When we were children, dramas used to be common place. We would wait eagerly for the curtain to go up. We’d peep under the curtain and jump excitedly at the feet scurrying across the stage carrying tables and chairs or the glittery tassels of kings’ robes trailing.
Even today the excitement is the same. We die to get a peep beyond the curtain between heaven and earth. Now and then the curtain goes up revealing scenes in heaven when something is happening on the earth. My heart glowed as I meditated upon these and I’m sure your’s will too!
Christmas
Christmas was a quiet affair on earth. The Baby was born in a manger out of sight of the public, to a poor couple. But what happened in heaven? Come with me to Revelations 12:1-17. A terrible war is triggered at the birth of Jesus. A pregnant woman travails and a huge and fiery dragon crouches before her to devour her child.
As soon as the Son is born He is snatched up to God and His throne. The woman also is given shelter. War breaks out and Michael and his angels fight the dragon. The dragon and his angels were no match for Michael’s team.
This is not a prophecy but a recounting of what happened 100 years ago. Why then is it written? We see the reason in verse 17. “Then the dragon was enraged with the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” Her offspring is none other than we and our children. Jesus is the first born and we are the next born.
Jesus was physically on earth but His safety was sealed in heaven even at His birth. Not only that of Jesus Christ, the birth of every child has great impact in heaven. They are whisked away from satan’s onslaught to God’s bosom. There is another supportive verse: “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven” (Mt 18:10). Their personal angels are constantly in touch with God. Our children are safe and secure in God’s bosom.
What then is our part? God has given parents to children so that children can be taught to cooperate with God’s plan. Your child is safe if you bring her up in the training and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4). Parents can do a lot to make their children beauties in our world full of beasts. You then have to dedicate your lives to the upbringing of your children. If both parents are working, your only hobby can be children, not even your laptop. Do not sacrifice your children to the goddess of money. Give your children quality time, a good quantity of it.
Follow the formula and your children will turn out alright is only half the truth. The whole scriptural truth is that parents have an obligation to train and nurture their children, but God holds each child accountable for his/her own spiritual response. Parents will not be judged for the choices their children make, but for their faithfulness in doing what God told them to do in their bring up. So don’t allow your children to sprout like weeds without nurture, pruning or cultivation. Bringing up children is no joke. It is a warfare with satan. But remember, God and His angels are fighting on our side.
Trials and Temptations
Job was not allowed to see what was happening in heaven but was kept in the dark. It is our privilege to witness the scene behind the curtain. God challenges satan regarding Job, a man honest inside and out. Job put up a brave fight in his trial and brought God credit. Satan hung his head.
Do we realize that when we are put to the test the same scene recurs in heaven? God proudly speaks about each of us to satan like a doting father. “My son/daughter will never give in to you” He shakes His fist in satan’s face. God is confident about each of His child, as He was of Job.
Maybe Joseph had heard about Job. The way he tackled temptation, fleeing from the scene, crying, “How can I do this sin before God?” shows He was very much aware of what was happening in heaven.
Let God’s collar go up when we fight our trials and temptations. Let Him have the last laugh. Don’t put Him to shame before satan. If you give in to, “just this once” to misdemeanour you’ll regret where you end up.
Ministry
“The seventy-two returned with joy and said: Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name. He replied: I saw satan fall like lightning from heaven... However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Lk 10:17-20).
Satan receives a death blow when we serve God. Satan works like lightning when we don’t. It may be as simple as handing over a tract, typing in the office, running a magazine or an outreach programme. It unsettles satan’s throne. Discouragements are from satan, because he trembles whenever we take a step for God. Let us not take lightly whatever we do for God . Let us pour our heart and soul into it. If we remember this heavenly scene, we will never sit idle.
Everytime we lead someone to Christ we must peep through the curtain to see the clapping of hands and celebration in heaven. “...there is rejoicing in the presence of angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Lk 15:10). May be they throw a party with cake and coffee or much like the one the prodigal’s father threw. How many of us are causing celebration in heaven? Jesus cared for one Nicodemus, one blind man, one paralytic. Let us be concerned for every single non-christian we know. When you meet people, be on the lookout for a way to share the goodnews. Otherwise you’ll be losing a lot of opportunities.
