HONEY DROPSFOR EVERY SOUL

Volume 3 Issue 6

‘’Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’’ (II Kings 6:16)

SEPTEMBER 2011

Published by:El_Shaddai Literature Ministries Trust. Chennai -

600059, INDIA

From the Editor…Dearly beloved in Christ,

It is gratifying to enter into the ninth month of this year. We praise the Lord forHis unmerited favor towards each one of us. He is our Father and He is ourFriend as well. How privileged are we to stand close to Him in great confidenceas His children! Halleluiah! May His everlasting arms hold us close to His bosomand lavish us with His everlasting and satiating love all the days of this newmonth.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to anend, They are new every morning,New every morning, Great is Your faithfulnessO Lord, Great is Your faithfulness! exclaims the hymn writer. We too can say thesame thing if only we stop to think every morning how much the Lord has lovedus. But, in the hurry of the day, we just rush madly behind our daily chores andforget the love of the Lord. Someone said, ‘If we are not able to enjoy the love ofGod it is because we block it with the umbrella of unwanted worries and theburden of all sorts of things that we compel ourselves with. This umbrella eventuallyparalyses and prevents us from the joy of experiencing God’s love which is neverabating and ever fresh.’ Most of us, whether we are in the secular job or in theLord’s ministry, get so bogged down in the abundance of unfinished work that weinadvertantly open up the umbrella and shield ourselves against the rain of God’slove. Ultimately we feel exhausted and burnt out, instead of getting refreshed. Letus take time this month to set apart specific times of refreshing - just to bask in therays of love from our Lord, the Sun of righteousness.

We seek your prayers for the construction of a separate room for the literatureministry and administrative work. We thank you for your wholehearted supportthus far and expect to receive the same henceforth too, so that the work of theLord can go on without hindrance. The accounts for the financial year 2010-11have been finalised and by the time this issue reaches your hands, the statementof accounts would have been submitted to the government. We thank our auditorBro.Selvaraj and also his associate Bro. Ravikumar for their unstinted support inthis matter. We are amazed to know how the Lord’s provision came in at the righttime, and in the right measure to meet the needs of the ministry. We pray that theLord would bless all of you who had generously and sacrificially contributedtowards the ministry’s needs. We pray that the Lord’s perennial brook of lovemake you flourish like a well watered garden. God bless you and satisfy you withHis love.

Yours in His service,

Samuel Premraj & Manjula Premraj

THEIR EYES WERE OPENED!

[Mrs. Manjula Premraj]Occasionally throughout the Bible we read phrases like ‘Their

eyes were opened’, ‘God opened their eyes’, etc. This raises a seriesof questions in our minds. ‘Does it mean that their eyes were closedtill then? If so, how and when were they closed? And for what reasonwere they closed?… and so on. Genesis 1:27 says, ‘God created man(and woman) in His own image.’ So in the beginning man and womanwere created flawless and perfect in God’s image, whereas ‘the godof this age’ has blinded the minds of people. ‘God of this age’ is noneother than Satan. He has blinded the eyes of people so that theywould not see the glory of God, the light of the gospel of the glory ofChrist who is the image of God. (II Corinthians 4:4) But, praise God!He did not allow men to be ruined by Satan. He opened their eyes forvarious reasons – to make them reconcile with Him and enjoy Hissweet fellowship once again.Firstly, He opened the eyes of Adam and Eve to reveal theirsinfulness: (Genesis 3:7)

Since Satan’s idea was to cause rift in the relationship betweenmen and God, he started playing his tactics on the very first couplewhom God created. He disguised himself in the form of a serpent andentered the Garden of Eden. He thus blinded Eve and deceived hercunningly, who fell pathetically in his trap. Having succumbed toSatan’s temptation herself, she enticed her husband Adam also toyield to sin. And when both of them knew that they had trespassedGod’s commandments their eyes were opened. They realised for thefirst time that they were naked. The glory with which God had clothedthem departed from them, and their sin was exposed! They witnessedthe immediate effects of sin – viz. shame and guilt. They were ashamedbecause they were naked and they felt guilty for they disobeyedGod. So they hid from God. But God being a merciful Father clothedthem and at the same time He being a righteous judge punishedthem by driving them out of the Garden.

Secondly, the Lord opened the eyes of Hagar to remind her of Hispromise and give her hope. (Genesis 21:19)

Hagar with her son Ishmael was wandering in the desert ofBeersheba, with no water to drink and no human help. She was in anutterly hopeless condition and was afraid that her son would die. Asshe sat there forsaken and helpless she must have recollected asimilar incident that happened in her life years ago – how she waswandering as a pregnant woman in the desert and how she met theliving God personally, who talked with her regarding her future andher son’s future as well. But now… her mind was so much troubledthat she seemed to have apparently forgotten the promises God hadmade. But God is gracious, kind and faithful. He remembered Hispromise made to Hagar, opened her eyes to see a well of water andrescued them both from the jaws of death.

Thirdly, the Lord opened Baalam’s eyes to caution him of hisrebelliousness and disobedience. (Numbers 22:31)

When Balak, king of Moab, sent some men with a large sumof money to Baalam, the Gentile prophet to curse the Israelites,

the Lord told him very clearly not to go with them. But, Baalamdisobeyed and He saddled his donkey and started to go to the placewhere the Israelites had camped. God was so angry with him. Hesent His angels three times to block the path of the donkey. Seeingthat Baalam still persisted to go, the Lord opened the mouth of thedonkey to reveal his rebellion. He also opened Baalam’s eyes to seethe angel standing with a sword in his hand, who warned that hewas rushing recklessly on a wrong path that could lead to ruin. FinallyBaalam obeyed what the Lord said. He did not curse the Lord’s peopleas Balak said but blessed them instead, as the Lord commanded him.

Fourthly, the Lord opened the eyes of Elisha’s servant to strengthenhis faith and to encourage him. (II Kings 6:17)

Whenever king Aram planned a raid to attack the Israelites,the Lord revealed it to Elisha and in turn he warned the king of Israel.When king of Aram came to know about this he became outrageousand sent an army of horses and chariots to capture Elisha. WhenElisha’s servant saw that, he was frightened. But when Elisha prayed,the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw the Lord’s horsesand chariots of fire surrounding them. The servant then realised thatthere was a greater strength in the unseen reality of the heavenlyhosts to fight for them, than the visible reality of the Aramaean forces.His faith was greatly strengthened.

Fifthly, the Lord opened the eyes of the disciples to reveal thatJesus the Lord is alive. (Luke 24:31)

The disciples were walking towards Emmaus shattered,disappointed and discouraged because they had thought that Jesuswould redeem Israel but He was now dead and was buried a shortwhile ago. They were also puzzled to hear the report from the womenthat He had risen from the dead. And that they had seen Him. Asthey were walking in the burdened hearts Jesus joined them and Hetaught them all that was said in the Scriptures concerning Himself.And then He opened their eyes! They recognised Him and knew forsure that He is alive! They had heard, through the women,of theopen tomb and now they had a real personal encounter with theLord who had resurrected from the grave. They could not contain theexcitement but they immediately returned to Jerusalem to proclaimthe good news to others.

Are our eyes blinded today due to various reasons? Saul wasa blinded man till he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. But thenwhen his eyes were opened the Lord gave him a great mission. InActs 26:17 He said: ‘I am sending you to them, to open their eyesand turn them from darkness to light and from power of Satan to Godso that they may receive forgiveness of sins! And thus Saul thepersecutor was changed into Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ. Let uspray to God to give us also a personal revelation of Himself. ‘‘Let theeyes of our heart be enlightened that we would know the ...incomparably great power for us who believe.’’ (Ephesians 1: 18,19)Then as enlightened people let us open our eyes and look at thefields. They are ripe for harvest. (John 4:35) Let us look at themultitudes in this world whose eyes are blinded by the god of thisage, Satan and lead them to the true light – Jesus Christ!

Thursday, September 01 Read: Philippians 1:12-14GLORIFY JESUS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then I urge you to live a life worthyof the calling you have received.’’ (Ephesians 4:1)

God, our Creator, has a noble purpose for each one of us. Nothinghappens in our lives by accident. Even sufferings are allowed by God tostrengthen us and to make us grow in our spiritual life. This theme runsthrough the entire Bible. For example, let us take Paul. Once he was falselyaccused of bringing Greeks into the temple and defiling the holy place!When the crowd heard this, there was a great uproar and Paul was takeninto protective custody. (Acts 21:27-40). Subsequently he faced many, manyhardships and finally was brought to Rome to appear before Caesar. Therehe was imprisoned and chained to the Roman soldiers awaiting trial. Paul’scircumstances were anything but joyful. But under such circumstances hewrote the epistle to the Philippians, containing four brief chapters, in whichhe mentioned the word ‘joy’ 19 times in one way or another. How was itpossible? Because he had a constant fellowship with the Lord. In thisepistle he also described the kind of temperament Christians must have ifthey are to enjoy Christ’s peace and joy. Even in the prison, his concern wasnot for himself but for Christ and Gospel. He looked at these circumstancesas sent by God for the purpose of exalting Christ. In Philippians 1:12,13, hewrote “What has happened to me has really served to advance gospel. Asa result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and toeveryone else that I am in chains for Christ”. How amazing it is to read thatPaul considered him not as a prisoner of Rome but as the prisoner of JesusChrist (Ephesians 3:1). Even while in prison he proclaimed the gospel tothe guards and won some of them to Christ! He did not allow circumstancesto overcome him. But he turned those circumstances into opportunities tomagnify Christ and to win souls. Paul saw the hand of God in his hardshipsand sufferings. He knew for sure that nothing had happened to him byaccident, that God had been working out His purpose.

Dear friends, we sometimes lament about some painful incidentsthat have happened in our past. Did you note that Paul did not mention ingreat detail about his painful experiences in the shipwrecks and chains inhis epistle but just said in a few words, “What had happened to me”. Why?Because he had the attitude that said, “It makes no difference what happensto me just as long as Christ is glorified and the gospel is proclaimed.’’ So, letus not allow hardships to break us, but let us take them to glorify Christ andbring honor to His name.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, let me realize that when I take You with me inevery circumstance even during hardships, struggles and sufferings, I can remainjoyful. Let me not lament over my problems but talk about Your goodness toothers and glorify Your name. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Friday, September 02 Read: Psalm 119: 9-16

IS GOD’S WORD YOUR DELIGHT?

