POSSESSING THE LAND

The children of Israel were on the threshold of the Promised Land. Moses sent out 12 spies into Canaan. These were no ordinary men but leaders of their tribes (Num13:1,2)

The 12 went and spied the land. Ten came back with a bad report. Two of them (Joshua and Caleb) came back with a good report. The ten said “We can’t”. Joshua and Caleb said “With God we can.” The ten managed to persuade the rest and as a result the children of Israel wasted 40 years and died in the wilderness. What a waste? What a tragedy? So near yet so far. They had heard the voice of God and seen the power of God and yet perished in the wilderness, not seeing their destiny fulfilled.

They saw the same challenges and yet the ten reacted negatively and gave a bad report (Num13:32). What was the problem with the ten?

• They were looking at their problem and themselves and not God. Their focus was not God.
• They had a grasshopper mentality. They exaggerated the size of their enemy – they saw themselves like"grasshoppers" before the giants (Num.13:33). They were overwhelmed by the problem.
• They were driven by fear not faith in God.
• They were driven by the problem, not the promises of God.
• They did not believe God. They didn’t have a close relationship with God.

What about Joshua and Caleb? How did they respond?

Num.13:30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”

Num.14:7-9 and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.”

What did God say of them?
Num.14:24 But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.

While the others died in the wilderness, Joshua and Caleb went into the Promised Land. They fulfilled destiny. They possessed what God had promised.

• Don’t look at your circumstances, look to God
• Don’t be driven by fear, have faith in God
• Don’t settle for second best, go for God’s best

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And please don’t die in the wilderness. Get into your Land of Promise. Possess God’s promises for you and enjoy all that God has for you.

God has got His best for you….and the best is yet to come

Together with God We Can

YOU CAN DO GREAT THINGS

(from the Life of Gideon)

The people were in fear, intimidated and impoverished (Judges 6:6). The Midianites had devastated the land. There was nothing to live for, no hope, no future, nothing.

Life is challenge. There are battles to be fought. As we go through the struggles of life, God is looking for people that will make a difference. If God raised a nobody like Gideon, He can raise you up. God can use you to do great things.

To do great things, you have to cultivate a spirit of obedience
Jud.6:10 Also I said to you, “I am the LORD your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” But you have not obeyed My voice.’”

To do great things, God can choose you, be open and available
Jud.6:12 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!”

To do great things, don’t look within yourself, look to God
Jud.6:14 Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”
6:15 So he said to Him, “O my Lord,[b] how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
6:16 And the LORD said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”

What does God thinks of you? You are a mighty man of valor
What has God purposed for you? You shall defeat the enemy, you shall do great things
Flow with God

To do great things, you have to establish your Prayer Time
Jud. 6:24 So Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it The-LORD-Is-Peace.[c] To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

To go great things, you have to be empowered by the Holy Spirit
Jud.6:34 But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him

At our Sunday service on Jan 23, we were praying for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. There was an awesome move of God. Some experienced the power of the Holy Spirit and were filled. They were refreshed and revived.

To do great things, you need a team, you need people
Jud.7:20 Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers—they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing—and they cried, “The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!”
7::21 And every man stood in his place all around the camp; and the whole army ran and cried out and fled.

Together every man followed Gideon’s instructions
Together every man blew the trumpet
Together every man broke the pitchers
Together every man held the torches
Together every man shouted out “the sword of the Lord and Gideon”
Together every man stood in this place, they positioned themselves
Together they won the victory

Our identity is when we are together. Our victory is when we are together. Their combined victory was dependent on their interdependence. Together, together, together, together. Together with God We Can.

What God has is bigger than you. You need to have people to help you get there. The best is yet to come and you can’t do it alone.

Together with God We Can

THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

We are now in the Christmas season. The only problem is that the world has forgotten the Christ of Christmas.

Christmas is the birthday of Jesus. Christmas is the time when God intervened and took the form of a human being to save us. Luke 1:26-38 gives a powerful account of the Angel Gabriel visiting Mary. She was being positioned to bring forth the Messiah. She was being positioned for the Christmas Miracle, the birth of Jesus. How can we fulfill God’s purpose? How can we experience a miracle?