When our ministry flourishes we are overwhelmed with joy. Jesus turned the disciples’ attention elsewhere. There is even a greater joy than demons obeying us; that is, our names recorded in heaven. For Jesus, what was happening on their inside was as important as what they were doing outside. Let the scene of the open Book with our names etched in it be embedded in our hearts. That will keep us holy as we serve Him.
Persecution
The hostile hearers gnashed their teeth at Stephen. Yelling and hissing, they dragged him out of the city and pelted him with rocks. “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.’ Stephen prayed, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’(Acts 7:54-60).
Persecution comes in various forms, not just stoning. People may malign your name, hate you, hinder your work, mistreat you, be jealous, put you down or physically and verbally abuse you. Whatever may be the form of persecution you are going through right now, may God open your eyes to see Jesus’ standing up in respect for you and God watching you, being glorified by your suffering. Why was the glory of God revealed to Stephen? It was because of his soft spirit of forgiveness.
God is glorified when we forgive those who persecute us. Jesus did the same on the cross and glorified God. Why then do we cry, get angry, bitterly complain and throw up when we suffer for God? Let us kneel down and pray wholeheartedly for those who try to destroy us.
“Pray for those who persecute you” taught Jesus (Mt 5:44). Let us commit ourselves to follow this teaching. May God strengthen us to go through persecution like real gentlemen and live by high principles. Never allow your emotions to have the last word.
Guidance
Jehosaphat, the good king of Judah and Ahab king of Israel, whose name has become synonymous with infamy, join hands, to war against the king of Aram. Jehosaphat wanted to know the mind of the Lord in this matter. “First seek the counsel of the Lord” said he (1Ki 22:5). So about 400 prophets were gathered. Every one of them gave a positive word to go. But Jehosaphat dragged his heels and wanted confirmation from yet another prophet. So Micaiah was called for and asked to speak nothing but the truth. He was forthright about his vision of God allowing a spirit to go and be a lying spirit in the mouth of the prophets. So Micaiah warned them against a shameful defeat. Yet the two go to war in which Ahab was killed and Jehosaphat had a close brush with death.
What in the lesson for us here? First of all we should never collaborate with ungodly people on major matters. They will misguide us. Not everyone shares our scruples. Secondly, unless we have an absolutely obedient heart, God is not interested in guiding us. First the duo decided to go and then they consulted the prophets. They wanted God to give the, ‘Go ahead’ sign for their plan. When the answer was a firm ‘No’ they decided to implement their scheme anyway.
How is God obliged to guide us unless we are bent on doing His will? If we love God enough to obey His Word at any cost, we will know His will. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled
by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” says God (Psa 32:8,9). Jehosaphat and Ahab ran ahead like obstinate wild horses in spite of God trying to keep them on the track with a bit and bridle. Jehosaphat learnt his lesson paying a heavy price. He would have thought after his ignominious defeat, “I wish I listened to Micaiah.”
Is that not our experience too? Beware, lest you suffer the same fate. Be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit and then God’s guidance will no more be fuzzy.
Baptism
When John deterred Jesus from being baptized, Jesus insisted, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness. As soon as Jesus came out of the baptismal waters, the curtain goes up to reveal to us God’s reaction to implicit obedience. “At that moment heaven was opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased” (Mt 3:13-17).
Well dear, you may or may not see the skies open, but at every step of obedience God puts his stamp of approval on your conduct certificate, saying you are His beloved daughter, the delight of His life.
Why would you put off this simple step of obedience? Jesus was the only sinless person not requiring baptism. Yet, as a mark of obedience He wanted to be baptized. How much more we?
The jailor did not want to wait for the dawn to breakforth to witness his baptism. He wanted to be baptized the same night he was converted. It was a night to remember. He was filled with joy! (Acts 16:33,34). Don’t you want to experience this joy of obedience?
“Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” asked the Ethiopian Eunuch. Not the preacher but the candidate is urging to be baptized. He went on his way as happy as he could be (Acts 8:37-39). Don’t you want this bubbling joy? Don’t you want this open heaven experience?
Vengeance
We see a scuffle in the Garden of Gethsemane. Caught in a nightmare, Peter reached for his sword and taking a swing at the Chief Priest’s servant cut off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. Jesus, exuding poise, goes on to explain the scene of a ready army behind the curtain. “Do you think I cannot call on the Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Mt 26:51-56).
Verbal zingers zap us everyday, often when we are least prepared and we unfurl our tongues to give them a stinging reply. Volcanic temper and name calling are everyday scenes in our world.
“Be careful, lest in fighting the dragon you become the dragon” said Nietzche.At the slightest provocation we draw out the sword—husband against wife and wife against husband, motherin-law against daughter-in-law and vice-versa; against our co-workers, neighbours! It frays our nerves to get even. It is one thing to be powerless and another thing to have all the power to take revenge and yet not use it.
“Vengeance is Mine” says God. Tit-for-tat logic is unchristian. We pounce on people at the drop of a hat. Put your sword inside the scabbard. Never pay meanness in the same coin. Blood cannot be washed with blood. It only leads to a vicious cycle of retaliation.After all it takes two to perpetuate a power struggle. “Do not say: I’ll
do to him as he has done to me; I’ll pay that man back for what he did” (Prov 24:29).
What shall we do then? Essentially it involves a decision to abandon the impulse for revenge. Overcome evil with good. Jesus healed Malchus. Let us follow the chivalry of Jesus. Be kind to the person who hurts you and do something good to him/her. When you do that, a little light will shine in your heart. “Do I not destroy my enemies
when I make them my friends?” asked Abraham Lincoln, the noble soul.
Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight” (Jn 18:36a). Always remember, our kingdom is not of this world. Herein is the futility of revenge.
What then shall I say as epilogue? From earth, beyond the curtain we see God’s encouragement. From heaven can God see man’s enthusiasm?
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
When we were children, dramas used to be common place. We would wait eagerly for the curtain to go up. We’d peep under the curtain and jump excitedly at the feet scurrying across the stage carrying tables and chairs or the glittery tassels of kings’ robes trailing.
Even today the excitement is the same. We die to get a peep beyond the curtain between heaven and earth. Now and then the curtain goes up revealing scenes in heaven when something is happening on the earth. My heart glowed as I meditated upon these and I’m sure your’s will too!
Christmas
Christmas was a quiet affair on earth. The Baby was born in a manger out of sight of the public, to a poor couple. But what happened in heaven? Come with me to Revelations 12:1-17. A terrible war is triggered at the birth of Jesus. A pregnant woman travails and a huge and fiery dragon crouches before her to devour her child.
As soon as the Son is born He is snatched up to God and His throne. The woman also is given shelter. War breaks out and Michael and his angels fight the dragon. The dragon and his angels were no match for Michael’s team.
This is not a prophecy but a recounting of what happened 100 years ago. Why then is it written? We see the reason in verse 17. “Then the dragon was enraged with the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” Her offspring is none other than we and our children. Jesus is the first born and we are the next born.
Jesus was physically on earth but His safety was sealed in heaven even at His birth. Not only that of Jesus Christ, the birth of every child has great impact in heaven. They are whisked away from satan’s onslaught to God’s bosom. There is another supportive verse: “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven” (Mt 18:10). Their personal angels are constantly in touch with God. Our children are safe and secure in God’s bosom.
What then is our part? God has given parents to children so that children can be taught to cooperate with God’s plan. Your child is safe if you bring her up in the training and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4). Parents can do a lot to make their children beauties in our world full of beasts. You then have to dedicate your lives to the upbringing of your children. If both parents are working, your only hobby can be children, not even your laptop. Do not sacrifice your children to the goddess of money. Give your children quality time, a good quantity of it.
