Tuesday, 29 January 2013

Samuel Machado's message on 23rd January

We all know that ‘Grace’ is the unconditional favor from God and ‘Mercy’ is the divine forgiveness received from God, that we do not deserve. But today the Spirit of the Lord, urges us to mediate on His Divine Grace, which is falsely preached in most of the churches. Most of the Churches follow the 'Word of Faith Movement' which preaches on just Believing the word of God and having things accomplished. It shares teachings with prosperity theology, but they are not the same thing. We need to carefully discern in Spirit the activities which are taking place in the Church. Nowadays the churches are packed with events, celebrations, prayer camps and busy ministry works, but without involving God in it.

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions, it is by grace you have been saved.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast." Eph 2:2-9

God is more interested in you and not in what you do. He does not care if you write, preach or do any great work, but your personal fellowship with Him does matter to Him a lot. This is given greater attention by God. Stephen of the early apostolic age was filled by the Spirit of the God which made Him to preach an amazing end-to-end gospel. He was called to serve tables, but the Spirit of the Lord moved in him so strongly that he ended up delivering the message of God to a great crowd, which would soon stone Him to death.

"I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication." Zechariah 12:10

Yes, that is referred to as the Spirit of Grace which moves every person of the present age to do greater things for Christ. If we who have tasted such great Grace from the Lord, keep ourselves quiet then we are not filled by His Spirit yet. If we are still bothered about our own house, prosperity and well-being then the purpose of Christ's grace is not achieved.

Riches of His Grace expressed to us in Christ Jesus moves us to care more for our brethren and reach for all the souls which is spread across the world. Whatever we have today in our life is by His complete Grace. Hence, if there is something which is deceiving us in not caring for our loved ones to have the Amazing Grace of Christ shared, let us be more vigilant about it and pray earnestly.

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you." Titus 2:11-15

Stop yourself from getting involved in ungodly things such as addiction to face-book, YouTube or any other social networking sites. Try to spend more time in knowing Christ better every day. Let our hearts long for our Master, as a bride would wait upon to see His Master. Have our hearts ever longed to see the coming of the Lord or are we still glued to the riches of this world? Church wake up, 'You' are the Church, the Spirit of the Lord wants to use you today to make the message of Gospel reach to the ends of the earth.

Arise & Shine for Jesus.
Amen

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