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Contents
by Mike Harrison
by Christina valenzuela
Will of God
Crazy Faith
13
by Rev. Ivan Veldhuizen
More Than Theseby Launa Stan
17
9
7
11
Leaving the Monastry by Dr. C. V. Vadavana
18
Friends Suffering Together for the Gospel by Jon Marshall
by Colleen Coombs
5
4
15
24 Gifts
Lingue Franca
by Jolly Ann Thomas
by Pr. Alan Frow
GTo produce each week's Sunday newspapers, 500,000 trees must be cut down
GHuman activities are causing greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, to build up in the atmosphere. Whenever we burn fossil fuels (gasoline, oil, coal or natural gas), more carbon dioxide is emitted to the atmosphere. Forest destruction and agriculture also release greenhouse gases..
He’s My Brotherby Pr. David H Mills
12 things I Love About India
Finding Yourself in Christ’s Identity
Dr.C.V.Vadavana(Founder & Chairman, Sathyam Service Trust)
EDITORIAL MESSAGE
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A COMPLETE CHRISTIAN FAMILY MAGAZINEVolume 2 Issue 6 June 2011
“Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth.
Everyone who is the truth hears My voice. “Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” John 18:37-38 (NASB)
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May 2011
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the
plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose
of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in
Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-12
Greetings in Christ!
God has great plans and purposes for us and they are
certainly beyond our imagination or thought. Sometimes,
because of the way things are, we may feel that God made
some mistake while planning our future. Only through His
plans we will be able to achieve our full potential. If we
walk in our own plans, we are bound to be failures or we
will have to be satisfied with mediocre success. Why settle
for mediocrity when you can have abundance? However,
we often find it difficult to obey God. We may even feel
that He is asking for too much but for those of us who dare
to trust Him and walk in His plans, He does great things.
He works through us and makes us a blessing to others.
Such is a story we have for you this month- A Record of
God's Faithfulness. In submission to God's will, Colleen
left her homeland at the age of 24 and came to India. She
learned the Tamil language and as per the Lord's leading,
began ministry in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. God
blessed the humble beginning and today this ministry -
Christian Missions Charitable Trust stands as a testimony
of God's faithfulness to her willingness to obey God's call.
God has made her a blessing to many. My friends, this has
been possible only through Dr. Colleen's obedience to
God. This month I encourage all of you to trust God and
walk according to His plans. Allow God to use you for His
glory.
ix years ago, this October, we added a new member to our family. No! not a baby, Sinstead…my brother. Philip is my older brother
by 2 years. He has Down 's syndrome. I didn't really know my brother until he lived with us and one thing I found out right away is that he loves music. He had an Amy Grant tape that he wore out. We heard “Baby, Baby” so many times that we thought we were going crazy. He loves Keith Green (wore that tape out too), the Gaither Trio, in fact, all of Bill Gather's videos, and the Billy Graham Crusades. And he loves it all LOUD! He likes hot dogs and peanut butter and he layers that stuff inches thick and chows down. He consumes about a dozen bananas a week and anytime we tell him there are more, he does this weird “Hoo-ha, hoo-ha, hoo-ha” sound like he is a monkey. Sometimes he hides crackers and milk in his room. Why? I don't know. The funny thing is…he's the healthiest person in the house! Go Figure!
He has a great sense of humor and a sweet attitude about helping out around the house and LOVES going to church. He gets up about five o'clock on Sunday mornings and sets out everything to get ready for his day at church. You will see him in the very front row playing his harmonica with the musicians. That is his highlight for the week! One afternoon Philip asked me
if I would make a big sign with his name on it and put it outside for everyone to see. I asked, “How big?” He said, “As big as the whole front of the house.” I said. “Where do you want me to hang this sign?” He replied, “In front of the church so everyone driving by could see it.” I said, “Phil, I am sure there are a lot of people who secretly have wanted the same thing.” We did make a big sign and hung it in our house. I had a toy that made a cheering sound of a huge crowd. I played it for him that whole day each time he walked in the room. We all had a great time that day and a lot of fun.
He ain’t heavy…he’s my brother!
He’s My
Brother
Pr. David H Mills
4 May 2011
May 2011
Jon Marshall
Friends Suffering Together for the Gospel
Philippians 1:1-11
he Christian life is “cruciform. “ That is, it takes the posture and shape of the cross; it is a Tsuffering life. That's how Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
who rotted in a Nazi prison for years, described the faith. Paul would agree. In this opening chapter, and for the rest of the book, Paul describes how suffering for Christ makes visible the truth of Christ, unites believers, and cultivates joy. He writes to friends who are concerned about his suffering, but who also endure their fair share of troubles.
