैठ गयी, उसे अपनी बाहों में लिपटा लिया, और आंसू से भरे चहरे के साथ बार-बार एक ही प्रार्थना करने लगी कि 'हे प्रभु, इससे एक इंसान बना दो, इससे एक इंसान बना दो .' "यह कहा जाता है कि जब भी जोन्स ने यह कहानी बतायी उसकी आवाज गंभीर हो जाया करती थे, उसकी आँखें नम हो जाया करती थीं, क्योंकि वह`एक विशेष यादगार का अनुभव था, ”खड़े खड़े प्यार की बाहों में रोना" तुम क्या करते हो जब तुम्हारे बच्चे गलती करते हैं? डांट और पिटाई ठीक है, लेकिन यह हर समय काम नहीं करता प्यार का प्रयास करे आपको बेहतर परिणाम मिलेगा यह एक और कहानी है - एक बार एक औरत ने जिप्सी स्मिथ को
लिखा उसने कहा, "भाई स्मिथ मेरा मानना है कि प्रभु चाहता है किमैं शुभ समाचार का प्रचर करूँ, लेकिन दिक्कत यह है कि मुझे मेरे12 बच्चों  की देख -भाल  करनी पड़ती है| मैं क्या करूँ?" उसने उत्तर में यह पत्र प्राप्त किया: " प्रिय महिला, मैं खुश हूँ कि तुम उद्धार पा चुकी हो और प्रचार के लिए बुलाहट महसूस करती हो, लेकिन मैं इससे और भी अधिक खुश हूँ कि प्रभु ने पहले ही से12 की एक मण्डली आपको प्रदान की है!
क्या आपको पता है कि एक माँ की बुलाहट है?
क्या होगा अगर तुम दुनिया में प्रचार करो और अपने खुद के बच्चों को खो दो? जाने कि परमेश्वर तुम पर तुम्हारे परिवार के लिए भरोसा कर रहा है अब मैं तीसरी कहानी बाइबल से  बताने जा रहीं हूँ पढ़ें मत्ती 20:20 21 तब  जब्दी के पुत्रों की माता अपने पुत्रों के साथ उसके पास आईए और दंडवत करके निवेदन करने लगी | यीशु ने उससे कहा, "तू क्या चाहती है?" वह बोली, "आज्ञा दे कि तेरे राज्य में मेरे ये दोनों पुत्र एक तेरे दाहिने और एक तेरे बांये बैठे | सलोमी इन पुत्रों की माता थी, निः संदेह परमेश्वर ने उसे बुद्धी दी और उसने अपने पुत्रों की ज़िंदगी में जीवन बोला| इसी माता का छोटा पुत्र युहन्ना, सभी परीक्षाओं को झेल गया और अंत में वही है जिसे परमेश्वर ने भविष्य का प्रकाशन दिया | उसने बाइबल की अंतिम पुस्तक प्रकाशित वाक्य लिखी शुभ समाचार के सन्देश में सलोमी का ज़िक्र सिर्फ दो बार हुआ है|   सूली पर चढ़ाये जाने के वक्त  
पढ़ें मरकुस 15:40 कुछ स्त्रियाँ भी थीं, जो दूर से देख रहीं थीं, उन में मरियम मगदलीनी, छोटे याकूब और योसेस की माता मरियम तथा सलोमी थी | और पुनुरुत्थान के वक्त पढ़ें मरकुस 16:1 जब सब्त व्यतीत हो गया, तब मरियम मगदलीनी, याकूब की माता मरियम तथा सलोमी ने मसाले मोल लिए कि वे आकर यीशु पर मले| ये दोनों ही बहुत  महत्वपूर्ण दृश्य हैं, और इनसे पता चलता है कि सलोमी