A plea for Justice (Notes from Psalm 82)

Psa 82: 3-6

Defend the poor and fatherless;

Do justice to the afflicted and needy.

Deliver the poor and needy;

Free them from the hand of the wicked.

They do not know, nor do they understand;

They walk about in darkness;

All the foundations of the earth are unstable.

 I said, “You are gods,

And all of you are children of the Most High."  

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God is rich in love, grace and mercy (2Cor 8:9). He is the Father of all (Eph 4:6) and Wise in heart and mighty in strength (Job 9:4). Anyone away from God is poor, fatherless, afflicted and needy.

        They lack knowledge, understanding. They walk in ignorance and are unstable.

 The Blood of Jesus Christ, defends, justifies, delivers and sets us free from the hand of the wicked.

 As the children of Mighty God, being transformed into His image, we are reminded to intercede and evangelize so that God's purpose is fulfilled.

-David Nallapu (Evangelist, AGAPE Ministries -Intl.)

God's desire for us (Psa 81)

We can find God's desire stated clearly in Psa 81:13

“Oh, that My people would listen to Me,
That Israel would walk in My ways! ..."

Our God is the one who speaks and leads.

Are we listening (demonstrating obedience) to God ? Are we walking (following) His ways ?

If so, we have God's wonderful promises to be inherited :


 I would soon subdue their enemies,
And turn My hand against their adversaries....

 He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat;
And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.”  (Psa 81:15,16)

Notes from Luke 14

 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple....

...whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple..."

Luke 14:26,27,33

Notes from Psalm 78

   

...He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity,

And did not destroy them.

Yes, many a time He turned His anger away,

And did not stir up all His wrath;

 For He remembered that they were but flesh,

A breath that passes away and does not come again

    He made His own people go forth like sheep,

    And guided them in the wilderness like a flock;

    And He led them on safely, so that they did not fear;

    But the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

    And He brought them to His holy border,

    This mountain which His right hand had acquired.

    He also drove out the nations before them,

    Allotted them an inheritance by survey,

    And made the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents.

Yet they tested and provoked the Most High God,

And did not keep His testimonies,

 But turned back and acted unfaithfully like their fathers;

They were turned aside like a deceitful bow.

For they provoked Him to anger with their high places,

And moved Him to jealousy with their carved images.

(Psa 78:38,39 52-58)

Is the same thing repeating in our lives ?

Let God rule your heart, feed your mind, and lead your steps.

-David Nallapu

The way to Holiness

“‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God’” (Matthew 5:8).

Throughout the history of the church, many have thought the best way to achieve spiritual purity and holiness is by living apart from the normal cares and distractions of the world and devoting oneself entirely to meditation and prayer. The problem with sin, however, is not primarily the world around us but the worldliness within us, which we cannot escape by living in isolation from other people.

But God always provides for what He demands, and He has provided ways for us to live purely.

First, we must realize that we are unable to live a single holy moment without the Lord’s guidance and power. “Who can say, ‘I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin’?” (Prov. 20:9). The obvious answer is, “No one.” Cleansing begins with recognition of weakness, which in turn reaches out for the strength of God.

Second, we must stay in God’s Word. It is impossible to stay in God’s will apart from His Word. Jesus said, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you” (John 15:3).

Third, it is essential to be controlled by and walking in the will and way of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16 says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

Fourth, we must pray. We cannot stay in God’s will or understand and obey His Word unless we stay near Him. With David we cry, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Ps. 51:10).

Begin to pursue the right ways to develop holiness in your life.


How is impurity showing itself most visibly in your heart—or perhaps disguising itself most subtly? Realize afresh that holy living is impossible outside of a living, active relationship with Christ and the ongoing enablement of the Holy Spirit. Commit yourself to surrendering all to follow Him in righteousness.

A Better View

As a child, I loved to climb trees. The higher I climbed, the more I could see. Occasionally, in search of a better view, I might inch out along a branch until I felt it bend under my weight. Not surprisingly, my tree-climbing days are over. I suppose it isn’t very safe—or dignified.

Zacchaeus, a wealthy man, set aside his dignity (and perhaps ignored his safety) when he climbed a tree one day in Jericho. Jesus was traveling through the city, and Zacchaeus wanted to get a look at Him. However, “because he was short he could not see over the crowd” (Luke 19:3). Fortunately, those things did not stop him from seeing and even talking with Christ. Zacchaeus’s plan worked! And when he met Jesus, his life was changed forever. “Salvation has come to this house,” Jesus said (v. 9).

We too can be prevented from seeing Jesus. Pride can blind us from seeing Him as the Wonderful Counselor. Anxiety keeps us from knowing Him as the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6). Hunger for status and stuff can prevent us from seeing Him as the true source of satisfaction—the Bread of Life (John 6:48).

What are you willing to do to get a better view of Jesus? Any sincere effort to get closer to Him will have a good result. God rewards people who earnestly seek Him (Heb. 11:6).

Lord, I Love You, but...

Hebrews 6:10-12

Most of us are quick to declare our love for God, but at times our reluctance to serve Him tells a different story. Honestly consider whether you have ever found yourself saying or thinking, I love you, Lord, but don't call me to do that! Or perhaps you served Him, but with a flawed attitude: If no one else will do it, then I guess I will. What causes us to be reluctant servants?

Busyness: Sometimes our schedules are so full that there's no space to follow the Lord when we hear Him calling us to minister in a certain area. We all need "margins" in our lives if we want to abide in God's will.
Inadequacy: Perhaps you feel unqualified to serve, and you're thinking, Surely there's someone more gifted who could do that job. But that's just an excuse; the Lord promises to equip those He calls (2 Cor. 3:4-6).
Selfishness: Sacrificial service is never convenient. It may require that we change our plans, give up our comforts, or even make financial sacrifices.
Lack of love: This is the hardest for us to admit—that we just don't care enough. Our reluctance to serve others reveals a lack of devotion to the Lord. Those who love Christ with all their heart will joyfully serve Him by ministering to those in their families, workplaces, communities, and churches.

Are you quick to follow the Lord's leading when a need arises, or are you a reluctant servant who's preoccupied with your own plans and desires? Any service we offer in Jesus' name will not be in vain. You'll experience the joy of giving and the assurance that the Lord won't forget your sacrifice.