EDITORIAL MESSAGE
Souls Through God’s Word
A COMPLETE CHRISTIAN FAMILY MAGAZINE Volume 3 Issue 7 July 2013 Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is the truth hears My voice’’ Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” John 18:37-38 (NASB)
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“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 Dear Readers, Uttarakhand, India is still recovering from the flash flood and landslide disaster it faced. After 15 days of rescue operation the official number of those missing and dead is still a wild guess. Sathyam Ministry's team of six members under the leadership of Sam.C.Vadavana reached the location to help and support the victims with food, clothes, blankets, love bucket, medicine, wheelchairs, prayers and comfort. With Lord's grace our team was able to brave all adverse situations and cover many villages like Tatyur, Dhanolti, Suwhakholli, Siyalshe, Satgaada and Uttarkashi. We aim to continue our relief work and support the rehabilitation of those affected by this tragic event. Facing tragedy, or life storms of any kind, can be extremely difficult. The worst pain in this world is from the loss of a loved one. It is an unbearable pain because God made us with feelings and we go through emotions like helplessness, anger, loneliness and fear. Be encouraged even when passing through deep waters. Keep faith in Him, reach out and take hold of His mighty hand and He will keep you from drowning. God knows in great detail the devastation caused by tragedy. He understands the pain and sorrow acquainted with grief and loss. He understands because He is all knowing and will bless those who have lost so much with the fortitude to rebuild their lives. We pray for those affected by the devastation of this natural calamity and for the loving kindness of those emergency workers and relief volunteers who have come to their aid. Let us seek out ways to help them rebuild their life. May all who have been battered by this flood discover many hearts and hands open to them. May Lord give them the hope and courage to go on in the midst of sufferings, loss, heartache and pain.
Dr.C.V. Vadavana Founder & Chairman, Sathyam Service Trust
Contents
4 7 9 13 17 19 23
Courage: The Leader’s Best Friend Dr. David H Mills
The End of the World is Coming Are You Ready? Billy Graham
Obeisance and Obedience Pastor. Mike Harrison
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Let us ensure that none of us stands alone in times of trouble Aswathy Mathew
Do You Consider Your Body a Temple?
John Stanek
Digging Deeper Dr. Alexander Kurian
Kids Need to Work Too
Write to us!
Launa Stan
The Lighthouse in the Neighborhood! Rev. Barney Kinard
facebook.com/sathyam.india twitter.com/sathyam_india Send us your feedback on the magazine at: truthalive@sathyam.org
We would love to hear from you! The opinions of the advertisers and contributors are not necessarily those of the magazine or Sathyam Publications. July 2013
Have you been blessed by an article in Truth Alive? What more would you like to see on the pages? Share your experience with us. We would love to hear from you. Mail us at truthalive@sathyam.org or post your letter to Truth Alive Sathyam Publications Thottabhagom P.O. Thiruvalla-689541, Kerala. Ph: 0469- 2619657, 2619209
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D r . D a v i d H M i l l s
Courage: The Leader's Best Friend “Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities... because it is the quality which guarantees all others.” Winston Churchill
M
oses is one of the most courageous leaders in history. He left the quiet desert of Midian and entered into a face to face conflict with the most powerful man on the planet in his time, a man who had an army that was the most trained and skilled army of his time. Moses led about two million slaves (mixed with different countries but mainly made up of Jews), with only a few days of food and water, into a desert where there were no other visible supports. Then he led them to a shore where they were trapped against the sea while Pharaoh and his powerful military machine were rapidly approaching. He faced the angry millions who accused him of treachery and were heatedly arguing their case. What does a leader do in such cases? Fear is contagious, and the disease was spreading quickly through the tribes of Israel. It was in this moment that we see great leadership, a leader functioning in amazing courage. Some have said Exodus 14 is one of the greatest displays of courage in history! Notice what Moses does not do. He does not counter blame the people or engage with them in their arguments. Nor does he excuse himself from blame in any way. He does not answer the slander and venomous words of the people. He does not sulk or have a pity party. He does not quit! That was certainly an option at that moment, but he did not even consider that as an option! What does he do? He leads them through those dark and scary moments, filled with uncertainty and anxiety, and he redirects their attention to the cloud 4
July 2013
and fiery pillarthat they had lost sight ofwhich stood among them. That cloud was the visible symbol of the living Presence of God. What Moses then said next was immortal, and should be carved into a place of tribute designated just for him! He said, “Do not fear. Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD (Yahweh) which He will accomplish for you today, for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The LORD (Yahweh) will fight for you will you keep silent.” (Ex. 14:13-14) Moses still did not know what Yahweh was going to do, for God had not revealed the plan about dividing the Red Sea yet. But his words were like fortresses behind which every slave could hide in security. The most repeated command in the Bible is “Do not fear.” It is stated 365 times, one for every day of the year. It is the most needed command and most likely, that is why it is repeated so many times. What gave Moses the motivation to direct everyone to silencing their fears? There was the Presence of God standing right there before them. The silent cloud and fiery pillar uttered not a word but was the booming testimony that their Deliverer was present and ready to act in their behalf against any and all threats to their well-being! After all, the cloud had led them to this remote beach and they could be sure that God had in His heart and mind to take them to the Promised Land. He would not forsake them and would never abandon them to the savage will of a tyrant! These precious Jews were created to worship and serve Yahweh not to build an empire for a pagan king!
