Voice Of His Glory 2n1s68

Voice of His

Glory

R. Bhakther Solomon

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© 2017 R. Bhakther Solomon. All rights reserved.

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Published by AuthorHouse 09/20/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5462-8204-4 (sc) ISBN: 978-1-5462-8263-1 (e)

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

CONTENTS

Revealed Word of God

Chapter 1 Bible

Chapter 2 Book of Psalms

Chapter 3 1 Timothy

God’s Calling

Chapter 4 Renew Your Calling

Chapter 5 Called for Specific Task

Chapter 6 Understand Your Calling

Chapter 7 Humble in Your Calling

Chapter 8 Connect People towards Calling

Chapter 9 God’s Calling to Serve the Country

Life and Work of Jesus Christ

Chapter 10 Birth of Jesus – Christmas

Chapter 11 The Birth of Jesus Christ and Its Significance

Chapter 12 Jesus the Messiah

Chapter 13 The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ

Chapter 14 Teachings of Jesus Christ

Chapter 15 Resurrection

Chapter 16 The Significance of Resurrection

Chapter 17 Risen Lord Jesus and His Presence with Us

Good News/Evangelism

Chapter 18 Proclaim the Good News

Chapter 19 Gospel Message to the New Believer

Chapter 20 Churches around the World

Chapter 21 God’s Grace

Chapter 22 Purpose of Life

Chapter 23 Look Forward

Chapter 24 Fasting to Fulfil God’s Will

Chapter 25 Lent – Transformation of Life

Sufferings

Chapter 26 Pain, Suffering, and Miracles

Chapter 27 Sickness and Healing

Chapter 28 Human Pain and Suffering

Thanksgiving

Chapter 29 Thanksgiving

Chapter 30 Harvest Festival

Chapter 31 Punishment

Chapter 32 Migrants and Refugees

Chapter 33 Good Governance by Kings, Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Chief Ministers

Authority of God

Chapter 34 BJP – Surprise of God

Chapter 35 Yoga

Chapter 36 Retirement

Chapter 37 Jesus’s Letter to All of Us

PREFACE

In February 2013, I felt, that as per His calling, I’d go wherever He wanted me to go and be with the marginalized. Since then, whenever I meet a group of people, I give a message from the Bible. The group in such meetings is mixed ones, with more non-Christians. At the end of every month, I publish the message with few deletions or additions as a news bulletin called Voice of His Glory.

The bulletin not only contains the message but also a few select news items from around the globe pertaining to Christianity. This bulletin is sent to a few friends and colleagues, regardless of religious affinity. For the few who regularly received this, felt that I should compile the preaching as a book. I talked to several people about publishing a book: Retired CSI Bishop Rt Rev Pothirajalu of Madurai Ramnad Diocese, Rev Dr M. Gnanavaram, former principal Tamil Nadu Theological, and Rev Issac Sundar Singh, a progressive pastor from Kanya Kumari District.

Rt Rev Pothirajalu felt that it would be a good study guide for theological students. Dr Ganavaram though that it would be a good guide to both laity and pastors. Rev Issac Sundar Singh rearranged the chapters under different themes. I am grateful to all.

I added one chapter called “Jesus Letter to All”. I added this after my recent visit to seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Since 1980, the good Lord has been so kind and merciful to me, and He took me to different nations. However, this was the first time I took seven clear days on a religious pilgrimage to places that are of great historical importance.

God has also enabled me to publish another book, Amazing Grace Continues, which gives an of my professional journey for the last forty-five years. I am bringing this book in time so that my son can get it as his birthday gift.

I thank the Lord Jesus Christ for His grace, my parents for their prayer to God to make me a useful vessel, and to my wife and children for sparing many months and years away from home for doing social Gospel amongst the most marginalized.

R. Bhakther Solomon

CHAPTER 1

Bible

Introduction

Today is a good news day, as Ms Mercy, wife of Mr Madhi Vijayakumar of Mission of Loving Shepherd, India (MLS India), has organized this gathering at Uthukottai. She requested that I share a few thoughts on Christianity. Because the participants are from mixed religious backgrounds – mostly women from nearby villages of Uthukottai – I have decided to introduce the Bible and briefly mention a few episodes from Genesis, the first book of the Bible.

The Bible is the only holy book in the world translated into more than two thousand languages. Millions of copies are sold every year and read by people from all countries and all walks of life. It has been publically burnt. Its possession has carried the death penalty for some of its readers. But all efforts to exterminate the Bible have failed. Now it is universally honoured and read. It was written over a period of about fifteen hundred years, covering both BC and AD times. It was written by about forty authors of different breeds: kings, prophets, and ordinary people. God chose these humans under divine inspiration. God could have conceived and caused men to compose such a perfect book, which some call the Divine Library. Bible is a library of books. Jesus is the core of the book.

The Bible is comprised of sixty-six books with two major divisions, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament has thirty-nine books,

and the New Testament has twenty-seven books. Times and places are most important in the Bible. The Bible talks about the love of God towards mankind and their redemption.

It is good to acquire a copy of the Bible and start reading. It is a treasure to have as one as your own valuable possession. There is a popular saying that if you carry the Bible with you, God will carry you. You can read the entire Bible within two years.

Genesis

Let me now introduce the first book of the Bible: Genesis. It has fifty chapters. One can read Genesis within a month by spending fifteen to twenty minutes every day. It was believed to have been written by Moses. Genesis deals with the origin of the world and living creatures, Adam and Eve and their sons, the first murder in the world, the destruction of the world by the flood, Noah and the first boat builder of the world, the building of cities and a tower by people to reach the top, the birth of different languages, the birth of Abraham and his sons Ishmael and Issac, and their descendants. It gives an in-depth view of Abraham, the master of faith, and talks about his son Isaac, Isaac’s sons Esau and Jacob, and Jacob’s twelve children. It talks more on the life of Joseph, the sale of Joseph as slave, his rise to power, the migration of Jacob’s descendants to Egypt, the death of Jacob, their growth in numbers in Egypt, and the death of Joseph at the age of 130.

Origin of the World

The book Genesis opens as follows:

In the beginning, God created heaven and earth. Earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Gen. 1:1–2)

Creation

In the beginning there was nothing, and only God was there. The world in the beginning was in an uninhabitable condition and was also uninhabited. God took six days (three plus three) to make it as we see it today. In the first three days, He took to make the environment good for habitation. The next three days, He made the environment suitable for life to survive. God did this within a matter of six days, and He rested on the seventh day. Thus the earth is decked with flowers, and the heavens were studded with the jewels of sun, moon, and stars so that all aspects of universe might be ired.

Creation of Humans

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Gen. 1:27–28)

Creation of Adam and his wife, Eve

Adam (aged eight hundred) was the first man created by God in his own image. He made Adam from mud and breathed His breath to him (Gen. 1:27–28). Adam had no earthy father, mother, brothers, or sisters. From Adam’s bone, God created Eve. He then placed both of them in the wonderful Garden known as Eden with one restriction: not to eat any fruit from the tree of knowledge. Man and woman disobeyed God’s direction. The disobedience of the first instruction by the first couple was instigated by a serpent (the devil). The act of Eve and Adam in eating the fruit from the forbidden tree resulted in the couple being driven out from the garden. Adam was punished in relation to his work. Eve was punished in relation to her family.

However, before driving them out from the Garden of Eden, God clothed them with the skin of a lamb. It was the first sacrifice of an innocent lamb and shedding of blood by God to save man from his sin. After about four thousand years, God himself allowed His only son Jesus Christ, an innocent lamb, to be killed to save mankind from sin.

Adam and Eve had children. The eldest son was named Cain, and the second was named as Abel. Cain was the first child born to a mother. The former was a farmer, and the latter was a shepherd. The brothers offered separate sacrifices to God. Abel offered the best breed from his cattle to God. God accepted Abel’s offering and not Cain’s fruits. This made Cain angry with his brother, and he killed him. It was the first murder in the world. Envy was responsible for the first murder. A pattern emerges here: bad people hate good people. God was so upset that He made Cain run away from his place and put a black mark on his forehead so that people would identify him as a murderer and would kill him.

The Ark of Noah, the Flood

Years rolled on, and many generations were born. The world was inhabited by wicked people. God felt sorry for creating mankind. He wanted to wipe out all

wicked people from earth because He found that more and more people were going away from Him and had become wicked in their attitudes and behaviour (Gen. 6:1–6). He thought it better to destroy all people.

Mankind had become so wicked evil, violent, and corrupt that they were not fit to live. Of all mankind, only four men and four women were spared because they did not go with the great sin draft. Noah was free of sinful seed, and his family line was perfect. God selected Noah (aged 950), the grandson of Enoch, who was a righteous person and walked with God. Enoch warned the people about their bad behaviours, and it had no impact on the people. God selected Noah – a noble soul, a righteous man, a blameless one – as the saviour of mankind.

God ordered Noah to build a boat of the width of one to the length of six times (Gen. 6:14–15). It is now believed that the boat building has this formula of one to six. No wonder that Noah was the first boat builder.

After forty days of continuous rain from sky and also water coming out from the ground, the world was submerged in flood waters. After 150 days, God made the boat rest on the mountain called Arafat, a place now in Turkey. Then the inhabitants – birds, animals, and humans – moved out after 365 days from the boat and spread out around the earth. Noah and his family, with selected animals, were saved. They came out from the arch doors, which were opened for many more days before it was shut down. Likewise, the door of Jesus coming is opened today. If we ignore it, we will perish. After that, God promised Noah that henceforth he would not destroy the world with floods. As a covenant, he made the rainbow to appear in the sky (Gen. 9:12–16). Perhaps the origin of different colours and combinations in various shades came from the appearance of the first rainbow.

God’s power over all seas, rivers, springs, and streams is clearly taught in Scripture (Ps. 104:10; Ps. 107:12, 35; Job 12:15; Gen. 7:11). Thus when He punished the wickedness of the earth by means of the mighty flood, He broke up

the fountains. After more than 1,600 years of human history, the race was so corrupt morally that it was not fit to live. The gruesome fact of the flood is that this was His first covenant or contract or promise to the people. We live in a world full of promises and contracts. Whenever you see a rainbow in the sky, first think of God’s wrath on wicked people and their ultimate destruction. If we continue to be wicked even after knowing Him, wrath may also come on us! His mercy and grace protect and bless noble people.

Building of a Babel Tower (Gen. 11:1)

Everywhere, people spoke only one language. Because there was nothing much to do, our forefathers at Babel, the native name of Babylon, built a city and tower. People wanted to construct a tower through which they could reach God. People wanted to do things in their own way and not in God’s way. People wanted a milky route between the sky and the earth. We are self-centred, constitutionally rebellious in nature, and insecure, and so we want to do things our own way. It is of great interest to note that what our forefathers wanted to do about few thousand years ago, our scientists and astronauts are trying to do now. Incidentally, recently I read from a newspaper report that a few hundred people have booked tickets to go to Mars. What will happen to them on the way to or at Mars? God only knows.

God came down to see what the people were doing by way of construction. He found that all the people were speaking in one language, and hence they could easily communicate with each other while building the tower. God wanted to make the people not able to communicate with each other in pursuit of an unwanted exercise of building cities and a tower with pride. He introduced many languages amongst the workers on the construction site.

At Babel, God confounded the language men spoke and defeated their attempt to create a central city to defeat the divine purpose. As a result, people could not

complete building the tower. God then scattered people across the face of the earth. Thus were born different languages, cultures, and arts (Gen. 11). According to a few scholars, before the construction of the Tower of Babel, the languages spoken and written were in pictorial form. Therefore it is now believed by a few that the Chinese language was one of the pre-Babel languages. (I may be a false teacher, or it’s a false interpretation of the Bible’s words.) Some writers believe that the pre-Babel language was Hebrew.

Let me now move to one important personality mentioned in the Bible, Abraham. Up to the time of Abraham, the events mentioned in the Bible covered many centuries of history. The chapter on Abraham proceed in slow motion.

Abraham

We see Abraham as a great man of faith in Genesis. The writing on Abraham gives us a clear of his walking with God. Despite being seventy-five years old, no child was born to him. God told him to move to a new land and added that he and his descendants would become a great nation. God wanted Abraham to come out from the heathen ways of false religious worship of ungodly false idols (Josh. 24:2; Gen. 12:1–4). Abraham and his wife, servants, and nephew Lot (his brother’s son) moved to a place called Canaan. He went out not knowing where he went.

In few occasions in our lives, God advises us, directly or through someone, to depart from old ways, start a new life, and move to a new place. How many of us have taken that as a serious calling and embarked on a new journey? Please do take a few minutes and think on this. God’s ways of calling or selecting a person has nothing to do with him or her being a righteous person.

While in Canaan, Abraham migrated to Egypt for a short period. In Egypt, Abraham was a man of weak character who told lies in order to save his life. He was a man of failure as well. Sarah, a woman of remarkable beauty, was Abraham’s half-sister. They had the same father but not the same mother (Gen. 20:12). But when Abraham told Pharaoh that Sarah was his sister (Gen. 12:13, 19), he lied in that he implied that Sarah was wholly his sister and not his wife. Again, after twenty years we see a flaw in his life. In front of Abimelech, the king of Philistine, he denied Sarah as his wife. When Abimelech discovered that Sarah was Abraham’s wife, he acknowledged his wrong and was grateful that he had been prevented from disgracing Sarah. It is true of our lives also. In many places and instances, in order to save our lives, we run away from the truth and justice, resorting to falsehood.

In the Bible we see Abraham as a man of faith, truth, trust, and righteousness. When Abraham and Lot amassed a large amount of cattle and servants, there arose frequent friction amongst them, and Abraham’s servants and Lot’s servants fought each other (Gen. 13:6–7). Abraham amicably solved the issue by offering Lot an opportunity to select a place of his choice and settle down independently, saying that he would accept whatever Lot left out. In this instance, he proved himself as a man of magnanimity. Live and let others live. This democratic principle must have its root in Abraham’s life.

Faith

Because there was no child for years, Sarah, Abraham’s wife, allowed her husband to have a child through her servant Hagar. The boy born to Abraham and Hagar was known as Ishmael. Though God had promised Abraham would become a nation of his own, after about twenty-five years, nothing had happened in his life. One day three godly persons would land in his place and would inform him that within a year he would get a child. His wife, who was very old and had not conceived, heard about this, and she laughed about the stupidity of

the prophecy. Nevertheless, within the next year, she would give birth to a boy, and he would be named Isaac.

A few years later, family friction would rise between Hagar and Sarah. Hagar and her son Ishmael were driven out of her master’s place by Sarah. What we can’t do, we want others to do – and when they do it, we get jealous! Domestic harmony was destroyed by those very means Sarah had adopted to increase her happiness. But then God has a purpose in the life of Ishmael, and his descendants would become many nations in history. He was the father of the Arab nations. It is now believed that Mohammad, the prophet of Muslims, was a descendant of Ishmael, the first son of Abraham. Incidentally, the Muslims consider Jesus Christ the second prophet.

When Isaac was a boy, God tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice his son born of his wife. Without any hesitation, Abraham obliged the request of God and took him to Mount Moriah to sacrifice Isaac – an extraordinary gift to God from Abraham. When Abraham was about to strike Isaac with a sword, God stopped him from the act and commanded Abraham not to harm Isaac. Years rolled on, and Abraham would take his relative’s daughter, Rebecca, as Isaac’s wife. He would be blessed with twins, Esau and Jacob.

Esau and Jacob

Here we see two sons. The father preferred one, and the mother preferred the other. Why, we don’t know. Though Jacob was considered a cheat, he was favoured by God. Jacob utilized the desires of his brother for good food and would first take away his brother’s inheritance right by offering him good food to eat. Second, Jacob engineered things with his mother so that he would get the blessings of his father due to his brother by disguising himself as Esau. He created animosity with the brother.

Sometimes, mothers ignore or aid the wrongs that are committed by her children. Here, in fact, the mother not only ignored the wrong doing but helped her son to cheat his brother and father. After this event, Jacob panicked. On the advice of his mother, he fled to his uncle’s place. Here, he worked very hard for many years and then married his two daughters. He had twelve children. He had two sons through his second wife, Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. They were his favourites. Joseph was the most favoured child. After serving his uncle for a period of more than twenty years with his two wives and children, Jacob returned to his native place to meet his brother. On his way, he wrestled with God and was renamed Israel.

Joseph’s Story

Joseph was the second youngest son of Jacob. Joseph’s brothers were very jealous of Jacob’s love for Joseph. Joseph’s brothers were also offended by Joseph’s dreams, which foretold that his brothers and even his parents would bow down to Joseph. It’s no wonder that once when he went to see his brothers in the field, they plotted against him. First they wanted to kill him, but then they changed their minds and put him in a deep pit. They pulled him out and sold him as a slave to traders. His own brothers sold him as slave. Likewise, Jesus’s own people rejected Him.

Joseph was not spoiled by humiliation or by honour. After two or three exchanges in the slave market, he would land in one high-ranking Egyptian official’s house as a slave. He was very handsome! Here in Potiphar’s home, he was blessed, and everything of Potiphar’s house was also blessed. Then Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, but he ran away from her. Her anger at him for not obliging her request resulted in her accusing him of rape, and as a result he was sent to jail. However, due to his good conduct in jail, Joseph would get good favours in the eyes of jailers.

At this juncture, please recall some of the situations and circumstances we have faced wherein our honesty and integrity were put to the test to uphold truth and justice. How did we face such situations?

In jail, Joseph would meet two palace staff: the king’s cup-bearer and the baker, who had plotted against the king. They were imprisoned with Joseph, and he cared for them. One day both of them dreamt of strange events. The dreams would aptly be interpreted by Joseph, and as he interpreted, things would unfold for both the prisoners. The cup-bearer of the king would be reinstated in his position, but the baker would be hanged. After a few years, the king had two dreams, and nobody was able to interpret them. Because the cup-bearer had earlier benefitted from Joseph’s interpretation, the king called him from jail.

The king was pleased with Joseph’s interpretation and the possible outcomes foretold. The king appointed him as his number two (maybe the prime minister) to take care of the follow-up actions of the dreams – seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of drought.

Invisible God arranged the circumstances to be favourable to Joseph. About two decades ago, Joseph was all the way down in the social ladder as a slave, and then he went all the way up in the social ladder as the prime minister.

Twenty-two years after Joseph had been sold as a slave, his brothers would land in Egypt to get grain during the second year of drought. As soon as they reached Joseph, Joseph knew that the newcomers were his brothers, but he would not reveal himself to them. Even though Joseph’s brothers had a face-to-face meeting with their brother, who was once sold as slave, they did not know that the high-ranking official in the palace was their younger brother. He would for some time be both hot and cold with them. This would make them to repent within themselves for the crime they’d committed against Joseph. Eventually,

Joseph would reveal himself to his brothers. After this, his parents and all his brother’s wife and children in total would come to Egypt and would settle in Goshen, the fertile land of Egypt. Years rolled by. Jacob died, and the Genesis book ends with the news of Joseph’s death in Egypt at the age of 130.

Lessons Learnt from the Book of Genesis

☐ Creator and Creatures: In the beginning, the world was without any form, and there was nothing except God! God made the entire universe as we see it today. He is the creator and is also in charge of the universe. This world is made by Him as His home. He wants to dwell in this world. Humans are given an identity by God in this world. The creator is separate from creations, and worshipping His creations is idolatry. From Him, all powers flow to people. He is our God, and we are His people. Creation has the right of ownerships.

We also learn birth is painful, Life is hard, death is certain.

☐ Worship Him: We come as the result of His word, and as citizens of His world, we are expected to obey to his commandments and instructions so as to have a better life for all. He expects us to follow His commandments. The most important commandment is worshipping the creator and loving others as we love ourselves. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10). God will meet you wherever you are, so stop running. If you hear His voice, do not harden your heart. God calls people into a relationship with Himself at different ages.

3. Faith: We should have strong faith in our creator. If we are His selected

people and called by Him to do His job, He will provide whatever we need to fulfil His mission. Nothing is impossible for Him. Therefore earnestly ask Him, seek Him, and knock at His door.

4. Forgiving God: Even an unfaithful person with a bad character like Jacob can approach the Lord and plead for His mercy. He will accept everyone regardless of past mistakes, crimes, and behaviours. Once we repent for our sins, He is ready to forgive and forget, he will bury our sins in the deep ocean. It is true of me and all of you assembled here. We need to repent all our past sins and should refrain from doing the same sins again.

5. Patience and Endurance: We should have patience in life. Some people always immediately want whatever they wish. It may happen or may not happen. God has a purpose and plan for everything, as well as perfect timing for everything. If your wish has not happened, take it as that it was not necessary for you. There is a waiting period in the life of chosen people between the promise and its realization. One needs to endure the time. We see Abraham waited for about twenty-five years. Noah was told to build the boat, and he obliged, but then he had to wait years. Joseph endured all the hardship and hospitality for two decades. Nothing comes immediately.

6. Sharing: All things – our wealth, health, and blessings – belong to God. Everything belongs to Him, and we enjoy the same. We are also expected to share with our God and others the blessings we enjoyed. It was made clear by Abraham (Gen. 14–20) once he triumphed over his enemy. Similarly, Jacob (Gen. 28:20–22) made a vow with God when he ran away from his brother.

7. Create Boundaries: At the time of creation, God set boundaries for everything. In our lives, we need to know very clearly our boundaries for our tongues, hands, eyes, and legs. We must learn to respect others’ space. We have no right to tres on others’ boundaries. Again, the boundaries can be physical and

emotional. They define how we interact with others, and how we allow others to interact with us. Boundaries are critical, and many of us don’t know how to manage our space. Tresing into others’ boundaries will lead to temptation.

Conclusion

I gave a brief introduction of the Bible, and also a very brief note on the important events in the first book of the Bible. All the events I have briefly touched upon, including the order of creation, can be narrated for hours by preachers and theologians. Most of you are hearing for the first time about these events, and so I have only given a brief of important personalities and the interlinked events. God willing, I will take one character or one event from the Bible and will give you more details as to why such a thing has happened, and what lessons we need to learn. Let me thank all of you for your patient hearing, and I also thank the organizer for these meetings.

CHAPTER 2

Book of Psalms

Introduction

I understand that every year, self-help group leaders of the Kamuthi area (Ramnad District in Tamil Nadu) arrange an Annual General Body (AGM) meeting in August. The meeting has the custom of inviting someone familiar with the development sector to talk to the group. I am happy that this year, the choice fell on me. It is also good to note that you want to know something from the Bible. I think to start with, for the new believers of Jesus Christ as well as for non-Christians, the presentation of the Book of Psalms, one of books in the Bible, would be most appropriate. Let me introduce the famous Hymns Book of Hebrews, the Psalms. You will be surprised to note that the Book of Psalms is a collection of songs written over a period of more than seven years by more than eight authors, from Moses to King David. Two psalms were reportedly penned by King Solomon. There are nearly fifty psalms whose authorship is not known.

Psalms are inspired by God. These are not merely words of the authors, but words of God. It is the longest and easiest book to read. It is nothing but a collection of prayers and poems put together. Part of the book is used as songs in worship. Many of the songs are used in public worship in the Israel Temple. The beauty of it is that it can be said, read, sung, or shouted. It contains 150 chapters. It can be read in private as well as in public. It is a Bible within the Bible. It is the most quoted book in the New Testament.

Some of the intriguing appeals of the Psalms are technical which often appear in the ascription. Unfortunately, there is a lot of speculation but not much firm knowledge about most of them – for example, Selah and Higgaion. In the final Hebrew form, the book was divided into five sections. Each book ends with glorifying God.

☐ Book 1 (Ps. 1–41) refers to the over, the beginning of Israel as a nation, the start of the New Testament, and plan of salvation entering around Jesus.

☐ Book 2 (Ps. 42–72) shows Israel as a single body in the land of Israel and pictures the creation of the New Testament Church.

☐ Book 3 (Ps. 73–89) describes the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. In many ways, this section parallels the prophecies of the coming Great Tribulation.

☐ Book 4 (Ps. 90–106) revolves around the millennial reign of Christ and shows Israel regathered after ruin.

☐ Book 5 (Ps. 107–150) pictures a time when Judah (all Israel) shall again be delivered as they were in the time of Esther.

Categories of Songs

The Bible scholars categorizes them under six categories. ☐ Royal songs: Psalm 2: They emphasis His role as creator and saviour (Ps. 20–

21).

☐ Repentant songs: Psalm 45: In this, the composer confesses his or her sins to the Lord and asks for forgiveness (51).

☐ Songs of wisdom: Psalm 1: It is like Proverbs and offers tips for practical life. It begins with two ways and contradictions of life in Psalm 73. For example, Psalms 1:1 says to not walk stand and sit with bad people.

☐ Praise songs: Psalms 19, 29, 3, 146–150: Centres on worshipping and thanking God for all He is and what He does. Proclaim statement testimony to deliver voice of praise. It illuminates the greatness of God and affirms His faithfulness to us in times of trouble. It deals with subjects as God, His creation, war, workshops, wisdom, sin, evil, judgement, justice, and the coming Messiah. It covers human feelings. It touches your life in all situations.

☐ Song of Accents: Psalms 120–134.

☐ Lamentation songs: Complain or plea to God for His help in times of trouble and distress. Cry out with complaints, confessions, petitions, and praises. When we read Psalms, we are meant to learn things about God, human nature, and how life is to be lived.

Chapter 117 is the shortest chapter in the book, and chapter 119 is the longest chapter.

Emotions

The Book of Psalms particularly reflects the variety of human emotions and reactions. Every experience of one’s heart is reflected here. No matter what mood one finds oneself in, some psalms will reflect that mood. They are emotions seen in relationship to God. Every psalm is written in the very presence of God. Some people seem to have discovered the secret of perpetual emotions and these people certainly ought to get well acquainted with the Book of Psalms! Whatever you’re feeling, turn to Psalms. For instance, if you are fearful, read Psalm 56 or Psalm 91, or certainly Psalm 23, the famous Shepherd Psalm which everyone knows. If you are discouraged, read Psalm 42, which is one among many for the discouraged. If you happen to be feeling lonely, then turn to Psalm 71 or Psalm 62.

Psalms has always been the book where men and women of God have pillowed their heads in times of distress, heartache, and sorrow.

Praise and Worship

The psalms are designed to teach us to do one thing: praise and worship. Though they reflect every human emotion, they do so in distinct and important ways. This book therefore teaches us how to be honest before God. If you have a problem in your life, tell God about it. Don’t hide it or cover it up. Do not become pious and sanctimonious and try to act as though there is no trouble. If you feel angry with God, it is best to say so.

There is a life story of lady who angrily shouted at God with all sincerity. The next morning, she was completely healed. It does not mean all who shout at God will get rewarded or cured. If you are upset about something, tell Him your sense

of disturbance, but remind Him also that you know how foolish it is to be upset with Him. If you are resentful, bring that out. If you are happy and joyful, express that. This is what worship is: a heart pouring out honest reactions to a God.

If we learn to be honest before God, even about troubles, problems, wrong moods, resentful attitudes, then we shall quickly find His grace answering our needs.

One does not become a Christian with a feeling that there will not be discouragement, guilt, sin, oppression, or disease, but with a feeling that in such situations we can seek the help of God, and He will help. Psalms vindicates this.

Let me now pick up few psalms written by a few people in different contexts.

Psalm 1 (Author: Solomon)

There is no definite evidence to the authorship of this psalm, but there are strong grounds for this suspicion. Even the casual reader will note a strong similarity between Proverbs and the first psalm.

The story behind the psalm is that the father is talking to his son. Perhaps this father is Solomon; perhaps the son is Rehoboam, who succeeded him on the throne. Solomon is teaching Rehoboam the way to blessedness and is warning him about the destruction of those who follow evil. In some ways, it may be regarded as a preface to the rest of the psalms. Perhaps it is a summary of what is to come later, because is it not true that all of the psalms teach us the blessedness of living a holy and righteous life, as well as the danger of living a life for self

and sin?

Psalm 11 (Author: David)

The story behind the psalm is that for some time, David lived in the court of Saul. It was a testing time, and anarchy and sin were so prevalent that David and his friends could not participate much in the activity of the court. They were disliked by most. They were not understood because they believed in living righteously. In this sinful kingdom, they built within the confines of the court a little righteous community, where they could have fellowship with one another. Saul was angry and wanted to kill David.

David’s friends advised him to leave the court and go to a remote mountain. Unless he did this, he may not be able to save his life. But David rejected this advice and put his trust on God. There are four ways one can face the problems when one feels like giving up in life. This is what Psalms 11 reveals to us.

In the verse 1, David challenges the voice of fear and frustrations. We often spend more time listening to others’ voices of fear. This attitude is not going to help us. You need to oppose negative thoughts emanating from your friends or from your own mind. You can read in Luke 13:31 how Jesus Christ rejected the advice of his people to leave the place. “At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.’”

And again in Mathew 16:22: “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you!’”

But Jesus Christ rebuked them on both occasions for advising him like this. David also challenges this kind of negative thoughts and advice and dismissed them.

Then he recognizes the Hand of God at the time of testing. We can see the same attitude in Job when he underwent all kinds of trouble (Job 23:10). “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

Again he affirms the sovereignty of God at the hardest time. He places his heart on God. Lastly, with faith and hope, he anticipates the joy of the final outcome.

I would like to bring to you the real-life story of Mr William Montague Dyke. When he was ten years old, he met with an accident and was blinded. Despite his disability, William graduated from a university in England with high honours. While he was in school, he fell in love with the daughter of a highranking British naval officer, and they became engaged.

Prior to the wedding, William had eye surgery in the hope that the operation would restore his sight. If it failed, he would remain blind for the rest of his life. William insisted on keeping the bandages on his face until his wedding day. If the surgery was successful, he wanted the first person he saw to be his new bride. The wedding day arrived. The many guests including royalty, cabinet , and distinguished men and women of society, assembled together to witness the exchange of vows. William’s father, Sir William Hart Dyke, and the doctor who performed the surgery stood next to the groom, whose eyes were still covered with bandages. The organ trumpeted the wedding march, and the bride slowly walked down the aisle to the front of the church. As soon as she arrived at the altar, the surgeon took a pair of scissors out of his pocket and cut the bandages from William’s eyes.

Tension filled the church. The congregation of witnesses held their breath as they waited to find out whether William could see the woman standing before him. As he stood face-to-face with his bride to be, William’s words echoed throughout the cathedral. “You are more beautiful than I ever imagined!” See what great faith he had in God.

One day the bandages that cover our eyes will be removed. When we stand faceto-face with Jesus Christ and see His face for the very first time, His glory will be far more splendid than anything we have ever imagined.

Psalm 22 (Author: David)

The story behind the psalm shows the suffering of our saviour on the cross. The song reflects the events in Calvary; in fact, it is called the Psalm of the Cross. It also shows the suffering we undergo many times and the ultimate relief we get when we depend on Him. It is not clear as to whether this psalm was written by David while running from Saul (when Saul was trying to kill him), or when he was running from Absalom because of his unwillingness to fight against Absalom’s forces. Nevertheless, it was a time of tragic heartache for David, like Jesus Christ at Calvary.

Read Psalm 22:1 carefully. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?” Verses 11: He was without a helper. Verses 17: He was stripped. Verses 16: He was pierced. Verses 17: He was made a gazing-stock.

Verses 18: His garments were parted.

Many call this is a Messianic Psalm. No doubt it describes David in his sorrow, but it is also a beautiful description of Jesus in Calvary. In verse 1, note the words of Calvary, and in verse 18, note the parting of the garments of Calvary. The song very clearly says that in times of trouble, we should trust Him.

Psalm 23 (Author: David)

This is a song by the shepherd. The shepherd boy of the Bethlehem hills loved to sing songs to his sheep. He was called a sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Sam. 23:1) and is named as the inventor of musical instruments (Amos 6:5). It is a relationship song between God and us. David acknowledges that he had food, a table spread, a cup filled and meant for his hunger, drink for his thirst, oil for anointing, goodness, and mercy – pardoning mercy, protecting mercy, sustaining mercy, the stream mercy flowing from the fountains, and supplying mercy.

According to Professor Jerome Creach,

Some believe that the wilderness experience in particular echoes in this psalm: for example I shall not want (“I do not lack”) recalls Deuteronomy 2:7 which states that during the forty years in the wilderness the Israelites “have lacked nothing”. “He leads me in the right path” is similar in the Exodus 15:3 which say that the God guided Israel to a holly habitation. “You prepare a table before me” sounds much like Psalm 78:19 which declares that the “God can prepare a table in the wildness” for the people.

The reading of the song should stir our consciousness. Are we a good shepherd?

Each one of us is expected to be good.

Psalm 51 (Author: David)

The story behind the psalm is that as we all know, David committed a great sin. We read about this in 2 Samuel 11. He tried to cover his sin, but it did not work. Then he committed the murder. It was one sin after another.

A prophet named Nathan came to David and lovingly but sharply rebuked him for his sin. Read 2 Samuel 12:1–10. David was convicted, and he repented. He came to God and sought forgiveness in one of the most moving times of his life. He was forgiven. It is David’s prayer for forgiveness after his sin. Oh, the emotion that filled such statements as found in verse 1: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”

Verse 2: “Cleanse me from my sin.”

Verse 3: ‘‘For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” Feel his heartbreak.

Verse 4: “Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight.” Then notice the appeal

Verse 7: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

Verse 12: his appeal for restoration of joy.

Verses 13: his promise to be a soul winner.

Verses 13–17: his promise to do better.

It is obvious that this is a penitential psalm, and this is the psalm that was read and sung by the Jews when they were truly sorry for their sins, either individually or nationally. Have you drifted from God? Have you committed sin? Are you living in inequity? Then go to Psalm 51, read it, and make it as your prayer.

Psalms 90–91 (Author: Moses)

The Israelites were in the wilderness for forty years. They had crossed the Red Sea. They had marched towards the land of promise. After reaching near they sent out twelve spies (Num. 13). These spies came back with glowing reports about the land, but out of twelve, ten gave negative reports concerning their power to conquer it. The people were frightened because of the spies reporting that there were giants in the land, and they chose not to enter into the land of promise. Because of this, they were cast into the wilderness for forty years. Sometime during that forty-year period, Moses wrote these two psalms.

One of the more interesting things of Psalm 91 is the statement in verse 1: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” The secret place of the Most High was the holy of holies

inside the tabernacle. Next to the tabernacle, and therefore, next to the secret place and in the centre of the camp, was the tent of Moses. It was Moses who dwelt in the secret place of the Most High. The shadow of the Almighty was the shadow of the pillar of cloud by day that hovered over the tabernacle.

In Psalm 91, there are many different names used for God.

☐ He is called Jehovah, the intimate God. He is very personal. He is the high tower that looks ahead. He is the Almighty that prepares the way, and He is Jehovah who personally loves His people.

☐ One of David’s favourite names for God was the ‘‘high tower”.

☐ Most High” means He sees all.

☐ Then he is called Almighty. This means He does everything and can prepare the way for His people while in the wilderness.

☐ Then the words “my God” are used. This word is “Elohim”. This is the great, mighty God who is the object of worship.

The Psalm also tells us that God will charge angels to us. When that happens, every chain will fall, and sickness will go.

All we have to do is seek Him. When we seek him, He will see to it that no evil

or plague comes our way.

Psalm 50 (Author: Asaph)

He was the choir leader of Israel during David’s reign. He could be called a leader of David’s song. He was a chief of the Levites. Song was a very important thing in the lives of God’s people. Song has a great place in the Bible. This psalm was used after vindication. When God vindicated His people for a stand or for a position, they would sing Psalm 50.

Psalms 117

This psalm would have served either to open a service or conclude it. It is the central portion of the Bible. We do not know who wrote this and when it was written. It is a short and sweet one. For many ages in Judah, only God was known, and His name was praised. But the rest of the nations praised other Gods. Daniel 5:4 says, “As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.” But here all the nations are called to praise the Lord. The Gospel of Christ is supposed to be preached to all the nations. “Praise the Lord” is “Hallelujah” in the Hebrew language.

Psalm 119

This is an alphabetical psalm. Each stanza is headed by different letter from the alphabet, and each verse of each stanza begins with this letter. This was a psalm of praise and thanksgiving for the Word of God. It is significant that this is the

longest of all the psalms, and it is the longest chapter in the Bible. It contains 176 verses. It must have been written by David, Ezra, or Daniel. It has several peculiarities. It is divided into twenty-two parts or stanzas. Each stanza contains eight verses. There are twenty-two letters in the Hebrew alphabet, and the psalm is in Hebrew. The first letter of the alphabet is aleph. Verses 1–8 begin with aleph. Beth is the second letter, and verses 9–16 all being with beth. Verses 17– 24 begin with the third letter, and so on. So there are 22 times 8, or 176 verses.

This psalm very clearly states that there is nothing we can do without Him. We are only dust.

Christians will become more appreciative of the Bible if they study this psalm carefully. First, go through the psalm finding all the things the Bible will do for the Christian. Second, go through the psalm listing all the things the Christian is supposed to do with the Bible. Third, explore the different things the Bible is like; for example, it is like a lamp unto the feet and a light unto the path.

Psalm 150

It is believed that David must have written this song. In the last psalm, we see an echo to the first psalm. The first psalm began and ended with “blessed”. The last psalm ends with a chorus to the praise of God, in which King David calls all people, all instruments of sacred music, all the elements, and all the stars to . Some say that this psalm was sung by the Israelites when they came with the first fruits into the sanctuary with the baskets on their shoulders.

Conclusion The reading of Psalms will make it clear what God we all serve or seek. There is

not a pit so deep that Jesus cannot extend His hand to pick us out from despair. ☐ God helps those who know about helping themselves.

☐ We should acknowledge the fact that we are sinners and we need a saviour to save us.

☐ Reading Psalms will provide physical miracles.

☐ Spiritual healing is the greatest miracle.

The Psalms is an amazing gift to us from God. They are songs, poetry, and musical. It is one of the books in the Bible where we always find ourselves. Almost all Christian families fully subscribe to the famous age from this psalm: “The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”

I am sure that the reading of entire book, one chapter every day, will bring a renewal to your life. In the end, let me thank you for inviting me and spending few minutes talking about Psalms. May God bless you all. I have a few Books of Psalms with me. Feel free to pick one and start the habit of reading one chapter every day.

CHAPTER 3

1 Timothy

Apostle Paul’s Letter in 1 Timothy and Its Relevance Today

Introduction

Mr Timothy telephoned me on 29 June 2016 about the Men’s Followership Retreat at Yelagiris. He wanted me to speak to the group. Subsequently, Mr Samuel Jeyapaul Singh, Mr Narendra Babu, and Mr Gideon Raja shared the same view. I felt a little uncomfortable because my previous meeting with the Men’s Fellowship in April 2016 last week was not a pleasant one. Nevertheless, after some reservations, I made up my mind to come. Great thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ, our pastor, and all of you for allowing my participation in this meet.

Preparation Process

The last few days, I started debating in my mind as to what I should say to a group that is well-versed not only in the Bible but in church activities. Four ideas came to my mind.

☐ A thought on the purpose of life and my work experience with the

marginalised people.

☐ Reading of a familiar age from the Book of Psalms and a small commentary on it.

☐ Some thoughts on the Book of Ezekiel, as most of you do not often read this book.

☐ A reading of Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy.

Apostle Paul’s Letter

I decided to speak to you about the letter Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy. The reason is simple. People who take up social service, if they happen to be Christians, are often asked to read either the Sermon on the Mount or Paul’s letters to Timothy, or both. It is believed that these portions of the Bible talk more about one’s duty towards society and the qualities required of a person who undertakes people- and church-related work. By profession, I belong to this social ministry. The central theme of the letter, according to a few theologians, are as follows.

How should a Christian worker live? How should one conduct oneself as a Christian?

How one should one lead as a Christian in a community? In what ways should a local church function?

Timothy means “dear to God” or “valuable”. Timothy was the son of a Greekspeaking Gentile father, and his mother was a Jew. His mother’s name was Eunice, and his grandmother was Lois. According to Luke, Timothy became Paul’s discipline when Paul first visited Lustra (Acts 16:1–5; 2 Tim. 1:3–5). Timothy became a close friend of Paul and visited many places with him. He was not only his companion but a pastor. Few think Timothy was timid. He encountered persecution and weathered it well. According to some traditions, he was the first bishop of Ephesus. From 1 Timothy 5:23, we note that he had some kind of frequent health breakdown.

Timothy was in Ephesus, or modern-day Turkey. According to a few, Ephesus was the place where Jesus’s mother spent her last days under the care of John the Apostle. However, some feel that mother Mary, after Jesus’s crucifixion, went to Jerusalem with her son James. Ephesus was a cultural centre and a trade route to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Ephesus was part of Asia Minor, which includes a major part of Turkey, Greece, Syria, Jordon, Lebanon, Israel, and Iraq (the land of Hatti).

Apostle Paul was seventy years old when he wrote this letter to his spiritual or adopted son Timothy, who was above thirty years of age but below forty. It is a personal letter. Apostle Paul wrote this letter from Rome because he was waiting to be sentenced to death by King Nero outside Rome. In a sense, the letter was from a missionary warrior to specially commissioned preacher or a delegate or a pastor or a deacon. Through this letter, Apostle Paul prevailed upon Timothy to remain in Ephesus, because Timothy wanted to run away from this group of new first-, second-, and third-generation converts to Christianity. There was both external and internal pressure for him to leave.

Sometimes God allows us to remain in a difficult situation with an idea to set our minds to meet the challenge.

Paul’s conversion

Until 1990, many development workers came to social service and development work from different backgrounds. For a few scoundrels, just like politics, it was the last resort. But then a few took it as a social commitment to be with the poor due to some inner urge in their minds. Just like Jesus met Paul, the persecutor of Godly people, on the road to Damascus and made him take a new direction, a few people suddenly decided to leave everything and take up the responsibility to be with the poor. One good example from our church is the late Mr James E. BalRaj.

Religious conversion is a point of transition from the natural life to the spiritual life. It is nothing but a radical change of heart. Similarly, the path one takes on his own or on of a call is a radical departure in order to be a radical in society.

Once a development worker is brought into society, the first command given to all development workers is, “There is something wrong in society that has to stop.” This is exactly what Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, and he commands him to be in Ephesus to set things right in the church. We read from Timothy’s first chapter that all was not well in the Church and society. It is also very clear from verses 9–10 that there were all kinds of people there in Ephesus, as we today see in societies all over the world.

We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers – and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine. (1 Tim. 1:9–10)

Second, the letter to Timothy is very clear: while one is engaged in the service of people, either in the local church as a deacon or an elder or a PC member (or even a fellowship member), one should work for the development of all sections of people. One is expected to be involved in finding a solution to all issues for all people. This is very clear in 1 Timothy 2:6–7. Here, he advised Timothy, “In God’s scheme of things no sheep can be left out.”

Who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (1 Tim. 2:6–7)

Third, Paul is very clear that when one is engaged in social gospel or spiritual gospel, one has to pray and commune with God all the time. Prayer is the best form of communication with God to strengthen us in our difficult jobs, and it’s also the best way to plead the cause of others. In prayer, we have to pray for all sections of society – it should not be restricted to one section. He wants us to include New Delhi, London, Washington, Dubai, Kenya, Seoul, and Israel. We are supposed to make a bold request in familiar words for the welfare of all people across the world. It is an inclusive prayer.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people. for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Tim. 2:1–2)

There is a need for universal prayer. All words should be mentioned – kings & prime ministers of all countries, as well as every kind of community.

Four, in the third chapter, Apostle Paul deals with the qualities required for office bearers of the Church. All attributes needed for office bearers of the Church are remarkably listed. Today, these qualities not only fit for a

development worker but for all us, if we claim to be believers in Christ. All those who are engaged in social service, in church service, or in promoting people’s welfare are expected to have certain qualities. He lists about fifteen qualities of people to be an elder in the community or in the Church (Timothy 3:2–10). At many colleges that teach master of social work (MSW), after students graduate, the colleges request their students adopt these qualities in their lives.

In all the above, what stands out is personal holiness. The most important thing in Christian life and community worker life is personal holiness. In fact, when the Church has such godly leadership, it flourishes and grows. There is an office in the early Church that which consists of elders (should be godly and gifted) and deacons (should be godly gifted).

Five, development workers, when intervening in communities, are supposed to group people according to their age, social status, and gender. This helps them quickly identify each section’s issues, priorities, and needs. Development workers cannot bring a total development of all sections unless one meets people in separate groups.

Chapter 5 is very clear: deacons or church leaders (or development workers) treat different age group differently.

There is yet another important instruction. If somebody made an accusation false or right, he or she should be prepared to speak in front of two or three people, confirming the accusation is false or true. Six, Apostle Paul also writes an important instruction to For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires

that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Tim. 6:7–10)

We must realize we came to this world with a “bare body” with God-given breath and spirit, and we will go out of this world with the same bare body. People can’t take possessions with them when they die. Then what is the point in boasting about possessions and net worth? Should not we share some of our earned wealth with the unfortunate in our society? We must also understand one fact: we are just like a vapour that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Many believe that once we pay one-tenth of our income to the church, we honour the commitment to God. There is receiving and giving! It may be true, but what about our commitment to society? Many of you are ing the poor community around you, praise the Lord. Continue to do so. I can very boldly confess here that “ehNd vd; tpl;lhNu” not doing this to the required level. Sometimes, I think all the ills I face are because of this lack in me.

Introspection

I presented to you certain portions of Paul’s letter to Timothy as an instruction manual to the development workers of the present day. Let us not forget the fact that Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, advising him to stay in this Ephesus church and set things right there. Apostle Paul must have noticed that something was wrong in the church, and so he sent Timothy to sort out.