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord.” (Psalm 1:2)“I delight in Your commands because I love them.” (Ps 119:47)

The word ‘’delight’’ is a bright, cheerful and exciting word.When we delight in something, we feel as if our whole beingexperiences a warm joyful feeling. Delight brings happiness to oursouls and lifts us up from despair. The opposite of delight isdepression. When we do not have anything to delight, we getdepressed.

When we delight in something, we find ourselves irresistiblydrawn towards it. No one needs to compel us to do such things. Tomention a few examples – eating delicious food, a chocolate, an icecream, driving latest new model car, meeting our loved ones after abrief time of separation etc., These things occupy our thoughts andour emotions. It keeps coming to our mind and each time it comes,it is like the sun peeping out from behind a dark cloud. This is whatthe psalmist means when he mentions of “delighting in the Word ofGod”. Commenting about this John DeVries writes of his experienceas follows: “My daughter gave me an unusual birthday gift this year– a big cover inside which there were twelve small cards. On eachlittle card, she had artistically written a Bible verse for the month –twelve verses for the twelve months of my next year. She told methat I was to memorize only one verse per month. She asked me tomeditate upon it and delight in it. I find that as I recite these versesto myself each day again and again, God’s presence comes as radiant,warm sunlight flooding my whole being. It is truly a delightfulexperience indeed”. In Psalm 1:2, the psalmist says that a blessedman has his delight in the Word of God.

Dear friends, do we have such a delight for the Word ofGod? Does it occupy our thoughts and emotions all through theday? If not, why not make it our delight from today onwards. TheWord of God is sweeter than the honey. It is more precious thanthousands of pieces of silver and gold. It gives us life, peace andcomfort which nothing or no one in this world can give. It heals us,guides us, and restores us because it is not human words. It is theWord of God. So let us enjoy the richness and delight in its sweetnesseach day of our lives.

PRAYER: Loving Lord, I delight in so many worldly things. But let me notneglect Your Word but read it again and again and become delighted by the life,joy and peace it gives to my soul. Let me delight in Your wonderful promisesand let its brightness invade every part of my being. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Saturday, Septemeber 03 Read: Exodus 3:10-14; 4:1-13DO NOT WASTE GOD-GIVEN POTENTIAL!

“Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listento me”. “O Lord, please send someone else”…….” (Exodus 4:1,13)

Once upon a time there lived a chicken. Every morning itleft its home and went for a walk across the fields, down the hill tothe forest. One day as it was walking it came upon an egg lying onthe ground. “Well”, thought the chicken, “I have nothing better todo today, so may be I’ll sit on this egg for a while and see whathappens”. After some time there was a tapping noise from the eggand out came a baby bird. But it was not a baby chicken, it was ababy eagle! The chicken adopted the baby eagle and looked after itas if it were its own. Every day the two of them walked across thefields, down the hill to the forest. One day, the baby eagle lookedup and there soaring high above was a wonderful, graceful bird.“Wow” said, the baby eagle “What’s that?” The chicken said, “That’san eagle. It is one of the most amazing creatures that God has evermade”. The baby eagle said, “Oh, if only I could be like that”. “Ah”,said the chicken, ‘’but you are just a chicken, like me”. And off theywent home. Day after day, the baby eagle would stop and look uptowards sky and stare at the wonderful eagle flying above. Daysrolled by into months and years, the eagle became old and finallyone day it died! Is it not a sad story?

Dear friends, the baby eagle spent every day of its life asking,“What if I could become like that graceful bird soaring above theground? If only I could….” It had a dream, an ambition, and anaim. But it failed to reach its full potential in life because it listenedto the chicken which led it to believe that such a dream wasunobtainable. We too are like that eagle. From time to time, we canbe heard to say, “What if…?” or “If only…” Moses too was full ofnegatives. When God sent him to bring out the Israelites from Egypt,the land of slavery, he asked, “What if they don’t believe me..? Whatif they ask me your name? What if my inability to speak stands inmy way….?” But the Lord patiently encouraged him and made himto be a successful leader. Let us not waste our lives by thinking of allthe negatives that might happen to us and finally end up achievingnothing. Let us not listen to Satan’s deceptive words. Let us trustGod that He will never leave us but will certainly empower us tocomplete the task that He has assigned for us.PRAYER: Dear Lord, I am ashamed to confess I had been negative in myoutlook towards Your call. I have often listened to Satan and wasted manyopportunities of serving You. Forgive me. Let not my life end in a sad notelike that of the baby eagle. Let me use my potential to the fullest. Amen.

Sunday, September 4 Read: Genesis 6: 11-7: 5DO WE DO AS WE ARE TOLD BY GOD?

“By faith when warned about things not seen, in holy fear,Noah built an ark to save his family.” (Hebrews 11:7)

When God asks us to do something, do we do it immediately or do wepostpone or never do it at all? It is sure that if we disobey God or delay indoing what He commands us, we will land up in some sort of problem.Terry Anne Preston writes of her experience as follows – “My office is onthe first floor. Builders were asked to replace the flat roof directly above theoffice. I was sitting at my computer as they started the work. Just then thephone downstairs rang and I went to answer it. Within a minute ofreplacing the handset, there was a huge bang. I rushed upstairs only to seethat the whole ceiling and roof had collapsed, right on top of the chairwhere I had been sitting. It was only later, having checked that the workmenwere safe that I realized that, had my friend Kath not called me exactly atthat time I would have been killed. And when I phoned her back to tell herwhat had happened, Kath told me that from the morning she had the feelingthat she ought to phone me. Because there was no particular issue she keptpostponing until she could not keep quiet. “Now I understand that it wasthe prompting of the Holy Spirit”, said Kath astonished at the news.”

Noah’s life reveals a startling difference from that of all the othersaints recorded in the Bible. Noah was a silent man. We do not readanywhere that Noah uttered a word. He did not complain, question orargue. He did not seek explanation from God. His only response to God’scommand was to do exactly what He said. “Noah did everything just asGod commanded him” (Genesis 6: 22, 7:5). Even with our moderntechnology, it would be quite difficult to build such a huge ark. How muchmore difficult it would have been for Noah. It must have been physically,mentally and even spiritually strenuous for him – particularly in view ofthe opposition and ridicule that he faced. If he had treated God’s wordslightly and had never obeyed God, he and his family would have certainlyperished in the flood! Dear friends, let us obey whatever the Lord tells uswithout questioning – even if it seems insignificant, because delaying ordisobeying may result in serious consequences.

PRAYER: Father, how obedient and faithful Noah was in carrying out Yourinstruction word by word in building the ark, in choosing the animals to be takeninside, in staying inside the ark and so on. Let me not take Your command lightlybut let me, like Noah, be obedient and be saved from destruction. Amen.

Monday, September 05 Read: Luke 12: 22-34

DON’T HESITATE WHEN GOD CALLS YOU!

‘’Be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure.’’ (II Peter 1:10)

Hearing God’s Word is one thing – obeying is another! Many of useven after hearing God’s call hesitate to obey Him. This may be because ofthe following reasons – First, is fear. We are afraid to step out in faith andtrust God for our future. I John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. Butperfect love drives out fear….. The one who fears is not made perfect inlove”. If we have the assurance that our Lord is a loving heavenly Father,whose love is unfathomable, which has no height, no depth or breadth orwidth, we will never, never be afraid of our future. When our earthly fathers,who are so deficient in love care for their children so much and do their levelbest to provide for their future will not our Father in heaven bless us, Hisdear children, more than we ask or imagine when we obey Him and do asHe says? Second reason is attachment to worldly things and people. Let usexamine ourselves – What holds us back? The love of money? Our home?Our routine? Our Job? Our family? Our friends? Let us recollect what Jesussaid in Matthew 19:29. ‘’And everyone who has left houses or brothers orsisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive onehundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.’’ So let us not hold onto these earthly things which are temporary. Let us not worry about ourfuture but trust God for our needs. Godliness with contentment is greatgain. Let us be contented with the food and clothing that we have. Let us notlike the worldly people sweat and toil to store up treasures on earth, wheremoth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But let usspend our energy to work for the Kingdom of God, save the perishing soulsand lead them to heaven. By doing so we will store up everlasting treasuresin heaven (Matthew 6:19,20)

So dear friends, let us not hesitate when God calls us. It is not byfluke that He calls us. He has chosen us even before the creation of theworld and has appointed us to do His work. So we need not fear and holdfast to temporary things of the world. We can be assured that when we stepout in faith and obey Him, God does amazing things both in our personallives and in the lives of others through us. O, what a great privilege it is toserve the living God, the Creator of the Universe.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, let me not be afraid to trust You for my future.Let me not hold on to temporary worldly things but help me to trust You andstep out in faith when You call me to do Your ministry. I submit totally to Yourwill. Use me in Your own way. Amen.

Tuesday, September 06 Read: Mark 10:28-31

SOFTLY AND TENDERLY JESUS IS CALLING.

“Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” ….. “Here amI, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

Yesterday we meditated that most of us are reluctant to obeythe calling of God due to fear and unwillingness to disown worldlythings and relationships. But if we know the rich blessings that theLord has in store for those who serve Him we will have no moresecond thoughts but surrender ourselves completely to Him. Whatare those blessings? Firstly, the Lord has given us the royal Kingdom.Revelation 5:10 says, “You have made them to be a kingdom and prieststo serve our God and they will reign on earth”. I Peter 2:9 says thatwe are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. Yes,we will serve our God and will reign on earth! Secondly, He hasgiven us the royal throne. Revelation 3:21 says, ‘’To him whoovercomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne.’’ Oh,what a privilege! And in Matthew 19:28, Jesus says, “I tell you thetruth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on theglorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelvethrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Halleluiah! Thirdly, Hehas given us authority. In Revelation 2:26, Jesus says, “To him whoovercomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over thenations.’’ Sounds incredible? Fourthly, He has given us the power tojudge the world. I Corinthians 6:2 says, “Do you not know that thesaints will judge the world?’’ Fifthly, He has given us the eternalKingdom. One day He will call us and say, “Come you who are blessedby my Father, take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for yousince the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)

So, dear friends, for the sake of enjoying the temporarypleasures that this world offers, let us not lose the rich eternal blessings.Let us not misunderstand that God’s calling is only for the selectedfew - like the clergymen or the missionaries or those who are committedto work as full-time servants. God calls each one of us to do a uniquerole in His Kingdom. Yes, to obey God’s call means to sacrificesomething - the time we spend with our family, our finances, ourstatus in the society…….. But it is worth it. How joyful we would bewhen we receive a crown of glory and a commendation from ourFather in heaven - “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Shall weaccept the challenge and obey God’s soft and tender call?PRAYER: Dear Lord, how great is Your goodness which You stored up forthose who fear You! Let me not be deaf to Your soft call, but let me willinglyoffer myself to You to do whatever You say and go wherever You send,even if it means sacrificing something. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Wednesday, September 07 Read: Luke 12:13-21

CAST AWAY GREED FROM YOUR VERY THOUGHT.

