Christian Thought Series - Nov-Dec.2016

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Table of Contents Page No.

Contents Oh, Worship the King

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Readers Write

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Prince of Peace - A Paradox ?

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Is Your Worship Costly ?

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Ways to Worship the King

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Christmas Cost

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If Christ Had not Come

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Field Report

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Christian Thought Series Vol. 14 / Issue 2 Nov. - Dec. 2016

Managing Editor Rev. Joshua Dhanabalan

Publishing Associate Ms. Rita Dhanabalan

Published by :

DISICPLES FOR CHRIST C/o. Rev. Joshua Dhanabalan No. 3, 3rd Cross Street, Kanthakottam Nagar, Kallikuppam, Ambattur Post, Chennai Mobile : 93807 09875 Email : joshbalu@yahoo.com

EDITORIAL…….

Oh, Worship The King!

Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him (Matt.2:2).

Come December, Christians brace themselves in every fashion possible under the pretext of Christmas to let go off their unbridled carnality in so many ways.

We are not unaware of what goes on in Christendom. At worst, we behave like heathens. Why? The very focus and the object of our celebration is far removed – let alone the subject of Christmas. There are differences, even objections raised by the section of believers to forget the celebration itself. That would be like throwing away the baby with the bath water.

Either way, we become too cold or too hot. This is the problem with Christian brethren who either cannot tolerate anything or accommodate everything!

But the Scriptures provide us ample scope for celebration of the Birth of the King – who is our Saviour.

As we keep our Bibles open, few sentences in Matthew chapter 2 might catch our attention.

INTENTION (verse 2): It is clear that the wise men undertook an arduous journey with one

purpose. Their mission was one which was prophetic.

For them it was this one revelation which made the difference. They discovered either through their astronomical genius or other means that the star in the east pointed to the birth of a King.

The wise men knew quite well as to what it was to worship the king. They made enquiries. Unlike today, they had neither the compass nor the GPS. The star in the east showed them the way.

Physicists and those who study stars might laugh at this. But we just believe that it happened to be so. Whether the star moved ahead of them or the wise men made calculations seeing it in the East, is not explained. We might have difficulty explaining the passage: “… the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was (v.9).

Such things don't seem to happen today. We have difficulty accepting such things for we tend to think rationally. If that be so, the very fact of virgin birth defies every bit of human logic or rationale.

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IMPULSION: “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him (v.11).”

Their act was one which was spontaneous. Churches that enacted nativity play through engaging either their Sunday School or Junior Youth dressed up characters of Magi with kingly robes! A similar scene is what we read in Revelation 4:10: “The twenty four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne…. ”

We cannot presume that the Magi had some kind of head gears! It may be that they laid their hoods as a reverence before the king.

The primary Hebrew word for worship provide the following meanings: Shachah - "to depress, i.e. prostrate (in homage to royalty or God): bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.”

What kind of thoughts fill our minds when we enter God's sanctuary?

Are we filled this kind of impulsion to fall prostrate before the Creator, the Sustainer of our lives?

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I am not sure, if this thought or act is long forgotten from us. Truly speaking, we have lost the spiritual reflux of honouring God through the act of worship. We live in a world filled with men and women of carnal minds, the spiritual appeal to worship the King does not occur to our minds. To the wise men, it was a spiritual reflux. They simply bowed down and worshiped the king.

IMITATION: It remains a sad fact that not many of us worship God with true intent. We have mixed motives even when we worship God. "Worship in our time has been captured by the tourist mind set.

Worship is understood as a visit to an attractive site to be made when we have adequate leisure. For some it is a weekly jaunt to church. For others, occasional visits to special services. Some, with a bent for Christian entertainment and sacred diversion, plan their lives around special events like retreats, rallies and conferences. We go to see a new personality, to hear a new truth, to get a new experience and so, somehow, expand our otherwise humdrum lives. We'll try anything -until something else comes along.”

King Herod heard the news and was disturbed. But he pretended as though he too desired to worship the king. “…Report to me, so that I VOL. 14 ISSUE 2

too may go and worship him,” he said.

We might be too quick to judge others. But this is what Isaiah tells of God's people's imitation worship: You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain, their teachings are but rules taught by men (Matt.15:7-9) Today, there is a kind of worship that centers in satisfying self. In a worship efforts are made to see that every one is “satisfied” with the service. The ambience provides a false security and serenity. With quality acoustic arrangeme nt, soul-stirring music flows through the sanctuary. The emotions are automatically scintillated when the speaker makes an earnest 'appeal' to worship the Lord. The sight and sound does the trick than the Spirit of the Lord. We all love “audience-centred” worship.

