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SCRIPTURE:
“About
four thousand men were present. And having sent them away, he got into
the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha." (Mark
8:9-10)
OBSERVATION:
I asked myself what did Jesus do?
1. Jesus sent away four thousand men.
2. Jesus got into the boat with his disciples.
3. Jesus went to the region of Dalmanutha.
I decided to focus on what
Jesus did first.
INTERPRETATION:
I asked myself the significance of 'having
sent them away'?
I found it very interesting that Jesus personally took
involvement in the people's lives when he waited until all four thousand
were sent away by him. This happened after Jesus fed the four thousand
men with bread and fish after the 3-day retreat. More than likely more
than 4000 would have been present if you added the women and children.
Jesus could have left early after feeding them but waited until all were
gone. This shows me the level of care Jesus showed for those He
ministered to.
IMPLICATIONS:
I saw important implications for my own life.
When Jesus places us in a leadership position, it is not to lord over
people but to serve them and take care of them genuinely as a joyful
shepherd takes care of his flock, a parent takes care of his/her child
joyfully, a pastor takes care of his congregation members, etc. In any
leadership position Jesus gives me, I should make sure those under
my care are cared for before I depart. I need to care for all
those the Lord Jesus has put in my path. I used to be the last person to
leave when I was a staff worker with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
I have always liked to ensure others were taken care of before I leave.
HOW THE GOSPEL HAS GIVEN ME A TESTIMONY REGARDING
C.A.R.E:
As Jesus cared for the 4000 people, I have seen how the Lord Jesus has used many people to care for
me. I recall few years ago when I had rededicated my life to
Christ and needed to grow strong spiritually in the Lord, how the Lord
Jesus used a certain staff volunteer of InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship (IVCF) named Kevin Leibach in my life. He would come
all the way from far away weekly just to do a Bible study with me in the Gospel of
Mark even if I were going to be the only one. Also, everyday he would be
in the 5th floor of the William Pitt Union during lunch time if I ever
needed prayer or encouragement from God's Word. He would always remind
me of Jeremiah 29:11.
The care that Kevin showed me, I
wanted to show that same care to other students so I joined IVCF as a
member, then became a student leader, then student volunteer, and
eventually went on staff with IVCF.
When people asked me what was the
turning point in my life that an Indian who had high aspirations and
dreams to study law school at Harvard would give it all up to do college
ministry with young adults, I would tell them the story of Kevin Leibach.
Kevin would eventually marry Elizabeth, a staff worker with IVCF at the
time.
There's was the first American wedding, I have ever attended.
Because of that time Kevin invested
in my life to care for me and disciple me, I have loved to reach out to
other students to disciple them and care for them. It started with Kevin
sharing God's Word with me and taking me through the Gospel of Mark
verse by verse as we studied God's Word together.
Since that day, my vision has
always been to BUILD students up making DISCIPLES who embody biblical
values through STUDY OF GOD'S WORD and love for Jesus Christ, that they
will want to ENGAGE the entire campus in all its ethnic diversity with
the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST through EVANGELISM as they spend time in
PRAYER.
My hope is because others are cared
for and ministered to, they would want to do the same for others in the
Name of Jesus. I cannot but imagine how many of
those 4000 men eventually went on to minister to others because they
were cared for by Jesus personally. The Good News of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ does that.
So, to this day when people ask me,
"Ramesh, what are you doing working in food services when you can be
doing so much more with your life with the degrees you have, majors you
have, minors you have, etc", my response is "I will be here as long as
the Lord Jesus wants me here"
I see the campus as a mission field
and myself as a missionary
to care for people with the love of Christ whether it be in person,
through
http://www.pittsburghstandard.com,
www.facebook.com, etc.
To also care for people in an
educational setting, the Lord Jesus helped me create multiple- choice
study questions in different classes I have taken so others who take the
class can be helped. My favorite has been to have Bible verses embedded
within them to care for people that way too.
Kevin was not the only one that
cared for me but through the years there have been so many including
family, friends, mentors from work, and the church community.