It is just like the head of today’s Church (the pope or a bishop) writing a letter to all pastors, deacons, and elders. We may not say as Apostle Paul says that something is wrong in the Church and society, but there is a need for

improvement in every church. As Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, it is the primary responsibility of the deacons and elders to find that and set the thing in order so that the Church grows and speaks for the truth.

Even though Apostle Paul address this letter to Timothy, today millions all over the world are privileged to read it. Many firmly believe that this letter would not have found a place in the Bible unless God so desired it. In a sense, this letter is addressed to all of us. It is for every Christian believer. We are all called to “introspect” as to whether there is any need for change or correction in our church corporate lives.

I think God has planned this retreat to help us come together under the leadership of an able pastor, Reverend Devaputhiran, because He wants us to do something in the Church and society.

CHAPTER 4

Renew Your Calling

Greetings

Let me, thank you all for your decision to come for three days to Madurai for the Community Leaders Meeting (CLM). I am sure that the deliberations over three days will help you to do your job in a systematic manner this year. Before proceeding to today’s agenda and handing over business sessions to our resource team, let me spend a few minutes of our time in devotion. I also thank all of you for asg devotion sessions to me for two more days.

In 2014, we need to become closer with people with whom we work. This is possible only if we understand our calling, the purpose of our lives. In the process, we should know more about our creator, and we should try to walk with Him so as to bring His blessings to others. Please feel free to call upon me whenever you want something from us to strengthen you in your development journey.

Blessings

At the beginning of the year 2014, there were lot of blessing messages exchanged between one another. All the Christian preachers wished all the believers the very best for the year. I give below some of the blessing wishes. To

start with, on 1 January 2014, I took time off to write my own message and sent the same to my partners, friends, and associates. I received good from many. One of my old colleagues, the son of a former North Indian bishop, whom I last met in 2005, sent a reply within two minutes of my sending the greetings and asked me to make a small correction. He is right in correcting me.

On 1 January 2014, at the start of the day, Rev Devaprasad, pastor of CSI Good Shepherd Church, gave a New Year’s message to a large congregation at the dawn of New Year, based on a verse from the Bible. “As in the days when you came out of Egypt, I will show them my wonders” (Mic. 7:15).

It was a good message with deep thoughts. On the same day, I watched the New Year’s message of a man of God, Mr Mohan C. Lazarus, on a TV channel. He also quoted the same age and wished all the listeners great blessings. On that day, I received a blessing message card from the church similar in content. On 2 January, I received a blessing card from one of our project staff. It read as follows: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10).

I also received a message from a project director. Again, it is from the Bible. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing” (Gen. 12:2).

Trust and Faith

I do trust that all of you must have also received blessing message like this. No wonder that this year will be a year of blessings to all of us. It will be a year of breakthrough, power, and accomplishment to all His faithful worshippers. So let

us all confidently walk with trust and faith in our mission with the hope that things will work for the better, if not for the best. He will give His best to all of us to shine better.

An infinite God gives all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part but to each one. He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others. – A. W. Tozer

Prophecies for Word

There are many prophecies for 2014 from many preachers. At this point, you must also note that many had predicted a lot of turmoil across the world. Let me share a few here.

Globally economic hardship will continue. Many of the mighty will fall. There will occur lot of natural disasters. According to one preacher, there will be greater calamity in the United States. Incidentally, it may be noted that the United States is going to lose its status as a world leader because this country is slowly and steadily moving away from God. The United States has taken God out of its affairs. A worse tsunami is expected to hit Asia. As far as India is concerned, the predictions are there will be tension in the border areas. There will be less rain fall and more communal clashes. There will be changes in the

ruling class and a greater Christian and evangelical revival.

What is expected from us? Despite of all the bad prophecies, there is a good future for those who believe in God and do the work as per His calling. He will give us lot of blessings provided we follow certain principles in our lives. What kind of minimum principles we should follow? Let me read for you from the Bible.

The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. (Ps. 18:24–28)

The Bible is very categorical in saying that if one needs the blessing of his or her choice, then he or she should be a person of honesty, trust, and blamelessness. Again, we are expected to follow two simple commandments.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27).

Our Obedience to the Calling

Let us take a few moments and see how far we were a blessing to others during the previous year. Let us go back to the progress we made in different fields and find out whether we have been a blessing to others. The best way is by listing the ten most important tasks we performed, wherein we put in our maximum time, energy, and money. This can be related to our work and roles as parents, spouses, or whatever. After the listing is completed, I want you to analyse your performance by rating each task. I give below one of the CEOs of a development agency, a God-fearing man who had made an assessment of his last year’s performance.

Make Your Own Judgement

I urge each of you tonight to list your key result areas (KRAs) for the last year and see how far you have journeyed in your goal as a community leader, development professional, or businessperson. Who have helped you, and in what way, to reach your goal satisfactorily? Second, is there any room in any of the implemented tasks to do better? Third, what made you not deliver the best in your chosen areas or tasks? Fourth, how can you overcome such shortfalls this year?

After doing this analysis, spend some more time recalling the miracles that happened in your life. List things that happened solely because of the intervention of the divine power – that is, events and things that have happened

to you or your family that have brought greater safety, or deliverance from sickness or finance.

For example, the above mentioned CEO added that he miraculously escaped from an accident on the road because of God’s grace. He was about to hit his car with a heavily loaded lorry with big stones, but God saved him with a few inches’ gap between the lorry and his vehicle. Is it not God’s miracle hands that pulled him from death?

List an unexpected thing that happened. Give a brief explanation as to why you think it is miracle.

I also want you to identify your key result areas for the year 2014. You may have a long-term life vision. Regardless of the long-term vision, you need to have a short-term, workable strategy. Let us consider 2014 as a short term. To help you to arrive at this key result area, I give below a template of key result areas, which you can use as a sample to draw up your KRAs. After listing KRAs, discuss the same with one of your colleagues or with a well wisher, and then finalise.

SAMPLE KRA, 2014 ☐ Implementation of assigned work/tasks on time

☐ Establishment of effective procedures to implement all the tasks in coordination with staff and others concerned

☐ Timely reporting to financial partners in submitting the progress report and s

☐ Exploring new financing options for the organization to scale up its work and launch new products and service

☐ Network meetings with partners, governments, other organizations, banks, etc.

☐ to family to fulfil my role, my personal health care, and my family’s health care

☐ Communication with God, spreading good news to the poor neighbours, and reading more scripture books and other books

☐ Undertake a holiday, or visit a place with the family

☐ Acquiring new personal and family assets

Exercise

I am sure once this small devotion session is over, many of you will forget the core of the devotion. Again, once the coffee and tea are consumed, whatever you’ve just heard will be pushed out from your mind. But I want you to sit for a few minutes tonight in your room and write a critical analysis of your previous year’s performances. Draft one for year 2014. While drafting last year’s KRA as well as far this year’s, bear in mind the purpose for which you were born into the

world, your calling, and how to be faithful to His calling. We will try to reward the best presentation with a good reward.

Conclusion Let me once again urge you to your calling, continuously dwell, introspect on the will of God, seek His guidance in communication with Him, and with all obedience walk towards reaching the tents of our calling. While doing so, please consider all the great things He has done in the past in your life, and proceed into the year 2014 with greater confidence. Everything is possible by Him, and He will do it.

May God bless all of us to continue our work till we meet in July.☐

CHAPTER 5

Called for Specific Task

Introduction

Let me thank the organisers of Rose Malar Federation for organising a Women’s Meet and inviting me as the chief guest. I am honoured and privileged to be with you. I am glad that there are more than four hundred women representing both fisherfolk and other communities. At this juncture, I would like to share a real story that happened long ago. I feel it will interest you.

I would like to introduce a character by the name of Jonah. He is a Hebrew and is often referred to as a minor prophet in history. He had a very specific role. He played the expected role after initial hesitation, as per His calling.

Jonah occupied only four chapters and three pages in the Bible. It has only 48 verses with 1,328 words. This may be the shortest book in the Bible. Jonah lived in Northern part of Israel during the eighty century BC. It is a story of repentance – individual repentance in Jonah’s case, and national repentance in Nineveh’s case. Although most of the Bible prophets spent their time and teachings only in Israel, this prophet was asked to teach a nation about five hundred miles away from Israel.

Jonah was advised to go to Nineveh, the capital city of Syria. The people living there at that time were Gentiles. There were about 120,000 people. Immorality

was very high. All sorts of criminal and immoral activities were prevalent there. They treated their enemies, especially the Israelites, very cruelly: they killed them and placed all their bones as a pyramid. God wanted Jonah to go to Nineveh and tell the people that God would destroy this city within forty days of his warning, unless they all repented.

Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me. (Jon. 1:2–3)

For reasons best known to Jonah, he was not happy about the assignment. Instead of going to the east, where Nineveh was situated, he decided to go to the west. He went to Joppa, a harbour town, and got a ticket to go to Tarshish. This was in the west coastal area of Spain, about two thousand miles from his destination.

But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD. (Jon. 1:3)

He boarded a ship. “The Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty storm.” The ship got stock in a big storm, and at that point of time he was in a deep sleep below decks. The sailors tried to throw away cargo to reduce the weight of the ship. They also used all their skills to navigate safely, but they could not succeed. They started praying to their respective gods. At that point in time, the captain of the ship came down to where Jonah was found sleeping. He woke him up and told him to pray to God.

The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! May be he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.” (Jon. 1:6)

Even after all people who were on board prayed, the storm could not stop. They decided to find out who was the culprit on of whom God had sent this great storm. The lot was cast, and Jonah’s name came up. They enquired about him. He told about his birth, his calling, and his running away from the assignment. He told all of them to throw him in the sea, and the sea would then become calm. One wonders why he could not jump into the sea himself.

“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” (Jon. 1:12)

So they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. (Jon. 1:15)

The very moment when Jonah was thrown into the waves, the great fish was on the spot to receive him. Once Jonah was thrown out, the ravaged sea calmed down. Other engers started worshiping the God of Jonah.

Jonah was in the stomach of the fish for three days. Jonah prayed while he was in the stomach of the fish. The entire second chapter of the book is Jonah’s prayer to God to save him. Eventually, the fish deposited him on dry land. God again told him to rise up and go to Nineveh, to preach to the people to repent. Now he travelled back to Nineveh without looking back or running away.

In the town, he told the people, “You are all sinners. Therefore God is going to destroy you within forty days.” It is one of the shortest revival sermons with only seven words: “yet forty days Nineveh will be overthrown”. On hearing the prophet, all were afraid, and from the top (king) to the lowest person (servant), they prayed to God to spare them. They repented their sins and promised to God

that they would mend their ways and be good citizens. They had hoped that once they fully repented for their sins, God may spare them from destruction.

“Who knows? God may yet relent and with comion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. (Jon. 3:9–10)

You may be surprised to note that though Jonah preached the people to repent, he did not want God to spare them. He wanted God to completely destroy them from the face of the earth. After preaching, he put up a tent on the eastern side of the city. From there, he wanted to see how the city would be destroyed by God on the fortieth day. But then the people repented, God spared them, and Jonah disliked this act of God’s kindness. He started questioning God for forgiving the people. While making his repentance to God, he also knew that God would forgive them if they asked for repentance.

He prayed to the LORD, “Isn’t this what I said, LORD, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and comionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. (Jon. 4:2)

God answered him very aptly by demonstrating another incident. While Jonah was resting to save him from the hot sun, God allowed a vine plant to come up on the ground and provide the shadow to Jonah. But then the very next day, the heat wave was still hotter. A worm came and ate all the leaves, and the plant was without any leaves. Without any shade, Jonah felt very weary and wanted to die. He also felt very sorry about the plant.

But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did

not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight.” (Jon. 4:10)

God now told Jonah that if he felt very sorry about the plant’s growth and its sudden weathering away, he should imagine how much God would feel about the people He’d created. It’s no wonder He spared His people from destruction once they repented.

You may now wonder what the relevance of this character is for us today.

1. God is in total control of everything – the sea, the wind, the fish, the plants, and our entire lives. It shows his sovereignty. God is the ultimate decision maker.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water. (Gen. 1:1–2)

As His sons and daughters, we are expected to acknowledge this fact and the truth of our life.

2. God is in total control of each one of us. He knows everything, so none of us can run away from him, even if we bed under the deep sea or hide on the top of a mountain.

3. God is with us always. In our lives, whatever situations we face – be it the rough sea, the wind, or near destruction – certain difficulties in our lives are strategically planned by God to make things better for us. In such situations, many of us reply on our own wisdom and get nearly destroyed ourselves. Few of us who are going after all the worldly wisdom eventually come and seek godly wisdom to wriggle out from the situation.

4. We need to learn to repent for the wrongs we have committed. Here we first see Jonah repenting sitting inside of the fish. Then we see the residents of the entire city, from the king to the last servant, repenting and appealing to God to spare them from destruction.

5. There is a need to learn about basic obedience to the calling. When God calls us or entrusts us to do a certain job, we try to rebel against him or run away from that responsibility.

When He commands us to do something, it is a divine call, and He will not accept any undoing on our parts. He calls specific persons for specific reasons at specific times.

6. Forgiveness. The whole story is about God’s forgiveness. The same God had, after one hundred years, completely destroyed the nation. But note here that He saved the entire three generations when they repented. We need to learn to forgive others for the wrongs they’ve committed against us and our forefathers and descendents.

When the creator is ready to forgive three generations for the sin committed by one generation, who are we to punish fellow human beings for the wrongs they have committed against us? We need to learn that whatever the situation, once we appeal to him, He will come and rescue us, saving us from the deep sea of trouble or from the hot sun. It shows God’s concern of all people, be it Gentiles or Jews. God is love. God loves you and me. God loves people everywhere.

The modern world is full of instances where people forgave the same person or community who did harm to them. There are examples of people who took revenge on equal footing against others. Let me give you a few examples of higher and lower level people who forgave people who did greater harm to them.

Conclusion

The core of Jonah story’s is that we need to carry the message of revival to others. All of us are sitting here are called by God to do specific, certain tasks. We are supposed to guide the marginalised to lead the better life. How many times, in the last year, did we run away from the responsibility or not obey His call, like Jonah? It is for each one of us to decide which message we should take, for whom, and for what purpose. The core theme of our message should make people deviate from their past mistakes and strengthen their belief in God. If they are already in a life of love and faith, strengthen them with a message of . Like Jonah sleeping while there was a storm out, many of us are out of touch with what is happening around us. There is a storm around us. In our towns, there are lot of criminal activities, poverty, and deprivation. What will happen to all of us if we shrink from our responsibility and remain out of touch with our surroundings? Should we continue to live within our comfort zone, or be with the suffering folks. It is the time for us to renew our commitment.

CHAPTER 6

Understand Your Calling

Introduction

I am glad that all of you are earnestly preparing for competitive examinations that are being conducted by the state and the central government. A few of you are expected to be placed in government jobs. I am told that a few are also preparing for teaching jobs. Though I have never served in government, I am honoured to be with you. Let me thank Mr Rajendran, the director of Green Valley Academy, and his faculty for giving me this privilege of speaking to you and sharing my thoughts with you.

Society

The world we are in today is very different from the one I grew up in, or the times when my parents were of an age similar to yours. This is the age of data mining, communication networks, computers, and cellular telephones. We are immersed in this information highway where terminologies like search queries, genomes, credit-card purchases, phone records, retail transactions, social media, geological surveys, climate data, surveillance videos, and movies on YouTube are par for the course.

We are seeing tremendous advancements in every field and inventions of all

kinds, both for the destruction of mankind and for the development of humanity. Many scientists are still inventing things to make our lives easy and more luxurious. An equal numbers of scientists are involved in making arms and ammunitions to annihilate the human race. As the late M. G. Ramachandran, former chief minister of TN, sang in one of his blockbuster movies, very soon “our children will go to schools on the moon”.

Stephen Hawking, the renowned astrophysicist, recently opined that human settlement on the moon will become a reality within the next fifty years, and he believes that there will be humans living on Mars by 2100.

While living has become very easy for nearly half of the population, unfortunately, for the other half, the development and welfare measures of the government are the only means to a better life. It is nothing but a big paradox!

Demonic forces are also very active in our lives. Society is out to capture us and our imaginations with all its attractions and temptations. Traditional customs and cultures are overwhelmed by external influences encouraging the youth to become wayward and engage in immoral behaviour. We are facing daunting challenges and turbulent situations where friends are becoming foes. It is also true of our blood relations. Families are divided, and married couples are filing for separation. We are living in a land where all things glitter but are not gold. Little by little, our sensuality is fed with abnormal, filthy abominations. We slowly slip away from good things and jump into filthy ponds, thereby corrupting our minds and souls. We become citizens of our sensuality rather than comionate souls. At the same time, on the positive side, we also see a revival of spirituality in every nook and corner.

Light

In the midst of all these things, few people stand out as true leaders without allowing the garbage to enter their lives. They are so few that we can see and count them on our fingers. How can we stand out and be a different person?

Let me give one example from the Bible and explain how that person stood out with exemplary qualities, achieving what God had called him to do. Eventually, he achieved fame. It’s no wonder that as long as the human race lives, his name will be spoken.

Joseph

We read about Joseph from the first book of Bible, from Genesis 37. Joseph was the eleventh son to Jacob (Israel) through Jacob’s wife Rachel. Joseph was loved by his father more than any of his other sons. The half-brothers were unhappy about their father treating Joseph with greater partiality.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age. He made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any one of them, they hated him more. (Gen. 37:3–4)

To make matters worse, Joseph was a dreamer and was at interpreting dreams because God was always with him. He had two profound dreams that would change the course of his life.

Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” (Gen. 37:9)

In every dream, he saw his brothers bowing down before him. In fact, with childish thinking he reported the dreams to his brothers and partners. It was like adding fuel to the fire. Sometimes it is better to keep quiet.

Naturally, his brothers were very angry with him. One day on the advice of his father, Jacob, Joseph went to see his brothers in Shechem, where they had gone to graze their flock. He took with him lots of good food. On seeing his approach from a distance, the brothers plotted against him. The brothers could not speak a kind word to him. They wanted to kill the younger brother, but then they changed their minds at the suggestion of one brother, Ruben, and put Joseph in a deep pit. Their hatred controlled the brothers more than their love and affection.

“Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.” (Gen. 37:20)

Fortunately, when the brothers sat for a meal after putting Joseph in a deep pit, they noticed North Arabian traders in a caravan ing on their way to Egypt. A thought flashed in the minds of the brothers to sell Joseph as a slave and make little money, rather than place him in the pit. The brothers pulled him out from pit and sold him to Ishmaelites for twenty silver coins. Then they made up a story to his father that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. Here we notice the son of Jacob, Joseph, was sold for twenty silver coins. Later in history, the son of God, Jesus, was the son of the earthly foster father Joseph, and He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot for thirty silver coins.

Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guards. (Gen. 37:36)

Eventually, at the age of seventeen, Joseph landed as a slave in Potiphar’s household. Potipher was the captain of Pharaoh’s guards in Egypt. He worked with great honesty and devotion to the family. As a result, he was made a manager of the home, looking after domestic affairs. He was like a minister for home affairs.

Joseph was a handsome, desirable young man. Potiphar’s wife began to desire Joseph and sought to have an affair with him. She was not able to quench the fire that was burning inside her. Despite her persistence “to lie down” with him, he refused to have anything to do with her for fear of sinning against God and his own principles. Though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.

“No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9)

He placed greater value on the master’s wife. See the confession he made to the lady: “How then can I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” See the wise conversation Joseph had with the lady: “How many of us will arrest such a temptation?” At a younger age, all of us fall for all kinds of temptations. Some of us find increasing pleasure in sinking ourselves in worldly pleasures offered for free by others. Because she could not succeed in seducing him, she falsely accused him of rape. As a result, Joseph was thrown into jail. Joseph got the benefit of doubt and was not executed. In jail, though he was in deprivation, he did not show any resentment. He accepted the punishment as God’s preparation for his future. Whatever work he was entrusted by the jailor, he faithfully completed and earned a good name. In jail, he was practically running the place. He received favours from all who interacted with him. He was a minister for jails.

To make the story short, two persons from the king’s court, one a cup-bearer and

another a baker, came to the jail as punishment for plotting against the king. They were under the care of Joseph. They both had dreams, which they shared with Joseph. Joseph interpreted these dreams accurately, and word of his abilities reached the king. Two years later, Joseph was brought before the king when the king had two dreams. The correct interpretation of the dreams made Joseph the prime minister of the country at the age of thirty.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Gen. 41:15–16)

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.” (Gen. 41:39)

It is of great interest to note that in an alien country thirteen years earlier, where he had come as a household slave, he had now become the prime minister with the additional charge of food production and warehouses. Nine years, after he had become prime minister of Egypt (twenty-two years after his original arrival), by providential guidance his brothers came to Egypt to purchase food, not knowing Joseph would be at the helm of affairs. As predicted by Joseph in his earlier dreams, they bowed down before him. But he never disclosed his identity to them or ill-treated them. He never showed vengeance. Only when the brothers came back a second time to purchase food did he disclose to them his identity. In fact, when his parents and all his brothers came back to Egypt on his request, he bought the best of land in Egypt and made them reside there.

Joseph’s history has many revelations for an audience like yours, and because this may take a long time, I am stopping with few observations.

The refusal to go after lust of flesh and the total dependence on God took him to greater heights. He relied upon the love of God during the painful periods of his life. As a result, God blessed him, and eventually he became second in command in all of Egypt.

The lessons to be learnt are:

☐ Do not fall victim to the lust of flesh. During testing times, seek the guidance of God. God has a way of meeting our pain and sufferings.

☐ Learn to be humble when you rise to a higher position.

If we live in obedience to God, whatever we do will be for our higher good. Let me give one more example as to how a bad can end up endangering lives. Recently, I heard about a doctor’s encounter with a well-known preacher. On a quiet day in the middle of the night, the doctor had to deal with a lady who was severely beaten up and was nearly dead. She was brought to the emergency ward at midnight. The senior doctor, a specialist and cardiac surgeon, happened to be there at the hospital. The doctor saw the plight of the lady, took pity on her, and wanted to save her life. He undertook direct heart massage with the hope that he could revive her heart. He cut her ribs, and with one of his hands he reached her heart and did the heart massage. Despite his sincere efforts, he could not save her.

The disappointed doctor with a high reputation went to the bathroom to wash off his blood-stained hands. While he was washing his hands, the nurse brought a hand bag with bunch of materials which the lady had reportedly used for years. He found all sorts of drugs and syringes there. The girl who he thought was an

innocent victim of domestic violence turned out to be drug addict with immoral behaviour. That was the reason why she was mercilessly thrashed by someone in the family.

While washing his hands, he noticed a small cut on the tip of one of his fingers. From there he noticed blood drops oozing out. He was now afraid that the lady’s blood entered his body through his fingertip. He thought that soon he would get infected by all kinds of diseases. What a great tragedy. In the dead of the night, he called his preacher, who happened to be his friend, to pray for him. The preacher had to be woken up because he was, like me, a believer in the maxim of going early to bed and being early to rise. After the initial exchange, the core of conversation went as follows.

Preacher: What kind of cut? Doctor: A small, paper-thin cut! • Preacher: Do you think a small cut in your finger, when ed with another body, will get the blood of another person and contaminate your blood? • Doctor: Yes, brother. I am afraid. I deposited my blood for lab test. Please pray for me. I have young children.

A small cut on the finger can transmit contaminated blood to a good person, leaving the good person in great trauma. A small crack in your character – a small outing, a couple of minutes spent in bad company, one evening in a bar, or watching a phonographic movie –where you fail to uphold our honesty and integrity can bring a deep cut in your life, and any one of the lapses will cause you to perish! that we become the product of what we eat and our choices.

Let me also bring to your notice another recent case. On 17 February 2014,

Tehelka founder and editor Tarun Tejpal was charged under the anti-rape law for allegedly sexually assaulting a fellow journalist. The charge sheet consists of twelve volumes and was filed seventy-two days after the date of Tejpal’s arrest on 30 November 2013. He had committed the alleged sexual assault against the woman journalist for 196 seconds at the first instance on 7 November 2013 and for 85 seconds at the second instance on 8 November 2013. A man with a good reputation, who was instrumental in the fall of a couple of mighty persons from powerful positions, had fallen from great heights himself and was now in jail because of a few moments of unwanted and unapproved intimacy he had with his colleague inside the elevator. The full story has yet to unfold. Is he at fault, or did the woman purposely accuse him? It still remains unclear. The lesson is that anybody can accuse anybody for any mistake to safeguard the truth.

Let me give an example of two girls who had accused another person of rape to suppress certain truths in their own lives. Eventually, in the court it was proved that to hide their immoral behaviour, they’d accused an innocent person. Therefore I urge all of you to set your own boundaries with regards to morality of life. Then you should be ready to stand only for truth. Do not try to suppress the fact with an idea to find fault with others. Let me quickly give you the core theme of my discussion with you.

Moral Standards

☐ You should learn to walk through the narrow paths according to the commandment of God.

☐ Ground your belief in moral boundaries. Don’t break the paths of discipline set by our elders or by our parents or teachers.

☐ Having set the moral boundary, take steps to pursue worldly knowledge with an appetite to learn more wisdom.

☐ Every day at an appointed hour, try to kneel before the Lord and converse with Him about your problems and prospects. (I thank Ms Kalaivani for showing how to kneel down when we pray.) Have great confidence in communication with God.

☐ Try to resist unwanted urges or desires that arise in you.

☐ Be honest in small things when power and position are bestowed on you.

☐ Adopt the three golden principles: don’t hear anything bad, don’t speak any evil things, and don’t see any unwanted things in life.

Conclusion

Let me thank all of you for your patient hearing and for your brief interactions. I am sorry that for want of time and also due to having another prior appointment, I have to stop here. You are free to me at any time. I hope to be with you for a few minutes whenever I cross this campus. Incidentally, you are on a campus with the name Ebenezer, which means “God is with us till now”. This means He will also be with us forever, provided we understand our calling and work towards fulfilling His calling. ☐

CHAPTER 7

Humble in Your Calling

Introduction

Let me thank Mr Sylvester, his colleagues, and the self-help group leaders of the Tuticorin area for arranging a meeting for women representatives from Tuticorin and the neighbouring villages. Because the majority of the participants in this meeting are active women of mixed religious backgrounds, I have decided to talk to you about a familiar character from the Bible by the name of Esther. The Bible has two books devoted to two women, one for Ruth and the other for Esther. Esther is considered one of the most heroic women in Jewish history. As you are aware, Tuticorin plays an important role in the translation of the Bible into the Tamil language. I am also happy to be in this town because it was in this town that my mother, Selviyal Sarojini, immediately after her marriage to my father, the late Joseph Raj, settled down for a year or so after moving from the neighbouring Kanyakumari District.

Main Characters

There are four main characters in the book. Esther was a Jew by birth, but the name is of Persian denomination. It means star. It is also a Pagan god’s name. The other characters in the story are King Xerxes I (Ahasuerus), Queen Vashti, Mordecai (Esther’s cousin), and Haman the Agagite, the villain of the story. The following are the four episodes in Esther’s story.

☐ Vashti, the queen, was banished

☐ Esther’s selection as the queen

☐ Esther saves Mordecai from Haman

☐ Esther saves the Jewish people from total annihilation

In chapter one, we see King Xerxes I of Persia displaying his abundant wealth in a military level consultation in 483 BC for 180 days by arranging a great feast for military and other leaders hailing from 127 provinces of Persia. The Persian Empire stretched from modern-day Libya and Africa all the way to Pakistan in Asia. The consultation was followed by a seven-day feast for the local VIPs. Queen Vashti also arranged a party for the women.

On the seventh day of the feast, when King Xerxes I was in high spirits from the wine, he summoned Queen Vashti in order to display her beauty to all the invitees. She refused to come. This made the king very angry. She was from a noble family and would not have enjoyed the prospect of being paraded in front of a room full of drunken men. Historians think that she refused to come because she was in the family way. The king, on the advice of the elders, banished her. She was also removed from the status of queen as punishment.

Ahasuerus now sought a new queen amongst the beautiful young virgins of his kingdom. It was decree by the king that beautiful young virgins be gathered in the palace from every province within his kingdom. Thus about 360 young

women from different provinces were brought to the palace. Mordecai, who served as a gate keeper of the king, had ensured that Esther was also selected for the beauty contest. Each woman underwent twelve months of beautification in his harem, after which each woman in turn went to the king. When each woman’s turn came, she was given anything she wanted to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. She would then go to the king in the evening, and in the morning she’d go to the harem where the concubines stayed. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased enough with her to summon her again by name.

Esther was born around 492 BC. Hadassah (Esther’s real Jewish name, meaning myrtle) was the daughter of Abihail, from the tribe of Benjamin. According to s, when Esther’s parents died, she was adopted by her father’s brother, Mordecai, who later became a courtier of Persian King Ahasuerus. Mordecai raised her as his daughter, and they became residents of Susa (Shushan), which was formerly the capital of Elam. But in their time, it was one of several Persian capitals and was located about 200 miles east of Babylon, 75 miles east of the Tigris River, and 130 miles north of the Persian Gulf. When Esther was in the palace during her twelve months of preparation, she found favours in the eyes of all who looked after her. Eventually, when her turn came to meet the king, he was very pleased with her and selected her as queen.

Haman

Before we get into the details of the decree of Jewish prosecution and subsequent development, you should know that Haman was the prime minister of the country. He was the descendant of Agag, King of the Amalekites. All people bowed to him and respected his command. However, the uncle of Esther, Mordecai, treated him just like any other officials of the court and never bowed to him. This made Haman angry not only with Mordecai but with the entire Jewish race.

Shortly after Esther became the queen, Haman the Agagite, the prime minister of Persia and a favourite of the king, obtained a royal decree that authorized them to slaughter all Jewish people living within the borders of the Persian Empire. Had this happened, the entire Jewish race would have been annihilated. In addition, the decree called for the confiscation of all their property. Haman also promised ten thousand talents after the execution to the king’s treasury.

Obviously, the Jews were greatly distressed by the decree. Mordecai was very much upset and mourned in the main streets. Esther came to know of the mourning of Mordecai and sent words to console him. Then Esther learned about the impending annihilations of Jewish people at the hands of Haman. Mordecai now sought the help of Esther because she was queen of the nation. After initial hesitation, Esther realized the havoc it would create among the Jewish community, and she decided to approach the king to get relief from the cruel decree. Esther then planned to appeal to the king on behalf of the Jews, but this would require that she reveal to her husband that she too was Jewish. In doing so, she placed her own life at great risk.

After a great deal of thought, Esther decided to undergo a fast and pray for three days along with her servants. She requested her uncle and others do so too. After the fasting and praying, she decided to meet the king. In the palace, the queen cannot enter the king’s palace on her own unless she is called for. An entry without approval may end up in a big punishment.

Royal protocol dictated that no one, including the queen, was allowed to enter the king’s presence without his invitation. However, Esther took the courage to go and meet the king. By providential guidance, the king also approved of her entry. The king asked about Esther’s sudden decision to meet the King. Esther said that she wanted the king to come for a banquet in her quarters. She requested he be accompanied by Haman, who was instrumental in formulating the death decree.

The king agreed and then took part in the first day’s banquet along with Haman. He was very much pleased with Esther. He ordered her to ask any wish, and he would grant that, even if it is was half of the country. She did not ask anything but only requested the king come for one more day to her place for a banquet. The banquet was arranged for one more day, wherein the queen was very particular that both the King and Haman participate.

Pride and Joy

After the first banquet, Haman was much pleased with the treatment he received at the home of Esther in the company of the king. He informed his wife and friends, and the joy and pride in him was well displayed. While doing so, he also felt very bad about Mordecai and wanted to execute him so that henceforth he need not to see any unbowed head in front him. He went to sleep with peace and contentment. He also ordered the construction of the gallows to be seventy-five feet high.

Meanwhile, the king had some trouble in sleeping, and he had an assistant read to him from a history book of his regime. From the reading, the king ed that Mordecai had saved him from an assassination attempt, and the man had received no reward in return.

Early the next morning, Haman came to the king to ask permission to hang Mordecai, but before he could, the King asked him, “What should be done for the man whom the king delights to honour?” Haman thought that the king meant himself, so he said that the man should wear a royal robe and be led on one of the king’s horses through the city streets. “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honour!” The king thought this well and then asked Haman to lead Mordecai through the streets in this way, to honour him for previously telling the king of a plot against him.

After doing this, Haman rushed home, full of grief. His wife said to him, “You will surely come to ruin!”

For the second banquet, Haman attended it very reluctantly with his self-esteem at its lowest. Here, Esther revealed to the king about the decree ed by Haman to execute the Jews. She sought to annual this act. She pleaded with the king to spare her people. On hearing this, the king was very upset and left the banquet. He strolled in the garden for a few minutes and returned to Esther’s place. The king was very angry with Haman, and he ordered his hanging on the gallows constructed for the execution of Mordecai.

Esther reminded the king that the decree for the massacre was still in effect. Reversing the decree regarding the slaughter of the Jews would be complicated. However, Ahasuerus informed her that a royal edict could not be revoked, according to Persian royal custom.

To get around this, Esther convinced the king to give the Jews all of the weapons and military authority they would need in order to defend themselves against the slaughter. Mordecai was then authorized to write a counter-edict that would allow the Jews to arm and defend themselves. This counter-edict was addressed to all the governors in the Persian kingdom, and it informed them that the Jews had been authorized to defend themselves against their persecutors and to kill all those who would attack them.

The king signed Mordecai’s new decree. When the appointed day of execution came, the Jewish warriors successfully defended themselves, and a holocaust was averted thanks to Esther’s intercession. In 473 BC, Esther managed to save the Jewish people of the kingdom from a massacre, which made her famous.

As depicted in the Bible, Esther was a pious orphan who demonstrated great faith, resolve, mercy, and courage combined with reasonable caution. To her adopted father Mordecai, she was a dutiful daughter who was obedient to his wishes and heedful to his counsel. Esther reigned as the queen of Persia for a period of about thirteen years. She had one son, Darius II, with King Ahasuerus, who later helped to rebuild the holy temple in Jerusalem. It is believed that her life extended into the reign of her stepson Artaxerxes. Although the date of her death is not known, Jewish tradition indicates that Queen Esther’s tomb is in Hamadan, also known as Ecbatana, located in what is now western Iran.

Before closing, I would like to bring to your attention few important lessons from the book. Temptations of power and misuse of power are huge problems. We should resist them. Some of us who are in a position of influence should be very careful about our roles in society. When people get into power, they should help the powerless.

Sometimes we must say no, as the queen did. By saying no, she lost her crown but kept her honour. We must have the moral courage to say no when our honour and future are at stake. I especially urge the young people listening to me or reading this to learn to say no in order to keep the demonic spirits out of their way.

God uses people for His purpose, whatever state they are in. God is at work through even our most imperfect decisions and actions to fulfil His perfect purposes. He is able to use that weakest link in the chain of events so that His perfect purpose is accomplished.

There is a preparation time. Esther allowed herself to be prepared for the task. God’s preparation time can sometimes be long and uneventful. Moses spent forty years in the desert looking after sheep before coming to deliver the Israelites. Joseph spent thirteen years in an alien country jail. The refining of our characters is very essential to God’s plan for our lives.

God works in His own time and season. Esther got her timing right. Maybe God has put it in your heart to do something for Him. Don’t simply jump into it; wait for His time. God will move in His time when we remain faithful.

Sometimes we think that we are being overlooked or forgotten. Even if it happens, don’t get discouraged. At the right moment, God will help us. God knows and has not forgotten or overlooked you. This is exactly what happened in the case of Mordecai. Even though he was not rewarded immediately by the king for revealing the plot of assassination, he patiently waited for the right day.

Our background does not hinder our future with God. Esther was an orphan. God still exalted her and used her. Some of Jesus’s disciples were fishermen and tax collectors, and one was a doctor. Our background does not determine what God can do with us. Our faith does.

Prayer and Fasting

Prayer and fasting are the two most important principles to follow. Live with obedience to Him and stand up for the truth. If “I perish, I perish”. Serve God fully. Give up the rights to your life. When we obey Him, not only we are blessed and honoured, but another thing will happen: upon seeing our faith, men and women will come to Christ. When they see what God does in us, through us, and for us, they will rejoice with us and want to be one of us.

We need the favour of God. Esther found favour with the king, and so did Mordecai. When you live a life pleasing to God, by obeying His will, you will find favour with Him. God will also give you favour with people. When God

seems absent in your life, keep trusting Him to do what He has promised. If you remain humble and dependent upon Him, dying to self and living for Him, He will raise you up and bring honour to you.

Conclusion

The book of Esther never mentioned God and wasn’t about prayer. It talks about mourning. Mordecai mourned, and so did the rest of the Jews not only in the capital city of Susa but throughout the kingdom. No one prayed. There’s no mention of anybody speaking to God, and there’s no reference to God speaking to his people. Nevertheless, the reading of the book and the various events prove that God’s hands meticulously did things for His people, and hence God was present in all the events, as well as in the writing of the book.☐

CHAPTER 8

Connect People towards Calling

Introduction

Every day, people who go out for a walk in the morning can see a flurry of activity taking place. On one such early morning walk, I closely watched the movements of few people. One girl, with her cell phone on walkie-talkie mode, was rushing towards the railway station. Likewise, a few boys and girls were either rushing for work or coming home from work, looking tired. Few employees of the so-called back office were dropped off at a particular point. A few were picked up for work in front of their homes or from a common pick-up point.

Many boys and even middle-aged and old women were engaged in milk distribution. About a dozen people were sorting out papers and magazines (corporate mouthpieces to mould public opinion towards their ideology) on the footpaths for local delivery. Tea stalls were busy with serving tea and coffee to customers, and life was going on. This was the general scene. It is true of all urban cities, regardless of the country one lives in. The only difference is in the degree of disparity. In this, I want to draw your attention to the movements of a few people.

☐ A forty-year-old lady who seemed to be a rag picker (green angel), with a stick in one of her hands to ward off the street dogs and a gunny bag on the other shoulders, picked a few plastic items from the roadside and moved onwards,

looking for recyclable materials that she could sell.

☐ A young, handsome fellow in wretched condition was sleeping right on the footpath. He might have spent the entire earnings from the previous days on drinks! I could also see a few individuals and a few couples with small children sleeping on the footpath of an overbridge, maybe to get fresh air or because they were homeless.

☐ A old man was walking on the roadside with his eyes firmly on the ground, as if in search of a few lost coins for his survival for the day.

☐ Another old man was sitting on the steps of the overbridge at the Nungambakkam railway station, expecting charity from people in order to have his morning tea or even purchase a peg from the liquor shop. I have seen the same man for months in a similar condition, wearing the same dress.

☐ A few city corporation menial workers, mainly women in blue uniforms, were on the road, sweeping and being supervised by a man.

☐ I could also see the movement of automobiles on the road. I notice them a few youth as regulars at a tea stall after parking their vehicles in a disorderly manner.

☐ I also noticed a few individuals or pairs taking a brisk walk to keep their bodies healthy.

These people’s movements give a glimpse into an ever-growing urban life. This

creates a mixed impression of the country’s growth potential. India is slowly and steadily emerging as one of the great economies of the world, if not a shining global power. The present government is also very particular in making this country a great nation. However, present, estimates place 20 per cent of the Indian population as poor. At least 10 per cent from this group, roughly sixty million, could easily be classified as destitutes. Who is responsible for their condition? No one has the answer or a solution, including the government and the activists.

Next on the societal ladder are the vast numbers of aspiring middle class, who form roughly 60 per cent of the Indian population. Most of us belong to this group. The remaining 20 per cent of the population can be bracketed as the rich or super rich. Last week, I happened to be a one of the Info Tech campuses (three in Chennai and one in Bangalore). I could see hundreds of mostly young employees running around in their workplace. They appear to be great achievers in their respective fields, but they’re looking for greater and greater pastures, whether within the country or outside it.

Last month, I also visited a person who was itted to the ICU in a hospital about 185 kilometres from Chennai. He belongs to the middle classand has been suffering in bed since 14 April 2014. This was the fourth hospital he was itted to in a short span of two months. He is a well-built personality, and until one year ago, he was a playboy type who was not much bothered about his family. His wife, a homemaker turned social worker, mostly on of family compulsion, devotedly looks after him. She must have already spent nearly Rs. 3 lakhs and still borrows money, hoping that one day her husband will get cured and all her troubles will disappear. Who is responsible for his condition? Like him, millions are languishing in hospital beds all over the world. Why are they all suffering with great pain?

On Tuesday, 24 June 2014, I happened to accompany a patient to a multispecialty hospital in the city of Chennai. If all the people who are there in the hospital and its vicinity at a particular point of the day, either for treatments or

attending the patients or the medical team, are made to assemble in one place, one can view a sea of humanity not only representing different states of the country but even neighbouring countries. In this mass, about one-fourth may be patients suffering from one ailment or another, and most others are there either for ensuring care of patients as attenders or as well-wishers. The rest are there as hospital team for providing medical care. The latter group, roughly onethird, make a living from the sufferings of others. Although a progressive India is seen in Info Tech parks, we see the wailing and weeping India in hospitals.

In December 2013, Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher, a retired German racing driver and seven-time Formula One World Champion, hurt his head while skiing in the French Alps resort of Meribel. He was operated on for a brain haemorrhage and left in a coma, fighting for life; he was in coma for six months. On Monday, 16 June 2014, he was said to have come out of coma and was shifted to another hospital. His fans are praying for a miracle. His wife, his children, and the top-ranked medical professionals continuously monitor him with costly medicines and with the of the best medical equipment. According to a medical expert, Dr Erich Riederer Schumacher, he “will remain an invalid for the rest of his life and will always remain dependent on other’s help. It is an incredibly positive message when someone wakes up after being in a coma for half a year”.

Malaysia Airlines Flight

Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared on 8 March 2014 carrying 227 engers and 12 crew . Even after 140 days, there was no trace of the plane and the engers. The disappearance of the plane is one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history. The information about the whereabouts of the plane is reportedly being suppressed by many countries. Most countries talk about international cooperation and a one-world concept of brotherhood for mutual benefit, but when it comes to sharing information from their radar, they are doubly cautious. Radar systems generally give accurate readings of an aircraft’s location, speed, and direction. Many military radar systems can also

detect altitude. In this case, data and information are being suppressed in the name of national interest. No one knows the truth, but the kith and kin of the engers are still undergoing great agony. How much suffering engers underwent or are undergoing is anybody’s guess! Who is responsible for their suffering? Strange is the world of technology and information!

On 14 April 2014, a militant group in Nigeria seized 276 schoolgirls of Christian background. These girls were kidnapped by Muslim militants and vanished into the dense forest. A few escaped and shared harrowing tales of fleeing. Why were innocent teenage girls kidnapped? What sins have they committed? Why are the UN bodies and the world’s official policeman, the United States, not taking action? No one has the answer. I don’t know whether I would be misunderstood in bringing the latest news on this. Last week, Nigerian pop singer Nadokiye caused a social media storm by offering her virginity to Islamic militants Boko Haram, in exchange for the returns of the girls. Some fans praised her offer as brave and branded her a hero. Others dismissed this as an opportunistic publicity stunt.

On the negative side, one can go on and on narrating horror stories as individuals, families, communities, and nations are all affected. Let me sum up with a quote by David Hume.

Were a stranger to drop, on a sudden, into this world, I would show him, as a specimen of its ills, an hospital full of diseases, a prison crowded with male factors and debtors, a field of battle strewed with car cases, a fleet foundering in the ocean, a nation languishing under tyranny, famine, or pestilence. To turn the gay side of life to him, and give him a nation of its pleasures; whither should I conduct him? To a ball, to an opera, to court? He might justly think that I was only showering him a diversity or distress and sorrow.

☐ While destitutes are worried about their next meal, the poor are concerned about their daily income. Their lives are programmed to live in poverty and

scarcity. The middle class is worried about the lack of love and affection from near and dear ones, promotions, and frustration over their unsuccessful attempts to move out to better companies in India or abroad. Bachelors and spinsters are anxious about possible marriage, and a few are upset over their broken marriages. (Two days ago, a man of about thirty-five years told me that his wife left him within three days of the birth of their daughter.) Families with children are worried about their children’s education, jobs, or marriages. Many are pained over their ill health, and a few curse their poor luck for not acquiring the movable and immovable assets that they missed.

☐ The rich and the super rich are worried about their taxes, the status of bank s in India and abroad, the performance of Fortune 500 companies, share markets, the Sensex index, and the rupee’s value in comparison to the dollar and yen. Life goes on.

☐ In the midst of all this, there is a Himalayan truth. Many have lost the art of sleeping; the number is elastic as the income bracket increases. No wonder that millions and millions of tablets are being consumed by people every day to get to sleep. The law of physical activity says that once a person gets tired, he or she will naturally get hours of rest by way of sleep. On the contrary, we see more people going without sleep, or rather, the angel of sleep fails to embrace them.

The Dilemma

In the midst of these life situations (or call them melodramas) of the universe, one is forced to ask, “Where is God? If he is alive and if is a good God, what is He doing?” Those who believe in God are worried as to why month after month, the loving God has forsaken them and afflicted them with pain. Believers in God are shaken by these happenings, and they wonder what is taking place.

Despite these horror stories, we also hear of many miracles happening across the world wherein individuals, families, communities, and nations have witnessed lives being saved from the jaws of death. No wonder that despite the troubles, many show great faith on Him. God becomes the centre of their lives. He is a good God, and that is why we still talk about Him, knock continuously on His doors, and seek His help in times of trouble.