RIGHT ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP: Worship is God centered.

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker” Psalms 95:6 One of the great errors in modern worship is making it worshipper centered. Worship is to be centered on praising God, not entertaining ourselves.

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a. We need to understand that the blessings we receive from worship are a by-product . In worship we come to adore and give thanks and praises, not just to receive.

b. The effort to "get more" out of worship has led to all types of artificial, superficial, and unscriptural gimmicks to "live up" worship periods. Suchis not worshipping God; it is bowing to the altar of the social gospel. c. We recognize we have problem in true worship, but fail to diagnose it rightly. The problem is not with the content of our worship. The problem is with our hearts. We are so materialistic and carnal minded that we cannot center our minds of praising God and need artificial stimulation to "fee l" spiritual.

The child of God does not need special stimulants to bring about proper worship. He centers his life on pleasing God, therefore he is always happy to come before the throne of grace in praise to the King.

The Magi show us an example of what it is to worship the King. a. They made efforts to see the king. b. They offered their reverence to the King. c. They placed before Him their gifts.

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Worship is not what we get. It is what we give.

Everything else fills our minds during Christmas – carols, music programmes, travel, planned events, parties, fun, buying spree and so on.

We get excited for no reason that is worthwhile.

While we are busy engaging in such activities that are merely human and carnal, the King walks away!

We are guilty of making the celebration of Christmas as a commercial and consumer-oriented festival.

Where is our worship of our King?

Wh a t a r e o u r i n t e n t i o n s o f wor shi ppi ng Him? Are the re elements of spontaneity with joyful offering of praise and thanksgiving?

Or, do we have an imitation worship as that of the idolatrous worshippers?

- Joshua Dhanabalan

DO NOT BE MISLED:

Why is it that the peaceful moments I enjoy in the presence of Christ is not sustained when I go through maze of life – often difficult and distressful? When the scene changes, God's presence seem to disappear – Why? It is not an external stimulus that triggers my spiritual stamina. Instead, it is an inward impulse which needs to be kindled all the time. Spiritual discipline is a must to have that inner strength in our time of need. Alas, not many of us succeed in this area. Even great men had failed miserably in this. Exceptions of the life of Joseph and Daniel are great reminders in the Old Testament. They were good examples of “how to apply your spiritual mind in times of crisis.”

Further, having been in the presence of God for hours, one can come away as a son of hell! What more example can we think of other than Judas? He ate the Supper together with His Lord and other disciples. In that sense, he enjoyed “togetherness” with the brothers. The “fellowship meal” held them together. Yet the devil took hold of him (John 13:27).

What happens to us before or after communion is a serious matter for us to consider. Paul warns that we take quite seriously the Lord's Supper lest we will be judged for partaking of this in an unworthy manner.

Let's never brag about “fellowships”- not even the presence of God. The devil doesn't care for these (Job 1:7). He is a prowling lion – who is roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it. He is looking for targets. The devil will not disturb you much if you remain stationary. But when you press on and go the whole length with God, then the Enemy has you as a target. But God will vindicate you in the midst of the whole thing.

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READERS WRITE…….

Dear Uncle & Aunty, Praise the Lord!

We are living here well through the grace of GOD. Dear sir, we have been so blessed through your last meeting in our church- not only me but all the believers. After your meeting we miss you so much in love of GOD. In first two days of that meeting, it was such blessing for our leaders because they learnt many things in those two days. Many leaders came to me and shared me their experiences within that two days. It was really a blessing for me as an organizer and last day in Sunday service our entire family members of the church were blessed by your ministry. Last week I got your magazine and we saw all those photos, massage, testmony and experiances that are published by you. Your magazine helps me to teach the Bible classes in my Church. So I was really blessed through your magazine too. Please pray for our church building that is still incomplete as you had seen. Through your prayer support God will perform miracles in our ministry and life. We are going to start extension work of our church. Please pray.

Pastor. John Jagat, Kanker, Chattisgarh.

Dear Brother, I have got the hard copy and already plunged in reading and appreciating the lessons under various aspects of one's motive and evaluate myself where I err. Thanks and pray God for blessing your ministry.