(Read Philippians 1:1-2) A simple introduction reignites the friendship. Paul and Timothy write this letter together; Paul gives the content, Timothy writes things down. The Philippians know both Paul and Timothy so they only identify themselves as “servants” of the Lord. “Servants” hides a little of what he's really saying; the translation “slaves” would add a missing element. Paul and Timothy are owned by God and must do what he says; but “servant” tells us that their position is honorable because they're in God's household (they're like in-house servants). Paul and Timothy write to all the believers (“saints” means “holy ones” or people of God) living in the city of Philippi and he calls special attention to the local leaders. “Overseers” (the Greek word is also translated “bishops”) and deacons (the Greek word is also translated “servants”) lead this family of house churches through oversight and practical service (administration, food distribution, taking care of sick and hurt people, etc.). These are the two roles Paul describes in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 as leading the church. An overseer is probably the same office as a pastor or elder (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 2:25; 5:2). Paul then
reworks a typical Roman greeting (charein) to give it a gospel taste: grace (charis) and peace (shalom!) from God (not just me and Timothy). The gospel is all about the grace of God bringing peace between humanity and himself.
(Read Philippians 1:3-8) Paul starts out by saying, “I am so glad, so grateful, so content, that we're in this together.” He writes from prison, waiting for a trial with the most important political figure on earth, and is so incredibly happy to know that he's not alone. He's not holding anything back: “all”, “always”, “every”, “all” tell us that he's overwhelmingly satisfied with their relationship. “I think about you all the time and every time I do I pray for you and every time I pray for you I'm joyful.” Why? Because we're in this together. You've been partners with me from the day the Gospel first entered Philippi. Remember when Lydia got saved down by the river in Philippi (Acts 16:13-15)? The first thing she did was invite Paul to stay at her house (she became a financial supporter). Turns out the whole church followed Lydia's example (Phil 4:14-20). They started well (“first day”) and Paul is confident that they'll end well (“completion”). God is faithful. He'll carry them through. People looking death in the face, like Paul, think about heavier things. He's got the end on his mind. Either you'll die or Jesus will return but either way the Messiah (“Christ”, Son of David the king) will weed out impurity, sin, and wickedness as he reasserts his rule over all things. Jesus, Paul knows, will prepare these Philippians to face that day confidently. God began the work; God will finish the work. The first indication that God started a work in them was that they financially
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May 2011
supported gospel work, but more than that followed (especially as they started supporting Paul while he was in prison).
It totally makes sense for Paul to feel so joyful and confident about them. He feels so bonded to them because they work together. They are fellow “partakers” (he uses a stronger word for partner now) of God's “grace”. Paul has something specific in mind when he mentions “grace” (he puts “the” in front of it). Specifically he's thinking of imprisonment and spreading the gospel. They share, partner, and experience imprisonment and gospel proclamation in two ways: 1) By financially supporting P a u l t h e y “ g o i n together” with him sacrificing time, safety (they could be arrested t o o ) , m o n e y, a n d reputation (“guilty by association” or “Are you really friends with that guy?”). 2) But it seems like they're also literally going to prison (in Philippi) for preaching the gospel (1:12-16, 27-28).
P a u l i s s o encouraged that they're in this together, sacrificing for one another and suffering for the same gospel in different locations. That's why he loves them so much, like Jesus loves them. He's so deeply invested in them because they are so intertwined together in the gospel.
(Philippians 1:9-11) So he prays for them. He prays that they won't give up but that they will press on. He prays that
their love won't fade but will flourish. He prays for growth in their understanding of Christ and ability to discern right from wrong, pure from tainted, innocent from guilty, lovely from wicked, and just from unjust. He prays that they won't be distracted or redirected by the devil. Suffering pushes you to the brink. Escape is really tempting. There is a life of ease awaiting you if you simply compromise a little. Paul prays that their dedication and focus would increase as they prepare for Christ's return
(“day of Christ”). In that day all things will be seen for what they really are. Your connection to Jesus Christ will grow inside of you a life of goodness and r i g h t e o u s n e s s t h a t overflows out of you.
W h e n J e s u s returns in glory all of that good fruit will be reason to praise God. Paul prays for increased love, knowledge, d i sce rnment , mora l excellence, purity and blamelessness. Why? Because Christ is coming back. How? A spiritual connection with Jesus, by faith, catalyzes these things in you. What's the result? God's worth and honor shine brightly. In the rest of the letter Paul expands on this prayer.
The Christian life is a suffering life. We s u f f e r t o g e t h e r b y sacrificing our money, possessions, comfort, security, and relationships t o p r o m o t e t h e advancement of the gospel in our neighborhoods and around our nation. We, like Paul and the Philippians, must be willing to lay down our lives for the sake of Jesus Christ.
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May 2011
t a recent conference I asked a group of youth this question: A
“What is your identity?”