Know Your Bible JEREMIAH Author: Jeremiah
Outline
Date of Writing: 685-616 BC
The first part of this book is especially concerned about God’s call and commition to the prophet Jeremiah’s (Ch. 1: 1-9).
Purpose: To make clear to Israel the Consequences of sin and apostasy and reveal to them their own future in the plan of God for men. Brief Summary Jeremiah’s work continued through the reigns of five kings Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah and the governorship of Gadaliah, whom the Babylonias appointed to manage Jerusalem after its fall. After Gadeliah was assassinated the citizens of the city fled to Egypt, taking Jeremiah along.
The greatest reason we have to not fear is the Presence, Power, and Purpose of God revealed to us in the Gift of His Son. Just look to the cross and Resurrection and be reminded that we have nothing to fear, for nothing is greater than those two events! No greater power, no greater purpose, and no greater love has ever been declared but what God has affirmed to us in His Son. The Presence of God always comforts us when we are threatened by failure, weakness, sin (ours or anyone else’s), selfishness, Satan, or any other foe! Moses assured the people that Yahweh would fight for them against this terrifying band of soldiers. I love that phrase, “Yahweh will fight for you while you keep silent.” Here is something very important to keep in your mind. It is not what we do for God that matters but what He does for us that matters. He accomplishes our salvation and our freedom, our victory, our triumph. What did we do? We kept silent! What does this mean? We see that just a few minutes ago the people were saying ALOT of words, and they were ALL bad! They were ready to give in to the king and return as his slaves. They were so afraid that they were involuntarily trembling and vomiting,
The second part of this book is the warning against sin and judgment and also is the message of hope and resurrection, promise of messiah, the duration of the Babylonian captivity, the revelation of the new covenent and the fall of Jerusalem (Ch. 2:1- 45:5) The third part of this book is the prophacies concerning the nations and the fate of Jerusalem (Ch. 46:1-52:34)
and even urinating (the words are very graphic).The fearful pressure was inducing them to surrender and give themselves back to Pharaoh. But Moses said, “Stand still… be silent.” Do not abandon your new identity as freemen and as servants of Yahweh, as the people chosen by God. Fear causes us to forget who we really are and who God is. God is going to fight for you and protect you in what He has done in liberating you. We are asked to trust Him and hold our position as His people, dedicated to living for His honor and committed to doing His will on earth as it is done in heaven. We are committed to His kingdom and He is King! Hold to your true identity. The pressure is on, Satan roars like a lion and he will devour you. What must we do? Stand still and silently let God fight for us. Point to the cross of Jesus every time these foes come against you. On a practical level here is what Moses did. He calmed the people and reassured them that they were not alone. They forgot God and His Presence and His promises. The leader reminds the fearful personthat God is greater and will fight for us. We will experience Divine moments of His intervention. We will have a
July 2013
continued in page 6...