का उद्धारकर्ता परिवार के साथ एक बहुत लंबे समय से और करीबी रिश्ता था वह अंत तक यीशु के अनुयायियों में से सबसे वफादार बनीरही यह उसका पुत्र युहन्ना था जिस पर कि यीशु ने अंत में भरोसा किया और अपनी माँ को सौंपा और उसी ने प्रकाशित वाक्य की पुस्तक लिखी और याकूब उसका बड़ा पुत्र शहीदों में प्रथम प्रेरित था|       सलोमी प्रेरितों  के कार्य 2 में मौजूद थी, जब पवित्र आत्मा की सामर्थ यीशु की कलीसिया को दी गयी सलोमी एक प्रचारक थी अपने पुत्रों को यीशु को देकर उसने सबसे श्रेष्ठ बात करी क्या वे यीशु के दाहिनी ओर बैठें है या नहीं? पढ़ें मरकुस 10:40
परन्तु अपने दाहिने या बाएं बैठना मेरा काम नहीं, यह उन्ही के लिए है जिनके लिए तैयार किया गया है मेरा एक प्रश्न है कि क्या परमेश्वर ने युहन्ना और याकूब को वह स्थान दिया ?            हाँ!                                                     क्या उनकी माता सलोमी का उनके जीवन में कोई योगदान है? यदि हाँ, तो अवश्य ही जानों कि एक माता होने के नाते तुम्हारा भी परिवार में, अपनी संतानों के जीवन में बड़ा योगदान है फिर ऐसे में तुम भी क्या सलोमी बनाना चाहोगी? क्या कलीसिया के बनाने में खडी
होगी?                                                क्या परमेश्वर के राज्य का प्रचार करोगी? क्या अपने बच्चों को परमेश्वर की सेवा करने के लिए तैयार करोगी? जान लीजिये सबसे अच्छी बात मैं और आप कर सकते हैं वह है यीशु को अपने बच्चों को दे दीजिये उसे उन्हें प्रयोग में लेने दें |
उसे उनका स्वामी होने दें
उसे उनका मित्र होने दें उसे उनका नियंत्रण करने दें
उसे उनके मन शरीर और आत्मा का ध्यान रखने दें
कोई भी उन्हें हरा ना सके
कोई भी उन्हें चोट पहुंचा ना सके 
कोई भी उनका दिल ना तोड़ सके 
कोई भी उन्हें स्पर्श ना कर सके 
हमारे बच्चे यीशु की आँख का तारा बन जाएँ
तब वे संरक्षित किये जायेंगे
तब वे विजयी हो जांयेंगे
तब वे बुद्धिमान कहलायेंगे
तब वे उद्धार पाएंगे
तब वे चंगे हो  जांयेंगे
तब वे परमेश्वर के बेटों और बेटियों के नाम से जाने जांयेंगे
हम माताओं को अपने काम को कभी भी छोटा ना समझाना चाहिए
माताएं ये बात अवश्य जाने कि वे सम्पूर्ण जगत में वे सबसे प्रभावशाली है
किसी को भी अनुमति ना दें कि वे आपके जीवन से इस सबसे बड़ी उपलब्धि को जो परमेश्वर ने औरत व मन को दी है चुराने पाए
बोलो - मैं सलोमी की तरह होना चाहती हूँ और मेरी संताने परमेश्वर के आशीषित सेवक है
प्रार्थना - माताएं आप अपने बच्चो के सिर पर हाथ राख कर उन्हें आशीष दे

