Pursuing Excellence

“So that you may approve the things that are excellent” – Philippians 1:10

Summarize in a Word: Pursuing Excellence

Illustration: Pilot and the directionless flight

Exhortation: Look at your life. Is it filled with… virtues?

Suggestions for Prayer: Ask God to give you a heart constantly set on pursuing excellence for His glory.

Guest Author: John F. MacArthur

There's the story of a pilot who came on the loudspeaker mid-flight and said, "I have some good news and bad news. The bad news is we've lost all our instrumentation and don't know where we are. The good news is we have a strong tail wind and are making great time." That's an accurate picture of how many people live: they have no direction in life but they're getting there fast!

Image Scripture: Psalm 73:26

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

For Audio in Hebrew click here

For Audio in English (ESV) click here

For Audio in Hindi click here

“Expect nothing from man; and accept everything in God.”

Two Scripture portions come to mind to explain this statement. Psalm 146:3 where it says, “Do not put your trust in man” and Job 2:10 where Job says, “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?”

I shall not take much space to exposit them. Here is the point: We cannot afford to put our trust in man (not the biological male, but the human being). We are only to trust in God. Psalmist says that man is incapable of trust for help; he is just temporal. Whereas we should trust in God because God is our Creator and He owns everything (v5-6). Verses 7-10 further describe God that He remains faithful even when we are miserably down. V10 he is the ultimate and everlasting King. Thus, verse 5 – Blessed is he who has put his trust in God, and not in man.” If you do so, verses 1-2 will be your song “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”

Now, let us go to Job 2:10 because we know from our experience, Christian life is never smooth. It is a way of trials, chastisements, and sufferings. We often lose what we value. Sometimes, we did not get what we like. Things do not work out as we like. Here is the point “Accept everything in God.” Job did that. He accepted everything – good or bad; because he knew, God is in control. God never commits mistakes. We, who are Christians, have more assurance than Job, for we have God’s word like Romans 8:28 – “all things, good or bad as we think “will” work out for good so that we may become more like Christ.”

In conclusion, do not expect (run after) the comforts of man. Do not rely (put your security) on people – finance or anything. When you are in deep trouble, accept everything in God knowing He is in control.

What is your Pursuit?

 “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” – Philippians 3:8 (ESV)

Summarize in a Word: What is your pursuit?

Key Principle: Christ surpasses everything!

Key Application: Pursue Christ

Main point of the Passage: Anything and everything apart from Christ is Rubbish.

Illustration: Paul’s worldly achievement as dung

Exhortation: Think about the riches, glories, and power of Christ for those who pursue Him.

All of us are in pursuit of something in life. We live on earth, we must work for our living; but we must be more concerned about our eternal living. There are many means to live on earth morally or immorally, poorly or richly; but there is only one means to live eternally – through Jesus Christ. Our life on earth looks pale in all measures in comparison to eternal life.

Image Scripture: Acts 4:12

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

For Audio in Greek click here
For Audio in English (ESV) click here

Waiting on the Lord

[I wrote this poem after meditations on Psalm 63, and John 21, and Matthew 20:1-16]

The field is ripe and yellow

Willing and desirous I am to go

The sun is high up in the sky

Scores of men ahead as I look with a sigh.

 The Master has been on the roll call

"Has He passed me by?" My joy grows cold

A still voice echoes, "Do you love Me?"

Yes, Lord! Do I love Thy work more than Thee?

Psalm Sixty-three three comes alive

“Thy Loving-kindness is better than life”

No gain, no loss, nothing will let me annoy

If God’s Love I recall, there I find my true joy.

Africa Needs Bible!!!

           Christianity is growing exponentially in Africa. Praise the Lord! However, only 1/10 has access to Bible. We who are more privileged have multiples of Bible Versions on our shelves. We even get confused what version to own it. We who are much more privileged have hundreds of Bibles in our fingertips through the internet. We have offline Bible Apps and Bible Softwares on our phone and computer. 9/10 Africans need Bible!!!

Africa according to the Bible League International:

“is the world’s poorest and youngest continent—struggling with daily troubles including drought and threat of starvation for millions, little opportunity and systemic poverty, tribal and civil wars, crime and political corruption. These challenges threaten the lives of the poorest and most neglected. In rural and remote areas, slums of larger cities, and isolated villages, there is confusion from ancestral religious traditions and threats of terror from religious radicals. Their best and only hope for new life is found in God’s Word, and you are able to help provide what is needed most.”

You may want to visit Joshua Project too for more info

Watch today’s video clip about the needs of Africans for Bible for them to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2Peter 3:18). You will be rejoicing to hear the power of the word of God form those who have read the Bible!

Desiring the word of God.

“like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” – 1 Peter 2:2 (NASB)

Summarize in a Word: Desiring the word of God.

Key Principle: God’s word is necessary for our spiritual growth.

Key Application: Absorb the word of God

Main point of the Passage: God grants spiritual growth through His word.

Illustration: Newborn babies require milk for growth.

Exhortation: Would you just not taste, but would you eat the whole counsel God?

It is one thing to know the importance of reading Bible, but what really matters is reading the Bible actually. Apostle Peter in 1Peter 2:2 goes further: he commanded us to desire the undiluted word of God as a life source. Bible reading is not for self-satisfaction; neither for achievement nor to raise up hands when somebody asks, “How many of you read Bible this week?” Peter wants us to go beyond reading and even studying. It is to be craved, to be desperately in need of; to be ingested, to be digested. Do you hunger and thirst for God’s word?

We are born again through the word of God (1Pet 1:23). The word of God operated internally in our minds, hearts, and souls. We understand, affirm and response to the word of God. In the process, we have tasted the power of the word of God, which is the grace of God. Like every newborn babe needs a milk for growth, true Christian who is born again requires spiritual milk for his growth, which is the word of God. Would you just not taste, but would you eat the whole counsel of God, (like Psalm 1:2) meditating upon it day and night?

It is a pure word of God– unblended, unmixed, not compromised, nor adjusted. How often do we tone down the word of God? How often have we considered the commandment as a suggestion, obligation as optional to cope our sins? We must obey the word of God for as it is – all of it, the hard truth and the hard commandment! That includes repentance and delight in God!

Image Scripture: Psalm 73:25

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

For Audio in Hebrew click here

For Audio in English (ESV) click here

For Audio in Hindi click here

The Parable of the Good King

Part I:

There was a kingdom, where the king was just, merciful and wise. The king loved the people that he gave liberty for them to serve him willingly and voluntarily. He did not force his kingship over them because the people knew that they live in His kingdom, where the king’s law is the only law. However, the people of the kingdom were not as good as their king. They took the liberty as a license to do anything they wanted; instead of venturing out for the goodness of the kingdom and for the approval of the king. They wanted power, glory, and praise for themselves. So, it led them to rebel against the king. The king did not execute them for he wanted them to repent from their grievous sins. The king sent messengers and wise men telling them to appear him for reconciliation. They would not respond, so, the king warned that they would be executed sooner, or later if they continue to neglect the invitation.