Mr. Muthumani, Chennai

Dear Rev. Dhanabalan, Greeting from Malawi the warm heart of Africa. How is ministry that side? We are doing fine. My regards to the family.

Thanks for CTS on-line,

Bishop Charles Kalinde, Malawi

Dear Brother, I have done a very detail reading- Sep-Oct issue. You asked a question: “Why Do I follow Christ ?” Yes, I was having a set of answers for that.

About the presumptuous motives - I have some reservations - We must approach him with love as well as fear and nothing should be taken for granted and sometimes familiarity will dilute our reverence. But will GOD punish us like the examples like Nadab etc you mentioned? I fully agree on your arguments in the article GOD, Taken for Granted .. .

Honestly , I will not get much by first reading. So I will read it multiple VOL. 14 ISSUE 2

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times and try to understand it. For readers like me, you may conclude what we have to do or what should be our approach etc as the last paragraph like the way you done in GOD Taken For Granted. Also what could be the correct answer for Why Do I follow Christ ? - I don't think it is a subjective one. The answer is definitive one.

Vinod Robert, Cochin.

Dear Pastor, I received a copy of CTS and learned about your training programmes in various states. We are an independent group working among the villages of Korput and Nabrangpur districts. The poor believers are suffering due to malnutrition and lack of employment. From your magazine, I noted you extend help to some HIV patients. We have some HIV cases among our contacts. I am sending their photos. Can you please visit our place and encourage us?

Pr. Sundar Mohan Sisak, Nabrangpur, Orissa.

(We had an extensive teaching programme twice in this place – Editor) Dear Pastor, I am a Tamil speaking person born in Chitradurga in Karnataka. Now I am working as a missionary- pastor in a tribal area of Thalawadi (erstwhile Sandal-wood brigand Veerappan's area of operation). The work is hard, lonely and we receive very poor income. The believers are Lambadi tribals who cannot support our work. I received your magazine and want to associate myself with you for fellowship and guidance.

Pr. Patrick, Chamarajangra Dist.

ARE YOU LONELY? A child of God could be left alone at timeshelpless and uncared for. He or she may feel utterly powerless to fend for himself or herself. Even the Master of our lives experienced this. As a perfect human submitted to His Father's will, he could not attempt to do things at his own will. Worldly men may resort to ungodly ways to succeed in their devices, But a child of Christ is at a loss even when what is legitimately his own might be forcibly snatched away from him. While he is strong in Christ, men of worldly valour may thrash him down through their might. While he might slay over 950 idolatrous prophets at one go, he may on the other hand, run for his life. That is the irony of Christian life.

J.D. 6

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PRINCE OF PEACE – A PARADOX? And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace(Isa.9:6).

The World Around Us:We are living in the midst of turbulent times. This had been a decade of war and blood-shed. Millions of refugees had been fleeing their homes to an unknown destination fearing civil war or terror strikes by extr emists. Inn ocen t lives of children had been snatched by bomb shell attacks. Pregnant women and elderly people had gone without food and shelter. Women were molested in war-torn zones. Young men brutally massacred by cruel war-mongers.

In a context such as this, the preamble of the U.N is so ironic that it reads something like this: “We, the people are determined to save the succeeding generations from war.”

Jeremiah lamented:”Peace, peace, they say, when there is no peace (Jer.6:14).

Somehow, peace eludes people everywhere. There is no peace in many homes today. We have comforts, but no peace. Our lives have become so complicated and complex. No one knows what goes on inside of us. Our schemes, thoughts and motives are known only to God. VOL. 14 ISSUE 2

We s a y w e a r e d e v e l o p e d technologically. Our scientists can crack unresolved mysteries of the natural world through their scientific temper. We retrieve from outer space high resolution photographs.

Man seems to have attained mastery over every other thing except the troubled soul within. There is endless raging and war going on.

Though people try to be happy on the outside, they are burdened by so many worries.

How could we ever say to such people that the coming of the Saviour ushers in peace? Does that sound relevant? Does the gospel of Jesus Christ make any sense today?

Who is this Prince of Peace?

Life Within Us: It may be, that some of us are passing through pain and suffering. There occurred some tragedy or irreparable loss. God seems far removed. Our fasting and pr ay ers seemed to ha ve gon e unanswered. We trusted the Lord for almost everything. Now we are almost tempted to ask: “What is the point in going on any further. Leave me alone. Let me go on my way! As a follower of Chri st, I car ed for people.I fed the poor and hungry. I brought into my home the homeless.

