Christian Thought Series July Aug Issue

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VOL 9 ISSUE 6

EDITORIAL

T

he i e has i all o e to edei e the o d godli ess. If ot do e o , it a soo e e ased f o the pages of Ch isia o a ula . To ake a ho est state e t: We a e li i g i a so iet , ute l i depe de t of God, est a ged f o His a e ut i e ted ou s o eligious elief ithout godli ess.

Though e a i all ea est ess, ake a ate pt to edei e it, i all p o a ilit , it is a dii ult thi g to p o ide a ui k a d eas dei iio . Fo it is ot just a do t i e to e studied, ut a o du t to e li ed out. Mo e of godli ess ould e u de stood ete as e go do the oad of Ch isia li i g.

No , ho a 

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





e alled a godly pe so ?

A si e e a d dedi ated Su day s hool tea he ?

A so ially o s ious a d o passio ate pe so ?

A tale ted Ch isia The e thusiasi

o ke ? o ship leade ?

A eligiously -de out pa e t?

Godli ess is a a e i tue- ot to e fou d e e a o g elie e s. Without hesitaio I ight all self a elie e ithout ei g godl ! M u de sta di g of the s iptu es a e good. M thought, o ept a d p i iples a e e elle t. But does that ake e godl ?

Take fo e a ple, ou o ship. It is possi le that I a o ship God ithout ei g godl . If godli ess is a se t, the o ldli ess sets i . M thoughts, a iio s a d ate pts a e all e te ed a ou d hat the o ld tells e to do. I thi k, godli ess a d holi ess go togethe . It is pe haps h the Bi le sa s: …Without holiess, ot o e ill see the Lo d. He . : .

Do e k o h ost of ou hu hes ea a dese ted look o the da of Wo ship? If e a e ho est, e ight e og ize that the glo “heki ah of the Lo d is o spi uousl a se t i ost of the ode da hu hes. We su situte it

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ith all ou pa aphe alia hi h a i lude a eauifull - o ed ight hoi , the d a ai - o du to , the ei ie t o ga ist a d the passio ate soloist. Alas, the Lo d Hi self a ot e p ese t the e!

The poi t is that o e a e e gaged i the ost hol thi gs of God ithout ei g hol – a d fo that ate , ithout ei g godl . God a ot e essa il ha e p ee i e e i thei li es. The do the ki d of thi gs i the hu h just e ause the had ee asked to do. Ma a e si pl dut - ou d i the eligious se se. The a e good people, se ious a out thei hu h o of its a i iies. It is just that a idst all of thei good a i iies, pe so al godli ess does ot ake a se se to a of the .

The e a e just a fe pla es i the Ne Testa e t he e godli ess o the godl appea . Ne e theless, the hole Bi le is a ook o godli ess.

He e a e a fe

od

e ses that speak di e tl o godl li i g.

Fo the g a e of God that i gs sal aio has appea ed to all e . It tea hes us to sa No to u godli ess a d o ldl passio s, a d to li e self- o t olled, up ight a d godl li es i this p ese t age Titus : .

People ho ote tesif a out thei sal aio e pe ie e out i the ope ust take ote of this. “al aio is ot o e-sa ed-al a s-sa ed e e t. To e, this do t i e is o e of the su tle tea hi gs o i g f o the ost t usted Bi leelie i g Ch isia s. The tea h that a elie e ill e e lose his o he sal aio . At ost , The point is that one can the sa , the e a d i hea e ill e lost, ut be engaged in the most e e ith ega d to o e s sal aio . It is as if holy things of God withto sa , Just e a si e all the i e. You a e out being holy – and for sa ed – past, p ese t a d futu e. E e if ou that matter, without being godly. a kslide o li e i si , ou ha e ete al life – i.e., ou go to hea e , a a , ut the e ou ill ha e o e a d! Is this ho e tea h e elie e s? Whi h of those s iptu e e ses suppo t this ki d of tea hi g? What idea ould a e elie e get out of this tea hi g? I ha e pe so all fou d so e of those ho adhe e to this do t i al tea hi g to e u ki d, i se sii e a d letha gi . The ha e adopted the sel es to a e poo Ch isia life-st le.

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Ho does this state e t ele t the e se e ha e ead a o e i Titus : ? “hould ou i li al i te p etaio def o o se se?

Believers living in willful sinning without the fear of A godl pe so is ot si less pe so , ut a si God , yet claiming to be se sii e pe so . His tole a e le el to si is e saved is a blatant lo . I a af aid, if those ho tea h the o econtradiction. sa ed-al a s-sa ed do t i e take si se iousl o ot? “al aio th ough g a e e a les a elie e to lead a life of godli ess. “o e elie e s li e as though the ha e othi g to do fo ith thei sal aio , fo it is pu el a ate of God s so e eig g a e. The st et h God s so e eig t so u h that the fail to ala e it ith a s espo si ilit . Belie e s li i g i illful si i g ithout the fea of God , et lai i g to e sa ed is a lata t o t adi io . Paul is tea hi g he e that it is e ause e a e sa ed, e ust e selfo t olled, up ight a d li e godl li es. A sa ed pe so o sta tl esists sa s No to all that is u godl . It is t ue that a Ch isia i his ate pt to lead a godl life is o sta tl put u de g eat p essu e f o the o ld to ield to its dea ds.

We a e li i a ou d us. sh e d, se a fa to , s o sa asi

g i a o ld he e godli ess akes o se se at all to ost people Godli ess is a is o e . We use o ds that a e at a i e – s a t, sii e, st o g a d so o . Who o ea th app e iates a godl pe so i hool, ollege o oi e? “u h a pe so ote e pe ie es hu iliaio o e ts f o his o he pee s.

Paul i his i t odu io i e se of Titus i st hapte sa s the k o ledge of t uth leads to godli ess. Let us put it this a : The Bi le sa s that if a a k o s hat it is to do good a d does ot do it, the it is si . I othe o ds, su h a pe so is ot godl . Fo a elie e , a thi g that do ot o e out of hi th ough faith is said to e si . A lot a of us, lai i g to e elie e s fall i to this atego of si e s. Ja es : ; Ro a s : .