Their answers varied and were not well defined. Some of them had no answer at all. I asked one of the leaders to hand me his driver's license. I began to read off all of the data printed on the card – age, weight, height, etc. I then asked those attending if this was his identity. Again, the answers were varied with some saying yes, while others said it was just his physical description. Sadly, their responses are typical of this generation. They simply do not know who they are and are looking to others to help them define themselves.
This brings up many questions: If we don't know WHO we are, then how do we know WHY we are here, or HOW we should live or WHAT we are to do with our lives? How important is it for us to know who we are in Christ?
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (I Peter 2:9)
Understanding who we are in Christ is critical to healthy emotional and spiritual growth. True awareness of this identity is vital in overcoming obstacles that can hinder us from walking in the destiny that God planned for us before we were born. As we gain understanding of our identity we move from darkness to light – from paupers to princes – from the streets into the palace of the King of Kings.
A clear knowledge of what it means to become sons and daughters of the King of Kings is part of the Kingdom teaching that needs to be taught in order to help define our true identity. Both the rights and responsibilities of our royal status are an important part of the insight needed to “walk worthy of the calling we have received” (Eph. 4:1). We are given the Kingdom as an inheritance but with this inheritance we become responsible to care for and expand this Kingdom here on Earth.
“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
There are many more facets of our identity, and it's important that we ask God to “write these on the tablets of our hearts” (II Cor. 3:3). Living out our identity in the power and authority given to us as ambassadors for Christ is what draws others into the Kingdom as they see “Christ in us the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)
Finding Yourself in Christ's Identity
Colleen Coombs
7
May 2011
Sathya Nikethan on Tour
Forgetting their disabilities, Sathya Nikethan students enjoyed their day out in the backwaters of Kerala. A rare opportunity for these children, they did not fail to make the most of it.
Sathyam Disability Center,Kaviyoor P.O, Thiruvalla- 689541
Kerala(s), India.Tel No: 0469 2625413, Mob: 9947119040
E-mail: [email protected]
8
May 2011
he Greek for “faith” is the word “pistis”. It comes from a root word that most literally Tmeans “to be convinced”. The meaning of pistis
is that we are persuaded of a certain thing. Our mind is completely convinced of something to such a degree that action must take place in light of the conviction we have acquired.
A certain amount of knowledge is required as the fuel for faith. As Romans 10:17 states,
“faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”
We need to know about something before we can form a decision about it. There must be a certain amount of knowledge acquired about God to know that He is trustworthy. But “pistis” is manufactured by much more than knowledge. Experience is essential to significantly affect the emotional dimensions of fear that always strive against faith. Absolutely, we must gain cognitive information about God, but far beyond that, we must actually experience His presence, power, character, trustworthiness, love, dependability, and wisdom in order to be convinced that He is worth staking our lives and daily decisions upon. Each step of faith is acquired as we step through a fear. This is why Sunday religion will never develop authentic faith. It's mostly in our heads, but not lived out in risk-taking, radical, edgy, and scary ways during the week. The only way faith grows is by stepping out of the boxes constructed by our fears.
It is no accident that the word for knowledge in our Morph passage is the Greek word “epignosko” – full, experiential, complete understanding. This ancient word intentionally draws a contrast between one-dimensional cognitive information for the mind, and a fuller, multi-dimensional, deeply held conviction gained through added experiences. Check out the
Morph verses from 2Peter 1 that contain the word “epignosko”: [the words in parenthesis are mine to emphasize the nature of this knowledge]
§ “May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your (experiential) knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord,” verse 2.
§ “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to (experientially) know him,” verse 3.
§ “The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your (experiential) knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ,” verse 8.
Don't miss the significance of this! We will never grow authentic strong faith by simply learning more. We will never break through our fears by using only logic. Faith grows primarily through risk-taking action, by pressing through paralyzing fears, and by leaping upon the trustworthiness of God. The acquisition of faith is not for wimps! This essential entity is foundational to everything we are or will ever become in our relationship with God. Faith equals trust. No trust – no relationship. Minimal trust – insecure relationship. Total trust – great relationship! Faith is foundational to everything else for the Christ-follower.
Let's get personal for a moment. If you're not pushing yourself beyond some comfort zones, you've stopped growing in your faith. If you're not risking things for the sake of God's glory and God's purposes, you're only living a theoretical faith. If you're not partnering with God in some crazy adventure, you're faith is stagnant. Say what you like, but the only way biblical faith will continue to grow in us is through
Crazy Faith
Rev. Ivan Veldhuizen
9
May 2011
overcoming our fears. Faith is exercised and developed only by trusting in God's providence in the daily affairs of life rather than relying on our reasoning, agenda, familiarity, or safety nets. ONLY when we take these crazy leaps of faith do we become convinced that God is still trustworthy…and trustworthy for you!