Follow the formula and your children will turn out alright is only half the truth. The whole scriptural truth is that parents have an obligation to train and nurture their children, but God holds each child accountable for his/her own spiritual response. Parents will not be judged for the choices their children make, but for their faithfulness in doing what God told them to do in their bring up. So don’t allow your children to sprout like weeds without nurture, pruning or cultivation. Bringing up children is no joke. It is a warfare with satan. But remember, God and His angels are fighting on our side.
Trials and Temptations
Job was not allowed to see what was happening in heaven but was kept in the dark. It is our privilege to witness the scene behind the curtain. God challenges satan regarding Job, a man honest inside and out. Job put up a brave fight in his trial and brought God credit. Satan hung his head.
Do we realize that when we are put to the test the same scene recurs in heaven? God proudly speaks about each of us to satan like a doting father. “My son/daughter will never give in to you” He shakes His fist in satan’s face. God is confident about each of His child, as He was of Job.
Maybe Joseph had heard about Job. The way he tackled temptation, fleeing from the scene, crying, “How can I do this sin before God?” shows He was very much aware of what was happening in heaven.
Let God’s collar go up when we fight our trials and temptations. Let Him have the last laugh. Don’t put Him to shame before satan. If you give in to, “just this once” to misdemeanour you’ll regret where you end up.
Ministry
“The seventy-two returned with joy and said: Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name. He replied: I saw satan fall like lightning from heaven... However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Lk 10:17-20).
Satan receives a death blow when we serve God. Satan works like lightning when we don’t. It may be as simple as handing over a tract, typing in the office, running a magazine or an outreach programme. It unsettles satan’s throne. Discouragements are from satan, because he trembles whenever we take a step for God. Let us not take lightly whatever we do for God . Let us pour our heart and soul into it. If we remember this heavenly scene, we will never sit idle.
Everytime we lead someone to Christ we must peep through the curtain to see the clapping of hands and celebration in heaven. “...there is rejoicing in the presence of angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Lk 15:10). May be they throw a party with cake and coffee or much like the one the prodigal’s father threw. How many of us are causing celebration in heaven? Jesus cared for one Nicodemus, one blind man, one paralytic. Let us be concerned for every single non-christian we know. When you meet people, be on the lookout for a way to share the goodnews. Otherwise you’ll be losing a lot of opportunities.
When our ministry flourishes we are overwhelmed with joy. Jesus turned the disciples’ attention elsewhere. There is even a greater joy than demons obeying us; that is, our names recorded in heaven. For Jesus, what was happening on their inside was as important as what they were doing outside. Let the scene of the open Book with our names etched in it be embedded in our hearts. That will keep us holy as we serve Him.
Persecution
The hostile hearers gnashed their teeth at Stephen. Yelling and hissing, they dragged him out of the city and pelted him with rocks. “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.’ Stephen prayed, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’(Acts 7:54-60).
Persecution comes in various forms, not just stoning. People may malign your name, hate you, hinder your work, mistreat you, be jealous, put you down or physically and verbally abuse you. Whatever may be the form of persecution you are going through right now, may God open your eyes to see Jesus’ standing up in respect for you and God watching you, being glorified by your suffering. Why was the glory of God revealed to Stephen? It was because of his soft spirit of forgiveness.
God is glorified when we forgive those who persecute us. Jesus did the same on the cross and glorified God. Why then do we cry, get angry, bitterly complain and throw up when we suffer for God? Let us kneel down and pray wholeheartedly for those who try to destroy us.
“Pray for those who persecute you” taught Jesus (Mt 5:44). Let us commit ourselves to follow this teaching. May God strengthen us to go through persecution like real gentlemen and live by high principles. Never allow your emotions to have the last word.
Guidance
Jehosaphat, the good king of Judah and Ahab king of Israel, whose name has become synonymous with infamy, join hands, to war against the king of Aram. Jehosaphat wanted to know the mind of the Lord in this matter. “First seek the counsel of the Lord” said he (1Ki 22:5). So about 400 prophets were gathered. Every one of them gave a positive word to go. But Jehosaphat dragged his heels and wanted confirmation from yet another prophet. So Micaiah was called for and asked to speak nothing but the truth. He was forthright about his vision of God allowing a spirit to go and be a lying spirit in the mouth of the prophets. So Micaiah warned them against a shameful defeat. Yet the two go to war in which Ahab was killed and Jehosaphat had a close brush with death.