Yes Mothers, You Have a Calling!

Birth is a child’s first experience when he goes away from the warm, protected environment of his mother’s womb. He needs love and cuddling in order to overcome his fear of this unknown world.

Ruth Benedict, the social anthropologist says, “From the moment of his birth the custom in which he is born shapes his life experience and behavior. By the time he can talk, he is a little creature of his own culture, and by the time he is grown and able to take part in its activities, its habits are his habits, its beliefs are his beliefs, its impossibilities are his impossibilities.”                    

The influence a mother has on her children can be lasting impact on their personality.

I still remember, when my son was born I decided to quit the job till he was three year old. When he became three I started working as a secondary teacher but soon I realized the hours I was spending away from him were longer, I changed my job, I began to teach in a nursery school, so that I could take care of my son and give him good values. Today I am proud of him, he is well loved everywhere because of his ethics.

I thank God for the wisdom He gave me to raise my son.

Are you a mother?

Then you must know God has called you for the ministry of prophesy and intercession.

When your children go out you intercede for them

When your husband goes out you intercede for him

Speak wisdom upon your children’s life.

Whatever you will speak, no one will be able to omit that from their lives.

I tell this story from a journal (Clergy Journal, Apr 1993. Page 36)

"Rufus Jones often told a story from his childhood: It seems that one day when he was 12 or 13, his mother went to town, leaving him behind on the farm with some chores. He fully intended to do the work, but his friends' beckoning to play grew too loud. "When he saw his mother's car pull into the driveway that evening, his heart sank. He knew he was in for one of the worst whippings of his life. His mother parked the car and came into the house. She looked him straight in the eye. She didn't have to ask. "Rufus said he would always remember what happened next. It affected him as no whipping ever could. His mother took him upstairs into the bedroom, knelt down beside him, wrapped him in her arms, and, with tears streaming down her face, prayed one phrase over and over: `Lord, make a man out of him. Lord, make a man out of him.' "It is said that whenever Jones told that story his voice would grow quiet, his eyes misty, as he remembered that special feeling of `standing in the weeping arms of love.'"

What do you do when your children make mistakes?

Scolding and spanking is ok, but it does not work all the time.

Try love you will find better results.

This is another story- A woman once wrote Gipsy Smith, She said, "I believe the Lord wants me to preach the Gospel, Brother Smith, but the trouble is that I have 12 children to raise! What shall I do?" She received this letter in reply: "My dear lady, I am happy to hear that you have been saved and feel called to preach, but I am even more delighted to know that God has already provided you with a congregation of 12!

Do you know what is a mother’s calling?

What if you preach the world and your own children are lost?

So know thatGod is trusting in you for your family!

Now I am going to tell the third story from Bible

 Read Matthew 20:20-21
Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
"What is it you want?" he asked.  She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.

Salome was the mother of these sons. No doubt God gave her wisdom to speak life in her sons' lives. John the younger son of this mother, could survive all trials and ultimately he is the one who God gave the revelation for future. He wrote the book of Revelation, the last book of Bible.

In the Gospels, Salome appears in only two instances:  the Crucifixion

Read mark 15:40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.

And the Resurrection,

Read mark 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body.

These both are very important scenes, and both indicates that Salome had of a very long and close relationship with the Savior's family

she remained one of the most faithful followers of Jesus till the end.

It was to her son John that Jesus entrusted His own mother at the end and he wrote the Book of Revelation

And James her another son was the first apostle to be martyred.

Salome was present in Acts 2, when the power was given to the body of Christ

Salome was an evangelist

Offering her sons to Jesus was the best thing Salome could do

Are they at the right hand of Jesus or not?

Read Mark 10:40

but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared

I have a question, did God give that place to John and James?

Yes!

Did their mother Salome contribute something to their lives?

If yes, then you as mothers must know that you also have a great deal to do for your family

would you like to be like Salome?

Will you be a help for the building the body of Christ?

What have you desire about your children to be?

Let me tell you, the best thing I and you can do is to give our children to Jesus

Let him use them

Let him be their master

Let Him be their friend

Let him be in control

Let him take care of their mind body and soul

Let no one defeat them

Let no one hurt them

Let no one break their hearts

Let no one touch them

Let our children become the apples of Jesus eye

Then they will be protected

They will be victorious

They will be wise

They will be delivered

They will be healed

They will be called sons and daughters of God

We must never lessen the roles God has assigned each of us in life.                        

Mothers you must understand that you are the most influential people in the entire world.                                                                                                                                           

Don't let anyone rob you of your calling as a woman and mother.

Say- I want to be like Salome, and my children are anointed servants of God

Prayer- Mothers lay hands on your children and bless them

Lesson 13 The Fruit of the Spirit

Lesson 13 The Fruit of the Spirit: Christian Characte

Copr. 2010, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D.  All scripture references are to the New International Version (NIV), copr. 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society,  unless otherwise noted. Quotations from the NIV are used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you study.

Introduction: Have you ever heard of "hurry sickness?" In the United States we have all sorts of illnesses which are not considered a traditional illness.  Hurry sickness is one of these fake illnesses, and I have it.  I'm always in a hurry to finish whatever it is I'm doing.  Get it done, move on to the next task. Whenever I'm driving, I'm in a hurry. We will be driving to the airport to pick someone up and my wife will tell me to slow down because we will arrive too early. I know this is true, but find it hard to accept that advice.

This is the last in our series of studies about the fruits of the Spirit. Our study of the Bible this week suggests that the quality of our journey, rather than hurrying to heaven, is of most concern.

Let's dive into our study and find the cure to spiritual hurry  sickness!