It makes perfect sense that none of the Hebrews 11 heroes of faith were simply great theologians, philosophers, or intellects. These were men and woman of action! They risked everything to follow hard after God. You see—they did NOT become great people of faith and then take action. They became great people of faith BY pressing through their fears and taking actions based on the trustworthiness of God. We need more people like them still today. Are you a candidate?
Homesick for HeavenHomesick sometimes,
Want to go home;Aching with longing
Where'er I roam.Weary sometimes,
Wishing to beThere in the glory
Eternally,Coming sometime,
Great trumpet sound!Glorious daybreak!
Joy will abound,Trading sometime
Body of clay,For one immortal;
Hasten blest day!
- Lilian Gutherie
Thanks For Your PatienceTwo Christians were driving through an area where the road was being widened. At the end of the repair zone, a sign informed travelers, “Construction Ended. Thank You for Your Patience.”
“I think that would make an appropriate epitaph for my life,” Said one of the Christians.
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National Flag of Denmark
The national flag of Denmark – a white cross on a red ground – is the oldest national flag in history,
thunchanged since the 13 century. Legend says that in 1219, King Waldemar, leading his troops into battle, saw a cross in the sky and took it to mean victory was assured. When the battle was won, the flag was adopted.
10
May 2011
love their hospitality. Rich or poor, Indians know how to treat a guest. There is no hesitation when Iyou arrive that you will soon have a cup of chai or
coffee in your hand provided with a biscuit. Guests are welcome to come at anytime with no need to set an appointment.
I love their humility. True humility is lowering oneself to lift another up. The Indian people live in true humility on a daily basis allowing others to be their guest, to be honored or served without allowing themselves to be degraded in anyway.
I love the way they honor people. Providing flowers for guests, making accommodations to suit their needs and wants, singing praises of those they have just met or those they have known for years – that is the way of Indian life. Honoring their elders and taking care of women and children is second nature.
I love their sense of community. Indian people love people. They love to be around others and gather as much as possible. Their description of family goes beyond blood. It's not uncommon to start a conversation with a stranger, inviting them to their home for a meal.
I love their sense of fashion. With vibrant colors, flashy trims and divine modesty, Indian women know how to dress. Even in the poorest regions you can see adornment suited for kings and queens. The men are not far from competition with their starched and ironed button down shirts with jeans - they look impeccable.
I love their harmony. Where one would see chaos in a nation that is overpopulated, the Indian people live in a harmony that keeps life moving forward.
Confrontational situations are quickly resolved and they have the resilience of a young child. Their love for one other supercedes their entitlement as an individual. Peace is pursued at all times.
I love their high adversity quotient. A great example is monsoon season. It's inevitable that many houses will be damaged if not destroyed during a bad flood. Rather than complain, they rebuild. Very few things hinder their ability to move forward.
I love their conventionalism. Their skill as craftsmen allows them to make adjustments to autos, buildings, etc. Using every material around them from nature as well as industrial they not only make things work, they make them work to the best of their ability.
I love the way they worship God. One person from the middle of the crowd will begin to sing a song and others join in loud and vibrant. This will continue for some time. Every church worships differently but they all join in together in worship.
I love the food. Fresh spices, yummy chicken and rice to compliment – anything covered in curry is sure to be delicious. Fried bananas, yogurt and ice cream are always a great snack in between. Your daily schedule revolves around your meals. As it should be in India.
I love how beautiful they are. Effortlessly trying, the beauty of the Indian people is enchanting. It's as if you can look deep into their eyes and see their soul.
I love their craftsmanship. It's as if every Indian has a skill or talent. Whether they be musically inclined, sew or do woodworking – they are amazingly talented. God's creative nature sweats from their pores.
Christina Valenzuela
Twelve Things I love about India
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May 201112
May 2011
Mike Harrison
The Will of GodGod has saved us and called us with a holy calling…according to His own purpose.
(2 Timothy 1:9)
nowing the will of God involves knowing the call of God on our lives. Without knowing and Kembracing the call of God upon our lives we
can spend our short journey here on earth drifting with the tides, never realizing God's plan and purpose for us individually.
In 2 Timothy Paul wasted no time in urging his young protégé Timothy to fulfill the call of God on his life. Stir up the gift of God that is in you, the aged Apostle proclaims in 1:8. And throughout the remainder of the chapter Paul shares three calls of God that every person should experience…
The call of salvation: He has saved us… He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to salvation, says 2 Peter 3:9.
(God) desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1Timothy 2:4).
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John3:16).
Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God, declared Jesus in John 3:3.