Having set the background of today’s devotion, let me bring to your notice simple, ordinary mortals who stood firm in their faith in God in the midst of calamity knocking them down completely. Immediately after Easter holidays, a fifty-five-year-old lady whom I have known for the past twenty-five years spoke to me. I enquired about her health because I knew she was affected by arthritis. She said that her t pains continue, and she undergoes great pain day and night. She felt that the same pain may continue for the next few weeks, unless she takes painkillers of a higher dose. But what surprised me was her next words. She said, “Compared to Jesus’s suffering, mine is very little.”

What a great witness! How come she endures her pains by trusting Him? She was born and brought up in a Hindu family. She continues to be a Hindu. Perhaps it was immediately after Good Friday, and so she must have come to know about Jesus’s crucifixion. I met the same lady today, and she was quite okay. Like her, thousands of people, if not millions, maintain peace and tranquillity despite their severe pain and suffering. Almost all of them pin their faith or hope on God and continuously pray to Him for deliverance.

In the world, almost all the people suffer in one way or the other. The difference is only in the degree. Although many complain about it, a mass of humanity takes it as God’s will on their lives. Let me now bring to you two great personalities who lived before Christ. I will illustrate to you how these personalities suffered in their lives, and with what conviction they faced the tribulation and stood as standing witnesses of righteousness. One suffered maybe on of his sin, and another one underwent great suffering without any blemish in his character. In both their lives, God played a key role during their

tribulations. After their worldly sufferings, they experienced peace and ultimately they triumphed. No wonder that we still talk or write about them. History is replete with records of many such faithful servants and devotees of God who withstood enormous sufferings but did not lose their faith. We have numerous examples of people past and present who endured suffering and in the end achieved peace.

King David of Israel

David was one of the most successful kings of Israel. He was the second king of Israel after the nation was formed by the children of Jacob and his descendants. Saul was the first king of unified Israel, and after him King David was anointed by Samuel the Prophet.

Towards the end of David’s reign, he met with a grave crisis. His own son Absalom rose against him. Naturally, David was in great agony. To escape from his son, he ran away to a hilly place along with his trusted soldiers and escorts, with his head covered by a cloth. Here he wrote Psalm 3. This is now sung as the opening song during worship time in Israel by Jews. Before I read this song, let me give the background of the situation when the song was written by David (2 Samuel 15:1–6, 10–14, 23–30).

From the readings of the age, you can imagine the pain of the king. In these verses, we see how his son had cleverly manipulated the law and justice, turning people away from the king. Absalom anointed himself as king. It was very unfortunate that the king’s own trusted chief also ed hands with the son.

King David was a good musician. In the psalm, we see three kinds of personalities of King David. In the first two verses, he talks about the troubles he

had. Then he talks about the conspiracy and about people’s mockery of him. It is true of all of us. When we are down, everybody will ridicule us. When we face troublesome times, our own friends will with our adversaries, and few would conspire against us. Some of our friends will mock us.

Then after a pause (Selah), we see him as a man of confidence in verses 4–5. He now displays great faith in God. Faith Prayer Peace

He has faith in God’s protection He looks for his cares to God through prayer He now has peace

Again, after a pause (Selah), he now confesses. No fear God’s involvement Triumph

He cancels out all his fears He says that hereafter God would fight his battle He now announces God’s victory in the end (Selah)

The kingdom was subsequently restored back to David. Eventually, he anointed Solomon, another son of his, as the king of Israel. The lessons we need to learn from the life of David is that in times of adversary, even when our own people are working against us, we should not lose heart but stick to God, and He will fight our battle. Ultimately we will achieve triumph and peace. When darkness closes, we should not abandon God, but say to God, “You are in charge.”

We must also see another important fact in the sufferings of King David. Few scholars and theologians believe that King David had to face this encounter because of the sin he had committed against God, and also because of the bloodshed of an innocent solider for which David was a responsible (Sam. 16:6– 8). We read the testimony of a person who very clearly portrays the background of David and his bloodthirsty conduct. The life of David and his sufferings despite his God-fearing nature teaches us the need to refrain from sin. There is an overwhelming body of teachings by preachers who attribute the cause of our trouble to sin. I am not a theologian or preacher; I am only a development professional. Therefore I cannot comment much on this concept or understanding. I can only say that in times of trouble, we should seek Him more by way prayer.

Let me now turn your attention to another experience of a noble man who never committed any sin either against God or his fellow human beings but still underwent great tribulation. Job is considered to be the first book ever written, inspired by God in the Bible. It deals with the sanctification of the saint by God. There are forty-two chapters in the book. There is no idea as to who wrote this book, but many believe that Moses, the man who redeemed the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt with the help of God’s mighty hands, must have written it. Some credit this book to King Solomon. Few credit Job himself.

Let me leave aside the discussion on the authorship of the book and come to the main story of Job. It is an interesting book. Primarily it is a conversation amongst five persons and God with the Devil, and then with Job. Most of the

scientific facts or the findings the scientists discovered during the last few centuries have found a place in the book of Job. For example: clouds contains water; man is known by his hands; God hangs the earth upon nothing.

Job was a family man blessed by God. He feared for God and lived a good and prosperous life. His reputation was strong across the earth. He was the richest man in his time. He was blameless and upright. His goodness has been blessed with prosperity. In the Book of Job, within a matter of three days, he met with a series of calamites and lost everything – children, animals, harvest from the field – except his wife. He was at loss and unable to understand, but still he was in full of obedience to God, and eventually he was blessed double. His troubles fortunately lasted only nine months. We read about his wealth, richness, and the subsequent dismay in the opening six verses of chapter one.

Job 1:1–6 – The opening of the book portrays the prosperity of job.

Job 1:13–19 – It brings the tragedy he faced within a matter of couple of days.

Let us now see what the response of Job for all his troubles was.

Job 1:20–22 – It talks about Job’s total obedience to God.

Then Job’s three friends (Eliphaz the Termanite, Bilded the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathita) came and sat with him for seven days without uttering a word. By the end of the seventh day, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day he was born (Job 1:20–22). His friends did not like his words. Then one by one, they started making their own observations about the reasons for his calamity. There are three rounds of discourse from his three friends. and as each rounds

proceeds, the discourse become less and less from his friends/ The arguments in of words and contents from Job’s side increases with each round. They are not pastorally helpful to him.

After his friends finish the discourses, we see a young person (Elihu) speaking. He questions both Job and his friends for their utterances, and he brings a new level to the arguments. He tells Job that he needs to be humble himself and submit to God. Job does not argue with him and does not say a single word to him.

Job’s friends were primarily saying to Job that he must have sinned for this tribulation. All the time, Job was saying no. They were of the opinion that Job must have sinned in some way that was hidden or unknown. One thing that the four discussed was how to solve the suffering – but they never questioned God. All through the discourses, neither Job nor his friends questioned the sovereignty of God.

We find Job as a discouraged man. Through his agony, Job becomes confused, perplexed, and discouraged without any hope. He says, “My Spirit is broken, my days are cut short, the grave awaits me” (Job17:1). At one point, Job cries out to God. “I cried out to you, God, but you do not answer” (Job 30:20). Then he begins to question. God answers him, and then God questions him, and Job could not answer. In the end, Job replied to God (Job 42).

Eventually, God rewards Job for his faithfulness and his endurance through the suffering (Job 42:10–17), upholding his trust in God. The renewal takes place in his life. Not everybody get this renewal. In the midst of suffering, we see amazing grace in the life of Job. The Book of Job teaches us to trust God under all circumstances.

Lessons to Be Learnt

☐ Most of the time on one or another, we suffer and experience hardships and pain. In such times, we wonder about the existence of God in our lives. It is nothing but absurd! We cannot question God’s existence. In times of crisis, instead of asking God, Why you are allowing this to happen?” it’s better to ask, “What it is that you are up to?” Isaiah 45.9 very clearly reveals this position. “Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘The potter has no hands’?”

☐ There is patience in suffering. Sometimes God allows the devil to interfere in our lives, but the devil cannot do more than what God has allowed him to do. The devil has a boundary: this far and no farther. The devil is never free from His sovereignty. God sets his boundaries, pushes him and pulls him back as in the case with Job. It is a test of Job’s trust, love, and adoration towards God, which Satan wanted to demolish, but Job’s faith won. In the midst of calamity, we are expected to be patient.

Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of comion and mercy. (James 5:10–11)

☐ Relationships can be re-established. When calamities strike us one after another, we tend to ask, “What on earth is going on?” But then we seldom realise that earth and its inhabitants will not give the answer. Sufferings may occur for reasons which we may not understand. Trials may come because God needs to know something about the faithful servant. He may want to know how far we are obedient to him. Many seek God more often in sufferings than in happy

situations. When we suffer, we value him as our supreme treasure. In fact, trials and sufferings provide spiritual enrichment and help us to build a relationship with God. Anything that drives one to God is good. Suppose one has no pain and suffering; she or he may not reach God.

☐ The life of Abraham bears full testimony to this. In Genesis 22:1–12, we see the total faith of Abraham in the Lord. He was asked to leave his place of birth with the promise that he would be part of a great nation (Gen 12:1–4). God has also promised an heir at his age of seventy-five. The son was born only after twenty-five years. Then God wanted that only son to be sacrificed. Without any hesitation, Abraham prepared himself to sacrifice his son Isaac on Mount Moriah. At the last minute, God intervened and saved the son’s life. The lesson is that Abraham placed God above his son! As per Abraham, God gave, and He has right to demand. When we lose all things, regardless of our possessions (men and materials), we should still treasure Him as our valuable possession.

It is a greater truth to note that although God spared Abraham’s son from sacrifice, after many years the same God allowed His son Jesus Christ to be sacrificed to redeem us from our sins.

Health or Wealth: Whose, Anyway?

God has absolute sovereignty over our possessions, children, health, wealth, reputation, and all the best things that we enjoy. When one loses all these things and in times of tribulations remains steadfast, that is evidence that we love Him. “Everything is taken from me. All are given by you. And still I am with you. That is an affirmation of my love to Him.”

God is the author of our lives. Adore him and treasure Him. When troubles

surround us or when we lose everything, as children of God, we need to bow to him. At times God is doing hundreds or thousands of things in our lives, and we cannot understand the reasons for all of them. He does everything for our good. What God is doing in our lives is unpredictable. He always acts purposely and doesn’t flip coins. No good will be withheld from those who walk uprightly. We need only pray to God with full sincerity.

Here is a famous person’s witness on the time of his sorrow. He spoke these moving words at the funeral of his wife. “I kiss continuously the hands that had thus afflicted me.” He said this at the age of eighty-nine, when his wife died. It was George Muller, a German. He died at the age of ninety-two. He led a prayer meeting on the previous evening, and the next day someone went to his room with a cup of tea and found him dead

Pride and Prejudice

Few theologians believe that in all our righteous dealings, when pain hits us, we can see there is pride and prejudice in us. All of us need to be rebuked and cleansed from pride; we should be crystal clear in our thinking and dealings “so we are sinfully righteous or righteous sinners”. It is pride that is the foundation of all sins. We may be failing in our roles and responsibilities as His people. All the time, what we ought to do, we must do. It can be done only when we follow the commandments of Jesus Christ. It is necessary for us not to fall into pride, temptation, sin, and the subsequent sufferings.

Strength

Goodness, suffering, and tribulations in the world amongst countries, communities, families, and individuals are not distributed in equal proportions in

both good deeds and sin and evil. Therefore let us be slow in judging others when they suffer or undergo tribulation. There is nobody outside God who can help us, and that is precisely why churches, mosques, and temples are full of people seeking light from darkness. We see millions and millions of poor people undergoing severe trials through no fault of their own. Then we ask ourselves, “If there is an all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving God, then why does he allows all these things to happen?” When tribulations come, if we abandon our belief in God and His grace, it won’t help at all. If there is no God, there is no possibility of objecting in the unnatural behaviours. If we cast out God (2 Cor. 12:7–9), then we will lose all . Despite the sufferings Paul had because of the thorn, he with stood with his work. There are many theories as to what was his thorn. Some say Jewish opponents took ill of him, or it was a physical ailment. So God’s goal in allowing the thorn in the flesh was to keep us humble. Paul also says that his affliction came from the messenger of Satan.

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Pet. 1:6–7)

Conclusion

Let me conclude by saying that most of us sitting here can be wiped out within a matter of seconds by God. But we are here because of His grace. Had He given to me what I deserve, you would not see me standing before you. I am standing here, and likewise many of you are here, because of His grace.

What is His expectation from us? To love Him and also love our neighbours as we love ourselves. What will happen if we fail to show some kind of gratitude to Him and to our fellow human beings? I am sure we will be devoid of all

blessings. There will be some pain and suffering. You may recall that in the beginning, I narrated the lives of destitute, poor people who undergo sufferings. We are called to be connected and engaged with these people by words and deeds. If we fail to stand up to that call and fail to connect ourselves with the needy and their suffering, the very purpose for which we exist (peace and tranquillity) may not embrace us. May God bless all of us.☐

CHAPTER 9

God’s Calling to Serve the Country

Introduction

The Human Formation Organization (HFO) is a ed non-governmental organization (NGO) in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. HFO started its development initiatives in Tuticorin in the year 1999, under the leadership of Mr E. G. Sylvester, the chief founder. Subsequent to his demise on 5 July 2014, HFO leadership, after four months of introspection, decided to continue its development work in the area under the leadership of his wife, Ms Jeya Rani. It shows the leadership’s strength and commitment to be with the people of this area. I am happy that today, as evidence of your continuation and commitment, HFO will start functioning from a new rented building. This is the day God has made another milestone in the history of HFO. I am sure all the broken hearts connected with HFO and its target group will now find this new office to look for new life, new strength, new dreams, and new hope.

God’s Calling

As you are aware, God has a purpose for everything. Behind every commitment, there is a calling. Behind every calling, there is a vision. Behind every vision, there is a mission. Where there is no vision, people perish. The one who is called will also give the vision. The leadership, which is based on calling, should not ignore the one who called us. Hence, there is a need for total devotion to His supreme power. He will then help all of you reach the people whom you seek to

serve. Calling for a noble purpose may differ. Many are called, but only few live up to the calling.

Dr J. Jayalalithaa’s Calling

On the eve of 27 September 2014, about one-third of the population of Tamil Nadu was devastated with a broken heart. Another one-third was silent, and the rest were indifferent. From that day till 17 October 2014, agitated men and women, paraded in large numbers on the roads of Tamil Nadu, expressing anguish, anger, and sadness over the verdict. Effigies of opposition leaders were burnt. Two buses were completely burned down, and a few were damaged.

On an earlier occasion of this nature, on 2 February 2000, three college students from the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, were burnt alive inside a bus at Lakkiyampatti, on the outskirts of Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu. Fortunately, history did not repeat itself this time. People were agitated because on 27 September 2014, a verdict by a special court in Bangalore pronounced Dr J. Jayalalithaa as guilty of amassing wealth of Rs. 66.65 crore – an amount disproportionate to her known sources of income – during her first term in office (1991–1996). The court sentenced her to four years’ imprisonment and slapped with a fine of Rs. 100 crore. To the benefit of Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court gave her bail on 17 October 2014; otherwise, the state of Tamil Nadu would be in a chaotic situation.

When an unforeseen and unanticipated situation arises, many hearts bleed with sorrow, or part of the mind reacts with anger and violence. However, if many of us understand the importance of our calling and the things the creator of the universe expects from us, then our response to many events and issues will be different. Let me dwell on the subject of calling and how to live up to the calling for a few minutes. Prior to dealing with matters specific to our calling, let me spend few more minutes with Dr J. Jayalalithaa’s rise and fall. It is important

that we should learn lessons from her rise and fall.

Dr J. Jayalalithaa was born on 24 February 1948 at Melukote, in Pandavapura Taluk of Mandya District, Mysore State (now called Karnataka). She had her early education in Bishop Cotton Girls School, Bangalore, and in Sacred Heart Matriculation School (popularly known as Church Park Presentation Convent, or Presentation Church Park Convent) in Chennai. Due to her mother’s compulsion, she entered cinema field. She then became a heroine in Tamil movies and acted with all the leading stars of yesteryears. One of her cinema heroes, matinée idol Mr Marudhur Gopalan Ramachandran (MGR), acted in many successful films with Dr J. Jayalalithaa.

On his expulsion from DMK in 1972, he formed his own party, known as AIK. He captured power to become the chief minister of Tamil Nadu for three tenures. In total, MGR was the chief minister for ten years. Somehow, because of her closeness to him, and for reasons best known to him, he itted Dr J. Jayalalithaa in his party in the year 1982. In 1983, she became propaganda secretary for the party. He got her elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1982. No wonder that after MGR’s demise in December 1987, by sheer political acumen she took over the control of the party.

After MGR’s demise on 24 December 1987, the party split, with Jayalalithaa heading one faction and MGR’s widow, Janaki Ramachandran, leading the other with the of senior leaders such as R. M. Veerappan. Janaki was made chief minister of Tamil Nadu on 7 January 1988, however, within a few days the government fell. The subsequent election saw Jayalalithaa’s faction winning twenty-seven seats against Janaki’s two seats. DMK grabbed power after a gap of more than a decade, only to be dismissed in two years. Within the next couple of years, she became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu by defeating her archrivals, the DMK party. She was called to the throne to be the point of influence.

Jayalalithaa acted with MGR in twenty-eight films between 1965 and 1972. The

first one was Aayirathil Oruvan, the movie which I saw as an irer of MGR many times with one of my close friends, who retired few years back as DIG, Registration. Such was their screen charisma that the pair was very popular amongst audiences.

However, Ammu’s (as MGR fondly called her) success in politics did not come easily. She had to brave many storms before she emerged as a powerful leader. She was chief minister from 1991 to 1996, and then from 2001 to 2006 (barring a brief period, from September 2001 to March 2003, when she had to step down). In 2011, she returned to power with a massive victory. Her party colleagues, be they MLAs, Ministers, or MPs – and many of them much older – fell at her feet to seek her blessings. It was never clear whether she enjoyed such servility or could see through it. Last December, even one of the bishops hailed her as the Southern Star!

To cut a long story short, I am sure God must have placed both MGR and Dr J. Jayalalithaa in positions of power and strength to serve His flock. We can be quite sure that none in the world can ascend to such political power, honour, and position but for His calling. The calling from the God is for leaders of the state and nation, first cleansing them and then helping them serve people. The calling also comes with certain commitment. The commitment demands the leadership be a visionary and possess the required statesmanship kind of conduct. History is full of instances of leaders who lacked statesmanship and integrity and were either thrown out or defeated. We can quote the number of examples from the recent history of celebrities falling down.

☐ Richard Nixon in the United States is one who lacked integrity and honesty and was forced to reign as president in 1974 because of the Watergate scandal.

☐ In 1982, for the first time in the independent India, Mr Abdul Rehman Antulay was thrown out as chief minister of Maharashtra because of political corruption.

Abdul Rehman Antulay resigned as the chief minister of Maharashtra (9 June 1980 to 12 January 1982) after the Bombay high court convicted him of extortion on 13 January 1982. Prior to her conviction, many chief ministers like Lalu Prasad Yadav in July 1997 and B. S. Yeddyurappa in July 2011, had to resign. Jayalalithaa became the first serving CM to be convicted after the Supreme Court held section 8(4) of the representatives of the people unconstitutional in July 2013.

☐ On the other hand, those who showed personal integrity and statesmanship during their careers or adverse times were even freed from jail to lead the nation. Nelson Mandela is the best example. Aung San Sun Kyi is another example of rising and shining.

Dr J. Jayalalithaa was called to the throne to be a point of influence, change the lives of the marginalized, and give a boost to the state economy. Unfortunately, during her first tenure, she was thoroughly misguided by a coterie to do things that benefited the group more than the citizens of the state. She realized the folly to some extent during her second term, but her old friends continued to hold sway over her. This was one of the prime charges against her.

Luckily, during her third term, she became more mature and attempted to govern with absolute sincerity. But still she was hooked to the old group and disowned only one person. She was more controlled by circumstances and the poor advice of friends. People who have a calling should not be seen to associate with unscrupulous people. No wonder that the gross violation done during the first term started chasing her. Immediately after her first term, she was called in the court of law for all her commissions and omissions. When she was controlled by circumstance, she could not reach her predetermined position. Had she been faithful to her calling and lived up to His expectation, she could have become the prime minster of India. Otherwise, how do we for all the court delays (the case took eighteen years), which mostly happened due to certain moves by Dr J. Jayalalithaa? Eventually when the verdict came, she could not find any

excuse to escape from the clutches of law.

Let me conclude my observations on Dr J. Jayalalithaa by quoting a report. “Be you ever so high, the law is above you,” a Supreme Court bench comprising Justice S. N. Variava and Justice H. K. Sema pronounced on 18 November 2003. They were criticizing the exemption from personal appearance granted to Jayalalithaa by a special court in Chennai in the disproportionate wealth case and the London Hotel case in which she was an accused.

These words echoed again on 27 September 2014, when Special Judge John Michael D’ Cunha of Bangalore found the Tamil Nadu chief minster guilty of corruption in the disproportionate wealth case. The prosecution case against her was that she had amassed wealth worth of Rs. 66 crore (including immovable property, business enterprises, and cash) in her name and in the names of three other accused (Sasikala Natarajan, V. N. Sudhakaran, and J. Elavarasi) when she was the chief minister from 1991 to 1996. Of her own accord, she drew a salary of only Re. 1 for twenty-seven months as chief minister and did not draw any salary for the remaining thirty-three months of her office, the prosecution said.

Dr J. Jayalalithaa’s case is nothing but that of a good person, in whom the calling from God could be seen. Somehow she could not totally commit herself to that call. As one political leader said, “Jayalalithaa trapped herself in the net. She treated a situation as if there is none to question her.” As a result, she has fallen from the highest pedestal. Giants do fall. The greater the giant, the harder the fall and the impact. However, she now feels that “my public life is akin to swimming in a river of fire”.

Dr J. Jayalalitha is now on three months’ bail. She is expected to file her appeal application before 18 December 2014 in the Bangalore high court. The court then expects to dispose the appeal within the next three months (i.e., before 18 March 2015). Whether she will be acquitted is a wide-open question.

All of us sitting here, including me, should it one fact in our deepest minds: Most of us can also be accused of earning more assets and income disproportionate to our known source of income. The only difference between her and us is in degree! So let us not come to the conclusion that she is the only corrupt person and we are all honest.

Let me now come to Mr E. G. Sylvester, who steadfastly obeyed the calling of God and lived all his life to fulfil the tenets of His calling. At least for the last thirty years of his life, I can vouch for his commitment. He was born in the year 1950, and immediately after his graduation, he ed the development field. To start with, he fought for the right of tribes in the Kanyakumari District, and in fact he filed a case in high court for their land rights. He even moved from his own kith and kin at the age of fifty to a dry desert, Tuticorin, and he guided the flock here. He moved with his family and did good service for the last twelve years in this part of the state. Prior to his death, the talk he had with his close friends proved that he lived up to his calling. He expected that his spirit would leave his body anytime, and he gracefully looked forward to ing with the creator. None of us would be here but for his work in this area.

Let me now ask something to all of you sitting here. You may be a daughter, a wife, a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a sister, a mother, or a community leader. But are we up to our calling? Do we reckon on our calling and work towards that calling? Or do we simply ignore His call, or quit when we face some challenges in our professional and family lives? No doubt, in our family and professional lives, most of us sitting here must have failed in our callings.

When we face certain issues or circumstances, some of us simply bury ourselves in issues and withdraw from the situation. It is true that things are not in a straight line in our lives, both for the called and for the uncalled. No doubt we face a number of problems. We also think that when we take one step ahead, something pulls us back two steps. It is not true. For a second, think of the many difficult situations we encountered in the past. In almost all situations, God must

have pulled us out from the deep pit without any scratch.

Many of us, including myself, would not be alive today but for His grace. Some of us would have been on death row or in life imprisonment for the sins or uncivil acts we’ve committed against Him, neighbours, or society. Some of us may say, “I am pure now,” but it may not be the case with many of us in the past. But still God crowned us with his anointment and appointment. This would only mean that he wants all the broken hearts not to lose hope, but to seek His kingdom first and then ask for His mercy and grace. Whomever he calls, He will see that even if they through the fire, the fire will not burn them, the water will not sink them, and the mountain will not bury them. It is time for us to recall a few incidents from the life of Moses.

☐ He was a Hebrew child who survived the child slaughter decree of Pharaoh.

☐ He survived with snakes, big fishes, and crocodiles, and with the Nile River’s whirlwind current.

☐ He survived the wrath of the Egyptian family when he killed one of the Egyptians who fought with another Egyptian.

☐ He lived in a palace for forty years, learning all the arts, science, and architecture. He then escaped to another land and lived in the desert, managing goats and sheep and fighting with wild animals.

☐ Though God knew him even before his mother womb, he had to wait for eighty years to fulfil His calling. He was called to do a specific job, and he completed it at the age of 120.

When Moses was the prince of Egypt, he wanted to solve the fight amongst the Egyptians on his own strength. He acted in good faith but dealt with it rashly. As a result, he had to flee for his life. Some of us venture to fight against the enemy with our own strength. If so, we may not get victory; we will have to see that He guides us. His lifestyle had radically changed from the luxury of the palace to the harsh existence of the desert. He spent forty years in the desert, and there was no call from God. He expected to be a forgotten man. The call was delayed, there was no fulfilment of his young age desires, and there was no way out to ister justice to the slaves, which he wanted to do.

Every day, we face frustrations in our personal and professional lives. We come across adversaries and good opportunities. In every walk of life, there is a man or woman against us. The enemy always wants us to run away from the scene, just like Moses ran away from the palace when the fellow Hebrew accused him of murdering an Egyptian. He could not stand and establish the reasoning for killing the Hebrew. Likewise, when we are accused, we are often unable to reason out for that act of omission and commission. Just like many of us, Moses was born in one tradition, culture, and place, but then he settled in another place and culture.

Just like Moses, we want to run away when we face serious stumbling blocks, running away from the calling. But if we have God’s calling in our minds, the ion which we pledged for the cause should come back to us like the burning bush which Moses faced when he was shepherding the sheep in the desert. Many of us possess the burning bush in our lives – that is, we do not run away from the call but oblige the call.

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight –

why the bush does not burn up.”

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

And Moses said, “Here I am.”

“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing in hold ground”. Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. (Exod. 3:1–6)

I know many good believers struggling in their lives with dilemma: “Should I do this now or later?” But then once the Lord Jesus Christ dictates something strongly, they seize the opportunity. That is how many institutions meant for the services of the poor are built, and that is how many dedicated people build churches for new believers in unknown places.

In our lives, when we deviate from His calling, we can see the fire burning in our stomachs and can hear the voice of God calling us. When God calls you to do something, nobody can stop it. Nothing that the enemy plans can extinguish the fire. You may be messed up in a family relationship, there may be constant fights with a dear one, or there may be financial breakdown. There is confusion in many situations, conflicted by different debates and troubled by many matters, but still the fire is burning in you to answer His call. Go to Him, seek Him, and He will deliver you. Then you will see that you start to serve as per the call.

We may be like Moses, a liar, or we may be a murderer like Moses. Still, when

God calls us, nobody can forsake us. In such a situation, we can say, “I am still on fire. My ion, hope, and desire is still not consumed. God, I am here; use me for your work.”

In our context, the burning bush may mean something more. It may be an event that creates curiosity or distress, or it may be an accident, illness, or a family issue, or it may be a breakdown in a relationship. It could even be an unwelcome change in our circumstances to turn our attention. God can speak to us in strange ways. These are God’s way of tapping us on back so that we will stop and listen to what He has to say to us. God often gets our attention by causing uncommon events to occur. Our responsibility is to recognize the authentic message and trust Him to obey it.

☐ Saul (Paul) met Jesus on the Damascus road.

☐ John Wesley received the assurance of sins forgiven at the meeting in Alder Gate Street.

☐ Late Brother Dhinakaran met God through his uncle when he was on his suicide path.

☐ God met Alfred Nobel, the man who was responsible for the making of dynamite and killed many people, with a simple paper announcement that wrongly reported his name while reporting his brother’s death.

In 1888 Nobel was astonished to read his own obituary, titled “The Merchant of Death Is Dead” in a French newspaper. It was Alfred’s brother Ludvig who had died, and so the obituary was eight years premature. The article disconcerted

Nobel and made him apprehensive about how he would be ed. This brought a change of heart and inspired him to change his will.

God spoke to Moses through the burning bush, but today He speaks to us through the son of God. God wants us to live a worthy life of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:1 states, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a worthy life of the calling you have received.” There are four ways we can respond to the call of God. In fact, most of the ways are a prerequisite to be worthy of calling.

To start with, we are expected to clean and holy. “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”

Timothy 2:19 says, “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’”

Second, those who are called should be in communication with God. Intercession with God is nothing but leading a prayerful life. We need to spend more time in prayer, and whenever possible, we must lead a life of fasting and prayer.

Third, those who are called are expected to show godliness because 2 Peter 3:11 says, “¹Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.”

Last, we must be worthy of salt – that is, to hear the truth. We are called to be the salt and light of the world. We are not to be silent or unseen, but rather visible

and impacting. Are we fulfilling the call of God in our life? Are we a messenger of peace or conflict?

Paul writes in Ephesians 4:1, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” The Bible tells us that all Christians are called by God to serve in His kingdom. The God who called you with a purpose will equip you with all the required resources and peace of mind to fulfil your calling. It is true that some of you may feel that even though you are submerged in issues and problems, God is not coming to the rescue, or He is not even saying anything. There are times in your life when you are brought before God, or you come on your own way to God, and He does not say anything at all. Let me read a few verses from Mark, where Jesus healed a blind person.

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.” (Mark 8:22–26)

You see here that people brought a blind man to Jesus to heal his blindness, but God never uttered a word. But then “He took the blind man by hand”. God has a habit of not saying anything or explaining anything to us why He has not done this or that to us. He does not have a habit of explaining, “I denied this chance to you now, and after six months I will give you a greater one.” Many times He lets

His blessing shine upon us by His silent “touch”, like the way he took the blind man by His hand.

Most of the blessings we experience are because many times He only nudged us with a gentle touch. We should be sensitive to His nudging. Most of the blessings came in our lives because he nudged us. You see here that God took the blind man by hand and let him outside his present life situation – that is, He “led him outside the village”. Sometimes God wants us to come out from our familiar situation or system. Perhaps that is the only way we can relate ourselves with our calling. He wants you to leave from the known place to an unknown place. God is not going to do anything as long as we stay where we are now. It is good to note that HFO leadership has decided to move to a new place and new situation rather than getting stuck in the old premises with old ways of operation. It is unfortunate that many of us don’t want to leave even though the situation is chaotic.

Most of us want to be associated with people and be in places that God does not want us to be. Our former CM, Dr J. Jayalalithaaa, was in the same situation. Though twice for brief periods she disassociated herself with bad company, she soon gave asylum to them and thereby endorsed all their old influences on her. On the other hand, as per His calling, if we leave the situation, we will enter a new realm of the world with full, new opportunities. Yes, Moses was in a particular situation for forty years and was in another situation for forty years, but then God moved him to leave from there not once but twice. He obeyed His calling to free the people from Egypt. Similarly, if God wants you to change your life from your present ways to new ways, take it as a calling from God and confidently embark and tread on the new path. God is not going to do anything as long as we stay where we are.

But that only those who left the chaotic or the comfort zone impact others’ lives. As in the blind man incident, God touches His eyes and then tests him with the question: “Do you see anything?” Yes, certain times by a gentle stroke, God may pull us out from the circumstance a little bit and then test us.

Behind every divine touch is a worldly test to see whether we are capable of analyzing the new situation and embarking on a new vision, mission, and journey. In a few occasions, He pulls out our resumes from the drawer and gives it to the devil to test us. This is only to strengthen us. A divine touch is followed by another test, and you say to Him,

I am better, though I am broken. I am better, though I am sick and wounded. I am better, though I am broken financially and relationship wise. I am better, compared to my past.

Then ask God to give you another touch to reform and refine you as a better person. Say to Him, “O God, I am better. Will you still touch me a second time so that I can become still better? Make me better and make me an instrument of change.”

The power of the second touch from God will unlock many things. Ask God, “Would you touch me again, so that I become worthy of your calling?” God first touched Moses when he was in the palace, and again He touched him when he was tendering the sheep. God touched you when you were in your mother’s womb. God touched you when you had an issue, and He will again touch you to transform you.

Conclusion

Sometimes, the pain and sufferings we undergo is very difficult for us to comprehend, but all these come to teach us the full meaning of the tribulation so

as to make us better performing persons in our callings. I heard of story of a famous cardiologist. He used to treat lot of cardio complaint patients with much ease and fun. He had a massive cardio arrest, and somehow he survived. He then says that when people say there is a pain in the shoulder that radiates everywhere, he simply took it as simple pain and never realized the gravity of the situation. But when he had the heart attack, he experienced the severity of pain. When he was in acute pain, he said, “I am in great pain, nothing but pain. The very organ which generates life is in pain. Oh, help me, God. God, help me. You only know the pain. O God, help me.” Yes, he had to undergo this test to experience the meaning of pain so as to excel in his calling. Sometimes it is essential that we undergo a pain. If you are called, He will show the way. God is omniscient and knows all things. May God bless you all.☐

CHAPTER 10

Birth of Jesus – Christmas

Introduction

On December 25, millions all over the world celebrate the day as the birthday of Jesus Christ, and the days is known as Christmas. During the Christmas season, people of various faith, denominations, and religious and ethnic backgrounds hold hands in peace and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Who is this Jesus Christ that millions are talking about? Sizable populations in many nations believe that He is the son of God and the saviour. It is believed that those who believe in Him and live according to His teachings will have eternal life. No wonder that every day, thousands are drawn towards His teaching and accept Him as the saviour. Brother Chandrashekaran is one such person who came to Jesus at the age of fifteen from a traditional Hindu family, and he still sustains his relationship with Jesus Christ. As a result, he had constructed a beautiful church in his village, Ramaganahalli, and he continuously shepherds more than forty-five families with the message of the Gospel. I am happy to be with you today. Let me share a few thoughts on Jesus Christ and Christmas.

About two thousand years ago, two dejected persons were returning from Jerusalem to their home in Emmaus, a distance of seven miles, after witnessing the crucifixion of a person along with two other criminals. They believed that the crucified person would be their saviour. They had now lost their hope on this man for their deliverance. They were at a loss because the man who they thought would bring redemption to them and to their fellow human beings, especially to the Jews of the day, was crucified by the Roman authorities.

While they were on the road, another stranger ed them and asked why they looked so dejected. All the three talked about the teachings of the man who was crucified on the cross. By then the sun was set, darkness came, and the three reached the village. The two weary travellers requested the newcomer stay with them that night and proceed with his journey the next day. The man obliged. All the three sat for the night meal. The newcomer divided the bread for sharing amongst them, and the other two men felt a strange feeling, as if they were in the presence of a holy man. Their eyes were opened, and they could see the presence of the risen Jesus Christ, who they thought was dead (read Luke 24 from 13).

About three and half years before this incident, there was a large marriage reception in a place called Cana in Galilee. Unexpectedly, the wine meant for the marriage invitees ran out. The house owner was perplexed. Amongst the invitees, there was a mother and a son; they would have been a close relative of the host family. She asked the son to do something to overcome the shortage. Perhaps she thought that the son would run to the market and get some wine quickly, or her son would do something to help the family. But then the son rebuked her: “Woman, why do you involve me?” However, the mother strongly believed that her son would do something. Hence, she asked the servants to oblige to her son’s instructions to overcome the shortage.

After a few seconds, the marriage party had good wine, much to the surprise of all, and the wine tasted much better than the one served earlier. All including the bride’s father came to know that the son of the lady asked the servants to fill up the jars with water, and then he prayed to God and gave thanks to God. No wonder that the water turned into sweet wine (John 2:1–11).

In the same period, about a dozen people were travelling in a boat to cross a lake. Suddenly a big storm hit the boat, but one man who was sleeping on the boat remained calm. The other travellers were panicky and woke Him up to tell Him that they were perishing. He woke up and commanded the raging storm to calm down. He made the thunderous wind curl into the sea. The inmates of the

boat started wondering what kind of man this was. “Even the wind and waves obey him?” (Mark 4:35–41).

About 3,500 years ago, a small boy was sleeping in his master’s house. Suddenly he heard his name being called by someone: “Samuel.” He got up from the bed, ran to the head of the family, and asked him whether he’d called him. He said no. For a second time, the boy heard a voice calling him. Again he asked the master, who said no. Then for the third time, the boy heard his name called. This time his master realised that God must be calling the boy. He advised the boy, “The next time you hear this voice, say, ‘Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.’” As the master thought, God was calling the boy by name. The boy said, “Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening” (1 Sam. 3:1–19).

In the four incidents I’ve narrated, many teachings, preaching, healings, and miracles happened in the central part of the world known as the present land of Palestine and Israel in the first century for about three and half years. All acts were performed by a man between the ages of thirty and thirty-four. Is it not something great and awesome?

☐ In the first event, we saw two weary, broken hearts travelling, and upon seeing Jesus Christ, they got renewed life.

☐ In the second incident, there was some shortage in the family. The head of the family and others were upset and wished to overcome the shortage of wine. The young Jesus entered, and the shortage became more than sufficient.

☐ In the third episode, we saw people were caught up in a big storm. Jesus Christ calmed the storm and the situation. He has the power to calm raging storms.

☐ In the fourth instance, a small boy was called from his bed to get up and listen to the voice of God, which said that the master of house would mete out justice.

This man who performed many miracles and preaching, Jesus Christ, was crucified by Roman authorities because they thought He would rebel against their regime. At the age of thirty-three and a half, He was killed by the Roman rulers. A mere three and half years of service of spreading good news amongst the people, healing the sick, and feeding the masses cost the man His life. But still today, every year, His birth and death dates are celebrated in a big way.

In world history, there was none like Him. He lived about two thousand years ago, and only for a short life span. But still people all over the world talk about Him. Many nations of the world worship different gods, but a majority worship Him only. He is the only God who came in the form of a tiny child, and ever since He’s lived with us. Until Jesus arrived, our understanding of God’s love was limited. God invaded the earth! It was the greatest invasion in the history. He is the eternal God known to Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, David, your parents, you, and me. This God is the creator of the world. He is with us always, till the very end.

Birth of Jesus and the Background

Prior to the birth of Jesus Christ at Bethlehem, for years the Jews pleaded to God for a messiah to redeem them from the clutches of the Roman empire. The background was that after four hundred years of slavery in Egypt, the people who considered themselves as the chosen people were settled down in Israel. After this, the Bible records many “judges” guiding them, followed by various kings starting with Saul. During this period, we see a couple of kings leading the people away from God.

He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops and under every spreading tree. (2 Kings 16:4)

The Israelites secretly did things against the Lord their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns. They set up sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree. (2 Kings 17:9–10)

After the rule of thirty-eight kings and one queen, we see a near vacuum of about four hundred years, until the close of the BC years. The prophets fell silent during this time. Middle Eastern empires rose and fell, and finally the nation of Israel suffered under the dominance of greater powers. There was none to lead the chosen people. This was the period where people, instead of worshipping the living God, went astray in many ways. During this period, they were captured twice by Babylonians and squeezed by Egyptians, Syrians, Greeks, and Romans. Fortunately, things were not allowed to drift so badly.

There was a spiritual vacuum, political corruption, and moral decline. The people were subjected to undue hardships by way of tax and hard physical work. During this period, the Jews were mistreating fellow people, and the priests were replacing the temple and not teaching the ways of God. In short, the Jews were not honouring God. Both Amos and Micah had prophesies that spoke about the condition of the people during that time.

“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine through the land – not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.” (Amos 8:11)

Then they will cry out to the LORD, but he will not answer them. At that time he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done. (Mic. 3:4)

Naturally, the people who were suffering looked for a redeemer. Eventually, after the intertestamental period, God decided to come in the form of flesh to redeem the sufferings of the people. In fact, the birth of Jesus, was predicated about 700 years ago and naturally people were looking for the King of kings. The Old Testament includes about sixty different prophecies, with more than 300 references, of the coming of the Messiah. It was through the fulfilment of these prophecies that Israel was told she would be able to recognize the true Messiah when He comes. It was the profound appeals, prayers of the people and the various prophecies resulted in Jesus Christ the Son of God, came to the world.

“But you, Bethl hem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Mic. 5:2)

This important prophecy has been strikingly fulfilled with the birth of Jesus Christ. Dr Henry M. Morris’s The Defender’s Bible explains.

“Although Judah was neither Jacob’s firstborn son nor the son who would produce the priestly tribe, he was the son through whom God would fulfill His promises to Israel and to the world. The leadership, according to Jacob, was to go to Judah, but this did not happen for over 600 years. Moses came from Levi, Joshua from Ephraim, Gideon from Manasseh, Samson from Dan, Samuel from Ephraim and Saul from Benjamin. But when David finally became king, Judah held the scepter and did not relinquish it until after Shiloh came. “Shiloh” is a name for the Messiah, probably related to the Hebrew word for “peace” (shalom) and meaning in effect, “the one who brings peace.”

We also clearly see about the birth of Jesus Christ in Isaiah 9:6–7.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.”

Birth of Jesus

The story of birth of Jesus is not a common story. We see before the birth of Jesus two young people, Joseph and Mary, were united by God in a union. Joseph and Mary are not a normal couple. They were united by God as couple. Before they came together, an angel appeared to both of them (Matt. 1:18–25). Then came the degree of the government about the census. Mary and Joseph were of the House of David. To oblige with the government degree, “Joseph and Mary from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because Joseph was of the house and family of David”. After reaching Bethlehem, the son of God was born as son of man. Jesus was born in their ancestral town of Bethlehem, where David was born. Give a fresh reading of Luke 2.

Good News

The first communication about the birth of Jesus was conveyed through angels to the shepherds. Luke 2:9 says, “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” The shepherds are the lowest paid job, mostly young boys in the lowest strata of the social ladder. With the birth of Jesus, the shepherd of mankind, it’s no wonder angels first went to the shepherds of sheep. We are sheep under the care of the Good

Shepherd. It was also an indication to tell the world that with the birth of Jesus, there is no more need for any lamb or sheep to be slaughtered as a sacrifice at the temple. Later, Jesus was offered as a sacrifice for our sins.

Again, it was fitting for many reasons that God decided shepherds were the first to hear the gospel. All the great believers – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – were shepherds. King David was a shepherd, and originally he was not even considered as a candidate for a king. Jesus was the Good Shepherd.

Surprisingly, the birth was not only communicated to the lowest people of society, but even to highest intellectuals of the day and through them to King Herod. According to one school of thought, the wise men may be descendants of Ishmael, from Abraham. They may be even students of Prophet Daniel. These were considered the king makers. Exceedingly, wise men may be the intellectuals of the day.

The wise men saw a sudden appearance of a star on the sky to indicate to the world the worldly birth of God. When the angel announced the birth to the shepherds, the star indicated the birth of the saviour to the wise men, and the wise men took the news about the birth of the King of kings to the highest Roman authority.

The star led the “Wise men from the East” (Matt. 2:11), who travelled at least seven hundred kilometres from the Persian or Babylonian area, to the house of Joseph and Mary. This trip would have taken at least thirty days with an average of twenty-five kilometres per day.

When the wise men found Jesus and Mary, they were in a normal house in Bethlehem, because by this time Jesus would have been aged above six weeks. Then they gave their gifts to him (Matt. 2:11). The gifts seem quite strange to

give to a baby, but scholars believe that they had the following meanings.

☐ Gold is associated with kings, and Christians believe that Jesus is the King of kings.

☐ Frankincense is sometimes used in worship in churches, and it showed that people worshipped the child Jesus.

☐ Myrrh is a perfume that is put on dead bodies to make them smell nice, and it showed that Jesus would suffer and die.

Mission

Jesus was a first-century carpenter. He was born on the part of world that touches Africa, Europe, and Asia. Though the Bible has a good record of His birth (but not the actual date of birth), we know very little about Jesus’s early life

Luke 2:41–52 recounts that a twelve-year-old Jesus accompanied His parents on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and became separated for a few days. The disturbed parents, who’d lost their son, found him “in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions”. On questioning by his parents, he said that he had to do His father’s business. After this, He must have faithfully worked with his earthly father before He took up the heavenly father’s business.

At the age of thirty, he went into the Judean desert to fast and mediate for forty

days and night. Then he was baptised by John the Baptist, and at that moment a word came from heaven. “This is my Son, whom I love: with him I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:13–17). The baptism of Jesus marks the beginning of His public ministry. Thereafter, he selected His disciplines at various encounters with each individual. Then he started preaching, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and performing miracles; hence, many people followed him. He loved sinners, touched the lepers, and opened the eyes of blind. He has the power over nations. He could talk to storms, and he could take thunder and throw them back. He taught us how to pray and how to love others. Peter says about this man “thou are Christ, the son of God”. Eventually, Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, and people started praising him as the son of God.

Names Given to Jesus

We should acknowledge the fact that no one in history has been given more names or titles than Jesus Christ. More than one hundred names or titles are given to Him. A few have also given bad names to Him.

The Good Shepherd Bright morning star Wonderful counsellor The root of Jesse The Alpha and the Omega The lamb of God The way and the light

However, the name Immanuvel, which Matthew refers to in Matthew 1:23, was given to Jesus by Prophet Isaiah seven hundred years before his birth (Isa. 7:14). “God with us” is the everlasting one, and we should feel happy about his.

