I am convinced...April 2020

I am convinced

God's Shadow Promise Word: April 2020

..For I am convinced that no created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord (Romans 8:38,39b, paraphrased)

Dearly beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Loving Greetings!

Surely, the planet in which we are living is facing one of the toughest times, if not the worst, since the dawn of year 2020.   The people all traversing through an unprecedented, unimaginable and unfamiliar terrain of their lives.  None would ever have thought that our country, would become the next big potential target of this novel pandemic. Ever since the menace of Covid-19 spreading thick and fast was announced, the country shut itself down thus bringing the economy to a grinding halt.  Locked in our homes, we are now totally confounded.  When will it end?  Will me and my family escape this pandemic?  How are we going to compensate the losses in jobs and business?  How will I get my meal?  Who will meet my needs, when I am in the confines of my home? How will life be for those who are not used to anything other than labouring?  are some of the questions to which no one seems to have an answer. Looks like our people are caught "between the devil and deep blue sea". 

Beginning of the end

On the one hand, the people of God, in humility and contrition have been crying out to God seeking his mercy and intervention to put an end to this pestilence.   Truly our God who is full of compassion and love, would remember that we humans are only a clay mound in his hands.   We also know that he is a prayer hearing-answering God who could, by sending one word, heal the nations.  Only he, he alone can, cause an end to this pandemic.  Yet, if we peruse the scene with prophetic eye-glass, we can see that these things appear as a pointer to the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (Mathew 24). Amongst other things, our Lord did speak of pestilences. Summing it up, Jesus made one emphatic statement: This will be the beginning of sorrows.  At a time and hour, when the whole world is waiting and hoping for the virus to disappear from the scene, how must we understand this powerful utterance of Jesus.  Intriguing indeed!

Reflect, Resolve, Remain

These days, the Government is incessantly re-emphasising, reiterating, reminding us about social distancing and staying indoor in all the ways it can.   Besides enforcing lock-down, watch-words are introduced to drill this aspect deep into our lives.  The oft quoted slogan is: "Be alert, be alone, Be safe".   Why so much insistence?   If we stay alert, stay safe in the confines of our home, we can easily avert the spread of this virus and preserve our health, wellness and even life.

While it is true that the Word of God speaks of an increase in sorrows and troubles during the end times, it does conclude by saying, "Him that endures till the end shall be saved".    Here the term 'saved', does not speak of general salvation.   The Greek word sozo for saved means being protected or being preserved. Yes, if you steadfastly abide you will be saved.  You will be saved, protected, preserved, guarded even in the middle of tribulations.  Hallelujah!  God has not appointed us for destruction, but for salvation.

Abide in what? (Mathew 24:12,13)

When troubles, travails, failures, setbacks and losses multiply in our lives, it is but natural for a person to get worried, threatened, frustrated, annoyed and even demotivated (vs 12).  But Jesus speaks of someone who would endure, even in the midst of all things, till the end.  Is it really possible?  Enduring such hard times, certainly is not going to be easy.  Then what does God expect of me?  Here the endurance, is not enduring in the hard times.  It is enduring, abiding, remaining in LOVE!  Because, during those difficult times, the greatest casualty which can happen to us is the 'death' of love towards God and men. Paul says, "now remains faith, hope and love. But greatest of all these is love" (1 Corinthians 13)

One who is full of love, one who bears the fruit of love, one who walks in love and the one who remains in love will only be saved, preserved and protected!

Love will overcome trials

Apostle Paul while writing to the believers in Rome says resolutely and emphatically that none of the trials, difficulties, challenges, ignominies and sufferings has the ability to separate him from the love, bonding and union which he enjoys with Christ (Romans 8:37-39)

Tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword…

Not just the above, he goes on to say that neither the things present, nor the things to come, neither any power nor any authority, neither the highs nor the lows of life or any created thing of this world, neither life nor death…I am convinced that nothing can separate me from God! Amen.