Po de these o ds:   

Lead uiet li es i all godli ess a d holi ess Ti . : Pu sue ighteous ess, godli ess a d faith Ti . : Godli ess ith o te t e t is g eat gai Ti . :

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The e fa t that God has hose us i this o ld is to p epa e us fo hea e .

We a e e go o ith ou Ch isia life ithout keepi g ete it i pe spe i e.

Pete e i ds us i this a : “i e e e thi g ill e dest o ed i this a , hat ki d of people ought ou to e? You ought to li e hol a d godl li es, as ou look fo a d to the da of God a d speed its o i g.

Pet. : .

If e a ask so e people to e plai hat godliess ea s to the , the ould p o a l a s e : Ch ist-like, God-like o F uit of the “pi it a d so o . Ch isia ha a te is o e tha that. I fa t a godli ess is the fou daio o hi h Ch isia ha a te is uilt.    

The very fact that God has chosen us in this world is to prepare us for heaven. We can never go on with our Christian life without keeping eternity in perspective.

A godly pe so ill e o e hose life ill e ute ly de oted to God. He ill possess a deep hu ge a d thi st ate the thi gs of God God ill e the fo al poi t i all that he does He ill e a pe so ho ould alk ith God a d please Hi as E o h did Ge . : - ; He . :

I all of these, godli ess is ot a e oio al feeli g o God. Ho e e , the e a e e oio s su h as the fea of God, Lo e of God a d Desi e fo God that ill fo the asis fo godli ess.

Look fo people i ou hu h o i ou o k pla ou a d e. But a e the godl Ch isia s? The thei Bi les a d p a egula l . It is t ue that o e a ell e o the oad to godli ess. But it a . Wh ?

I a o ld that is alled If so, o

ooked a d pe e se

a

e. The a e Ch isia s like a e those ho ould ead eadi g the Bi le a d p a i g does ot usuall happe that ou a d I e alled godl ?

hat asis?

- Joshua Dha a ala

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MARKS OF GODLINESS Pu sue ighteous ess, godli ess, faith, lo e a d steadfast ess

Ti . :

M

ost of us, i spite of ha i g ee aised i Ch isia ho es a d Chu hes g e up to e adults ithout ha i g e posed o a uai ted ou sel es to the t uths outli ed i the s iptu es to that of godli ess. The efo e, the i e e g e up, hat e a ui ed f o ou e i o e t ega o t olli g ou thought pate . A ui i g godli ess is a spi itual dis ipli e. We i d this i the li es of oth the Old a d the Ne Testa e t sai ts. God took the f o the o o pla e a d set the o a highe pla e of k o i g Hi . Without hesitaio , e ight sa that pu sui g godli ess is k o i g Ch ist. If ot, Paul ould ot ha e said: I ha e o side ed e e othe thi g a t ash he o pa ed to the g eat ess of k o i g Ch ist.

To that e d I p ess o Phil. : Do’s & Do ’ts: Ou itle e se talks a out lea i g u godl thi gs a d lea i g o to godli ess. The p e edi g e ses talk a out uite a fe thi gs that a e u godl .

Ti . : - .       

Reje i g sou d i st u io of ou Lo d Jesus Ch ist.

La k of u de sta di g the ight do t i e – esuli g i false do t i e.

Co upt i ded people – i gi g f i io a d ua eli g, Ma kei g Religio – So e thi k that godli ess is a ea s to i a ial gai .

Dis o te t – g eed a d dissaisfa io Wa de ed a ay f o faith – g ief st i ke , si e lost the ay of t uth Desi e to get i h – te ptaio - t ap- plu ged i to ui a d dest u io

What Else Should We Do? Paul i st u ts Ti oth to lea e ehi d all the a o e e io ed u godl a i iies a d pu sue godli ess. The G eek e pu sue a tuall ea s follo ate . To do this, a Ch isia eeds to possess a sa iied i d, a le to thi k ightl . This o l o es he the elie e is t a sfo ed the e e i g of the i d. ‘o . : .Does it sou d easo a le o p a i al to lead a life of godli ess i a o ld of ute godless ess? “i e the ajo it ha e hose the oad to godless li i g, ost of us a e te pted to pu sue godless ess.

The si gle ost dii ult thi g fo a Ch isia i the st e tu is to e godl .

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Fight It Out: The e is o passi e Ch isia faith a he e to e fou d o of this ea th. A elie e has to st i e to e godl . Those a of us aised i the hu h ade a good o fessio i the p ese e of a a e e ou aged to hold o Ti . : . Paul o pa es the elie e to soldie – ead to ight the e e ..

To this e d I la o , st uggli g e Col. : .

ith all his e e g ,

hi h so po e full

the fa e ho e e it esses that of a

o ks i

…a d fo this e la ou a d st i e that e ha e put ou hope i the li i g God, ho is the “a iou of all e , a d espe iall of those ho elie e.

Ti . : . …. o i ue to o k out ou sal aio ith fea a d t e li g, fo it is God ho o ks i ou to ill a d to a t a o di g to his good pu pose. Phil. : . “o e of the g a e tea he s all the a o e e ses p o le passages of the s iptu e. The plai tea hi gs of the s iptu e eai s a p o le i i te p etaio to those ho had Seeking God earnestly al ead ade up thei i ds fo a othe ise i te every moment, drawp etaio hi h is de o i aio all o ie ted. ing inspiration and instruction from His Godli ess does ot de elop i a a uu . The Bi le Word, responding to uses o ds su h as st i i g, la o i g, st uggli g a d o ki g out ou sal aio ith t e li g. It is t ue, His will through prayer sal aio is gi e f ee. The p i e paid as too ostl . are the basic prerequisites one needs to posG a e is f ee. But it is ot heap. Ch isia s ha e a sess while on the road te de to take these p e ious thi gs fo g a ted to godliness a d te d to e p ess a asual aitude to that of leadi g a life of godli ess Dis ipli e You sel es: Pu sui g godli ess is a ate of seeki g ate the hea t of God. I a o ld he e the e is i saia le thi st ate ate ial ealth, the o d of God e ho ts e e a a d o a to etu to God i si pli it a d ute o edie e. “eeki g God ea estl e e o e t, d a i g i spi aio a d i st u io f o His Wo d, espo di g to His ill th ough p a e a e the asi p e e uisites o e eeds to possess hile o the oad to godli ess.