"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed" (Luke 12:15)

The Bible warns us in many places about the danger ofcovetousness. It also advises us not to seek the things of this worldas if they had lasting value. When compared to the eternal values,the material things of this world are trivial pursuits. This does notmean that we should not pay any attention to earning a good living,buying a home, or a car, or investing our money. It just means thatwe should pay much more attention to God than to all these things.

One day a man asked Jesus to be the Judge and divide hisfamily inheritance between him and his brother. Ron Lavin commentson this as follows – “It was customary among the Jews for the eldestson to inherit all the property after the death of his father and it washis responsibility to care for the whole family. Apparently, the manwho approached Jesus was a younger brother who did not like thetraditional arrangement. Jesus read the heart of the man. His problemwas not that he was against Jewish tradition but that greed had rooteditself in his heart. It is very possible that this younger son believedin God and went to synagogue very regularly. After all, he wasthere listening to the teachings of Jesus. The man’s problem was notthat he was not religious. It was that he did not apply biblical truthto practical problem because of an inner covetousness that he refusedto overcome”.

Dear friends, God knows what we are thinking regardingmoney and property? Are we greedy and lustful to grab other’sproperty which rightfully belongs to them? Are we self-centeredand hoard wealth for our own family being unconcerned of ourbrothers and sisters who find it difficult to meet both ends meet?We may be religious and live godly lives but pursuit of property andmoney can bring out the worst in us, if we do not apply the biblicaltruth in practical ways. It distracts our focus from heavenly thingsto ungodly ways of the world. So let us be careful and be on guardagainst all kinds of greed – not only money and property.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, give me a contented heart. Help me to live withinmy means. Let me not cast my eyes at other’s property and lust for theirpossessions. Let me not hoard things for myself but help me to see beyondmyself and be concerned about the needs of others. In Jesus name I pray.Amen.

Thursday, September 08 Read: Luke 13: 18-30DO NOT IGNORE WARNING SIGNS!

“Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” (Luke 13:23)

Have you noticed “WARNING!” signs? They tell us thatsomething ahead is potentially dangerous. For example, a high voltageelectricity line, dangerous curves, hairpin bends, etc., In Luke 13thchapter, verses:18-30 Jesus gives us three warning signs about theKingdom of God. If we do not heed the warning, we may miss thecoming of God’s Kingdom in our lives. First, the Kingdom of God islike a mustard seed (Luke 13:19). Second, it is like a yeast in a loaf ofbread (13:21) and third, it is like a narrow door (13:24). If we readcarefully, all these are insignificant and small that we have the tendencyto miss them out. That is why Jesus gives them as warnings so that wewould pay careful attention to these.

Let us take the first illustration – the mustard seed. Jesusseems to say, ‘Warning! Since the Kingdom of God starts small, youare in danger of overlooking it’. A mustard seed is very tiny but itgrows into a big plant which gives shelter to many birds. Similarly,the Kingdom of God may initially seem small from earthly point ofview but it can grow to become the driving force in the hearts of manychildren. Next, through second illustration of yeast – Jesus seems tosay, “Warning! Since the Kingdom of God works quietly and slowly,be careful not to neglect it just because you do not see it working”.Yeast causes the bread to rise. Similarly, ordinary people of God keepworking silently, rise above their circumstances and becomeextraordinary witnesses for God thus building the Kingdom of God!Through the third illustration Jesus seems to say, “Warning! Since thedoor is narrow, make every effort to enter into it while it is open!Nobody prefers to enter through a narrow door because it requireseffort. It requires sacrifice. It requires shedding of certain loads. ButJesus wants us to pay a cost. He wants us to be His disciples.

Dear friends, let us pay attention to these warning signs ofJesus. Let us - like mustard seeds and yeast - work quietly, spreadquickly, committing ourselves to live as disciples of Jesus and enterthrough the narrow door which leads to heaven.PRAYER: Lord, all the three examples that You have chosen to explainhow the Kingdom of God would be, are small and insignificant. Let me notoverlook them and ultimately be refused entry into the God’s Kingdom. Letme work for the extension of Your Kingdom, quietly but quickly. Amen.

Friday, September 09 Read: Romans 6:11-15

DON’T TAKE GOD’S GRACE FOR GRANTED!

“What shall we say? Shall we sin because we are not under lawbut under grace? By no means!” (Romans 6:15)

Robert Hughes tells of a convict sentenced to life imprisonment inan island off the coast of Australia. One day, with no provocation, hebeat brutally a fellow prisoner. Authorities took him back to the mainland to stand trial, where he gave a straightforward passionless accountof the crime. He showed no sign of remorse and denied having heldany grudge against the victim. “Why, then?” asked the bewildered judge.“What was your motive to commit murder?’’ The prisoner replied thathe was sick of life on the island, a notorious brutal place, and saw noreason to keep on living. “Yes, I understand all that”, said the judge.“In that case you could have drowned yourself in the ocean. But murder?Why murder?” “Well, I figure it is like this”, said the prisoner. “I’m aCatholic. If I commit suicide I’ll go straight to hell. But if I murder I cancome back here to Sydney and confess to a priest before my execution.That way, God will forgive me”.

Dear friends, we too are like this convict. Knowing pretty wellthat we are sinning against God, we do it blatantly. We know it is sin totell lies, to cheat others, to covet others’ possessions, to be angry andunforgiving. Yet, we do it deliberately. Without a feeling of remorsewe act according to our flesh and commit daringly all that the Lord hasprohibited us, taking for granted His rich grace and loving mercy. Thenwe enter into the presence of the Lord, kneel down and say shamelessly,“O Lord, forgive us our sins!’’ Philip Yancey writes, ‘’At first a deviousidea forms in the back of our mind, “It is something I want. Yes, I knowit is wrong. But, let me go ahead. Anyway, I’ll get forgiveness later.’’This idea grows into an obsession and ultimately grace becomes a licencefor immorality”. Let us not take God’s grace in vain. Let us trulyrepent for what we have done, with godly sorrow. Let us strive to livea life pleasing to God. As Paul told Titus, it is the grace of God thatteaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to liveself-controlled upright and godly lives. So let us not be arrogant andkeep on committing sin. Let us not exploit God’s grace and Hisforgiveness.PRAYER: Dear Lord, I very well know Your commandments which say, “Donot commit murder and adultery. Do not steal; Do not covet’’ and so on. But Iblatantly disobey them thinking that You will somehow forgive me by Your grace.Lord forgive my audacity. Let me show true repentance. Amen.

Saturday, September 10 Read: I Kings 16:31-33; 21: 25-26

LORD, LET ME NOT TEAR DOWN MY HOME!

“The wise woman builds her house but with her own handsthe foolish one tears hers down.” (Proverbs 14:1)

We all know that Proverbs 31 talks of a virtuous woman. But incontrast to this, the Book of Proverbs also talks of foolish women andwicked women, adulteresses and immoral women. Proverbs 6:24advises us to keep away from the immoral women and from the smoothtongue of the wayward wife. It also speaks about a nagging woman –one who is contentious and quarrelsome. Proverbs 21:9 says that it isbetter to dwell in a corner of the housetop than with a brawling womanin a wide house!

The Bible has many examples of women who were not like theideal virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. Eve, for example, was createdto be a helper for Adam, her husband, but she became a tempter tohim. When Satan tempted her, not only did she fall into sin; but shetempted her husband also to sin. Potiphar’s wife was an example ofunfaithfulness. (Genesis 39) She tempted Joseph to have illicitrelationship with her while her husband was away. Jezebel is anotherexample of a woman who exerted her evil influence on her husbandAhab, the king of Israel. She was an ungodly woman who stirred upher husband to follow idolatry practices, to worship Baal and to setup altars and temples for him. Job’s wife is an example of the one whowas weak in faith. She discouraged her husband in times of adversityrather than to encourage his spirit. She must have been a godly wifeto Job once, but somehow she lost her faith in God through the severetesting that came to Job’s family. In Job 2:9, she said to Job, “Are youstill holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” Thank God,Job did not listen to her, otherwise we would not have had hiswonderful testimony recorded in the Bible! We can keep on addingto this list of foolish women – Lot’s wife, David’s wife Michal, Anania’swife Sapphira, the five foolish virgins and so on. Dear friends, theseexamples are mentioned as warnings to us. We may live in a modernage, we may have good education, good job but it is not enough if weare wise and prudent only in wordly matters. Let us remember thatGod has given us, women, an important role in building up our familyin Christian values. So let us not live as women of the world but aswomen with whom the Lord is well pleased.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, let the examples of such unfaithful, naggingand greedy women mentioned in the Bible be a warning to me. Let me notbe a person who would break my family but let me build it on the strongfoundation of Jesus. In Jesus’ name I pray. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Sunday, September 11 Read: Ephesians 5:18-33WONDERFUL LESSON TAUGHT BY BEARS!

“He who loves his wife loves himself. The wife must respect herhusband.” (Ephesians 5:28,33)

Sometimes animals teach us many valuable life lessons. W. PhillipKeller shares his experience as follows; “One day on a mountainside, ahalf-grown black bear with his coat glistening in the rain was strippingthe last of the summer fruit from the tall branches of an Otalla bush.Within a few moments, I spied a second bear of similar size near anotherbush and then a third gathering the tender leaves from a vine maple.Then, as if to add a special delight to the day, I saw a third bear, afemale, obviously the mother of the three young ones turning over rocksto find ants….. The obvious gentleness and cordiality with which thesefour bears treated one another made an enormous impression on me.There was simply no pushing or showing angry rivalry among them. Iwas especially surprised at how quiet and silent every move was, everygesture, every interaction between them. There appeared to be an auraof courtesy and respect between the bears. This warmed my own spiritin strange yet wondrous way. I thought, if only human families were ascordial as these……’’

Marriage counselors infer that “taking each other for granted” isone of the chief causes of marital problems. “My father talks with meonly when he wants to scold me”, said an angry teenager. “I hate goinghome. I can hear nothing but my wife nagging me and the childrenalways”, said a frustrated husband. “When home is ruled according toGod’s Word, angels might be asked to stay with us and they would notfind themselves out of their element”, writes C.H. Spurgeon. But troubleis that many homes are not governed by God’s Word and that is thereason for so many incidents of divorce. If our homes are to be heavenon earth, we must be controlled by the Holy Spirit. According to Paulthere are three evidences of the fullness of the Holy Spirit in a believer’slife. Firstly, he is joyful (Ephesians 5:19), secondly, he is thankful (5:20)and thirdly, he is submissive (5:21). Of course, there would come timeswhen misunderstandings and arguments arise. There may be unfulfilledexpectations but if each member of the family is filled with the HolySpirit they would forgive each other’s shortcomings and accept eachother with love. So dear friends, there is no doubt that if we honor andlove one another in our family, we will surely enjoy the harmony that isa foretaste of heaven on earth.PRAYER: Father, I have learnt a wonderful lesson today. Help me also tolove and forgive each member of my family. Let me not blow up theirshortcoming, make a mountain out of a molehill, but let me filled with theHoly Spirit live in harmony and enjoy the foretaste of heaven on earth.Amen.

