The fortified bronze wall that the Lord has made

Therefore thus says the LORD: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them. And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.” (Jeremiah 15:19-21)

There are times when the Lord God calls his people to be steadfast in his decrees without having to face others. But then there are certain times in which the believer in Christ is faced with those who oppose the decrees of God. If you are one such believer who’s facing such opposition, then this write up is for you.

The Prophet Jeremiah who served the Lord of Hosts as long as he lived, dwelt in a land that was rebellious to God. For they forsook the Lord and burned incense to false gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands. Rejecting the Living God still remains a sin to this day, make no mistake about this. And the Lord God knows how to deal with those who are unwilling to repent of their sins, in case the grave sin of worshiping false gods.

Here’s what the Lord God spoke to the Prophet Jeremiah:

For behold, am calling all the tribes of the kingdoms of the north, declares the Lord, and they shall come, and every one shall set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its walls all around and against all the cities of Judah.  And I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands. But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.” (Jeremiah 1:15-19)

A few lessons to learn here:

• The Lord will declare his judgement against those who forsake Him.
• Worshiping false gods is a grave sin and must be rejected at all costs.
• Your heritage and descent is no excuse for sinning.
• Don’t get dismayed by sinners, lest the Lord dismay you in front of sinners.
• When the Lord God makes you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, trust God, for he plans to deliver you from this evil generation.

Being a fortified bronze wall in the New Testament context is the the same as what told to the Prophet Jeremiah, but now is even about staying true to your calling in Jesus Christ when evil doers entice you sin. The Holy Spirit will teach you what to speak in that time!

Let’s read the following Words of Jesus our Lord:

“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:8-12)

Christ be with you!

 

Avoid Spiritual Pride

O you who love Jesus Christ, avoid spiritual pride in all its entirety for this does not please the Lord your God. And what is this spiritual pride; it when you look at all your good works and try to claim the credit for yourself and instead of giving the credit only to the Lord God who made it possible for you to great things in his Holy Name.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

O believer in Christ Jesus, remember that whatever good works you do, its only for the glory of the Living God who prepared all this beforehand. So when you do works of mercy and goodness and generosity you bear testimony to Grace of God. Do not get carried away by the praises of the people whom you help nor the praises of those who see you helping others, thinking in your heart that it was all you all along. Humble yourself greatly and say in such case that its the Lord your God who has blessed you with the ability to all this and so let all praise go to God alone.

Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)

 

 

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful. (1 Corinthians 13:1-4)

Keep in mind O you who love Jesus Christ, no matter how much you advance in the gifts of the Holy Spirit or even in the way of good works, never do it out of selfish motives but do it for the love of God. Take to heart that; what started with the love of God must continue to with the love of God and anything else which deviates from the love of God is sin which is not pleasing to the Lord God. Hence, keep away from spiritual pride and dwell in the presence of the Lord!

Verses to reflect upon:

• Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. (Proverbs 16:18)
• Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)
• Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded…Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:5-8,10)

About the traits of a humble man in Christ

A humble man is never rash, hasty or perturbed, never has any hot and volatile thoughts, but at all times remains calm. Even if heaven were to fall and cleave to the earth, the humble man would not be dismayed. Not every quiet man is humble, but every humble man is quiet. There is no humble man who is not self-constrained; but you will find many who are self-constrained without being humble. This is also what the meek humble Lord meant when He said, ‘Learn of Me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.’ [Matt 11:29]

For the humble man is always at rest, because there is nothing which can agitate or shake his mind. Just as no one can frighten a mountain, so the mind of a humble man cannot be frightened. If it be permissible and not incongruous, I should say that the humble man is not of this world. For he is not troubled and altered by sorrows, nor amazed and enthused by joys, but all his gladness and his real rejoicing are in the things of his Master.

Humility is accompanied by modesty and self-collectedness: that is, chastity of the senses; a moderate voice; mean speech; self-belittlement; poor raiment; a gait that is not pompous; a gaze directed towards the earth; superabundant mercy; easily flowing tears; a solitary soul; a contrite heart; imperturbability to anger; undistributed senses; few possessions; moderation in every need; endurance; patience; fearlessness; manliness of heart born of a hatred of this temporal life; patient endurance of trials; deliberations that are ponderous, not light, extinction of thoughts; guarding of the mysteries of chastity; modesty, reverence; and above all, continually to be still and always to claim ignorance. (~Isaac the Syrian)

 

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

 

13 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ² During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, ³ Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, ⁴ rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. ⁵ Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. ⁶ He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” ⁷ Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” ⁸ Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” ⁹ Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” ¹¹ For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

¹² When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. ¹⁸ I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ ¹⁹ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. ²⁰ Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

(John 13:1-38)

Always remember the Lord God when you get wealth

Some people give credit only to themselves when they become wealthy or rich. They even disown their mentors and even their parents and friends who may have helped them on their way up. But the worst thing they ever do is to forget the Lord God who gave them the power to get wealth. These are the ones who will claim they did it all and speak rudely to others who are poor or let me just say less wealthier than them.