Jesus cares for me even to this day
and puts people in my path even now to care for me. I am His sheep and
He is the Shepherd. He ensures that I am cared for by my family, by my
friends, and by the community of believers in my church. The examples of
care in my life are infinite. My beloved daddy, who is with the Lord
now, always cared for our needs. It did not matter whether we were
over 18 or not, he always ensured we were taken care of financially and
physically. My mom ensured we are taken care of emotionally and
spiritually (Knowing Jesus and growing in Him) even now whether we are
home or not. My brothers would be there to care for my needs too :)
Pastor Hugo of Pittsburgh Chinese
Church Oakland (PCCO) has always been there when I needed his help to
care for me and my family. When my dad was in the ICU, he would visit
frequently to pray with my mommy and counsel her. I never had a church
life but getting to know Pastor Hugo, listening to his sermons, and
being encouraged to check out the international congregation of PCCO
called Oakland International Fellowship (OIF), I eventually got in OIF
and have been blessed by the community there. To this day, Pastor Hugo
cares not only for my financial, physical, emotional, but most importantly
my spiritual care. He wants to ensure that I am growing in the Lord
Jesus Christ day to day. His supporting cast to help me are Pastor Ed
and Pastor Bucknell.
I must also say my involvement with
OIF started because of what Kamella and Amigo Garraway did for me by
taking time to help me with my website showing care that way. Also, I
was touched when members of OIF would take time to be with me at the
activities fair to help out.
Pastor Bucknell was very
instrumental in helping me see the importance of church life not as a
routine but a wonderful relationship with the body of believers in
Christ.
Because of Pastor Hugo's care
and others exhibiting the love of Christ through the Gospel, it made me want to
stick with OIF even though for personal reasons, I have wanted to leave.
Jesus made me see this is where I am not only needed but will be cared
for so I can care for others the Lord Jesus sends my way. I thank Pastor
Hugo's wife, Heather (a former member of IVCF) too who has been such an
encouragement to me.
My care has not been limited to
just my family or pastors but servant leaders the Lord Jesus has raised
up in our church. Elder Peter Wu was there for me to share my
experiences of what I was going through when my dad went to be with the
Lord. Edwin &
Marie have been instrumental in being my spiritual encouragers to help
me keep focused on Christ whether I have been joyful or sorrowful. They
want to see me grow stronger and stronger in the Lord.
Many members of Potters Clay and
Living Acts have always shown care to me in different avenues when I was
in need: 1. Edwin financially, 2. Antonia, Steve, Luke, Ryan, Cathy,
Rachel, Lydia medically, 3. Marie, Kristen, Bryan, Josh, Keng, Rodney,
Calvin, Phillip, etc spiritually
encouraging me.
There are so many others who have
shown me care and it does not end with those names alone. It made me see
that IT DOES NOT MATTER TO PEOPLE HOW MUCH WE KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW
MUCH WE CARE.
So, even though I think degrees are
important, I have come to realize that all the degrees that I have mean
nothing to people until they know I care.
I cannot truly care without Jesus
being the center of my life. My true care for others will show based on
my own relationship with Jesus Christ and the place He has in my life.
It is because of being ministered to by Jesus through His Word, answers
to Prayer, and the community of believers who love Christ in my path, I
have been motivated to CARE for others too. It starts with Christ.
Friend true care that will make a
lasting impact starts with Jesus Christ and the Gospel He came to give.
When Kevin cared for me, he did not just talk to me but invested his
life in me through the study of the Gospel of Mark. Kevin knew caring
through the Gospel is what will change lives and he did that. That is
what Pastor Ed has been doing too.
I am not perfect and have a lot to
grow in but that moment in time years ago changed the course of history for my
life. I went from having a dream to become a top-notch lawyer to having
a burden to reach college students for Christ to this day, May 16, 2009.
That was because of Christ's work in my life starting with InterVarsity
Christian Fellowship (IVCF) among many other links. People like Tom,
Paul, Chloe, etc have cared for me when I was with IVCF.
Now I work full-time as a manager
and use my spare time to care for others as the Lord leads.
You too can make an impact in a
person's life wherever you are when you do it with joy and genuineness.
I know the Lord Jesus has placed you to care for others in your path.
Just day before yesterday, Kristen,
one of our cell group leaders shared with
me and our small group through an email how the Lord Jesus placed on her heart to go and
reach a young person at the 'Acquire the Fire' crusade held at the
Petersen Events Center, last Friday and Saturday. Kristen prayed
for her and listened to her touching her life with the love of Christ. I
don't think that student will ever be the same again because someone
cared deeply for her.
Just this morning before I was
about to post this devotional, I felt I should check my inbox first.