What in the lesson for us here? First of all we should never collaborate with ungodly people on major matters. They will misguide us. Not everyone shares our scruples. Secondly, unless we have an absolutely obedient heart, God is not interested in guiding us. First the duo decided to go and then they consulted the prophets. They wanted God to give the, ‘Go ahead’ sign for their plan. When the answer was a firm ‘No’ they decided to implement their scheme anyway.
How is God obliged to guide us unless we are bent on doing His will? If we love God enough to obey His Word at any cost, we will know His will. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled
by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” says God (Psa 32:8,9). Jehosaphat and Ahab ran ahead like obstinate wild horses in spite of God trying to keep them on the track with a bit and bridle. Jehosaphat learnt his lesson paying a heavy price. He would have thought after his ignominious defeat, “I wish I listened to Micaiah.”
Is that not our experience too? Beware, lest you suffer the same fate. Be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit and then God’s guidance will no more be fuzzy.
Baptism
When John deterred Jesus from being baptized, Jesus insisted, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness. As soon as Jesus came out of the baptismal waters, the curtain goes up to reveal to us God’s reaction to implicit obedience. “At that moment heaven was opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased” (Mt 3:13-17).
Well dear, you may or may not see the skies open, but at every step of obedience God puts his stamp of approval on your conduct certificate, saying you are His beloved daughter, the delight of His life.
Why would you put off this simple step of obedience? Jesus was the only sinless person not requiring baptism. Yet, as a mark of obedience He wanted to be baptized. How much more we?
The jailor did not want to wait for the dawn to breakforth to witness his baptism. He wanted to be baptized the same night he was converted. It was a night to remember. He was filled with joy! (Acts 16:33,34). Don’t you want to experience this joy of obedience?
“Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” asked the Ethiopian Eunuch. Not the preacher but the candidate is urging to be baptized. He went on his way as happy as he could be (Acts 8:37-39). Don’t you want this bubbling joy? Don’t you want this open heaven experience?
Vengeance
We see a scuffle in the Garden of Gethsemane. Caught in a nightmare, Peter reached for his sword and taking a swing at the Chief Priest’s servant cut off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. Jesus, exuding poise, goes on to explain the scene of a ready army behind the curtain. “Do you think I cannot call on the Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” (Mt 26:51-56).
Verbal zingers zap us everyday, often when we are least prepared and we unfurl our tongues to give them a stinging reply. Volcanic temper and name calling are everyday scenes in our world.
“Be careful, lest in fighting the dragon you become the dragon” said Nietzche.At the slightest provocation we draw out the sword—husband against wife and wife against husband, motherin-law against daughter-in-law and vice-versa; against our co-workers, neighbours! It frays our nerves to get even. It is one thing to be powerless and another thing to have all the power to take revenge and yet not use it.
“Vengeance is Mine” says God. Tit-for-tat logic is unchristian. We pounce on people at the drop of a hat. Put your sword inside the scabbard. Never pay meanness in the same coin. Blood cannot be washed with blood. It only leads to a vicious cycle of retaliation.After all it takes two to perpetuate a power struggle. “Do not say: I’ll
do to him as he has done to me; I’ll pay that man back for what he did” (Prov 24:29).
What shall we do then? Essentially it involves a decision to abandon the impulse for revenge. Overcome evil with good. Jesus healed Malchus. Let us follow the chivalry of Jesus. Be kind to the person who hurts you and do something good to him/her. When you do that, a little light will shine in your heart. “Do I not destroy my enemies
when I make them my friends?” asked Abraham Lincoln, the noble soul.
Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight” (Jn 18:36a). Always remember, our kingdom is not of this world. Herein is the futility of revenge.
What then shall I say as epilogue? From earth, beyond the curtain we see God’s encouragement. From heaven can God see man’s enthusiasm?
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
