http://www.johnsoncherian.com
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Final Word- The well fed sheep and the newbies- Dr. Johnson Cherian
Most born again Christian congregations
that have been in existence for a while have well fed sheep and newbies. The
newbies may be ones who have just been found by the Good Shepherd and brought
in to the flock or ones that are still among the lost and the Spirit of God has
been working on them drawing them to Christ nudging them to take the step of
accepting Jesus as Savior. And guess what, who would the Savior Jesus be more
concerned about? The well fed ones or the newbies? Surely it's the newbies. But
does that mean he doesn't care for the well fed ones? Surely not. He cares for
all his sheep. But he knows that the young ones require more care and he
nurtures them gently and wonderfully, like only he can.
In the parable of the lost
sheep, spoken of by Jesus and of which we read in Luke 15, the shepherd/owner
is so very concerned about the one lost sheep that he is willing to risk
leaving the 99 others in the wilderness and go after that which is lost till he
finds it. That's quite perplexing. What if some of the 99 left in the
wilderness wander away? What if some fall in to a pit? What if wild animals
attack some of them?
The Good Shepherd knows that
the well fed ones will survive a season of drought or mishap or attack by evil
forces, because he himself has provided, protected and delivered them time and
time again as they trusted in him while continuing in prayer, worship and
meditation of his Word. He is confident that the Spirit of God to whom he has
entrusted his sheep and with whom they have been sealed for eternity will guide
them continually through his Word and they will survive against the odds,
entering heaven at God's appointed time.
Timeless inspiration comes
from the Psalmist David and both (well fed and newbie sheep) (believers) can join him by
proclaiming confidently, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want".
http://www.johnsoncherian.com
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Sunday, June 2, 2019
Final Word- Why Jesus never water baptized anyone?
Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. (John 4:1-3)
Why Jesus never water baptized anyone?
The answer is simple. Jesus did not want to get in to the NUMBERS GAME. To many, it's mostly about numbers once you become a minister of the Gospel or if you have a church or a Christian organization. How many members in the Church, how many services, how many churches, how many people baptized, how many conventions or conferences held, how many commitments at the conventions, how many likes on Social media and so on and so forth are the questions asked and answered.
The Apostle Paul was also hesitant to baptize people because he too did not want to get in to the NUMBERS GAME. Writing to the church at Corinth he says, "I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. (1 Corinthians 1:14-16)
Paul thanks God that he did not baptize anyone except a few, because already the Church at Corinth was splitting apart because of groupism.
Once a minister or church or Christian organization gets in to the NUMBERS GAME, things can go either way. There are those who succeed and there are those who fail. Those who succeed with numbers and sizes, are filled with pride which eventually makes them even more competitive and they get on to the road to destruction. Those who fail get frustrated and blame God and everyone else and eventually get burnt out.
That leaves us with the question, "Is God concerned about NUMBERS or individual faithfulness, holiness and fruit bearing?"
Individual faithfulness, holiness and fruit bearing may not seem very appealing, but these are some of the main characteristics that God looks for in believers.
If you have been termed a FAILURE by those in the NUMBERS GAME, cast that burden on the Lord. If you claim yourself to be a SUCCESS in the NUMBERS GAME, watch out, for pride can eventually ruin you.
Paul the Apostle writing to Timothy, his spiritual son, says,
But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5)
TAKEAWAY- KEEP YOUR HEAD IN ALL SITUATIONS
[NOTE- This write up is not about water baptism. Water baptism after accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is a MUST. Jesus said, If you love me, you will obey what I command. (John 14:15)]
http://www.johnsoncherian.com
Why Jesus never water baptized anyone?
The answer is simple. Jesus did not want to get in to the NUMBERS GAME. To many, it's mostly about numbers once you become a minister of the Gospel or if you have a church or a Christian organization. How many members in the Church, how many services, how many churches, how many people baptized, how many conventions or conferences held, how many commitments at the conventions, how many likes on Social media and so on and so forth are the questions asked and answered.
The Apostle Paul was also hesitant to baptize people because he too did not want to get in to the NUMBERS GAME. Writing to the church at Corinth he says, "I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. (1 Corinthians 1:14-16)
Paul thanks God that he did not baptize anyone except a few, because already the Church at Corinth was splitting apart because of groupism.
Once a minister or church or Christian organization gets in to the NUMBERS GAME, things can go either way. There are those who succeed and there are those who fail. Those who succeed with numbers and sizes, are filled with pride which eventually makes them even more competitive and they get on to the road to destruction. Those who fail get frustrated and blame God and everyone else and eventually get burnt out.
That leaves us with the question, "Is God concerned about NUMBERS or individual faithfulness, holiness and fruit bearing?"
Individual faithfulness, holiness and fruit bearing may not seem very appealing, but these are some of the main characteristics that God looks for in believers.
If you have been termed a FAILURE by those in the NUMBERS GAME, cast that burden on the Lord. If you claim yourself to be a SUCCESS in the NUMBERS GAME, watch out, for pride can eventually ruin you.
Paul the Apostle writing to Timothy, his spiritual son, says,
But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5)
TAKEAWAY- KEEP YOUR HEAD IN ALL SITUATIONS
[NOTE- This write up is not about water baptism. Water baptism after accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is a MUST. Jesus said, If you love me, you will obey what I command. (John 14:15)]
http://www.johnsoncherian.com
Final Word- A fresh revelation of/from God
But Elijah went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. (1 Kings 19:4)
The prophet Elijah, who the day before had prayed for fire to come down from heaven and had succeeded, today was requesting God to kill him. He who had killed 450 prophets of Baal and probably another 400 false prophets with the sword 24-48 hours back, was now in miserable condition. Acute depression had set in, all because queen Jezebel had threatened to kill him. Anyway God did not say "YES" to his request. God had other plans. He thought an angelic intervention might do some good to the downcast prophet. So he sent an angel with some food and water; nothing extravagant, just a cake and some water. Angelic intervention must have been common to Elijah (not like we would respond), so he just ate and drank and went back to sleep. The angel came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too great for you." So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. He was NOT A MAN ON A MISSION, he was clueless as to what was happening and needed a fresh revelation of/from God.
