Making Jesus the Priority Shareholder of Your Life

Ownership is Determined by Shareholding

The ownership of a company is determined by its shareholding. The one holding more than 51% of the shares has control over the company.  

Similarly, in our lives, if God's share is greater, He will have ownership over our lives—*JESUS LTD.*  

But if we hold the majority of shares in our lives, the ownership remains with us—*Praveen Pvt. Ltd.*  

When it comes to making decisions, the one with greater ownership will have more influence, while the one with fewer shares will have limited involvement.  

So, have we given full ownership of our lives to Jesus? Or have we only given Him partial ownership? Do we make all the important decisions ourselves and turn to Jesus only when we face difficulties or fail?  

Instead, we should surrender to Jesus and say, *“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, and in my life as well.”*  

### Key Questions:  

1. **How can we increase Jesus' ownership in our lives?**  

2. **What causes Jesus' ownership in our lives to decrease?**  

**Answer to Question 1:**  

To understand this, let us consider an example: when we want to float in water, we need to fully surrender ourselves to it. Similarly, increasing Jesus' ownership in our lives requires us to completely surrender to Him. Complete surrender increases His influence and ownership in our lives.  

**Answer to Question 2:**  

We can also understand this through the example of water. If we stand in water up to our ankles, we remain fully in control. Even when it reaches our knees or waist, we still retain most of the control. However, when the water level rises to our shoulders, it goes beyond our control, and we must learn to float instead of walking.  

This teaches us that Jesus' ownership grows in our lives when we prioritize Him.  

- Do we have time for God every morning to learn from Him?  

- Do we take time to read His Word?  

If not, we need to make Jesus our priority. As we involve Him in every aspect of our lives, His ownership over us will grow stronger and more profound.  

"Adorning the Hidden Self: Cultivating a Christlike Spirit"

1 Peter 3:4  

**"Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."**

**The Hidden Self:**  

We know that the human mind operates on three levels:  

1. **Conscious**  

2. **Preconscious**  

3. **Unconscious**

God examines the hidden person of our heart—the inner self—and Peter emphasizes that we should adorn this inner self with gentleness and humility, much like how people dress up to look presentable before others. Similarly, we should focus on decorating our conscience with virtues that please God.

**Why does Peter stress adorning the inner self?**  

The reason is that whatever fills a person’s heart determines their nature.  

- Jesus taught that a person becomes defiled not by external things but by the evil that comes from their heart.  

- The Bible tells us that what comes out of our hearts can make us unclean.

Thus, Peter encourages believers to adorn their hidden selves with humility and a gentle spirit.  

---

**The Role of Nurture and Learning:**  

Psychologists explain that a person’s character is shaped by education, values, and environment, particularly during childhood and adolescence. Each stage of life leaves lasting impressions on the mind.  

- For example, children don’t need to be taught selfishness; they naturally exhibit it, like saying, "This is my toy."  

- The Bible confirms that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23).  

- Sin—such as envy, greed, selfishness, and hatred—is pervasive in humanity.  

**How can we nurture the hidden self amidst sin and evil?**  

Given that our surroundings are filled with sin, how can we cultivate goodness in our inner being?  

### Answers:  

1. **By living according to God’s Word (Psalm 119:9):**  

   - "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word."  

2. **By fostering Christlike attributes:**  

   - Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).  

   - Prioritize God's will over fleshly desires (Romans 8:13).  

3. **By loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37):**  

   - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself."  

4. **By maintaining good company (1 Corinthians 15:33):**  

   - "Bad company corrupts good character. Come back to your senses as you ought and stop sinning."  

**Conclusion:**  

Adorning our inner selves with virtues like humility, gentleness, and godliness is what pleases God. Although our flesh and surroundings constantly challenge us, living by God’s Word and nurturing a Christlike character will help us overcome the sinful nature and reflect God's glory.

How the Word of God Sustains Us in Troubles

          

Just as we read the Word of God daily, sometimes memorizing it and thanking God, we often turn to Him in times of trouble and challenges. During such times, we underline scriptures and pray to God, saying, *“Lord, look at my problem. What is this? It came suddenly—didn’t You know it was coming into my life? Please deliver me from this situation.”* And we pray fervently, overwhelmed by our troubles.  

We realize that when there is a lack of God’s Word in our lives, we are left struggling amidst challenges. But in such situations, we need to use the Word of God like a two-edged sword, capable of destroying the trouble from both sides. Yet, we often fail to understand the power of the Word.  

If we wholeheartedly accept and stand firm on the Word of God in our lives, God, for the sake of His name, will fulfill His promises for us.

Are We Missing God’s Blessings by Complaining?

Many times, when we drift away from Jesus, we hesitate to come back into His presence.  

**Question 1: Are we all holy?**  

The Word says, *“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”* (Romans 3:23).  

We can immediately receive the Lord's blessings, but there are conditions. For example, when the Israelites grumbled against God, He turned their 40-day journey into 40 years because of their complaints.  

*“The whole congregation of the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness”*  

(Exodus 16:2).  

*“The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.’”*  

(Exodus 16:3).  

Similarly, when we complain against the Lord, we miss out on His blessings. Instead, we must thank Him in all circumstances, no matter how difficult they may seem.  

We should be grateful because the Spirit that God has given us is not one of fear, discord, or confusion. Even though the Israelites experienced deliverance by God's hand, they still grumbled against Moses and Aaron.  