1) God intervenes in His set time (Lk.1:26)
The angel was sent at the set time to Mary. God will bring to pass things that He has spoken at His set time. He knows what to do when to do. We just need to trust Him

2) God releases His favor on the humble and yielded (Lk.1:27-30)
Mary was just an ordinary vessel chosen by God (1:27). She had pleased God and God was with her. She saw the favor of God in her life (1:28-30). Mary was just a human vessel that God was going to use to bring forth one of the greatest miracles in human history – the Birth of Jesus

3) Jesus must be enthroned in all things (Lk.1:31-33)
Our lives are all about experiencing and declaring Jesus. The angel said “His name shall be called Jesus.” Jesus is God, all powerful, Son of the Highest and who will reign forever.

4) God understands your struggles (Lk.1:34)
Mary had questions that she could not understand. She was struggling to understand what was happening. How was she going to give birth to the Messiah? God ministered to her.

5) God does the impossible (Lk.1:35-37)
God’s Word says in Lk.1:37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Our God is miraculous and naturally supernatural. He is awesome and all powerful and He wants us to experience His power.

6) God wants us to respond in faith to His Word (Lk.1:38)
How did Mary respond? Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”(Lk.1:38). It was a response of Faith and Obedience to His Word. We need to believe and obey God.

Lk.1:45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

7) We need to keep praising and proclaiming Christ
That’s what Mary did in Lk.1:46-55. She declared the goodness and power of God.

What are you going to do this Christmas?
Would you believe God for your miracle this Christmas?
Would you proclaim Christ to the people around?

Suresh Sundram

FAITH ACTION - BELIEVE GOD LIKE ABRAHAM

What do you do when things are not working out? What do you do when nothing seems to be happening? You need to believe God and His Word

Abraham was a great man of God. The key to his life was that He believed God. This is the key to greatness in God, walking in His provision and fulfilling your destiny. You need to believe God and His Word

Abraham believed God

Rom.4:3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

How was his faith expressed?

1) By Faith, He obeyed God
Heb.11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Faith obeys God’s Word. Abraham obeyed what God said. He obeyed by going to an unknown place. He obeyed by being gracious. He obeyed by giving.

Our life is an unknown journey of faith. It is a journey of obedience. Obedience does not require understanding, obedience requires instruction from God. You cannot separate faith and obedience. Faith will give you the ability to obey. Obedience is faith in action

2) By Faith, He dwelt on God’s promise
Heb.11:9,10 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Faith dwells on God’s Promise
• Dwelling on God’s Promise involves focus - looking towards the fulfillment of the promise
• Dwelling on God’s Promise involves sacrifice - there is a price to pay
• Dwelling on God’s Promise involves work - faithfully doing what God has called us to do
• Dwelling on God’s Promise involves waiting - not passive but active waiting. You have got to wait for God to make it happen.
• Dwelling on God’s Promise involves testing – your promotion depends on the test
• Dwelling on God’s Promise involves perseverance – you have to keep pressing on despite the circumstances

3) By faith, they judged God faithful to what He has promised
Heb.11:11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

Rom.4:20,21 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

You have to judge God faithful to what He has promised. You have to believe God and His Word. As you do that, God’s miraculous power is released.

Heb. 11:12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

For what was as good as dead, God releases His power and abundance. There is nothing that God cannot do, only believe GOD

WALKING IN GOD’S FAVOUR

God has got new things in store for you. Remember 2010 is the Year of New Beginnings. You need to expect the favor of God.

In John 6, Jesus was at the Sea of Galilee, and a great multitude was there. As Jesus lifts His eyes, He sees the need of the multitudes and goes on to do the Miracle of Multiplication. How can we walk in God’s favor?

1. To walk in God’s Favor, you need to sow (6:9)

There was a boy that was willing to give up his meal. It was an act of kindness. He sowed something small that brought a big miracle and blessed many. What about us? What are we sowing? Are you sowing words of encouragement? Are you sowing acts of kindness? Are you sowing your finances?

The principle of sowing affects every area of our life.
· You reap what you sow
· You reap more than you sow
· You reap in season
· If you don’t sow, you don’t reap

2. To walk in God’s Favor, you need to give thanks (6:11)

What did Jesus do when He received the 5 loaves and 2 fish? He gave thanks. He gave thanks for the 5 loaves and 2 fish.

If you can’t give thanks for small things, don’t expect the big things to happen.
If you can’t give thanks for your work situation, don’t expect promotions and favor to come.
If you can give thanks for your family, don’t expect great things to happen

The Bible says “In everything give thanks” (1 Thes.5:18)

3. To walk in God’s Favor, you need to do what Jesus says (6:11)

The disciples obeyed Jesus, They followed instructions and as a result became partners of the miracle. Do what Jesus tells you to do and expect the miracle to take place.