Monday, September 12 Read: Mark 12:28-31

GOD WANTS OUR LOVE!

“Do you truly love me more than these?” (John 21:15)

When God created Adam and Eve, He gave them more thanthey ever needed. He allowed them to eat from every tree and everyplant in the garden, except one! They had everything that they coulddream of, or desire. There was no need for them to search for more.How amazing! God still does that for us even today, when we confessour sins, repent from our sinful ways. He forgives our sins, lavishesHis love on us and calls us His own children. Then He gives us manywonderful promises. He promises us that whatever happens to us willturn out for our good. (Romans 8:28) This is an amazing promisebecause it means that a Christian need not worry even in the darkestmoments of life. It does not mean that a Christian would not encounterbad things, but it means that God would never allow him to bedestroyed by the evil and He will work it out for his good. Then,God has promised that He will supply all our needs according to themeasure of His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Phili. 4:19) Anotherway to express this is to say that God will answer all our prayersabundantly, above all that we could ask or even imagine. (Ephesians3:20) Still another way to describe it is to say, “The Lord is myShepherd, I shall not be in want. (Psalm 23:1) We can go on quotingmany, many promises in the Bible which say that the Lord is ourProvider, Sustainer and Keeper. Having given everything to us whoare saved by the blood of Jesus, the Lord expects only one thing fromus in return and that is our love. How can we express our love toHim? By obeying His command. Adam and Eve got everything fromthe Lord yet they failed to give Him what He wanted. God did notask for something that was impossible from Adam and Eve. He onlysaid that they should not eat from the tree of knowledge of good andevil! But they disobeyed Him in this simple matter. What a pity!

Dear friends, let us not be ungrateful creatures. Let us think ofall the gifts the Lord has freely given us to enjoy and let us express ourlove to Him not only in words but by our deeds – by obeying Himwholeheartedly.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You have given me all good things, more than Icould ask or even imagine. You have saved me and filled me with YourHoly Spirit. How can I be ungrateful to You? Help me to love You, haveintimate fellowship with You and do whatever You ask me to do. Amen.

Tuesday, September 13 Read: Ephesians 4: 31-32

OFFER UNILATERAL FORGIVENESS!

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give himsomething to drink.” (Romans 12:20)

Corrie ten Boom was imprisoned in a concentration camp bythe Germans. Ten years after her ordeal in prison, she came face toface with the woman who had been a nurse in the hospital barrackswhere Corrie and her sister Betsie were prisoners. Corrie recollectedhow cruelly that particular nurse treated both of them, especiallyBetsie who was almost dying. She was so unkind and ws totallyunconcerned of Betsie’s helpless condition. Corrie ten Boom wrotelater, “At that moment of recognition, hatred came into my heart. Ithought I had overcome it, but now when I saw that nurse againafter all these years, a great bitterness came into my heart. Ashamed,I confessed my guilt. “Forgive me Lord, for my hatred. Teach me tolove my enemies”. Corrie goes on to tell how she prayed for thisenemy. She phoned her and invited her to a meeting. “The wholeevening she listened and looked straight into my eyes’’ Corrietestified. ‘’I knew that she listened with her heart. After the meetingI read with her from the Bible the way of salvation - I John 4:9 - ‘’This is how God showed His love among us. He sent His one andonly Son into the world that we might live through Him”. The nursemade the decision that “causes angels to rejoice”. She repented! Notonly had my hatred gone, but I could shine into her dark heart, asGod’s channel for His streams of living water…….” LarryChristenson calls this forgiveness as unilateral forgiveness – whichmeans ‘one-sided’ forgiveness. It flows out from the forgiver. Theother person does not ask for it. He may not even realize that heneeds it. The forgiver takes the initiative and forgives without waitingfor the other person to come and ask for forgiveness.

Dear friends, are we able to offer this unilateral forgiveness toour enemies? Let our Lord Jesus be our model! Never had oneperson come to Him and said, “Lord, forgive me”. Yet He forgavethem all. Even when He was hanging on the Cross, He forgave allthose who tortured Him, though none of them asked Him forforgiveness. Shall we also take away all our unwillingness to forgiveand forgive others unconditionally as Jesus did?PRAYER: Heavenly Father, let unilateral forgiveness flow from my hearttowards all who hurt me physically and emotionally. Let me be willing toforgive them whether they ask for forgiveness or not but let me demonstrateunconditionally the love of Jesus to them. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Wednesday, September 14 Read: Psalm 15

INTEGRITY VERSUS DISHONESTY

“Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean handsand a pure heart.’ (Psalm 24:4)

Five weeks short of his retirement from the Federal Bureau ofInvestigation, Robert Philip Hanssen was forced to come to termswith his double life. He was caught red-handed on February 18,2001, hiding a plastic garbage bag full of classified US documentsdestined for Moscow. A person who was supposed to have beencatching Russian spies, was arrested on charges of selling US secretsto Moscow for $ 4 1.4 million in money and diamonds! He wasregarded as a good father, a good husband, a good professional anda good son. He attended Sunday morning worship services at thesame church where his boss went. He was devoted to his wife andsix children, living in a modest neighborhood. On his arrest, hismother said, ‘He has always been a very honest and upright. I donot understand how he could be doing so!” Yes, Hanssen was in theperfect position to spy on his country. In 25 years he rose throughthe ranks of counter intelligence agents in FBI. He compromisedevery important human electronic penetration of Russia for the past15 years. Everyone who knew Hanssen expressed astonishment.(Source: Born to Grow –P.Abraham).

Dear friends, dishonesty is an inborn trait. A person need notundergo a training to be dishonest. We may not have done seriousinjustice as Hanssen did, but let us remember that even cheating avendor is a sin in the sight of the Lord. We may go to church, pray,fast and do good deeds. But how is our private life? Daniel did notlive by a double standard. His enemies could not frame any chargesagainst him on any grounds, however hard they tried. How aboutus? Do we play a double game? Let us keep in our minds that we areanswerable to God for every deed of ours. On the Judgment day,we have to stand before Him and give account. If we have cheatedothers so far, let us confess them to God, and restitute with otherswhat we have done. May the Lord give us grace to live with integrity.

PRAYER: Father God, I may cheat others and even escape the law. Butlet me remember that I can’t deceive You and I have to give account to Youfor everything. Let my hands be clean. Let me not even dream of cheatinganyone in any matter whether big or small. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Thursday, September 15 Read: Philippians 2:5-11

THE LORD HONORS THE HUMBLE!

“Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5)

Some of the greatest Christians are those who have been meek,humble, courteous and gentle. Richard was the second son of well-to-do parents who lived in Worcestershire. He was born in 1197 andspent the earlier part of his life at home, helping to run the family afterhis father had died. Then inspite of the suggestions of his brother thathe should marry a certain noble lady, Richard decided to go to Oxfordto become a priest. He had the misfortune to have his money stolenand had therefore to live at Oxford in poverty. He and two otherstudents had only one warm tunic and one gown between them, sothey had to wear in turn to attend lectures. All through his courseRichard was known for his humility and politeness. After his studieswhen he returned to his own place, he was called to become secretaryto the Archbishop of Canterbury. The king did not like this idea andso after much controversy, finally Richard was chosen for the post.The new Archbishop of Canterbury who took charge later was greatlyimpressed by Richard’s courteous behavior and made him the Bishopof Chechester!

What is being humble? D.L.Moody once said, “Some years ago Isaw what is called a sensitive plant. I happened to breathe on it andsuddenly it folded its leaves. I touched and it drooped. Humility isas sensitive as that, it cannot be brought out on exhibition”. A manwho flatters about himself about his achievements and his spirituallife cannot be humble man. He only deceives himself. “Humility isnot thinking meanly of ourselves, but it is not thinking of ourselves atall. If humility speaks of itself, it is gone”, said D.L.Moody. Numbers12:3 says, “Moses was a very humble man more humble than anyoneelse on the face of the earth.’’ Regarding our Lord Jesus, Philippians2:6 says, “Who being in very nature of God, did not consider equalitywith God… but making Himself nothing…. He humbled Himself andbecame obedient to death”. Dear friends, let us be humble in all ourdealings with men. Then we will surely be exalted by the Lord. Godresists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, let me not be proud in my thoughts, words and deeds.Let me never allow my pride to pop out but be gentle and humble always. Let mealways have Jesus as my example, who though is the Son of God, humbled Himselfso low as to wash the feet of His disciples. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Friday, September 16 Read: Psalm 51-12

SIN IS SERIOUS. IT SHOULD BE DEALTH WITH!

“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit theKingdom of God? Do not be deceived.” (I Corinthians 6:9)

Sin is not a superficial problem that can be solved with simpleremedies. It comes from within. Unless the heart is changed, therecannot be any solution for it. In 18th century England, if any personwas convicted for stealing, the judge could order the authorities tochop off his left hand. There was a pick-pocket who lost both handsbut managed to succeed in his career because he perfected pickingpockets with his teeth! Even if the authorities had knocked off allhis teeth, he would have still invented some other method to steal,because his sin was deep inside – it was in his heart.

We live in a world where people overlook sin. They areunwilling to accept their sinful state. If men and women are basicallygood and not sinners under the wrath of God, then why do menpreach the gospel? Then, why did Jesus die on the cross? Do not bedeceived. According to what David says in Psalm 51:5, surely all ofus are sinful at birth, sinful from the time we were conceived in ourmother’s wombs. Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall shortof the glory of God”. There is no one in this world who can say thathe is not a sinner. Sin originates in our thoughts, corrupts our mindsand leads us to do evil. It separates us from God eternally.