     I.    First Things First

                 A.   Read Matthew 6:31-33. Do pagans have hurry sickness?  (Yes! They run after the things of this earth.)

1.   What does this tell Christians to do and what does it tell them not to do? (Not to worry about necessities. Rather, seek "His kingdom and His righteousness.")

a.   Are these two (His kingdom and His righteousness)related?

 (1)  Is the order of seeking important? If so, what does it mean to seek first God's kingdom, as opposed to God's                        righteousness? (This reflects the idea of salvation by faith first, and then setting the goal of living a righteous life.)

b.   Step back and contemplate these verses. What is being promised here? (That if we accept  salvation by faith, and pursue righteousness, we need not have to pursue anything else.)

c.   From time to time I read the writings of a minister whose theology I think is suspect. One day he wrote that he was going to suspend his Bible work, and take a break to make some money  to help secure his retirement. Since I did not like his theology, I thought this was a splendid idea! How does his idea square with Matthew 6? (It is contrary.)

 B.   Have you ever thought that if you made the advance of God's kingdom your primary goal, that it would not only  produce the fruits of the Spirit, but also provide   those  things the pagans are hurrying to obtain?

 II.  On the Glory road

 A.   Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-8. The letters engraved on stone are the Ten Commandments.  What glory, seen on the face of Moses, came with the Ten Commandments? (Read Exodus 34:29-30. Being in the presence of God made Moses' face  radiate with God's glory.)

 B.   Read 2 Corinthians 3:13-18. Do you have the possibility of your face reflecting the glory of God? (Yes!)

1.   Why did Moses have to use a veil and you do not? (The law did not lead the people around Moses to righteousness. Thus, they could not stand the glory of God. But, being saved by grace removes the need for a veil - for your face also reflects God's glory.)

2.   Once we see that glory "shine," on our faces, have we reached our goal? (By no means! We "are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory.")

3.   Friend, do you want people to be startled to see God's glory on your face?

 4.   How is such a transformation possible? (Notice the last part of 2 Corinthians 3:18 again: "which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." This is the work of the Holy Spirit in our life.  Perhaps the title for this lesson should have been: The Fruit of the Spirit is a glowing face.)

 C.   On our journey of life, we are not called to hurry after things, but we are called to radiate!

III. Lane guides

A.   Some modern cars are equipped with devices which sound an alarm if you have strayed outside your lane. Read 2 Corinthians 13:5-6. Should we have such a device monitoring our daily activities? (The Bible says that we should "test ourselves" to see if we are in the faith.)

 1.   What is the default position? That is, do we start out in faith or out of faith? (These are Christians,  so the Bible says the default position is "Christ  Jesus is in you." Unless, of course, "you fail the test."

 2.   What happens if we fail the test? (These verses suggest that we are not "in faith.")

B.   Read 2 Corinthians 13:7-9. What does Paul say about his own example? (He says he cannot do anything against the truth, but people might think he has failed the test.)

 1.   Does this mean Paul is not in the faith? (Paul is likely saying "No one is perfect, including me, but the goal is perfection.")

 C.   Read 2 Corinthians 13:11. What is the goal of our life? (To "aim for perfection."  To live a life that radiates the glory of God.)

 1.   What important concepts are included in the term "aim?" (Aiming is an intentional act. It is a

knowing decision. Aiming also means we have not yet  arrived.)

               D.   Read John 15:1-4. Can we be lost if we are not generally on the path to perfection? (If you do not "bear

          fruit"(the spiritual fruits we have been discussing), then we are subject to being cut off.)

                         1.   What is the key to bearing fruit? (Remaining in Jesus. The way Jesus states this, it seems so

               simple. How can a section of a plant bear fruit unless it remains attached to the main plant?)

               E.   Read John 15:9-10. What kind of test do we find here? When will our lane guard alarm go off? When will we know we have stopped radiating and have started hurrying? (When we stop obeying God's commandments.)

                         1.   Earlier we discussed (2 Corinthians 3:14) how the Ten Commandments made the minds of the people "dull." Does Jesus disagree with Paul?

               F.   Read John 15:12-17. Is Jesus suggesting a new approach to keeping the commandments? (I'm not sure it is new, but it is different than the approach taken at Mount Sinai. If we just grit our teeth and obey the Ten Commandments, we have taken the "dull mind" approach. We don't really understand what is going on. On the other hand, if we contemplate how Jesus loved us so much that He died a painful death on our behalf, and that He died that death to satisfy the requirements of the law when we could not, then that stirs a loving desire in our hearts to show love to others by obeying God's commands.)