God sent His Son to offer the gift of salvation to everyone. To any and all who receive Him and call upon His name He gives the gift of eternal life (John 1:12). This is the theme of the New Testament.
The call of sanctification He has…called us with a holy calling…
The word sanctification means; to be set apart, holy, different from the world.
1 Peter 1:15 mandates, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 agrees: For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God, pens Paul in the second letter to the Corinthians.
At the moment of salvation we are justified; positionally clean, washed in the blood of Jesus. In God's eyes it is just as if we'd never sinned. We are immediately citizens of heaven but until we get there we still live in this world. It is here we need
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May 2011
sanctification; daily cleansing from the filth of the world we allow into our lives, and transformation into the image of Christ. Sanctification is a process we never fully finish until our time on earth is through and we stand before the Lord Jesus. It is then we receive glorified bodies that fully reflect our Creator, in whose image we were made. (By the way, one easy indicator of salvation is a continual growth in sanctification.)
The call of service Each Christian is called…according to His own purpose…
In 2 Timothy 1:11 Paul states, I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. In many of his letters Paul begins, Paul, an apostle, called by the will of God.
Paul knew his calling; to preach the gospel, to plant churches (the word apostle means “sent one”—in Paul's case sent to plant churches), and a teacher of the Gentiles. To the naked eye, Paul's call began in Acts 9 on the road to Damascus and was clarified on the street called Straight. But in Galatians 1:15-16, Paul says he was called from his mother's womb.
Let me restate, each of us has been called according to God's purposes; He has a specific plan and purpose for every person that will most glorify Him and give us the greatest amount of fulfillment in life. Some recognize God's call and respond at an early age. For others it takes time. If you desire to know God's specific call on your life, and are unsure, a good rule of thumb is to seek Him, see what He is up to, and serve/get involved—bloom where you are planted. Be called to where you are and He will call you somewhere else if He sees fit.
If you know your call, get busy fulfilling it! Knowing your call produces proper perspective:
For this reason I also suffer, Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:12. Paul knew his suffering was associated with His calling. He was not taken aback by suffering because he understood it came with the call. Since he saw it for what it was he could confidently write to the Romans, in Christ we are pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed.
In 2 Timothy 2:4 Paul said, I endure all this for the sake of the elect, that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. Paul had such a sense of call to the places and people God would minister to through him that he willingly endured the greatest of deprivations to see the people in those places come to know the God who had called him to them.
We have been made like a river spiritually. We have both an inlet and an outlet. If your output exceeds your input then your upkeep is your downfall (you go dry), But if you fill up without giving out you lack flow, stagnate, and become repulsive. To a river, current is life. The call to service completes our Christian experience. So serve we must.
But service, like a flowing stream, has many a twist and turn, many a rocky shoal. And knowing your call is the one thing that will keep you committed once you hit a few snags. If you are called you cannot quit. Jeremiah was so bound to share the word of God with the rebellious people he was called to that he could not force himself to be quiet even though he was so discouraged he never wanted to open his mouth for the Lord again (Jeremiah 20:9).
If you have never felt as compelled by God as Jeremiah did you have never really lived.
Get busy living or get busy dying.
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May 2011
Lingue Franca
ulture is a beautiful and mystifying thing. Being back in South Africa is a stark reminder of how Cthe unique flow and force of culture requires its
own unique approach as we preach the unchanging message of the cross.
It requires as visitors that we listen more than we speak. It calls for a certain humility and agility as we find how our story connects with theirs. It requires more than simply offloading our story on to theirs. It requires some finesse, I guess.
It has been a blur of people so far - precious people who mean so much to us, and whom we feel, deserve more of our time than we have been able to give. We live with an incredibly rich inheritance when it comes to friends, family and churches.
The Corinthians series we have been preaching through as a church has been immensely helpful to me on this trip. Firstly, that irrespective of culture, we have been called to be a one-message people - 'Christ and Him crucified. If the Gospel is at the center of our life together, we get the whole package with it. Christ the power of God, and Christ the Wisdom of God. Where so many churches here seem to have divided along these lines, when the Gospel is the deepest seat of our unity we do not have to choose between power and wisdom.
Secondly, that Love honestly is the 'Lingue Franca' - the universal language of every culture. Some churches we have been with are flourishing, others are taking tender, tentative steps forward, others who were once seemingly impregnable powerhouses are now fragile and limping forward from the fray. No matter the season, every church needs love. Not the sentimental, slap -on the- back, glorify - the - past kind of love. But a tender, firm, practical, persevering, truthful love which will call forth that which God entrusted to it. A love which will draw attention to the gold which has been refined by the fires of trial. A love which will lift heads to see the Father in whom there is no shifting shadow.
