Writing my next article after quiet some time. I was on vacation during the month of May and couldn't find time for the next article. As I am getting busier in my works as well, I want to set aside a time to write more articles as the Lord gives me more content. Today, June 11th, we celebrate the last church festival of this year, which is festival of Trinity. So, to bring glory to the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, this article has a three repeating letters PPP.
Last month when I was driving to work, I was thinking about patience and when I thought more about it I remembered about the concept of 3P (PPP) which I read long back in management principle. The 3P in business stands for People, Process and the Product. When I was thinking about that, the Holy Spirit told me there is PPP (3P) with respect to spiritual things as well and then the Lord revealed me that the 3Ps stand for Patience, Perseverance and Persistence.
I wondered a long time about the late Dr. DGS Dhinakaran who was a powerful man of God. He had preached to millions about the love of Jesus and demonstrated the power of God in a mighty way. God healed plenty of people through His ministries and did miracles for millions of people. He did a powerful ministry of God and the grace of God is still with the Jesus Calls ministry which He found. I wondered many times what is the secret behind His successful ministry. But, the Holy Spirit answered me the secret behind the power and anointing in his ministry is because of PPP - Patience, Perseverance and Persistence.
Dhinakaran faced lot of struggles in his early life due to failures in studies, unemployment, poverty and was depressed. He decided to commit suicide by falling before train and he started walking towards nearby train track. But, on the way, he met his uncle who told him about Jesus and he decided to pray to the Lord. When he prayed, the Lord showed him his past sins and he repented of them immediately. He got an inner piece afterwards and then from that day, his life changed. He started tasting success in education and got a job. But, the real difference in Dhinakaran's life is he started seeking the Lord continuously through prayer and Bible reading everyday. He was so consistent and faithful in his ways in front of the Lord. At the end of 7 years, when he earnestly prayed for the anointing of Holy Spirit, He received a visitation from Lord Jesus and then the Holy Spirit started His work in him. And still he continued earnestly with his call and at a later point of his life, he received all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and started to minister for Lord in a powerful manner. The secret behind his anointing is the patience, perseverance and persistence that he had towards the Lord. Brother Dhinakaran's life itself is greatest testimony for our living God because a man who was about to end his life came back and preached and brought the love of Christ to millions of people. This can only possible with Lord Jesus Christ.
Many young people get saved, they immediately start to do some ministry and later they grow weary and then deceived by the devil and changed their tracks. But, those powerful anointed ministers, who shine for Lord Jesus today, if we go and search their past, they would have certified truthful and sincere in all their troubles and temptations. Throughout their difficulties and challenges, they would have had PPP. Anyone, who wanted to do the will of God, should have these three Ps and should be ready to wait even for years to know the will of God before jumping into the ministry.
The Holy Spirit instructed me about each of this 'P' in the life of patriarchs. I never thought that one before though I know the scriptures but when Holy Spirit told me, it was clear. The first P stands for Patience. The first patriarch is Abraham from whom Judaism, Islam and Christianity derived. I believe the entire world population may be the descendants of Abraham now though not all of them are spiritual. Why Abraham is so special? We can easily answer because he is the father of faith. Yes, it is absolutely true that Abraham was called friend of God because of his faith. But, Hebrews says it was not only his faith but it was also his patience that he waited on the Lord to give the first promised legal heir, Isaac. "And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." Heb 6:15. Even, we need patience along with faith to receive the promises of God as our God never acted out in hurry. He will have plans for our entire life span and if we expect quick fixes, it is not going to work. The same chapter advice us to follow the footsteps of Abraham as his children. "That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Heb 6:12. Is God's promises yet to be fulfilled in your life? Never let your patience worn out. Abide in the scriptures and prayers and God will fulfill His promises in His time.