So, dear friends, do not treat sin casually. Do not think thatit is harmless and try to get away with it. Look at what David didwhen he committed adultery with Bethsheba. He could have easilyburied the matter being a powerful King. But when the Lordconvicted him, he confessed that he sinned against Him. Romans6:23 says, ”The wages of sin is death”. A sinner has to face eternalcondemnation – there is no escape. So do not think that it’s just funand you can get away easily. It is something serious. So, repentfrom your sinful ways. Only the blood of Jesus can deliver you fromthis bondage. So, draw near the cross. Be cleansed by the blood ofJesus and start a brand new life.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, so far I have never given a serious thought ofliving a holy life. I have been sinning, taking things very lightly. Forgive me.Wash me by the blood of Jesus. Accept me as Your child. Let me start all overagain. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Saturday, September 17 Read: Psalm 100: 4-5

THANK THE LORD WITH A GRATEFUL HEART!

“He came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threwhimself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him.’’ (Luke 17: 15,16)

We have so many things to be grateful for every day. Eachnew day is a gift given to us by our Lord. But how mean we are incomplaining and murmuring about things that we lack? RobertSchuller recalls of an incident that happened when he was a smallboy. He recollects how his entire family withstood a great faminebecause of the grateful attitude and the positive mindset of his father.“I was born and raised on an Iowa farm. When I was a child asevere drought struck our place. The wind was dry, dusty, fierceand violent and it became our enemy because it would peel the dry,rich black soil and swirl it like drifting dunes in the gullies and canyonsof our fields. We prayed for the rains but there was none. Thenharvest came. My father would normally harvest a hundred wagonsfull of corn. But I remember that year the harvest was a meager one-half wagon load. I could see the old wagon standing in the yard –only half-full. It was a total crop disaster that had never been equaledbefore or since. You know what happened? Seated at the dinnertable with his calloused hands holding ours , my father looked upand thanked God saying, “I thank you God, that I have lost nothing.I have regained the seed I planted in springtime!” I marveled at hisattitude of gratitude. The other farmers were lamenting, “We lostninety loads”, “We lost hundred loads”. And I’ll never forget myfather saying, ‘You can never count up the might-have-beens or youwill be defeated”. These words of wisdom from my father, whonever went past the sixth grade, were immeasurable in making methe positive thinker that I am today. When my father retired he wasno longer a poor farmer. With his attitude he left a nice estate for hischildren.

Dear friends, let us never look at what we lack. Let us notlament over what we have lost, but let us focus our attention on allthe blessings which we have received from our Father and thankHim for everything from the bottom of our hearts.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You make me lie down in green pastures and leadme beside still waters. I lack no good thing for You are my good shepherd.Give me a grateful and contented heart. Let me not grieve Your heart bymurmuring about what I do not have. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Sunday, September 18 Read: Matthew 5:43-48

HOW CAN I LOVE MY ENEMIES?

“Let your light shine before men that they may see your gooddeeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

In this scripture passage our Lord lays down a divine rulewhich we by His Spirit have to apply to every circumstance of ourlife. Our Lord exhorts us here to love all men whether they aregood or bad. God exhibits His love not only to good people but tothe sinners too. We, as humans, have natural affinities – we likesome people, get along well with some, whereas we dislike someand try to avoid their friendship. But, we should never let thoselikes and dislikes be the rule of our Christian life. Let us read verse44 again where Jesus says, “I tell you. Love your enemies”. Jesusdoes not say, ‘Love everyone’. The Bible never speaks vaguely. Theworld talks about ‘’loving mankind”. Jesus says very specifically,“Love your enemies”. He says, “Bless those who curse you”. Hesays, “Pray for those who persecute you”. Each one of thesecommands is stamped with sheer impossibility to the natural man.Of course, it is easy to do if we do not have enemies, but seems to bean impossible thing when we have! Yes! No one on earth will be ableto follow these commands, unless he is regenerated by the HolySpirit. “Unless Jesus Christ can remake us within, His teaching is thebiggest mockery human ears have ever listened to” writes OswaldChambers.

Dear friends, the secret of a Christian’s life is that thesupernatural is made natural and the impossible made possible bythe grace of God. If the Holy Spirit has transformed us from within,we will certainly exhibit divine characteristics in our human nature.The proof that we have been regenerated is that when we find itdifficult to love our enemies, and when we are tempted to rebel, wefind to our astonishment that we have the power to keep wonderfullypoised in the midst of it; a power we did not have before, a powergiven to us only by the Spirit of God. So, let us always be filled withHis Spirit and follow the divine rule of Jesus. Let us be blessed andbe a blessing to others.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, a carnal man would certainly find it impossible tofollow the teaching of Jesus but not a Spirit-generated man. Fill me with YourHoly Spirit, so that by His power, I will be able to apply His divine rule in mydaily life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Monday, September 19 Read: Luke 21: 1-4

LET US BE SACRIFICIAL GIVERS!

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoeversows generously will also reap generously” (II Corinthians 9:6)

People who were converted from Hinduism to Christianity inNepal had problem in burying their dead. As Hindus burn theirdead, it was not an easy task to have a Christian burial in Nepal. So,with the finance they received from Americans, one Church in Nepalbrought a piece of land for cemetery. Not long after this, they wantedto put a fence around it to protect it from acts of vandalism. So, thechurch held a special service to raise the needed funds. When offeringwas taken, a widow in the church named Maya was seen doingsomething special. She had lost her husband in 1994 and was left toraise two children on her own. While alive, her husband had givenher a pair of gold earrings. Since she had nothing to put in the offeringbag, Maya gave one of those precious earrings for the particular cause.The treasurer of the church came to know of this sacrificial offering.The news quickly spread throughout the church and this motivatedothers to give willingly and generously. Despite Maya’s reluctanceto take it back, the church committee gave back the earring to Mayaand put in the equivalent of its value from their own pocket forbuilding the fence!

Do not our minds travel back two thousand years to that daywhen Jesus witnessed a poor widow going towards the templetreasury and dropping two very small copper coins? To others, whatshe put into the treasury might have been a very meager amount.But, Jesus knew that it was not an ordinary gift. It was all that thewidow owned! It might have even been her last gift! Jesus wasmoved and He commended her for her great sacrifice. I’m sure theLord would not have allowed her to suffer in poverty but wouldhave provided miraculously for the rest of her life. Dear friends,God want us to be not only cheerful givers but also sacrificial givers.Let us remember that when we give sacrificially we are demonstratingthat God means more to us than our worldly possessions. We arealso putting our faith in action that God will take care of us becauseHe is faithful and He will never on any account allow us to sufferand starve! Shall we make a commitment today to be givers - notordinary but sacrificial givers?PRAYER: Heavenly Father, let me understand that this worldly wealth istemporary and that by focussing all my time for accumulating wealth in order tomake me and my family comfortable, I am losing the vision of the rich treasurethat You want me to store in heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Tuesday, September 20 Read: II Corinthians 6:14-7

WORLDLINESS HAS NO PART IN HOLINESS!

“These things occurred as examples to keep us from settingour heart on evil things…….” (I Corinthians 10:6)

The first command that Abraham received from the Lord was,“Leave your country, your people and your father’s household andgo to the land I will show you.” “And so Abraham left, as the Lordhad told him”. (Genesis 12:4) But he did not fully obey God. Insteadof leaving his father’s household as commanded by the Lord, he tookhis nephew Lot along with him. And because of this, Abraham facedlot of problem. Abraham was a man of faith, whereas Lot was aworldly man and so he and his men could not get along well withAbraham’s men. A dispute arose between them. Hence, Abrahamand Lot had to separate. But Abraham was generous enough to allowhis nephew Lot to select a land of his choice and settle down there.Accordingly Lot selected the fertile plain of Jordan. Of course, Godgave the best land to Abraham later. Shortly after this, once again aproblem erupted because of Lot. Lot was taken a captive by the enemiesand Abraham risked his own life to rescue him from them.

Dear friends, whatever we bring with us from old life into thenew, is likely to create problems. The life of faith demands totalseparation from what is evil and total devotion to what is holy. In IICorinthians 6:14 and 17 Paul writes, “Do not be yoked together withunbelievers. Come out of them and be separate”. Let us be careful.When we walk by faith, we should lean on God alone. We shouldtrust in His Word and rely on His power. We should believe that Hewho has called us will never do a mistake. So when we step out infaith to follow Him, in obedience to His call, let us commit ourselvestotally to Him. Let us not compromise on any worldly matter. Let usnot associate with any worldly person in our business dealings orpartnership in marriage. Of course we live in a country where peoplebelonging to different faiths live and so we cannot certainly dissociatefrom them. We have to be friendly with them but should not beinfluenced by them because they would deviate us from our heavenlyvision. A little yeast is enough to ferment the whole dough. So, let ustrust God and obey Him and not fall into temptation.

PRAYER: Lord, Abraham did a great blunder by taking Lot along withhim as he set out for Canaan. He faced more of trouble than blessing becauseof Lot. When You ask me to separate from certain people or to leave certainthings let me not compromise but obey You fully. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Wednesday, September 21 Genesis: 15: 12-16 & 50: 24-26

AMAZING FAITH OF JOSEPH!

“By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodusof the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones’’ (Heb. 11:22)

Joseph was seventeen years old when he was taken to Egypt(Genesis 37:2) and he lived there for ninety three years. He died atthe age of a hundred and ten. (Genesis 50:26) During all those yearsJoseph underwent periods of abandonment, loneliness, injustice andrejection. He had more reasons to forsake his faith than to bestrengthened in his faith. His Jewish brothers who “knew” Jehovahtreated him cruelly and sold him to the Midianites. He had to liveaway from his family for many, many years. While he was living inEgypt, he was surrounded by people who had belief in a false religionand worshipped false gods. He did not have any mentor in Egypt toencourage him and to lead him in the way of faith. People whom hehelped forgot about him in the hour of need. “If that is what a life offaith is about, then I have every reason to reject it and discard it”,Joseph could have argued easily. But Joseph’s faith was not such ashallow one. When he was at the fag end of his life, this is what hesaid to his brothers - “I am about to die. But God will SURELY cometo your aid and take you up out of this land to the land He promisedon oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob…. Then you must carry mybones up from this place.’’ And his wish was indeed fulfilled. AfterJoseph died he was placed in a coffin in Egypt (Genesis 50:26). Butwhen God delivered the Israelites from Egypt Moses took Joseph’sbones (Exodus 13:19) and later Joshua buried them in Shechem afterthey possessed the Promised Land. (Joshua 24:32)

Dear friends, do we have such deep-rooted faith? True faithis grounded on the infallible Word of God and is not based on ouremotions or on the circumstances. If God had said something, a manof faith believes that it will happen, however negative the situationswould be. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain ofwhat we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

PRAYER: Dear Lord, even though Joseph lived in an atmosphere which seemedto shake his faith and damage it, he rooted his faith firmly on Your promise givento Abraham around 430 years earlier, and instructed by faith that his bones betaken away from Egypt to the Promised land. Give me such a faith. Amen.