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Christian Literature And Media Association
Dr. Babu K. Varghese Chairman
Dr. C.V.Vadavana, General Secretary
The Christian Trade Association- India executive th meeting was conducted on 14 of June, 2013 at OM Books, Secunderabad. Some very important decisions were made by the committee during this meeting. Taking into consideration the Indian cultural context the committee decided to change the Association’s name to Christian Literature and Media Association (CLAMA). The association will be aiming to promote membership among the various literature and media associates in India. Decision was made to have two category of membership based on the size of the publishing company- Rs.10000/- for big publishers and Rs.500/- for all others. The meeting also covered the approval of doctrinal statement and business principles and practices. The
organizations administration office will be Sathyam Ministries’ office in Thiruvalla, Kerala and all communication activities will be conducted from there. Brother K.J. Johnny, Managing Director of O.M books is entrusted to represent CLAMA in the CTA convention in USA. Decision was made to organize a convention in OM campus in November, 2013. Another World Christian expo event will be organized at campus crusade in Bangalore between the month of October and November in 2014. An all India Association directory will be published to promote the connections between the literature and media associates in India. The following members were decided to hold the following position:- Chairman - Dr. Babu K. Varghese, General Secretary - Dr. C.V.Vadavana, Vice Chairman- Dr. K.C. John, Johny K.J , Rev. Ashish Moses, Rev Mani Chacko, Dr. Mathew, Varghese, Christopher Roberts Treasurer - Bishop Sunny Abraham Joint Secretary - Achankunju Elanthoor, Charlie Abro, Committee MembersC.P.Monai, Prince ( Campus Crusades), Immanuel Prabu R., Philip Solomon, George Koshy, Saju George ( NLCI), Vijoy T. Oommen, A.J. Joseph, C.D. Japasing, J. Obeth Jebakumar, Samuel Babu, Themothy Ostin, Jacob Chinnappa, G.V Jebaraj.
continued from page 5
Courage: The Leader's Best Friend story of God working among us, to pass along to our children. Moses also stayed calm himself and did not get involved in the heated words of his opponents. He did not bicker with them nor blame them. He stayed objective instead of allowing his emotions to get the best of him. This is called differentiation. It is vital for leaders to stay objective in the middle of a vicious conflict. Lastly, he did not take what the people said personally. He did not internalize their criticisms. This is what courageous leader do. That way we can guide the people instead of control them. We will provide 6
resources for them and not indulge them just to pacify their anger. We will protect them and defend them instead of smother them or enable them to stay in their fears that confront them. And we will train the people instead of just talk to them or lecture them. Our leadership gains great effectiveness when courage is allowed to shape it. May we respond to God’s call and be courageous men of faith who obey His every wish. Courage will bring His Kingdom to earth. O Father, we long for Your Kingdom to come to this earth and for Your will to be done on earth as it done in heaven. Fill us with the courage to be such leaders so as to allow Your Kingdom to rule us, and our places of service. We ask it in Jesus Name, Amen.
July 2013
B i l l y G r a h a m
The End of the World Is Coming Are You Ready?
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eople ask me, “Do you really believe that Jesus Christ is going to come back to this earth again?” Yes, I do. The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again. And I don’t see any other hope for the world because we’re heading toward a catastrophe in our world. The Bible says, “There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being over flowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” In other words, there’s going to come a judgment on this earth, and it will be a judgment of fire. For years people believed that the threat of a nuclear holocaust was diminishing, but nuclear tests have again raised fears that an incident somewhere in the world can still plunge us into a global catastrophe. Scientists say that we’re closer now to world destruction than at any other time in the past. Almost all of us would agree that the end of the world as we know it is a possibility scientifically. The word of God speaks of the certainties of the end of the World. Jesus said, “As the days of (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” What were the days of Noah like? And is there a parallel now?.
One word that is used to describe the days of Noah is wickedness. The people were very wicked: “Every imagination of their thoughts was evil.” It seems as if they stayed awake at night thinking up new ways to do evil. It was a world in which marriage was abused. The peolpe were corrupt and were violent. It was a world in which violence prevailed: murders, wars, insurrections. It was a world that was threatened by the judgment of God. God had warned them, “Unless you repent and turn from your sins and change your ways, you’re going to face the judgment.” But in the middle of all that, there stood one man. God had said, “With all this sin and violence and corruption,I’m going to destroy the whole world.” But He didn’t do it because of that one man who was going against the tide of that day. His name was Noah. In all that corruption Noah dared to walk with God. Noah believed in God, and true faith determined how Noah lived. And true faith determines how you live. Do you worship God in your home? Do you have Bible reading and prayer? The Bible says, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared (a ship).” God told Noah to build a ship out in the desert . Noah had no place to sail the ship, but he was to build it. And God said, “ I’m going to save you and your family when the destruction comes.” So Noah started out, the judgment eventually came. God spoke to Noah again and said, “Noah, I’m going to continued in page 8...