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I visited those neglected ones in the streets and hospitals. I wept with those who wept. I was a source of support and encouragement to many.

But when things had gone against me, there is hardly anyone to stand along with me. I am left all alone.

Yes. God too seems far, far away”.

Is this not the heart's cry of many of us during this Christmas? While all that we have mentioned above may be true. But God's wisdom is far above our thoughts. “Why do bad things happen to good people?” is a debate going on for ages. The prophets of old cried out to God: “Why Lord, do the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper?” God never gives us a quick reply. As we pass through maze of life, we discover the purposes of God. Like David, we might be able to say: “It was good that I was afflicted so that I might learn your decrees (Ps.119:71).”

Peace With God:People who recognize the ways of God and know His dealings are at peace with God. They are at peace with themselves and others. It is only those who are with confused minds blames it on God or other s. Th ey excuse themselves at all costs. Such people would constantly blame others for their problems. One way or the other, as part of the fallen humanity, we contribute to the suffering of mankind. That is how the nature of 8

things have turned out to be. God never designed our world to be this way.

One of the reasons why peace eludes us is due to this. Our life gets clogged into the miry clay. There is foam and froth called sin which gets cluttered into our channels of hope, peace and joy. Unless one is washed within and without through the cleaning blood of the Lamb, finding peace with God is impossible.

Peace Within: God's people had been through untold pain and misery.

But they had always enjoyed peace.

Ask them why. They will reply without an iota of doubt: “We receive joy and peace through Christ”.

Paradoxically, pain and peace co-exist in this world.

Trusting in Christ does not mean absence of pain or sorrow. Jesus said: “You shall have trouble in this world.”

When Christ was born, the angels ushered in the good news: “Peace on earth, good will toward men.” But the Prince of Peace was termed as the “man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.”

Find out some godly men and women and talk to them(it is a rare thing to find them in good numbers today!).

There are diffe rent kinds of Christians. They are the normal and the nominal ones! They say their prayers daily. They are regular church-goers. They sing in the choir - take active part in the church activities. Beyond that, they might not mean serious business with God. We are here talking about those who VOL. 14 ISSUE 2

take God and His Word seriously. If you happen to meet them, they may not, at the first instance share their deep sorrows at the first instance. If they do, you might sink yourself into despair! But they are the ones who, like our Lord had been through pain and suffering – rejected by men, even “stricken by God, smitten by him, and fflicted.”( Isa.53:4).

The Bible says: “the punishment that brought us peace was upon him” (v.5).

God has a long drawn plan of providing us through His Son. He was called as the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world (Rev.13:8).

To all those, who are washed by the blood of this Lamb, God provides eternal peace.

Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” (John 14;27).

We must possess the right understanding of what this peace means. We must not engage ourselves into some kind of wishful thinking about peace.

Clearly stated: “Peace for a Christian is evident and possible amidst pain, calamity or disaster.”

A saintly man called Spafford who lost four of his children in a mid-ocean collision wrote: When peace like a river attendeth my way When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul.

Is this the kind of Peace are we talking about during this Christmas?

What does the Prince of Peace mean to you personally?

J.D

MUTE OR DEAF? Am I living in the midst of an ungodly nation, a society, a family or a Church?

“Oh, I am a man of unclean lips!” cried Isaiah. Today, I cannot raise my voice either – for my own eye sight have been so blurred and I can hardly have the vision of the glory of God who is lifted high and lifted up.

The pangs of a heart captive to sin longs for freedom in Christ. One can woefully express with William Cowper this way: 'Where is the blessedness I knew What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!

When I first saw the Lord?

How sweet their memory still?

Where is the soul refreshing view, But they have left an aching void Of Jesus and His Word.

The world can never fill. (William Cowper) Jesus could not share deeper truths of the Kingdom with his own disciples since their spiritual eyes were shut up until the time of Pentecost. Paul too laments and did not dare to share “spiritual things” with the Corinthians because of their Carnality. By nature we are blind God ward. God's dealings with us are never understood till He Himself appears to us. He must speak, or we cannot interpret His acts. We are so selfish that, when God is drawing us to Himself, we are too much absorbed in our own things to notice the hand which is at work upon us.