Let the e

e spi itual dis ipli e i

ou

o ship se i es. Ho

a le g

u s

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th ough the pages of the litu g a d o de of o ship a e u h ele t o his poo p epa aio i o du i g hat is o side ed to e a di i e se i e.

O de li ess i hat e sa , ho e si g, ho e p a a d the a i hi h the t uth of the gospel is taught i a o ship se i e dei itel a ou ts to the hole aspe t of pu sui g godli ess.

Ch isia ho es a e to e pla es fo pu sui g godli ess. If e a e guided the thought of al a s ei g a ou ta le to Ch ist to hate e e do, e ight o du t ou sel es ell i ou ho es. This ea s, ou i e, It had been said: o e , a d all othe esou es. If Ch ist has p ee ie e i ou li es, the He ill ha e the e t e-stage i “Christian are so ou ho es. Ho u h of e t a aga e, asteful ess of heavenly minded, esou es, i e a d o e goes o e dlessl i ou that they are of no ho es? What does God sa a out all these? A e these earthly use!” i di ato s of pu sui g godli ess? Whe ek o e ell the e a e God s hild e toili g fo the ause of His Ki gdo , e do othi g a out it. Ma of us e e i te d sha i g a pe ut e pe t God to less us. If at all e gi e o e , e gi e it i the o g ha d a d e pe t so e i a le o ke s to heal a d less us. “u h is ou Ch isia faith. ‘es ue the pe ishi g, Ca e fo the d i g, “ at h the

i pit f o

si a d the g a e,

Weep o e the e i g o e, lit up the falle , Tell the

of Jesus the

ight to sa e.

Pu sui g godli ess is ot just a out fasi g, Bi le eadi g o p a e . It is ot just o l p aise a d o ship. The o te po a o ship leade s ust take ote of the Bi li al a i g: A a ith the oise of ou so gs! I ill ot liste to the usi of ou ha ps.

But let jusi e oll o like a e e -faili g st ea A os. : .

It had ee said: Ch isia a e so hea e l i ded, that the a e of o ea thl use! I othe o ds, it is like aski g: What a e ou doi g he e o ea th fo hea e s sake?

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Be Spi itually P odu i e: A godl pe so ill e like a t ee pla ted the i e side, ieldi g f uits i its seaso , sa s the Bi le. B a idi g i e, ou shall ea o e f uit , said ou Lo d Jesus Ch ist. The e a e a of us ho a e supposedl spi itual te d to isolai g ou sel es f o the ai st ea of the so iet he e the e a e halle ges e isi g fo us to e i ol ed as light a d salt of the ea th.

Those ea lie issio a ies ho a e to ou ou t e e p odu i e i the se se that the e e ot o l e gaged i the o k of p o la aio of the gospel. The uilt ho es fo the elde l . Hospitals a d li i s e e u to aid the poo a d the do -t odde . Edu aio as i pa ted to those ho e e de ied the ight to edu aio . I all possi le a s, the e p essed the lo e of Ch ist. I so a e elle t a s, the pu sued godli ess.

Toda hi-te h Ch isia s a t to ha ge the hea ts of people th ough thei ite-up i FB o e el se di g fo a ded essages. I o de if the Fathe God e plo ed so e ki d of te h olog o a elesial o de to ea h out to his lost o ld? He se t do to ea th His egote so . Let s ot epla e the ethod, ea s a d oi e of the gospel ith te h olog . Te h olog a e just o e of the ea s – good, ut ot good e ough!

Faith of ou fathe s! Li i g sill, I spite of du geo , i e a d s o d, O ho ou hea ts eat high ith jo , Whe e e

e hea that glo ious o d!

Faith of ou fathe s, hol faith!

We ill e t ue to thee ill death.

F ede i k W. Fa e Wh is the i tue of godl elie e s of ou i es? Do those elde l e a d o e o d o e a i agi e. hild e li e i fa -of ou a d eed , o ould the The g a e of gi i g so eho ize a u p odu i e p a e

e a d o e of the past fast disappea i g f o e lead ute l selish li es? I a thi ki g of so e of e ho I k o so ell ha e a assed ealth fa The lead lo el li es. The a ot eat ell. Thei t ies. The a ot sha e thei goods ith the poo ha e the hea t to gi e to issio s o issio a ies. does ot o u to thei i ds. At ost, the o ga eei g i thei ho es o e i a hile a d spe d a

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litle o e o food. The a i it is eithe a lessi g o p odu i e. G a e of gi i g itself is a sig of godli ess. If ou a e a godl pe so , the passio a d ata h e t to o ldl goods o o e ill di i ish. ‘eligio that God ou Fathe a epts as pu e a d faultless is this: to look ate o pha s a d ido s i thei dist ess a d to keep o eself f o ei g polluted the o ld Ja es : .

What does pu sui g godli ess

ea to us?

-JD

TEN UNGODLY THINGS THAT MAY BE FOUND IN A BELIEVER’S LIFE

     

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   

Disregarding the sanctity of worship and profaning the name of Christ through our bad example Fearlessness of the punishment and the wrath of God that awaits those who do not repent.

Our attitude of always coming late to worship.

Exhibiting our gadgets and gizmos during worship Singing in a choir for our own satisfaction than for the glory of God. Talking loudly and hindering others during worship.

Our dress code that is not modest (this is particularly of women), which attracts the attention of others during worship.

Meeting people at church than meeting with God. Hoarding wealth and not sharing it with the poor and the needy.

A life of utter prayerlessness.

Lack of love for God’s Word. (and many more…!).

-JD

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TESTIMONY THE GOD WHO REMEMBERS AND RESTORES â€œâ€Śa d God e e

I

e ed Noah Ge . :

B Pasto Joh t

as a e hot ate oo i he I alo g ith a pasto f ie d of i e alked i to the lats of Happ Ho es o Balfou oad, Che ai. I as te i l distu ed a d as sta di g at a ju tu e he e I did ot k o he e to go i life. Ate eight lo g ea s i Bi le t ai i g a d e uipped ith a othe theologi al k o ledge i ha d I did ot k o hat to do a d he e to sta t. Life a e to a sta dsill all of a sudde . I as tea hi g i a Bi le ollege. But I had to shit f o Delhi to Che ai due to u fo esee i u sta es. I as a ied a d had hild to e aised up. I o l had a lot of u a s e ed uesio s a d sleepless ights. M o l o fo t as ife ho lo ed the Lo d a d ho al a s sha ed u de a d kept al a d uiet, e e u u i g o o plai i g fo a thi g. I as aski g God : Lo d h all this to e a dIa ot a le to take this a o e . But e e did God a s e at o e. I thought that God had ot o e to es ue ut ould a s e i His o i e.