No matter how much hard work one has put in becoming rich, it does not give anyone any right to disown the Lord God because of that. Nor it is good behavior to insult all those people God sent in your life to help you become the great person you became. Such behavior in not consistent with Christian living and must be avoided at each and every stage of life. Because whosoever had pride in his or her wealth, such a person sets himself or herself before the same Lord who gives them wealth.

 

Verses for reflection:

• Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. (Proverbs 16:18)
• But you shall remember the LORD your God: for it is he that gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore unto your fathers, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 8:18)
• The LORD makes poor, and makes rich: he brings low, and lifts up. (1 Samuel 2:7)
• And Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents that I have given to the army of Israel?” The man of God answered, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.” (2 Chronicles 25:9)
• The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:22)

The True Christian Hates Sin!

The rich of this present world should not be arrogant nor too hopeful of their wealth

The Bible is very clear about one’s attitude when one’s a rich person. Whether you inherited your wealth or got by your hard work and intellect there are no exceptions. Please refer to the below verses to understand what the Bible speaks about this:

• Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. (Psalm 62:10)
• Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. (Proverbs 11:28)
• Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings,
  flying like an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:4-5)
• As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17)

Let me make it clear, there is nothing wrong with being rich. However becoming rich by means of corrupt activities is a sin. Never rob nor extort anyone to increase your wealth, for you will need to answer for all such actions on Judgement Day. By the way some people do get a preview of Judgement Day when they land up in prison for financial crimes. I hope they repent and do not do it again, lest they get a higher punishment both on Earth and in the afterlife.

Some people put too much importance of acquiring money. Money can get you a quiet house but cannot buy you a peaceful home. They think their children will understand if they ignore them in the pursuit of money. They think their spouse and relations will not bother if they too are ignored as they neglect them to gain wealth. And then when the spouse files for divorce, they start running after the preachers. Not so much because they love their spouse but rather to avoid the divorce solely to avoid paying alimony or a costly separation deal. They start seeking counselors against their children and relatives who they feel are after getting their share of money. Yes, such people do exist!

Perhaps friends and family will ignore such clamoring for wealth by their money hungry man or woman. However there are many ways by which people do lose wealth. An earthquake, a forest fire or a war can destroy property and resources at a very fast rate.  At times even the insurance companies refuse pay out in cases using whatever legal loopholes they can. And imagine then how people get so upset to see their effort all go to waste when such things happens.

So use money but don’t let your money use you. Don’t let your money play tricks on your mind and soul that you become haughty towards your servants, colleagues, friends and family and earn their curses in return for your vile words and deeds towards them. It is therefore foolish, to make fun of those who are poor and even those who are little less rich than yourself. Because if you lose your wealth, you can fall to their level or even below. Where is the honour in loving money, then? Not one bit!

It’s better that you put your hope in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. You don’t have to pay for the spring nor the rains and yet God sends them freely for you to enjoy. He even gives you free air while industries are happy to charge you for anything they can put trademarks on!

Moreover, God gives you his salvation through Jesus Christ without any charge. This salvation is priceless indeed. You don’t have to earn nor can you actually earn it. Therefore, be humble and grateful to God.

In prosperity, give thanks to God with humility and fear lest by pride you abuse God’s benefits and so offend him (King St. Louis of France)

 

Avoid being overconfident of your own wisdom

O believer in Jesus Christ, never make your own logic and understanding your refuge because its possible to fall into delusion and deceptions if you do that. Always consider yourself in need of wisdom from God above, so that you prevail against the Kingdom of Darkness each time.

How much so then that the Enemy of your soul desires that you depend so much on your own wisdom? For he knows that only the knowledge and counsel of the Lord God is something that he can never defeat nor banish. It’s very easy for the vile Serpent to misguide people who are overconfident or just don’t bother about the principles and edicts of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Think about the times when people despite having the best of jobs and the best of qualifications, have married the wrong person just because they depended on their raw impulses. Know that the bravest of people have fallen prey to scammers just because they didn’t take a second opinion against fraudulent investments. And even the most pious of men and women due to their pride in their religious knowledge rather than humility in Christ Jesus have fallen into soul damning heresies!

Therefore, be on guard O those who call yourselves as God’s friends that you don’t get deceived like Adam and Eve by the Evil One. Safeguard your heart from eating the manna of Judas and Herod, who lost it all for ungodly gains. Avoid the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy that you be a true follower of the Lord your God all through your life.

• Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and verily you shall be fed. (Psalm 37:3)
• Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah (Psalm 62:8)

Warning – Beauty is not only restricted to the good

Beauty is indeed a good gift of God; but that the good may not think it a great good, God dispenses it even to the wicked. (St. Augustine of Hippo)

Stay away from pride

Stay away from pride,
And in God confide.
Stay away from pride,
Lest mercy from you hide.

Stay away from pride,
And in God’s word abide.
Stay away from pride,
Lest it cause you to backslide.

Stay away from pride,
And in God’s way stride.
Stay away from pride,
Lest your faith gets dried.

Stay away from pride,
And in God’s will, be justified.
Stay away from pride,
Lest your life be unqualified.