When JESUS is the object of my faith...All things are Possible !

(this message was preached  in its entirety on 29th January 2014 at the Greater Grace Church, Mumbai-India)

Hebrews 11:6 says without faith its impossible to please GOD.

GOD has put a measure of faith in every person's life. In our life we place out faith in many things. But in whom do we place our faith ?
That's why everyone can place our faith in CHRIST. Anyone can do it. We think that the size of my faith will be proportionate to the results.But JESUS said - Faith as small as a mustard seed !

We often think that GOD can do things for those who have more faith. But its really not how much but whom have we placed our faith in.
When I know GOD and understand who HE is then the size of my faith doesn't matter.
You may have faith as tiny as a mustard seed but that's all GOD wants.

GOD doesn't give us faith to change HIS will but to accept HIS will... Faith to understand HIS will...
In Acts  Paul is released in a day after a day
Acts 24 Paul is released after 2.5 yrs.

Its wasn't about Paul's faith but about GOD's will.

Not the faith to push in my strength.

This life of faith is a journey. When we became believers the answers came faster. Now its a place of growth. Its a journey where we grow in faith. Not overnight.

Mt 14 the storm in the sea. The professional fishermen couldn't handle the storm. JESUS walks on the water. And calls Peter. Peter saw the circumstances and began to drown. It seemed like Peter failed but he grew in faith. Comparatively the 11 apostles failed. They didn't even step out. Peter's faith was radical. He could walk on water because his eyes were on CHRIST.

That's the journey of faith.

There are times we will be called to take this step of faith. Failures shouldn't make a difference. What people say when we are responding to faith shouldn't make a difference.

If I take my eyes off CHRIST and HIS Word my faith will not grow.

If I keep walking by faith...I will grow !

The only thing that will hold us back is my past, my failures, and people.

In Numbers Chapter 13 out of the 12 spies sent to the Promised Land 10 gave a negative report. And 2 spies believed GOD and not their sight ! The majority isn't right if its HIS call. Today we remember Caleb and Joshua but not the other 10. Because of their faith.

Nothing will happen overnight... Its a journey.

There is a place where our faith gets tested. We are all curious about a place called 'The future' ...but GOD takes us there with complete dependence on JESUS. Face the unknown future completely dependent on ME and you will have fun.

Just trust HIM !

In life.. Whatsoever I give to GOD HE will give back multiplied. Anything I hold in my hands, anything I don't give to GOD will become an area of worry for me.
In life.. Whatsoever I give to GOD HE will give back multiplied. Anything I hold in my hands, anything I don't give to GOD will become an area of worry for me.
Abraham gave Issac - his most cherish loved treasured son. What did GOD give Abraham in return ? GOD gave him Isaac and descendants that outnumbered the stars of the sky and the sands on the shore.
Are we going to give GOD all our heart, all our mind, all our soul. There are things we don't want to give into the hand of GOD.

1 Cor 1:9 10:13 GOD is faithful and trustworthy.
Are we going to give GOD all our heart, all our mind, all our soul. There are things we don't want to give into the hand of GOD.
1 Cor 1:9 10:13 GOD is faithful and trustworthy.
1 Cor 1:9 10:13 GOD is faithful and trustworthy.
There are areas and times in my life when I'm not sure about what to do. Then I turn my eyes on JESUS. What GOD starts in my life HE finishes. The plan and purposes for our life JESUS will fulfill.
This faith overcomes the world. The faith put in JESUS CHRIST.

HE is not a tough task master HE is a loving SAVIOR.

If you knew CHRIST was praying for u how would that make you feel.... ???

HE is able and HE can !
There are areas and times in my life when I'm not sure about what to do. Then I turn my eyes on JESUS. What GOD starts in my life HE finishes. The plan and purposes for our life JESUS will fulfill.
This faith overcomes the world. The faith put in JESUS CHRIST.
HE is not a tough task master HE is a loving SAVIOR.

HE is able and HE can !
HE is not a tough task master HE is a loving SAVIOR.
If u knew CHRIST was praying for u how would that make you feel.... ???
When object of my faith is JESUS...

Lamentation 3:23 Great is HIS faithfulness

Does GOD have favorites ? ? ?

(this message was preached  in its entirety on 19th January 2014 at the Greater Grace Santacruz Church, Mumbai-India)


Does GOD have favorites ? Are some people special to GOD ?

GOD wants to be close to everyone...
Many people want to be close to GOD, however not everyone is willing to pay the price. There is a price to pay... Obedience !

I Samuel 15:22 says Obedience is better than sacrifice...

Some people seem to have a closeness with GOD, a powerful prayer-life, a GOD centered thought-life, a peaceful countenance, a joyful heart ! We wonder what makes the difference.... They paid the price. They daily made a choice to draw near to GOD 

In Exodus 19:23 The Glory of GOD descended upon Mt Sinai.

However GOD forbids all the people from coming close to the mountain or they would die. They could only watch His presence come down on the mountain but not touch it. They belonged to the outer circle.

Not because GOD was being biased but because GOD knew their heart. HE knew that they didn't really love HIM. They say with their lips they want to follow GOD but their hearts are far from HIM. They have a golden calf in their life - materialism, pride, jobs, friends or things that are obstacles in growing deep with GOD.

The outer crowd sits in church but they are not worshiping GOD ! Just satisfied observing from a distance...

In Chapter 24:9 GOD calls the elders - Moses, Joshua, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and 70 elders are called to be on the mountain with GOD. 

The elders of Israel saw the Glory of GOD. They reach half way. They eat and drink there. They see the pavement as clear as sapphire.

Yet no commitment, no convinction ! When the time came to take a stand for GOD, they agreed with the majority !!!

Being regularly in church does not mean my relationship with GOD is deep. If I dont let the Word work in my life, then my life hasn't truly change.

When they looked at the Glory of GOD they saw a consuming fire. They didn't choose to draw close to know the loving living GOD.

Exodus 24:13-15 is a picture of the believer who is moving closely with GOD. They love to serve GOD when no one is looking...

As the mountain gets higher people are fewer. Only Moses and Joshua are high up on the mountain.

Why was Joshua there with Moses?

We read that in Exodus 33:11, When Moses left the Tent of Meeting, Joshua did not leave. He lingered there.
Joshua had a hunger... A thirsting after the Living GOD. Like Psalm 42:1-2 

The church is far away from the camp, and those who sought the LORD would choose to walk that distance to the tent of meeting (verse 7). And then there was also another group that worshiped from their doorposts... from a distance...

If you hunger after GOD you will look for places and opportunities to meet with HIM !

Are you comfortable with the distance ? 

OR

Do you want to draw close ?