Matthew 1:23 states, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel,” which means “God with us”.

Message of Christmas

☐ The Almighty, the creator of the universe, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords has come into the world in human form of a person whose birth name is Jesus Christ.

☐ He came to redeem us from our sins and sufferings. Therefore, we are called to repent for the sins and then lead a holy life.

☐ His steadfast love can change any life situation and infirmities. One needs to have full faith in Him.

☐ He is worthy of worship. We are expected to love and adore Him. We should be in constant communication with God.

☐ His work and life in the world confirm that life is meaningful, but it is not without pain and tears.

☐ He came to give peace on earth. There can be no peace on earth or real joy in a human’s heart apart from the spirit of Jesus Christ.

☐ Those who follow Him need to be people of forgiving quality.

☐ We are commanded to love others as we love ourselves, love our enemies, bless them, and communicate with God for their lives and safety (Luke 6:27– 31).

☐ We should respect the sacredness of us, our family, our neighbours, our community, the nation, and the world.

☐ We should be ready to share at least a portion (one-tenth) of our wealth with others who are in a disadvantaged position.

We have heard about his birth, in which he came as the son of God, suffering the servant to help us. His second coming is expected, and today we are experiencing similar situations which prevailed prior to the birth of Jesus. There is spiritual revival, and at the same time there is a vacuum in the social, economic, and political fields. A similar situation prevailed prior to the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. He will again come in the second coming as the judge. He will come as the king to rule us. We should make ourselves worthy to be a citizen of His world. Are we clean enough to receive Him and be a citizen of His kingdom?

Memories

All of us, be it older people or young children, and especially Christian, cherish the best memories of Christmas. It is wintertime and the colourful decoration of churches, homes, and streets with Christmas trees, mangers, stars, and Santa Claus add to our memories. Unfortunately, all these led to too much commercialisation. In fact, the merchandise starts in early September in many countries, and one could see shops being decorated in the Western world from early September or October. The holiday mood starts well in early December. No wonder that many now say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Happy Christmas”. But then, it does not matter to Christ regarding the state of spiritual or commercial value. A true Christian must see the birth of Jesus and the Christmas season as a reason for us to continuously claim to be the son of God, as we are made in His image.

Conclusion

One potential problem of our annual Christmas celebration is that many people only think of Jesus Christ as a baby. But the baby born in Bethlehem did not stay a baby. Jesus grew to manhood, modelled for us the kind of life that pleases God, taught us the truth, paid for every sin we commit by dying on a cross, and then proved that He was God and could save us by coming back to life. In the end, let me conclude that His birthdate does not matter. When Luke says, “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,” he means to say, “There was a day, there was a place and there was a baby who was the Saviour.” We were born for Christmas because on Christmas, Christ was born for us. Christmas is the reason for the celebration of this season. ☐

CHAPTER 11

The Birth of Jesus Christ and Its Significance

Introduction

Today, we are all assembled here because of our saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us all greet one another by saying, “Praise the Lord.” This is the season of celebrations not only in Ludhiana but throughout the world. Tell your neighbour, “God loves you.” We are happy to be with you during this season of great joy, peace, and sharing. It is your pastor Brother Mani who is responsible for bringing not only all of you here, but also Brother Jebaraj, Mr Charles Bro Sozou, and me. May God bless this son of man who is caring for you and shares God’s good news with you all the time.

The King Was Born

Two thousand years ago, three wise men approached the king and asked him, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him” (Matt. 2:2).

The King then wanted to know from his chief priests and scribes where the king of the entire world would be born. “And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where Christ was to be born” (Matt. 2:4).

Where was He born? No one could give the exact location, a manger in a busy street in Bethlehem. They told the king that He would be born in a small village called Bethlehem, the town of David. They told the king that is what was written many years ago.

But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel. (Matt. 2:6)

Mary and Joseph

Maybe a few weeks earlier, or even a few months or one or two years earlier, before the king came to know about the birth of the king of the world, a couple by the names of Mary and Joseph knew the place of His birth and the purpose of His birth. He was born in a manger in Bethlehem, in the central place of the world.

Shepherds

A group of shepherds, who were then considered to be the lowest people in society, came to know through an angel where he was born. Immediately the shepherds went and worshipped him.

Wise men

The neighbours of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem knew that something strange happened in that part of the town; hence, many paid their respects to the baby. The entire village came to know that a saviour was born. Later, a group of three wise men from three different countries came to know where he was born, and so they went and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gifts indicate the following.

☐ Gold is associated with kings. We believe that Jesus is the King of kings.

☐ Frankincense is sometime used in worship in churches, and it showed people worshipped Jesus.

☐ Myrrh is a perfume that is put on dead bodies to make them to smell nice. It showed that Jesus would suffer and die.

After two thousand years, all the nations of the world, including the majority of people in the world, from the highest in society to the lowest, know where the creator – a simple carpenter’s son, Almighty God, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the Bread of Life, the Good Shepherd, the redeemer of our lives, the light of the world, the healer of the sick, the provider of all our needs, the King of kings, the peacemaker of the entire world – was born. One thing is clear: the God who is known to different people by different names is now in us and with us, and that is why we call him Immanuel. He was with all our forefathers, our parents, our brothers, and our sisters.

What is the significance of ing His birth now?

First, when He is with us, we need not be afraid or fear anything. We may be victims or beneficiaries of the four seasons in our lives, but then, no season or situation or circumstances would affect us unless He allows it. Therefore, no one needs to fear or worry. Many people in our surrounding may hate us, but God is with us, so we need not fear.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10–12)

Second, the moment we believe in him, and the moment we pray to Him sincerely to forgive all our sins against him and against our own brothers and sisters, the saviour and redeemer will come and dwell in us. When he comes and dwell in us, what happens? Everything becomes possible. One needs to only surrender oneself with all humility, submit all the negatives circumstance in one’s life, and ask God to sincerely change the situation. As per His timing, He will make everything possible. Luke 1:37 says, “For with God, nothing shall be impossible.”

Third, there will be joy and peace. When God is with us, we will have joy and peace. In Luke, we read about the holy angel’s face-to-face to meeting with Mary. After this meeting, Mary went to a hilly place to meet Elizabeth, her cousin. Mary entered the house of Elizabeth and blessed her, because by then she was about six months pregnant. Once Mary blessed Elisabeth, the child in her womb started jumping with joy.

For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby

leaped in my womb for joy. (Luke 1:44)

Once we all realize that He is with us and in us, there will be all-around joy and peace amongst us. It is true for all of us, regardless of age and circumstances. He can change the entire situation. You may be worried about your home, family breakdown, financial difficulty, relationships with others, your job, or your next meal. If God is with you, He can change the negative things into positive, hate into love, and lack into plenty. He can make you a vessel from clay and make you an instrument of blessing. It’s not only for you but for others.

Fourth, His grace or mercy will be with us. Luke 1:50 says, “He will show His mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.”

What is grace and mercy? it’s getting things and blessing for which we don’t deserve. We get recognition from people that we don’t deserve. We inherit or possess things and knowledge beyond our own abilities. That is grace and mercy. People can’t confidently say that all they possess is due to their own efforts. An invisible hand or spirit, directly or through someone, brought all the blessings we enjoy today. It is nothing but His Grace working for us.

Fifth, the birth of Jesus Christ also leads us to share with us others who are in need of love, affection, and materials. All of us came with nothing, and we will leave with nothing. All the blessings that we possess – be they talents, materials, wealth, or fame – are supposed to be shared with others. If we fail in this obligation, one day we fail in our lives. Let me now conclude with few questions.

God, who created the entire world about five thousand years ago, asked Adam to rule over the whole things He had created. But when Adam disobeyed, the creator of the universe called out to Adam. “And the LORD God called unto

Adam, and said unto him, ‘Where art thou?’” (Gen. 3:9).

Where Are You?

Two thousand years ago, God sent His son to redeem the entire world. He was born in a small place, served humanity, did miracles, and called all us to do the will of God. The Roman Empire did not like Him and so crucified Him. After His crucifixion and resurrection, He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in us. The same God who asked Adam, “Where are you?” came as a son, and the world wanted to know where he was born. Now it is our turn to ask each one of us whether we are still asking others the question, “Where was he born?” or telling others that Jesus is born here is with all of us.

In conclusion, we all will believe in the creator. There is no creation without the creator. We must believe in the birth of Jesus Christ,

His resurrection after His crucifixion, and that He lives in us as the Holy Spirit. If we believe in all of this, then the birth of Jesus Christ and the celebrations of Christmas will bring some good news to us. First, there is no need to be afraid. Second, nothing is impossible for Him. Third, all the time we will be in great joy and peace. We will also work as peacemakers in the world. Fourth, His grace will be sufficient for us, and it will be with us for generations after generations. Fifth, we are called to care for others and share whatever we have.

In order to inherit the blessing, we must repent for our sins, believe in Jesus Christ as the saviour, and lead a life as per His calling. Once we repent and accept him as the redeemer, then whatever we ask Him in His name will be given to us. Nothing is impossible for Him.

Conclusion

I understand that many of you are doing menial jobs. There is no job that is menial in front of God. I understand a few live on income from garbage collection and sales. A few people are forced to live on charity. Once I was also like you, in similar circumstances. God, through His angel, met me and lifted me from a deep pit. If God can raise me from the pit and make me stand before you as a person, He can also do a similar thing to each one of you. Believe in Him. May God bless you and your pastor. I wish you all a Happy Christmas and blessed New Year.☐

CHAPTER 12

Jesus the Messiah

Introduction

The last issue of Voice of His Glory (December 2014) dwelt at length on the birth of Jesus Christ, the circumstances that led to His birth, and the significance of Christmas. This issue talks more about Jesus Christ – who He is, and why should we glorify and praise Him as the only God. As you are aware, all over the world, people celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus Christ with fun, prayer, devotion, and peace all around.

About two thousand years ago, the angel Gabriel appeared before Mary and said,

“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.” (Luke 1:31–32)

The Prophecy

The prophecy very clearly states that God will become the Son of man and will reign over the entire world; there will not be any end to His reign. This is what

was prophesied by Isaiah about seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14).

Son of God

The son of God, Jesus Christ, who became the son of man, is the main reality in the universe. He is the beginning, middle, and end. He is everywhere in the world. He is the Lord the Christ and Christ the Lord. There is none like Him in all the religions of the world. He demonstrated characteristics which God Himself displays. He lived a simple life, performed miracles, and is righteous. He has divine authority and knew the past, present, and future. He knows the inner thoughts of men’s hearts.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God

By all our s, we can conclude that Jesus Christ is the son of God, and whoever believes in Him and obeys His commandments will have eternal life. Therefore, he is the only way to reach the God – there is no other way. The claim of all other religions that there are many other ways to reach God should be completely dismissed. Therefore by divine principle, there is no secularism or pluralism as far as reaching God is concerned. Whoever believes in the principles of pluralism to reach God is mistaken.

Trust in Jesus Christ

This is the main core value of Christian faith: that you have to wholeheartedly believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that by believing in Him, you have life in His name (John 20:31). This is what Luke concludes in his writing to Theophilus in Luke 1:32–33.

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.

The Lord is the Christ, and Christ is the Lord. We get the double use of the title “Lord” in relation to the title “Christ”. In Luke 2:26, Luke says that it had been revealed to Simeon “that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” And in Luke 2:11, the angels say, “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” This Jesus is the Lord’s Christ, and he is Christ the Lord. This Jesus is God. That is what Luke wrote many years ago.

This Jesus Christ, the Lord, came as the son of man to redeem people like me and you, who are sinners. People like us need a saviour to deal with our sins and forgive them. No wonder that Luke writes at Jesus’s birth, the angels said, “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

Jesus Christ is the saviour. The next question is how we know he will become the saviour of us. Here again, Luke gives the answer when he writes in Luke 9:22, “He said, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.’”

How will this save anyone? It saves because His blood is the blood of the new

covenant in which God promised to forgive the sins of His people. “I will make a new covenant … and I will forgive their iniquity, and I will their sin no more” (Jer. 31:31, 34). With His death at the cross and subsequent resurrection, He paid the price for our sins. Again, at the Last Supper, Jesus took the cup and said, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20). That is how sins are forgiven. That is how He is a saviour. That’s how Zechariah’s prophecy is fulfilled.

“We are in death in the tres of sin.” The spirit in us is silent because of the sin. Only the flesh is alive. When we are deep in sin, we do not know Him. We are walking with a death body; the inner part is dead. First we need to accept Him as the Lord, then repent for the sin and not fall again into the same sin or temptation. We need to get baptized in him, and then we will get salvation.

The Salvation

Through Jesus Christ, salvation has come into the word. We should also know there is a way to enter this salvation, and there is a way to miss it. The way to salvation is that we should renounce our greedy reliance on wealth, power, and our office. We must obey his commandant and then receive this salvation.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way the Truth and the life. No one comes to father except through me.” (John 14:6)

We should know that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ. Theophilus and Solomon know that this is a certainty. It is rock solid, unshakeable, and an unalterable reality that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ. He is at the beginning, planning all things; He is in the middle, governing all things; and He is at the end, being magnified in all things.

Jesus Christ, the God-man, is God’s divine son. Salvation is His glorious work. He is the alpha and the omega. The father and the son are one. Every time Jesus forgive sins, every time people worshipped Him, and every time he said “I am”, He was proclaiming himself to be God. He is not only a good teacher; He is the eternal God, once clothed in human flesh. We need to glorify and praise God (Luke 2:20). Be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the happiest story in the world about Christmas and Jesus Christ.

He was in a pre-existence period and is eternal. The eternal word was God. He is the person; He is the creator. He is more powerful; He is the light and is lifegiving. Light shines over darkness, and eventually the word became flesh. Jesus is the incarnate word. He became a man to take away our sins. He takes all of us into God’s kingdom (John 1:1–7).

Nations

Years ago, every nation had its own God and religion. In fact, in India, each village used to have its own deity. This has changed after the birth of Jesus Christ. We are now living in a world full of multiple cultures and religions. However, millions of people all over the world have accepted the village carpenter from Nazareth, Jesus Christ, as the Lord. The Judeo-Christians accept him as Rabi. Muslims accept him as the second prophet. Buddhists accept him as a teacher. Hindus consider him a manifestation of one of the deities.

Jesus the Saviour

For those who have accepted the gift of faith, Jesus is much more than a

historical figure and a good teacher. He is the Christ, the saviour, the son of God who came to earth to redeem us from sin, establish His spiritual kingdom of God on earth, and offer the promise of eternal life. Although He is not now on earth in bodily form, He is present with us through the power of the Holy Spirit. He is our guide and saviour, the source of all our strength who leads us through this earthly life and into the eternal life beyond. We can talk to Him in prayer. He speaks to us through the Bible and our consciences. He strengthens us with His love. He is the only way, truth, and life; there is no other way. The Jesus Christ who lived on earth is coming back. Where, when, why, and how that affects us are the few crucial things each of us needs to know. Prior to this, we must have good knowledge of his teachings, which we will see in the next three issues of Voice of His Glory. Until then, may God bless all of us.

CHAPTER 13

The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ

Introduction

Thank you for your presence. As you are aware, we had a talk on four Gospels on 01/02/2016 at Chennai. I am glad that today I get an opportunity to meet a few of you in Krishnagiri. The last time we met, I introduced to you the four Gospels from the New Testament. Two of you sitting here got the New Testament from me. One of you, though born Hindu, started reading the Bible on your own even before we met at Chennai. Continue the habit of reading one or two chapters every day; it will bring more peace and blessing.

Today, I am going to spend a few minutes with you on the mission of Jesus Christ so that you will come to know the saviour in an intimate, personal, and powerful way as your personal redeemer.

Who Is Jesus Christ, Our Saviour?

This is the God whom the majority in the world praise and worship. He gave us the laws that enable us to fulfil our destiny. He is the God who sacrificed Himself. He is the God, not a God of high degree, and not a man of power. This is the God who said two thousand years ago, “I am the way, the life, the light and truth.”

Jesus was the given name of our saviour. As we spell it, the name is of Greek derivation. Its Hebrew equivalent was Yehoshua or Jeshua, or in English Joshua. In its original form, the name literally meant “Help of Jehovah”, “Saviour” or “Deliverer”, or “Jehovah Is Salvation.” The name was made known to Joseph by the angel who appeared to him (Matt. 1:21).

Bethlehem

The story of Jesus’s birth and youth include reference to many events. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in 1 BC. Joseph and Mary did not live in Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth; rather, they lived in Nazareth. But they were obedient to the dictum of prophecy, and circumstances transpired that brought them to Bethlehem for the birth of Christ (Mic. 5:2). The land of Palestine, often called the Holy Land, was given to Abraham by the Lord as an inheritance for him and his posterity through Isaac and Jacob, on condition of their faithfully serving the Lord as covenant people.

Who taught Jesus what he knew? God taught him. That He was taught by wiser than mortal men is evident, and He learnt His lessons well. Thus as a boy, He had all the intelligence necessary to enable Him to govern the kingdom of the Jews, and He could reason with the wisest, making their understanding and practice appear like folly compared with the wisdom He possessed.

Jesus attended the Jewish synagogues and was taught the learnings of the Jews by the rabbis who came through the spirit from His heavenly father. Jesus testified of himself, “I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things” (John 8:28). And again: “The Father, which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak” (John 12:49).

We know nothing about Jesus’s life between his twelfth year and his thirtieth year. It is to be concluded from the reading of Deuteronomy 29.29 that “There are some things the LORD our God has kept secret, but there are some things he has ·let us know [revealed]. These things belong to us and our children forever so that we will do everything in these teachings”.

God never intended to show every detail concerning the early life of Jesus. The Lord has chosen to reveal some information about Jesus’s life for us. We need not worry about unrevealed information. We knew from Luke 2:52 – “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man”.

Jesus’s ministry started once he attained the age of thirty. At the age of thirty, He was baptized in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, and He began His public ministry. The first year opens in Jerusalem. It is the time of the over, which corresponds on our calendar to the last week of March and the first week of April. Jews from many nations gathered in the Holy City to commemorate this event.

Jesus’s formal ministry actually began in Galilee, specifically in Nazareth. His testimony there is most significant. This provoked His own men to make an attempt on His life. Because of this rejection of His townsmen in Nazareth, Jesus went to Capernaum. During the next eighteen to twenty months, this city became His home base. In this and surrounding cities, Jesus manifested many marvellous works.

Here He performed more miracles than in any other city, and here He gave some of His greatest discourses. Here, the son of God laboured for almost two years of His formal ministry.

First Phase: The calling of the Twelve Apostles from amongst those disciples who followed him. The saviour chose by revelation twelve men whom He designated as apostles. These were to be His special witnesses.

It is interesting to that of Jesus’s twelve apostles, eleven came from Galilee. Only Judas, who betrayed Him, was not a Galilean; he was from Judea.

Second Phase: The sending forth of the twelve after witnessing the power of the priesthood in the many miracles done by Jesus. The twelve were sent forth to teach and do what they had seen their master do.

Third Phase: The bestowing upon the twelve the keys of the kingdom and the sealing power towards the end of the Galilean ministry (the third year of the ministry). Jesus took the twelve north to the region of Caesarea Philippi. There, He took Peter, James, and John to a “high mountain apart” and was glorified (transfigured) before them (Mark 9:2). Thus, they became eyewitnesses of His majesty. Peter, James, and John received the keys of the priesthood there. Later, all the twelve were given the keys of the kingdom as well as the healing powers, which gave them the right to legally ister the affairs of the kingdom of God. With the twelve thus prepared, the saviour returned to Jerusalem, where He fulfilled the greater purpose of His mortal calling: the atonement and resurrection from the grave. The above is, in a nutshell, the storyline of Jesus.

Let me dwell on the important teachings of Jesus Christ in two categories.

• Sermon on the Mount. There is a need to repeatedly read chapters 5–7 in Matthew; it is known as the Sermon on Mount. In Luke, we find the same in different discourses. The teachings contain the central tenants of Christian discipleship.

• Keeping His Commandment. We are informed that Moses gave more than six hundred laws. David reduced it to fifteen laws, and Isaac lowered it to eight. Miach reduced the law to 6. Jesus reduced it to two.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12)

All the laws can educate and inform us, and it cannot change our hearts. To change our hearts, we need to study and follow not only laws but also the two most important commandments of Jesus. Once we follow these two commandments, we will have more peace, joy, and brotherhood with others. In today’s world, we lack all the good things in life because of our failure to follow these two commandments.

• His Kingdom. Bible scholars agree that the kingdom of God was the central message of Jesus Christ. However, there is not much agreement about the concept of kingdom. Many feel that it refers to the active, dynamic exercise of God’s rule, authority, dominion, and power in the world. Jesus is very clear when He said in Matthew 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” In a sense, the kingdom of God is the manifestation and the realisation of God’s plan of salvation. In its fullness, the kingdom equals salvation.

Conclusion

I would now urge you that if you are interested in knowing more about this God, the only God we know, then you should start reading the Gospel from Mark, then read Luke, and after that go to Matthew and John. Many of the teachings or miracles mentioned in these books will engage you, and you will come to the conclusion that Jesus Christ is the life, truth, and redeemer of our lives. We will talk more about this when we meet next month; by then, I urge you to read at least the Gospel of Mark and, if possible, Luke. Till then, take care.☐

CHAPTER 14

Teachings of Jesus Christ

Introduction

In the last issue of Voice of His Glory, we discussed about the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the redeemer of the entire world. We concluded He is the son, the father, and the Holy Spirit. He is the only way, truth, and light. In this issue, let us briefly learn a little more about His teachings and how to take his and words, and follow the same in our lives.

God’s Communication

In the beginning, after creating the entire universe, God created Adam and Eve. Then followed the countless generations. People inherited every nook and corner of the world and started worshipping different gods. Up to a point in the history of mankind, God spoke to individuals. We read in the Bible about his communication with Adam, and then with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, David, Solomon and a host of others. After the Israelites, the Jews (i.e., the chosen people) inherited the nation of Israel. God spoke to the entire nation directly as well as indirectly, through judges and prophets. Even before the chosen people were led into Israel by Moses and Joshua, the people were given a constitution, the Ten Commandments, by God at Mount Sinai through Moses.

Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites. (Exod. 19:5–6)

Jesus Christ

When the nation of Israel was occupied by the Jews, people all the earlier inhabitants of the land were totally annihilated. The new citizens of the country knew only the God of Abraham, Isaac, Josepha, and Moses. This nation was also given a temple planned by King David but constructed by his son Solomon. Most high priests, prophets, and rulers of the country helped the people lead spiritual lives.

Then came the son of God as the son of man. As John very aptly puts it, the word became flesh in the form of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the creator of the world, then started speaking directly to the citizens of the entire world, especially to all of us and to each one of us. John writes very clearly that Jesus Christ came into the world not only for the people of Israel but for the people of all nations.

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:16)

Practically speaking, there is no one in between us and God. We have a direct hotline with God. Many world leaders set up hotlines to speak between them. But the Almighty, the mightiest of all, had already set up a hotline with every citizen of the world. Hence we need not humble ourselves in front of a

spokesperson in order to speak to God.

God’s Voice

Though God has created a direct access to him through Jesus, many of us hesitate to speak to Him, or we refrain to hear his voice. This is the problem with most of us. Though God is speaking to us in many ways, we do not discern the same in our hearts. Everything God says we should do, we don’t do. Everything God says we shouldn’t do, we do.

• It is time that all the new believers learn how to hear His voice. Let me briefly speak on how to hear His voice or read His words. The central or core theme of God’s voice is that always we need to listen to His voice, obey His voice, and keep His commandments. We will then inherit the kingdom of God, and all the blessings associated with that will pour on us.

Hearing Heart

To start with, God, demands from us a hearing heart, and only those who have sensitive hearts will be blessed. The truth behind the hearing heart is that it will follow the principle well laid in life in all situations. The blessings are very well listed in Deuteronomy 28:1–14. On the other hand, if we fail to give a hearing heart or discerning heart to his voice, there will be all around calamity in our families, communities, and countries.

But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these

curses shall come upon you and overtake you. (Deut. 28:15)

Shepherd and Sheep

How do we obey his voice? The best example given about voice is the shepherd’s. The voice of the shepherd is unique, and the sheep immediately respond to his direction and follow up the route the shepherd tells them to follow. The shepherd knows the name of each sheep or goat. Similarly, all sheep and goats know the voice of the shepherd. It is true with the Good Shepherd. He knows each one of us by name. He is our eternal contemporary.

“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice. (John 10:3–5)

There are special features associated with the hearing His voice. • It is personal (person to person) • It generally indicates the present time

Uniqueness of Voice

There is a surprise element in the voice of each person. The voice of each is different from another person. Our voices are very personal. It is very rare to see

a person with a similar voice in the world. Last week, a former colleague of mine of twelve years called me over the phone. I immediately identified his voice and uttered his name. Usually I don’t names! I am told in a few countries, in banks the safe room or the safety deposit box will automatically open once it hears the voice of the authorised person, or once the bank manager utters a few code words. In a sense, the voice of a person is the key to opening the door of the heart. Some of us open our hearts to all, but not to God.

Present

Voice has no past or future; it is always in the present from. The voice from God cannot be tied down to a place or building. God can speak to any one of us from any place. It need not be a church, temple, or mountain. There is no pretext for his context. Sometimes when we open the Bible, or a Christian book or pamphlet, a verse catches our eyes. In a sense, that is His voice.

Discerning Heart

How can we hear the voice? All of us have two ears. We can hear anything that is floating in the air. But then, God is not talking about our physical ears. Many times we hear in one ear and allow it go through the other; we do not give any importance to the words heard. We are seeing things but not seeing it. Similarly, sometimes we are hearing the voice but not hearing them in the inner heart. When He says hearing voice, God is talking about the inner condition of the heart. That is what King Solomon requested God to give him.

Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too

numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? (Read the entire conversation in 1 Kings 3:3– 9)

Sensitive Heart

If we truly hear and obey His voice, we will not harden our hearts to the things He talked about. Our hearts should be sensitive to the voice. Therefore, we all need to cultivate a senseful and sensitive heart. That is the real key for the blessing. What are the basic requirements to have a senseful and sensitive heart?

Attention and Humility

We need total attention to hear His voice. Divided attention or casual attention when someone speaks to us may not tell us the full truth about the true meaning of His words or voice. Again, we should be prepared to surrender all our positions and be humble in listening.

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. (Prov. 4:20)

My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight. (Prov. 5:1)

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my

knowledge. (Prov. 22;17)

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice. (Ps. 95:6–7)

Secondly, we must give undivided attention and learn to bow down. Most of us do several things simultaneously, just like our children doing homework while watching TV. Few Christians, based on their denomination, pay attention to the words heard and interpret them. Forget the denominational affiliation; try to understand the truth. Let us kneel and humble ourselves in front of Him. We need to give respect to Him and praise all the wonderful things He has done to us in our lives.

Thirdly, pay better attention to hear His voice in quiet places. To hear His voice, there is a time, and we need quiet in the midst of all turmoil. The stillness of the situation or the quietness of the area or circumstances would help us clearly hear His voice. Relax in the quiet of the situation, and He will speak to you. I have heard that many morning walkers listen to His words and devotional songs. A few commune with God. Great preachers always talk about reading His words in the cool hour of the day and praying to Him. To hear His voice, we must belong to God. The more time we spend intimately with God and His words, the easier it is to recognise His voice.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Ps. 46:10)

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. (Ps. 62:1)

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence for my hope is from him. Then we need to bow down and worship him. (Ps. 62:5)

Fourthly, in few cases, God sets the time and place for us to hear His voice. We should be in the right place and at the right time to hear His voice. This we could see from Jeremiah.

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me. He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.” (Jer. 18:1–6)

Source for His Voice

Now, the question is how to search for His words or voice. In the New Testament, the first four books give a vivid of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. To all the new believers in Christ, I suggest you start with the New Testament. The New Testament is available free of cost from Trinity Prayer Centre.

• The New Testament has twenty-seven books. Start with the first four books. Mathew announces Jesus as the king, Mark presents Him as the servant, Luke focuses on Him as a man, and John highlights Him as God. Mathew and John are for already committed Christians. Mark and Luke are for new Christians.

New believers in Jesus Christ, or even existing believers, can start reading the books of Mark and Luke and then come to Mathew and John.

Conclusion

A good starting point for reading Jesus’s teachings is the Sermon on the Mount, which is found in Matthew 5–7. This is a summarised portion, but in other gospels, the same message is found in different places. It is the first and most powerful teaching sermon from Jesus. It is the longest form of preaching and the most talked about sermon. Here, the lawgiver becomes the law preacher. We will briefly look into the Sermon on Mount in our next issue. Till then, may God richly bless each one of us.

CHAPTER 15

Resurrection

Introduction

On Sunday, 5 April 2015, about 33 per cent of the world’s population celebrated the Risen God, the saviour of mankind. The Lord Jesus Christ was crucified and buried on a Friday, and He walked out from the tomb on Sunday. Christians call this great event Easter. This is an historical fact. This happened about two thousand years ago in the middle of the world, in a place called Calvary, in Jerusalem. In this world, but for this strong belief and historical fact, there is no Christianity. Millions are enthusiastic about the risen God, but an equal number of people in the world have doubts on this historical fact. “Historically, did this happen?” is their main question. Natural law says no such things would happen. However, the law inside the hearts of Christians says not only did this happen, but the risen God will come and take us to heaven, where the Lord is preparing a mansion for each one of His believers. Former German Chancellor Conrad, in an animated conversation with a great evangelist of our time, Dr Billy Graham, said, “Outside of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I know of no other hope for mankind.”

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the foundation of the Christian system. It is amply clear from Corinthians 15:4 “that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures”. If there was no resurrection, there is no Christianity. It is as Thomas Arnold said: resurrection is the best attested fact in human history. There are historical witnesses for His resurrection. After resurrection, He spent forty days with a select group of people, and then He rose to heaven. People very close to Him mutually witnessed, on a Sunday

morning, how He comforted the mourners outside His tomb. On the road to Emmaus, He explained things about Himself from the Old Testament. Later, He broke bread in their presence.

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:41)

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. (John 21:24)

Scripture records that after Jesus was risen, He was seen by more than five hundred people at one time. Again, those disciples, who were once so afraid on Friday evening that they deserted him temporarily, courageously proclaimed after his resurrection the news of the risen Lord, risking their lives to preach. Peter’s first sermon, which dealt with Christ’s resurrection, stirred people to receive Him as their living saviour. No wonder that today all over the world, there are hundreds of millions of believers. In fact, many great believers suffer on of their faith in Jesus Christ, but still they continue their journey with joy and courage.

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. (Rom. 8:11)

What Does Resurrection Mean to Christians?

The resurrection proved Christ’s power to rise from death to forgive our sins. He has the power to rise. We are here not because of our power, but because of the

power of Jesus. Once we meet the resurrected Jesus, He can take us to the higher potential to rise. The Lord will rise us because we have the potential.

Despite the risen Lord, just like Peter, we are warming our hands on the wrong fire. That is why the risen God said, “Tell my disciples and Peter to meet me at Galileo.” If He has the power to rise us from death, He can relieve us from all our troubles. He is putting the same power, the power to rise, in us to rise from all our brokenness. The message of the Easter is very simple: “Do not be afraid.” Presently, some of us may be broken or in pain, burdened with all kind of problems. The risen Lord assures us that all these will be over once we believe in His redemption. The days are not far off when we will say, “I won’t be in trouble forever.” One cannot have deliverance unless one goes through the cross. All of us have crosses in our lives. We need to nail our flesh.

Secondly, his resurrection assures forgiveness and eternal life to all who accept His salvation. I was an entirely different person before God had put His hands around me. I am a great witness for God’s mercy, God’s goodness. But for Jesus I am nobody. He still sits with the father and intermissions with Him, pleading for our redemption. It is the case with most people. He called and saved all those who are dismissed by the society. He also expects us to do His mission.

On one post-resurrection occasion, He gathered His eleven disciples on a mountain in Galileo and gave them His great commission. The same commission is also given to us.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matt. 28:19–20)

Thirdly, resurrection means that we are united to Him by faith. It means that we have died with Him and will also live with Him. We are now able to walk in newness of life because we are bound to Jesus Christ by His Holy Spirit. We are relieved of all sins, and God gives us tremendous hope to inherit eternal life. The hope is not only for us. We are supposed to carry the message of hope to unknown people. Belief in the resurrection of our Lord alone does not necessarily save a man; he needs to walk as per His commandments.

It has now become fashion for most of us to listen to prosperity preaching, where the preachers preach only about our wealth and prosperity. There’s nothing about our obligations to the least brethren and sisters in society. John is very clear about this. He says while the purpose of His first coming was not to judge, the purpose of His second coming will be to judge all those who have rejected Him. How does one reject Him? By not obeying the commandments.

Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out – those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. (John 5:28–29)

Conclusion

Has this historical event impacted our lives? Each one is required to make an introspection on this question. There are a few important messages of Easter and resurrection.

• “Be not afraid.” If we totally believe the virgin birth of Jesus Christ and His ministry in the world, then we should repent for all our past sins and refrain from such sins and bad behaviour. We must believe in His saving grace. There is no

need to be afraid under any situation. He will be the light and will guide every step. This is what the angel brought as the first Easter message, and so we are commissioned with the task to tell the most disadvantaged, “Be not afraid.”

• “Women, why you are crying?” These were the exact words the risen Jesus Christ spoke. “Why you are crying?” The same Jesus is now standing in front of every true believer who is in great agony, and He says, “Why are you crying?” The message is very clear: whatever be the situation, there is no need to shed tears.

That same Sunday evening, most of the apostles were together. They locked themselves in a room in fear that the religious leaders would want them crucified next. Suddenly Jesus was there amongst them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Yes, we are called to be peace makers in the world. All the true believers who believe in the risen Lord Jesus Christ are expected to be courageous, stand against evils, and be the warriors and peace makers.

CHAPTER 16

The Significance of Resurrection

Introduction

I got an opportunity to talk to you all last year on 27 August 2015. I am happy that I am with you today. Last Sunday, Christians the world over celebrated Easter as a remembrance of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Last Friday, Christians participated in Good Friday worship in churches and prayer halls. Let me now, as part of our devotion, say a few words about the significance of the crucifixion of Jesus and the resurrection before we come to the main agenda.

World Mission

When Jesus began His world ministry at the age of thirty, He approached John the Baptist and said, “Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world.” It clearly emphasises the strong connection between Jesus and the lamb that is killed at over. Think of Jesus as the Lamb. (Read the entire of over in the side box. It is from Exodus 12.) Like this over lamb, He bled to death. His blood spilt on the earth and gave up His earthly life as an innocent, pure man. He had never sinned, just like the lamb without blemish. He took upon Himself the penalty of death for all of us. Therefore, we accept Him as our personal saviour. We are free from all sins, and if we believe and repent of our sins, then we can receive the God’s precious gift of eternal life.

Resurrection

Let us now come to His resurrection. He was buried on Friday, and the Friday is known as Good Friday. He rose on Sunday (Easter Day). The first of his rise is very clearly mentioned in John 20:17.

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

He rose by His own power. This is the greatest of all the Lord’s miracles. A miracle is a work that can be performed only by God, or by someone to whom He has given the power.

The Lord performed many such miracles. Many times He suspended the laws of nature, which God alone can do since He established them. Our Lord called back the soul to the body after death, thus raising the dead. He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and cured the lame when medicine and natural means became ineffective. He did all these things instantly and without remedies. Therefore, His miracles prove His divine power. The resurrection was a great miracle, and the Lord performed it to show that He was the true and only son of God. He must have been just what He said He was.

The testimonies of hundreds of millions of transformed lives through the centuries show the power of the resurrection. Many have been delivered from addictions. The destitute and despairing have found hope. Broken marriages have been restored. The most conclusive proof for the resurrection of Jesus Christ is that He is living within believers today in all of His resurrected life and transforming power. The resurrection sets Christianity apart. No other religious leader has broken the power of death and conquered sin.

Glorious

Our Lord rose in the same body He had before His death, but when He rose, it had new qualities – it was glorified. The qualities of a glorified body are four: brilliancy, agility, subtility, and imability.

(1) It has brilliancy. That is, it shines like a light and gives forth light. The soul shines through the body. We have heard of the transfiguration of our Lord. One day He took three of His apostles – Peter, James, and John – unto a high mountain (Matt. 17). As He was speaking to them, suddenly His whole body began to shine like the sun. Then Moses and Elias, two great and holy men of the Old Law, came and conversed with Him. The apostles were astonished and delighted at the sight, and they wished to remain there forever.

Our Lord’s body at that time showed one of the qualities of a glorified body. The same three apostles who saw Him thus transfigured heard the voice of the heavenly father saying, “This is My beloved Son.” They were present in the garden during the Lord’s agony. He allowed them to see the transfiguration so that when they saw Him suffering as a man, they would that they’d seen Him on the mountain glorified as God.

When we believe in Him, we will also get new peace. The lust of this flesh will disappear, and the Holy Spirit will dwell in us. When Holy Spirits lives in us, others will see a much-glorified face in us, and we will speak nothing but the truth!

(2) Agility. A glorified body can move rapidly from one place to another, like

lightning itself. After His resurrection, the Lord was in Jerusalem, and almost immediately He appeared near the village of Emmaus to two disciples going there (Luke 24). They had left Jerusalem after the crucifixion probably through fear, and they were going along together and talking about what had happened during the days of the Lord’s ion.

Suddenly the Lord walked and talked with them, but they did not know Him. They asked Him to stay that night at their house because it was growing dark. He did not stop with them, and at supper they knew Him. Then He vanished from their sight. An ordinary person would have to get up and walk away, but He vanished, showing on this occasion the second quality of His glorified body: agility.

Likewise, when God is with us and in us, all our sufferings and pain will disappear. It is true of whether we are alone or in a group. He has the power to give His peace once we believe in the resurrected God.

(3) Subtility. Such a body can go where it pleases and cannot be resisted by material things. It can through closed doors or gates, and even walls cannot keep it out. It es through everything, as light does through glass without breaking it. At one time after the Lord’s resurrection, the apostles were gathered together in a room. They were still afraid of being put to death, and so the doors were tightly closed. Suddenly the Lord stood in the midst of them and said, “Peace be to you” (John 20:19).

They did not open the door for Him; neither wood nor stone could keep Him out. Thus He showed that His body had the third quality. We repent our sins and commit ourselves to live as per His calling. We will not hesitate to go anywhere with the peace mission.

(4) Imability, which means that it can no longer suffer. Before His death and during it, the Lord suffered dreadful torments. After His resurrection, nothing could injure or hurt Him. The spear could not hurt His side, nor the nails His hands, nor the thorns His head. Shortly after His resurrection, the Lord appeared to His apostles while Thomas was absent (John 20:24). When Thomas returned, the other apostles told him that they had seen the Lord risen from the dead. He would not believe them, saying, “Unless I see the holes where the nails were in His hands and feet, and put my finger into His side, I will not believe.”

Lord, knowing all things, knew this also. He came again when Thomas was present and said to him, “Now, Thomas, put your hand into My side.” Thomas cried out, “My Lord and my God!” He believed then because he saw. Now, if this body of the Lord had been an ordinary body, it would have caused Him pain to allow anyone to put his hand into the wound; but it was imable. It seems very strange, does it not, that Thomas would not believe what the other apostles told him?

God permitted this. Why? Because if they all believed easily, some enemies of our Lord might say the apostles were simple men who believed everything without proof. Now they cannot truly say so, because here was one of the apostles, Thomas, who would not believe without the very strongest kind of proof. Another person would have been satisfied with seeing the Lord’s wounds, but Thomas would not trust even his eyes. He must also touch before he would believe, showing that the apostles were not deceived in anything the Lord did in their presence, because they always had the most convincing proofs.

Some of us are like the doubting Thomas. We go to church every Sunday and take communion from the hands of our pastors. We give a worldly appearance as if we are His perfect believers and followers, but we still have doubts about His promise to us.

The reason? We are still sinners!

Conclusion

Most of you are non-Christians, but you must have come across the Good Friday and Easter at least once in every year of your lives. It is true that most Christians celebrate Easter as a special acknowledgement to the resurrection of Christ, and then they keep themselves away from Christ till December. Once November or December dawns, they once again start the celebration of Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ with great joy. Then within next the next four months, Good Friday and Easter come, and somehow till that period, they sustain the high spirit. Afterwards, there is a dullness in one’s Christian life till the next November and December. We Christians become more concerned about ourselves.

On the contrary, faithful children of God are expected to reflect this resurrection every Sunday. They should be willing and able to tell their friends and neighbours the significance of Jesus Christ and His life, death, and resurrection. I do hope and pray that someone from your area will tell you more about Christ and His life. Once you come to know Him, you will definitely want to be one of His true believers. I pray for your all. May God bless you all till we meet again.q

CHAPTER 17

Risen Lord Jesus and His Presence with Us

Introduction

I extend a warm welcome to all of you. In our last meeting, 4–5 February 2016, during the devotion time, I briefly dealt with Abraham, the great man chosen by God, as well as his descendants, the birth of Jesus Christ, and His crucifixion. Today and tomorrow, let me narrate the incidents after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Resurrection

Few of you are aware that on the third day after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, women who were part of Jesus’s ministry went to the place where His body was kept, along with spices. They were perplexed to see that the stone was removed. Though they loved Jesus and were quite aware of His teachings, they did not have the faith to realise He must have risen, as had indicated earlier. Many Christians, including me, are similar to these women in their faith. We believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ, but in times of pain and suffering, we lose our faith in Him. Only when the two angels appeared before the women and told them that He had risen did they believe the fact.

After His Death

Let us have a quick flashback of what happened immediately after Jesus’s death. His disciples were discouraged and defeated. When He was arrested, they all forsook Him and fled, except for Peter. They hid themselves in fear of their lives. At His trial time, nevertheless, Peter denied knowing Him thrice.

After Jesus’s post-resurrection appearances to the disciples, a new dimension was added to their lives, and their lives took on new meaning. They became bold and fearless in their witness to the resurrection power of Jesus to save and heal; they rejoiced in the persecutions they underwent for His name’s sake. Most died as martyrs for the cause of the Gospel. Had the risen Christ not appeared to His disciples and others before His ascension to heaven, His resurrection could never have been proved, and Christianity would have ended with His death on the cross.

His Presence

We read in the Bible that on more than ten occasions, Jesus appeared to His disciplines and others during the forty days before His ascension to His father in heaven. Last but by no means least, He appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus. This was of course after His ascension to heaven.

What is the significance of His appearance? On 3 April 2016, our pastor, Reverend T. Devaputhiran, CSI Good Shepherd, Mylapore, preached a wonderful and meaningful sermon. He explained about Jesus’s presence in the midst of disciplines in a closed room. He gave three salient features of His meeting with disciples and termed all the features together as the six Ps: presence, peace, proof, purpose, and power. This is true even today. Believers can see His presence in their lives. Such presence of Him in spirit not only gives peace but also leads us to purposeful lives, with outreach to others’ welfare and

redemption.

Jesus Christ spent forty days after his resurrection, and he spent most of that time with His disciples before He went back to heaven. Then after the ascension of Christ, there were ten more days to Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was sent by God to baptize the church into the body of Jesus.

During those days, Jesus convinced His disciples He was alive. He appeared to the disciples on at least four recorded occasions and prepared them for telling the good news that He, the son of God, had come to mankind to save them. He did this by demonstrating He was God by appearing within locked rooms in their midst. He displayed His wounds to the doubting Thomas, allowing him to put his finger into the nail hole in Christ’s hand and into the wound in Christ’s side.

On yet another occasion, He appeared to over five hundred at one time. Another time, after the apostles fished all night without a single catch, He gave them a miraculous catch of fishes, a total of 155 (total nations?) so large that the apostles were amazed the nets didn’t tear. Then after a breakfast, which Jesus prepared for the disciples, He asked Peter, the one who denied him three times, to publicly declare his love for Him thrice.

Jesus gave the apostles the Great Commission during this time. He told them, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). He also instructed them to wait together in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to empower them. The last thing Jesus said (Acts 1:8–9) to the apostles was, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After He said this, He was taken up before their eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. This Great Commission does not stop with the disciples. Each one who believes in the resurrected power of Jesus Christ should take the good news to others.

Modern Days

His appearance to people does not end with His ascension to heaven. Even today, many people (not only Christians but also non-Christians) affirm their personal encounters with the risen Jesus Christ either in their dream or in visions. Preachers (most of them lay preachers) and great evangelists of independent churches proclaim their periodic encounters with Jesus Christ either in this world or in a meeting with Jesus in heaven. A few also claim that Jesus, or His angel, took them to hell. We also hear hard-hearted people or haters of Christianity taking a U-turn towards the glorification of His voice after their sudden encounter with Jesus Christ.

Globally, Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs say a vision of Jesus changed their lives and led them to believe in him. Christians and sceptics say that they too have had visions of Jesus that profoundly changed them.

Let me give you some of the great conversions in history where men and women turned to new lives after their encounter with Jesus Christ. This happened starting immediately after His resurrection in the first century and continuing today.

1. The conversion of Constantine, the great king in his early forties in the third century, paved the way for Roman Empire embracing Christianity. He had a powerful spiritual experience and attributed his victory at the Battle of the Mivian Bridge to the Christian God. In the lead to his showdown with his imperial rival Maxentius, he seemed to have seen some kind of phenomenon in the sky that reminded him of a cross. He prayed for the victory to the Christian God, whom he knew via his devoutly mother. Thereafter, the former persecutor of Christianity became a propagator of Christianity.