Sometimes believers in Jesus Christ also get fed up of life's problems and request God to kill them. But believe me, God has no intentions of answering such prayers. Perhaps he may send you an angel with some food and water or just lift the burden that is overwhelming by the power of his Holy Spirit. SO JUST HANG IN THERE.
Dr. Johnson Cherian
http://www.johnsoncherian.com
The prophet Elijah, who the day before had prayed for fire to come down from heaven and had succeeded, today was requesting God to kill him. He who had killed 450 prophets of Baal and probably another 400 false prophets with the sword 24-48 hours back, was now in miserable condition. Acute depression had set in, all because queen Jezebel had threatened to kill him. Anyway God did not say "YES" to his request. God had other plans. He thought an angelic intervention might do some good to the downcast prophet. So he sent an angel with some food and water; nothing extravagant, just a cake and some water. Angelic intervention must have been common to Elijah (not like we would respond), so he just ate and drank and went back to sleep. The angel came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too great for you." So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. He was NOT A MAN ON A MISSION, he was clueless as to what was happening and needed a fresh revelation of/from God.
Sometimes believers in Jesus Christ also get fed up of life's problems and request God to kill them. But believe me, God has no intentions of answering such prayers. Perhaps he may send you an angel with some food and water or just lift the burden that is overwhelming by the power of his Holy Spirit. SO JUST HANG IN THERE.
Dr. Johnson Cherian
http://www.johnsoncherian.com
Sunday, May 19, 2019
New Testament Bible Meditation- May 10 - Text & Audio
Romans Chapter 8 verses 18 to 39
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.
Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.
For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees?
But if we hope for that which we don't see, we wait for it with patience.
In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered.
He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit's mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified. What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?
Who could bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Those were verses 18 to 39 from Romans Chapter 8
Insight- The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses and intercedes for us even when we do not know how to pray or are unable to pray in certain circumstances of our lives. We may not understand how, but all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. Foreknowledge is God’s decision from eternity to bring certain ones into a special relationship with him. Predestination is God’s work on those he has chosen to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. In God’s time such are called and they understand the Gospel and are saved, justified by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. Finally they receive their glorified bodies and live eternally with God.
Question- Do you believe that God who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, will also with him freely give us all things? Think about it.
Prayer- Dear Father in Heaven, do not let anything separate me from your love which is in Jesus Christ my Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Listen/Download Audios- Male & Female Voices
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1igAn-8pS4EG_FVX8aGV_-2_mSTHehWe1
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1XaJRspdVsGF-BNxYdF5UZMZMJ06KzV6M
http://www.johnsoncherian.com
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.
Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.
For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees?
But if we hope for that which we don't see, we wait for it with patience.
In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered.
He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit's mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified. What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?
Who could bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Those were verses 18 to 39 from Romans Chapter 8
Insight- The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses and intercedes for us even when we do not know how to pray or are unable to pray in certain circumstances of our lives. We may not understand how, but all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. Foreknowledge is God’s decision from eternity to bring certain ones into a special relationship with him. Predestination is God’s work on those he has chosen to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. In God’s time such are called and they understand the Gospel and are saved, justified by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. Finally they receive their glorified bodies and live eternally with God.
Question- Do you believe that God who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, will also with him freely give us all things? Think about it.
Prayer- Dear Father in Heaven, do not let anything separate me from your love which is in Jesus Christ my Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Listen/Download Audios- Male & Female Voices
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1igAn-8pS4EG_FVX8aGV_-2_mSTHehWe1
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1XaJRspdVsGF-BNxYdF5UZMZMJ06KzV6M
http://www.johnsoncherian.com
Thursday, May 9, 2019
New Testament Bible Meditation- May 9 - Text & Audio
Romans Chapter 8 verses 1 to 17
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh;
that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace;
because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be.
Those who are in the flesh can't please God.
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.
If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
For if you live after the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.
For you didn't receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God;
and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.
Those were verses 1 to 17 from Romans Chapter 8
Insight- Many well meaning Christians keep saying the phrase “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus”, but the leave the other part of the sentence either in ignorance or willfully. The full verse as we read in Romans 8 and verse 1 and as the Apostle Paul writes to the Romans is “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” The second half of the sentence is so very important. Paul later on clarifies the same by writing, “For if you live after the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.” And if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Praise God.
Question- Are you with the help of the Holy Spirit putting to death the deeds of the flesh? Are you led by the Spirit of God? Think about it.
Prayer- Dear Father in Heaven, let your Holy Spirit help me to put to death the deeds of the flesh and let him lead me continually. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh;
that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace;
because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be.
Those who are in the flesh can't please God.
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.
If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
For if you live after the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.
For you didn't receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God;
and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.
Those were verses 1 to 17 from Romans Chapter 8
Insight- Many well meaning Christians keep saying the phrase “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus”, but the leave the other part of the sentence either in ignorance or willfully. The full verse as we read in Romans 8 and verse 1 and as the Apostle Paul writes to the Romans is “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” The second half of the sentence is so very important. Paul later on clarifies the same by writing, “For if you live after the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.” And if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Praise God.
Question- Are you with the help of the Holy Spirit putting to death the deeds of the flesh? Are you led by the Spirit of God? Think about it.
Prayer- Dear Father in Heaven, let your Holy Spirit help me to put to death the deeds of the flesh and let him lead me continually. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Listen/Download Audios- Male & Female Voices
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