July 2013
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give the world seven more days, and then the flood will together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the come.” air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” We’re going to go as believers and meet Him. Today the only bright spot on the horizon of this world is the promise of the coming again of Christ, the Jesus said, “Be . . . ready: for in such an hour as ye Messaiah. We can’t go on much longer morally. We think not the Son of man cometh.” Do you think that He can’t go on much longer scientifically. The technology is coming today? “In such an hour as ye think not,” that was supposed to save us is ready to destroy us. Jesus said. New weapons are being made all the time, including And you are to be prepared. What have you done chemical and biological weapons. spiritually in your life to prepare for that moment when In Isaiah 66 we read that “the Lord will come with your heart stops beating? The end of the world may fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render come for you at any time. his anger with fury.” In the New Testament we read One man came forward at a meeting and gave his that Christ said, “I go to life to Christ. Then he said, prepare a place for you. And “Now I’m ready to meet if I go and prepare a place “I believe that when we die God.” for you, I will come again, Another man had been in and receive you unto as believers, Christ will be jail, and he got out of jail myself; that where I am, waiting for us on the other because someone had invitthere [you] may be also.” ed him to attend the MissiJesus promised that He side. Our great hope is that on, and he went forward to is coming back, and we are no matter what happens in receive Christ as his Savior. to “comfort one another Now the man has been given with these words”. We’re our lives or in the world, new life in Christ, and he not to wait in terror because Christ is waiting for us” said, “I’m a totally different as believers we have the man.” And he is. hope of the Coming again God is giving you the of Christ. same oppertunity that He When Jesus was getting ready to go back to the gave to that man. The Bible says that “you must be born Father, some of the disciples and His friends from again.” You need to make a commitment to Christ Galilee were watching and waiting. Two angels said, today. This is your moment with God. “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, I’m going to ask you to open your heart and say, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come “Lord Jesus, come into my heart.” in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” That is God’s promise to us, to you and me. You ask, “Well, what do I have to do? It has been 2,000 years since then. Why hasn’t He First, you have to be willing to repent of your sins. come? The disciples asked the same thing, and Jesus You may not have the strength to change your way of said, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, living. “But You have to help me change: I can’t do it which the Father hath put in his own power”. alone.” Jesus said, “Of that day and hour knoweth no man, You need to make a commitment to Christ, and let no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Him come into your heart. I’m going to ask you to do Don’t guess and speculate. We don’t know. It may be a that. thousand years from now, or it may be tomorrow. Second, you come by faith. What does faith mean? When is the end of the world coming? The end of Faith means that you put your trust in Him and say, the world is coming for you the moment you die, and “Lord, I give myself to You.” that could be at any time for any of us. We never know. How will Christ come? “The Lord himself shall You may have been baptized, you may have been descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of confirmed, you may be a member of a church, you may the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead be a good person, you may help other peolpe. You may in Christ shall rise first. do all the good that you can think of, but all of that isn’t enough. You must come in childlike faith to Jesus who Are you ready for that if that happened today? God said, “Prepare to meet thy God”. The Bible says, “Then died on the cross for you, who rose again, who is we which are alive and remain shall be caught up waiting for you to make that commitment. Do it today. 8
July 2013
P a s t o r . M i k e H a r r i s o n
Obeisance and Obedience When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house...Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord. King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.(2 Chronicles 7:1-2, 4-5)
C
hapters five through seven of Second Chronicles cover the dedication of Solomon’s temple. Chapter five ends with corporate praise being offered, chapter six consists largely of Solomon’s prayer and chapter seven shares the personal communication God had with Solomon. In this we see an interesting template emerge for the soul desiring to be spoken to by God; praise and prayer lead to personal revelation from God. Consider as well, that in the last verses of chapter five, as the praise was being offered in the house of God, the glory of the Lord filled the house to the degree that the priests could not continue to minister therein. A nearly exact episode happens in the first two verses of chapter seven, directly following Solomon’s prayer of dedication. In this we draw application; God’s presence is ushered into our temple (1 Corinthians 6:19) on the shoulders of praise and the knees of prayer. Praise and then prayer, this is always the true order of worship. Additionally, observe with me that praise, prayer and personal interaction with God led to sacrifice. Solomon sacrificed and enormous amount of livestock. An up-close encounter with a holy God highlights our unholiness. Solomon saw his sinfulness as He gazed into God’s sinlessness, and it compelled him to sacrifice. In this we see the sacrifices Solomon offered emphasize the seriousness of sin. The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). And without the shedding of blood, Hebrews 9:22 tells us, there can be no remission of sin. All of the animals Solomon sacrificed could
never take away sin. But Jesus came, the spotless Lamb of God, and took away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Lingering here for a second, contemplate on the opulent sacrifices Solomon gave. They point to the high price paid for our redemption (Peter 1:18-20). Jesus displayed His love for us through His sacrifice (Romans 5:6-8). We, in return, display our love for Him through our sacrifice. And here is a truth; my willingness to sacrifice for Him is directly proportional to my sensitivity to the severity of my sin and the depth of His sacrifice on my behalf (Ephesians 3:14-4:1). When we grasp what He gave for us no sacrifice He asks of us will seem unreasonable (Romans 11:3012:2).