Thirdly, that all around the world there seems to be a hunger for a more sane, mission-orientated expression of the life of the Spirit. Not just a happy hour for the church. But a happy hour for the world, where sinners repent because of the present power of God.
Who is equal to such a task? It has me running back to our Father asking for the kind of love Paul had for the church in Corinth. And it has me praying furiously for Southlands, the community we love and miss, that we would be a people who give others courage as we follow the way of love, and give ourselves to the fullness of His Gospel.
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Pr. Alan Frow
May 201116
17May 2011
Launa Stan
More Than These was struck recently by the passage in John 21, when after the resurrection, Peter and the disciples Ihad decided to return to their former career of
fishing. From the shore, Jesus asked them how it was going and they replied that they had caught nothing. He then instructed them to put their nets down on the other side of the boat and they obeyed. Immediately, the disciples couldn't even lift the net because of the multitude of fish. In that moment, Peter knew that it was Jesus and leaped into the water to swim to Christ. When on the beach, Jesus asked Peter a telling question in verse 15, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He was asking him if he loved the blessings of God (the fish) more than he loved God Himself. I think He was also asking if he loved his lifestyle as a fisherman more than he loved Him.
That is a question that should cause each one of us to ponder as well. Do we love ourselves, our spouses, our children, our jobs, our homes, our bank accounts, our automobiles, our pursuits, our comfort, our luxury or even our stations in life more than Him? As mature Christians, that may sound foolish or elementary, but really stop and consider-what is it that you treasure most in your lives. Be honest with yourself.
As mothers, it is easy for us to love our children and our husbands deeply. After all, they belong to us; we feed them, clothe them and hold them with arms of flesh.
They are the blessings of God to our lives. The big question is do we love them more than Him?
I am very close to a woman who didn't have a child until she had been married to her husband for almost a decade. Naturally, since this child was difficult to
conceive, the baby was revered and adored, as she should be! However, this little girl has become what I can only describe as an idol in her mother's life. She has become her only reason for living. Everything revolves around the whims of this only child and if the girl stamps her foot and demands something, her needs are met instantly. My concern for the mother is that she has allowed this blessing from God to be cherished more than the “Blesser.” She is a Christian, but she has clearly stated that her daughter is number one in her
life. I fear that if this child were taken away, the mom would turn away from the Lord in anger and bitterness. So what about me? How about you?
What if we had to endure a situation like Job? Could we declare, “Naked I came into this world and naked I shall return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” If God removed the most precious blessing from your life today, could you continue to love and serve Him passionately? “Do you love Me more than these?” Jesus asks us all.
“Whoever loves father and mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more
than Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:37
The Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-7 states that we must “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Jesus also reiterated this teaching in Luke 10:27, adding that we should also love our neighbors as ourselves.
If we would turn away from our Savior if He chose to remove the blessings in our lives today; I'd venture to say, we are not putting Christ first. We are not loving Him with all our heart, soul and strength. It may seem like a hard call, but as followers of Jesus Christ, it is the only call.
May 2011
www.sathyam.orgVisit us:
Dr. C. V. Vadavana
Leaving the Monastryuring my study of God’s word, I came to discover that Jesus is the only living God. DI was under the impression that those who
had taken child baptism did not need to be baptized as adults. However, after studying more on God’s word, I realized what God expects from us is adult baptism - to know him personally in our lives and declare publicly to the whole world of our faith in Jesus through the cleansing of adult baptism. Therefore, in obedience to His word, I obeyed the Lord in water baptism. I was baptized by Pastor P. M. Philip, one of the most respectable senior pastors of his time who encouraged me during the early days of my Christian walk. It was during my study at Kottayam that I understood the need for personal evangelism. I was introduced to door-to-door evangelism and street evangelism and told of the necessity of witnessing to my neighbor.
Though I was studying at Kottayam Bible College and witnessing Christ, I was still ashamed to testify about Jesus to the public. I did not want people to recognize me as a believer of Jesus Christ. Therefore whenever I went to church, I wrapped my Bible in a newspaper so that people on the streets would never recognize that I was going to church. I knew what I was doing was not right. I began to pray that God would give me boldness and strength to witness as he gave to his disciples. As days went by God gave me new boldness and He told me that I would carry the Word of God all over India. At that time I never really understood the meaning of it and in my finite thought it was an impossible task.
God has given me the privilege of literally carrying bundles of Bibles on my head and in bags hanging from my shoulder to different cities in India and abroad. I have carried bundles of Bibles in trains and buses and often been abused for causing inconvenience to fellow travelers. And now my prayer to the Lord is that he will give me opportunity to smuggle Bibles.