The second 'P' stands for perseverance. It is not sufficient to have patience alone but we need to follow up along with patience. Perseverance is unrelenting effort on something unless it is achieved. Let's see the second patriarch, Isaac. When he was living in the land of philistines, there was a famine in the land. But, Isaac went and sowed and God blessed him hundred fold and he became great. Gen 26:1, 12-14. Remember, Isaac was already rich because Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac apart from what he shared to the sons of Keturah. Gen 25:5,6. But, Isaac just didn't depend on the cattle stock for his living but he chose to sow the fields and God gave him a big fold reward for his efforts. Then, Philistines envied him and argued with him regarding his wells three times. But, Isaac didn't just leave it as such. He continued to dig wells unless the philistines stops their fight. This shows his perseverance amidst the opposition. We may do small works for the Lord as sowing directly represents sharing the word of God and when it looks like we are getting water, the devil (philistines) may come and try to spoil our work and even the evil forces may get success. But, if we persevere, we will reap the rewards for our efforts and perseverance from the Lord.
The third 'P' stands for persistence. We see it in the life of the third patriarch Jacob. We may see the character of Jacob from his early childhood. Whatever he does, his eyes will always be on one thing, that is blessing. He took the firstborn right from Esau and the type of Esau represents people who just want to satisfy their momentary worldly pleasures. Later the price they pay is so great that is they lose their eternal life for this momentary pleasures. More specifically, Esau was compared to those who commit fornication and adultery in Hebrews. "Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." Hebrews 12:16.17. How true? Hope that doesn't need much more explanation as the verses explains. Immoral sexual activities may give momentary pleasure and satisfaction, but it takes out the eternal life of the soul. On the other hand, Jacob was focused on the blessings. The second time, he deceived his father, not by himself but through the advice of his mother. God too wishes to bless people like Jacob who wants to seek blessing. At a later point of time, psalmist too writes, "As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him." Psalm 109:17.
We need to love the blessings that come from the Lord. There are people who teach that we should not look for blessing, we should not seek blessing, we should only live holy and righteous life for the Lord. Actually, we need to rightly divide the word of God. Blessing doesn't just apply to material possessions and money alone. There are spiritual blessings (for soul and spirit), good health (for body) and material possessions for a good living. We should seek the blessings of the Lord not the blessings of this world alone. But, this kind of people try to outsmart God with their holiness and righteousness, but at the end they will realize they are foolish. I will try to explain this on a dedicated chapter. For now, just want to say in short that we should live a holy life, righteous life but at the same time a blessed life as per 3 John 2.
Coming back to Jacob, his persistence with blessing is revealed when he wrestled with the Lord for blessing. The interesting point here is, Jacob was already blessed with two bands of cattle stock. He said that he crossed the river Jordan with empty hand and a staff but he had been blessed with two bands of animal stock, wealth and family members and He confess he was not worthy to receive them all. Gen 32:10. This shows the humbleness of the man and as we read in our last chapter, God favors the humble. This time he is praying for a protection from his brother Esau. verse 11. But, at that point the Lord himself came down but Jacob catch hold of him for the entire night and asks for His blessing. Because, he knows when he gets this particular blessing of the Lord, he will be protected and he can guard his other material blessings. He wrestled with the Lord for entire night and Lord Himself gave a certificate that He will be called Israel which means a prince who prevailed with God and Men. That made the name of Jacob and Israel special. That night made the difference. Every other book of the Bible speaks about the name of Israel or Jacob continuously. We should be persistence in going after God's blessings, we shouldn't stop when we didn't get. Anyone who asks will receive. Remember the code - ASK (Ask, Seek and Knock) Ask and it will be given, Seek, you will find and Knock, it will be open to you. Matthew 7:7. When you pray with code ASK, look for greater things such as the power to change the world, your surroundings, greater things, inheritance of the land. Ask for great measure of Holy Spirit, fruits of the Holy spirit and all the gifts. You need a thirsty towards all these great things and spiritual blessings. But, you should have PPP after ASK to receive what you have asked. If you endure, you will receive for sure. If you ask like a grown up man, you will receive. If you are like childish just asking a for a meager increase in salary or promotion or for material or for money, you will receive little.