His is convinced about two things, in his life

(1) None - no creating thing - can separate from the love of Jesus

(2) The love of Jesus will make me an overcome  

We do expect God's blessings, God's promotion, God's increase to follow us when we follow Jesus. Even the Bible promises that it will be so.  But Paul's list of 'followers' look different.   One who follows Jesus, only for blessings can only be a wretched Christian.   Bible warns that the one who seeks God only for the things of this world is the most pitiable of all.   But the one whose only aim to become Christ-like, he is wonderful Christian, in the sight of God. To him cross will not be a burden, to him suffering will be so sweet.  Even in the midst of trials and tribulations, his love, his affection, his trust, his confidence in Jesus will not be shaken.  No challenge, no created thing, no, not even a virus can thwart his single-mindedness!

No Lockdown for Love

A determination or a decision, such as this, does not make us immune to despondencies.    From nowhere, unforeseen losses, strange obstacles, unjust lockdowns, parched wilderness will cross your path or if I might say, come as unsolicited guests.   Paul's famous antidote for such a scenario remains the same - yesterday, today and even tomorrow.  God will work everything together for our God to those who love him, to those who are called according to his purpose.  Watch out!  Here again the key-word is 'those who love him'.  Love never fails!

Today, we are being forced to stay indoors to maintain social distancing.   This has separated us from the society-travel-business-jobs-trade and even ministerial ventures.  But for a child of God and a diligent student of God's word, this should not appear strange.   Do you know that some of the celebrated Saints in the Scriptures, cherished heroes of the Bible also experienced lockdowns in their life?  The way they approached the lockdowns was exceptional!   At the end of the lockdown they reaped goodness, growth, promotion and blessings!

The conduct and conversation of Israelites, when locked down in a wilderness invited God's wrath.   A wrong example this.

The one whom God recognized as "my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased" was pushed to a wild wilderness.  The Bible says, he spent 40 days and nights there.  Jesus never grumbled, lamented, worried or even complained to his father for such a detour.  Through prayer and fasting he converted wilderness into a winning ground to defeat satan.  A wise example this!

Lockdown Leaders

Holy Bible beautifully lists and captures the victory stories of people who were shut-in, locked-down, pushed-out in their lives.  They are familiar and famous men of God.  These men too, at some stage of their life, experienced sudden and unprecedented shut-ins in their own lives.   The faith, trust, hope, confidence and love which they placed in their God helped them to safely navigate through the dark days of lockdown and reach the shores of glory and greatness.  During these challenging times, these characters preach to us a lesson or two, prescribe a good example, pronounce a solid message.   Since the instances are well known, instead of delving deep into the stories we will only take a distinctive look at the key take-aways. 

(1) Locked in an ark, Led a new generation! (Gen Ch. 7 to 9)

God told Noah to make an ark and urged his family to enter into the same on a particular day.  God shut the ark from outside and opened the flood gates of heaven.  Noah had no clue whatsoever as to how long this lock down will last.  Just like us, he would have also had lot of questions   Noah, who has obedient to God in all his ways waited for God's time.  God did not forsake him.  God remembered Noah and opened the door to him and his family.   Since all mankind, except Noah and his family, were destroyed in the floods, now Noah led a new generation.  God blessed Noah and his family members.  Noah became a blessing to generation.  If you remain steadfast in obedience and trust, God will also bless you to raise a new generation. A generation for Christ! Amen.

(2)Locked in slavery, Led the nation out crisis (Gen  Ch 37-43)

Jacob's darling son Joseph had received a great vision from God.   Whether his brothers committed treachery or his trust was tested, we don't know, the star kid becomes a slave in a foreign land.  In an unjust manner, this slave is now put in prison.  None to help him in a strange country.  Languishing in prison, for a crime not committed, Joseph, just like us would have wondered as to why such a thing has fallen upon him.  Despite the disgrace, disappointment and despondent situation, Joseph clung to his God.  His love toward God, his good deeds toward men, his commitment to holiness never waned. A day came. He was summoned before the King. Joseph revealed King's dream and became the Governor of Egypt.  Overnight, prisoner became prince. The prince became a blessing to the nation. His plan and proposal not only safeguarded Egypt, he became the source of provision and comfort to his own family in times of great famine.   If you abide in love and trust him, even during lockdown, God will make you a blessing to your country as well to your own family. Amen

(3) Locked near a brook, Lifted up a loser (1 Kings 17)