                         1.   Can you see the practical difference between the two approaches?

                         2.   What does Jesus' discussion about servants and friends reveal to us? (A servant is like a young

               child - you just tell them what to do. Explanations are unneeded. You cannot just tell a friend or peer what to do. You need to explain it so they share your goal. We must not treat the Ten Commandments like a bunch of rules to follow to get the reward of heaven. Instead, we should treat them like an insider's guide to a loving relationship with God and others.)

               G.   Friend, our current connection to God is through  His Spirit. Will you, today, start praying that the Holy

          Spirit will come upon you in power to give you the right attitude so that the fruits we have discussed in this

          series will be shown in your life?  Will you pray that your life will move forward on the path to perfection?

          Will you seek to radiate God's glory rather than just hurrying along the path of life?

     IV.  Next week: We start a new series on health.

You are an overcomer/तुम विजेता हो

तुम विजेता हो                                                           जोएस मायेर का यह कहना मुझे बहुत पसंद है कि हमारे जीवन में रोज़ नए अवसर और चुनौतियाँ आती है | इससे कोई भी बचा नहीं है | 

जिन्दगी पल-पल में बितती है | हम अपने जीवन में जिस भी हाल से गुजर रहें हो, हमारा परमेश्वर उन स्थितियों को संभालने में कहीं अधिक सक्षम है | अच्छा हो कि हम परमेश्वर पर भरोसा रखने का निर्णय ले, और एक पल एक समय में जियें|

बाइबल में दाउद की कहानी हमें सिखाती है कि अपने लक्ष पर केन्द्रित रहो |परमेश्वर ने तुम्हें जिस काम के लिए बुलाया है उस पर अपना ध्यान लगाये रखो | दुष्ट को अपना भाग्य चुराने मत दो |

बोलो - परमेश्वर के द्वारा निर्धारित भाग्य की ओर में आगे बढूँगा|

पढ़ें 1 शमुएल 17:22-31,45-49                                                                                                28सवें पद में लिखा है कि जैसे ही दाउद ने बलशाली गोलियत के बारे में पूछा उसका भाई एलिआब भड़क पड़ा |

क्या दाउद ने उससे जवाब तलब किया?

नहीं, लोगों से वाद-विवाद करने से समस्या का हल नहीं मिलता है, बल्कि कलह और झगड़े से हमारा ध्यान भटक सकता है|

दाउद जानता था कि उसका असली युद्ध गोलियत से है और वह अपने ध्यान को बटने नहीं देना 

चाहता था |

हम अपने जीवन में बहुत बार कुंठित हो जाते हैं, जिससे दुष्ट को हमारे जीवन में प्रवेश करने का मौका मिल जाता है |

क्या हम शैतान को पैर रखने की जगह देंगें?

या फिर हम शत्रु की ओर पीठ कर लेगे और परमेश्वर ने जिस काम के लिए बुलाया है उस पर केन्द्रित रहेंगे?

यदि हम परमेश्वर की ओर टकटकी लगाये रहेंगे तो विजय हमारी होगी |

लेकिन ज्यादा तर हम विवाद के झमेले में पड़ जातें हैं | किसी ने तुमसे कुछ कहा और तुम्हें  लगा कि यह बात तुम्हारे विरोध में है तो इससे तुम तनाव, विवाद और विभाजन के फंदे में गिर सकते हो|

पढ़ें नीतिवचन  17:14                                                                                                                                     झगड़े का आरम्भ मानो पानी के फूट निकलने के सामान हैं, अतः झगडा होने से पहले उसे त्याग दो|

यह शत्रु का बहुत भारी फंदा है ताकि लोग विजयी जीवन ना जी सकें |

लेकिन तुम इससे पहले कि यह विवाद का मुद्दा बन जाए उसे छोड़ दो |

तुम्हे अपने को सही साबित करने की कोई जरुरत नहीं है |

हो सकता है कि वे लोग गलत हो पर फिर भी तुम्हें अपने इर्द-गिर्द के लोगों को सही करने का हक़ नहीं दिया गया है 

तुम्हे ज़रूरत है कि तुम लोगों के साथ अपने सम्बन्ध ठीक बनाए रखो, क्योंकि अगर एक बार रिश्तों में दरार आ जाए तो ना पटने वाला गड्ढा बन सकता है| इसलिए -

शान्ति का मार्ग खोजा

दूसरों के लिए आशीष बन सको ऐसा मार्ग अपनाओ

ऐसे खट-पट के मौको पर शांत खड़े रहो और परमेश्वर की अनुकम्पा का अनुभव करो 

पढ़ें भजन संहिता 37:23                                                                                                               मनुष्य के कदम यहोवा दृढ करता है....