Pray for the perishing souls with patience, perseverance and persistence. Finally, I close this with Paul's advice to Galatians, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Gal 6:9. All glory, honor and praise to God, the Father, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Last month when I was driving to work, I was thinking about patience and when I thought more about it I remembered about the concept of 3P (PPP) which I read long back in management principle. The 3P in business stands for People, Process and the Product. When I was thinking about that, the Holy Spirit told me there is PPP (3P) with respect to spiritual things as well and then the Lord revealed me that the 3Ps stand for Patience, Perseverance and Persistence.
I wondered a long time about the late Dr. DGS Dhinakaran who was a powerful man of God. He had preached to millions about the love of Jesus and demonstrated the power of God in a mighty way. God healed plenty of people through His ministries and did miracles for millions of people. He did a powerful ministry of God and the grace of God is still with the Jesus Calls ministry which He found. I wondered many times what is the secret behind His successful ministry. But, the Holy Spirit answered me the secret behind the power and anointing in his ministry is because of PPP - Patience, Perseverance and Persistence.
Dhinakaran faced lot of struggles in his early life due to failures in studies, unemployment, poverty and was depressed. He decided to commit suicide by falling before train and he started walking towards nearby train track. But, on the way, he met his uncle who told him about Jesus and he decided to pray to the Lord. When he prayed, the Lord showed him his past sins and he repented of them immediately. He got an inner piece afterwards and then from that day, his life changed. He started tasting success in education and got a job. But, the real difference in Dhinakaran's life is he started seeking the Lord continuously through prayer and Bible reading everyday. He was so consistent and faithful in his ways in front of the Lord. At the end of 7 years, when he earnestly prayed for the anointing of Holy Spirit, He received a visitation from Lord Jesus and then the Holy Spirit started His work in him. And still he continued earnestly with his call and at a later point of his life, he received all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and started to minister for Lord in a powerful manner. The secret behind his anointing is the patience, perseverance and persistence that he had towards the Lord. Brother Dhinakaran's life itself is greatest testimony for our living God because a man who was about to end his life came back and preached and brought the love of Christ to millions of people. This can only possible with Lord Jesus Christ.
Many young people get saved, they immediately start to do some ministry and later they grow weary and then deceived by the devil and changed their tracks. But, those powerful anointed ministers, who shine for Lord Jesus today, if we go and search their past, they would have certified truthful and sincere in all their troubles and temptations. Throughout their difficulties and challenges, they would have had PPP. Anyone, who wanted to do the will of God, should have these three Ps and should be ready to wait even for years to know the will of God before jumping into the ministry.
The Holy Spirit instructed me about each of this 'P' in the life of patriarchs. I never thought that one before though I know the scriptures but when Holy Spirit told me, it was clear. The first P stands for Patience. The first patriarch is Abraham from whom Judaism, Islam and Christianity derived. I believe the entire world population may be the descendants of Abraham now though not all of them are spiritual. Why Abraham is so special? We can easily answer because he is the father of faith. Yes, it is absolutely true that Abraham was called friend of God because of his faith. But, Hebrews says it was not only his faith but it was also his patience that he waited on the Lord to give the first promised legal heir, Isaac. "And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." Heb 6:15. Even, we need patience along with faith to receive the promises of God as our God never acted out in hurry. He will have plans for our entire life span and if we expect quick fixes, it is not going to work. The same chapter advice us to follow the footsteps of Abraham as his children. "That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Heb 6:12. Is God's promises yet to be fulfilled in your life? Never let your patience worn out. Abide in the scriptures and prayers and God will fulfill His promises in His time.