2. William J. Murry is one of the most controversial characters in American history. The son of Madalyn Murry O’Hair, Murry played a significant part alongside his mother in ending of mandatory prayer in public school in 1963. Today, he heads many ministers, concentrating on working with people in the former Soviet Union. Ironically, he is allowed to talk about Jesus Christ in public schools, public parks, and other venues in Russia – something his mother’s lawsuit prevents him from doing in his own country.

3. Gull Shan Esther was a wealthy Pakistan Muslim who was crippled by typhoid at the age of six months; despite treatment by the best doctor in Britain, she was not cured. When she was nineteen, she had a vision of Jesus and was cured of her illness. She remained a Muslim but eventually embraced Christianity and was deprived of her family inheritance (which was considerable). She went to Britain. Of course, it is impossible for us to know without a doubt the truth or otherwise many reported matters. Some may not be true s, but it is clear something happened which had a profound influence on the people concerned.

4. Mr Newton was born in 1725 in London. He is the writer of the song “Amazing Grace”, a song sung by millions all over the world. He had a miserable early life, but God met him and changed his life. Although Newton had some early religious instruction from his mother, who died when he was a child, he had long since given up religious conventions. He was a slave trader for years, and during one such voyage, the ship was caught in a storm and almost sank. Newton prayed to God, and the cargo miraculously shifted to fill a hole in the ship’s hull; the vessel drifted to safety. Newton took this as a sign from the Almighty and marked it as his conversion to Christianity. He wrote the words for “Amazing Grace” in 1772. What a wonderful song that captivates the minds of all people.

5. Sadu Sunder Singh was born to Sikh parents. In his early days, he attended a primary school run by the American Presbyterian Mission, where the New

Testament was read daily as a textbook. Sunder refused to read the Bible at the daily lessons. When he was fourteen, his mother died. In his anger, Sunder burned a copy of one of the Gospels in public. On burning the Bible, he felt unhappy. Late one night in December 1903, he planned to throw himself in front of train that ed by his house. However, he spent a few hours in prayer. Suddenly the room filled with a glow, and Sunder Singh heard a voice. “How long will you deny me? I died for you. I have given my life for you.” He saw the man’s hands pierced by nails. He was amazed at his vision and was convinced in his heart that Jesus was the true saviour and was alive. Thereafter his entire life was devoted to the calling of God.

6. Nabeel Qureshi, was born as a US citizen in California. His parents were immigrants from Pakistan, a dedicated Muslim family. He had learnt Islam was a very peaceful religion, and it was the whole structure, blueprint, and framework of His life. An informal acquaintance with one Christian by the name of David Wood in 2001 ultimately prompted him to read Bible. Thus begun a series of informal debates about the truth of Islam versus Christianity. Two and half years later, he had come to know from the Bible that Jesus is one of the greatest men in history, claiming to be God Himself. I had the privilege of hearing his wonderful witness in Chennai last year.

Conclusion

As you have seen from a few examples, each nation’s history is enriched with real events of Jesus Christ, either through visions or dreams, meeting His chosen people and specifically calling them to carry on the cross. Nearer our home, we also know how the actor A. V. M. Rajan, a born orthodox Hindu, became a Christian preacher. The world data says that the one-third of the world’s population believe in Jesus Christ as the ultimate redeemer of our lives. The great question is how to reach Him.

It is very simple. We must believe in Jesus Christ as the saviour of our lives, our families, our communities, and the world. Then we must repent all our sins and mistakes and take a vow not to repeat our past misdeeds. Thereafter, love Him as the only God, adore Him, read His words in the Bible, meditate, and then extend our love and affection to all our neighbours as we love ourselves. To put it in a nutshell, spend quality time daily by reading His words, meditating on them, conversing with Him through prayer, and living up to His calling. May I bless you all till we meet again. ☐

CHAPTER 18

Proclaim the Good News

Scenario One

A few hours of intensive interaction that I had with the villagers of Kariganthanmanahalli on 7 May 2015 resulted in a few surprising observations. The main purpose was to study the changing life pattern, the culture, the religious composition, and the impact of government schemes on the lives of families.

I conducted the meeting in a government school classroom to a group of sixtyfive women, eight men, and fifteen children. Except for one woman, the attendees were Hindus. While talking to this group, I found that: • Only fifteen people had heard about Christianity. • Only eight people knew the name of Jesus Christ. According to them, Jesus is the God of Christians. • Only two college-attending girls knew the names of Mary and Joseph as the mother and father of Jesus Christ. • Nineteen people knew about the holiday Christmas.

After the interaction, I was surprised that the village, which is about ninety-three kilometres from Bangalore, forty-one kilometres from the district headquarters,

and six kilometres from the Taluk, has no knowledge about Jesus Christ and Christianity.

Scenario Two

My visit to Shettihali, a village seventy-seven kilometres from Bangalore and twelve kilometres from Chintamani town in Chikkaballapur District, on 22 May 2015 highlighted another important factor. The total population was 165. There are no Christian families in the village. The nearest Christian institution is a school twelve kilometres away. While talking with the families, I learnt of the occasional visit of Christian workers to this village. They visited a few houses, but no one became a new believer in Christ.

Scenario Three

In the second week of May 2015, a team embarked on a visit to eighteen villages, nine in Tamil Nadu and nine in Karnataka, with the same focus as scenario one. There are 4,198 total households in the 18 villages. Out this, the majority (3,747) are Hindu families, 221 are Muslim, and 230 are Christian. The percentage of Christian is around 6 per cent. The overall percentage of Christian is more because in two villages, there are more Christian families. Most of the visited villages are not too far from Taluk or the district headquarters. Be that as it may, this is the background setting for the main theme in this bulletin.

Jesus Christ’s Ascension

Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus Christ, on his ascension to heaven (Acts 1:2–10) gave a clarion call to His disciplines to go the entire world with a Great Commission.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:18–20)

Gospel to the World

The disciples obliged His direction and went to different parts of the world. Except for one, all of them gave their lives as martyrs. Following them, generations of missionaries who came from Europe and other places proceeded to different nations of the world. They not only spread the Gospel message but also found solutions for illiteracy, poor health, discrimination, and poverty. No wonder that when India gained its independence, as per the 1951 census, Christians formed 2 per cent of the population.

Institutions

At the time of independence, churches and Christian-led organisations managed the best-known educational institutions, hospitals, and colleges in the country. It was also true of homes run for the welfare of orphans and old people.

2011 India Census

The Christian population percentage (2.3 per cent), despite the work of great many evangelists, remained as it was in 1951. After independence, few of the traditionally well-known, established churches and institutions have gone into the hands of private people. It is unfortunate that not only did the established churches fail to shepherd their flocks properly, but the institutions of par excellence have gone out of the church management. It is also true that most of the excellent educational and hospital institutions are now either managed by the government or by non-Christian leaders.

China

On the other hand, take a country like China, which came in with Christianity very late in history. It has more Christians than we have in India. Since the last century, China has seen tremendous penetration of Christianity in all parts of the country. Very soon, China will emerge as the most populous Christian nation in the world.

India

The situation can best be described as something strange, if not quite unexpected. Who is responsible? Who is to be blamed for this state of affairs in the country? Each one of us who have experienced the love and affection of Jesus Christ is to be blamed. We who enjoy the fruits of His blessings and grace seem to be content with our own lives’ prosperity, and we are not carrying the message of love and salvation to others, be it our own peer groups or the marginalised in society.

Inland of Excellence

One should not deny the fact that many dedicated evangelists and churches did good work. No doubt after independence, we have seen the birth of many evangelist groups, well-managed institutions promoted by faith-based Christian leaders. They have created many Institutions of excellence. They never worry about their own families but served with a purpose. I know of a Chennai-based evangelist organisation which has the aim of building a thousand new churches. It has almost achieved its target. There are numerous and different denominations of Christian groups spreading the Gospel message, either with a missionary spirit or with a professional angle. Despite these efforts, the Christian population doesn’t show any remarkable growth, and Christian institutions don’t stand as institutions of excellence. Something is seriously wrong with each one of us.

Firstly, we are shy of participating with any mission work, either individually or cooperatively.

Secondly, we have not kept in space with the growing population’s desire to find a new meaning of God in the changing socioeconomic situation. As a result, the materially prosperous and the spiritually and economically poor are still outside our areas of influence.

Thirdly, we have not tried to scale up the great commission of reaching out. We hesitate to enter hostile areas, fearing our lives will face undue pressure.

Fourthly, our leaders are more particular about building independent churches and institution as an “inheritance” to their descendants, rather than building these institutions and churches as nerve centres of action to reach out more to nonChristians.

How do we overcome this? We look at the individual and family level (lay leaders and families). • All the believers in Christ need to play a proactive role in carrying the message of Gospel by words and deeds. • Each Christian family should become a prayer centre for non-believers at least once a month. In the short term if not in the long run, it will pave the way for non-Christians to understand the true meaning of Jesus’s love and trust.

The Church’s Role

All church leaders must realise that the Church exists to carry out both social and spiritual parts of the Gospel. • It is not the place for leaders to hold on to power and position. It is the paramount duty of the Church and evangelists to take the great commission within the reach of the people. • If need be, each church or evangelist group must have a mission plan for three to five years’ duration, should initiate work in their neighbourhood, and should assess their performance based on a SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) objective.

It is time that we all mediate on this subject and help communities spread the good news of the Gospel.

CHAPTER 19

Gospel Message to the New Believer

Dear Partners, I am extending a warm New Year’s greeting to all of you. May God continue to be the provider of all your needs and strengthen you in your mission to do things more righteously for the voiceless in society. After reading my last month’s Voice of His Glory, “The Birth of Jesus Christ – Its Significance”, a few people requested I give some material so they could know more about Jesus Christ. Hence, I decided to speak on this subject. Let me give a few ideas and tips as to how to know more about Jesus Christ, the saviour of you, me, and the entire world.

Bible

The Bible is God’s words written by men. The great book should be read as one book to understand the whole truth about creation, fallen humanity, entry of the son of God as the son of man, His death on the cross to pay for our sins, His rise from death, and His second coming on Judgement Day. For reasons best known to the scholars who assembled various books together, they divided the Bible into the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains books written by great men of God before the coming of Christ, and the New Testament is by men of God and apostles after the birth of Jesus Christ. Though the Bible is a collection of sixty-six books, it is considered one book written and edited by God through men. The scholars who compiled or edited the Bible, or translated the various books from original languages, have divided each book into chapters and verses. Originally, I believe it was not like that. In fact, had each book remained as one book without chapters and verses, it would have reached more people and would have given more meaning to readers.

Gospel

Most of you sitting here are new to the teachings of Jesus Christ. For your quick and early understanding, let me introduce the Gospel from the New Testament.

The first four books of the New Testament are considered to be Gospel. It is the public announcement of the new world, the birth of Jesus Christ, and the whole story of His life’s teachings. In a sense, it is good news which informs each one of us that Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for our sins, so that all of us sitting here can become the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul the Apostle, one of the great men who carried the good news about Jesus to various places, summarizes the most basic ingredients of the Gospel message – namely, the birth, the death, the burial, the resurrection, and the appearances of resurrected Christ. The core message of Gospel is that Christ died for our sins, and that he was raised on the third day.

According to a Bible scholar cum evangelist, the Gospel is an extended news bulletin about the son of God, who is known to us as Jesus Christ. Here we have four s of his life, teachings, death, and resurrection.

In order to know the full life and teaching of Jesus, one needs to read all four books. God inspired four people to write about him. The Gospel describes various stages of Jesus’s life: what He did (Mark), what He said (Matthew and Luke), and what Jesus was like (John).

Although it has various nuances of meaning, its most fundamental meaning from the Greek is “good news”. According to the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, “the Gospel is the joyous proclamation of God’s redemptive activity in Christ Jesus on behalf of man enslaved by sin”.

The Gospel of Matthew was directed to the Hebrews, Mark was written for the Romans, and Luke was designed to address the Greeks. John’s narrative, however, was cosmopolitan in its thrust. Each of these works deserves careful reflection.

Brief Details about Each Book

1. Matthew focuses on Jesus as the king, the one who fulfils all the promises given by the Old Testament prophets regarding a coming deliverer for the Jews. More than that, he is also the one specially chosen by God to bring salvation to the end of the earth.

Although Matthew carefully discusses the miraculous works of Christ (he lists twenty miracles, three of which are peculiar to his book), he gives predominant focus on the master’s words. He records some of the saviour’s major speeches (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount in chapters five through seven; the Olivet Discourse in chapter twenty-four).

Even though Matthew’s thrust is decidedly Jewish, he is also aware of the fact that the Gentiles have an appointed place in the kingdom of God. Accordingly, he attempts to condition Hebrew thinking with this concept.

2. The Gospel of Mark

Mark was the son of a woman named Mary (Acts 12:12) and the cousin of the evangelist Barnabas (Col. 4:10). A survey of the information in this book reveals that it is for a non-Jewish audience.

Mark is an action-packed of Jesus as a servant – one who was even willing to suffer and die for the good of others. We also are to be servants: We are called to be Jesus’s disciples, people who are willing to follow His example.

Mark is a strong advocate of the fact that Jesus is the son of God. To that end, he records the testimony of God (1:11; 9:7), the Lord himself (13:32; 14:61–62), the demons (3:11; 5:7), and the Roman centurion involved in the crucifixion (15:39). Approximately 40 per cent of this shortest gospel is devoted to the Lord’s final journey to Jerusalem and the events that culminated with His death (10:32ff).

Though the book is addressed to “most excellent Theophilus” with the purpose of confirming the faith of this Gentile in the matters wherein he had been taught (1:3–4), it is apparent that the intended audience was much wider. This is a treatise designed to reach the Greeks with the message of Jesus Christ.

3. Luke has a greater focus on the “human side” of Jesus. Jesus was a real person with a genuine interest in people. He knew what it was like to live in a world full of trouble. He was willing to associate with those who were less fortunate. He came to bring hope and salvation to the world that was hopeless and dying – a hope that is available to all who are willing to trust in Him!

Luke’s goal in underscoring the human aspects of the Lord is revealed by the following factors.

☐ He gives the most complete record of the saviour’s birth and childhood (chapters one and two).

☐ The inspired historian traces Christ’s lineage all the way back to Adam, demonstrating Jesus’s solidarity with mankind.

☐ He emphasizes many human traits of the master, such as his weeping over Jerusalem (19:41) and his sweating great drops of blood (22:44).

☐ Luke gives prominence to the prayers of Christ (a factor not unexpected in a consideration of the Lord’s humanity). Of the fifteen prayers of Jesus that are recorded in the four Gospel s, eleven are found in Luke’s narrative.

4. The Gospel of John

John, the son of Zebedee and the brother of James (Mark 1:19), was the author of the fourth Gospel. John was a part of that inner circle of disciples (Mark 5:37; 9:2; 14:33). Of all the apostles, he was closest to the Lord (John 13:23; 19:26– 27).

This inspired record is in a class by itself. It is designed to appeal to all ethnic groups. Its basic purpose is to offer the evidence of certain signs that prove Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, which facts lead to eternal life (John 20:30–31).

John often focuses on Jesus as God. Much of the content found in this Gospel is

unique and focuses on specific events or details not mentioned in the other three s. This book was written specifically to provide us with a sure foundation for our trust in Jesus – in who He is, as well as in what He can do in our lives (John 20:30–31).

God Loves You

Jesus Christ is righteous. He wants each one of us to become righteous to inherit His whole new earth and heaven, where He will make each one of us to fit to be a righteous person.

Conclusion

The gospel is the good news that Christ lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead to satisfy God’s wrathful judgement in the world. Because of Jesus’s payment in full for our debt, it is now possible for anyone to receive salvation through a living faith in Christ.

I urge all of you to get a copy of the New Testament and start reading. If you have any difficulty, please let me know; I will get one for you. Please try to read one chapter in the morning and one at night. We should read and study the Bible because it is God’s words to us. May God bless you until we meet again.☐

CHAPTER 20

Churches around the World

Introduction

In the month of December, Christians all over the world became very busy with Christmas decorations in their homes, streets, and churches. Shops in general also bring out the decorations with stars and colourful lights. Generally, the decorations include baby Jesus, Santa Claus, the star of Bethlehem, Christmas trees, jingling bells, the nativity scene, wreaths, and mistletoe. Families also exchange gifts and Christmas cards. Many non-Christians have also adopted a few of the secular aspects of Christmas, such as giving gifts and decorating homes. During this time, one can hear lot of carols in churches and Christmas songs in homes. Almost all Christians, including those who normally do not attend Mass or services, also make it a point to attend the Christmas midnight or early morning service. Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter are the highest annual church attendance periods. No wonder that people who attend church during festival periods are called festival Christians. At this juncture, it will be of some interest to know the history of the Church.

Houses of Worship

The Church means the act of Christians assembling together and worshipping God; it doesn’t mean a building. It is the place where God unveils Himself. In the early period, Christians used homes and other places to meet, with an idea to introspect their newfound faith. Later, some of the houses used for the new

gathering were converted as places of worship. As a result, in a few houses, the owners removed a wall from the living room, and the worshippers started to gather in that big living room. Even now, in a few rural areas in China, those who believe in Christ meet underground for prayers and worship.

Before Christ

In the Bible, there is a mention of Moses building a Tabernacle on the advice of God, so that God could live in the midst of people. Prior to Moses building the Tabernacle, God gave detailed description to Moses as to how it should be built, including the materials to be used. According to design, the Tabernacle had three sections: a courtyard, a holy place, and the holiest place. We have a record of King Solomon building a temple for God. The specific measurements and the things used to build this temple were also found mentioned in the Bible. It took seven years to finish. Builders from Phoenicia (the coastline of present-day Lebanon) were called to construct this temple. Cedar, cypress, and juniper woods; gold and silver; and precious stones were brought across the great seas. When the temple was completed, it was a sight to behold and was grander than any palace. The inner temple, where the Ark of the Covenant was to be kept, was made entirely of gold. In the Bible, the Church is also called the “field” or the “vineyard”.

After Christ

Till the fourth century AD, Christians worshipped in private homes due to persecution. After the edict of Milan was issued in AD 313, Christians were permitted to build churches. Roman Emperor Constantine I was the first Roman emperor who gave to Christians to build places for worship. No wonder that during his period, many churches were built. The Dura-Eropos, located in Syria, is identified as the earliest Christian church (AD 235). The Church of Nativity in Bethlehem is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the

world. Marian Church Ephesus was considered the earliest Marian Church.

Since then, one could see lot of progress in building churches with different architectures. Architecturally, the church building in the early period was made into the shape of cross. Other features include domes and towers. Until the last century, in many cities and towns, the church building with its bell towers was the largest building. Now with the construction of high-rise commercial buildings, the scene has totally changed.

Denominational Churches

As the Christian faith grew, people all over the world, depending upon their faith and the strength and wealth of the congregation, built exclusive churches, from the Basilica to the monastery and modern churches. Presently, churches represent a symbolic expression of the community. We have various denominational churches with different styles. The Catholic churches have statues of Jesus, crucified Jesus, Mother Mary, saints, and disciples. Protestant churches have mostly the cross, and in a few cases one can see a statue of Jesus or Jesus on the cross, or even images of Jesus. In many church towers, we can see a clock below the cross or the bell tower.

Evangelists

Nowadays in many countries, independent preachers and evangelists have their own big auditorium where up thirty-five thousand can gather and worship the Lord. Amongst independent churches, Lake Wood Houston is considered the biggest one. In Seoul, Korea, the Full Gospel Church is another huge one. In many new mission fields, independent preachers have started building churches even for small gatherings of twenty-five to one hundred. A

few evangelists have the ambitious plan of constructing a thousand churches. It is heartening to note that these independent evangelists are also much involved in the socioeconomic upliftment of poor in poorest countries.

Largest Church

The Church would include every cathedral (the seat of bishop), basilica, and other types of churches. • St Peter’s Basilica Vatican (1509–1626) in the Vatican is still considered the largest church building in the world. The Basilica of St Peter (about 164,000 square feet) is considered the mother church of the Roman Catholic Church. • Paradoxically, the biggest church is situated in the smallest country of the world. The Wednesday weekly gathering in front of the church, in St Peter’s square, is where the pope addresses and meets his congregation. It is considered the biggest weekly gathering of Christians in front of the church. Tradition says that below the altar is the Tomb of Saint Peter. Peter was one of the twelve apostles of Christ and was considered the first pope of the Roman Catholic Church. • It is historical fact that only in three places were churches built over tombs of apostles. One is at the Vatican. The second one is at St Thomas Church (known as St Thomas Basilica) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The third one is the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, built over the tomb of St James. • As far as the Protestant Church is considered, Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York, situated at 112th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, is said to be the largest. • Similarly, Cologne (Catholic Church, ) and St Paul’s Cathedral (Church of England Anglican) are listed within the ten largest churches in the world. St Paul’s Cathedral is not just a religious and architectural landmark; it is a busy, working Church where millions come to find peace and encounter the enduring love of God in a fast-moving world and at the heart of a vibrant

London city. • In India, Medak Cathedral at Medak in Andhra Pradesh, CSI, is considered the largest church. It is also ranked within the twenty largest churches of the world. Goa, India, is considered to be the city with a lot of churches, followed by the towns of Trichur and Kottayam in Kerala.

Blessings

I had the great privilege of visiting and worshipping in all the above churches, including the independent Full Gospel Church of Seoul. My family were with me when I visited the three biggest churches. I also attended a couple of church services in remote Indian villages, where only a dozen souls gather to worship the Lord. Of late, I started photographing churches. Here, a few more church photographs are appended along with the text. Photographs may not be perfect due to light restrictions inside the churches.

Worship

It does not matter whether one worships the Lord in the largest and biggest church full of architectural splendour, or in the biggest auditorium, or in a small place of worship constructed with mud and bricks, or in a thatched shed in a remote village. What matters is whether one is humble enough before the Lord. Do we submit with full reverence to Him, and do we do what He expects us to do? In fact, the son of God, Jesus Himself, was born in a manger, indicating His human birth. More often than not, many people feel that attending a service in a remote area with a small group of congregations brings more peace and tranquillity; it can be a richly rewarding experience. Some feel that the opposite is true.

As Pope Francis said, “I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.” He further said our greatest concern must be the poor and marginalized, because they are victims of an unjust, global economic system that prizes profit over people. He said that the poor need the tender, merciful love that the Church can provide. God is not looking for the pomp and display of wealth in the place of worship or among the devotees, but the devotee emptying oneself in front of Him, requesting His mercy, and serving the needy. “To obey is better than sacrifice and to head is better than the fat of ram’s” (read Luke 18:9–12 and Mark 12:41–44 about the widow’s offering).

Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted. “This is the one I esteem he who is humble and contrite is spirit and trembles at my word” (Isa. 66:2).

Conclusion It needs a different upbringing to show love perseverance, and dedication to pray and continuously attend church services. It is not for nothing that the family that prays together and eats together will stay together. In the end, Christians are expected to not only attend services in the Church, but also serve others. Unfortunately, many of us feel content attending the services rather than serving, caring, and extending our love to others. Fortunately, despite our weaknesses, He loves us, and life goes on.

CHAPTER 21

God’s Grace

Introduction

The Almighty, known as the creator and the saviour of the human race, has done great things not only to the saints but even to sinners. Whether one believes in Him or not, all are equal before Him. Naturally, all the people on the planet will have to come to know about Him at some point. The end of the world will come only after each person, in every remote part of the world, has an opportunity to know about Him. For this reason, the breeze of Jesus Christ’s existence and His second coming is spreading to every corner of the world. After knowing Him and the truth that there is a saviour by name Jesus Christ, it is left to each individual to believe in Him as the only truth and way, or to ignore Him. There is no compulsion; it will be spontaneous. Such is the universal truth that God wants everyone to be blessed in life. He doesn’t want any of His children to go astray.

Selection

God chose Saul from the least of the tribes of Benjamite, to be the first king of Israel. Similarly, he chose David, the shepherd boy, the last one from the Jesse family, as the second king of Israel to serve the people. Before this, he chose Hannah, despite her barrenness and humiliation, to bear the prophet Samuel. It was Samuel who, on the advice of God, anointed Samuel and David as kings of Israel. For Him, the chosen people can come from any background – rich or poor, educated or uneducated, committed or not committed. Many of us are

chosen by God and placed at the appropriate place and time with a purpose. While selecting and placing the people, He looks into the heart but not the appearance. If one is a true believer in Jesus Christ, one will believe in Him, and God will not forsake any of His true believers.

Dilemma

It is a worldly truth that many times, something will go wrong in the lives of believers. In such times, many righteous people are at a loss to understand why things are not working as they expected. Many feel that even though they pray daily, there is no relief from their pain, suffering, and downfall. In particular, many are worried about their health, education, children, marriage, family, friends, and old age. As a result, many approach different priests, pastors, and evangelists; they go to prayer meetings anticipating relief and solutions to their problems. At the time of writing this article, right at this moment, I am informed that two of my close relatives are seeking answers to their problems from an evangelist lady. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, few get relief, but most end up asking, “Why is there so much suffering, and what I do to face it?”

This is one question that we ask ourselves or others in order to throw some light on things. But if we cannot find an answer to all our pain and suffering, it means that we have not fully subscribed to the power of God, or else something is wrong in our personal lives and beliefs. There is also unbelief amongst us in the power of God and in our praying and communicating capacity with God. If one cannot directly communicate with God after repenting for one’s sins, and yet one still goes after the so-called preachers hoping that only prayer will bring miracles, then one is living in ignorance.

Many of our ancestors may not have gone to preachers with a prayer request. They must have knelt before the God in a private place at home or in a church. Because of their intimacy with God, many of us now lead better lives. That

being the case, if something unfavourable is happening in our lives, it means that there is an element of the unbelief in us. Unbelief is an insult to the ability of God. He who comes to God must totally surrender and believe in Him. Then all things will happen. It is here, kneeling before him and making a prayer, that matters much.

Live Examples

A couple of my friends say that whenever they sit individually or as a family for prayer, they always keep a few names of their friends and their needs besides their own family . One of my friends, who is a devoted believer, mentions that he prays for my family in his family prayer.

That is why more often than not, whenever someone talks about the good things that happened to her to praying friends, the friends immediately say, “God has heard my prayer.” God always hears everyone’s prayer including friends, family , and church elders. Above all, God wants the particular person in pain or suffering to come to Him by surrendering himself or herself. We are in the age of cell communication, not in the age of the old telephone booth system. Dear readers, if you are one of those people who depend upon the preacher or pastor, please note that I am not against your approach. I’m simply putting across the point that God wants our appeals directly from us. A true believer only keeps things in prayer, and of course, by thanking Him for all the good things He has done to us.

God Answers Prayers

Over the years, I’ve discovered that God answers our prayers. He may not be under obligation to say yes to every prayer. That’s a good thing, considering

some of the things we request! But sometimes God says no to a few of our heartfelt requests. Some people must have discovered this to be true. I certainly have. He denied crushes to a few who they were very particular to have someone as their spouse. In later years, these people acknowledged that God had done a good thing by denying that request. It is true in the case of the few jobs sought and the places one wanted to live. In each life decision, God gave different choices or alternatives than what we desired. Eventually His choice proved worthier than what we had earlier sought.

The Immediate Answer to Prayer

Each of us works in a quick reciprocal mode – the garbage in and garbage out principle. But God simply does not work that way. In order to get His best, we must be patient. In some cases, we must wait for many, many sunrises for His answer to come. This is what happened to Hannah.

Hannah was a great woman, the mother of Samuel, and one of Israel’s outstanding prophets. Had it not been for her agony and the adversity in her life, the birth of her first child would soon have been forgotten. Her years of agony and her tears of distress made the birth of her son Samuel an incident which many millions are still reading about now, even though the incident took place three thousand years ago in a small place. This miracle forms the backdrop for her psalm of praise, which has become a comfort and inspiration to many through the ages. Mary, the mother of our Lord, was especially mindful of it, as we see in her own psalm in Luke 1:46–55. Let us look to the birth of Hannah’s son and her psalm, for there is much to learn to apply to our lives today.

The Story

Elkanah is a descendant of Levi, who lived in the hill country of Ephraim. Because of his place of residence, he is known as an Ephraimite, although he is really of the tribe of Levi. Elkanah has two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah bears children to Elkanah, but Hannah does not because God has closed her womb. Every year, Elkanah, Peninnah, and the children go up to Shiloh, some twenty miles or so north of Jerusalem where the tabernacle is stationed. They go there to observe one of the three annual feasts. This very special time is for rejoicing; sadness is prohibited.

For Hannah, and probably for Elkanah as well, rejoicing before the Lord is difficult. First, the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, minister there as priests. For those who are truly righteous, these pathetic priests cast a dark cloud over genuine worship. But the real source of Hannah’s pain, which Peninah takes advantage of, is that this is a good opportunity to harass Hannah year after year. This results in many tears for Hannah and an inability to in the festive meal. In the Bible, we read from another context that she must have kept her tears in a bottle and pleaded to God. “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (Ps. 56:8). Many times Hannah must have felt like David.

Elkanah is a godly husband who is sensitive to his wife’s agony. He seeks to encourage her indeed. He gives her a double portion of the sacrificial meat and speaks kind and gentle words of encouragement to her, assuring her of his love for her regardless of whether she bears any children. He gently reminds her that her spirit of sadness is inappropriate to her worship.

Similarly, many of us have sad faces despite our hope and belief God will do something to give relief to our pains. God never looks at the face of things and makes conclusions. He looks into our hearts, and therefore there is no need to put up a bad face. Elkanah is a godly man in his relationship with God. He also gives private space to Hannah before God, to pour her agony through prayer. How many us have a good relationship with God, pour our tears in His bottle, and seek this remedy through constant fasting and prayer?

A few weeks back ago, I heard a pastor say one of his friends wanted to know how often he prayed. The pastor replied, “Almost all the time.” The pastor says that, there is no spare moment in his life when he is not in communication with God. Such is his deep relationship with God. Sometimes when his congregation approach him with good news, he makes private prayer with God, but not with them at that moment.

Hannah is an example of a godly woman and a wife. She endures years of silent suffering at the hands of Peninnah. Even though it is going to be painful, Hannah accompanies her husband and family (including Peninnah) to Shiloh. Mostly she suffers silently, and she faithfully worships God, pouring out her tears and petitions. God answers her prayers. She not only keeps her vow after the birth of Samuel, but she praises God in a way that continues to inspire and encourage the saints throughout the centuries. The godliness of Hannah and her husband positively influence Samuel’s priesthood. They positively influence us as an example of godly faith and action today.

God is refuge to all. This is the good news of the gospel. The gospel is not good news for those who think they are righteous – it is an offence. Such people think God owes them eternal life, and they expect God is saving grace in Christ as charity. Those who joyfully embrace the good news of the gospel know they are helplessly and hopelessly lost in their sins, worthy only of God’s eternal wrath.

In order to pray effectively, we must be righteous people. Righteous is a rare word in Christianity life, and it may sound a bit strange in our ears. There are best-selling books about how to find fulfilment in life or marriage, and other self-help books teach us many worldly things. However, there are very few that tell us how to be a righteous. It’s the righteous person who has connections with God.

James 5:16 states, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

It is true that God is gracious. He will forgive and forget all our sins. Nevertheless, we are bound to make a serious mistake if we think that God’s patience has no limit. His grace is great. His patience goes much further than human patience can ever go. But there is a limit, when God says, “That’s enough!” If we have not responded to His grace, we face that limit.

Righteous

Many of us, including me, often think that we are righteous. Many preachers encourage us to think that we are righteous and that God will do everything for us. Read Proverbs 10:30, which says, “The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.” This is very often misquoted without any context.

However, in my life an introspection of my past life journey reveals many times I have gone astray. Our occasional good deeds cannot justify us, because God is perfectly holy and wants us. One sin is enough to separate us eternally from God in His holiness. All the good works in the world cannot cover our sin.

It is essential that we understand this truth personally, or else we will be hopelessly frustrated in our attempts to be a righteous person. We need to be righteous to approach God and expect Him to hear our prayers.

Conclusion

God delights in answering prayer, so “call unto Him”. Any man who goes to a man is rejected. Man will betray us. Go to God and call unto Him. “Vain is the help of man.” The prayer will open the door of grace, money, and power. Prayer is more important than power. Only prayer can deliver. Only prayer can defeat the power of the devil; without prayer, all the blessings would be cancelled. Prayer must come from the heart, the depth of our souls; otherwise, it is not accepted. Jesus says, “Ask, seek, and knock.” ☐

CHAPTER 22

Purpose of Life

Welcome

It is good to see all of you once again after a gap of six months. I understand that few in this group are going to be “relieved” from the Development Promotion Group (DPG), to which you are attached for more than one or two decades. I do hope the services you have rendered to marginalised people with the help of DPG will always stand as a testimony of your commitment to serve the marginalised to lead better lives. May God bless you. All of you have led purposeful lives. Nevertheless, please do understand that a purposeful life would not end itself with retirement from an active service with one organisation. It continues forever. I wish you all purposeful lives in the future.

Born with a Purpose

Many of us born to this word through earthly parents spend our lives in pursuit of knowledge, and we acquire certain positions with the sole purpose to lead a good quality life. In the process, we spend most of our time in caring for a good family life of our own, do some help to the needy, and eventually end our lives either in a sickbed, or while in work or in rest, suddenly our spirits depart from our bodies. This has become routine in our lives, and so it’s no wonder that most of the time, few of us bother to find the real purpose of our lives and the full meaning of it. We simply lead our lives as if we are made for our family only.

Listen to Your Heartbeat

Fortunately, many of us get an opportunity to sit back and review the whole melodrama of our past with an idea to make few amendments in our lives to be better people. After such flashbacks on our lives, few of us try to spend the rest of our years in a meaningful and purposeful way. At least in the evening of our lives, the review can find real meaning.

I hope that leaving the present job in the middle of your life will give you a chance to sit back and introspect for a few hours before you take up the new assignment.

Chance

Last month I had an opportunity to re-examine the journey I travelled so far, after I turned seventy. It was a belated exercise. Two major incidents gave me the opportunity for the rewinding process, and until that period I seemed to be running here and there, thinking I was working and doing things as per His purpose.

You are keen to ask me a question: whether I have rediscovered my life purpose during the last one month. The answer is partly yes. I am still searching to find a new meaning, which hopefully I will share with all of you sometime later.

Incident 1

On 9 May 2016, my sister-in-law was itted to Apollo Main Hospital, Chennai, for a by survey. On 27 May 2016 around noon, her body without spirit was handed over to the family. In the whole process, her family lost Rs. 1 million. At the same hospital, a similar case of a middle-aged man of forty-five years, after spending more than Rs. 2 million, came out with a controlled smile to lead his next phase of life. Luckily, his family could afford the cost!

Incident 2

A lady of about sixty, while playing with her granddaughter, fell on the floor, resulting in head injury. After spending Rs. 2 lakh in a private hospital, on the advice of the hospital, she was shifted to GH, Chennai. She was in the ICU for seven days, and the end news was received by one of her daughters on the twenty-second at 9.00 p.m. Unfortunately, I was there to hear the news from the crying daughter of the lady.

Incident 3

My younger brother, two years younger than me, was itted on 2 June 2016 at a private hospital (Eswari) with a high fever. After two days, the hospital asked us to shift him to Sundaram Medical Foundation or to Apollo. The former hospital doctor at the emergency desk, after a telephone conversation with the Eswari doctor, refused to it the critical patient, saying “There is no bed!” In the end, he was itted to Government General Hospital on 4 June, and he was in the ICU on a ventilator and other systems until 21 June, when the ventilator was removed. On the twenty-fifth, he was shifted to the nearby intermediate IMCU block, where most of the time patients are left alone or allowed to be in the care of their own attenders. Hence, again we shifted him to a private hospital on 25 June. He is still in critical condition.

Incident 4

A young boy of fourteen was itted for brain fever on 13 June at General Hospital, Chennai. Earlier he was itted in Chenglepet General Hospital for a day, and from there he was shifted to Chennai. He was to tenth standard this academic year. His body was handed over to his father on 23 June 2016.

Every day, one can see at least a dozen patients ending their last journey in the GH. The hospital medical team tries their best to save lives, but unfortunate things do happen. At the end of the day, when something goes wrong, various reasons are given by the staff. The one repeated reason is that most cases patients come here in their last hours, so staff cannot do much. That’s partly true. In a few cases, staff are negligent if not careless.

Analysis

As Dr H. M. Hedge said, “In India, as we near the end of life, we cease to be treated as human beings and become mere containers of disease. If the patients are in ICU, the family are allowed for five minutes twice a day, but not allowed to touch or speak. In many cases, the body is literally covered with cables. Even when everyone knows that the patient is dying, tubes could be seen inserted into every party of the body. No one knows what kinds of sufferings the patients undergo.”

The death of this boy in the prime of his life may seem to be untimely. But believers in Christ think that this was God’s appointed time for him to die. People cite Psalm 139:16, which says, “Our eyes saw my unformed body; all the

days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

In of this, it is said that many patients in such bad condition within their inner minds are ready to die. It is also said that many are eager to be with the Lord, whose presence these people now abide with forever. It is true that we celebrate birth, childhood, adulthood, and old age. If so, we should also cherish death.

Corporate Hospital

My regular visits to the Apollo Government General Hospital since 9 May 2016 are an eye-opener to me as to the suffering and pain of many, especially the poor and middle-income families. The scene at Apollo was slightly different because most of the patients come from middle class and with a rich background. They accept everything without displaying their agony to outsiders.

Chaotic Scene

In GH, the scene was different. I could see streams of patients being regularly itted to the emergency ward and being transferred to various wards. A few unfortunate ones end their lives in the emergency ward. I could see one such middle-aged man’s end while I was in the emergency ward for a few minutes at the time of my brother’s ission. Most patients and families languish in the GH compound under some shade and in various building verandas and halls, not knowing what to do. There may be thousands visiting the hospital every day to see their dear ones. For many, waiting periods of days become weeks, and for a few it could even be months.

Call from God

Most of the people who end their lives in a hospital bed, or in a peaceful manner while at work or at rest, or in an unfortunate incident like the Orlando nightclub shooting (see page 8), or in war, or in natural disasters are not bad people. There are good and bad people. Death meets all kinds of people at various stages of life. Sometimes death comes to a life fulfilled and in a pleasant situation. Many meet death under unpleasant circumstances. As Jacob said, “My persons years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of their forefathers.”

Purpose

Those who visit hospitals wonder what life is. Where on the road do we stand now? When we see the distress of the people around us, we pray to God that death to us should come as a friend at the end of our days, when we are weary. That is why a few pray to God, saying, “Give me work till I die, and give me life till I can do work.”

Life of Journey

A few do not mind death and are ready to leave this world anytime. For them, it doesn’t matter where they are on the road of life when death comes. Nevertheless, many of us long to be on the right road, making the right journey to a destination we chose. Life is an adventurous journey. While on the journey, each one of us should try to find an answer to a few questions. ☐ Who are we? ☐ Where are we going?

☐ Why are we here? ☐ What we will leave behind?

There are three important facts of life. ☐ Birth is not only a miracle but a painful one. ☐ Life is hard. ☐ Death is certain.

Realisation 1

When we visit sick patients and see the unfortunate things happening to them, most of us come to the realisation that there is an end for everyone and everything. If one was a true believer in God, one would realise that God has given a life to not to fulfil one’s vision or purpose, but because He is concerned about fulfilling His vision through people. At an early age, at some point in time, we are expected to explore our life’s purpose with the larger agenda of God. We shouldn’t be satisfied with a tunnel vision of our own family welfare; we should go beyond our families.

Realisation 2

The purpose of our lives is to deliberately be honest in each moment, solving not only our problems as life presents them but also knowing unfortunate people’s pain and suffering, ing them in their needs. We should be able to share our love, joy, and wealth with the less unfortunate and not expect in return anything. That is why out of the Ten Commandments, Lord Jesus Christ emphasised two as the most important.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30–31)

Realisation 3

In this journey, it does not matter what particular service we do. What matters is the larger purpose of making our place and the community around us a better place, so that we can live with all people with equal rights and their needs fulfilled. One should not be so greedy in one’s pursuit of wealth but should be able to help the needy to meet their needs.

What is important is losing ourselves in the service of others! Then all our daily work, be it in the home or in a community, will not only result in the betterment of us but also will be for the betterment of others, at least in a small way.

Realisation 4

We must realise we came to this world with a bare body and with God-given breath (spirit), and we will leave this world with the same bare body. People cannot take possessions with them. Then what is a point in boasting about possessions and net worth? Should not we share some of ill-gotten or rightfully earned wealth with the unfortunate in our society? We must also understand one fact: we are just like a vapour that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit” – yet you do not know

what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. (James 4:13–14)

Feel Good

Because all of you are engaged in professional development work and spent most of your time with underprivileged families in remote villages, take that as your prime purpose in life: empowering the marginalised to have a better socioeconomic living. Take this as your ion. Serving others with a human touch is much better than sitting in front of a machine, pressing buttons (garbage in and garbage out), and expecting orders through mail or the screen while not knowing what on earth we are doing sitting in front of the box in a cabin. We’re reduced to cogs in the wheel. Please note that I do not want to belittle people who are engaged in various other professions or works. For each one, God has given a purpose, and the purpose goes beyond taking care of one’s own family. Extend your vision or mission beyond the known circle.

The question before us is did we use our talents to enhance the lives of others? If yes, then is it a purpose-filled life? If not, all of us need to introspect. God has always blessed the people who carry the cross for the sake of others. In one way, all of you carry the cross and try to relieve the burdens of others from the yokes they carry over their necks. It is time that each one of us, whatever our age, need to take few minutes in the next few weeks to reflect on the lives we have led so far, the pros and cons. Then we should get some pointers for our future intentional lives. In doing so, please the creator on whose grace we live here. Better yet, read Matthew 6:30–33.

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and

your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Conclusion

It can be safely said that once we seek his kingdom and do righteous things in this world, others can easily see us as leading purposeful lives. Thank you for the opportunity given to meet all of you. We are His masterpiece for a purpose. Try to discern the purpose of life and act accordingly. I am sure God will give me another chance to meet you all, either individually or as a group.☐

CHAPTER 23

Look Forward

Introduction

I am happy that all of you have made it possible to attend this three-day meet. As far as our partnership is concerned, we are now entering into a new plan year (July 2014 to June 2015). I am glad that all of you have come with a forward outlook to do greater and better things for the people with whom we work. The beginning of the year is the best time to plan systematically, keeping in mind the outcome or the impact that our work will bring. Before we discuss the nittygritty of our plan, we need to know whether we have the continuous calling from God, the commitment, and the mindset to work in the profession in which we are engaged. Again, we need to know whether our capabilities will match with the expectation of our stakeholders. Let me now briefly touch on these aspects in the morning devotion with a few scripture verses here and there.

Background

In life, most of us have a tendency to look back. No doubt, we need to look backward. In fact, our bodies are structured in such a way that we need to look forward. Therefore I am now requesting all the participants not bother too much about past failures or boasting about old work and achievements. Instead, we should look at the period ahead with a positive vision to excel in all areas of our work. Take the last year’s failures or the best performances as a foundation, and try to build on that for the future. If the foundation is shaky, the quality of the

house will be bad. It will get washed away in the socioeconomic and political situation. If it is strong, whatever we build over it will be solid. Unfortunately, amongst us, one or two have shaky foundations and have shown a tendency to crack. If the crack gets widened, the system will soon be disconnected.

Lot’s Wife

Let us not perish in the past but cherish the future. Let me now read a age from the Bible, where we see a lady who looked backward and perished. (Read Gen. 19:15–17, 26). Here is a story of a family of a man named Lot who lived in a place called Sodom (“Present day plain land just north of Dead Sea”), a sinful city. All the residents in the place were reportedly wicked and not living as per their calling. Ezekiel 16:49 says that Sodom was “arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy”.

God wanted to destroy the entire city and the residents by fire. Nevertheless, God found one good family there, and with the help of the angles, He dragged the family out from the city to a mountain. But then the family had a liking for the city. Few wanted to linger on in the ways and lifestyle of the city. The angels, when leading them out of the city, cautioned the family that when misfortunes befell the city, they should not look back at the city but should run away from the city. All family obliged, but the mother of the family, the wife of Lot, looked back because she wanted to see what was happening to the city.

The result? She became a pillar of salt. So here is the lesson: when God directs us to run away from our old ways and habits, and He instructs us to never again turn back to the same old ways of doing things, we must heed His advice. We should oblige Him. If one fails to follow the advice, the ultimate result will be destruction. Similarly, we should not go after the sins once we repent them.

Leave the old ways and look forward to a renewed life. God wants us not to linger on the old paths, but to leave them right at the doors of 2013.

Missed Things

Let us not to worry too much about the opportunities we missed during the last year. Most of us in our professional and personal lives wanted to do many things, but due to various reasons and circumstances or our deficiency, we could not capitalise. Whatever we wanted to do, we may not have done it due to various reasons. Regarding things we planned with all earnest or would have taken up as a serious life decision, we failed to do. But don’t regret too much. Do not cry over spilt milk. We may have missed an opportunity to make an eternal difference in a person’s life.

All of us missed many opportunities, and the opportunities are missed forever. There is no reason to worry about it now. Personally, I wanted to write a book (Part II of Solomon Returns Home). Professionally, I wanted to open a green shop to make available body sustenance products. But nothing has happened so far, despite the resources and the willpower to do so. Perhaps total commitment to do it and the strength to overcome all initial hiccups were lacking in me. Or I must have continuously spent more time planning than taking the first steps. Like me, many of you might have missed many opportunities. Take it as if God did not want us to take up that cup of joy at that point in time.

