For your sake!

For your sake!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Isaiah 45:4
For Jacob My servant’s sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.

How great is the Lord's love for His people, for His chosen ones! This verse talks about how the Lord for the sake of His people called, named and anointed someone who didn't even know or acknowledge Him to help His people.

Israel was in captivity for seventy years in Babylon. But the Lord, because of His covenant and His great love refused to forsake His people and demonstrated His love for them. He called, named and anointed King Cyrus, one who did not know the Lord, to shepherd the people of God. It was under the rule of King Cyrus that Jews were first allowed to return to Israel after 70 years of captivity. King Cyrus actively assisted the Jews in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem and restored the temple treasures to Jerusalem and allowed building expenses to be paid from the royal treasury. 2 Chronicles 36:22–23: “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: ‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the LORD his God be with him. Let him go up.”

Think about this, God used someone who didn't even know Him to bless His people. For the sake of His people, because of His great compassion towards His people, He did this. How much more will he do for you in the New Covenant. Know and believe His love - for He gave His Son for you. Romans 8:32 says, 'He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?.' For your sake!

“Lord, I know and believe you love me greatly. Just like you called, named and anointed Cyrus for Israel, you have anointed people for my sake and they are working for my Shalom - all round prosperity. Thank you Father. Jesus is Lord.”

Know where to go.

Know where to go.
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

John 2:3
And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

When you face a challenge, who's the first person that comes to your mind or who's the first person you call? It reveals a lot about whom you trust.

Well, a marriage in Cana faced a big challenge - they ran out of wine. It's amazing what Mary does - she didn't contact the caterers, she didn't complain, grumble or accuse, she went to Jesus! Know where to go! First go to Jesus! Its better to trust in the Lord than to trust men. II Peter 5.7 says, 'Cast all your cares on the Lord for He cares for you.' No matter what challenge you are facing, like Mary give it to Jesus, put it on Jesus and then carefully listen to His instructions and do exactly what He says. Mary, the mother of Jesus said to the servants in John 2.5, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it.’ When you give your cares to Jesus, now He becomes the boss and He will take care of it. When the servants obeyed the Master in this situation, the problem was solved and the family's dignity was saved. Hallelujah.

Jesus loves you! Go to Him first! Many times believers go to Jesus as the last stop when there is no help from anyone. No one can help you the way Jesus helps you. He is our ever present help in trouble. Love people but only look to Jesus! Go to Him first! He will guide you and bring you out of the problems and place you on top with dignity, honour and joy. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

“I trust Jesus and no matter what I face, I always go to Him first. I give Him all my cares because I know and believe that He loves me and cares for me. I pay close attention to His instructions and I do exactly what He says. All my problems are fixed, solved and taken care of. Hallelujah to Jesus!”

My God is so great!

My God is so great!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Isaiah 40:12
Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?

These verses talk about the greatness of our God. Take a moment and imagine, meditate on this verses and let the Holy Spirit reveal to you how immensely powerful our God is.

About 71 percent of the earth's surface is water-covered, and the oceans hold about 96.5 percent of all earth's water. The Lord holds the oceans in His hand. What a great God we serve! He measures the expanse of the heavens with His fingers. Take a look at your fingers and take a look at the heavens. The ability of God is beyond human comprehension. Like you weigh vegetables and fruits in the  market, the Lord weighs mountains and hills. He knows the weight of the earth. These are outstanding realities on the greatness of God.

Believer, God is not just God to you, He is your Father and He loves you immensely. In Christ, God is your Father and you are His beloved child. Your Father is great and His love for you is even greater. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He is with you right now! Your Father is greater than all the challenges and problems you are facing or will ever face. The revelation of the greatness and the love of your Father will dispel every fear. The Greater One lives in you. Hallelujah

"My Father is so great! My Father loves me as much as He loves Jesus. He is so powerful, so great and so strong. I live and walk in the revelation of His greatness and the revelation of His love for me. I live absolutely fearless! My Father is with me always. Hallelujah."

Immovable Rock!

Immovable Rock!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

John 16:33
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.”

Imagine - A violent storm is coming across your path and you can see the winds throwing away everything that's coming in it's way. What would you do? You would run to something that's immovable - that cannot be shaken or moved by the storms.

We live in perilous times and it's darker than ever. In these uncertain times, the word of God is the only certain and sure foundation. Jesus said, 'Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words will never pass away.' The word of God is more reliable than heaven and earth. Jesus said, I have said these things to you so that you won't be shaken and you won't stumble. Hold firmly to His words and never let go. Oh the words of my Lord!  Hallelujah. The Apostle Peter told Jesus, "Where shall we go, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." His words give us His peace, His words gives us His joy and our joy becomes complete. Jesus said, 'In this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.'

