September 14, 2014 | Rediscover Yourself

Welcome to THE NATHAN REPORT!
Before we go further, I have this beautiful Photo to share, I made:


We started off with Praise and worship, here is the play list:
1) Come, now is the time - Brian Doerksen.

2) Shout your fame - Hillsong United.

3) Everyday - Hillsong United.

4) I'd rather have Jesus - Hymn.

5) Overcome - New Life Church (Colorado).

Here is a clip of our Church Worship Team

It was a wonderful session followed by announcements. Followings are the list of announcements:

- Church has organized a trip to Jaipur, Rajasthan between 15th - 19th September. Please for the safety success in the mission. 

- Men's Fellowship on 18th September, 2014 at 6:30 AM.

- Pray for all people in the world going through persecution.

- Brother Ashish Kumar, member of Church, has been transferred to a different city. Our best wishes and blessings for his new venture. Below is a short testimony of Brother Ashish:

"I came to Mumbai in 2009. Before this I was in Chattisgarh, working for 'World Vision of India' (still employed with them). I was promoted as a Finance Manager when I got transferred to Mumbai. I found "The River of Life Assembly" and met many people and made friends. Our Pastor is a wonderful person and a well read as well as helpful man. Thank you for a wonderful fellowship. Your smiles encouraged us every Sunday, which will be definitely missed."

Below are two of the photographs:

Today topic is "Rediscovering yourself". Sometime we say, "Why God isn't giving me what I am asking for?". "Why there is no peace?", "Why my prayers aren't being answered?"

As simple answer for this is, "Rediscovering ourselves". When we do so, there will be change in our lives.  God will not answer double minded person. Actually our mind is fixed on Silver and Gold. 

Illustration: A master is suppose to take his dog for a walk. If we notice, sometimes masters pull their dog, sometimes dogs pull their masters. Tradition has changed and we care for our pets and feed them with all sorts of pedigree and other diets. They have become strong and now generally they pull their masters. 

We should not be pulled. Master need to pull. We need not focus on silver and gold, but on God. Other things which are required will follow, if they are required. Like today's worship song says, "If I have you, I have everything."

References:

James 1:6-8, "6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

John 3:36, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."

Roman 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Romans 10:1-4, "1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."

The problem is not that "we haven't prayed much" or "we haven't asked in a humble way", the problem is "Faith". When our faith and spirits rise and fall with second causes, there will be unsteadiness in our words and actions. This may not always expose men to contempt in the world, but such ways cannot please God. No condition of life is such as to hinder rejoicing in God. Those of low degree may rejoice, if they are exalted to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of God; and the rich may rejoice in humbling Providences, that lead to a humble and lowly disposition of mind. Worldly wealth is a withering thing. Then, let him that is rich rejoice in the grace of God, which makes and keeps him humble; and in the trials and exercises which teach him to seek happiness in and from God, not from perishing enjoyments. When in faith, your eyes will be fixed. You will not look for your problem, but you will look for God.

Without faith, there is no peace, no righteousness, no Joy and not even prayerfulness. 

1 Peter 1:8 say, "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory."

God not only gives his people grace, but preserves them unto glory. Every believer has always something wherein he may greatly rejoice; it should show itself in the countenance and conduct. The Lord does not willingly afflict, yet his wise love often appoints sharp trials, to show his people their hearts, and to do them good at the latter end. Silver or gold does not increase by trial in the fire, it becomes less; but faith is made firm, and multiplied, by troubles and afflictions. Gold must perish at last, and can only purchase perishing things, while the trial of faith will be found to praise, and honour, and glory. Let this reconcile us to present afflictions. Seek then to believe Christ's excellence in himself, and his love to us; this will kindle such a fire in the heart as will make it rise up in a sacrifice of love to him. And the glory of God and our own happiness are so united, that if we sincerely seek the one now, we shall attain the other when the soul shall no more be subject to evil. The certainty of this hope is as if believers had already received it.

Illustration: Have you seen God? How does he looks like? Is He standing in the Church or sitting? Is he near the alter or near the podium?

We know Him by faith. He was, He is and He will be with always available. All we need to do is, have faith in Him. 