**Philippians 4:5-6**  

*"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."*  

**Deuteronomy 8:4**  

*"Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years."*  

Let us be mindful not to grumble but to live in gratitude, acknowledging God's faithfulness and provision in every situation.

"Embracing Love and Humility: Transforming Our Nature"

I used to always look for faults in others. I considered myself good and thought about hating someone, planning who to hate today. I would read the Word and thought of myself as wise and knowledgeable. I also prayed, but at the same time, I harbored hatred.

But the Lord made me realize that I should love everyone, keep my nature good, love all, and make it a habit. God did not create anyone to be the object of our anger; we should love everyone. No matter how badly others treat us, we should respond with kindness.

Just like a scorpion cannot change its nature of biting, we should never lose the nature of loving others.

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”  

– Philippians 2:3

"Raise Your Voice in Faith and Victory"

 **Title: Praise Breaks the Walls of Bondage**

In our lives, we may face problems that seem like the impenetrable walls of Jericho. However, it is not true that these problems will never end. God has called us to live a life of joy, relying on Him for happiness. Just as God led the Israelites out of Egypt and towards the Promised Land, He wanted them to live according to His promises and be happy. However, they made a mistake that angered God, and when we make the same mistake in our lives, God too becomes displeased with us. 

Their mistake was grumbling against God, meaning they lacked trust in Him. Grumbling distances us from God. However, the faithful Israelites brought down the walls of Jericho through praise. 

When we praise God, He gives us victory over the Jericho-like problems in our lives. But, we must trust in God like Joshua and Caleb did.

**Title: Overcoming Unbelief and Trusting God's Promises**

When I sent your ancestors from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land of Canaan, they did the same thing. When they reached the valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they rejected the promise that the Lord had given them. 

Therefore, the Lord became angry and swore an oath, saying, "None of the men who came out of Egypt, those who were twenty years old or more, will see the land I promised to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because they have not followed me wholeheartedly. But Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua, the son of Nun, who followed me wholeheartedly, will see it." 

So the Lord's anger burned against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness for forty years until the entire generation of those who had done evil in His sight was gone. (Numbers 32:8-13)

---

1. **Unbelief**  

    The ten spies who believed that they were weak in comparison to the inhabitants of the land. They said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are" (Numbers 13:31). Due to their unbelief, God did not allow them to enter the promised land. They also described the inhabitants of the land as strong, with fortified cities that were large (Numbers 13:27-28).

2. **The Consequence of Unbelief**  

    Because of their unbelief, God made them wander for 40 years in the wilderness. That entire generation, who doubted God's promise, died in the wilderness. However, the generation that trusted in God was led into the promised land.

3. **Trusting in God's Promise**  

    Caleb and Joshua, the two spies who believed, were chosen by God to enter the promised land. God had promised Moses that He would give them the land of Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey.

    "The land we explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey" (Numbers 14:7-8).

4. **How to Overcome Problems**  

   (A) **Reject Unbelief**  

       Just as Caleb and Joshua rejected the disbelief of the ten spies, we should also reject the doubts and negativity brought by our challenges. They silenced the people and spoke courageously, saying the land's inhabitants would be like food for them, and they could take possession of it. We should speak against our problems, as Caleb and Joshua did, and increase our trust in God's power.

    "We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak), and we seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them" (Numbers 13:33).

   (B) **Acknowledge God's Power**  

       Caleb spoke to quiet the people and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession of it, for we are well able to overcome it" (Numbers 13:30). We must acknowledge that God is powerful and able to give us victory over every challenge, just as Caleb and Joshua trusted Him. 

 

 Believing in God's power and declaring before Satan and our problems that God is powerful, when we praise Him, He will give us victory. Just as the walls of Jericho fell after seven days of circling the city seven times with praise, we too should confess and sing songs of praise, declaring that God will bring down the walls of our problems. Amen.

      

Here is the phonetic English version of the song:

**Geet - Main Gaaun Hallelujah**

Main gaaun Hallelujah  

Mere shatrun ke beech mein  

Main gaaun Hallelujah  

Avishwas ke saamne  

Main gaaun Hallelujah  

Yeh dhun mera hathiyaar hai  

Main gaaun Hallelujah  

Swarg mere liye lade

Gaaunga main, toofan ke beech  

Uncha aur uncha, teri mahima ke geet  

Naamumkin mein se, jaagi ummid  

Mrityu hai haari, zinda hai Masihee

Main gaaun Hallelujah  

Apni poori jaan se  

Main gaaun Hallelujah  

Andhkaar ko dekho bhagte  

Main gaaun Hallelujah  

Raaz jab ghar mujhe  

Main gaaun Hallelujah  

Dar ka haq nahi mujhpe

Gaaunga main, toofan ke beech  

Uncha aur uncha, teri mahima ke geet  

Naamumkin mein se, jaagi ummid  

Mrityu hai haari, zinda hai Masihee

Awaaz uthao --(4)

Awaaz uthao  

Mere shatrun ke beech mein  

Awaaz uthao,  

Avishwas ke saamne  

Awaaz uthao,  

Yeh dhun mera hathiyaar hai,  

Awaaz uthao,  

Swarg mere liye lade --(2)  

Awaaz uthao

Gaaunga main, toofan ke beech  

Uncha aur uncha, teri mahima ke geet  

Naamumkin mein se, jaagi ummid  

Mrityu hai haari, zinda hai Masihee --(2)  

Main gaaun Hallelujah --(4)