The second 'P' stands for perseverance. It is not sufficient to have patience alone but we need to follow up along with patience. Perseverance is unrelenting effort on something unless it is achieved. Let's see the second patriarch, Isaac. When he was living in the land of philistines, there was a famine in the land. But, Isaac went and sowed and God blessed him hundred fold and he became great. Gen 26:1, 12-14. Remember, Isaac was already rich because Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac apart from what he shared to the sons of Keturah. Gen 25:5,6. But, Isaac just didn't depend on the cattle stock for his living but he chose to sow the fields and God gave him a big fold reward for his efforts. Then, Philistines envied him and argued with him regarding his wells three times. But, Isaac didn't just leave it as such. He continued to dig wells unless the philistines stops their fight. This shows his perseverance amidst the opposition. We may do small works for the Lord as sowing directly represents sharing the word of God and when it looks like we are getting water, the devil (philistines) may come and try to spoil our work and even the evil forces may get success. But, if we persevere, we will reap the rewards for our efforts and perseverance from the Lord.
The third 'P' stands for persistence. We see it in the life of the third patriarch Jacob. We may see the character of Jacob from his early childhood. Whatever he does, his eyes will always be on one thing, that is blessing. He took the firstborn right from Esau and the type of Esau represents people who just want to satisfy their momentary worldly pleasures. Later the price they pay is so great that is they lose their eternal life for this momentary pleasures. More specifically, Esau was compared to those who commit fornication and adultery in Hebrews. "Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." Hebrews 12:16.17. How true? Hope that doesn't need much more explanation as the verses explains. Immoral sexual activities may give momentary pleasure and satisfaction, but it takes out the eternal life of the soul. On the other hand, Jacob was focused on the blessings. The second time, he deceived his father, not by himself but through the advice of his mother. God too wishes to bless people like Jacob who wants to seek blessing. At a later point of time, psalmist too writes, "As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him." Psalm 109:17.
We need to love the blessings that come from the Lord. There are people who teach that we should not look for blessing, we should not seek blessing, we should only live holy and righteous life for the Lord. Actually, we need to rightly divide the word of God. Blessing doesn't just apply to material possessions and money alone. There are spiritual blessings (for soul and spirit), good health (for body) and material possessions for a good living. We should seek the blessings of the Lord not the blessings of this world alone. But, this kind of people try to outsmart God with their holiness and righteousness, but at the end they will realize they are foolish. I will try to explain this on a dedicated chapter. For now, just want to say in short that we should live a holy life, righteous life but at the same time a blessed life as per 3 John 2.
Coming back to Jacob, his persistence with blessing is revealed when he wrestled with the Lord for blessing. The interesting point here is, Jacob was already blessed with two bands of cattle stock. He said that he crossed the river Jordan with empty hand and a staff but he had been blessed with two bands of animal stock, wealth and family members and He confess he was not worthy to receive them all. Gen 32:10. This shows the humbleness of the man and as we read in our last chapter, God favors the humble. This time he is praying for a protection from his brother Esau. verse 11. But, at that point the Lord himself came down but Jacob catch hold of him for the entire night and asks for His blessing. Because, he knows when he gets this particular blessing of the Lord, he will be protected and he can guard his other material blessings. He wrestled with the Lord for entire night and Lord Himself gave a certificate that He will be called Israel which means a prince who prevailed with God and Men. That made the name of Jacob and Israel special. That night made the difference. Every other book of the Bible speaks about the name of Israel or Jacob continuously. We should be persistence in going after God's blessings, we shouldn't stop when we didn't get. Anyone who asks will receive. Remember the code - ASK (Ask, Seek and Knock) Ask and it will be given, Seek, you will find and Knock, it will be open to you. Matthew 7:7. When you pray with code ASK, look for greater things such as the power to change the world, your surroundings, greater things, inheritance of the land. Ask for great measure of Holy Spirit, fruits of the Holy spirit and all the gifts. You need a thirsty towards all these great things and spiritual blessings. But, you should have PPP after ASK to receive what you have asked. If you endure, you will receive for sure. If you ask like a grown up man, you will receive. If you are like childish just asking a for a meager increase in salary or promotion or for material or for money, you will receive little.
Pray for the perishing souls with patience, perseverance and persistence. Finally, I close this with Paul's advice to Galatians, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Gal 6:9. All glory, honor and praise to God, the Father, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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