Ote it is e ho al a s a t thi gs to happe i ou o i e. With all this i i d f ie d led e to the doo of the house. The doo as ope ed efo e us a d the e as this pe so ith a lo el ea d el o i g us i side.

The e as lo e i his o ds. I a e to k o that this as Pasto . Joshua Dha aala . Fo the e t t o hou s o so, I did ot k o hat I as speaki g ut ould feel that I as pou i g out hea t efo e this se a t of God ho as the e sii g to liste to e all that I had to sa .

I I had to go th ough a i e he I as o pletel a a do ed e e o e; e e o pa e ts e e ot ead to u de sta d e a d to sta d e.

I had o l ife o ho I put the e i e u de a d the e she as p a i g a d aii g upo the lo d. I did ot k o hat to do ith o i ist oppo tu it efo e e a d o ea s to li e ith a hild i ha d. I had to sta ith pa e ts a d depe d o the fo e e thi g. As the da s passed , thi gs sta ted to take a litle o e ite tu a d I ould feel that thi gs e e gei g p et out of shape. I ould u de sta d that the fa il fo hi h I had o t i uted

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u h ight f o ou g age is seei g e a d fa il as a g eat u de . I k o ked o a doo s a d pla es fo a jo ut othi g o ked out . God has His o i e a d a s to ope o shut the doo s hi h I ould ot u de sta d the . I o l had f ie d P . E est Vale i e ho as the e al a s side fo all that I a ted a d e e a i es it as this a of God ho helped e feed hild. The o st pa t a e he o e da I as se t out of house ith ife a d kid. We did ot k o he e to go, ut God had dife e t pla s fo us. The Lo d ga e e a tea hi g jo i a s all Bi le s hool . We had to sta i a s all e ted o e oo fo o e tha o e a d a half ea . The dii ult pa t as that e sta ed i su h a isolated pla e that ou oo as al a s su ou ded poiso ous s akes. But the Lo d ho kept Da iel s f ie ds i the ie fu a e kept us i ta t His g a e. But sill thi gs e e ot i good shape, I al a s had this uesio of hat e t, a d I ould see ife p a i g a d aii g upo the lo d.

I sii g ith P . E est Vale i e a d speaki g of all that I e t th ough to ‘e . Joshua Dha a ala he as the e to liste to e paie tl a d the the e a e o ds of e ou age e t illed ith the g a e of God hi h si pl ade e to ealize ho p e ious I as i the sight of the Lo d. While I as lea i g that lat I e t out as a e a lea i g a k all uesio s a d dou ts. I k e that the e as a lot that the Lo d had to do th ough e. I k e the e e e e ho izo s that I had to ea h. I tha k God fo su h se a ts of God ho He has appoi ted fo the oke souls. I k e that if I had ot go e that da to eet this se a t of God, ho as the e to paie tl liste , p o ide the ight ou sel a d p a ith e a d f ie d, pe haps I ould ha e issed the ight di e io . F o the e o , e e t a k ho e, e e ed i ou spi it a d e ou aged ithi . This page is ot e ough to sa hat I sha ed ith hi a d ho God had e e ed spi it a d ho I let fo ho e that da . As God e e e ed Noah, He too e e e ed e. As the Psal ist sa s e e if ou othe fo gets ou, I a the God ho ill e e fo get ou o fo sake ou. He said: Behold I ha e e g a ed ou i pal s of ha ds .

Thi gs took a dife e t shape slo l . Those ho despised e ea lie , a e fo a d to sta d ith e a d fa il i so a a s. Neigh ou s, f ie ds a d elai es ho o e looked do o e sa e ei g lessed of God. F o the e o , God e a led e to e i ol ed i se i g Ch ist i a a s. I ha e esta -

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lished a o g egaio , i iste to a out hild e i dife e t illages ea h eek. I a a le to e to ou g people i the i ist . I a ei g i ited to e the i te p ete fo Ta il, Mala ala a d Hi di la guages a o g the IPC hu hes he e e the o e io s a e held. God has gi e e the u de to e a ou selo a d a u de - ea e . “i e I alked th ough lo el path a d sa othe people liste i g to e o le di g a helpi g ha d, I ha e ade up i d to help those ho a e i si ila situaio s th ough all p a i al a s of e p essi g lo e, liste i g, e pathizi g a d guidi g the ith the ight o d of ou sel.. I gi e all glo to God. The

ite a

e o ta ted th ough e ail—saja

@g ail. o

SOLICITING YOUR PRAYERS... 

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CHRISTIAN THOUGHT SERIES magazine reaching hundreds of pastors, seminaries and keen readers in the country.

Please pray for God’s direction, guidance and provision in the production of literature and other teaching manual for rural pastors and young people.

Bible teaching through DVDs and CDs. Pastor’s Training seminars conducted in various states and districts of Tamil Nadu.

Church Meetings held in various places for spiritual renewal.

Counseling seminars and personal counseling sessions for individuals, families.

Mentoring young people in discipleship and their exposure to ield work.

North India church planting projects.

New Believers who are being mentored in discipleship - and their future/ marriage concerns are attended to.

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WITNESSING PERSUADING PEOPLE TO CHRIST “e ee “uggesio “uggesio ssOf OfPe Pesuasio suasio “e - B ‘e . D . Joh Paul It is a se ious thi g to li e i a so iet of possi le gods a d goddesses ites C.“. Le is, to e e e that the fullest a d ost u i te esi g pe so ou talk to a o e da e a eatu e hi h if ou sa it o , ou ould e st o gl te pted to o ship o else a ho o a d a o upio su h as ou o eet, if at all o l i ight a e. These a e o o di a people. You ha e e e et a e e o tal. But it is i o tals ho e joke ith, o k ith, a , s u a d e ploit – i o tal ho o s o e e lasi g sple do s. Ne t to the Blessed “a a e t self, ou eigh o is the holiest o je t p ese ted to ou se ses. C.“. Le is. The eight of Glo , G a d ‘apids, Ee d a s, , .