His words have overcome the tribulations of this world. There is nothing in this world that the word of God cannot overcome. The storms will come and the storms will go but the word of God shall never be shaken. The word of God is the immovable Rock. The gates of hell cannot prevail against the Rock of Gods word. Build on God's word. Stay on God's word. Believe and Speak God's word. Live God's word. When you build on God's word, your life becomes immovable because Gods word is immovable.

"God's word is the immovable Rock. No storm, no winds, no floods can shake or move the word of God. My life is built on the word of God and therefore I am immovable. I take refuge in Gods word. His word is my life and my food. Hallelujah."

Your Guide lives in you.

Your Guide lives in you.
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

John 16:13
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

It's very important to have a guide in this world full of lies, deception and wickedness. Without a guide, you will by all means miss your destiny and end up frustrated and depressed. You are not alone in this journey called life.

The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer forever. Jesus said He will guide you into all truth. Your Guide, the Holy Spirit lives in you and He knows everything. He will never deceive you for He is the Spirit of truth, not the spirit of error or deception. If you trust your Guide and rely on Him completely, He will protect you and lead you into the perfect plan of God. He will tell you of things to come so you can make wise decisions. Many times believers are looking outside for guidance  - from people, from news channels and from prophets. Look inside! You are in the New Covenant. Your Guide, the mighty Holy Spirit lives in you.

Be conscious of the Greater One who lives in you. Live a life that is pleasing to the Holy Spirit. Feed and meditate richly on God's word so that the Spirit of truth can guide you with ease. You may not know everything but your Guide, who lives in you knows everything and He is your Helper. Ask Him! Your Guide guides you. No more confusion! No more frustration! No more complaining! Listen to Him! Pay careful attention! Rejoice! Follow!

"I refuse to be frustrated and confused. I am at rest because my Guide lives in me and He knows everything. He guides me, He leads me and He teaches me. I am a word man and I follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I rely on Him. Thank you Lord Jesus!"

Be fruitful!

Be fruitful!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

John 15:2
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Jesus is the Vine and every believer is a branch. Jesus expects every branch of His to bear fruit, more fruit and much fruit. A fruitful life is evidence that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.

As a branch, you can only bear fruit if you are connected to the Vine. A branch doesn't have life of it's own, the life flows from the Vine. When you seperate a branch from the Vine, it dries up because the life supply has stopped. Every thing a branch needs is in the Vine. Stay connected to Jesus, the Vine. When you abide in the words of God, you are abiding in the Vine. Let His words dwell in you richly. Let His words saturate you. Drown yourself in the words of God. Without a seed, there is no fruit. The seed is the word of God. The connection between the Vine and the branch is the Word of God. The level of your connection to God's word is the level of your connection with the Vine. The level of your connection with the Vine is the level of the fruitful life that you are experiencing.

A fruitful life is a life of character, dignity, honour and great success - a life where you are in the perfect will of God and you are a blessing to every nation on earth. It's a great life. God the Father is committed to your fruitful life. There is no doubt about it. He is glorified when His branches bear much fruit. Abide in the word and be fruitful!

"God wants me to be fruitful - not just fruit, but more fruit and much fruit. I abide in the Vine by abiding in His words. His words are my food. His words are my life. I am doer of His word and my life is fruitful. My fruitful life is evidence that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ."

Where is your faith?

Where is your faith?
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

John 14:1
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me."

What you believe and who you believe determines whether your heart is at rest or whether your heart is troubled.

If your heart is troubled today, my question to you is, What are you believing? Whom are you believing? A troubled heart is evidence you are not trusting the Lord, not trusting His word. Jesus asked His disciples when they were troubled at the waves and winds that came against their boat,  'Where is your faith?'. In other words Jesus was asking them, On whom and on what have you placed your faith? Jesus was saying, Why don't you believe me and my words?. When you believe the Lord and his word, you experience perfect peace. Isaiah 26:3 says, 'You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.' 

When you believe people, words and circumstances that are contrary to God's word, you will be stressed, troubled and disturbed. I encourage you to place your faith on the word of God and enjoy perfect peace. Irrespective of what's happening around you, the word of God in your mouth and in your heart will keep you from being troubled and help you overcome any trouble. Examine yourself! Where is my faith?

"My faith is on Jesus. My faith is on the word of God. Therefore I am not troubled, I enjoy perfect peace.  My mind is fixed on the Lord and His word is in my mouth and in my heart in abundance. Hallelujah."