4. To walk in God’s Favor, you must glorify Jesus (6:14)

Every miracle must point people to Jesus and glorify Him. It is all for Him and Him alone.


See you on Sunday!

May God bless you as you journey into experiencing God’s favor continuously. We want to see you experience God’s goodness and power, live victoriously and be blessed.

Positioning for New Things

Hi everybody,

Do apologize that I have not been updating my blog. You can also connect with me on my twitter (sureshsundram@twitter.com) and facebook. God bless you.

POSITIONING FOR NEW THINGS

God has got new things in store for you. Remember 2010 is the Year of New Beginnings. We need to continue to expect the favor of God.

Is.43:18,19 “ Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

To walk in God’s fullness, you need to have to have a proper understanding of God. Isaiah 43 gives some spiritual insights on how we can position ourselves to walk in God’s Favor

5 Powerful Truths of your Relationship with God

1) You are very, very special to God (Is.43:1) - Because you are special He know when to bless you and meet your need.

5 powerful declarations of you being special
· You were created and formed by God (43:1)
· You were redeemed and saved by Him (43:1,3,4)
· You are called by His Name (43:1)
· You are His. You belong to Him (43:1)
· You are precious (43:4)

2) Your life is under the love of God (Is.43:4) - God loves you. If He would come 2000 years ago to die on the cross for you because He loved you (Rm.5:8), how much more would He help you.

3) God has purposed His best for you (43:4,19) - Because He loves, God has always got His highest good for you. You have a great destiny in God

4) God will see you through difficulties (43:2,16) - When you pass through the waters and fires of life, He will be with you. He will help you overcome

5) God is doing a new thing, expect it (43:19) - He will do a new thing. He will make roads in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Amidst your impossibility, the miracle will come.


HOW CAN YOU POSITION YOURSELF FOR GOD’S FAVOR?

1) Get out of fear and get into faith (43:1,5) - Dare to believe God. Have nothing to do with fear

2) Get out of your past and get into your destiny (43:18,19) - Deal with your past. The road to defeat is filled with negative past experiences and excuses.

3) Get out of sin and get right with God (43:24) - Get connected and committed with God. Let nothing come in between you and God.

Don’t give up on your dream. Don’t give-up on your destiny. God loves you and has purposed His best for you.

Believing God’s Best for you

We want to see you experience God’s goodness and power, live victoriously and be blessed.

Greater Passion For God

Hi everybody,

We live in troubled time. Many are disillusioned, discouraged and dejected. What do you do when things do not work out?. So many are sick and tired of being sick and tired.

In your moment of despair, what do you do?
In your moment of trouble what do you do?In your moment of turmoil, what do you do?

How you respond will determine how you move on.

David in Psalm 63 was going through a crisis in his life. His son Absalom had rebelled against him and was coming to kill him. This was probably the worst moment of his life – his son coming against him. So what does David do. In the wilderness of Judah, he cries out to God.

What can we learn from this?
How can we continue to be passionate for God amidst troubled times?
How can we love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength?

We need a Greater Passion for God

1) A New Seeking (“Early will I seek you, my soul thirst for you, my flesh longs for you” Ps.63:1) We need to seek God. This involves:

• A more intimate personal relationship
• A greater desire for more of Him
• Pursuing Him alone to satisfy us
• Making Him the most important person in our lives
• Spending consistent time alone with God
• Getting Him involved in every area of our lives

2) A New Yielding (“God’s loving kindness is better than life” – Ps.63:3)
God is more important than anything else. He is the most important person to you.

• Put everything on the altar. Put your complete trust in Him. There is freedom when you yield
• As you yield, you allow God to move
• Don’t focus on what you want, look for what God wants
• When God closes a door, He has got something better.

3) A New Praising (“My lips shall praise You” – Ps.63:3)
Keep praising (63:3), blessing (63:4) and rejoicing in God (63:7). Live of life of thankfulness and praise

4) A New Thinking (Remember you….meditate on You” – Ps.63:6)
We need keeping focusing on God – not transient thoughts passing through but babiding thoughts that dwell. Learn to memorize and meditate on God’s Word.

5) A New Following (“My soul follows close behind you” – Ps.63:8)
We need to stay close and cling on to Him

See you on Sunday

We want to see you experience God’s goodness and power, live victoriously and be blessed.