A

s e look i to so e p a i al a s of o u i ai g the Gospel to people of othe faith, it should e fo e ost i ou i ds, the e e lasi g sple do of God s eaio – a hu a ei g. Tho as Higgi s said eaio is a o e hel i g out pou i g, the o e lo of i i ite good e s. Hu a ei g is the o of this eaio . Tho as J. Higgi s. Pe fe io is fo ou. M We. B u e Pu lishi g Co. .

I o de to e a i e so e aspe t of ou app oa h to othe s, e ill a efull assess se e fa to s of i po ta e.

A aila ilit A To Liste B To A ept C To Lea A al sis

App oa h Apologei s Appli aio to Life Ad o iio fo ‘et ie i g f o Falsehood A ept Di i e D a i s

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. AVAILABILITY I seaso a d out of seaso , usi g ost o al situaio as it a ises a d dis e a d seize a oppo tu it isel a d dis etel , athe tha as ‘e e a Ma le Pippe t – ites a out he p o le i E a gelis – a sla k p ese taio , a polished fo ula a d e o ized e ses gi e at a do . O e should e ead , p epa ed spi ituall , e tall , e oio all a d so iall to get hold o oppo tu it that a e e o e ou a agai .

A TO LI“TEN: People ha e epla ed a i ulaio fo ate io . A u i g o olog, a e a gue t p oof, elled app oa h, the agi fo ula that o ks o o e a d all, a sli k p ese taio to i a ps hologi al edge is ot a el o e idea. Pa i ula l i Af o-Asia egio he e people a e o e eligious tha else he e, o e philosophi al tha just i telle tual, o e supe siious tha aio al a d e e oe ead ot to ofe d, a do loadi g app oa h ould ha e a o e passi e efe t tha a ai ai e oliio al espo se. Not le di g ou ea s to liste to the othe poi t of ie a d to pushi g th ough ou a gu e ts does ot sou d e ou teous eithe o so ial le el a d so also o te h i al le el e ause o u i aio esse iall is t o a to ha e a d authe i feed a k; so liste !

B TO ACCEPT : A epi g o illi g ess to a ept people as the a e ith thei o i io s o elief s ste is e good aitude tha the holie tha thou aitude. O e of the a usaio agai st the e lusi ists is that the take hold a a oga t aitude a out the t uth, ot hu ilit of i d A ts : .

People i st look fo a epta e athe tha ha e to a ept hat the a e a d hat the he e the a e.

eje io . To u de sta d o e, e elie e so that e a egi f o

C TO LEA‘N : We a e all stude ts i the s hool of life, lea i g all the i e. Lea i g is a u e di g p o ess. Lea to e a e ou age . People a e hu i g, lo el , sufe i g i eed of a f ie d. We eed to put ou age i to a othe . Lea i g to e o judg e tal is i po ta t. Paul ad o ishes us i Ro a s , so u h a out ei g o -judg e tal. Jesus life as a o sta t ele aio of the sup e e

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alue, dig it a d p e ious ess of hu a life ites ‘e e a Ma le Pippe t uoi g Mal ol Mugge idge, that the e is o e jo i hea e o e o e si e ho epe ts is ou a i-staisi al p oposiio , Pippe t goes o to sho that Jesus had a i-staisi al app oa h to people. He lo ed si e s. He de o st ated that e e o e is so eo e to God. The e e e o litle people o hie a h . He as ot i p essed ith a pi ki g o de Mk. : ut ith se a t hood Joh : - . He ide iied ith u i po ta t, eak a d si ful, the poo a d the po e less . . ANALYSIS As e e ou te people ith a ie to sha e the T uth, it is e esse ial to k o thei a kg ou d a d get i a p o ess of a al sis i o de to u de sta d a d sha e the t uth ith a ight pe spe i e. People e eet a e eligious, pious, o al o iased o e e eligious fa ai s.

Ge e all , i e a gelis fou g oups. a

e

a

atego ize, fo a al i al pu poses people i to

Those ho a e opposed to the gospel, Those ho a e i dife e t to the gospel, Those ho sho i te est i the gospel a d,

d

Those ho a e ig o a t of the gospel

I the tea hi gs of Jesus, pa a les e plai hea e l t uths ith ea thl isuals. I the pa a le stated i Ma k : , The Lo d follo ed a p o ess. That is ell k o to Maste Tea he .

Mk. : - .

.

P ese ts u i e sal p i iple i d a ai fo

.

‘elates the p i iples to His pu pose i tea hi g.

.

E plai s the p i iples i detail Mk. :

.

Ad a es the p i iples i di iduall a d i depth Mk :

:

.

-

. Pe so alizes the p i iples fo the i di idual lea e Mk. : Jesus tells the fo i tuii e espo se ot fo elaio al a al sis. Da id L. M Ke a, Ma k i Maste i g the Ne Testa e t, ed., Llo d J Ogli e, Wo d I . .

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This pa a le pe haps i plies the eadi ess of the soil. This ea s that the so e has to do so e ha d o k efo e a d ate the seed is so .

The pa a le of the so e , o se es Mi hael Wil o k, is e el a itle hallo ed use, i fa t less is said a out the so e tha a out a thi g else i the sto ; it ould e t ue to all it the pa a le of the seed, as I ha e suggested. Mo e i el sill it is the pa a le of the soils, ep ese i g those ho hea the good e s. A e the ead fo so i g? O a e the e fa to s i thei li es, ha d ess shallo ess, p eo upaio , hi h p e e t the essage fo taki g oot efe i el . Mi hael Wil o k, The Message of Luke i Bi le “peaks Toda , Ed., Joh ‘. “tot, I te e sit P ess, Lei este – E gla d .

The u i e sal p i iple to e follo ed he e elates to the hea t a d ho a k o it? It does de a d a p ope u de sta di g hat a lie deep i the hea t – a elief s ste a eligious ultu al osai , a li ge i g desi e to k o the t uths, a sea h fo ide it , a state of a iet a d a fea of the u k o o a se se of false se u it p o ided eligio – o e eed to u de sta d this i st efo e o e ould elate the good e s.