J.D. VOL. 14 ISSUE 2

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IS YOUR WORSHIP COSTLY? If Christ is the Lord of our lives, then nothing must hinder us from worshipping Him. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Therefore, our worship of the King must be appropriate and acceptable before Him. Worship is one way of ourselves reciprocating the love we have received from God. He made it imperative to His people and said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Deut.6:4).”

We are emphasizing the fact that during this Christmas we take efforts to exalt the King who is born the Saviour. Let not our sights be blurred by sound and light effects, decorations, ungodly forms of merry-making or mere bodily satisfactions we derive from food or clothing. While we recognize that all legitimate forms of enjoyment is not sinful, we also must be aware that such seemingly harmless things around us could become a snare to us.

The most unedifying thing in most established Churches is to do with choirs and carols. I cannot recall anyone turning to Christ, touched by the choir's singing of the carols.

We make our celebration expensive.

But the worship of our King is in poor style. On Christmas day, the usual worshippers come to worship 10

service late. Or, they leave the service early. They have guests coming home for either lunch or dinner. We please friends and neighbours at great cost.

If we truly love Christ, we will express our love and devotion in so many ways.

The Message: Christmas brings a message that transcends all barriers.

The message condescends to those who are out of sight. We find this in Luke 2:8 following: The shepherds were simpletons whom God chose to reveal the message. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord.”

In a world of racial prejudice, class or caste division God breaks all barriers of human pride and arrogance. The good news comes to ordinary men.

The essence of Christmas message is that He might find place in a manger – in lowly places where ordinary people dwell. Jesus Himself was not a place-born king. For, the rich and famous might say: “There is no room in the Inn.” While we must be careful not to stretch this message to mean that God disregards all those who flourish with material wealth. The point Bible emphasizes is that God reaches to those who are “poor in the spirits.”

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Material poverty is definitely not to be equated with privilege s for spiritual riches. While engaging in community development work, I have often been frustrated with poor people's attitude of stubbornness, arrogance and vain pride. On the other hand, one can also find people who are 'great and mighty' in the sight of the world are humble and transparent before God. The bottom line is this: Poor or rich- God is no respecter of persons.

Are they capable of reciprocating His love is what matters.

The Response: On hearing the good news, the immediate response of the shepherds was: “Let us go…” God in His wisdom revealed the good news to the shepherds. Had this news reached the rulers or priests, they would have concurred with long debates and discussions.

“Should we leave our sheep and go at this night?” “Is it safe to do so?”

“What risks would we entail in Jerusalem?” “What on our return our sheep are either stolen or mouled by wolves?” Intelligent deliberations, aren't they? The wise men of our times would have kept such matters in abeyance in their councils or board meetings.

Our Lord himself clarifies why God reveals Himself to ordinary people: “I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things VOL. 14 ISSUE 2

from the wise and learned, and revealed to to little children. (Matt.11:25).

Let's make this truth clear: Christians have a tendency to hit either one of two extreme s. We are not encouraging a stance of “Ignorance Is Bliss.” While we must possess and endow and enhance all our mental faculties to the glory of God and the extension of His Kingdom, the acquiring of our knowledge must never make us self-suf ficient .

Many well meaning Christians have gone drifting away from God trusting in their own knowledge while rejecting the knowledge that comes from God. In this context, we must think a bit about the 'pros and cons' of theological training. Theological institutions, in their pursuit of studying systematic theology or textual criticism must never reduce the inerrant Word of God with a liberal approach of calling the inspired Word to a mere text book containing sparks of inspiration from God. Fearing this kind of backlash of dangerous training, many Christians down play the need for theological training. This again is another extreme view point. There is a great scope to study the history of the Church in all the 20 centuries or more. When and where heresies crept in to the Church and how the 11

truth was defended is widely Waiting for God's direction and timing analysed throu gh suc h studies. has its place too. When God says, Further, a student is exposed to “Wait,” we rush with our programmes. study different cultures and religions In the case of the shepherds, they did of the world. Then there are well what they were supposed to do. courses to learn on different The Bible is silent as to the mentioning societies and communities of the of their cattle or sheep. It may be that world. On the mission front, one is some were left behind to care for their helped with anthropological studies. sheep. But they took a rapid action to Besides, Biblical languages are taught move out to Bethlehem. to interpret the Scripture in original They had forfeite d their sleep, Greek or Hebrew. A student is equipped so that he will handle the undertook an arduous journey. There world of God with utmost care. were risks of robbers on the high way.