I can give quite a number of names who were very confident of winning the last general election to the sixteenth Lok Sabha. Many even dreamt of becoming Union ministers even from our own states. The result went the other way. It is nothing but overconfidence and not doing proper planning or taking into consideration the ground reality. On the other hand, God anointed the person

who understood the ground reality and made a thorough plan to make India a different nation.

Good old days

Many of us have a tendency to always talk about the past. In the near past or long past, we may have lived with glory and enjoyed good times. Some people start any conversation by saying, “In the good old days …” In the good old days, a few of you must have been born with silver spoons. But today the reality is different. Today, we are placed in a different setting to do different things to glorify Him. The good old days have gone. On the flip side, in the past, a few of us never had the comforts we are now enjoying, but still we talk of the past days as glorious days.

It is true we can count all the blessings but then hope for still greater blessings, because God is a limitless person. The reality of those golden days was some of us never had the material comforts we now enjoy. Personally speaking, I never had a pair of chappals till the age of seventeen. Maybe there was no money to buy them, or my neighbours in the community where I lived had no habit of wearing chappals and shoes, and so I would not have aspired for a pair.

The old days are great and sweet, but the future will be greater and sweeter.

Conflict

In the past, we had peaceful existence with many, but at the same time conflicts and misunderstanding with others did exist. These conflicts must have been on

work-related issues, or with a few family , or some kind of bitterness with someone; we may have even poured out our anger on people. But for God’s sake, do not allow conflicts to surface in your mind and spoil the present good relations with everyone. It is human to be offended by someone, but we must move on. Nations have offended other nations, and many great leaders of different countries have had conflicts with other nations. Many betrayals have taken place, but for the sake of goodwill among nations, the leaders have forgotten.

In the recently concluded general election in April and May 2014, one must have noticed great animosity during the campaigning amongst the various political leaders. As a poll analyst, I closely watched all utterances. Even accusations of a personal nature were made with greater arrogance and audacity to belittle family . But once the election results were out, all the differences were buried, and the leaders shook hands in public! One leader even walked a few extra feet to extend his goodwill to his opponent. One of the leaders displayed hatred over the neighbouring countries, but once assuming power, all was forgotten. In fact, due to his insistence, for the first time in the history, the heads of state of the SAARC countries were invited for the Indian prime minister’s swearing in. What a change of heart!

If we go on harping on the conflict, it may spoil our future engagements with that person. Enough is enough. If big mortals can forgive and forget, why can’t small worms like us do so? We must have also offended many. King Saul was after David’s life. But in one situation, King David got an opportunity to kill Saul, who was chasing him. He decided not to do any harm to Saul (1 Sam. 24:3–11). How many of us have such courage or personal conviction to forget the conflict and go in peace when we encounter our enemies?

In short, do not look backwards. Do not always look for the black cat to cross your road, or for the old or young lady with an empty pot to cross you when you step out from your home. Even if the black cat crosses, do not bother. Similarly, people around you may sing the chorus of failure. Let them go on doing it.

Let us now look forward confidently. The future may be unknown, but God will uphold us. The past is history, and the future is a mystery, but the mystery will bring miracles. What may have happened may not happen again, whether good or bad. Every day is a new day. New opportunities will also come to our lives. We need to face new challenges. Look ahead with great faith in God to excel in your calling.

New Vision

It is true that goodness and mercy will follow all the days in our lives provided we fulfil certain basic obligations. Goodness will never come without good planning. When you do a thorough planning and then implement your plan as per the timeline, God will give you the expected end. Therefore try to establish a vision and then break it with simple objectives.

The Spirit of Incapability or More Capacity

When planning for new things, few feel they are incapable of doing the things that the new situation warrant. There is a saying that no one can make you feel inferior without your permission. It is like the beggars’ mentality. In most cases, he has the same physical conditions and mental make-up, but still he thinks that he is incapable of doing any work and has to beg. These are pessimists and underachievers. On the other hand, there are people amongst us who are overconfident in their ability to do things. For example, many of us think that it is easy to train our farmers to reorient their understanding on the use of traditional farming and go back to traditional cultivation. However, once we sat with the farmers not just in one village but in many, we realised how difficult it would be to change the farmers from the way they are currently doing their cultivation, which are tuned for quick and higher yields.

Over the last two decades, the farmers were told by scientists and government officials to depend upon chemical-based practices for higher yields. As a result, we had to spend a lot of time with the farmers in the reorientation process. Though in total we trained and exposed more than two thousand farmers towards organic farming, only 25 per cent took the follow-up action in their fields, and that was only on an experimental basis. The reason is that we have not fully understood and analysed the issues involved in switching over. Before we embark on any new venture, we need to be fully aware of the ground realities and the mindset of the peoples.

Shortcut

Some of us always look for shortcuts to greatness. In the last year, some of you sitting here have not met the ing and reporting requirements for a partnership programme. We are repeatedly reminded by our financial partner that standard operating procedure is essential for further funding. It is true of every walk of life. But many of us are very casual. We think that we are in a different business, and hence others have no business to ask for ability. Transparency and ability are the order of every profession or business, be it private or public.

On occasion, our division had to remind many of you that what is submitted by way of ability is substandard. Similarly, the various programmes conducted are not worth the money spent for them. If we cannot tell you what you are doing is not up to the mark and is rubbish, who else can tell you? In-house discipline is always better than a policeman from the outside disciplining us. If one produces rubbish and feeds into the system, where collectively all of us are doing something for a common cause with a shared vision, then because of one person’s rubbish, the entire output become rubbish. This is because many of us knowingly or unknowingly adopt shortcuts. Once we adopt the shortcut and get limited success, we feel triumphant and get a sense of

great satisfaction.

Sometimes when travelling by road alone in the car, I take a shortcut and feel great. I seldom realise the dangers others face on of me taking the shortcut. On 24 July 2014, I was driving on the national highway between Mandyal and Kurnool, and suddenly I decided to overtake a parked bus from the left side. Alas, a boy ran from right to left without knowing my vehicle was coming. By providential guidance, both of us remained unhurt, and the people who watched from the roadside gave a sigh of a relief. It was a split-second shortcut decision, but see the calamity it could have caused!

There are no shortcuts for greatness. Let me now read a few verses from the Bible to show that even Jesus Christ, when He started His ministry in the world, never took shortcuts. (Read Matthew 3:13–17.) In these verses, we read about his engagement or the encounter with John the Baptist. We see the first public utterance of Jesus as an adult. Earlier, we see him as a boy of twelve years with his parents, and the conversation he had with the elders in the temple. Though he is the son of God and came as the son of man, he never exempted himself from the worldly requirements before he started off His mission work of redeeming all of us.

Jesus Christ wanted John the Baptist to baptize Him before Jesus commissioned Himself for God’s work. He did not ask an exemption. He went through baptism. Through the baptism, He identified Himself with the ordinary people of the world for whom He came. He realised that identifying Himself with ordinary people or sinners, chatting with them, and working with them would enable Him to redeem them. We see Him surrender His high position. He submits Himself to all the requirements. Later we see that though He is the son of God, He surrendered His life on the cross to the will of God.

Let me quote a few lines from Christie Green’s daily reading age.

Philippians 2 gives us a good understanding of the nature of Jesus’ mission. He humbled Himself, He took the form of a servant, and He became obedient to the point of death (Philippians 2:6–11). Jesus went from heavenly riches to earthly rags; from exaltation to humiliation; from authority to obedience; from ultimate significance to ultimate rejection; from comfort to hardship; from safety to danger; from glory to sacrifice; and from life to death. And He calls us to go into the world in exactly the same way! Read that list again. Every one of those humbling transitions goes against our grain. We’re trying to work our way up, not empty ourselves. We want more significance, more safety, more authority, more attention, more comfort.

Naaman, a Syrian army commander with great standing, had the dreaded disease of leprosy. The Hebrew servant girl in his home, having heard of Elisha’s healing power, told him to meet Elisha in Israel. Naaman, as a man of high standing, was not ready. However, after repeated requests he felt obliged to meet Elisha. When Naaman came to Elisha’s place, Elisha did not give him an audience but directed him to “go and wash in the Jordan River seven times”, and “thou shalt be clean”. Naaman’s pride was hurt, and he burst into anger. But when his servant told him to humble himself and obey the order of the holy man, he obeyed. He submitted and hence received salvation.

Many times we want exemption from submission (of proper s, statements, progress reports, etc.). We want exemption in the name of seniority or superiority, or of experiences, or because of the long-standing partnership. All of us want to be above rules and want to be exempted. How will it be possible?

We often incapacitate ourselves by failing to respect the rules and regulations of the game. Greatness is possible, but it comes with a price. Take any walk of life. Taking up responsibilities to fulfil the role is vital.

Expand Your Body

Each one of us is operating on a different platform and has a different calling. Whatever the setting in which we are placed, there is a need to expand our bodies’ and minds’ capacity and potential in tune with that calling. One cannot create more impact without expanding one’s labour. One cannot expand one’s labour unless one has the mind-set to work hard. To attain more desirable stage in life, one needs to break out. Let me read a verse from the Book of Isaiah.

Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. (Isa. 54:2)

Here, Isaiah calls the depressed people who have not seen any faster and further development in life after they settled in the promised land to expand their tent. He calls them to enlarge the place and tent. Place is an area or ground in which you have put your tent. The tent is nothing but the structure or system with which you operate. Isaiah asks Israelites to change the structure or system, their standard operating procedures or premise, in order to accommodate more people because they now have more people to accommodate. You cannot enlarge the scope of your work if it is still in the same premise (i.e., the initial belief, structure, or system). Everything we do is built on a premise. Take the example of a woman who primarily wants to marry only to have children. Unless she changes her premises, she will not be happy even if she gets children.

Many of us have placed limits on our lives that God has not placed. We need to enlarge our vision to think bigger thoughts about God and what He can do through us. This faith can inspire action amongst us. The action will take us beyond the current borders of life. Like God called Israel (Jerusalem), all of us will have to enlarge, stretch, and lengthen ourselves. We will realize our greatest potential only when we stretch ourselves. Socrates said that the unexamined life is not worth living.

Purpose

We have purpose-driven lives. To start with, we should know our calling. It is like peeling onion: the more you peel, the more you will come to with the next level of your life. We need to fix the priorities of our lives. Once we fix the priorities, we go all out to pursue that priority. All of you have come with a purpose here. What is the purpose? To continue the partnership with a development organization to initiate development processes for our target families.

The intended purpose is development of the poor. We have to deal with this every day in our lives. But then, few of us try to go away from the intended purpose and invent our own purpose; still fewer amongst us stray from that purpose and pervert the purpose.

Where the purpose is not known or pursued in a different way, abuse takes place. Most of the time, we ignore the purpose. Sometimes because of ignorance, we ignore it, but many times we choose not to confirm the purpose. When that happens, we lose focus.

Conclusion We have just seen a change of government at the centre. The people of India have decisively voted for a change. After a decade of government headed by the Congress Party, a new governance group headed by BJP, with a different ideology and with a single party and simple majority, has come to power. As a result, policy changes are expected and priorities may get reset. In this context, we citizens are looking for change from the decade-old way of thinking and doing business. There is all-around hope and trust in the change.

It may also be noted that as partners, together we have spent more than one decade of service with the current target groups. We may have nearly achieved what we set out to achieve a decade ago. Any continuation on the old path may become irrelevant and obsolete.

Let us now see the changed atmosphere in the country and in partnership ethos as a God-given opportunity to completely be self-reliant, devoid of any more outside financial . It is time that we see ways and means to be on our own and become self-reliant by the end of December 2015, if not by the beginning of 2016. It should be possible if we seriously walk towards that goal of selfsustenance.

Once again, thank you for your patient listening of the devotion session added with our own development thoughts for the way forward. Let us keep in mind our calling of reaching a segment of society that needs to be reached.☐

CHAPTER 24

Fasting to Fulfil God’s Will

Introduction

I am glad that Brother Jebaraj has organized the three-days fasting and prayer meeting for lay preachers and new believers of Jesus Christ of Nagapattinam and the neighbouring districts at Trinity Prayer Centre (TPC), Poovathadi. I am happy that he invited many preachers to be with all of you and lead you in this meeting. It is good to see many believers in this centre. This Trinity Prayer Centre is meant to be used for such a purpose. I am thankful to Brother Jebaraj for inviting me giving me an opportunity to spend a few minutes with you.

Fasting

All major religions advocate fasting. People are known to fast, often for various reasons. The Bible refers to fasting nearly one hundred times. However, it is totally absent from the lives of many Christians, including my life so far. Prayer and fasting is one of the lost disciplines of the Church. Yet fasting is connected with people whose lives are filled with spiritual power and moral authority.

☐ In the Bible, we read about Jesus Christ, the son of God and the purest person on earth, fasting for forty days, and He very often spent His time in prayer.

☐ We also read about Moses, Elijah, Ezekiel, Anna, Daniel, Ezra, Esther, and Nehemiah – the list goes on.

☐ Martin Luther was criticized because he fasted too much. Even political leaders, social activists, and factory workers have resorted to fasting (hunger strikes) to achieve their causes. There are many instances of meeting death due to fasting for political and social causes.

What Is Fasting?

In the real sense, fasting is much more than denial of food to the body. According to Webster’s Dictionary, “Fasting is abstinence from food, especially as a religious observance.” Fasting is a normal practice and is God’s approved way to humble oneself. One can fast from seeing TV, reading papers, time spent with friends, shopping, and even buying favourite materials. Even not speaking to others except to God is a kind of fasting.

I heard an event of forty days of fasting by forty women together. During these forty days, they completely abstained from speaking; even when they sat together for breaks, they never uttered a single word to each other. Perhaps they realized that the tongue is a deadly weapon. Restricting one from physical and social activities is also a kind of fasting. It is nothing but abstaining from food and in some cases less physical activity. It is abstinence from everything.

Kinds of Fasting

There are at least three different kinds of fasting: partial, normal, and total. It may be skipping one meal, or two or three meals. It can be one day of fasting, three days, or forty days. Depending upon the person, the need, and the cause for which the fast is being undertaken, people decide about the kind of fasting they want. Although most may not feel the need to do a lengthy fast, there are benefits to be gained from even a short period of self-denial.

Health Side

Before going into the spiritual side of fasting, let’s see what general medical practitioners’ views are on fasting. According to medical practitioners, fasting improves physical health. According to them, increasing evidence on people fasting indicates that people are healthier and live longer when calories are reduced. Health researchers state that caloric restrictions extend health as well as life, lowering the risk of many age-related problems, including most cancers, heart disease, and diabetes. It purifies the blood and drives out anaemia.

There is no harm in skipping one or two meals, including breakfast, unless one is under medication. One has plenty of food security in the body and therefore need not worry much. Even pregnant and lactating mothers can go on a fast. The act of fasting will detoxify the body. All the accumulated poison and garbage comes into our blood, and we feel dreadful. This bad feeling can be alleviated by fasting. The body gets cleansed physically. One need not and should not worry about fasting, and depending upon one’s health condition, the person can either go for normal, partial, or absolute fasting. God is well pleased with a clean bodily temple as a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Fasting without water may not be good. Medical conditions cannot be an excuse.

God Initiated versus Self-initiated

There are two ways of looking at fasting. There is one fasting God wants us to pursue, and it is called the sovereign fast. There are preachers and believers in Jesus Christ who, when they get up from the bed in the morning, don’t feel hungry, and they go on fasting and praying. It is initiated by God for a specific purpose. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose” (Phil. 2:13). When God initiates the desire for fast in us, He will then remove all appetite in us.

The second kind is the one we pursue on our own faith. We know there is a mountain, barrier, or crisis in our lives, and we want it to be moved out. We show by fasting and praying that we want Him to come and remove the yoke from our shoulders. Truly speaking, every one of us needs a breakthrough in some area of our lives. Hence we decide to go for fasting and prayer. It may be a breakthrough in understanding particular circumstances, people we encounter in our life, solutions to a problem, an insight for the future, freedom from financial worries, or a health break – the list goes on.

The Bible says that we do not live on bread alone. It is a reminder to us that although food provides physical strength and energy for the body, the discipline of fasting provides the soul with stamina and vitality. We read in Deuteronomy 8:3, “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that ‘man does not live only by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord’”. Behind that statement is the truth that people experience hunger that cannot be filled by food and other material things. Ultimately, satisfaction and fulfilment in life result from a healthy relationship with God. Fasting is one way of nurturing that relationship.

The statement “Every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” indicates the need to be in communication with Him. It is not food that sustains us – it is Jesus Christ. Fasting will stimulate hunger in us to establish a deep relation with God. When we fast, the body shrinks down and the spirit goes up. We hear God much more, and we are in tune into His will for us. It is communication with

God and with each one of the Trinity.

When we fast and pray, we pray to the father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, through the ministry of Holy Spirit. When we pray to the father, our prayers are accepted by Jesus Christ and interpreted to God by the Holy Spirit.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.… Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Rom. 8:26–27, 34)

Sermon on the Mount

Jesus Christ spoke in His Sermon on the Mount about the need for giving, fasting, and prayer (Matt. 6:3–5, 16–17).These three are the lifestyle principles, especially for the believers. He says when you give, fast, and pray and not if you pray … The word “when” repeated in front of “give, fast, and pray” make all the three acts as a compulsory routine in our lives.

But WHEN YOU GIVE to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And WHEN YOU PRAY, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. (Matt. 6:3–5)

WHEN YOU FAST, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face. (Matt. 6:16–17)

Time

Fasting provides more time for one to spend in prayer (i.e., in communication) with God. It provides spiritual and mental alertness. It is also a good exercise for self-discipline. In fasting and prayer, one can foresee God. It draws the sense of oneness. Fasting and prayers are dynamic tools when they go together. When we fast and pray, our bodies, souls, and spirits all surrendered. God is attentive to people’s prayers when they fast and pray.

Fasting Strengthens Virtues and Weakens Vices

“All great virtues bear the imprint of self-denial.” Time in prayer combined with denial of food is effective in expanding the boundaries of the heart and soul. People who pray and fast regularly often experience comion, kindness, sensitivity, and love for others. They become less judgemental and more understanding. True humility is developed, whereas false pride is reduced.

Fasting is a way of preparing to meet a major challenge. There are private, individual, and corporate prayers. People in the Bible who faced great trials and troubles often dealt with them through prayer and fasting. Whenever special courage, insight, or strength was needed, they turned to prayer combined with fasting. Nations, people, groups, communities, and cities are spared and saved

when people humble themselves before God during prayer and fasting. For example, the Book of Psalms is a product of fasting and prayer. Even King David says, “My knees give way from fasting; my body is thin and gaunt” (Ps. 109:24).

Before Queen Esther approached King Ahasuerus and asked him to spare the Jews from destruction, she asked her people to spend three days in prayer and fasting. (Read Esther 4:14–17 and see Voice of His Glory No. 4.) She felt that such a difficult enterprise needed prayers fortified by fasting if her efforts were to be successful. “When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish,” she said (Esther 4:16). Consequently, after the three days, Esther approached the king with confidence and boldness, persuading him to reverse an edict that called for the annihilation of the Jews. She did succeed, and her race was completely spared. These three days of fasting and prayer changed the entire course of history. But for this prayer and fasting, the Jewish community would have been annihilated.

In the Book of Jonah, we read about the impending destruction of Nineveh by God. But then the corporate prayer of the entire city from the top man to the lowest man changed the course of the city. It was the first time all repented, fasted, and prayed. They learnt what the Lord of God would do if they do not corporately go for a prayer and fasting. Their intent conveyed a message to God. God spared the city from destruction for the next one hundred years. (Read Voice of His Glory No. 2.)

☐ Moses fasted to receive the Ten Commandments and the law of God, and to see God’s glory and goodness.

Moses was there with the LORD for forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant – the Ten Commandments. (Exod. 34:28)

☐ Ezra the priest fasted for God’s protection while carrying valuable things for God’s Temple.

There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. (Ezra 8:21–23)

Daniel the prophet fasted for the fulfilment of God’s promises for three weeks and received correct revelations from God.

At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. (Dan. 10:2–3)

☐ Jesus fasted and spoke the word of God to overcome Satan. Fasting is a way of following the example of Christ and the apostles. Prior to his public ministry, Jesus spent forty days in prayer and fasting (Matt. 4:1–10; Luke 4:1–13). Also, Jesus expected his followers to fast.

Jesus is a man of prayer, and we can see this in many verses of the Bible.

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to

pray. Later that night, he was there alone. (Matt. 14:23)

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” (Matt 26:36)

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16)

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. (Luke 6:12)

Elijah needed to fast for forty days before he heard God’s voice again. “So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he travelled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God” (1 Kings 19:8).

David fasted and wept for his dying child.

David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them. On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.” (2 Sam. 12:16–18)

Samuel prayed, and God sent thunder and lighting, destroying the armies of their enemies.

Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. (James 5:17–18)

Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. (1 Kings 18:45)

The elders, prophets and teachers believed in Antioch fast and ministered to God, which resulted in commissioning of Saul’s and Barnabas’s apostolic ministry to the Gentiles (Acts 13:2–3). The missionary team of Saul and Barnabas are reported in Scripture as fasting frequently before important decisions were taken concerning the early Church’s ministry/

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:2–3)

As a result, Christianity became the dominant religion in the Roman Empire within two centuries. Thirteen books of the twenty-nine New Testament books came from the writings of Paul because of this corporate fasting and prayer.

Even wicked King Ahab’s fast moved God so that He did not bring full judgement down on him in his own lifetime “When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly” (1 Kings 21:27).

Through fasting and prayer, the course of history changed. It happened before, and it will happen again and again in history.

On 6 February 1756, the king of England called for a day of solemn prayer and fasting because of the immediate threat of an invasion by French forces under Napoleon. The day was a glorious day: in London, every church in the city was more than full, and a solemn seriousness was there on every human face. Surely God heard the prayer. The humility of the citizens was turned into national rejoicing as the threatened invasion of the French was averted. John Wesley writes, “The fast day was a glorious day, such as London has scarce seen since the Restoration. Every Church in the city was more than full, and solemn seriousness sat on every face. Surely God hearth Prayer, and there will yet be a lengthening tranquility.” Humanity turned into national reing. A modern application would be to spend time in prayer and fasting whenever a personal or professional crisis looms.

People of all backgrounds and walks of life have found encouragement and inspiration by standing and praying next to the Western Wall, or Wailing Wall, in the old city of Jerusalem, adjacent to the Temple of Mount. Famous people, including the Dalai Lama and the pope, have opened their hearts to God in front of this place.

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it sures your fame. (Ps. 138:2)

Israel’s annual Day of Atonement is something like spiritual cleaning. During this day, people in Israel humble their souls by fasting. This day is characterized by mourning, fasting, intense prayer, and repentance.

Demonic Spirit

To deal with certain kinds of demonic spirits, we need to fast and pray. It is very clear from the event we read in Matthew.

“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” (Matt. 17:15–16)

Jesus told His disciples that the reason they could not cast out a particular spirit of infirmity from the demonized lad was because of their lack of belief.

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt. 17:20–21)

A few words later, he added, “But this kind does not go out except by Prayer and Fasting” (Matt. 17:21). The point is when prayer alone does not work, prayer and fasting will bring the breakthrough.

Fasting and Confession

When we fast and pray, we should confess our sins. In fact, many wonder why, despite fasting and praying, they have not received any healing or their requests were not granted by God. Whatever we ask may not be granted because many times our unconfessed sin is one barrier for not getting healed or for the request

to not be granted. God is not committed to forgiving our sins unless we confess. It is one of the keys for healing.

Repentance

The most important thing in fasting is repentance. When we fast, we must make a list of all the sins we have committed against the God, against family, and against neighbours. Then we must seek His forgiveness. We read a good witness on the confession of the sins and the subsequent salvation from the history of Mr John Newton, the man who wrote “Amazing Grace”. The song is one of the most popular songs and was written by Newton, a slave trader. He sought God’s forgiveness and redemption regardless of various sins he had committed. God heard his repentance and brought him to great deliverance. No wonder that from his deep heart, this famous hymn and many other songs came.

Since 1952, the president of United States has annually issued a proclamation recommending a National Day of Prayer. Here are extracts from Barack Obama’s proclamation dated 30 April 2010.

Through our history … In prayer, we have expressed gratitude and humility, sought guidance and forgiveness and received inspiration and assistance both in good and bad time. On this day, let us give thanks for the many blessing’s God had bestowed upon our Nation … I invite all people of faith to me in asking for God’s continued guidance, grace and protection as we meet the challenges before us.

In a sense, this was started in 1774. In June 1774, when the news of the Boston Post Bill reached Virginia, the Colonial Legislature declared a fasting day for that colony.

Church or House of Prayer

In the early churches, fasting and prayer were a part of them. God said that the Church is His house of prayer. Every church and congregation should learn the practice of fasting and prayer. His house should be a house of prayer. No wonder that one church in Adyar, Chennai, is called House of Prayer. Fasting is the time we in the church, or corporately as a congregation, humble or subdue ourselves under the control of God. Prayer and fasting are fundamental to the life of the Church. It is the shepherd’s role to stir up the Church to fast so that believers will humbly pray and God will hold back his wrath.

A year ago, Reverend Ruben Jebakumar of CSI Church, Amainthakarai, called a partial (evening to midnight) fast for his congregation when the church faced a hurdle in starting its building work. This barrier was removed within a few days of this partial fasting. No wonder that on 17 August 2014, the entire building’s parsonage and community hall were dedicated by the Right Reverend Deva Sagayam, bishop of Madras Diocese, in the presence of the full congregation. What a witness of God’s miracle.

Hunger

Very often people talk about fasting with or without any comion for the people who are hungry. It is easy to talk about the problem of world hunger, but the physical impact and emotional awareness is heightened when we go without food. “My sensitivity to the plight of the poor increased,” said one woman who fasted. Therefore, it is good to experiment with a fast once in a while to realize that there are millions who go without basic food on of sociopolitical injustice. Even if we cannot do anything about it, at least sympathizing with fellow human beings is good.

How to Start

It is always a question as to how to begin a fast. To start with, we need to set the objective for which we undertake the fast. Is it for healing, for any guidance, or for any problem or solution? Then we need to decide how long we are going to fast. Will we skip one meal, a day, or three days? It is always better to start with denial of a meal first and then slowly increase the period.

During the fast, be prepared to read the Bible and pray most of the time. In fact, while preparing the note for the talk, for the first time in my life, I decided to skip a meal and read various preachers’ writings connected to fasting and Prayer. It does not mean that I have never skipped meals. Yes, I’ve skipped lunch or dinner many times in my life. In fact, there was a time in my life where I often had only one meal a day. Most of the days for the last decade, I’ve never had breakfast. However, this was the first occasion I initiated a fasting, prayer, and scripture reading along with my normal work.

When you commence your fasting schedule, begin the day on your knees with your family , or at least with your spouse, for a brief time of praise. Give thanks to God.

☐ While fasting, it is always good to have some liquid, either water or juice. Some always go on partial fasting. Take John the Baptist, who had honey and fruits only. It was the case with Daniel too: he lived mostly on good vegetables.

☐ A single day’s fasting may not bring all the desired impacts. One will have to continuously make this a legal requirement in her or his life. It is a command.

Conclusion

We need to humble ourselves before the Lord. Through fasting we can get God’s direction to our requests. Satan’s greatest aim is to divert people from praying. But He humbles down when we pray. We must go for fasting and prayer, and enter into fasting with positive faith. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Heb. 11:6).

It is better to begin a fast when you are spiritually up, rather than when you are down. During a fast, give plenty of times for Bible study. As a lifestyle principle, we should fast and pray before God. Every time we fast, if we do it with humility in everything, then by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, we can let our requests be made known unto God. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil. 4:6). Let me wish the fasting and prayer meeting to be a fruitful one in all our lives. ☐

CHAPTER 25

Lent – Transformation of Life

The February 2015 news bulletin Voice of His Glory listed ways to listen to His voice and read His words in order to lead a life in tune with our calling. We also concluded in the February bulletin that the preaching of Jesus Christ, especially the Sermon on the Mount, will be the focus in the March bulletin. Accordingly, let us briefly look into the Sermon on Mount, the longest preaching of Jesus Christ recorded in the Bible. Because we are towards the end of the Lent season, let me say a few words about Lent.

Lent

We are now in the season of Lent. Before Christians observe Good Friday (the day Lord Jesus Christ was crucified) and Easter (the day he resurrected), they observe a period of Lent, which is more like repenting, fasting, praying, and giving. It is like the winter season, where in the leaves wither away from the tree, new leaves appear, and there is full bloom. Likewise, it is the period when people decide to give up their bad habits, get cleansed, and be good citizens. During Lent, Christians all over the world (roughly one-third of the world’s population) are expected to spend more time reading the words of God (the Bible), communicating with him more often and serving the less privileged in the neighbourhood.

Lent recalls the events leading up to and including Jesus’s crucifixion by the Roman Empire. Today, only a small number of people fast for the whole of Lent.

It is more common these days for believers to surrender a particular vice or avoid taking their favourite foods. Why forty days? It is a significant number in Jewish and Christian scripture.

• In Genesis, the flood that destroyed the earth was brought about by forty days and nights of rain.

• The Hebrews spent forty years in the wilderness before reaching the land promised to them by God.

• Moses fasted for forty days before receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.

• Jesus spent forty days fasting in the wilderness in preparation for His ministry.

Most Christians regard Jesus’s time in the wilderness as the key event for the duration of Lent. In a sense, during this period all the believers are expected to make a self-appraisal of the true meaning of their existence in this word. “Now when Jesus saw the crowd, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him” (Matt 5:1).

Setting

In the region of Galilee, Jesus spent most parts of his teaching. Even at His early stage, Christ was extremely popular and famous throughout the nation There were more than one hundred villages around Galilee. The Sea of Galilee is seven

miles long and fourteen miles wide.

“Great multitudes followed Him from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan” (Matt. 4:25). When the Lord saw the multitudes, He accommodated them by going up a mountain (Matt. 5:1). After the sermon was over, Matthew informs us that “the people were astonished at His teaching” (Matt. 7:28).

It is the largest preaching by Jesus Christ. There was a multitude of people, and His disciplines were in the meeting. Although multitudes of people were on the Mount and heard this sermon, our Lord’s teaching is directed and primarily aimed at His disciples and believers.

Seat

After finding a suitable place for teaching, Jesus was seated. Our Lord assumed the posture used at that time for teaching. Sitting was the position for rabbis and teachers who were to instruct their disciples (Matt. 13:2; 23:2; 24:3; 26:55; Luke 4:20; John 8:2). When a Jewish rabbi was teaching, officially he sat to teach. We still speak of a professor’s chair. The Pope still speaks ex cathedra, from his seat.

The multitudes were hearing a contrast between true and false ethics (Matt. 5:17–48), true and false piety (Matt. 6:1–18), religious hypocrisy (Matt. 5:13; 6:16), the necessity of entering by the narrow gate (Matt. 7:13), and the deadly dangers of false teachers (Matt. 7:15ff). The Sermon on the Mount tells believers that they must be different. Jesus said, “Do not be like them” (Matt. 6:8). Christians are to be salt (Matt. 5:13) and light (Matt. 5:14–16) to a dark, unsaved world.

The sermon is well-organized and has three main sections.

The first section runs from 5:2 to 5:16 – the beatitudes (5:3–12) and the teaching on salt and light (5:13–16). It discusses who the citizens of the kingdom are: their character, blessedness, relationship to the world, and the influence they are to have over society and culture.

The second section (5:17–7:12) deals with the relationship of Jesus’s disciples with the moral law. Here our Lord contrasts His view of the moral law with that of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus sets Himself apart from the contemporary rabbis with six antitheses (5:21–48). Then, He deals with personal piety by contrasting outwards versus inwards or genuine righteousness (6:1–18).

In the third section of the Sermon on the Mount, the saviour focuses on the necessity of choosing and following the correct way (7:13–27). He discusses two ways before all men (7:13–14), true and false teachers (7:15–23), and good and bad foundations (7:24–27). Matthew ends this pericope by telling us the profound effect this sermon had on the hearers. The sermon, in both its structure and content, is a masterpiece. The people had never heard anyone teach with such authority (Matt. 7:29).

The saviour’s sermon is crucial because it is one of the lengthiest, most complete expositions of what Christ expects from His disciples in their attitudes, behaviour, and service to God. It is a marvellous section of the Scripture. In Scripture, mountains are often associated with the giving of revelation. Here we have the divine human mediator, greater than Moses, speaking directly to the people with grace and kindness.

Its Application

It is important to recognize that the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount applies to every Christian. The sermon is not an invitation to asceticism for the spiritual elite. The message is not a form of Christian idealism that no one is really expected to follow. The teaching is not directed at only super-spiritual believers who want to take their faith to another level. It’s meant to be general for all believers.

Its main purpose is not simply to show the need of grace in order to drive us to Christ. The radical discipleship and commitment to personal obedience, which are the focus of this sermon, are fundamental to what it means to be a Christian.

Jesus expects and demands all believers to live in of this message. The sermon is primarily concerned with sanctification. The gospel is not a relaxation of the demands of God’s holy law, but rather it includes a call to manifest the characteristics of holiness internally, privately, publicly, outwardly, and socially. It is interesting that many of Jesus’s teachings are commands for His followers to do better than society expects.

You have heard that is was said, “You shall not commit adultery”. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a women lustfully has really committee adultery with her in his heart. (Matt. 5:27–28)

Summary

If we were to summarise the Sermon on the Mount, it would be something like

this: how to live a life that is dedicated to and pleasing to God from hypocrisy and is full of love, peace and wisdom. It is better for each one to read, mediate on a daily basis, continue to be amazed at His teaching, and follow the principles that He taught in the Sermon on the Mount.

Conclusion

The preaching on the Mount is a profound one with simple language. There is no need to interpret and explain each verse or word. The clam and repeated readings of the teaching will reveal profound things to us. Each time when we read it, we will get a new revelation. I urge you to do read it over and over, whether you are a strong believer in Jesus Christ or are a new believer. Sit in a quiet place, prepare your heart to read His words, read one chapter, and mediate. Evaluate what the text says for a few moments, and then proceed to the next chapter. Or you can allot each day for a repeated reading of one chapter, mediate on it, and then pray. Repeat the same for one or two months, chapter by chapter. You will free yourself from all sins and will be the most blessed person on this earth.

CHAPTER 26

Pain, Suffering, and Miracles

Introduction

On 28 June 2015, after the church service, our pastor asked me, “What happened to your leg?”

I said, “Nothing. I am all right.” The pastor, in his vision and intuition, felt something was wrong with my leg. Most often than not, God’s men are right. Within the next few days, I felt severe pain in my left knee. I consulted three doctors, and the pain continued. I couldn’t attend two of my scheduled meetings, one in Delhi and one in Bangalore. I missed two marriage functions, one in Dindugal and another in Vellore. I am now in the recovery stage thanks to a few pills and an oil, a combination of herbs, and five different oils prepared by me on the advice of a native expert.

I have come to the realization that I may have walked to places where I should not have gone, or I may have not gone to the places where I should have gone as per God’s calling. Be that as it may, many of us experience suffering, pain, and heavy hearts for different reasons. Some are afflicted with pain without a cause, and in many cases we experience pain and suffering because of our behaviour. There are moral and natural evils causing great pain.

Pain

Many great personalities across the world have encountered great pain, suffering due to various reasons – poverty, ill health, conflicts within the family, or an of their unwise decisions or unholy relations. Many undergo the pain associated with divorce or a breakdown in relationships. At times, many of us feel like aliens in our own homes! Relationships are raptured. In the pain management therapy, we always blame God and not ourselves.

Grace

God is so mindful of every one of us that at some point, He always comes to our rescue. Believers in Jesus Christ and also non-believers get some solace from pain and suffering when they seek the proper guidance from God and from knowledgeable people. No wonder that He and His angels line up with recovery measures to comfort us and pull us from the pits we are in. Let me recall a few cases where God’s timely interventions through His messengers have brought miracles, and God used them in mighty ways. Most of us have come across such miraculous stories from our known circles.

Case 1

M. S. Viswanathan, whose film compositions transcended every known category of music, ed away on 14 July 2015 at 4.30 a.m. He was eighty-eight and is survived by four sons and three daughters. Born Maniyanga Subramanian Viswanathan in Elapulli, Palghat District, MSV’s life exemplifies the dictum that the birth of a genius is not an accident but is per God’s purpose. He entered the film world as a child artist, starring as the child Kovalan in Kannagi.

After the death of his father (who was working as a jailor) and his sister, his mother, driven by poverty and the name earned by MSV as a cursed child, decided to commit suicide along with him by jumping into a tank. “I wanted my mother to jump into the water first. When she demanded the reason, I told her what if she changed her mind after I was drowned. By that time, my grandfather arrived and we were saved,” MSV recorded in his biography.

jpUr;rp efUf;F ntspNa GJf;Nfl;il nry;Yk; rhiyapy; xU nghpa Fsk;. xU,sk;jha; jd; ehd;F taJ kfDld; jw;nfhiy nra;Jnfhs;s te;jhH. “kfNd. …,e;j Fsj;jpy; Fjp” vd;whH jha;.

“Nghk;kh. … Kjy;y eP Fjp” vd;whd; rpWtd;.,e;j thf;Fthjk; ePz;Lnfhz;bUf;ifapy; … rpWtdpd; jhj;jh mq;Nf te;J “eP,g;gb Vjhr;Rk; nra;NtD vd; kdRf;Fg;g;l;lJ. mJ rhpahg;Nghr;R” vd rj;jk;Nghl;L kfisAk; NguidAk; mioj;Jf;nfhz;L nrd;whH.

kPl;lH vdg;gLk; jhs msTf;Fs; thHj;ij cl;fhUk; NghJ mJ ghlyhtijg; Nghy. … Fwpg;gpl;l me;j fhy msTf;Fs; jhj;jh te;jjhy; mtHfs; jg;gpj;jhHfs;.,J xU flTspd; nray;.

Fans of MSV and readers of this Voice of His Glory will acknowledge that God’s angel met him in the form of his grandfather. From then on, there was no pain or suffering, only glory. He not only gave music to Tamil films but also wrote devotional songs. He was one of the main musicians and singers in every year in December Christmas Coral Christian Cultural Academy Coir, conducted by the famous Syam Sunder, a music director.

Case 2

Duraisamy Geoffery Samuel Dhinakaran, popularly known as Brother Dhinakaran, was a famous preacher from Chennai. was born on 1 July 1935 at Surandai, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu. He actively carried evangelical activities for some time prior to leaving his job at the bank in October 1962 to evangelise on a full-time basis. He founded the Jesus Calls Ministries, which by the time of his death had more than twenty bases in India and abroad. During his lifetime, he was the most influential and best-known charismatic evangelists working in India. He wrote more than fifteen books and recorded many Christian musical albums. Many present-day independent evangelists owe their starts in ministry to him. His songs and messages not only brought tears but relief to many experiencing pain and suffering. Many have also witnessed great miracles in their lives after listening to his messages and songs.

After graduation, he experienced a few traumatic weeks because he could not get a good job. Having pushed to the end of the wall, he decided to commit suicide on a railway track. Fortunately, his uncle ed by, and history was rewritten by God as per His plan for him and his family. See how God brought great relief from pain and then provided great fame to him. This does not mean he never experienced any pain and suffering. He had many issues, and at the end of each, he came out more committed to the cause for which he was called.

Case 3

Frederick Antony Ravi Kumar Zacharias is an Indian-born Canadian American Christian apologist. Zacharias was born in Madras, India. Zacharias grew up in a nominal Anglican household and was an atheist until the age of seventeen, when he tried to commit suicide by consuming poison. While in the hospital, a local Christian worker brought him a Bible and told his mother to read to him from John 14. In Ravi Zacharias’s own words, prior to this, “I never opened a Bible on my own”. Zacharias says it was John 14:19 that touched him and was the defining paradigm: “Because I live, you also will live.” He said that

he thought, “This may be my only hope: A new way of living. Life as defined by the Author of Life.” He committed his life to Christ, praying, “Jesus, if You are the one who gives life as it is meant to be, I want it. Please get me out of this hospital bed well, and I promise I will leave no stone unturned in my pursuit of truth.”

For forty-two years, Dr Ravi Zacharias has spoken all over the world and at numerous universities, including Harvard and Oxford. He has addressed writers of the peace accord, presidents, cabinets, and military offices. He is the great apologist of our time. A man who nearly killed himself on of frustration in life and great pain was saved by God from his pain. God used him all the over the world to carry His message. He also had a packed audience listening to his message this year in Music Academy Hall, Chennai.

Case 4

Mr Ramesh retired from the army, and he now settled down in his native place and is in the process of starting his own business. Two weeks back, while he was returning home on a bike, had a major accident. He’s still in the hospital with fractures in his back, and he is in great pain. He was a born Hindu but is married to a Christian. At the age of forty-eight, in May 2015, he was baptized. How come a person who came into Jesus’s has to undergo a huge suffering? That is what everyone close to him is now asking. I have no idea what is God’s purpose and how God is going to relieve him from pain.

We come across such painful events on a daily basis within our own families or in known circles. How come God allows such suffering to rule and ruin the believers and non-believers alike? Many of us still search for answers individually or as a family. Many reach different persons, seeking their advice to overcome pain and suffering.

Case 5

One of the Protestant denominational churches will shortly go for its highest hierarchy election. The electoral college consists of about 550 pastors and laypersons. Pastors above fifty years are eligible. If elected, one could be in that respected position till the age of sixty-seven. What a privilege! I am told there are eighteen pastors aspiring to contest. Eventually, God will anoint one after a process of election, wherein four to five will be shortlisted based on votes. Out this , one will be selected by a special committee.

Pastors who are in the profession of preaching and prayer always encourage their congregation to pray and wait for the will of God on all matters of importance. But when it comes to personal choice, they are always dictated by worldly thoughts and fame. A few of these pastors have done exemplary work. Individually, each one has helped many to come out from their great struggles and pains in life. No wonder that in this matter, egged by their friends and fellow pastors, they want to make a contest resulting in intensive canvassing for about two months. At the end of the first round, more than a dozen will feel disappointed. In the next round, another two to three will be devastated for coming near but still not being selected. In the end, all the contestants, and their campaign managers and volunteers, will be left with pain and suffering inflicted by their own choices. On the other hand, if all the aspiring pastors come together, debate, come to a common agenda, pray, and select one amongst them as the best suitable person to hold the office, then I am sure there will be more joy in heaven.

The Example

I will give four instances of people who have suffered great pain for various

reasons. Another scenario that is likely to happen in the future is also given. 1. Poverty 2. Unemployment 3. Worldly belief 4. Careless drive

The last group will suffer pain and bitterness because of their high aspirations. If so, why blame God? Often many of us are the left with heartburn, pain, and suffering because of our choices, not because of His will.

Andy Rau, a Christian author, and apologist Lee Strobel say that there’s illness, abuse, broken relationships, betrayal, sorrow, injuries, disappointment, heartache, crime, and death. Many of us are asking, “Why me? Why now?” That why question goes back thousands of years, says Mr Rau. It was asked in the Old Testament by Job and by the writers of the Psalms. Several years ago, Andy commissioned a national survey and asked people what question they’d ask if they could ask God only one thing. The number one response was, “Why is there suffering in the world?”

His Glory

With our full faith in God’s goodness and in Christ’s redemption, we can recognize that our present sufferings can be turned to His glory and our good. The sufferings of unsaved men are often used by the Holy Spirit to cause them to realize their needs of salvation and to turn to Christ in repentance and faith. The sufferings of Christians should always be the means of developing a stronger dependence on God and a more Christ-like character, if they are properly “exercised thereby” (Heb. 12:11). Thus, God is loving and merciful, even when

“for the present” He allows trials and sufferings to come into our lives.

It is time that no one can dismiss or minimize pain and suffering and their cause. But it helps if we take a long-term perspective. Read the verse from Paul, who suffered through beatings, stoning, shipwrecks, imprisonments, rejection, hunger, thirst, homelessness, and far more pain than most of us will ever have to endure. These are his words: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Cor. 4:17).

Wait a second – Light and momentary troubles? Five different times, his back was shredded when he was flogged thirty-nine lashes with a whip; three times he was beaten to a bloody pulp by rods. But he says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Paul also wrote, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).

Conclusion

As a preacher said, bad things happen because we live our lives largely independent from God on a daily basis. He said that we struggle to trust God in times of trouble because we do not really trust God while things are going well. We do not rely on God on a daily basis, and so we do not really know God. God is evicted from our lives.

On the other hand, there are children of God who always trust God in everything, even when things are going well. During times of difficulties, because they have already learned to trust God, they rely on him. They have learned that God does not change; only we immoral people change our faith in God. Some pain or suffering is inflected amongst us solely because of our

behaviours or decisions, and the Lord has nothing to do with that. To get peace and tranquillity, we are called to do what God has called us to do, and not to get an endorsement from Him for what we wish to do. (Readers are advised to read Voice of His Glory Volume 1, Issue 6.)