Throughout this whole time, I was still staying with my aunt who patiently accommodated me in her house and considered me as one of her children. But I still found myself worried about my future. I knew people were anticipating that I would fail and I found that to be very discouraging. How are my daily basic needs going to be met? What would be my means of finance? Who will sponsor me? I have a desire to be in the ministry but who will support me? How am I going to be involved in ministry without any financial support? Doubts and uncertainty constantly gripped me and I wondered at times if it was worth leaving the monastery so that I could live this life filled with fear and ambiguity? I felt that I could not turn to anyone to express such feelings, for everyone was expecting me to fail and proclaim, “I told you so.” I felt like a fish out of water with no hopes of finding relief in my struggle to survive.
But now looking back I can testify that His plans for our lives is much better and higher than we think for ourselves and He is faithful to his promises.
to be continued...
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19May 2011
Rev. Barney Kinard
When JesusBecame Indignant
surprising thing happened in Perea while Jesus and his disciples were traveling together. A(Just before the rich young ruler rushed up and
knelt before Jesus)
This unsuspecting entourage was accosted by a group of mothers wanting to present their very young children to Jesus. They just wanted Jesus to bless their babies. However, just then without comment, Jesus watched his disciples attempting to turn these children away and rebuke the mothers, which made Jesus angry. It was clear that Jesus was offended by this
inappropriate treatment of the children and their mothers.
The account is significant because it demonstrates, again, how Jesus used the occasion to instruct the disciples in what was important about His Kingdom. At first, He pointedly told them to “welcome the children,” “Let” them come, which is the correct translation of the word “suffer.” Then, he further challenged them not to “hinder” them from coming to Him. “Deny them not” from coming to Me.
To teach the disciples this unforgettable lesson, He then used the child as an object lesson, to inform them that these children have the qualities of “humility,” an entry-level requirement for His Kingdom. He informed them that, “They believe in me.” Further, He instructed that this kind of humility is the same required for entrance into the Kingdom of God–something they also needed to understand.
The mothers were bringing their children to Jesus for a Jewish blessing–that He would lay hands upon them and pray for them. A seemingly innocent act, but the disciples made a “big deal” about it. Jesus, on the other hand, made an even “bigger deal” about it. They failed to understand the significance of the occasion.
The disciples were thoughtlessly pushing away the children, as though they were some interruption or inconvenience to what was important. Actually, the children themselves were important! He needed to
“But when He saw it, He was moved with indignation, and said unto them suffer the little children to come unto me: forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14 (See also Matthew 19:13-15, Luke 18:15-17, & Mark 10:13-16)
teach them that. They were so important, that he commanded the disciples to “welcome” the children. “Let them come to me!” “For, of such, is the Kingdom of God.” Only those who are “humble,” like children are humble, can even go there. “Except you humble yourselves like these little children, you will no wise enter into heaven,” Jesus taught.
The implications of what Jesus was coaching here is immense. I believe He was clearly laying a foundation for the future church in how to deal with blessing young children. Further, many clergy and
well intentioned adults prevent children from receiving this kind of “blessing for the humble.” It is a good thing that parents everywhere want Jesus to bless their children. We in the church today should encourage, enlist and promote that parents should and can bring their children to Jesus for blessing. This act of blessing the child demonstrates and models the “humility” required to admission to heaven. Upon this silent message, one can build the message of the good news of the gospel, with the same “humility” requirement for entrance into the kingdom of heaven. This is powerful!
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May 2011
Color me No extremes in LeadershipNo extremes in Leadership
Self-reliant but not Self-sufficientEnergetic but not Self-seeking
Steadfast but not Stubborn
Tactful but not TimidSerious but not SullenLoyal but not Sectarian
Unmovable but not StationaryGentle but not HypersensitiveTenderhearted but not Touchy
Conscientious but not a PerfectionistDisciplined but not Demanding
Generous but not Gullible
Meek but not weakHumorous but not HilariousFriendly but not Familiar.
Holy but not Holier-than-thouDiscerning but not Critical
Progressive but not Pretentious
- Selected
Czardines
Teacher: “Who can tell me what the former ruler of Russian was called?”Class: “Czar.”Teacher: “Correct; and what was his wife called?”Class: “Czarina.”Teacher” “What were the Czar's children called?”After a brief silence, a voice in the back of the classroom answered: “Czardines!”
- Pastor's Manual
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May 2011
U S Address
Sathyam Publications IncP.O Box 1088
La Mirada, CA - 90637Ph.: 562 477 8372
U K Address
Malayalam Christian ChurchLight House, Unit 2Centienonry Park
Coronet WayManchester M 50-1 RE
Ph.: 077 34710181
Dubai Address
Dubai Evangelical Church CenterJa Bible Resource Center
Behind Al-Munthaza ComplexJebel Ali Village
Dubai, UAETel.: +971 4 88 46621
www.sathyam.org/publications
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May 2011 23
May 2011
Giftsvery child likes to receive gifts from Ehis Daddy. Every
earthly Dad likes to give gifts to his children. Our Heavenly Father loves us more than our earthly Dad does. God loves us ' l a v i s h l y ' . H e h a s lavished such great love on us that we are called His 'children' (1 John 3:1). Daddy God gives His children good and perfect gifts (James 1:17). As believers, the most precious gift we could have ever received is the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23). Gifts are called gifts by its very nature that we cannot claim or boast that we earned them (Eph 2:8-9).