But they went on to see the King.

Arguably, Peter and most apostles were not learned men.

Counting the Cost of True Worship Spreading the Word * Is your worship costing you anything?

They were filled with (V.17): The shepherds - Are you offering your body as a living the Holy Spirit and had sacrifice to God ? Romans 12:1 - Are you paying the proper price in your did not keep the message first -hand knowledge worship or robbing God? Mal. 3:8 as a closed door secret.

- Let us examine ourselves and be sure of our Lord Jesus Christ. we are worshiping in spirit and truth!

To the m, it was a In the same way,on that 2 Cor. 13:5, Jn. 4:23-24 first - hand experience.

They had seen the King! How could cold and wintery night, 'God they ever keep it to themselves? The breathed His Word' to the simple message was given them from above by shepherds. They responded with an angel. Now, they have come to the great joy. They were not engaged place of the King. What they heard in hermeneutical exegesis like the was seen by them. The message was a teachers of the law. reality to them. Therefore, they could Costly Visit: The Bible says, “They not keep silent about the whole matter. hurried off…” (Luke 2:16). God They proclaimed the message. knew exactly why they must be told Verse 18 says: “All who heard it were about the birth of the Saviour. amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”

Some things must be done Most devout and prayerful Christians immediately in life. If there is an may be poor communicators of the gospel. Not many of us know how to urgency for prayer, it is better we share the gospel. We are either afraid do it instantly. We are good at lest we offend people or ashamed not interchanging things of their order. of the gospel, but about how people While God might say, “Go”, we will respond or react to it. might be tarrying in prayer.

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Isn't this a season of spreading the good news?

We have materials and tools which might help us in sharing the gospel.

For example, we might provide a gospel DVD to our non-Christian friend or neighbor . This may be a good time to invite them into our homes and share the gospel. Many Christian families are already doing this. This is a commendable things to do.

In a sense it is a costly thing to do when one is distracted by all kinds of outward activities that are not very fruitful. Have you been able to draw someone to Christ in all these years?

If so, then it must indeed be a costly thing.

Joyful Return: (V.20)”The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

To these humble shepherds, their trip to Bethlehem was not only successful but ended in praising God. Somehow, I get very uncomfortable about the many thousands of Christians who spend thousands of rupees to go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The Muslims have Mecca and so do the Christians! Most of these Christian pilgrims might return home with a superficial joy that does not last.

Those who go to the Jordon river to be baptized is yet another story!.

Here is a saying: “The light that shines at home, shines farthest.”

Some of us are trying to accomplish the impossible in a strange and unknown place. All the while, we have done nothing in particular in the places where we live. We are known elsewhere. Are we known well in our own neighbourhood?

Are we known as people who live joyfully in Christ? Are our homes the abode for people to come and find rest in Christ and His Word?

Is Christ being glorified and praised continually?

If we have not attempted doing these things, why not try during this Season of Christmas.

J.D

Come to the water. Drink from the river of life. Be quenched of thirst.

Recognize from deep within you, a spring of water gushing out (John 7:38).

You will, in turn, attract people who will draw from you the river of life.

J.D VOL. 14 ISSUE 2

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WAYS TO WORSHIP THE KING

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CHRISTMAS COST The global ‘freak-out’ season is here! Please don’t get me wrong. I mean, Christmas is around the corner. The human mind is clever and crafty that it can invent innumerable ways to give vent to its frustrated self. Deep within human soul, lurks the uncrucified self which is enslaved by greed and lust. It is only an expression and conversion when the darkest devil within is camouflaged with a religious garb. Today, those who have nothing to do with Christ celebrate Christmas with such an electrified and hysterical mood. What is behind it?

Think!

Christmas serves the purpose to show our Mammon power against all our bankruptcy. Our purchasing power has grown four-fold. The boom in IT industry has taken the world and the younger generation to greater heights that the majority of us fear their imminent fall. The world is just trying to get out of an economic melt-down that shook the rich nations in recent times. Still, we have not learnt our lessons.

Experience shows that many of our children who struggled to find a few hundred extra rupees during their student days flip around today with a hundred thousands as salary per month. Rags to riches story indeed! Too quick is theirchange in attitude which is turned into arrogance. The love and care for elders, parents, the poor and needy is gone all at once.