जब हम कठिन दौर से गुजर रहें होते हैं, हमसे कुछ गलत निर्णय भी हो जाते हैं, लेकिन अगर तुम परमेश्वर की मर्जी में रहना चाहते हो तो 

भला हो कि तुम परमेश्वर पर भरोसा रखो और उसकी शांति को उस स्थिति में काम करने दो |

तुम्हारे जीवन में ऐसी परस्थिति आ सकती है कि तुम दूसरे व्यक्ति के द्वारा गलत व्यवहार का अनुभव करो, इससे तुम्हें तकलीफ महसूस हो सकती है, लेकन स्मरण रहें परमेश्वर बिना दैवीय कारण के किसी भी चुनौती को तुम्हारे जीवन में ना आने देगा |

परमेश्वर उन कठिन परिस्थितियों को हमे बढ़ाने में, परिपक्व होने में तथा आगे बढ़ाने में प्रयोग करता है 

एक बार फिर पढ़ें भजन संहिता 37:23

कौन तुम्हारे कदमों को दृढ करता है?

बोलो- परमेश्वर मेरे कदमों को दृढ करता है 

इसलिए तुम ऐसी स्थिति में क्या करोगे?

परमेश्वर पर भरोसा रखो, सीधा रुख अपनाओ, क्योंकि तुम्हारे कदमों को दृढ करने वाला, तुम्हें आगे ले जाने वाला, परमेश्वर है और उसके पास तुम्हारे लिए अति उत्तम योजना है |

क्या तुम चाहते हो कि परमेश्वर की अति उत्तम इच्छा तुम्हारे जीवन में हो?

हाँ!

बोलो - कलह, विवाद को ना, बड़-बड़ाने को ना, झगड़े को ना, बहस को ना 

पढ़ें फिलिप्पियों 1:6                                                                                                                            मुझे इस बात का निश्चय है कि जिसने तुममें भला कार्य आरम्भ किया है, वही उसे मसीह यीशु के दिन तक पूर्ण भी करेगा |

परमेश्वर को तुम्हारा नेतृत्व करने दो, अगर तुम असुविधाजनक स्थिति में हो तो जान लो, इस क्षेत्र में तुम्हें बढ़ने की जरूरत है| 

इसलिए- 

लोगों की शिकायत मत करो

लोगों के प्रति कटु मत बनो

लोगों का समर्थन पाने की कोशिश मत करो 

लोगों की सहानुभूति पाने की कोशिश मत करो

बोलो - धन्यवाद प्रभु यीशु कि आप मुझे तोड़ रहें हैं 

बोलो - धन्यवाद प्रभु यीशु कि आप मुझे बना रहें हैं 

पढ़ें यिर्मयाह 18:3-6                                                                                                                           तब में कुम्हार के घर गया वह चाक पर कुछ बना रहा था | परन्तु मिटटी का जो बर्तन वह बना रहा था, उसके हाथों में ही बिगड़ गया अतः जैसा उसे भाया उसने उससे दूसरा बर्तन बना डाला| तब यहोवा का यह वचन मेरे पास पहुंचा, "हे इस्राएल के घराने क्या मैं भी इस कुम्हार की तरह तुम्हारे साथ व्यवहार नहीं कर सकता?

परमेश्वर हमारा कुम्हार है, वह हमे हर दिन अच्छा बनाना चाहता है | जब कभी हम जीवन में चुनौती का सामना करते है वास्तव में वह हमारे रवैये को 

नया आकार देने की क्रिया है | 

अपनी स्थितियों, परिस्थितियों और निराशा को बोलो कि मैं सही लोगों के साथ, सही जगह और सही समय पर हूँ!