1 John 5:4, "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith."

In and by faith we cleave to Christ, in contempt of, and in opposition to the world. Faith sanctifies the heart, and purifies it from those sensual lusts by which the world obtains sway and dominion over souls. It has the indwelling Spirit of grace, which is greater than he who dwells in the world. The real Christian overcomes the world by faith; he sees, in and by the life and conduct of the Lord Jesus on earth, that this world is to be renounced and overcome. He cannot be satisfied with this world, but looks beyond it, and is still tending, striving, and pressing toward heaven. We must all, after Christ's example, overcome the world, or it will overcome us to our ruin. You will not lead a victorious life without faith. Only with God, all things are possible.

Bible is filled with examples of people filled with faith.Noah, Abraham, Gideon, Joshua, David, Daniel, Roman centurion, Paul taught and communicated in  faith. Stephen died in faith and became the first martyr. Every time, satan with try to convince us that we are not righteous and there is nothing with being victorious. It is only God who can help us cross the narrow path on overcome. 

Matthew 7:20, "Thus you will recognize them by their fruits."

Nothing so much prevents men from entering the strait gate, and becoming true followers of Christ, as the carnal, soothing, flattering doctrines of those who oppose the truth. They may be known by the drift and effects of their doctrines. Some part of their temper and conduct is contrary to the mind of Christ. Those opinions come not from God that lead to sin.

Illustration: King Herod was supposed to be a ruler. He was indeed supposed to be a policy maker. Yet, instead of leading people, he was led by people. 

We need not to do anything to be popular but we must say, "I need to be a child of God". God has created you to be light, not the darkness. God has called us to lead people, not to be led.  Many people are going to hell. We need to help them, we need not to be conformed with them, we need to rediscover ourselves! "We rather have Jesus".

Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Illustration: Recently, a popular stand-up comedian and actor, Robbin Williams passed away. The cause of his passing is informed as suicide. Though he made people laugh, buy felt empty from inside.

Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind; a change, not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more, and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on this renewing work, till it is perfected in glory. The great enemy to this renewal is, conformity to this world. Take heed of forming plans for happiness, as though it lay in the things of this world, which soon pass away. Do not fall in with the customs of those who walk in the lusts of the flesh, and mind earthly things. The work of the Holy Ghost first begins in the understanding, and is carried on to the will, affections, and conversation, till there is a change of the whole man into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. Thus, to be godly, is to give up ourselves to God.
Rediscover yourself!

Illustration: When Julius Caesar landed on the shores of Britain with his Roman legions, he took a bold and decisive step to ensure the success of his military venture. Ordering his men to march to the edge of the Cliffs of Dover, he commanded them to look down at the water below. To their amazement, they saw every ship in which they had crossed the channel engulfed in flames. Caesar had deliberately cut off any possibility of retreat. Now that his soldiers were unable to return to the continent, there was nothing left for them to do but to advance and conquer! And that is exactly what they did.

Illustration: Remember Lot’s Wife and why we need to Quit Looking Back? Lot and his family were told to leave and not look back. In Genesis 18: The Lord spoke to Abraham and told him that Sodom, Gomorrah, and the cities of the plains would be destroyed because of their extreme wickedness (iniquity, sin, malice). Sin got to such a stage in Sodom and Gomorrah that God was going to put Lot and his wife in a position where they would have to flee for their lives, or else they would perish. So God told them to flee from the city and, as they were fleeing from Sodom, not to look back - for if they looked back, they would be turned into a pillar of salt in God's judgment. Lot wasn't very strong to run, but he had faith in God and ran. The remarkable thing is that with the flaming sulphur of the wrath of God Almighty falling behind Lot's wife back upon the city that she had lived in, Lot's wife couldn't resist just one more lingering love-glance at her condemned home. Do you know what that proves? It proved that she loved the world more than she loved God, and it proves that the love of the world is death - whoever you are! Whatever your privileges have been, God's word says: 'If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him'. 

Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

Romans 7:14, "For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin."

Our God is a God of hope. Let us all start walking as per his calling.

Psalms 98:1, "A Psalm. Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him." 

Today we are saved by the grave of God through faith in Jesus and we are washed by the blood of Lamb. What is your decision today? Will you look back or Rediscover yourself?

We encourage you to read the lyrics of this beautiful hymn and may you all be blessed and successful in rediscovering yourself with Faith in Christ, our redeemer. 

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;

I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;

I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain

Or be held in sin’s dread sway;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;

I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;

I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;

I’d rather be true to His holy name

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;

He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;

He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;

I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead

We hope you enjoyed today's service. Looking forward to see you all once again next week. God Bless!