Thursday, September 22 Read: Psalm 63:1-8

SEEK THE LORD ALWAYS !

“Pray continually.” (I Thessalonians 5:17)

Epaphras was led to Christ through Paul’s ministry. He was agreat prayer warrior. What were the characteristics of his prayer life?Firstly, he prayed constantly. (Colossians 4: 12) Epaphras did notpray only when he felt like it. Nor did he pray when he was told topray or when others prayed. He was always praying. Secondly, heprayed fervently. He wrestled in prayer. In other words, he agonizedin prayer. Prayer was a serious business to Epaphras. Thirdly, hisprayer was focussed. He did not pray in general for everyone in theworld. He centered his intercession on the people of Colosse, Laodiceaand Hierapolis. (verse 13) ”Prayer for Epaphras was not an impersonalreligious exercise, for he carried these people in his heart and prayedfor them personally” writes Warren Wiersbe. Fourthly, he prayedwith a definite purpose. His great desire was that the believers inthose three places should mature in their faith and in their spirituallife, that they should stand firm and be assured in all the will of God.He did not pray for temporary worldly blessings of the believers,rather he prayed for the “full assurance in the will of God”. This is themost important thing needed for a believer. As he learns the will ofGod, and applies it in his life, he matures in faith and experiencesGod’s fullness. Fifthly, Epaphras prayed sacrificially. True prayerrequires hard work. When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane,His sweat turned into great drops of blood. John H. Jowett said,“Praying that costs nothing accomplishes nothing”. Paul was muchimpressed by Epaphras’ prayer life that he mentioned him as “ourdear fellow servant, a faithful minister of Christ. (Colossians 1:7)Epaphras also was a “fellow-prisoner” of Paul in Rome. (Philemon 23)Above all, Epaphras was the only one who was commended by Paulhimself for his remarkable prayer life.

Dear friends, if we too agonize in prayer like Epaphras for ourchurch and country a great revival would certainly break out. Wehave to admit that revival tarries because there are no great prayerwarriors like Ephapras.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I have a great desire to be an intercessor anda prayer warrior, but I am unable to prevail in prayer for long. Give meYour grace to pray like Epaphras constantly. Let a great revival break out inmy country through my fervent prayer. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Friday, September 23 Read: Acts 4:23-31

PRAY FOR FRONTLINE MISSIONARIES

“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, wordsmay be given so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of thegospel.” (Ephesians 6:19)

An effective prayer is what is most needed than anything else for amissionary, a pastor or an evangelist who is in the frontline missionarywork. Christian workers in unreached and unresponsive areas must becovered by prayer so that God’s presence may be demonstrated, and prayersanswered in such ways as to bring salvation to many. Wesley Duewellsuggests the following ways to pray for those who are in the forefront areas.Firstly, remember each day those who are laboring in these difficult areaswhere there are few Christians and where serving Christ is risky. Pray thatthey should be able to meet the challenges and prove that Christ is a lovingGod and that He answers prayers. Secondly, pray that Christ should bemanifested powerfully in these areas. Pattern your prayer after that of theJerusalem Church (Acts 4:29-30). When the people heard of what Peter andJohn reported they united and prayed this prayer. And God’s power shookthe place where they had assembled. Your prayer can help shake untoldnumbers of people and places for Christ, spiritually . Thirdly, pray that theLord should keep the Christian workers spiritually victorious andempowered by the Holy Spirit. Satan tries in every possible way to afflictworkers in these pioneer ministries with discouragement and temptation.They must stay very close to the Lord and live spirit-filled lives so thatChrist’s power may rest upon them mightily. Fourthly, pray for dailyguidance of these Christian workers. Pray that God should bring to theirattention the people with needs and that they should open the door for theirChristian ministry. Fifthly, pray for God’s protection for the Christianworkers. Satan becomes very angry with those whom God is using. Hemakes them the special target of his attacks. Pray that the Lord would protectthem both spiritually and physically, that they should be free from fear ofthreats against them and their families.

Dear friends, too often we are accustomed to praying, ”O Lord,bless me, bless my family” type of prayers. Let us come out of this narrowcircle and extend our prayers beyond this. Let us pray with great burden forGod’s servants who are toiling for the extension of His kingdom in remoteplaces. They need our prayer partnership for effective ministry. Shall weoffer ourselves to pray for them?

PRAYER: Lord, I remember all the missionaries in unresponsive anddifficult areas. Protect them from the fiery darts of Satan. Empower themby Your Holy Spirit. Perform great miracles through them so that they willprove that Jesus is the loving God. Guard them from all temptations. Amen.

Saturday, September 24 Read: Psalm 119:129-133

THE SOLUTION IS AT HAND! WHERE DO YOU SEARCH?

“You diligently study the Scriptures because you think thatby them you possess eternal life.” (John 5.39)

Freddy and his wife Cynthia had planned for an excitingvacation trip to Maldives. They reached the island as scheduled on awarm summer day. Gasping at the beauty of nature, they settled ona stretch of beach when they spied a large ship at a distance. ”Takeout the field glasses. Lets have a better look at it “said Freddy. “Oh,dear, I thought you brought them” wailed Cynthia. Both of themwere upset at the thought that they would be missing out somethingvaluable during their vacation. Just then a flock of strange birds flewover their heads. But without the field glasses they couldn’t identifythem. And not far behind them flew a huge jet with a foreign nameinscribed on its tail but without glasses they couldn’t make it outclearly. At last as they got up to return to their cottage, Cynthiacasually opened her beach bag and gave a little cry. For there werethe field glasses right at the bottom of the bag. “Oh, they have beenhere all the time! If only I had looked!” admitted Cynthia.

Such things happen to us in our daily lives . Sometime back Ithought I had lost a cheque for five thousand rupees. I had searchedfor it in all the possible places in the book shelves, in the car…I evenemptied the trash can to see if I had dropped it inside by mistake.Finally I gave up and decided to issue a “stop-payment” notice tothe bank. Then the next day when I opened my purse to take out myvisiting card, there it was hiding in between! It had been in a place Ihad not cared to look!

Dear friends, isn’t it that way with our problems too! Wewaste hours and days fretting, worrying and searching for answersfrom family, close friends and counselors. We keep lookingdesperately but most of the time at wrong places. Then, when allelse fails at last we turn to the Bible - What a joyful surprise! Thesolution to our problem is there all the time! If only we had lookedhow much of time, energy and heartaches we would have saved! Sowhenever we need guidance or encouragement or comfort let us notlook for it in wrong places and be disappointed but let us turn to theWord of God which provides us all we need.PRAYER: Heavenly father, You promised :Ask and it will be given to you. Seekand you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. But instead ofseeking Your guidance and wisdom, asking for Your help and knocking at yourdoor I look for them in wrong places. Forgive me. Fulfill your promises. Amen.

Sunday, September 25 Read: Matthew 17:14-21

FAITH AS SMALL AS A MUSTARD SEED

“Stand firm in the faith” (I Corinthians 16:13)

Stormie Omaritan received a necklace on her tenth birthday.It consisted of a small glass ball hanging from a delicate gold chain.Inside the ball was the tiniest mustard seed. She thought, ”Why inthe world did they bother to put such a small seed inside this whichcould be hardly seen? “ But later she learnt the significance of themustard seed from the Bible. And whenever she saw it she wouldbe reminded of what Jesus said, ”If you have faith as small as amustard seed you can say to this mountain, “Move from here tothere and it will move”. (Matthew 17:20)

Dear friends, we have no idea of what great things God woulddo through us if we would just obey Him and step out in faith. Inorder to accomplish this, He allows us to go through somedifficulties. It is then that we are forced to pray with great faith. Inother words, our faith grows stronger during such times. How doesour faith grow? Romans 10:17 says “Faith comes from hearing themessage and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”.When we take the promise in His Word and declare them aloud,our faith would start growing. Secondly, praying increases ourfaith. It is through prayer that we reach and touch God. InMatthew 9:20 onwards we read of a woman who had beensuffering from bleeding for twelve years. She reached out to theLord believing that if she just touched “edge of His cloak” she couldbe healed. See what Jesus told her,” Take heart daughter, yourfaith has healed you”. Verse 22 says “And the woman was healedfrom that moment!” Hallelujah! So it is sure that every time wereach out and touch Jesus in faith our lives are healed in some wayor other. Thirdly, we should cast away every doubt that comes toour mind. James 1:6-8 says “When he asks, he must believe andnot doubt; because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blownand tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receiveanything from the Lord. He is a double minded man unstable in allhis ways.” Let us keep growing in faith day by day in our spiritualjourney.PRAYER: Loving Lord, whenever I look at mustard seed let me be remindedof Your words about faith. Let me exercise my faith during trials. Let meincrease my faith everyday by reading Your Word, by reaching out andtouching You in prayer. Cast away all doubts from my heart. Amen.

Monday, September 26 Read: Matthew 25:31-46

LOVE GOD! LOVE OTHERS!

“A disciple named Tabitha….was always doing good and helpingthe poor.” (Acts 9:36)

Tabitha was a disciple of Christ. She lived in Joppa. She was abeliever who faithfully followed the teachings of Jesus. She also didmany good works. She helped the poor by doing charitable deeds.As a result, she was dearly loved. One day she became ill and died.At that time Peter was in Lydda, a place near Joppa. So when thepeople of God heard about this, they sent word to him, “Please comeat once”. And when Peter arrived at the house, he was taken upstairsto the room were Tabitha’s body was kept ready for burial. He askedthe women who were weeping over her to leave him alone in theroom and then he knelt down to pray. When Peter finished praying,he turned towards the dead woman’s body and said “Tabitha, getup!” Immediately she opened her eyes and sat up. Extending hishands to her, Peter helped her to her feet. When all the people sawthat Tabitha had been brought back from dead, many believed inthe Lord.