अपनी पैस्थितियों से भागो नहीं बल्कि परमेश्वर की ओर भागो और उसे तुम्हारे जीवन में काम करने दो 

परमेश्वर तुम्हें जहाँ भी जाओगे वहां पर शांति, प्रेम और आशीष देगा

परमेश्वर तुम्हे ज्ञान देगा ताकि तुम हर स्थिति में विजयी हो 

प्रार्थना - पिता प्रभु यीशु के नाम पर! मैं आपसे माफ़ी मांगता हूँ कि बहुत बार अपनी परिस्थितियों से घबराकर मैंने गलत कदम लिया है जिससे मुझे हानि ही पहुँची है, मैं चाहूँगा कि आप मेरे जीवन को नया आकार दे जो आपको भला लगता है, क्योंकि आप मेरे कुम्हार है, और अपने राज्य के लिए प्रयोग करें|

अमीन

You are an overcomer

I like the way Joyce Meyer says that every day brings opportunity and challenge into our lives. No one is exempt. Life happens one day at a time. God is more than able to handle anything you may ever have to face in life. Make a decision today to live by faith, one day at a time!

What do you think?

In the  Bible, we read the story of David that tells us to be focused. Keep your focus on what God has called you to do. Do not allow the devil to rob your destiny.

Say- I will move forward in the destiny God has in store for me

Read 1 Samuel 17:22-31,45-49                                                                          In verse 28, as soon as David opened his mouth and inquired about giant Goliath, his brother Iliab became very angry with him.

Did David argue with him?

No! Arguing with people doesn't help, it leads us to strife and we may become defocused.

If we are defocused we are unable to do God’s will and this is what enemy is looking for.

David knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn't want to be defocused.

In our lives we face frustrations every now and then, this allows Devil to have excess in our lives.

Are we going to give a foothold to the devil?

Or are we going to turn away from enemy and keep our focus on what God has called us to do?

Focus on what God has called you to do will bring the victory.

But most of the time we fall into the trap of strife. Someone says something to you and you feel it is against you and it can cause you tension, dispute, and division.

Read Proverb 17:14                                                                                                         Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out"

It's the enemy's greatest trap to keep people from living in victory. But you can simply drop the matter and avoid the situation.

You don't have to argue with them and try to prove that you're right.Even if they are wrong you aren't in charge to correct everybody around you.

You need to find a way to maintain your relationship with people, because once broken it becomes a crater. So-

Look for peace.

Look for ways to be a blessing to others.

Stay calm in the time of dispute and experience the blessing God has for you

Read Psalm 37:23                                                                                                                     The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…"

Sometimes, when we face difficult situations, we make wrong choices. But if you want to follow God’s will in your life, then learn to stay in faith and allow God’s peace to rule over any situation.

There may be a situation that you feel that other person is treating you wrong, you may feel uncomfortable but remember God will not allow a challenge to come into your life without a divine purpose for it.

God uses those difficult situations to grow us and take us to another level.

Read again Psalm 37:23

Who orders your steps?

Say - God orders my steps.

So what will you do in  such a situation?

Stay in faith, have a positive attitude because God is leading you and has a plan for you.

Do you want God’s will in your life?

Yes!

Say - No to Strife, no to murmuring, no to quarreling, no to disagreement

Read Philippians 1:6                                                                                                                   He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"

Allow God to lead you in every situation. When you face uncomfortable situation, that means, you need to grow in that area.

So don’t complain,

Don’t get bitter,

Don’t try to convince people in your favor,

Don’t behave pity

Say thank you Jesus you are breaking me

Say thank you Jesus you are making me

Read Jeremiah 18:3-6                                                                                                               So I went down to the potter’s house and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hand so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.Then the word of the Lord came to me, O house 0f Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?

God is our potter and He wants to make us better each day. Whenever we face challenges in our lives that is actually shaping of our attitude.

Say to your Situations, circumstances and discouragements, I am with right people, at the right place, and right time

Don’t run from the situation but run to God and allow Him to work in you.

God will grant you peace, love and blessing everywhere you go.

God will give you wisdom and victory in your situation.

Trust in Him to order your foot steps, He will give you strength and understanding to do right.

Prayer -

Father in the name of Jesus! I ask you to forgive me for taking wrong steps many times in my life that has caused me trouble. Now I would like you to re-shape me the way you want me to be. You are my potter so make me and use me for your kingdom.

Amen