Agai , Wa e Wie s e, o e i g o se es the seed is God s Wo d; the of hea ts; a d the a ied esults sho God. Jesus e plai ed this pa a le.

Wa e Wie s e. Be Lo al. Mathe “

o the sa e pa a le i Mat. : e a ious soils ep ese t dife e t ki ds the dife e t espo se to the Wo d of “o the e is o dou ts ith ea i g . iptu e P ess, Aust alia .

The u de of u de sta di g th ough a al sis of o e s elief s ste , ultu al a d eligious o pulsio , eligious aspi aio s o e e disappoi t e ts, lies o the shoulde of the o u i ato of the Good Ne s, to a plu alisi eligious aio o so iet . It is u h o e i po ta t to esta lish a appo t ith the liste e a u ulai g a al i al skills th ough ei g ope a d o side ate a d hu le.

The e ai i g

ate ial ill e o e ed i the follo i g issue- Edito

Re . D . Joh Paul a

e o ta ted th ough e ail @js-paul@usa. et

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CALL TO SERVE Disciples For Christ is inviting young people who are committed to the Lordship of Christ encouraging them to be involved in active witnessing, counseling, visiting homes of the poor and needy, providing care to the less privileged, learn from studying the scriptures systematically and willing to be trained and exposed to mission ields in diferent states of India. They are encouraged also to be active members of their local churches. In a time when there is absolute deiciency of spiritual leadership in most of our churches, we need young and energetic people who take seriously the call of God to be servant leaders.

Contact:

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. Email joshbalu@yahoo.com

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION Bi le Colleges , se i a ies a d i di idual eade s e uesi g CTS - Please i di ate you add ess lea ly.

Please oify ha ge of add ess. I fo ei i g CTS.

if you ould like to dis o i ue e-

We a e i te ested i eade s ho a e p o-a i e, espo si e a d i te a i e.

We ould p efe se di g CTS agazi e to a yo e ho a e a i ely o ki g a d thi ki g fo God. Bi le olleges, se i a ies e ei i g CTS egula ly, please su s i e at the ea liest. Due to isi g p i i g osts, se di g of CTS to eade s ho ha e failed to su s i e i the last th ee yea s ill e g adually stopped Not applia le to those ho ha e ade o e-i e o t i uio of a y a ou t, a y i e . To e ei e CTS u i te upted , please su s i e .

DISCIPLES FOR CHRIST State Bank of India, Kellys Branch, Chennai Savings Bank A/c No.

. IFSC:SBINOO

.

/Branch Code

.

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KARNATAKA PASTOR’S TRAINING SEMINAR In the years past, it was said that the state of Bihar was considered to be the graveyard of missions/missionaries. This is not to be so anymore. This reputation has gone to the state of Karnataka now. Many pastors in the rural areas are assaulted, beaten up, imprisoned and their possessions ransacked. Believers too undergo utmost trial for their faith. The good indication is that amidst persecution the churches are growing. But it is growing amidst much hardship to the missionaries, pastors and believers. Sensing the need to encourage and motivate rural pastors, we have started helping small group of pastors/evangelists in some places already. Two seminars – one in Davanegere and the other one in Chitra Durga have already been conducted. We plan to organize two more in the next quarter – one in Hubli and the other in Shimoga.

There are tough places and anti-Christian violence is said to be much in these areas.

Please pray. If you are led of the Lord, please ear-mark your ofering specially towards conducting of pastor’s seminar in these areas. The seminar comprises of Biblical teaching, planning, goal-setting, evangelistic methods and more importantly conscientizing the pastors as to their legal rights and providing legal aid. Contact: @joshbalu@yahoo.com / mobile: 3 5.

We Invite Your Partnership We request you to kindly be involved in the ministry of CTS. If you have been blessed by this magazine, please write and encourage us. If you are one of those who have been receiving it for many years and have not been prompted even once to share in the needs of this ministry, please do so.

An approximate cost for conducting pastors seminar is roughly around Rs. , /Anyone willing to share the cost/ sponsor the conducting of a training programme for about 3 pastors is keenly welcomed.

As the work of the ministry of Disciples For Christ extends the growing inancial needs too weighs us down. We are praying for partners who would share in the sundry expenses incurred every month.

Your free-will donations and contributions may kindly be sent to: DSICIPLES FOR CHRIST State Bank of India, Kellys Branch, Chennai Savings Bank A/c No.

. IFSC:SBINOO

.

/Branch Code

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UNGODLY MINISTRY MOTIVES DOING THINGS IN GOD’S WAY E e thi g is pe issi le - ut ot e e thi g is e ei ial. E e thi g is pe issi e, ut ot e e thi g is o st u i e.

Co . :

I

o e of ou ea lie issues Ma h-Ap il , e had dealt at le gth so e i po ta t issues that i ol es a Ch isia ho akes his hoi es – a d e alled that the e: Of ‘efe e e A d P efe e e. E ept he the situaio de a ds it, I t ot to ake too a pe so al efe e es. “o ei es, it a e good, a d at othe i es, pe so al e pe ie es a e isleadi g too.

I a , ut agai te de i g apologies fo aki g pe so al efe e es o e pe ie es he e just to e plai the itle a litle o e lea l .

Not lo g ago, a K o ledge Data P o ide “e i es o pa o ta ted e to k o if I ould e i te ested to do o te t ii g fo thei p odu ts. E ide tl , o e of the o pa s pe so el had go e th ough gospel t a t alled I su ed, ut What? hi h got the i to thi ki g that I ould e thei asset a d esou e pe so .

The e is al a s a te ptaio hi h lies at the th eshold fo pe so s su h as self to look at hat the o ld has to ofe . As a pe so se i g the Lo d, I ha e k o hat it is to e i a t – i.e. hu a help, o eta e essit , e oio al a e, a d o e tha a thi g – p a e suppo t. I thi k, God i His so e eig t had kept these e essa thi gs i st i t easu e. But e e at o e ould I e a le to e og ize God fo saki g e. His g a e as all the o e sui ie t. I i e of ut ost ago , I se sed the Lo d Hi self d a i g e ea . “o ei es, God pe ited that I si pl go th ough life s jou e ithout a of His i di aio o assu a e. “i ple t ust o Hi as o l the help at ha d.