When I did, I got such an encouraging email from a Pitt student who
uplifted me and made me realize and confirmed that STUDENT MINISTRY is
where the Lord Jesus wants me to be in. So, I am posting her comments
here that I received after this devotional was about to be posted:
"Hey Ramesh, I'm a Pitt student, currently on summer break. I just
wanted to let you know, every so often your devotionals pop up in my
newsfeed, and when I have time, I read some of them. I come from a
non-Christian background, but I find them really interesting and
uplifting to read. Just wanted to say keep it up; I really enjoy reading
them! Have a good summer!!"
We won't know you we are touching by our care but the Lord knows and
sometimes He lets us know who we are touching. We need to be faithful,
available, and teachable, leaving the results in the Lord's Hands.
I ask you now dear friend,
where has the Lord placed you to care?
Dear friend, wherever the Lord Jesus has placed you to care, there is a
reason the Lord placed you there even if you do not understand why. Take
this opportunity to do the best you can whether it is to care for your
family, your cell group, your co-workers, etc. You were chosen for a
reason and let that motivate you to give the best care possible to those
in your path.
There are different kinds of
care to give. Some may need to be cared for financially, emotionally,
mentally, physically, etc. You can be the one to show them that care.
When I was with IVCF, we
emphasized PRAY for and with one another, SHARE with one another, and
CARE for one another. I want to do the same where the Lord has placed
me.
More than anything everyone
needs to be cared for spiritually. And when I mean spiritually, I do not
mean Eastern Mysticism, New Age, etc but I mean being cared through the
Word of God given to us in the Bible from Genesis through Revelation.
The Word of God gives us principles to care for people and especially
how to care for the soul.
Friend, all of our souls were
marred one day when sin entered into the world. Because of this sin we
were all born into it. We cannot ever rid ourselves of the sin by our
own actions, but while we were yet sinners Christ died on the cross to
redeem you and me. Jesus shed His precious cleansing blood on the cross
to show you and me how much He cared for us. It is Christ's blood that
heals us of all our sin becoming our antidote. It is available for you
and me friend.
Only Christ's care can redeem
our soul that needs redeemed. If we do not have a redeemed soul then we
still belong to Satan and that can be scary. I don't want that for you
or me friend.
If you know the Lord Jesus as
your Lord and Personal Savior then show your care for someone else by
sharing the gift of grace that Christ has offered you. You can be a
catalyst to bring someone to the love of the Lord. Jesus led by example
and I want to follow. You can follow that to!
The Good News is that Jesus
cared for us through His life and death, was buried, and on the 3rd day
came to redeem us eternally! We can be part of His Kingdom when we
accept His free gift of grace.
Jesus is alive and His Kingdom
is alive. It is not something for the past but right now for the present
and future.
Yesterday, in small group we
learned from Micah 3:4 and 1 John 1:9 about the stark difference between
the two verses but the DIFFERENCE MAKER is JESUS CHRIST. Thank you
Jesus.
We realized from the Sermon on
the Mount, how short we fall everyday because we cannot keep the Sermon
on the Mount, but thanks be to God because of Jesus Christ we can be
forgiven and restored able to approach God's throne of grace in time of
need according to Hebrews 4:12-16.
We can do that when we realize
what sinners we are and how much Jesus Christ has forgiven us. When we
realize how much we have been forgiven, that will make us love Jesus
that much more. But when we think we don't have much to be forgiven for,
our love will also diminish. We learned that yesterday to from the story
Jesus shared about Simon, the Pharisee and a woman who washed Jesus'
feet.
Because we are CLOTHED in
JESUS CHRIST, we will feel cared for and loved because we have been
forgiven much by His Grace and Mercy through His Blood. I am so thankful
for Jesus Christ and His promise in 1 John 1:9.
May you always care
remembering Christ always redeems eternally!
"Christ Always Redeems
Eternally!" (C.A.R.E)/"Where has the Lord placed you to care?"
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you so much for caring for the four thousand men
that you waited until everyone was sent away before leaving yourself. I
love you Lord. Thank you for loving me and dying for my sin. Thank you
for coming back to save me. Thank you for covering us with your precious
cleansing blood Oh Lord. Lord what a contrast between Micah 3:4 and 1
John 1:9. When we realize our sin and come before you and confess it,
you are faithful and just to forgive us all our sin and cleanse us from
all unrighteousness all because of what you did for us Jesus. Thanks so
much Jesus. Thank you for forgiving us much. Help us to forgive and care
for others because of what you have done. Thank you for teaching me and reminding me
the importance of caring for one another. Thanks most of all for caring
for us beyond expression that you went to the cross to redeem us and set
us free. We love you Lord. Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering
me. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!!