The word 'gift' appears 158 times in the NIV Bible. There is a myriad of gifts mentioned – gifts from God, gift of the Holy Spirit, gifts of the Holy Spirit, earthly gifts and blessings, etc. Some gifts are like those extra 'toppings'. God moves away from being just a provider to a lavish bestower of awesome blessings. He gives and gives. Daddy God loves to surprise and delight His children with unexpected gifts in unexpected measures – more than what we could have asked for or imagined (Eph 3:20).
God's idea of giving His children everything as a gift is to prove a point that stands in stark contrast to the principles of world, where it's all about self-centeredness. “Everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ (Phil 2:21)”. We need to imitate God and follow the pattern He has set.
As we are being transformed into the image of Christ day by day, we need to ask Him for an extravagant heart
that is lavish in the way it loves others, the way it serves others and the way it gives for the Kingdom. Generosity comes from surpassing grace and is called an 'indescribable' gift (2 Cor 9:15). God's word says that our gifts are a f r a g r a n t o f f e r i n g , a n a c c e p t a b l e s a c r i f i c e , pleasing to God (Phil 4:18). Our gifts to the poor are
remembered by God (Acts 10:31).
If we open our eyes to the fact that everything in our life (not just spiritual gifts) is a gift from God, we would never cease to be amazed. We would never cease to thank Him. We would start to recognize the intrinsic worth of our families, friends, our abilities, even our very breath – every little and big thing we have been blessed with. My Dad and Mom are a gift from God. So are my siblings. My inborn talents are a gift from God. So are my education and every other ladder God has enabled me to climb. From that vantage point, where I sit on a mountain of gifts from Daddy God, I pause and ask, “ Daddy, what little gift can I give you in return?”
The Holy Spirit reminds me, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matt 25:37-40).”
May each of us use “whatever GIFT WE HAVE RECIEVED to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:9-11).”
Jolly Ann Thomas
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May 2011
www.sathyam.org
Wheelchair distribution function
A wheelchair distribution function was held on May
7th, 2011 at Kozhikode, Kerala a place where
thousands of disabled exist. Most of the disabled were
helpless in purchasing a wheelchair due to their
financial constraint. But the free wheelchair
distribution by Sathyam Ministries bought a ray of
hope in the lives of the disabled. The function was a
great success. The handicapped were now able to
travel around freely using the wheelchair and they
could now be self-dependent. Many people from
various areas of Kozhikode gathered around when
they came to know about this wheelchair distribution
function. We made special care in providing them the
chairs. We are now focusing to conduct more
distribution function in areas where people are greatly
in need of wheelchairs. We request your prayers in
moving ahead with our mission.
John Firth Christian Mission School, Assam re-
opens
The next academic session of the school for the year
2011-2012 commenced in the month of May. The
students were really overjoyed to meet their friends
after a long interval. They were excited to learn and
enter into the new world of knowledge once again. The
school is really a great blessing for the students in
North Lakhimpur, Assam.We have accommodated
children from all religion without distinction of
caste,creed or gender.
Book Literature Convention-successful
The Christian book fair organized by Sathyam
Publications was a grand success. We received great
appreciation from the customers for opening up a
book fair with varied and vivid collection of books in
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26May 2011
different languages and authors. The books from UK
and USA were the main centre of attraction for the
people. The discount rates for books attracted more
customers.We had also made arrangements for
promoting the bookings of the pre-publication bibles.
Many pasters and bible college students also
participated in the fair.Different collections of bibles
gave a platform for them to choose the ones with which
they could promote evangelism and spread the God's
word among the people especially in rural areas.
The people were happy and heart-filled to participate
in this Christian book fair and they are now looking
forward to attend the next fair which will be conducted
by us.
Praise matters:
Prayer matters:
Literature convention-a grand success
th The upcoming wheelchair camp on June 4 ,2011 For the commencement of next academic year at Sathyanikethan special school For making a platform to help more disabled C.V.Vadavana and his mission field trips for the month. For the construction progress of the disability centre For Sathyam Mission Schools re-opening For the new staffs appointed
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Sathyam Ministries
OUR VISION
SOULS THROUGH GOD’S WORD
00 January 2011
Section by writerí s name Section by writers name
Truth Alive 00