Nevertheless, such a generation is trying to prove their commitment to Christ. On the other end, some of their parents live on a hand-to-mouth sustenance, trying to repay huge loans they had borrowed to educate them. Whether one likes it or not, our churches are full of such Spirit-filled youngsters. What kind of a spirit – one does not know! I wonder if Christmas has indeed become a pagan festival? Earlier, I commented on losing out the joy of Christmas as certain sections of Christians do not celebrate Christmas fearing the unknown. I now think that they are right to some extent.

As per the IT boom and all the ill-effects it brings upon the generation, the economic recession itself may be construed as a sign of the finger of God. Who knows? We may have to face a second melt-down sooner or later.

Against this back drop, let us ask: Where is Christ in all this? Is He real?

Are we worshipping or celebrating the birth of another Jesus? To a great extent Christmas only idealizes Christ without giving credibility to His real Person.

Disturbing thought, isn’t it?

J.D. Amidst all turbulence, wishing you true blessing of the Season.

- (Reprinted - CTS)

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IF CHRIST HAD NOT COME ...

During this Season, it would be good to ponder about the greatplan of God. It is possible for us to become familiar with relevant passages of Scripture. The intent of the verses in the scripture may be lost if we take God’s word for granted.

Grace: Nothing real exists outside Christ. If His death had not been real, you and I would never have had the access to the throne of God’s mercy. Instead, the wrath of God would have consumed us to ashes.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ when we were dead in transgressions- it is by God’s grace you have been saved (Eph.2: 4,5).

An undeserving sinner receiving G o d ’s f o r g ive n e s s f r e e l y i s unfat homable by human mind.

Full realization of grace was possible because of Christ’s coming.

Mercy : We have known of God’s mercies that never come to an end.

In the absence of God’s mercy, we would have had priests carrying the censors with burning coals to appease God’s wrath in order to stop the plague that might suddenly break out (Num 16). Mercy originates at the bosom of God. A compassionate God is moved with love toward the sinner (John 3:16).

Freedom: Enslaved by sin, we were constantly overwhelmed by the grip of fear. Lacking purpose and direction in life, we took to religion of different sorts. If Christian faith had been turned into a mere religion, then we would not enjoy the freedom. Christ said: “If you know the truth, it will set you free (John 8:32).”

Fullness of Life: “I came so that they may have life, and have it to the full… (John 10:10)” It is such a pity when those who know of the blessing Christ offers continue to live in utter bankruptcy from within and without. How could anyone lead a fateful, defeated and depressed life still claiming to be Christian? Well, there are times of sorrow; but sure enough, sun shine dispels darkness not before long.

Fruitfulness: The very purpose that Christ had chosen is that we bear fruit for Him (John 15:16). There are many Christians who enjoy the result of Christ’s death. They are forgiven and are saved from their sin. The y are subj ects of the Kingdom here now and here after.

But do they bear fruit that lasts?

Christ is not happ ily disposed toward a passive Christian who lets go of his responsibilities while he retains all the privileges. Christ came as the giver of good gifts.

Having received the fullness of G o d ’s g r a c e , h o w d o w e reciprocate it? - J.D - (Reprinted - CTS)

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Field Report It had been almost four months since we relocated ourselves from Kilpauk to Kallikuppam. We had ventured out to reaching the less privileged community through health, education and evangelistic program along with pastoral care and support . After 26 years, having begun our work here we once again returned to this place. We knew God had been leading us.

Against all the battle and struggles raging within us, we are here just because we just obeyed Him. Nutrition Program We have been burdened once again to touch the lives of children whom we see every day going to school who are under nourished due to poverty, and lack of basic amenities of life. While we relish plenty of dishes every day we felt guilty and began to pray and started sharing nutrition kits to the poor families of school going children especially girl children.

We collected rice, sugar and Dhal from some of our friends who voluntarily gave and distributed to four needy families who live in our neighborhood.

We are planning to enhance this program by giving nutritious food particularly to girl children. The families whom we have provided rice, dhal sugar and oil have girl children studying in class eleven and twelve.

“There was hardly 50 grams of sugar left at home, when you gave me plenty of sugar and I was moved with tears” says a mother of two teen aged daughters who lives right closeby. The family lives in a one room house with asbestos sheet without toilet. The father is an alcoholic who spends most of his income in smoking and drinking . The mother works hard by selling idlies in the neighborhood. There is a great relief and support to the family. Approximately 60 to 70 Kgs of rice and other grocieries have been distributed to four needy families during the month.