May
you experience the POWER OF CHRIST'S RESURRECTION this day, and give Him
the LOCKED areas of your life too so you can experience His PEACE as you
become an ACTOR in the film called LIFE being directed by your DIRECTOR,
JESUS CHRIST who comes to give JOY and PEACE.
You
don't have to be locked away anymore for Christ is here to free you and
give you peace to live out your actions.
How
do you look at GODISNOWHERE?
One
of my pastors, Pastor Hugo shared this example this past Sunday at the
RESURRECTION DAY SERVICE in the combined worship service of Pittsburgh
Chinese Church-Oakland & Oakland International Fellowship:
If
you look at it as GOD IS NO WHERE, you will still be lost in your sin
and be in bondage locked away in your sins and problems finding no
peace.
But
as my pastor spoke to the congregation and spoke to me, I am here to
tell you that GOD IS NOW HERE.
Yes,
friend God is alive and wants to bring a transformation in your life
through the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ for He paid the penalty on
the cross to rescue you and me and came back to life to save us and live
with us.
Yes,
friend that is exciting to know that we can experience HIS SAVING GRACE
& LIVING GRACE.
When
we mess up, we can go to Jesus with our shortcomings and He will forgive
us and restore us to Him and we will find peace in Him.
"Therefore, if
anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has
come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the
world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he
has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore
Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him
who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the
righteousness of God." (Colossians 5:17-21, NIV)
"For the wages
of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord." (Romans 6:23, NIV)
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the
light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his
Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive
ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
unrighteousness." (1 John 1:7-9, NIV)
Friend, we need Jesus because we have been separated from God due to our
sin. Because of our sin, Jesus had to pay the price to become our bridge
so we can reach God now not of our own good works but because of the
finished work of Christ, the Lord on the cross.
"For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not
by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)
May
you come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Personal Savior becoming
His offspring so you can spend Eternity with Him. He is waiting for you.
Come as you are. Please do not reject the gift of God.
If
you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a
daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be
alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them
come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to
wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as
you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart and finding your new
identity in Christ Jesus.
Make this your prayer. Don’t let
the enemy deceive you into thinking you need all the answers before
coming to Christ. Let me just assure you though you may not have all the
answers right now before coming to Jesus, He will answer them slowly.
Yes, He will for I know our Redeemer will! Amen!
Make this your prayer. Don’t let the enemy deceive you into thinking
you need all the answers before coming to Christ. Let me just assure you
though you may not have all the answers right now before coming to
Jesus, He will answer them slowly. Yes, He will for I know our Redeemer
will! Amen!
Prayer:
Jesus, I thank you for being the Bread of Life. You are the Living Bread
of my life. Thank you for coming from Heaven and giving your life for
the life of the world. You sacrificed yourself for humanity. Thank you
Lord when we eat of you symbolically making you part of our life,
digesting what you teach us by following you, we can be living
Eternally, and the fruit that comes will reflect and resemble your life.
I want that Father God. I want that Lord Jesus! I want that Holy Spirit!
I know of a lot of people who partake of Holy Communion where the bread
represents your body broken for their sin and the juice represents your
blood shed for their sin. When we partake of Holy Communion, we are
reminded that we are remembering you. I want to remember you always Lord
Jesus. But for me to remember you always, I need to know you and
acknowledge everything you said you are. So right now I acknowledge that
you are my Lord and Personal Savior who died and rose again to give me
life from sin. So right now, I come to you and say how sorry I am for my
sin and living a life on my own. I repent of my sin and ask you to
forgive me of my sin with your cleansing blood which I accept. Wash me
and I will be clean from this infection of sin. Come Lord Jesus and
please become part of my life as you live in me and I will live for you.
I thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your
home. Thank you for living in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve
you the rest of the days of my life. I do need your Spirit to reside in
me and work in me and through me so I surrender all that I am and will
be to you. Whatever your will is for me, please give me the strength and
willingness to bear it and rejoice in you. Thank you so much Jesus. I
thank you Jesus for becoming my Lord and Personal Savior. I thank you
Jesus you have heard my prayer and have answered me. I thank you that I
am your child Oh God. I thank you for becoming my only Way to Eternal
Life. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