Dear friends, though we do not know much about Tabitha’s lifefrom this short account, we come to know one thing for sure, thatshe was a woman who had her priorities in order. Jesus said inMatthew 22:37,38 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart andwith all your soul and with all your mind.” “Love your neighbor asyourself”. Besides He also said in Matthew 25:40 “I tell you the truth.Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers (sisters) ofmine, you did it for me.” Accordingly, Tabitha loved the Lord andshe loved others. She lived a life that pleased God and blessed others.So when she was afflicted with a disease even to the point of death,God did not leave her alone. He sent one of His faithful disciples topray for her and to bring her back to life. Peter’s visit to Lydda wasnot an accidental one. The Lord had brought him there with a definitepurpose – to raise up Tabitha! How is our relationship with our Lord?Does it have top priority over everything else? God wants ourundivided attention. Next, how is our relationship with others? Dowe have a loving heart and a humble attitude? Do we have concernfor the poor, neglected and despised? If so, then, like Tabitha, wetoo are sure to be blessed by the Lord.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to set my priorities right, and give You myundivided love and attention. Rekindle my first love. Let me also be concernedabout the poor and the despised. May I open my hands to them generouslyand take care of them as much as it is possible for me. Amen

Tuesday, September 27 Read: Genesis 39:6-16

BREAK FREE OF THAT WHICH HOLDS YOU BACK

"Whoever loses his life for me will find it." (Matthew 16:25)

Lizards are notorious creatures which have the habit ofcasting off their tails when threatened by their enemies. I’m sure allof us would have seen such “tail pieces” which are cast off from thelizards’ bodies. Even after its separation the “tail piece” continues towriggle, attracting the attention of predators such as birds and catswhile the lizard runs to safety. The lizards have a single natural weakpoint in the vertebrae of the tail. The muscle at that place is alsodesigned for separation. When the original tail gets cut off, a newtail begins to grow from the place and this new tail is made of cartilageand not of bone. This tail does not have stripes, colors or othermarkings of the original tail. It is dark grey in color. Since the growthof the new tail takes time, we must have spotted occasionally “stubbytailed” lizards which are in the growth period shooting across therooms and balconies. And if by chance, another predator happens tograb this stubby tailed creature again, the same lizard can repeat theprocess and escape thus preserving its life once again. We learn avaluable lesson from this tail shedding process of lizards - learningto let go of things we really do not need so that we can live betterlives as Christians! And although the new growth that replaces oursins may be different from original form like that of new tail of thelizard which is different from its original one – the source of thatgrowth comes from the One who loves us. By creating this changeHe conforms us to the image of His son Jesus Christ.

Dear friends, is there anything in our lives that we have tolet go or break free in order to become transformed in the image ofChrist? It may be our attachment to money and worldly pleasures.Or we may be holding on to a wrong relationship which the Lorddetests. Whatever it may be, let us cast it off, and let us break freefrom it. Only then will there be a new growth, a transformation inus. Only then we will grow in the likeness of Christ. Hebrews 12:1says, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin thatentangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked for us”.So let us go ahead. Let us pull away from that which holds us andlive as better Christians each day, moving towards the best ultimately.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, how wisely the lizards escape from their predatorsby breaking off their tails and running to a safer place. Let me also throw offevery sin that holds me back and march onwards, growing in the likeness ofJesus every passing day till I meet You on the other shore. Amen.

Wednesday, September 28 Read : II Timothy 3:14-16WORD OF GOD – IS A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD!

"You have laid down Your precepts that are to be fully obeyed." (Psalm 119:4)

Elsie loved feather pillows. She had one which was beautifullyshaped by years of use. But when she moved to another country,she couldn’t carry it along with her and had to leave it behind. Shebought a new one in her new home but the new one was incrediblyuncomfortable. The dozens of little feathers poke through the surfaceand prick the ears and the face when one is about to doze off into acontented slumber. Then one has to pluck them out which wouldend up in breathing them in and choking on them. “Then what makesyou love these feather-pillows? Why don’t you settle for peacefulsleep with a cotton pillow below your head?” Elsie’s husband askedher irritatedly. “The trick is in persistence, because after a year or soof plucking, you can end up with an ideal pillow. You removesufficient number of feathers and the pillow will ultimately becomethe perfect sleeping companion. Feather by feather, my new pillowis now conforming to my liking and soon it will barely resemble itsoriginal prickly condition”, answered Elsie.

Dear friends, you may be wondering as to what this pillowstory is all about and what it has got to do with our Christian faithand the Bible. We, as Christians, feel comfortable and satisfied toread certain portions of the Bible. But we feel uncomfortable andpricked when God talks to us through certain other passages. So, weare tempted to pick out and throw off the prickly feathers. In otherwords, we tend to remove the offending passages that poke us.Hebrews 4:12 says, “The word of God is … sharper than any doubleedged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints andmarrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”. Often,this is exactly the opposite of what we want the Bible to do. We wantit to make us feel relaxed like a comfortable pillow, to reassure us thatwe are not very bad, that we need not act on anything we read…. Letus not deceive ourselves. If we come to the Bible seeking the Word ofGod, we must be prepared to be convicted also. We can fluff a pillowbut we can’t fluff a “sword”.PRAYER: Dear Lord, let me not come to Your Word only to be comfortedand encouraged. Whenever Your Word warns me, convicts me, corrects me,and rebukes me, let me not “pluck it and throw it” - but let me be willing tochange myself and grow more like Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thursday, September 29 Read: Luke 18: 9-14; I John 1: 8-10

BE HONEST WITH THE LORD!

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive usour sins.” (I John 1:9)

In the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee which ismentioned in today’s text, Jesus illustrated the difference between theworld’s view of sin, righteousness and judgment and the view that theHoly Spirit would lead us to see. Two men went to the temple to pray– one a tax collector and the other a Pharisee. Luke 18:11,12 convey themanner in which the Pharisee prayed. He was haughty and lookeddown upon everyone, especially at the tax collector who was standingat a distance. He was “acting smart” with the Lord, trying to showhimself as a righteous man. He boasted to God that he was fastingtwice a week! He also announced to God that he tithed everything thatcame into his possession. He even considered the tax collector to be agreat sinner. Alas! He was cheating himself and was cheating God.And verse 13 conveys the way in which the tax collector prayed. Herepeatedly beat his breast and pleaded to God for mercy. The taxcollector knew the enormity of his sins but the Pharisee was ignorant ofthe condition of his own sinful heart and so he did not feel the need topray for God’s mercy. As a result it was the tax collector who wasaccepted and justified by God.

Dear friends, our God is compassionate and gracious, slow toanger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6). When we goto the judgment seat of God, honestly confessing our sin and asking formercy He is gracious to forgive us even though we deserve punishment.In the parable of the “prodigal son” too, the younger son realized hissinful state, he repented and knew that he needed forgiveness andmercy. So he went to his father trusting that he will accept him. Andthough he deserved condemnation, his merciful father accepted him ashis own son. Proverbs 28:13 says, ‘’He who conceals his sin does notprosper but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. So letus be perfectly honest with ourselves and God. Let us unload all oursinfulness on Him who makes everything new – including us!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, let me not act before You as if I am righteous andblameless. By doing so, I am only cheating myself and cheating You. Help meto be honest with You and plead for Your mercy to be cleansed from my sin andbe accepted as Your child. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Friday, September 30 Read: Ephesians 3:16-19GOD’S LOVE DOES NOT CONDEMN US!

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who arein Christ Jesus.” (Roman 8:1)

Many times, we fail to understand that God’s love isunconditional. We think that He will condemn us and abandon usforever if we sin against him. But that is not the truth. God loves us,just as we are. We may fail Him, but He never fails us. When werepent from our sins and draw near Him with broken heart, Heforgives us and accepts us immediately. Rick Shallenberger writes ofhis experience as follows: “The first time I lost job was when I was 16years old. I thought I was a good worker, so I was surprised whenthe manager called me to his office and told that I was being fired.He said, I was talking too much to other employees and it wasaffecting everyone’s work! I felt like a complete failure. Even thoughmy mom and dad encouraged me, I could not stop feeling miserable.I did not want to set foot in that MacDonalds again or ever see thatmanager again. A few weeks after I was fired, my dad took us tothe same MacDonalds to eat. When the manager saw me, he cameover and asked me if I wanted my job back. He came to know fromthe supervisors that he had fired a wrong person! Yes, I was talkinga lot but I worked while I talked!, he said. He then told me that hewould like to have my services again if I was interested. So, I tookthe job and work harder than ever to show my thanks for his faith inme and I tried not to talk much. I ‘ve had the same feeling in mind inmy spiritual life. I tried not to sin. But I still kept sinning. I prayedin embarrassment and frustration believing I was a spiritual failureand likely to remain so. I believed I was not worthy to be called achild of God. Much like my facing the MacDonald’s manager I fearedfacing God. But what a relief it was when I knew that God loves meunconditionally. I am in Christ and Christ is in me. Nothing canchange that. God’s love never ends.”

Dear friends, let us not be embarrassed that God will reject us.Yes, we are sinners but the Lord is merciful and loving. If we repenttruly He will certainly accept us as His own children. We need nothave doubt about it.PRAYER: Heavenly father, how great is Your love for me. Even if I sin,but repent truly, You are gracious enough to forgive me and accept me asYour child. So let me not feel condemned and rejected. But let me withholy fear love You. Keep me from sinning deliberately.

READERS’ RESPOND!

Dear uncle Premraj, Greetings in His name. Wanted to tell youthat today's message (27th July) in honey dropes spoke to medirectlly. it was as if it was written for me only. I thank God thatHe uses your ministry to speak to me everyday through this Book.

- Sunil Roberts, Bangalore

Dear brother & sister, thank you so much for sending me themagazine 'Honey drops for evey soul' every month without delay.God taught me many things through this magazine, especiallyJune month's magazine which speaks about 'TRUST'. Sometimesit's very hard to trust God, when He delays answering our prayers.But God taught me that He has a perfect timing for everything.God bless your efforts. -Susan

Dear Uncle & Aunty, I rejoice in the Lord more & more throughthe daily bread which comes ready every day in 'Honey drops'. Ienjoy the essence of the messages. These messages help me to passthrough all the hurdles & create a frehness. They help mea lot togrowin my spiritual life. Thank you and I pray that He shoulduse you both for the work of the Lord. - Sharmila Jayarani, Vellore

Dear Brother, Greetings in Jesus Name. We as a family would liketo testify that God had spoken to us through His Word whichwas given in APRIL month 'HONEY DROPS' on 29th & 30th April.We were waiting upon the Lord for His Word for a particularsituation in which we were waiting in faith, and God spoke to usvery clearly on the 29th & 30th April. We are so thankful to youBrother & Sister for your spirit filled words which help us to growin the fear of the Lord. 25 people are blessed every single monthwith your Book 'HONEY DROPS'. - Sharon Emmet

Dear brother in christ, I am a regular reader of your jounal 'Honeydrops' . I do appreciate the daily passages in your jounal. Theeditor's letter in MARCH is very appropriate for every christian’slife. -Devavaram, Chingleput.

[THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENCOURAGING WORDS. WE GIVEALL GLORY TO THE LORD FOR HIS GRACE! - EDITOR]

From Gilead

[Medical News]

ARE YOU ABOVE 30? THEN READ THIS!Live right, stop cancers:It is a matter of concern to see a steady rise in cancers amongwomen in recent years. It is unfortunate that women in their 30s,who do not have any family history, are suffering from cancers unlikein the old days when cancer was considered an age-related ailment.Clearly, urban living is taking its toll.Simple preventive actions can reduce some of these risk factors.

Environment : Pollution is known to be one of the contributors forcancer, for example, pesticides in farming.

Stay safe: Choose a relatively clean area to live in. Limit exposureto pollution by using non-polluting modes of transport like theunderground. Find out the source of your produce, poultry and fish.Organic food is a good option.

Diet: A fat-rich diet can be a contributor to cancer. The youngergeneration swaps green leafy vegetables, dietary fibre and wholefoods for fast, packaged, heat-and-eat food which contain additiviesand preservatives (carcinogens).

Stay safe: Eat home-cooked food with plenty of fibre (35 g/day) andwhole foods. Green leafy vegetables, pulses and oats are a goodsource of fibre. Avoid refined sugar, flour, white bread, pasta, friesand other fatty foods.

Lifestyle : Tobacco is a major contributor to head and neck cancers.It can affect other organs as well. Smoking is a major cause ofcancers. Passive smoking is known to expose women to non-smallcell lung cancers. Avoiding breastfeeding is counter-productive asis the use of unhygienic sanitary napkins (exposure to infection andcervical cancers). Certain oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) andhormone replacement therapies (HRTs) can make patientsvulnerable to cancer (although recent studies have actually provedthe opposite). Delayed age of conception and obesity are alsoconsidered risk factors.

Stay safe: Stop smoking, plan your family early and make it a pointto breastfeed your baby. Consult your gynaecologist beforeconsidering OCP and HRT. Make sure you exercise regularly andmaintain a healthy weight.

THOSE WHO ANSWERED July -2011 QUIZ1. Mercy Christopher, Ch-59 2. AnandakumarJohn Muthiah, Ch-393. Elizabeth Lionel, Ch-13 4. Vimala Oliver, Ch-735. Suchitra, Ch-13 6. Lalitha Mohanachandran, Ch-597. Virgilia Anand, Ch-63 8. Jebakani Jothimani, Ch-599. Esther Doss, Ch-10 10. Vilasini Jothi Rajan, Ch-1011. Christie Manohar, Ch-40 12. Prabhakar Bir, odisha13. Mary Babu, Ch-59 14. Daibadhina Satpathy, Odisha15. Jijibai Edward, Ch-118 16. Vasantha Simon, Ch-7317. B I pereira, Ch-45 18. Dr. Shobana Vincent, Madurai-1619. R Julia, Cbe-41 20. Birendra Prasad, Srikakulam21. William Jeyam, Ch-88 22. Vijayarani Benjamin, Ch-8823. John Alwyn, Ch-88 24. Malathy Devarajan, Ch-8425. N Prsicilla Vilma, Trichy-21 26. Baskaran J. Ebenezer - Vellore 927. Chandra Keran .L - Ch-82 28. Rose Mary Thomas - Nellai29. Nirmala Thangaraj - Triunelveli 30. Selvakani Pandian - Kattankulathur31. Gunaseeli Premkumar - Vishakapatnam 32. Joyce Magdelene T, Ch-6433. Stella David - Colombo 34. Victorria Baskar, Ch-8035. Lydia Reuben, Ch-118 36. Mercy David, Ch-5937. Premalatha Johnson, Ch-59 38. Jebakani Jothimani , Ch-5939. Celin Michael, Ch-110 40. Jeevalatha Chakravarthy, Ch-3741. Jemina Antony, Ch-10 42. L.S.L Samuel, Madurai-1443. Vasanthi Prasad, Coimbatore-41 44. Jemina Rupavathy,Ch-5945. Kanagavalli Aasirvatham- Madurai 46. Litta David, Ch-8547. John Hariharan, Ch-16 48. Jacinth Mabel, Ch -7349. Adlin Rose , Kaniyakumari

THIS MONTH’S QUIZ [FROM THE WHOLE BIBLE]

[Answers should reach us before 15th]

1. You are the God who sees me. Who said to whom?

2. Name the woman who had ‘weak eyes’.

3. Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me? Who said to whom?

4. I myself will see Him with my own eyes. Where we do read this statement?

5. The __________are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Fill in the blanks.

6. Whose eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good?

7. First take the ____out of your own eye and then .. remove the ______from yourbrother’s eye. Fill in the blanks.

8. Our help comes from the Lord when we ______ our eyes to the hills. Fill in the blanks.

9. Whose eyes are like blazing fire, and feet are like burnished bronze?

10. If you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.Who said to whom?

11. Which Church did Jesus advise to put salve on the eyes?

12. From whose eyes scales fell off that he could see again?

[Questions are based on the New International Version]

The Indian Scene

[National News]

1.5 lakh post offices in India to become "postal banks" soon:In sweeping changes to existing post offices in the country,

Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal has announced that as many as 1.5 lakhpost offices spread across the country will be converted to full-fledgedbanks. The landmark change will enable villagers access bankingfacilities. Through this move Sibal wants to give banking facilities tothe rural masses and commented, "We want to commercialise thedepartment. We will seek a license from the RBI to convert all our postoffices into banks." The "postal banks" apart from giving access tomodern banking facilities will reduce the dependence of villagers oninformal lenders for their credit requirements. Sibal stated, "The StateBank of India can’t build branches all over India, but there are postoffices across India. The branches are already there, so infrastructureexpenditure is not required. So you can actually give banking facilitiesat relatively lower

costs, which would be extremely beneficial to people."

Two rural maharashtra girls receives American scholarshipsUniversity of Cincinnati (UC) announced the coveted Global

Opportunity Scholarship worth Rs. 6750000 each (Rs Sixty-seven lakhfifty thousand) to be awarded to two meritorious rural-Maharashtrastudent girls making India the first beneficiary country of the UC GlobalOpportunity Scholarship Initiative launched this year.

The new UC global opportunity scholarship is meant for students witha proven academic track record while overcoming significant financialand social challenges. These winners will receive full scholarships,including full tuition, housing, meals, and airfare for a total value ofover $150,000 each, to pursue their bachelor's engineering degreeat UC commencing September 2011.

Beware Black Money holders, govt to expose all names:Government will reveal all names who are allegedly evade income

tax to crack down on the black money holders. Union Finance MinisterPranab Mukherjee Jul 31 informed that the government has beenworking on a project which has been aimed to curb generation ofblack money.The government initiated project will detect the taxdefaulters and will also simplicise the feasibility and methodology ofputting the names of chronic tax defaulters in public domain.

Around the Globe

[Global News]

Mobile phones may not cause cancer???Concerns over whether or not mobile phones cause cancer have

been floating for over a decade, and have become a popular topic formodern scientific debate.This study sought to say that it was unlikelythat mobile phones could lead to cancer. Studies from several countrieshave failed to show an increase in brain tumours as many as 20 yearsafter mobile phones were introduced and 10 years after the technologybecame widespread, according to the International Commission onNon-Ionizing Radiation Protection’s committee onEpidemiology.However, researchers behind the study say that smallor long-term repercussions cannot be ruled out yet.

Israeli researchers track deadly virus:Blood-sucking mosquitoes have caused several outbreaks of the

West Nile Virus. Unsure as to how a virus - transmitted from birds tohumans by blood-sucking mosquitoes - migrated to the US and whereit will strike next, researchers are now geographically tracking the strainand recording where it originates. Several outbreaks of West NileVirus, which causes fever or severe neurological symptoms affectingthe brain, have ravaged the US since 1999. Researchers are notcertain as to how the virus migrated here — and they don’t know how,or where, it will strike next. By examining the outbreaks and testingsamples of the mosquito population from high—risk areas - near largebodies of water, can identify “danger zones” and produce timelywarnings of impending outbreaks, the journal Eurosurveillance reports.

Get rid of that ugly belly:Are you tired of having belly fat? Now, eat two small apples, one

cup of green peas and one-half cup of pinto beans and exercisevigorously for 30 minutes, two to four times a week. According to theresearchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centre, North Carolina,vegetables, fruit and beans contain more soluble fibre and will helpreduce visceral fat, or belly fat, around the midsection. They foundthat for every 10-gram increase in soluble fibre eaten per day, visceralfat was reduced by 3.7 per cent over five years. In addition, increasedmoderate activity resulted in a 7.4 per cent decrease in the rate ofvisceral fat accumulation over the same time period. “There ismounting evidence that eating more soluble fibre and increasingexercise reduces visceral or belly fat, although we still don’t know howit works,” said Hairston, of the Medical centre.

INTERCESSION

17 09 2011Send your requests before: 14 09 2011

JOIN US FORAN EVENING OF WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP

GUEST SPEAKER : REV. CHARLES EDWIN[FORMER PRESBYTER, CSI MADRAS DIOCESE - PRESENTLY

DOING MINISTRYAMONG TRANSGENDERS IN CHENNAII]

DAY & DATE : Saturday, 24 09 2011 TIME : 6.00 P.M.VENUE : EL_SHADDAI HOUSE OF PRAYER

No. 7, Aarthi Nagar, East Tambaram, Chennai – 600 059.

(For details contact : 94444 56177 / 2239 8310) 633

THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL EVENING! THE GIFTED SPEAKERWILL BRING GOD’S MESSAGE

ALONG WITH

MUSIC [FLUTE] AND SONGS.

WON’T YOU LIKE TO BE WITH US ON THAT DAY?

YOU ARE MOST WELCOME!