CHAPTER 27

Sickness and Healing

Introduction

I have dealt with the same subject in two earlier issues (June 2014, July 2015). A few events that I encountered last week again made me speak, retrospect, and write on this subject. Some of us fall sick a few times per year. Those of us who are over sixty complain daily about some sickness or pain. Unfortunately, neither the doctors nor we can give any reasoning for the cause. In such circumstances, we blame evil spirits or the attitude of others towards us as the main cause for the agony. We often forget that today’s lifestyle and the surrounding environmental degradation are the main culprits for the sickness. The fact that the existence of a large number of hospitals and medical stores in our neighbourhood is ready reckoned that all of us are bound to fall sick on one count or other.

Common to All

Sickness does not spare anyone and has no religion. Christians populate hospitals, asylums, and cancer wards just as non-Christians do. We use wheelchairs, face silent worlds with unhearing ears, and experience pain as the rest of the population. The question haunts us: “Why doesn’t God intervene miraculously and heal my sickness?” Many pray for healing or attend healing services, where they feel a sudden of hope, but once they are out from there, they are still unhealed.

The Existence of Quakers

No wonder that we see a large number of “merchants of health” in the form of local specialists giving alternative medicines or solutions to our problems. A reliable estimate states that at least one-fourth of our health-related expenditures are for the income of those so-called medical practitioners and faith healers. It is no wonder that every day, we see larger numbers of people travelling to temples, mosques, and faith-based Christian meetings to get healed. It is of great interest to note that many people say after such visits, they are entirely free of sickness. Only God knows the truth. On the contrary, there are who say that despite spending huge amounts as Parikaram (ghpfhuk;), nothing has happened.

Approaches

There are two or three different approaches for relief from sickness. Yes, God works on His own for His people. A substantial section of the suffering segment firmly believes that only medical assistance and medicines can do something about their sicknesses. Again, within this community there is a difference of opinions about the kind of medicine – allopathic or native! There are few devoted Christians who are prepared to skip even a prayer or Bible reading, but they are very particular about taking medicine, as if they skip one dose, they will end up in hell!

A section of society believes that whatever we do, it is ultimately in the hands of God to bring relief. Many Christians believe this approach. Then there are those who take the opposite belief to the extreme and say that it is never God’s will for someone to be sick, so if you are ill, it is because of a lack of faith on your part. We can call that the faith approach. It says if you have faith, you can always be healed.

Many think that all these approaches to illness are extreme. Through their experiences, many know that God heals miraculously. I know there are times when we have seen God heal and answer prayers. He has healed conditions in people who were beyond a doctor’s ability to heal. We have seen God reverse certain conditions that defy medical science and put those conditions in remission. We have seen cases where people are not completely healed, but the disease is arrested and does not continue to develop. I think somewhere between the two extremes, there is a message and a lesson for us in this matter of healing.

Many Christians are confused over the issue of prayer and healing, but the questions remain. Is God there when sickness enters our lives? Do miracles of healing still happen, or do we just read about them in the Bible? Some insist that miracles and healings should always be the order of the day. They sometimes compound the suffering of those struggling with illness by claiming, “It’s never God’s will for Christians to suffer.” The victim is blamed for his infirmity and is accused of sin or a lack of good conduct and behaviour.

What causes sickness? Let us answer this based on great scholars’ views on the subject.

Violations of God’s Natural Laws

Many are sick because they disregard basic health principles. Sanitation, hygiene, diet, exercise, and rest are neglected. Naturally, illness is the result. A well-balanced diet is essential for good health. Proper rest remains an important factor in good health. We violate these laws to our physical detriment.

Violations of God’s Moral Laws

The Bible leaves no doubt that God sometimes uses physical infirmity to punish sin and chasten His children. We are reminded of this at the Communion Table, when we consider 1 Corinthians 11:29–32. Paul said, “For anyone who eats and drinks without recognising the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgement on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and some of us have fallen asleep.” The sickness was an active encouragement to change their sinful behaviour.

Illness is sometimes allowed for our growth and God’s glory. The Psalmist knew this when he wrote, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees” (Ps. 119:71). Joni Eareckson Tada testifies from her wheelchair that God uses her infirmity to minister His love to many. She says, “Satan schemed that a 17-year-old girl named Joni would break her neck, hoping to ruin her life; God sent the broken neck in answer to her prayer for a closer walk with Him and used her wheelchair as a platform to display His sustaining grace.”

The Sick Should Call

Let us see what Mr Jackson, a famous theologian, says on this. “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14). Clearly, the initial step is to be taken by the sick person. Confined to bed, this person or a representative should summon church leaders. When gravely ill with a body racked by pain, it is not easy to pray effectively for ourselves; it is important to that we belong to a body and are not alone. We can call for the prayer of stronger . The elders are called because they should be persons of faith who believe that God can heal. The Lord may not heal in every case, but these elders are convinced that He is a healing God and can make sick persons whole.

The Lord Will Heal

It is God’s power that heals. The prayer, anointing, and calling of Jesus’s name is not a magical rite. It is an opening for God’s power to intervene. Alec Motyer speaks of the advance of medical knowledge and writes, “The discovery of medicines and the perfecting of surgical techniques are without doubt examples of the providential goodness of God. We must be careful lest we over-value the marvelous and the miraculous at the expense of the mundane and the providential.” While acknowledging God’s sovereign hand in bad times and good, our eyes should be on the Lord even when we go to the doctor. If an aspirin works, it is God who makes it work. When a broken bone is set and mended, it is the Lord who causes the healing. Every good gift is from above!

Prayers for healing are qualified by the recognition that God’s will is supreme. In the New Testament, God did not always heal great people of faith. Paul’s thorn in the flesh and the sickness of some of his friends are examples. Our faith must always be in God, whose will is supreme and best. To pray “in Jesus’s name” is a submission to His will and authority. We should pray for the sick with confidence that God will answer that prayer and heal. Such faith cannot be manufactured even if we are exceptionally gifted, insistent, or righteous. Our responsibility is to pray and to leave the results to God.

Conclusion

Yes, the ultimate answer for all tension and sickness is the constant prayer. Last week, a lady from a respectable family told me that for the past fifteen years, she had knelt and prayed both at home and in church, but in vain – she never received any relief. She underwent great agony. Then on 19 October 2015, a Sunday morning, when she came out from the church service, where she prayed

constantly for her relief, a person came and told her the good news. Her trouble had just evaporated into thin air! According to the messenger, who ed on the news, the man responsible for all the problems to her and her family realized his mistake and profoundly apologized to the messenger, asking the messenger to convey this to the lady. God works as per His time. At the appropriate time, He will bring relief to the suffering people.

CHAPTER 28

Human Pain and Suffering

I

Introduction

On 22 September 2016, people of Tamil Nadu received unexpected, shocking news that Chief Minister Dr J. Jayalalithaa was itted in Apollo Hospital due to a high fever and dehydration. A simple ailment during ission turned out at the time of writing this bulletin that she is “completely off sedation, and she can communicate through gestures”. It is indeed a steady progress. Praise the Lord. Her ission in a sense is reminiscent of what happened in 1984 when MGR was itted in the same hospital. The entire state, including the Tamils living neighbouring states and other parts of the globe, are concerned about her illness and CM’s prolonged stay in the hospital. No wonder that even nearby states’ CMs and all political party leaders, including central ministers and captions of industry, visited the hospital to inquire about Amma’s health. The prime minister is expected anytime to pay a visit and have a photoshoot. After these leaders visited, in unison all said, “Amma is progressing well and responding to treatment.” It is the wish of all Tamilians. No wonder that we have prayers in temples, mosques, and churches for her speedy recovery. Prayers continue to be offered across the state for her well-being.

Treatment of Far Excellence

We were informed that Amma is being given excellent treatment with the help of specialists from London, Singapore, AIMS, and more. However, her prolonged stay in the hospital raises a few questions. Does a reputed number one hospital in the state, if not in the country, fail to diagnose the diseases and treat a VIP patient within a reasonable time? If that is the reality, how will the hospitals diagnose ordinary patients who are itted with severe complications in their hospitals? Can we trust our doctors and hospitals? What kind of treatment would poor people, who have no means to meet the medical expenditure, get from big hospitals? Luckily, Amma must have long ago felt the dilemma of the poor. Hence, the state has introduced health insurance to meet expenses up to Rs. 1 lakh for the insured poor.

Disclosure of Information

Again, if the hospital authority is not prepared or in a position to tell the truth about a VIP patient, how and to what extent would they give precise information about an ordinary patient’s health status and the treatment they give to their relatives?

It is true that the hospital is not duty-bound to tell the public about every patient’s health condition. That’s understandable. It is also not ethically correct for others to ask. But then, many times even educated people never get adequate information from hospitals regarding various treatments given to their close relatives. The entire second floor was made vacant, and only CM, as a patient, was kept in one room on the second floor. To ward off any infection, what about in similar patients’ cases where the patients are also prone to similar infections. But in the ordinary wards, free entry and exit of many patients and their relatives are allowed. In fact, many move in and around even after visiting time.

Sickness

Be that as it may, the larger question is why a person of CM’s status, who has millions of irers and also came to power with their full , eventually ended up in the hospital. Why has she not taken adequate care of her health? The widespread perception is that Amma has thrust too much of a load on herself in running the state. The majority opinion is that she should have taken better care of herself than the statecraft management. But then, the world dictum is that most people encounter such pain and suffering in their lives. It is true of all religious people and all age groups. When Jesus saw a man who had been blind since birth, His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parent, that he was born blind?”

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:1–3)

Universal

It is a universal truth that sickness touches almost every person and family. It is now learnt that former Chief Minister Dr Karunadhini had been advised to rest by doctors after he developed a drug allergy. Many patients, despite spending money on medical care, in the end see no improvement in their health. In the midst of disease and sickness, it’s hard to focus on what God might bring about as the result of illness.

We are fallen beings with physical bodies prone to disease and illness. Some sickness is simply the result of the natural course of things in this world. Again,

it is not an easy thing to deal with.

One thing is for sure: sickness should not cause us to lose faith in God. God is good even when we are suffering. Even the ultimate suffering, death, is an act of God’s goodness. Nevertheless, when people are suffering, it is our responsibility to minister them, care for them, pray for them, and comfort them.

No doubt, in our CM’s case, the whole Tamilians devotedly prayed for her health and well-being, and the medical profession’s best brains within the country and from abroad provided the utmost care. It is in a sense a great blessing that she is cared by best minds from the field. Many do not get such an opportunity when they need it.

Suffering people need our love and encouragement. Pain and suffering is common to all individuals. It has many faces, according to Apostle Paul.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Cor. 4:8–9)

In this, Paul wrote about several types of suffering: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. A person in his or her life due to the pressure of work or certain circumstances, even because of the environment, may end up catching any kind of pain or suffering and may spend days together in bed under medical care. In this circumstances, the state CM deserves all our love, best wishes, and prayer. Therefore the people are called upon to be a refuge and are supposed to encourage all her close associates to be of more help to Amma. God also comes and confront us. This is the precise reason that when high people fall sick, all religious people kneel down before God and seek His comfort for the sick person

God who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Cor. 1:4)

Suffering and sickness is a battleground. It is a battle for one’s soul. The Book of Job says there are two ways to respond to suffering. One way curses God because of suffering, and one way praises God even in the midst of the suffering. Therefore, let us praise God and ask for His healing touch on all sick people in general and more particular to Amma.

Conclusion

Millions are caring, praying, and praising God, who is bound to spare the life of the person for whom people earnestly pray so that the suffered will have a change of heart to serve the true God and humanity. Otherwise, we have to obey the will of God. We are all small morals to question God. One of the counterintuitive truths about suffering is that it prepares people for more glory.☐

CHAPTER 29

Thanksgiving

Introduction

September and October are the harvest festival time for many churches in India. It is a time of prayer and thanksgiving, followed by tasting foods of different varieties made by talented congregation . After the special service and food, many enthusiastically participate in the auction of goods. They feel happy that they not only offer their choice of worthy materials to God but also take one or two materials back home from the auction. It is good to note that many families indulge in food. Few amongst them also see the need to share the joy by offering food with others less fortunate in the congregation. It is indeed a day of prayer, thanksgiving, and casual meetings with the congregation.

Reminder

Throughout the world, once a year many families and churches grandly celebrate the harvest festival. In many countries, churches observe a harvest festival, such as Thanksgiving service. After Christmas and Easter, it is a festivity time in churches throughout the world. In a few countries, it is celebrated for two to three days, with the state declaring the event as a national holiday.

Thanks

The congregation offer their best and first harvest produce from the land. Those who have no harvest from their land offer a portion of their income, which they earn by using their given talents, and they buy some rare articles and place them on the altar on harvest day. Usually the church service starts with singing, praying, a sermon, and the feast. In a few churches, kids are well dressed, mostly in white or golden yellow colours, and they carry fruits and vegetables to the altar along with the choir boys and girls at the start of the service.

It is a reminder for Christians about all the good things God continuously gives to them. Naturally, these persons and families, who receive the beautiful gift from the land or from using their own talents, are expected to share their fruits of their labour with the less fortunate. This is also one of the means by which the early church taught the haves about how to take care of the have-nots. Sharing and caring of the earlier church is now slowly being replaced by acquiring for one’s prestige.

Church

Celebrating the harvest festival in the Church is a relatively recent practice. It was originally a pagan festival celebrated by those who had enough food and spare time to have a knee up when the full moon, the harvest moon, was nearest the autumnal equinox. According to history, it was only in 1843 that the Revered Robert Hawker, from Cornwall, started the trend of holding a service, offering communion bread made from the first cut of corn. Reverend Robert invited parishioners to a special thanksgiving service for the harvest at his church at Morwenstow, in Cornwall. They sang hymn such as the following.

We plough the field and seatler

Come you thankful people come All things bring and beautiful

It is also a traditional event for the Jews. God advised the migrants from Egypt to Israel to celebrate this with all festivity. The Jews gave a tenth of their harvest to God. This was known as a tithe. We read this instruction more elaborately in the Bible in Deuteronomy 26. In the Jewish religion, it is called Sukkot, or Feast of Ingathering, or the Feast of Tabernacles.

It is usually celebrated at the end of the year, after Rosh Hoshanah, the third of the great annual festivals. The following song in the early period helped to popularise the idea of harvest festival and spread the annual custom of decorating churches with home-grown produce for the harvest festival. The season of the song has always had a core theme of expressing our thanks to God. • For all the good things God has done to us … how do we say thank • One way our parents and grandparents did that by bring • The produce of their labour to the sanctuary • Harvest festival is a time of thanksgiving for all the blessing that God gave • A time to look back and look ahead • A time to offer our gifts to God in celebration.

The Unfortunate

The harvest festival in the early days was considered the best season and an opportunity to take care of the poor in the congregation and in the

neighbourhood. People shared their produce from the land with the labourers and the landless. It would be good to recall the act of Boaz while he was supervising the work of his labours in the field during harvest.

In the Book of Ruth, we read about Ruth going to the fields to “pick up the leftover grain”. It was customary for the owners of the land to direct their workers to leave some grains in the field at the time of harvest for the poor to gather. No wonder that when Ruth asked her mother-in-law, Naomi, permission to go to the fields to pick up grain, she readily agreed.

And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” (Ruth 2:2)

Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” Again her action of Boaz when he saw the poor Ruth picking up grain.

And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not. (Ruth 2:16)

Protection and Provision

While at the harvest festival, when we give thanks to the protection and provisions of God, the are also expected to live as per His calling. All the people who have received the protection and provision from God should be prepared to share at least a small portion of the yearly harvest with the less fortunate in the society. In fact, during this time each of us who claim to be a true Christian is challenged regarding our caring nature towards others. It is also good to read,

When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. (Deut. 24:19)

This verse is very explicit: one needs to take care of the poor. Did we live up to His expectation and His calling? Most of us are busy while thanking God for all the good harvests he gave in our working field, but we fail to understand the plights of those marginalised around us. We think the best seasons and harvests are for us and not for others. The universe and all creations belong to all of us. Let us at least recognise the need to be some source of to others during the harvest festival time. Take this opportune time to reaffirm our faith and give back a portion of what God gave to us to not only to Him but also to the poor and less fortunate in society.

CHAPTER 30

Harvest Festival

Introduction: Harvest Festival is observed in most of the churches during September and October. In few countries, it is observed as Thanksgiving ceremony by the churches. It is a time of prayer, thanksgiving, followed by enjoying different varieties made by talented congregation . Following this, many enthusiastically participate in the auction of goods offered by the church . The congregation not only take pride in offering worthy worldly materials to God, but also take one or two materials back home from the auction. It is indeed a day of prayer, thanksgiving and casual meeting with the congregation . After Christmas and Easter, it is one of festivity time in Church throughout the world. In few countries, it is celebrated for 2 – 3 days with the State declaring the event as a National holiday.

Thanks: The village congregation offer their best & first harvest produce from the land during this day to the church. The situation in urban / city churches is slightly different Here families offer a portion of their earned income by using their given talents (just like farmers using their land talent) and or buy some rare articles and place them on the altar on harvest day. In few churches, at the start of the service, well-dressed children mostly in white or golden yellow colours march to the later, carrying fruits and vegetables. The choir boys and girls follow this procession. It is a reminder for the Christians about all the good things God continuously give them. Consequently, when we receive such beautiful gifts from the land or through our talents, we are expected to share the same with the less fortunate in the society.

Church: Celebrating Harvest Festival in the church is a relatively recent practice. It was originally a pagan festival celebrated by those who had enough food and spare time to have a knees-up when the full moon – the Harvest Moon – was nearest the autumnal equinox. According to history, it was only in 1843 that the Revered Robert Hawker, from Cornwall, started the trend of holding a service, offering communion bread made from the first cut off corn. Rev. Robert invited Parishioners to a special thanksgiving service for the harvest at his church at Morwenstow in Cornwall. They sang Hymn such as

“We plough the field and seatler, Come you thankful people come, All things bring and beautiful.”

It is also a traditional event for the Jews. God advised the migrants from Egypt to Israel to celebrate this with all festivity. The Jews gave a tenth of their harvest to God. This was known as tythe or tithe. We read this instruction more elaborately in the Bible in the book of Deuteronomy Chapter 26. In the Jewish religion, it is called “SUKKOT” or Feast of Ingathering or the Feast of Tabernacles. It is usually celebrated at the end of the year, after Rosh Hoshanah, the third of great Annual festival. The following song in the early period helped to popularise the idea of harvest festival and spread the annual custom of decorating churches with home-grown produce for the Harvest Festival. The season of the song has always been the core theme of expressing our thanks to the God. • “For all the good things God has done to us …..how do we say thanks • One way our parents and grandparents did that by bring • The produce of their labour to the sanctuary • Harvest festival is a time of thanksgiving for all the blessing that God gave • A time to look back and look ahead • A time to offer our gifts to God in celebration.”

Protection and Provision

While at the harvest festival, when we give thanks to the protection and provisions of God, the are also expected to live as per His calling. All the people who have received the protection and provision from God should be prepared to share at least a small portion of the yearly harvest with the less fortunate in the society. In fact, during this time each of us who claim to be a true Christian is challenged regarding our caring nature towards others. It is also good to read,

When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. (Deut. 24:19)

This verse is very explicit: one needs to take care of the poor. Did we live up to His expectation and His calling? Most of us are busy while thanking God for all the good harvests he gave in our working field, but we fail to understand the plights of those marginalised around us. We think the best seasons and harvests are for us and not for others. The universe and all creations belong to all of us. Let us at least recognise the need to be some source of to others during the harvest festival time. Take this opportune time to reaffirm our faith and give back a portion of what God gave to us to not only to Him but also to the poor and less fortunate in society.

CHAPTER 31

Punishment

Introduction

On 30 July 2015, a majority of the people in India were anxious about the crucial end of two sons of India. Some cushioned themselves in front of the TV, and a few depended on the traditional media of the radio. Thousands queued up before the body of the late Abdul Kalam, former president of India, in the southern part of India in a place called Pei Karumbu, near Rameshwaram, to pay their last homage. Similarly, hundreds walked behind the (hanged) body of Yakub Memon on the West Coast of Mumbai to bury him in a mosque. The former was given a full, state-honoured burial for the services he had rendered; the latter was hanged at Pune in the early hours as per the Supreme Court verdict for the crime he had committed in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. The irony is that both hail from the same religious community and background.

The death punishment meted out to Mr Memon evoked lots of discussions at various levels. Most of those who were involved in this discussion felt that though he had committed a serious crime, it did not warrant capital punishment. In fact, many in India are against capital punishment. According to them, capital punishment has been abolished in more than 140 countries. “Why not in India?” was their loud cry.

Peoples Poser

Immediately after this event, I visited a few villages in Krishnagiri District for an assignment. I also met with a Muslim driver for a day in Hyderabad. After a few village leaders came to know that I am a Christian (at that point, in the entire village I am the only Christian), they were keen to know my view on capital punishment. The taxi driver was curious too. A few of my colleagues from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds had earlier sought my opinion on capital punishment.

Frankly speaking, I had a neutral opinion till the execution of Mr Memon. But then upon being pushed to make an opinion, I did some research on capital punishment based on the standing of Bible or Christian theologians and scholars. The following lines only reflect that findings on capital punishment. But after researching so much on the topic, I too decided to form my opinion.

Many Christians feel that the Bible has categorically spoken on the issue in the Old Testament, but others believe that the New Testament’s ethic of love replaces Old Testament law. Throughout the Old Testament, according to many theologians, God commands the use of capital punishment for about twenty-one crimes that include murder, rape, and kidnapping.

Noah Flood

One example is the flood during Noah’s time in Genesis 6–8. God destroyed all human and animal life except that which was on the ark. Another example is Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18–19), where God destroyed the two cities because of the heinous sin of the inhabitants. In the time of Moses, God took the lives of the Egyptians’ firstborn sons (Exod. 11) and destroyed the Egyptian army in the Red Sea (Exod. 14). There were also punishments such as the punishment at Kadesh-Barnea (Num. 13–14) or the rebellion of Korah (Num.

16) against the Jews wandering in the wilderness.

Exile

It is to be noted that before the flood in Noah’s time, God used exile as the punishment for murder. For the murder of Abel, Cain was exiled, and no one was given authorization to kill him. Nevertheless, after the flood, the Old Testament is replete with references and examples of God taking life. In a sense, God used capital punishment to deal with Israel’s sins and the sins of the nations surrounding Israel. According to Genesis 9:6, capital punishment is based on a belief in the sanctity of life. “Whoever sheds man’s blood by man his blood shall be shed, for, in the image of God, He made man.”

New Testament

Some Christians believe that capital punishment does not apply to the New Testament and the age of the Church. In fact, they argue that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus seems to be arguing against capital punishment. Some have said that Jesus set aside capital punishment in John 8 when He did not call for the woman who committed adultery to be stoned. A few interpret it in another way. Because He did teach that a stone could be thrown (John 8:7), this is not an abolition of the death penalty. They say to the context. The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus between the Roman law and the Mosaic Law. If He said that they should stone her, He would break Roman law. If He refused to allow them to stone her, He would break Mosaic Law (Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22). Jesus’s answer avoided the conflict: He said that he who was without sin should cast the first stone.

Bible

Advocates of capital punishment say that it is not just the Old Testament that teaches capital punishment; the entire Bible speaks of it. Romans 13:1–7 specifically teaches that human government is ordained by God and that we are to obey the government because it does not bear the sword in vain. Human governments are given the responsibility to punish wrongdoers, and this includes murderers who are to be given the death penalty.

Dr R. Albert Mohler Jr, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has argued that “the Bible clearly calls for capital punishment in the case of intentional murder”. On the other hand, Christian activist and author Shane Claiborne has stated that the teachings of Jesus provide no for the death penalty.

Different Perspective

A few feel that capital punishment should be viewed in another angle. Is capital punishment a deterrent to crime? According to them, one should try to assess the effectiveness of capital punishment. Opponents of capital punishment argue that it is not a deterrent, because in some nations where capital punishment is allowed, the crime rate is up. People cite the example of the United States. The United States is becoming a violent society as its social and moral fabric breaks down. The increase in crime rate is due to many other factors and cannot be correlated with a death penalty.

Deterrent

There is some evidence that capital punishment is a deterrent. Even if we are not

sure of its deterrent effect, the death penalty should be implemented. If it is a deterrent, then implementing capital punishment certainly will save lives. If it is not, then we will still follow biblical injunctions and put convicted murderers to death.

Poor Are the Victims

Some people who have done research on past convictions are of the opinion that it is discriminatory against minorities and the poor. Hence, they oppose capital punishment. Others opine that much of the evidence for discrimination is circumstantial. Simply because there is a higher percentage of a particular group, that does not constitute discrimination in and of itself.

Justice System

Hereby, Anderson of the United States feels we should acknowledge that some discrimination does take place in the criminal justice system. Discrimination takes place not only on the basis of race but also on wealth. Wealthy defendants can hire a battery of legal experts to defend themselves, whereas poor defendants must rely on court-appointed public attorneys.

In many countries, the imposition of the death penalty is biased against the poor. A Christian teaching is to the poor, and so Christians should not capital punishment. This opinion is becoming very popular. On 17 August 2015, the Supreme Court expressed its deep concern over the rich and mighty trying to influence the justice delivery system by winning over crucial witnesses in criminal cases by using money and power.

“Criminals cry for justice, but they don’t understand what they did. They commit the crime first and then cry for justice,” the bench said, and it dismissed the plea of Vikas and Sukhdev. After dismissing the petition filed by Vikas and Sukhdev Pehalwan challenging the Delhi High Court order convicting them in the 2002 murder case, the bench asked how they could cry for justice after committing the heinous act.

Rarest of the Rare Cases

Anderson feels even if we find evidence of discrimination in the criminal justice system, this is not an argument against capital punishment; it is a compelling argument for reform of the criminal justice system. It is an argument for implementing capital punishment carefully. We may conclude that we will only use the death penalty in cases where certainty exists (e.g., eyewitness s, videotape evidence). But discrimination in the criminal justice system is not truly an argument against capital punishment. At its best, it is an argument for its careful implementation.

Few people who are against capital punishment feel society has an alternative punishment available that was not used in Biblical lines, and these make the death penalty unnecessary. Again, they say capital punishment is incompatible with a teaching that emphasises forgiveness and comion.

What is the view of the Catholic Church on this? Pope Innocent III put forward the proposition: “The secular power can, without mortal sin, exercise judgment of blood, provided that it punishes with justice, not out of hatred, with prudence, not precipitation.”

The Roman Catechism, issued in 1566, stated that the power of life and death

had been entrusted by God to civil authorities. The use of this power did not embody the act of murder, but rather a supreme obedience to God’s commandments.

In the high Middle Ages and later, the Holy See authorized that heretics be turned over to the secular authorities for execution. The law of Vatican City from 1929 to 1969 included the death penalty for anyone who tried to assassinate the Pope.

Conclusion

Capital punishment is never specifically removed or replaced in the Bible. Jesus and the disciples never disturb the Old Testament standard of capital punishment. The Apostle Paul teaches that we are to live by grace with one another, but he also teaches that we are to obey a human government that bears the sword. Capital punishment is taught in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

After my limited research, I came to the conclusion that capital punishment should continue for crimes wilfully planned and committed resulting in the loss of life. One can call it the “rarest of the rare” cases. It is for the judiciary to decide, and then for the president regarding the mercy petition. I want capital punishment to stay.

CHAPTER 32

Migrants and Refugees

Introduction

In the Book of Exodus, we read about the mass migration of about 2.5 million people with their belongings, including their cattle population, from Egypt to Israel. This exodus eventually resulted in the establishment of a nation called Israel. Exodus describes how nomadic Hebrew people (the Jews) escaped Egyptian capacitivity settled in the land of the Canaanites (from whom the modern Palestinian Arabs claim descent).

Birth of Jesus Christ

After Jacob’s and Joseph’s descendants settled in Israel, the country was ruled by kings. At some point in time, the country was divided into two, and for many years the Israelites were in exile. Babylonian troops took the people into exile in 586 BC; they were allowed to return by the Persian ruler Cyrus after 539 BC. Subsequently, the birth of Jesus Christ, His crucifixion, and His resurrection happened.

Again, the inhabitants of the country were forced to be in exile in different parts of the world. Hitler also killed a large number of Jews in during World War II. Then in 1948, the historical necessity forced the world to accept the

formation of Israel as an independent country. Nevertheless, the most important thing that is being talked about to this day is the birth of Jesus Christ – that is, God sending His own Son to save His people from sin. Therefore, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in December every year with great gratitude to our saviour, the redeemer of the entire world.

Christmas Joy and Giving

All over the world, Christians (and in many countries, even the general population) are in the festive mood starting in early December and culminating in a gala celebration on 25 December. In fact, in a few countries the festivity starts as early as October or November. Before the festival, many weeks ahead, we plan about what to buy; when to buy, and how to adorn our bodies and homes. We spend a lot of hard-earned money on these items during this part of the year. It is also good to note that many families think of the less fortunate during this period. That’s why December is a month of joy, pleasure, singing, and giving.

Mass migration, 2014–2015

Since the first exodus took place in history, for which we have clear evidence in the Book of Exodus, we have also seen many other migrations, both on smaller and bigger levels. Many of us have read about these mass migrations. However, in the last few months, we have the direct experience of seeing and reading currents events of one mass migration in the twentieth century: the exodus from Syria to other countries.

The Great Migration from Syria

It was reported during the last few months that more refugees are on the move than at any other time since World War II. Over four hundred thousand people have crossed the Mediterranean, undertaking extraordinary journeys from countries like Syria, which is torn by war and persecution. These families are fleeing for their lives, risking treacherous sea and land crossings. Many had no choice but to board overcrowded boats to give their children a chance of safety. Almost three thousand people have drowned trying to reach safety in Europe. The crossing is dangerous, but for many families making this journey, it is the only choice. The reason for their migration is because ISIS has made the lives of their opponents (including minority Muslim families) in Syria, Iraq, and Iran difficult. Hence, the people have no choice but to leave the country.

The Rise of ISIS

Syria lies at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. To the north is Turkey, to the east is Iraq, to the south is Jordan, to the south-west is Israel, and to the west is Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea. Four years ago, no one had heard about ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). It now controls vast areas in Syria and Iraq. As of March 2015, it has control over territory occupied by ten million people in Iraq and Syria, and loyal local groups have control over small areas of Libya, Nigeria, and Afghanistan. The birth of a new state is the most radical change to the political geography of the Middle East.

Many independent observers believe that ISIS is the product of the Iraq war. In 2003 when the United States bombed Iraq, it is believed to have opened various radical Muslim outfits to the insurgency. It is out of al-Qaeda that ISIS was born. When the conflict opened up in Syria, they expanded their name to the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria.

In a sense, the nations who ed the United States in 2003 and its war against Iraq are blamed for the current state of affairs. ISIS financing has come mostly from Saudis and the Americas, largely from the sale of oil from oil wells of Syria. ISIS took control of the Iraq city of Mosul and declared it a self-styled caliphate. As a result, hundreds of thousands had to flee Mosul and head for the countryside. By late June, the UN estimates that more than five million Iraqis have left their homes. In February 2015, it was reported that ISIS has threatened to flood Europe four million migrants simultaneously out to see hundreds of boats in a “Psychological Weapon” against Europe if there is any strike against them.

Refugees

Since ISIS took possession, thousands of families left the country. Their journeys began in war, poverty, and oppression, and hopefully they’ll end in asylum. They are fleeing by the hundreds of thousands from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, as well as from Somalia, Iran, Pakistan, and Eritrea. There is a ceaseless flow of humanity driven by fear, insecurity, and lack of opportunity. They marched with courage and hope. They first made it to Turkey and then to other countries. Entire families braved their way to the shore. Once they set foot ashore, their past lives are no more than a memory.

Destination Europe

The next leg of the journey across Europe was by boat, by train, by bus, or on foot. They moved from border to border with a notion of reaching , Sweden, or Norway. In the Croatian town of Tovarnik, on the border with Serbia, thousands huddled at a train station. Thousands more were along the roadside, waiting to board trains or buses for unknown destinations. Families were separated in anguish. Many have no idea in which country they in. The scene was barely controlled by riot police.

August 2015

Against the backdrop of a major surge in migrant arrivals in Europe, German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that she would offer temporary asylum to Syrian refugees who managed to reach the country. While other European governments tightened border controls, – having recorded 200,000 migrant arrivals in 2014 – opened its doors to more than 270,000 asylum seekers in September alone.

Conclusion

All of us claim that we are descendants of Abraham, be it Jews or the Gentile community. Whether we live in Israel or any corner of the world, we know that the people who are in the Gulf and other neighbouring countries, including Syria and Iraq, are also descendants of Abraham. Jesus said to him, “Because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.”

If we believe that we are all one, then when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the redeemer of the entire world, we are also expected to not only pray but also help millions of migrants find a safe place to stay, have peace of mind, and ensure their basic needs are met without any issues. May the newborn Jesus Christ bring peace, joy, and hope to these migrants.

CHAPTER 33

Good Governance by Kings, Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Chief Ministers

Introduction

When it comes to elections, be they general elections, state elections, Panchayat election, chairman election in an MNC, or even a bishop’s election in a diocese, people look for a leader of high calibre and status to lead them. However, after a few months, most people get disappointed with the elected leader, and then a few years later people are completely disillusioned. For the Tamil Nadu Assembly Election, though nearly a dozen state leaders have cherished the hope to become chief minister, the Almighty once again selected Dr J. Jayalalithaa to lead the state. Now that she has assumed office, let us conclude that He has made the right choice and at the right moment. (Unfortunately, the Bishops Council of Catholic Diocese in Tamil Nadu made a call to the DMK-Congress alliance, as bishops thought this combination would give freedom to religion on those affairs.)

God chose Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, and Dr J. Jayalalithaa over Dr Karunanidhi (Stalin). It is also true of MNCs and church leaders elected to high office, be they bishops or s. God chooses those who are called. We must understand that though God anointed Dr J. Jayalalithaa as CM, still the Most High is the sovereign power and is in charge of all kingdoms on earth. He gives to anyone He wishes and sets apart the lowliest of people. Many of us forget the fact that it is God who eventually drills and trills a man or woman and places him or her in a position. Everything God does is right, and all His ways are just.

Historical Trend

History repeats itself because no one learns from history. It is a matter of fact that while a section of the people after the election are satisfied with the outcome, some people are dissatisfied. It is the elected leaders’ role to be humble and serve the people as per his or her calling. If elected leaders walk in pride, He will humble them. Though all these people appear great for some time, they are ordinary men and women to God, simple mortals who are able to the people and to God. If something goes wrong, God’s invisible hands will start to operate.

God’s People

All the over the world, billions are presently led by presidents, prime ministers, and chief ministers. In a few countries kings and queens still lead. God has chosen all these leaders to lead the people with a democratic framework. Nevertheless, for eternal peace and tranquillity, we need to still look for Him.

Origin of Kingship

Let me now take you about three thousand years back to the first king of Israel, (. the country inherited by God’s chosen people. Israelites were initially led by patriarchs, prophets, the judges, and then kings and priests. Eventually, when the son of God came as the son of man, all people saw in Him a combination of all the characters rolled into one man. He is one in all.

From the book of Genesis, we are guided by the rules of economics and good governance of people. However, from the Books of 1 and 2 Kings, we learn the rules of politics for directing public affairs. The framework for good governance is already well founded in the Bible. No wonder that in a few countries, the presidents and prime ministers still take the oath of office by having the Bible in their hands. It also applies to Supreme Court judges taking oaths in those countries.

Good, Bad, and Evil

Let me now bring you a couple of good and evil kings from Israel and tell you how they led their people. From their lives you can draw some conclusions to assess present-day rulers. I am bringing to your notice only those who ruled the land of Israel, having God’s chosen people as their citizens, and that before the birth of the son of God. During that time, other nations have also had their kings and queens. I am not saying anything about them for the time being. We may get another opportunity to talk about a select few from this group.

In the History of Nations, we have come across an equal number of good and bad rulers. It is true of every state or nation. But then, the rule of good leaders are always long, and the bad ones are short. This applies to their lifetimes on earth, and it is true of kings of Israel.

In all, there were forty-two kings and one queen. Saul was the first king, and he ruled over all of the twelve tribes of Israel for forty years. After Saul’s death, the kingdom became temporarily divided, with Saul’s son Ishbosheth ruling eleven of the tribes for two years while David ruled Judah. After Ishbosheth was assassinated, David became king over all twelve tribes. He is considered to be the best king any nation has ever had.

His son Solomon followed him as king, and he also ruled over a unified kingdom of twelve tribes. All three – Saul, David, and Solomon – ruled for forty years each. After Solomon’s reign ended, the kingdom was divided into the Southern Kingdom (Judah and Benjamin, called Judah) and the Northern Kingdom (the remaining ten tribes, called Israel). This resulted in a string of nineteen kings ruling over Israel and nineteen kings (plus one queen) ruling over Judah.

1. David: David, son of Jesse from the Judah tribe, is one of the greatest kings of all of Israel. At the age of thirty, he was anointed king over Israel and Judah. Initially he was king over Judah at Hebron, and subsequently he was king of Israel too. The Bible describes him as good looking with beautiful eyes. It is through the lineage of David that Jesus was born. God called David a man after His heart. That is why Jesus was often called the son of David. He never practiced vengeance against his enemies. He was a self-made man of exception, had charisma, and was brilliant, yet he was flawed. He tried to do God’s will. He taught that honest self-examination is necessary to recognise our own sins. After he committed sin, pointed out by Nathan, he knelt down before God and asked for a clean heart and right spirit. Thereafter, he never sinned again. David was always trusted by God. He loved God through his life. He reigned over Israel for forty-seven years. He also brought the Ark from Hebron to Jerusalem. After his death, he slept with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David.

2. Queen Athaliah. She was highly intelligent with an exalted nature. She was the wife of Jehoram. She wanted to be queen and so annihilated her children and grandchildren. She was a manipulator and controller. Her mother, Jezebel, brought the god of her country into the palace. She continued the worship of false gods inside the palace.

Her rule gave a clear lesson that each of us must decide the path we should take. We cannot excuse ourselves because of our parents. Each of us is personally

able for our acts. Young ones can do right thing and be faithful to God.

3. Josiah: He was the greatest king after David, and he was a righteous king of Judah. He was eight years old when he became king, and he ruled thirtyone years. His grandfather was a wicked king, as was his father. We often see children of evil doing right things and children of good man doing evil. We can find the same thing today. Josiah did not step into the shoes of earlier bad kings. When he was sixteen years old, he began to seek God (2 Chron. 34:1–2). When he was twenty years old, he walked in the word of David. He abandoned pagan worship and restored the true worship of God. But his life ended prematurely due to wrong decisions. He decided to go with war Egypt and was killed.

4. Mansseh, King of Judah: He reigned for fifty-five years. His father was a good king, following all of God’s commands. But then Mansseh ordered the destruction of altars. He led people to worship false gods and desecrated the temple of God. He even sacrificed his own son in fire. The Lord sent a prophet to warn him to stop the evil. The Lord said that He would bring the downfall of all of Israel. After Mansseh’s disobedience, God’s wrath fell on people. It was one of the darkest eras. Mansseh practiced witchcraft.

Text

We need to assess present-day leaders as to whether they are good or bad based on the three kings and one queen we studied. I create some criteria to assess the performance a leader based on what we just read.

☐ Do they fall into the shoes of the previous bad ones, or do they follow their own paths?

☐ Do they relate to the people, especially the majority of citizens? Do they have a proper understanding of the pain and suffering of the people?

☐ Do they obey their inner (God) voice or allow themselves to be dictated to by powerful mafia and business tycoons?

☐ Do they follow a one-man type of government without checks and balances, or do they subject themselves to transparency and ability?

☐ Do they display qualities of the dark triad (i.e., narcissism, living to an exaggerated extent, and insecurity) and make decisions based on this?

☐ Do they follow the mindset of Cassanova (i.e., one has to assure himself every night that he can still conquer, and hence all the time he’s most worried about the opposition)?

☐ Do they display Machiavellian characteristics, expecting events to be to one’s benefit, using people, and treating others like paper napkins?

☐ God will always give full warning. God must judge people that if by knowing what is right we do wrong.

☐ False leaders always assume there is peace in the country even though there is utter confusion.

Conclusion

We have elected the CM, who at the time of the election was backed by 40.8 per cent of voters. Nevertheless, once she assumed office, she became the leader of all citizens of the state. It is the responsibility of us, the faithful servants of God, to align with her and provide her all the till her actions deliver wellbeing to the larger society. If she and her ministry go astray from the basic tenets of good governance, and she replaces it with her own family welfare and works for the people close to her, then leaders in the community (especially the Church) should not shy away from condemning the ruler, just as Samuel warned Saul and as Nathan warned David. Let us pray to God, and let Him give long life to our PM and CM. May God bless you till we meet the next time.☐

CHAPTER 34

BJP – Surprise of God

Introduction

India is the largest democracy in the world. Since 1920, it has had successive elections to various state legislatures, and after independence in 1947, the first elections to the House of Parliament were held in 1951. Whenever elections take place, there is high hope amongst citizens. It’s no wonder that before the May 2014 elections to the Lok Sabha, the entire nation was eagerly looking forward to the outcome. World leaders kept a watchful eye as to what would be the impact of the election on the geopolitical scenario. Evidently, as the majority expected, Mr Narendra Modi, who for the last two years had systematically positioned himself on the centre stage, as backed by the media and the corporate world. He ascended to power with the solid backing of 281 MPs. For the first time in the history of independent India, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which Mr Narendra Modi belongs to, assumed power with an absolute majority.

India 2014

India is a robust economy with more than 1.25 billion people. It has good education engineering skills and big potential. The gross domestic production is valued at $15 trillion with a per capita income level of $1,414. The birth rate is 19.89 per cent. The sex ratio at birth is 8.57 per cent. The death rate is 7.35 per cent. Infant mortality, an important health indicator, is 43.19, and sanitation access is 36 per cent. The aim of the ruling party is to see that things change

within the next five years to a respectable figure so that, as the World Bank recently predicted, the country can emerge as the seventh leading economy of the world by 2019.

Origin of BJP

Bharatiya Jana Sangh (1951–1977) was the predecessor of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Before we go into the possible merits and demerits of this government, it would be good to read a few pages from the history of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is now in charge of the government. The Bharatiya Jana Sangh, popularly known as the Jana Sangh, was founded in 1951 in response to the secular politics of the Congress Party. Initially, it was regarded to be the political arm of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Its aim’s included the protection of India’s Hindu cultural identity.

The Jana Sangh won three Lok Sabha seats in the first general elections in 1952. It maintained a small presence in Parliament until 1967. During this period, a uniform civil code for all Indians, banning cow slaughter, and abolishing the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir were among the main points on the party’s agenda. After nationwide assembly elections in 1967, the party entered into a coalition with several other parties, including the Swatantra Party and the Socialists, and formed governments in various states across the Hindi heartland, including Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. The constraints of coalition politics fortunately caused the shelving of the Sangh’s more radical agenda. Incidentally, during the same year i.e. 1967, DMK party also defeated the Congress party in TN and came to power and ever since Tamil Nadu is under the rule of DMK or AIK.

Emergency and Birth of Janata Party – 1977

In June 1975, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed a state of emergency over the country to quell the political unrest that followed on of the election verdict against her. The Jana Sangh took part in the widespread protest and thousands of its ed the host of other agitators in jails across the country. In 1977, the emergency was rescinded and general elections were held. The Jana Sangh merged with parties from across the political spectrum and thus began a new party known as Janata Party.

The Janata Party won a huge majority in 1977 and formed the government with Morarji Desai as Prime Minister. Morarji Desai had earlier served as Finance Minister under Indira Gandhi ministry. Mr.Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had become the leader of the Jana Sangh, was appointed as Minister of External Affairs in the new government and Mr. Lal Krishna Advani took the charge as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting. This marked the first time that the Jana Sangh had held political office. However, disagreements over the sharing of power between the various factions of the Janta Party plagued the Janata government, and after thirty months in power, Desai resigned from his position and the Janta Party slowly saw its disintegration. “Alas! The Janata rulers only taught us how to horse-trade in the name of democracy; how to delay any decision in the name of istrative economy (that one ought to have been taken then and there); how to condition the citizens in the name of restoring freedom and privileges; how to deny rights in the name of national interest and integrity; how to miscalculate in the name of calculation, how to claim and counter-claim in the name of accuracy and, again to quote your columns, “how to tamper the course of law and justice in the name of stability” Extract from the letter to the Editor written by the Author on the Fall of Janata Government, (The Hindu dated August 1st 1979-Plight of Indian Democracy).

The Bharatiya Janata Party was one of the new parties that emerged from the break-up of the Janata Party in 1980. In fact, this was the new incarnation of the earlier Jana Sangh. Somehow after nearly two decades of efforts, the party alliance with other parties, by the name National Democratic Alliance (NDA), came to power at the centre and ruled the country from 1999 to 2004. Then Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as the prime minister, and Lal Krishna Advani was the home minister. Advaniji served as the deputy prime minister from 2002 to

2004. Earlier, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was sworn in as the prime minister in May 1996. However, the government did not last long, and Vajpayee resigned after thirteen days.

Then in 2004, the Congress, in alliance with other regional parties under the umbrella of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), came to power and ruled the country until mid-May 2014. Though many consider that UPA has done well for the marginalised, it was in deep trouble with mounting corruption cases against the UPA constituents, including Congress. The BJP was the main opposition party between 2004 and 2014, and eventually the road was clear for the BJP to form the government. Indian experience has been that any government (party) which has been in office for ten or fifteen years is bound to face allegations of corruption. Naturally, the UPA was axed by the voters.