Ma i es, I had go e to fa -of pla es just to sha e the o d of God – eithe to p ea h, tea h o o du t a se i a . O a o asio s, at the e d of a t o o th ee da eei gs, I had etu ed ho e e pt ha ded. Ne e theless, I had the jo u speaka le- illi g hea t. People e e lessed. “ouls sa ed.

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“i e s epe ted. The e as g eat jo i hea e . But he e goes this se a t of God, though poo , et i h!

I a ake good o e i this o ld ith all uli-taski g a iliies hi h God had e do ed e ith. But I k e that this as ot God s a fo e. O the othe ha d, othe s ight ha e a dife e t a of God s leadi g i thei i ist o aio .

Ne e theless, I ha e elde s i the i ist ho i te p et this e pe ie e athe dife e tl . The e uate i sui ie t esou es i the i ist is due to la k of faith Moses ega ded disg a e fo the sake of Ch ist as of g eate t easu es of Eg pt… He . : .

alue tha the

“o e of the ha e ot u de stood He e s tho oughl . Yet the e alt the to e Bi le tea he s –pa e elle e! “hould I all the ee e ith a kei g skills? . I k o so e of elde l f ie ds i the i ist ho sell al ost a thi g, aise fu ds just a e e talk a d i d people applaudi g the fo thei su essful i ist . A e these su e i di aio s of God s app o al? Bei g su essful a d faithful a e t o dife e t thi gs.

It is a sad thi g that a Ch isia o ke s, e a gelists a d i iste s lo k the e o o sta ed West to ill thei eggi g o ls fo I dia! This is sha eful thi g! Wh ot go to toughe pla es? Wh ot go to Af i a ou t ies? Wh ot to Ba gladesh, “ i La ka o Nepal? A elde l se a t of God ho I k e ha e ade e do e t fu d fo i ist out of his o assets a d uilizes it fo t ai i g ai e e a gelists i the a o e e io ed ou t ies. Is t that a e elle t odel to follo ? Is goi g to West a u de fo i ist o o eta gai ?

Ote , I ha e ee told Ch isia s i the est o i the Gulf that isii g e a gelists f o I dia peste the , keep t ou li g the , aili g the - i sisi g that i itaio fo i ist a e e te ded to the . No dou t, this is do e all thei skills of the t ade! Ma of the e a gelists i ite the sel es to these pla es. The a e ot i ited out of spi itual e essit ut out of o pulsio f o othe e d. People ust o side se a ts of God as lessi g athe tha a uisa e! The e a e et a ho sit at ho e, p epa e i iious i ist p oje ts a d se d the to a ulk of spo so s. Ma of the hit a ki d of ja kpot a d ake a good u k! But ho da ge ous a d disast ous it is, the do ot ealize.

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Fo the Bi le a s: It is a d eadful thi g to fall i to the ha ds of the li i g God He . : .

A othe i po ta t thi g that God a ts us to lea i the i ist is this: A d that is to i st e o i g a se a t efo e e lead othe s. Toda , ou g a d i e pe ie ed o ke s i i ist all the sel es as leade s ho a e i to Leade ship T ai i g . I te d to ask the : T ai i g fo hat? Ha e the o ked i ha d-pla es he e the sufe ed u de e plo e s ho to e ted the ?

Ha e the ee dep i ed of hat as due to the ? Ha e the lea ed th ough ha d a s the se et of k o i g a d se i g Ch ist? Ha e the lea ed useful skills i the i ist ? Ha e the ee t ai ed u de a le e ? If the e had ee o e to i g p o ess, ho the a a ou g i iste e o e a t ai e ?

This agai is a ki d of de epio taki g pla e u de the su . The Bi li al pate is that all the apostles e e t ai ed a d e to ed i the o k of the Ki gdo . Let o o e epla e it ith so e t i ke . At p ese t, It a appea to e good a d su essful – ut i the lo g u , he thi gs tu dife e t tu , o e ill e pe ie e fall out. Be a e!

Doi g thi gs God s a is a e i de – hi h is also a a of godli ess!

No ada s, people f o all alks of life e te i g i ist is ulipl i g e e he e. I ust oldl o fess he e that the e is a ast dife e e i ei g alled to full-i e Ch isia se i e a d olu ta Ch isia “e i e.

Ote i es, those ho do olu ta Ch isia se i e te d to e uate the sel es ith those i full-i e se i e. Though I do ot e p ess a o a e out i the ope , I get a it i itated ith so e of e lose f ie ds – a k oi e s, College P ofesso s, La e s – all of ho get thei o ldl o pe saio – a d pe ks fa too het .

It ight e t ue a d o e da le that the se e the Lo d ith thei alua le i e a d ate ial esou es. Ho e e , the e d of ea h o th, the get paid – hethe the do the Lo d s se i e olu ta il o ot. The a e e plo ed a d a e e itled fo thei sala . I e all a ei ed Ba k oi e ho had ite a ook fo Ch isia o ke s he ei he states else he e that the o ke of the Lo d ust sufe a d e i ol ed i ha d-la ou ! What does this a ke k o a out la o i g i the Lo d s ield a d go u paid o th ate o th? While sa i g this, I k o of Ch isia i ist ies, hu hes a d dio eses he e pasto s a d issio a ies a d CEO s a e ell e plo ed a d e ei e good pa pa kages too. But to see

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so e of the slu e i g all the i e, ithout isio o oi aio is a dis ou agi g thi g. Tu i g the all of God i to a p ofessio is et a othe pai ful thi g.

To o e a k to thought ith hi h I sta ted, the lu e fo o e a e s ae a o e. The lust of the lesh is et a othe thi g. It a a ifest i a ied fo s.

The e th o ed Posiio al “e u it is o e o e death-t ap i the path of Ch isia atu it . I ould ha e easil do e so e te t- aki g the ea s jusif i g the e d , ofe i g so e of gits, skills o esou es. O e of the eeded a eas of se i e as i the ield of ou seli g. The Co po ate o ld is despe atel looki g fo ou selo s ho a e ell- e sed i this dis ipli e. I ha e pe so all o ked, lea ed a d t ai ed self i this a ea fo o e ea s. To ad i iste pasto al ou seli g i li all a d to e plo ps holog as a tool a e oth applia le i a gi e situaio . O e the ea s, the e ha e ee i itaio s fo e to se e as a pasto fo a i te aio al o u it ith e good pe ks , to se e as a spe ialized ou selo o as a t ai e i the o po ate set up. To e the Lo d ade it e lea that I ust e suppo ted the o k of the Gospel a d ot th ough a othe a s of Te t-Maki g.

