By the Power of Christ's LoveSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: When you need comfort and love to come out of pains and agonies in your life, do not go after the world. The world's comforts, its disguises and vain pleasures will add more pain. But when you trust in power of God's love, He will make you a success. The Holy Bible says that Joseph did not seek the love of human relationships. Every time he went to the Lord and prayed, "Loving Father! You know all my pains. I have no one to love me. Yet, I would not go to any man. I set my love on you. You alone are my God!" That is why the Lord blessed Joseph in all that he did. Further, he had the Holy Spirit in him. Even Pharaoh said of him, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" (Genesis 41:38).
"I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." (Joel 2:28)
According to the above promise, when the Holy Spirit is given us, God speaks to us through visions face to face. Such great experience had been granted to Joseph. So, every time he looked up to God, the Lord came down to him and reminded him the promise He had given, "My son! I will exalt you in this world. There will come one day when your brothers who are now jealous of you will worship you in love and fear. I will never forsake you." He sought God, discarding all human relationships; the allurements and vain pleasures of the world. God's presence comforted him. It emboldened him not to sink in the slough of loneliness.
My dear friend, are such pains and agonies afflicting your life today? Do not go after the world. The world's comforts, its disguises and vain pleasures will lead you straight to your doom. But when you trust in God and go to Him, He will strengthen you and bless you. When the Holy Spirit comes into you, the love of God will increase in you (Romans 5:5). Nothing shall be able to separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 5:5).
There was a boy named Pedro in Mexico, his parents did not know Christ. But Pedro regularly went to church. One day, during the sermon, the Pastor asked, "Jesus carried His cross. Unable to carry the load, He fell down. A man named Simon came running and carried the cross of Christ. Today, is any of you willing to carry the cross for Christ?" At the end of the service, this boy Pedro ran to the Pastor and said, "Pastor, I am ready to carry the cross of Christ and follow Him." The Pastor said, "Pedro, if you offer to carry the cross of Christ, you will be beaten, even as Christ was beaten by the Roman soldiers. You may have problems and disasters in the family. Can you bear them all?" The boy said gladly, "I will bear anything for Christ, Pastor." Days passed by. One day, after the service, the Pastor was shaking hands with the members of the congregation as they left the church. When Pedro came forward, the Pastor patted him on his back and asked him, "How are you my boy?" The boy writhed in pain as he moved away from the Pastor. The Pastor called him and asked him what happened and took him to his room. Pedro pulled off his shirt to reveal horrible wounds all over his back caused by severe beating. Pedro said, "Pastor, my mother does not like Jesus Christ. She beats me everyday saying that I should not follow Jesus. This morning she thrashed me severely as I was preparing to come to church. However, as I have promised to carry the cross of Christ, I am here." The Lord looked at his heart. He raised Pedro into a great man in this world.
My dear friend, are you toiling in tribulations in this world? Do not worry, you are not alone, you have Jesus who overcame all the tribulations for you. Listen to what He says, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Jesus knows all your pain very well. He will embrace you when you go to Him and tell him your difficulties. He will fill you with the Holy Spirit and strengthen you. He will talk to you, comfort you and grant you His grace to live as a powerful witness to His glory.
Prayer:
Loving Lord Jesus,
In this world I have many tribulations. But I praise You for overcoming all the tribulations on the cross for me. I know that I can find the real peace only in You. Give me that divine peace and grant me Your grace to lead a life of testimony to Your love. I give all the glory and honour to You alone.
Amen. |