Education Four children have enrolled for spoken English classes. Twice a week for one and half hours children are taught to speak in English. This came to us when the parents expressed the need to improve their children's spoken English. The classes are very lively and children enjoy learning.

They await eagerly to come to the classes.

“Uncle I am finding it difficult to study physics, can you help me?” Asks Kamali who is in class eleven. There were few more girls who expressed the need for coaching classes in Physics and Chemistry. Two of our volunteers - Dr. Santhosh who teaches at VIT and Mrs. Shiney John who teaches in Ewart's College are lending their helping hand to these less privileged children. Our main concern is to touch these young lives with the Gospel through these interventions.

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Health: We have not attempted much in this area so far. We are looking for committed Christian doctors to avail their time so we can organize medical camps from time to time.

Employment: There is a need for net working with resource people/ employment exchange like places or companies who will help us find employment for skilled and semi-skilled personnel who are without proper jobs.

Soft Skills We are laying the emphasis on helping these children with soft skills. Some very basic things such as etiquette, discipline, time-keeping and good manners are inculcated through different methods. Some have shown tremendous response and positively work toward improving their life-style.

Fellowship It is not accident that we met a couple from Orissa working with Vishwa Vani in Ambattur. Over the months, we kept communicating with them.

They had expressed a need for fellowship meetings since they are without many friends or families around to relate to them in English. Apart from the usual fellowship meetings we used to have with our volunteers, we have begun a Bible-study fellowship in English on an experimental basis.

Church Meetings: As before, we extend the ministry of teaching and preaching to the local churches. There have been invitations to preach in few places during Christmas Season.

Training & Outreach: There are a couple of Evangelists who have requested us to train their local pastors and extend other material help to needy believers. One such request comes from Orissa and the other from bordering Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It always poses difficulty when demands for material help is asked from us. We have always learned to work with sense and spiritual resources along with very minimal financial resources.

Volunteers: We are looking for deeply committed volunteers to engage themselves in any of these areas of ministry and who could plan to allot their time on a weekly basis.

Blessing Through CTS Thousands of readers have been touched through the publication of Christian Thought Series for over 14 years. There had been numerous calls and e-mails- the existing readers sharing their joy and blessing and the newer ones sending us requests for availing themselves even with older issues of CTS. *Vacant Land: Out of 4500 sq.ft of land we possess, we have now have a built-up area of 860 sq. ft where we now reside and carry out the work.

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We still have about 2300sq.ft vacant land which is to be developed. We are praying that in due course, this could be put to use for common good of other ministries and churches. This means that seminars, retreats and prayer fellowships can be conducted all through the year by various Christian groups or fellowships. We look for church groups/mission agencies who will be interested in entering into a MOU to jointly develop this.

Finance: In all these years, we never had more than 4 or 5 partners consistently supporting us on a regular basis. Apart from this, some partners have contributed generously through their one time offering. One of our volunteers commented:�If every one of the readers could send just Rs.50/- each, much of the needs of this ministry could be met.�

Unfortunately, not all the volunteers who had reaped much of the spiritual blessings support the work on a regular basis. While this is so, God proved His faithfulness to us. We never stopped our work for want of funds- nor did we force it on others through unscriptural methods of fund raising.

Thank You! We are sincerely grateful to those individual partners who provided us clothing, groceries and generous support from time to time. A couple of our dear partners are staying far away but are close to our hearts connected through close fellowship when the love of Christ is shared mutually in more than one way between us. We thank a couple of our volunteers who in spite of their own difficulties had extended their help in the work of Christ. We appreciate the kind services of Mr. John Paul and Mr. Joshua who assists much in CTS related work every time.

We place on record the kindness of Pr.Clement who is a pastor of a local fellowship and whose long time friendship and timely help had meant a lot to us. It is a fact that God's work will either flourish or suffer due to the response or indifference of his people.

Please pray for us as we prepare ourselves to serve the Lord and His people in the New Year with His grace and mercy.

Contact us: Disciples For Christ, *(Land Development Project A/c) HDFC Bank No.50200007377501 IFSC HDFC0000124, Kellys Branch, Chennai 10.

(For details of our address and general S/B account, please see last page) VOL. 14 ISSUE 2

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STUDY / FELLOWSHIP / COACHING ...