Israel's greatest and most celebrated Prophet Elijah was the one who brought jitters in the King's court and sounded death-knell to false prophets through his ministry.  One fine day, God asked Elijah to go and hide beside a listless brook.  How can God ask a such a powerful servant to do such a petty thing? The Prophet who knew not the art of questioning of disobeying God, immediately gave himself to a lock-down in a wilderness.  How will he get his food in the wilderness?  Unexpected Ubereats guy (in the form of a raven) brings him meat.  Praise God!   Even this, did not last long.  Kerith brook, the only source of water in a rain-drained land, went dry.   For the next meal, God asked Elijah to go and meet a poor widow in the land of Zarepath.  This woman who was about to end her life along with than of her son, had not more than a meagre flour and oil for a bread.  Prophet Elijah neither questioned nor backed away from asking bread from the family of a wretched woman.  He fully submitted to God.  Elijah's submission wrought a great miracle in the life of that poor widow whose house never lacked flour or oil during the entire period of famine.   Elijah's submission changed the widow's destiny and she became a blessing to her own city.  Unthinkable lockdowns can come even in the life of a great servant of God, a reputable personality.  Our faithfulness and submission to God's move, even lockdowns, would make us a blessing to lift up the life of a dying soul, a losing family.  Amen!

(4)Locked in a jail, Launched a new life (Acts 16)

The anti-christian Saul, no sooner he encountered Lord Jesus, chose to follow him zealously in all his ways.  He went about preaching, teaching, admonishing, expounding, proving that Jesus alone is Lord and Saviour.  God began to use him powerfully wherever he ventured. Many were touched, many lives were transformed.  On one occasion, after a successful ministry trip when Paul and Silas were on their way to another city, they casted out a deadly spirit of divination from a woman.  Sadly, this powerful demonstration ended in an anti-climax.  Falsely charged, they were badly beaten and bruised, their clothes were rent and in a sudden turn of events they were put in an inner prison with their feet fastened in the stocks.  As the servant of Most High God Paul was only leading people towards Jesus.   This was really unfortunate and uncalled for, you may think.   However, Paul and Silas still in pains and agony chose not to cry or lament in the prison.  They turned the prison cell into worship place.   In the middle of the night, they sang praises to God!  An ordinary praise, that was.  But extraordinary events followed that night.  Paul's worshipped triggered earthquakes, broke the chains, unlocked the prison doors. Astonished and dumbfounded by the power of God, the jailer gave his life to Jesus.  The same night his whole family was saved.  An unjust jailbird ushered in a whole family at Phillipi to Kingdom of God. A man who was locked-down unreasonably became a messenger of Salvation to a whole family in Phillipians. Not just a family, he opened the gospel doors to a whole new generation, to a gentile city.

Dear brothers and sisters, maybe a fear concerning this pandemic or an uncertainty surrounding this three-week lockdown period might have caused, in some of you or in the life of your friends, a deep mental agony.  Let it not be so! This indoor life should not feed fear, but should sprout faith in our Lord Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever.  The lives of the locked-out saints encapsulated above should motivate us to seek him more, serve him more, love him more, even during this terrible times.  A day will come, when the curtains will be lifted and you will come out victorious, like fat calves, emboldened and enabled to do great exploits for the Lord.

Sum and substance:

Two major insights.  One, you must know.  One, you must be convinced of

(1) Like our locked-out saints Noah, Joseph, Elijah and Paul we will one day come out of this experience.  But the difference is in what shape you will come out.  If you abide in love, you will come out as a blessing to families, to cities, to nations.  Do Know this.

(2) Whatever be your lockdown, slavery, captivity, prison, none can separate you from the love of Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.   What a powerful motivator!  No force, no power, no creature can destroy the one who walks in love.   If I abide in love, until the end, I will be saved.  Be convinced of this.

In these days, let us learn to abide in God's presence, God's Word and God's Love.

God will do great things.

God bless you.

 Vinod Kumar

God's Shadow Ministries

9840011374, 9840995057

In His service,

Vinod Kumar R

9840011374, 9840995057

In His service,

Vinod Kumar R

9840011374, 9840995057