BJP Leaders

There are great stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee (retired), Lal Krishna Advani, and Murli Manohar Joshi, and there are second rank leaders like Mr Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Arun Shourie, and Ms Sushma Swaraj in the party at the Delhi level who have had good parliamentary experiences. However, between 2009 and 2014, the BJP Central Leadership failed to give any hope to the party. As a result, during this period state leaders began to wield more power. Thus, Dr Narendra Modi emerged as a national leader with his extraordinary sense of mass politics. He was continuously elected to the office as chief minister three times in Gujarat State, and with the backing of corporate world, he positioned himself for the top job of the country. Though initially there was a lot of hesitation to declare him as a prime minister candidate by the central leaders, eventually he edged out all others and won the race not only within the party but also within the country.

BJP and NRI

Globally, the majority (three million) of NRIs (non-resident Indians) who recently considered India dirty, corrupt, lazy, poor, and inefficient have started to like India as it slowly emerged as a superpower. They are now fond of Mr Narendra Modi. It is of great coincidence that Modi got the backing of not only “get rich quick” Indian voters but also NRIs across the globe, and he has the iration of world leaders. Since 2010, NRIs have lined up to invest and buy properties in gated communities around cities in India. This NRI community, especially from the United States, exercises enormous pressure on any government in power to tow the American line so that the United States becomes our pre-eminent party and the NRIs’ interests will be mostly guaranteed. US Ambassador Kathleen Stephen’s said recently, “We are certainly encouraging American business to look at the opportunities and engage with the Indian partners.” Just like Mr Modi addressed the diaspora at New York’s Madison Square Garden in September 2014, a similar event is now being planned for the PM in Olympic Park, Sydney, Australia, by the Indian diaspora there in midNovember 2014

Absolute Power

Within the BJP, the entire party’s power and the government’s power are concentrated with two individual party leaders, Mr Narendra Modi as PM and Mr Amit Shah as the BJP party leader. They are icons and represent the backwards community in the party, whereas the other caste leaders and representatives do not find adequate space for manoeuvring within the party. The party’s inability to sufficiently accommodate caste interest groups will slowly sow the seeds of discontent. I think it will start manifesting after 2017–2018. The BJP has eight chief ministers (out of twenty-nine) controlling large states. Its alliance parties lead governments in Punjab and Andra Pradesh. The next round of elections in Jharkhand, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, and West Bengal may further add to its strength. The Congress leads the government in just nine of twenty-nine states, mostly in politically insignificant and geographically tiny states. This means that the BJP is a dominant political force in India. No wonder that it wants to have a Congress-free India. Naturally, Modi

wants to project Patel as a hero instead of Nehru. The BJP will get parliamentary supremacy by 2017. It has a absolute majority in the lower house, and it expects to emerge as the single largest group in Rajya Sabha by 2017.

Once the party attains that status and starts wielding absolute power in Parliament, there will be a war cry from the party to build “Ram Temple” at Ayodhya and fully Indianize the education system. “How can one ask people to be secular in a country where 80 per cent of the people belong to one religion?” will be the slogan of the BJP. This will slowly sow seeds of discontent, political conflict, and social unrest. The outcome and ramifications of these developments is very difficult to predict now. The RSS will celebrate its ninetieth anniversary next year, and during that time there will be a clarion call to change the cultural face of India. That will be the beginning of its end. Newly elected Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “There cannot be any better values than the one taught by RSS.” This is an indication on what will unfold in the future.

The New Government and the Economic Scenario

The BJP has completed 160 days in office, and it may be too early to assess the government’s performance. One must be patient give BJP a fair chance. In the meantime, one can see the positive trends on the economic front. The GDP grew at 5.7 per cent in the April–June quarter, the most in more than two years, giving rise to expectations that the economy is set for a revival. The economic survey projected growth for the current year at 5.4–5.9 per cent. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told Economics Times in an interview that he hopes economic activity will pick up in the third and fourth quarters of the year, and that the growth process should percolate downwards.

The recent Global Wealth report by the Credit Suisse Research Institute estimates that the wealth in India will grow by 9 per cent annually over the next five years. Too much optimism! The inflation rate has come down 2.38 per cent

(WPI); in September 2009 it was 2.4 per cent. In the coming months, it may show signs of increase! Huge foreign direct investment is expected. Industries are happy because India is trying to get “made in India” tags. Incidentally, the track record in encouraging companies to innovate and “make in India and for India” has been poor. Government policies seem to favour the multinational companies rather than small industries. Fortunately, the crude price in the international market is to stay in the $100 per barrel range, if not below it. The fall in international prices of crude oil will help keep the fiscal deficit under control. It is a good sign for growth. However, it should be noted that coal is India’s primary source of energy, and 72 per cent of the power is generated by coal-based power plants.

The government is now readying a raft of measures, such as single registration for all labour laws, overhaul of tax systems, reduction in the number of permits required, ea property registration, quick electricity connection – measures that are expected to make the country a friendlier investment destination. Hence it a matter of great interest to note that Jean Tirole won the 2014 Nobel Prize for Economics for the work that shed light on “how governments should regulate powerful companies that dominate markets”. One hopes that the government will take this as writing on the wall.

There is a fear that the market-oriented development in which BJP strongly believes will induce displacement, privatisation, and destruction of national and natural resources. MNCs shares are only 15 per cent of GDP, whereas the noncorporates provide 45 per cent GDP. About 93 per cent of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) continue to depend on self-financing options, whereas MNCs easily get public shares and bank loans. The absence of any law, acts, rules, and regulations for the online retail has created an uneven level playing field for a few small industries.

Social Sector

Indianisation of education may soon take place. All subsidies may slowly be withdrawn. Government is bringing out changes in labour law to give more credence to Hire & Fire policies. On 16 October 2014, the prime minister launched a scheme whereby all employees and subscribers of Provident Fund will get a unique identification number – a positive thing. But then sixteen laws favourable to workers will either be reviewed and changed completely. Trade unions across the country, including BJP, d with Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) decried the failure of the government to “push through” amendments to the relevant laws “without any consultation with them”. Again, the government appears to be considering restricting the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) to the country’s poorest two hundred districts. Presently it is in operation in the entire country; already, fund allocation has been reduced by 10 per cent for the current physical year. According to Ms Brinda Karat of M, “The MNREGA should be seen as a reflection of BJP’s idea of development which is a deep commitment to the trick-down theory of growth.” Many more measures may come within the next few months to streamline all anti-poverty programmes.

Micro Level Scenario

Despite the tremendous growth in many sectors, human development indicators are very low in some areas. The percentage of malnourished and underweight children is very high (30.7 per cent). Lack of access to water (both irrigation and drinking) and sanitation continues to be a challenge. The rising of income inequalities and regional disparities are growing. In 2000, the richest people (10 per cent) owned 15.9 per cent of the total wealth in India. In 2014 this has increased to 74 per cent. This shows higher concentration at the top of pyramids. It is a fallout of globalization policies and liberalization. Gender-related issues continue to dominate society. Violence against women and children are on the rise.

While 60 per cent of the population enjoys a reasonable quality of life, others face denial of many rights. About 15 per cent of the families at the bottom of the

pyramid face human hardships and are unable to meet even basic necessities of life. Poor social protection for the rural poor is a reality of our times. There is serious environment issues, especially related to exploitation of natural resources (coal, gas, and minerals). The most affected states are Goa, Orissa, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka. Displacement of families from agriculture and forest land for big development projects are on the rise. Credit is no longer available to micro enterprises and self-help groups from nationalised banks, whereas the MNCs easily get credit from banks at much cheaper and conditions.

Future Outlook

In the next ten years, climate change, growing population, and unsustainable consumption patterns will give rise to food shortages, water conflicts amongst the states, mounting land-use concerns, and growing inequality. Given the magnitude of these problems that the poor face, international, national, religious bodies, companies, NGOs, and civil societies must find a way to work together and bring systematic solutions to the issues the poor face. But then, will the civil society organisations and minorities institutions (just like companies) get enough from the government? It is very doubtful because the government views NGOs and civil society as anti-national and anti-development. Politicians consider the NGOs a threat to their existence.

Growing Sector – NGOs

It was only from 1980 that NGOs or NPOs began to acquire some visibility. The phrase “civil society” came in the 1990s. NGOs or civil society presence is very big – about 3.3 million organizations. Who are these NGOs, NPOs, and civil societies, and why do they exist? NGOs and civil societies are called to do social ministry. God expects them to be sensitive to the suffering of the people, be kind to them, and take them to the higher level of well-being with a step-by-step

approach. Civil societies and NGOs need to have move comion for people suffering from hunger, homelessness, sickness, economic hardship, and disasters. The history of the world is packed with instances of ordinary people who did extraordinary things for the welfare of the poor, especially for their health, education, and livelihood, when responding to God’s call.

Naturally, we see many committed persons in this sector. The development sector is being termed as the seventh highest growing economy. As a group, NGOs now deliver more aid than the whole United Nations system. Despite the hurdles in their operation, they continue to play an increasingly significant role in empowering the marginalized families. However, things are not in black and white for the NGO sector. It faces many problems. Popular perception holds that that NGOs lack ability and transparency. It may be true in some cases, but in the majority of cases, it is not true. NGO ability always covers issues like organizational management, project implementation, financial management, participation of people in the activities, social audit, and timebound withdrawal. Therefore one should not dismiss all NGOs as abilitylacking institutions.

The companies are also now in the development field. The recent company law also makes it a condition for big corporations to be involved in corporate social responsibility (CSR) related activities. CSR partnership is becoming more a tool to help the corporations keep the neighbouring area’s families in a good mood rather than enable them to become more skill-based in order to run their own enterprises. Again, companies would like to be associated only with reputed NGOs. In a few instances, the corporate houses are themselves becoming NGOs, thereby diminishing the relevance of NGOs. NGOs’ capacity to negotiate or engage with companies is very weak. Brand and image buildings are required. The government plans to form a new company to manage CSR funds and PSUs. All these factors will only add more hurdles for NGOs work. Naturally, the marginalized will become more voiceless and alienated from the mainstream development unless the government makes conscious decisions to side with the poor.

Church and Development Sector

The organized churches (e.g., Catholic, Protestant) have special departments to address people’s issues. But then they take measures, mostly welfare-oriented activities, to address micro-level issues. We have a large number of faith- and church-based development organisations like CASA, World Vision, ICCO, Christian Aid, Misserior, and Caritas, and they do mostly welfare and charitable activities. At the macro level, their presence is not felt much, and their position on many issues is not well articulated.

Independent evangelists are busy preaching the gospel messages for conversion rather than to get actively involved in people’s struggles. Generally, they do not voice their opinions on major issues because of their limited, location-specific presence. In the name of development, the RSS and Vishva Hindu Parishad have started mobilising money for social work. These organizations would now get increasing from the government and the NRIs. Naturally, in the coming years there will be conflict between civil societies and these groups with regard to their priorities and their reach. There are large numbers of social movements addressing various issues; the campaign against corruption is the latest one. There exists a number of solidarity movements by leaders for fisherfolk, dalits, women, and farmers, headed by committed persons at the state and national levels. But their impact at the policy level is very limited.

Church Voice

In providing safe nets and development discourse, the Church seems to be taking a lenient view on things that affect the marginalized. The Church’s voice for His glory is not adequately voiced by people in leadership. The Church’s outlook towards the government is one of submission. I am not holding any post at any level in a church or church-based organisation; hence, I have no authority to speak for it. Nevertheless, as a layman I see the Church, which was earlier little

ive of the UPA rule, now in a perplexed status. Prior to the election, a handful of independent evangelists and organised church leaders showed a kind of favourable attitude to Mr Narendra Modi. The majority was mostly silent. Few forcibly voiced their opposition. But once the election outcome was made clear, all are in silent mode. It is also a good sign, to start with. In fact, few leaders have opined to give time for Modi to perform. One evangelist took time off and personally met the PM.

God’s Choice

Many leaders fought the election with a hope to become the prime minister of the country, but only Mr Narendra Modi was elected and appointed. He has the appointment from the people, but we do not know whether he has the anointment from God. Sometimes he poses himself as the least person in society, and on a few occasions he is inflated too much and has placed himself as a larger than life image. It is also a good thing to note that he has the ability to see things in a much wider context. That is what the corporations and media like in him. But when will he show his real agenda? No one knows. Many believe Mr Modi is here to stay for at least ten years. This is what the IT professionals and corporations want. He also wants to be in office for at least a decade.

No one is quite sure when the Hindutva philosophy will emerge at the centre stage. If that surfaces, will the Church voice its concerns or keep quiet? When and if things go wrong for the poor or religious minorities, will the Church be indifferent, or will the leaders speak out? God only knows. At this juncture, it is apt to quote the Pope: “God is not afraid of new things. That is why He is continuously surprising us, opening our hearts and guiding us in unexpected way … The Church has to respond courageously to whatever new challenges come on our way.”

Way Forward

Ecumenical forums should emerge as the Centres of Research and Action. The NGOs, NPOs, and civil societies should be more visible as important players in impacting the lives of the poor. All religious groups need to dialogue together to voice people’s struggles at the appropriate places. Inter-religion faith leaders must come together, both at the micro and macro levels, for consultation. It is the time that the active individuals, civil society groups and church bodies, Christian leaders, and men and women of social standing seriously make an objective introspection and adapt themselves to the emerging realities of the issues concerning the marginalised in society, positioning themselves as pillars of safety nets. The Church and civil society should not shy away from standing “for the poorest of the poor”.☐

CHAPTER 35

Yoga

Introduction

The NDA government celebrated the success of Good Governance Day, which was implemented in 25 December 2014. Overwhelmed by the response from the general public, the government now feels the need to involve the total public in such celebrations. Hence the birth of International Day of Yoga, conceived by the BJP leadership, and the follow-up sanction to include in the UN calendar 22 June as International Day of Yoga. So Father’s Day has become yoga day. Who knows when, as someone suggested, a day will be observed as Kama Sutra Day? A majority of the citizens in India felt happy about it, and a sizable population in cities and towns enthusiastically participated in it, but only a few dissent voices were heard from Muslim clergy and also from very few Christina leaders. Though the dissent voice was not well echoed, there is an element of doubt about the usefulness of this ancient practice. Nevertheless, we share our views on this topic based on our understanding.

What Is Yoga, and What Is Its Origin?

The term yoga (from the Sanskrit yuj, which means “yoke” or “to unite,” as in uniting the body, mind, and spirit) was first used in Hindu texts in the fifth century BC. Yoga originated in Hinduism and remains a large part of some Hindu practices today. However, things have changed in the last few thousand years, and most yoga currently practiced in many parts of the world only slightly

resembles the original practice. In fact, most of what we call yoga is not truly yoga at all – it is only asana, the physical postures, and pranayama, the breathing exercises. There are myriad schools of thought in modern yoga, and to sum all of them up in a few paragraphs would not do them justice. Hinduism involves yoga, but all yoga is not Hinduism.

Though yoga is simply a means of physical exercise and strengthening and improving the flexibility of muscles, the philosophy behind yoga is much more than physically improving oneself. It is an ancient practice derived from India, believed to be the path to spiritual growth and enlightenment. This view is called pantheism, the belief that everything is God and that reality consists only of the universe and nature. Because everything is God, the yoga philosophy makes no distinction between man and God. It encourages its participants to seek the answers to life’s difficult questions within their own consciousness instead of in the Word of God.

What Is the View of Christians and Muslims?

Many people today (including some Christians) are taking up yoga practice. Nevertheless, there are crucial doctrinal differences between yoga and Christianity. First, yoga and Christianity have very different concepts of God. The goal of yoga is to experience union with “God”. Most yogis conceive God as an impersonal, spiritual substance that coexists with all reality. This doctrine is called pantheism, the view that everything is “God”. It differs from biblical Christianity. In the Bible, God reveals Himself as the personal creator of the universe. God is the creator, and the universe is His creation.

Secondly, philosophy teaches that everything is “God”, and so it necessarily follows that man too is “God”. Christianity, however, makes a clear distinction between God and man. God is the creator; man is one of His creatures. Christianity clearly differs from yoga in its unqualified insistence that God and

man are distinct.

Thirdly, Yoga conceives of man’s problem primarily in of ignorance; man simply doesn’t realize that he is “God”. The solution is enlightenment, an experience of union with “God”. Christianity sees man’s problem as a failure to conform to both the character and standards of a morally perfect God. Man is thus alienated from God and in need of reconciliation. Christianity views salvation as a free gift. It can only be received; it can never be earned.

Muslim View

According to the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board, Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi (MIM), yoga is an non-Islamic Hindu practice on Indian Muslims. His objection is not yoga per se, but Surya Namaskar (sun salutation in English, but it could be interpreted as sun worship) and the chanting of “Om” and other Sanskrit shlokas. A Muslim, it is argued, is prohibited from bowing before anyone except Allah; therefore doing Surya Namaskar is a sin. Meanwhile, there are contrary Muslim voices professing that the postures assumed during Namaz are similar to asanas in yoga.

Conclusion

It is up to one’s own understanding of creation and the creator. If one totally believes that there is a creator, he has to abide by that understanding, and then except for a few elements, most parts of yoga are outside of the realm of God and healthy living. If one has no understanding of God and only believes in naturalism, perhaps for that person the practice of yoga may be good and healthy living.

CHAPTER 36

Retirement

Introduction

Last month (August 2016), my family had the privilege of attending five functions. A prayer and thanksgiving meeting of a couple retired from service on the thirteenth, Independence Day celebrations in our neighbourhood on the fifteenth, and a marriage ceremony at CSI Cathedral, Chennai, on the seventeenth. We also attended second-anniversary services of a newly built CSI church on the sixteenth and a tenth-year memorial prayer meeting of a close relative who died in 2006 at the age of eighty-five. All these functions portray various facets of human life. Of all these fascinating events, I decided to write something on retirement life and in particular whether the human being’s perception of retirement coincides with God’s agenda for a person.

Concept

The world retirement is aptly applicable only to those who are in government and public service, which is about 12 per cent of working population. In a sense, this segment is a privileged class. In the private sector, there is no retirement but only termination. As a result, there is no monthly deferred wage or annuity payment to former employees, even if they put in long years of services. In the private sector after a certain age – say, anytime after fifty or before sixty-five – employees are given a handshake. In some cases, the lucky ones get gratuity and PF. However, in many companies and establishments, including NGOs, people

and workers retire without any lump-sum payment. Of course, a few get gifts and flowers from their colleagues. It is also true that vast sections of society who are involved in primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors of economy neither retire nor get benefits. Here, the workers do not have the luxury of monthly pension after retirement. Consequently, they live on the mercy of their children and grandchildren. They add both pleasure and pain.

The World

We are living in a very critical life phase in the world. National and global scenes are not favourable for the people who do not have a regular income. As each year goes by, many are denied the previous year’s comforts; in some cases, even necessities are sacrificed. They are not in peace or good health, and most often they get into conflicts with close relatives. A few of those who are born with silver spoons in their mouths always enjoy life. Nevertheless, a sizeable number of persons who indulged in various pursuits of pleasures in their younger days now seek God’s grace and mercy for all sins by reading scripture and going on pilgrimages.

None Retires!

It is commonly said that active people who are godly in nature and are service minded do not retire. It is believed that until a particular age, most people who are in active service have a tunnel view of life. Once they leave service, they see things with a global perspective and external vision. That is why people like Dr Jayalalithaa (aged sixty-eight), Dr Karunanidhi (ninety-two), Mr Pranab Kumar Mukherjee (eighty-one), and even L. K. Advani (eighty-eight) have not opted for retirement. They’re still doing something useful for society. Such people are vertically connected with God, and hence they always try to maintain a horizontal relation with people and the larger community.

God’s Purpose

Many believe that God has a purpose for every soul, spirit, and body till it leaves this world. Therefore it is absurd to think that once one attains a certain age, one retires from life. Regarding monetary reward, to some extent it is true, but this does not mean once a person leaves a job, one has to spend the rest of one’s life reading newspapers, books, and scripture, and nourishing the grandchildren! No doubt God wants each one of us to get more actively involved and participate in the chorus of life but at the same time, He does not expects us to submerge ourselves entirely in our family upkeep only. Something still can be done by the so-called retired person.

The other day, I a met a lady, aged sixty-eight and a widower, who is fortunately endowed with a satisfactory level of health. She travelled about seventy-five kilometres from her home, reached a remote village, and spent a lot of time with women explaining health and hygiene. It is such people who never talk about or ponder over the word retirement, and they would like to work, but the spirit leaves them. They empower others – that is their calling.

People like her must be praying to God: “Give me work till my last hour, and till that hour give me good health.” Like her, there are people who pray, even in their old age, “Give me Your heart to understanding the plights of the people and send me wherever You want to go.” Individuals who make such prayers and then act according to them are blessed ones. These people can confidently say that they led purposeful lives till the end. Good things are happening in society because of these people. Perhaps we get good rains because of them!

C. S. Lewis, the famous theologian, says that there are two kinds of people in the world.

A. Those who say to God, “Thy will be done.” B. To those to whom God will say, “All right, do it your way.”

God has a purpose for each one of them who submits himself or herself to Him, and in their case, “His will be done till the end”.

A few sceptics think that life is dirty, tried, and a journey starting from nothing and ending in nothing. That is not so. They do not understand that nine months in the mother’s womb is a preparation for a new life on earth. Then the active life of about sixty to ninety years in this world is a preparation for an eternity.

How many of us have fully understood this and can confidently say that we are ionate and created by the all-powerful to do His will. He holds our ways in His hands, and He is going to judge all us based on the talents He has given to each of us. Are we prepared to stand before him and say, “I fully utilised the talent You gave for the welfare of humanity.”

Life is not only raising one’s standard of living to a higher level; it’s something more. God has proposed something more for each one of us. He does not want one person to develop individually within a nuclear family; He wants all people collectively and as a community to develop.

Ecclesiastes 3:12 – Good Deeds

I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.

, ,





We are all the time expected to do his will. Once again, it is Apostle John who said, “And the world is ing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).









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The question before each one of us, especially those who have come to the retirement stage, is, “Did I do the things I am created to do? How do I know this?” Theologians say that there only two ways. ☐ Finding ourselves. When we find ourselves, we will find out the purpose for which He has created us.

☐ We have to lose ourselves. It is simply a complicated one.

It is here that we need to remind ourselves of the words King George VI quoted from “God Knows” in his 1939 Christian broadcast to the British Empire. “Give me a light that I may trend safely into the unknown.”

He replied, “Go out into darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That

shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

How can we find a reliable indication to discern the will? We can know this from His word. To find out His will, first we must be saved from external punishment. Second, we should have a place for the Holy Spirit to live in us.

God has thought about each one of us, that is why in Jeremiah 29:11 we read, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. (1 John 3:16)

Many preachers say that as Christians, we will have to seek answers or understand the four things in our lives: origin, meaning, morality, and destiny. Sometimes we are called to do small things, like the boy who carried two fishes and five loaves of bread. It may not be tangible things, but they could lead to a miracle. Many times things generally don’t work out the way we think, but once He leads us, things will work in a better and fruitful way.

We always treasure many things, as Paul used to treasure his knowledge, his family, and the Jews’ traditions. But once God met him, and he understood His will for him, he says everything that he had treasured became meaningless and waste.

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee. (Phil. 3:1–5)

The will of God is to believe in His son. God will is only you be saved but be spirted. Spiritly – filled with Holy Spirit. (1 Tim. 2:3)

It’s hard to discern the purpose as long as we spend more time in blogs, private e-mails, and Facebook, rather than in reading the word of God. We are told to pray to God: “thou will do done”. The very essence of Christian life is to do the will of God.

Conclusion We know little about the plan of our grand weaver and designer. He fashioned each one of us in the way He fashioned many of our forefathers. We are without a replica. We are made in a special way. He has hard-wired each one of us for His cause. He uses people in difficult settings and in different ways. Moses and Jonah tried to run away from God’s calling. Even Jeremiah felt he was not the man for the job. But God used all of them. God conquers our lives through pleasure, pain, and suffering. He has a purpose for us till we leave this world.q

CHAPTER 37

Jesus’s Letter to All of Us

Introduction

I had a wish in July 2016 to go to the sites of seven churches: Ephesus, Samyra (presently known as ISMIR), Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea (mentioned in Rev. 1:11). All these cities are now in Turkey. None of the churches in these cities survived. However, I am told that in Samyra, there’s still an active church. The Book of Revelation was for centuries an apocalyptic text, only later accepted into the canon of the holy scripture. Martin Luther, the reformer, did not want this to be part of the Bible. But God wanted this in the Holy Book, and in its wisdom the Church retained it. No wonder that I had a wish to go to these places.

In all these places, churches with active Christians existed for a few centuries. All were well-known cities, and so they also had big theatres, gymnastic centres, libraries, Health centres, and recreation centres. As the years ed, due to various reasons (earthquake, fire, invaders) they were all destroyed. What we can now see is only the ruins of old buildings.

While planning this trip in August 2016, I was thinking of taking my wife with me. However, in March 2017, when I actually planned the trip, somehow I felt she may not withstand such travel. After visiting all these places, I felt what my conscious did was right, because my wife may not have had the strength to undertake long travel, walking on uneven terrain and facing cold weather. I had

an idea of taking my son, Praveen Joseph, but he was just married in January 2017, and so I decided against it. I decided not to disturb him with more leave.

The Trip

As God’s wish, in the last week of April 2017, I visited the long-desired places. At the beginning, I was under the impression that I would see the seven old churches, or remodelled ones, or extended churches, or flourishing Christian congregations in all the places. But contrary to my belief, I could not see any active churches except for a small congregation in ZIMIR. The day I visited was a weekday, and so the church was not opened for visitors. However, I am not disappointed because in all the places, I could see the evidence of old churches and a thriving economy. A walk-through of the ruins corroborates the existence of flourishing trade, business, art, culture, emperor, and pagan worship.

Map of Location.

Existence of Christian Community

It seems fifty years before Jesus’s birth, many Jews occupied these areas. Then after His birth, new Christians also flourished in large numbers due to the teaching of Saint Paul and Apostle John. After Jesus was crucified, John also came with Jesus’s mother to Asia Minor and settled in a hilly place near Ephesus. Apostle John came to Ephesus together with the Virgin Mary somewhere between AD 37–48, and they spent the rest of their lives there. When Jesus was crucified, he entrusted his mother to St John, his most beloved disciple, and “After these events the disciple took her into his own house”. Those who believe this conclude that the two of them thereafter never parted from one another, and that when St John came to Ephesus, the Virgin Mary

accompanied him. It is of some interest to note that was how the house of Mary was found out.

In the Nineteenth Century, an invalid German named Catherine Emmerich had visions of the Virgin’s home on a mountain above Ephesus, and described it in detail. She had never been to Ephesus, but in 1891 a search party followed her instructions and came across this house. At the time, local Christians gathered here on the feast of the Assumption. The masonry dates from the sixth or seventh century AD, but the foundations possibly go back to the first century. One tradition holds that the apostle john brought Mary here, but another tradition claims that Mary died on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. Whatever the truth, Christian and Muslim pilgrims flock here to tie prayer flags common in eastern Christianity and at heterodox Islamic shrines. The site offers a fascinating continuum of worship from Cybele to Artemis to Mary.

Let us now briefly look into the letters to each church and its significance. It is God’s letter, given to His son, Jesus Christ, and then to the spirit. Then an angel dictated it to St John. According to one theory, it should have been written in AD 62, but another theory says it should be in AD 95. Whatever the period, it was the John the Apostle who wrote the dictated letters. There is also a difference of opinions as who wrote the dictated words. The majority view is that these letters were written by God to those who survived in that areas, such as the Christian congregation that had party immersed with the pagan worship culture and also consumed food offered to deities during that time. Just like our time, few Christians adopted secularism as a way of life rather than accepting only Jesus as the way of life. God was disappointed with this culture of immersion of the Christians. Just like the prodigal son returned home to be with the father, the God wanted His people to return back to their father.

The seven churches, described in Revelation chapters 2–3, are seven real churches. Though they were literal churches in that time, there is also spiritual significance for the churches and believers today. The first purpose of the letters was to communicate with the churches and meet their needs at that time. The

second purpose is to reveal seven different types of individuals and churches throughout history, and to instruct them in God’s truth. A possible third purpose is to use the seven churches to foreshadow seven different periods in the history of the church.

Core Themes in the Letter

Church What Jesus likes about them: What Jesus has against t Ephesus Deeds, toil, perseverance Left their first love Smyrna Tribulation No bad qualities Pergamum Hold fast in tribulation, don’t deny Jesus’s name Have bad doctrine mixed Thyatira Deeds, love, faith, service, increasing greatness of deeds Tolerate Jezebel, immora Sardis Deeds, good name You are dead Philadelphia Deeds No bad qualities Laodicea No good qualities Lukewarm

1. Ephesus: Lost Its First Love. The name Ephesus means “desirable”. It is … kilometres from Istanbul. Ephesus was a prominent city, the gateway to Asia Minor. The city was the center for the worship of Artemis (Mother of the gods). The great temple was erected here as a symbol and was counted among the seven wonders of the ancient world. The temple was destroyed in 263 AD and only the foundation stones remain. Ephesus was the leading city of Asia Minor for first few centuries. This Church is commended for its works—the preaching, enduring and serving by the early disciples. They had to discern between false teachers and true Christian ministers. However, like the fading glory of Ephesus, the Church at the end of the first century was told that “you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). God warned that, unless they repented, He would cease to use them for His purpose (Revelation 2:5). As warned by God, the whole city including the Church started decaying.

The Church at Ephesus had lost its love—for God, for the Truth, for doing His Work for the brethren. For few, holding on to a position was more important than holding on to the Truth. Even today, some of us are more concerned with position—perhaps serving as a Committee Member than doing the Work of God. The Church, which began in the 30s, was beginning to fragment in the 90s, when John wrote the book of Revelation. The Saint Paul indicates that this diversity of opinion had been present for some time, and was causing people to fall away. In just over 60 years, the Church founded by Jesus Christ was already rife with division and doctrinal strife. This should be a sobering lesson for us today! The lesson of the Ephesian era is clear: Get back on track—do the Work. Preach the Gospel with zeal, love the Truth and love each other. The Ephesian Church is symbolic of the Apostolic era of the first and second centuries ad.

2. Smyrna: Faithful in Trial. It is 725 kilometres from Angara, the capital of Turkey.

The Church in Smyrna may have been established by Paul on his third missionary journey. Smyrna was situated 60 kilometers north of Ephesus at the present-day port of Izmir. It is Turkey’s second largest city with one of the most important harbors in the region. Smyrna housed the shrine to the goddess Nemesis and was one of the last cities to fall to Islam. The Church at Smyrna, now known as Ismir offers another lesson. Smyrna was a prosperous, bustling, beautifully planned port city. Christians there faced considerable persecution. The Smyrna congregation is commended for its works and being rich in faith (Revelation 2:9), it is urged to be “faithful until death” in order to receive a reward (Revelation 2:10). The Church at Smyrna illustrates the vital importance of endurance—of holding on to your beliefs during difficult times. Jesus said that “he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). The Saint Paul wrote that only those who finish the race will be given a prize (1 Corinthians 9:24–27).

They tithed and did not believe in an immortal soul. They kept the Sabbath and the Holy Days, and followed the dietary laws of Scripture. It is no wonder they were persecuted; They did not follow prevailing social and religious customs. Smyrna is one of the two Churches to receive no correction. The lesson of the Smyrna time is simple, but vital and timeless: Remain faithful in trials—endure to the end and do not give up! It is a lesson we cannot afford to forget! It is good lesson to all of us to endure overcome. We can appreciate the appropriateness of the promise, “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life … He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death” (Revelation 2:10-11).

In the ancient city of Smyrna, the most expensive homes were on the mountainsides that rose above the bay. This gave it the name “Crown City.” The Smyrna era appears to cover the third and fourth centuries ad, a period of intense Roman persecution of the Church. Historical sources reveal that Christians of the Smyrna era believed in the Millennium—the thousand-year reign of Christ and the saints on earth.

3. Pergamos: The Compromising Church. Pergamos or Pergamum was

situated 60 kilometres past Smyrna along the ancient Roman postal road. Pergamos was the capital city of Asia Minor, home to number of imposing temples dedicated to various pagan worship. Its citizens were sophisticated and literate. The name means “elevation” or “exalted.” Appropriately, the religious and cultural center of the city was on top of a mount. Pergamos inherited the ancient system of sun worship from Babylon. According to Revelation 2:13, Pergamos was Satan’s seat. It was a center of ancient sun worship, and the place where the famous altar of Zeus stood on a terrace on the slopes of the mount. Today, the city of Bergama lies at the base of the mountain. Excavations nearby have uncovered a vast complex which included two temples, a theater, and a hospital in nearby place medical library.

Some of the most famous physicians practiced here. The medical symbol was a serpent wrapped around a pole—very similar to the symbol representing medicine today. Nearby stood the world’s second largest library (after Alexandria), with a collection of some 200,000 volumes. The Church at Pergamos is onished for permitting false teachers to put “stumbling blocks” in the way of believers (Revelation 2:14). While people may not initially believe false teachings, tolerating the spread of deceptive ideas may eventually lead many to stumble spiritually and compromise the doctrines of true Apostolic Christianity. It is true of today one would find many Bible Teaches. How to discuss.

The lesson of Pergamos is clear Do not tolerate false teachings or those who promote them—compromise causes people to stumble; Christians must stand for the Truth. This advice is particularly appropriate for the Church today!

The Pergamos era appears to extend from about 500–1000 AD. It was during this time—the Dark Ages when the Roman Church dominated Europe—that Easter, Christmas, Halloween and the philosophical ideas of the Trinity and the immortal soul were absorbed from paganism into the dominant Church. Intellectual sophistication, human reason and the desire to be “progressive” often

leads to abandoning fundamental biblical truth.

4. Thyatira: The Corrupt Church. Thirty kilometers west of Pergamos on the imperial Roman road lay Thyatira, where the town of Akhisar lies today. Apollo, the sun god, was the chief deity of the city. The city was also noted for its industries, the most notable being the dying of cloth— particularly in the colors purple and crimson. Thyatira was an inland city located on a major trade route. It was a commercial center with many trade guilds, and was the home of a military garrison. Its patron deity was a warrior goddess. To participate in the local economy one was expected to hip in trade guilds that sponsored idolatrous annual festivals— thus putting pressure on Christians to compromise to fit in.

The lesson of Thyatira is blunt: Do not pretend to go along with false teachings for appearance’s sake—do not compromise the Truth, do not go back into ways you have been called out of or you will suffer tribulation. Scripture contains very graphic warnings about this We are specifically told, many professing Christians will be “deluded” into accepting false but fashionable religious beliefs, because they did not know the Truth, or were willing to compromise the Truth they once knew. Today, as many who once attended the Church of God are returning to their former beliefs, Paul’s message rings clear, to “stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught”. Spiritual compromise leads to spiritual corruption. It happened before, it is happening today—and we need to be alert!

The Thyatira era appears to stretch from about the 11th century to the 16th century, including the Reformation and Counter-Reformation periods when many left the established Roman Church. During this time, in central and southern Europe, we find groups of Christians who believed in the Sabbath, some of the Holy Days, tithing, adult baptism and the dietary laws, and rejected doctrines of the Trinity, immortal soul, purgatory, and the popularized concepts of heaven and hell. However, over time and under the pressure of CounterReformation forces, many drifted back into prevailing practices by sitting in Sunday services, observing pagan holidays and serving in armies to avoid

persecution.

5. Sardis: The Dead Church. Sardis (today called Sart) was the capital of the province of Lydia, situated some 40 kilometers southwest of Thyatira. The city stood on a hill, and at the foot of that hill were the temples of Artemis and Zeus. Only a few comments are made about Sardis, a city once famous for arts, crafts and wealth. The lesson of Sardis is sobering: Do not let the Truth die—hold on to the Truth you have been given; bear fruit with this precious Truth, or be blotted out of the Book of Life! Sadly, The Church of Sardis was given this warning:

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee (Revelation 3:2-3).

The Reformation had failed to fortify itself against complacency and became the easy prey of those who wished to destroy it. In the midst of persecution, many courageous reformers were willing to lay down their lives rather than to deny Christ. It is to these that Christ says, “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy” (Revelation 3:4).

The message to Sardis is a message calling believers back to the truth and to steadfastness in faith: The main description of the Sardis era is that it was a dead church. (Revelation 3:1) Although it had a recognizable name and pieces of the Truth, it never did much with that precious information. The Sardis Church was also urged to be watchful—but, as we will see, they did not know what to watch for! They lacked a vital key for understanding Bible prophecy. Sardis appears to correspond to the Church era from about the 16th century to the early 20th century.

6. Philadelphia: Small but Faithful. It lies 45 kilometers east of Sardis and today the city of Alashehir stands where the ancient city stood. Philadelphia was situated at the foot of the mountains leading to Annatolia and, as such, was the doorway to this region. Philadelphia means “brotherly love. In contrast to the other Churches on the mail route, Philadelphia was not a wealthy, sophisticated or influential city. Located on an easily defended hill beside a major highway, it functioned as an outpost for spreading Greek and Roman culture (and later Christianity) to the surrounding region. The city was destroyed several times by earthquakes, but each time was rebuilt. It still exists today.

God promised to provide the Philadelphia era with an open door—a door no man could shut—for preaching the Gospel. God commends this small church for its persistence in fulfilling its mission, and for holding on, without compromise, to His precious Truth (Revelation 3:7–8). For faithfully doing a Work and holding onto the Truth, not just attending a Church of their choice, Philadelphian Christians are promised protection from the coming Tribulation (Revelation 3:10). The lesson of Philadelphia is simple: Remain faithful to Truth—do the work of preaching the Gospel, love the brethren and let no one take your crown. We cannot afford to “drop the ball” at this vital moment of history! Our salvation and our reward are at stake if we do!

“The Philadelphia period is the period of the Great Awakening of the 18th century. It is the period of mission. The words of commendation were, “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8). During the Philadelphian era, the great conflict between truth and terror reached its pinnacle. The mission movement reaffirmed the truth of the Word and its prophetic importance, and the era of world mission began. William Carey became the messenger to India in 1793, and Robert Morrison to China in 1807. In 1817, Robert Moffat carried the message to Africa and John Wesley challenged the doctrines of Calvin. Between 1804 and 1834, numerous Bible societies were established, and the door for the Gospel was

opened.

7. Laodicea: Lukewarm and Laid-Back. Laodicea was situated 60 kilometers southeast of Philadelphia and was a famous health resort. The city was popular for its hot baths and the collyrium eye salve that was produced there. The hot water for the baths was ingeniously piped to the resorts in insulated pipes, but because of the distances involved, the water was often only lukewarm by the time it arrived at its destination. The symbol of lukewarmness applied to the Laodicean Church is thus very appropriate.

Laodicea is a study in contrasts. From history, we learn that Laodicea was a proud and prosperous city, yet it played only a minor role in the spread of Greek culture. Its imposing fortifications gave the appearance of strength and promoted a feeling of security, yet its valley location and its exposed water supply made the city quite vulnerable. Laodicea was a banking center with a strong sense of independence. This independent attitude is reflected in its name, which in Greek means “the people decide” or “the people judge”.

The charge against the Laodiceans is their lukewarm attitude (Revelation 3:16). Their wealth and prosperity fosters an attitude of worldliness. They are lukewarm about the Truth, obedience to the commandments and their mission to preach the Gospel. They are very independent, and have “need of nothing” (Revelation 3:17). Laodicea had a medical school noted for its eye-salve, yet the Bible describes its people as blind to their own spiritual condition. Intellectual “sophistication” prevented them from seeing their own lack of spiritual discernment. Laodiceans produced fine black wool clothing, yet the Bible calls them naked, in need of white garments (Revelation 3:17–18). In a sense, naked Laodiceans lack vital pieces of spiritual armor—faith, love, perseverance, commitment to the Truth and godly fear of disobeying God’s commandments. They may be failing to exercise the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 6:10–19) to stand firm in times of trial and preach the Gospel with boldness.

The picture of Laodicea is of a sophisticated and self-sufficient Church that trusts in its own wealth, numbers and wisdom. It appears strong, stable and unified, but it is internally divided. Its independent-minded people unknowingly reject the leadership of Jesus Christ while they do their own thing! The “democratic” (people-deciding) aspects of the Laodicean era can extend to decisions about doctrine, organization, governance, mission and methods. This lukewarm attitude is prophesied to become dominant in the Church of God at the end of the age. The lesson of Laodicea is urgent: Wake up before it is too late, and ask God to open your eyes to see your own spiritual condition—repent of complacency, compromise, materialism and stubborn independence; respond to the leadership of Jesus Christ and do not lose your reward!

The Laodicean era describes the condition of the Church of God just before the return of Jesus Christ. It is not a pretty picture. Perhaps this is why some try to deny that these seven Churches represent seven historical eras—understanding this truth may make some uncomfortable!

It is vital for God’s people at the end of time to take heed of the Laodicean counsel because, sadly, we have done nothing to commend. The message to Laodicea is not a message of hopelessness. It is a message of hope. The message is not designed to discourage but to encourage. If the message is heeded, then the malady of the Church can be corrected. The message stems from One who can read the heart. It stems from the Faithful and True Witness—to deny the message is to deny the omnipotence of God.

And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God (Revelation 3:14).

Lessons

All the letters were written to the Church—to God’s people, His representatives. The letters reflect the spiritual condition of the Church in each time period and some of the letters contain severe reproofs. These reproofs were designed to touch the hearts of God’s people, so that these wrongs might be corrected and the promises validated. The letters to the seven Churches of the first century and or the seven Church eras they represent—contain important lessons! If we heed these lessons, we will gain a reward from Jesus Christ. John advised all seven churches: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches” (Revelation 3:22). Do we understand how the lessons apply to each of us today?

One feature of the seven messages is the self-introduction of the divine Speaker at the beginning of each message. Jesus, introduces himself with a different designation each time:

(1) him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands (2:1);

(2) him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again (2:8);

(3) him who has the sharp, double-edged sword (2:12);

(4) the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze (2:18);

(5) him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars (3:1);

(6) him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open (3:7);

(7) the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation (3:14).

Each of the letters to the seven Churches ends with an encouragement to overcome and each Church is told of a special blessing they will experience in heaven. Trying to understand what these messages mean for Christians today has been puzzling. These seven Churches, named by their locations, were not the sum total of all the congregations of the Church of God in the first century. Additional congregations were located at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:2), Philippi (Philippians 1:1) and Colosse (Colossians 1:2), just to name a few of the additional cities where Churches of God existed in the New Testament. So why did God the Father, the author of this message (Revelation 1:1), select these seven congregations?

As we will see, God selected these seven congregations to give timeless instruction for His people throughout the centuries. Progressive history of the Church: Students of the Bible have also noted that the messages to the seven churches imply a progressive history of things “which will take place after this” (Revelation 1:19). Some have described this as the chronological development of the Church or Church eras. “Again, these messages by their very go beyond the local assemblies mentioned. It can be seen that Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7), though a local church in the apostle’s day, is typical of the first century as a whole; Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) characterizes the church under persecution, e.g. from A.D. c. 100-316; Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17), ‘where Satan dwells’ … is suggestive of the Church mixing with the world, e.g. in the Middle Ages; Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) reveals how evil progresses in the Church and idolatry is practiced; Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) is representative of the Church as dead, yet still having a minority of godly men and women, as during the Reformation; Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) shows revival and a state of spiritual advance; and Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-19) is illustrative of the final

state of apostasy which the visible Church will experience” (Scofield Study Bible, Revelation 1:20).

Today’s relevance of the messages: The messages to the seven Churches of Revelation 2-3 sho

Blessings

On 20 April, I started my journey to these places. As a great blessing on that day, I happened to see Bishop Right Reverend George Stephen of Madras Diocese and Reverend Deva Prasad, former pastor of Good Shepherd Church. That was planned by the angels as a blessing. I covered 3,500 kilometres within seven days by road. For the first time in my life, I covered a long distance by car(chauffeur driven) within a week. I also had two domestic travels from Istanbul to Izmir and from the Angara to Istanbul. Arslan, a young Muslim tourist guide, was with me. I had a satisfying visit, but I felt guilty that I did not take my family with me, especially my wife. My family missed it. Probably God, in His own wisdom, must be planning a family trip to some other places of His choice.

Conclusion

After my visit to the seven historical church locations, I read a lot of literature connected with the seven letters and churches. The culmination of these readings prompted me to write something about the significance of these letters – hence this chapter. I am not a Bible scholar, or even a good daily reader of the Bible. To the preachers and Bible teachers, whatever I have written and the interpretation may seem naive, but I felt that I should write it. Probably, God wanted this chapter as the last chapter in this book. As one Bible teacher said, let us not rest on our current understanding of various events mentioned in the Bible. The truth that we pursue is more important than what we personally possess as knowledge right now. There is more to learn and more truth to be revealed by the almighty. We need His guidance to understand His creation, His power, and His people and the world in which we live.

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they

may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ. (Col. 2:2)

May God bless you all!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

R. Bhakther Solomon is a Social Scientist with a Post-Graduate Degree in Economics. He has also had short special trainings at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmadabad, Reading University in UK, INDOEP, Paris and in Australia. He has visited more than 35 countries. In recognition of his contributions to Church and Society, he was conferred with the Title of ‘Doctor of Divinity’ (Honoris Causa) by the Academy of Ecumenical Indian Theology and Church istration, Chennai. He has been in the field of professional development for more than 45 years. And, as a messenger of Social Gospel, he has helped many marginalized families to achieve both economic and social empowerment by their own efforts. During the last couple of years, he has also been an effective carrier of the Good News of the Gospel to a vast number of non-Christians.