I

as ot kee l i te ested he so eo e i the si ila ield K o ledge P oide “e i es , ui kl ade a suggesio that I g a the oppo tu it that a e to e e e tl - fo the etu s ill e good. Fo a litle i e a d skill that I ight p o ide, I shall e ei e a good o pe saio , as thei a gu e t. I k o so e of f ie ds use I o de o ? ate ials i tea hi g o u i aio a d get paid i thei pla es of o k! “o eho , a ilit a d s ope to thi k o eta il had sh u k i all these ea s.

Bei g a I dia Ch isia , I a ot thi k dife e tl . Do ou k o h ? I ust tell this to the ute sha e of Ch isia leade s/ e to s. M e to s a d p ede esso s ha e t ai ed e that a . Let e uote a e a ple. Whe I joi ed a i ist ate theologi al edu aio , the paid e a o thl allo a e of ‘s. /- a d appoi ted e as a olu tee tha a full-i e staf. It is thei poli the sa . “ha eful, is t it? The e is a si ple Bi le poli : Gi e a d it shall e gi e – full easu e, shake , p essed do !

Poo I dia Ch isia leade s! The ha e ot lea ed to spe d a d e spe t.

Thei hea t s a e sh u k.

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I all the o ga izaio s o the de o i aio I o ked, the all o i itaio a e f o the e plo e s. The e e i te ested i se i es. But he I espo ded, the held e as thei api e. I ase, a pe so aises the issue of o e , the leade s a e too i tellige t to all su h a pe so a faith-less o ke o a p a e -less o ke ! To thei o e ds – sa , fa il o hild e , faith o p a e o ks dife e tl ! Fo a ju io e plo ee, his outspoke ess is i te p eted as ei g e ellious a d ei g sot-spoke is du ed as ei g dull o du . Not a leade s k o to u de sta d the othe pe so e o d this poi t. I feel like i g out: I dia issio s, o i situio s, ake up! Ch isia leade s, e e ise isdo , fai ess a d jusi e.

I ha e also k o a litle it of the o po ate o ld. He e o e is espe ted fo skill o a ilit . The se ula o ld does ot pla -do o e s tale t. O e e ogized the e plo e , the e plo ee is ell o pe sated. U fo tu atel , i the Ch isia i ist , ot all leade s a e ell ualiied, e uipped a d al a s feel i se u e efo e the ou ge , o e d a i staf. To p ote t thei i te ests, the leade s ge e all hoke o sufo ate the ou g e . This, I all, the o g a of doi g the Lo d s o k. Paul tells the hu h: The la ou e dese es his ages.

That is ei g p a i al. I get upset he I dia Ch isia leade s get ehi d the ask of u e essa spi itualizaio .

M hea t goes to those ou g e o o e ho ha e se iousl opted to se e Ch ist, esig ed thei lu ai e posiio s a d ha e joi ed so e issio age o i situio . The a e si pl ade to sit i the oi es ithout p o idi g a spe ial skills o t ai i g. I due ou se of i e the e o e di e io -less. I a fe ea s i e, the lose thei passio a d isio to se e Ch ist. The o a ds, thei all a d o aio e o es a e e o k i the oi e. This agai , is the ot the a e se e Ch ist.

I e pe ie e of o i g out of pasto ate o of Ch isia o ga izaio had ought e to o e e ou te s of t uth. The e a e o e a d o e u o ga ized, u e og ized, si e e, hu le a d poo Ch isia o ke s toili g all o e this la d, ot k o to the ai st ea of the Ch isia so iet . “o e of the o k a o g the slu s, illages, hospitals, hild e , aged a d so o . What su p ises is the fa t that the ha e let a i deli le a k i thei o pla es of o k. What a o ga izaio o a de o i aio al hu h had failed, o e a o o a had a o plished g eat feats fo the sake of the Lo d.

CHRISTIAN THOUGHT SERIES

VOL 9 ISSUE 6

I those da s it just ega ith o e pe so – A Ca i hael, Pa dita ‘a a Bai, Ida “ udde et ., That as the i e he the o ld e e e ed a d e og ized the . Toda , e li e i ute o li io to those ho se e a o g us – faili g to e e e thei a o plish e ts.

It is hu a ship i a po t TV ight se

te de to follo the ajo it . Ch isia s a e all too e ited to o ega- hu h tha to e pa t of a litle lo k. “i ila l , e te d to supi ist ies, Tele-e a gelists a d the so alled “pi it-illed, se saio al a ts of God.

A Ch isia ho is so e a d lea i ded ill eigh p os a d o s. He o she ill do a e aluaio o a app aisal of ho does hat. Upo a eful stud , e ust ake de isio to sta d togethe ith those ho a e legii atel se i g Ch ist. Dis o e those ho ought ef esh e t to ou soul a d spi it. ‘e e e those ho stood ith ou i ou lo el o e ts. Thi k of those e a d o e of God ho isited a d p a ed fo ou. Tha k God fo those hose i ist sustai ed ou faith.

If the a o e e io ed e a d o e of God pass ou he k-list, the it is i e ou ie-up ith the to e te d the Ki gdo of God. Make a all a d e ou age the . “e d the a e- ail a d e p ess ho ou e e lessed eadi g a e tai ate ial o at hi g a CD/DVD. B doi g this, thei o spi its ill e e i ed. Well, that is ot all. Do ou ha e possessio s God had lessed ou ith? Pa t ith the fo the lessi gs ou e ei ed. That is a epta le o ship!

Mo e thi gs a e possi le a d ate ial assista e.

ea s of sha i g ou i e, tale t, lo e, p a e

What ould e godlie tha these a ts of ki d ess?

-JD It is a fact that God had blessed us with earthly resources – riches, talents or gifts. However, God can only utilize all of them for His Kingdom until that time when we recognize that without God’s grace, none of the blessings will ever be realized nor readily used for His glory. This means, that through submission to Christ and His rule, a believer comes to the end of all his/her resources – and says: Not by will, but Yours be done!