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July 2013
Dr. Jon Marshall
We are the Home of God on Earth: A Monthly Commentary on Ephesians Ephesians 1:3-4
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ead Ephesians 1:3-4. In this first sentence of the body of Paul’s letter he gives the big idea of the whole book. Praise God because he’s done absolutely incredible things for us. In Christ he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. In response we live like we’ve received that blessing; we live like a blessed people made for living in heaven. There are two halves to this sentence (verses 3 and 4) so we’ll take them one at a time. We praise God because of all he’s done for us through Jesus. The word “bless” means “speak well” or “say great things”, so it’s really similar to “praise.” It’ll be pretty obvious once Paul explains all these blessings why we should shout praise to God. Pay attention to how Paul says it, “has blessed us.” It’s past tense. The spiritual blessings God has given to us are in our possession right now. We have them as we speak. We may get more later, like a greater degree, but we’ve got it all now. Every spiritual, supernatural, eternal blessing belongs to us while we live on earth. What you see is not always what is actually reality. You may appear old and wrinkly, weak and vulnerable, sick and hurt, uneducated and poor, but if you are in Christ (if you are united to him by faith) then you have all the authority of the spiritual world at the core of who you are. You are someone incredibly special despite what you look and smell like. Paul expands on this for the rest of the chapter so get ready. Verse 3, therefore, is a summary of the rest of the chapter where Paul identifies all the blessings God gave us. When he starts his explanation Paul tells us that God chose us to receive all this blessing and we respond by living like we’ve received it. God selected us in Christ before anything was created. What was God doing before he created the world? Thinking 1
about you and planning out all the great things he wanted to do for you. Paul’s message spoke into a world where people thought fate controlled everything around them. In Ephesus everyone thought the stars controlled our fate. Their alignment at my birth dictated, without exception, the exact details of my life (what I would look like, where I would live, who I would marry, etc.). Many Indians believe something similar. The gods have determined all the details of your birth, status, wealth, and health. Both the Ephesians and many Indians hear, “Nothing can change for you.” But God changes everything. We don’t live in a “closed system” governed by gods and fate who don’t want a relationship with you. We live in a world in which God relates to humanity as a person to other 1 persons. We were chosen “in Him”, that is, “in Christ.” Our destiny is to be in a relationship with someone who loves us. An impersonal fate kills the idea of living above the grossness of human nature. But being selected in love for a never-ending relationship to the King of the Universe inspires us to live a distinctive lifestyle. We’re to be “holy and blameless before him.” If fate controls you then just give in. If science dictates every decision you make then give up, live like an animal, and don’t bother trying to make the world a better place. But if God has picked you to marry his son and live with him forever then start preparing now. Be distinct and pure (holy) and without blemish. We’re a distinctive people, different from the rest of humanity, not because “we’re better than everyone else” but because God’s love has changed us. In Christ we, dirty people and messed up as we are, stand before God as holy.
The “open” and “closed” system idea comes from Francis Schaeffer. Read The God Who is There July 2013
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Do you know? In Genesis 9:24-28, why did Noah curse his youngest son and say that Cannan should be a slave? Was this the beginning of slavery? Was slavery all right in the sight of God? The reason Noah cursed his son Ham was that he had derided and dishonored his father after he found him naked, sleeping off a drunken stupor. Ham should have treated him respectfully, even though his father (who had apparently never tasted liquor before) had made a fool of himself. But it should be carefully noted that only one of the son of Ham, namely Cannan, was singled out for suffering the effects of Ham’s curse. Genesis 9:25 quotes Noah as saying, “Cursed be Cannan; a servant of servants (or ‘slave of slaves’Heb.) he shall be to his brothers” (NASB). Ham had three sons besides Cannan, namely Cush, Mizraim, and Put (Gen.10:6); but the penalty was announced only for Cannan, the ancestor of the Cannanites of Palestine, rather than for Cush and Put, who were probably the ancestors of the Ethiopians and the black peolpes of Africa. The fulfillment of this curse came about in Joshua’s conquest (ca. 1400 B.C.), and also in the conquest of Phoenicia and other Cannanites by the persian Empire, since the Persians were descended, in all probability, from Japheth through Madai. This does seem to be the earliest occurrence of ‘ebed in the sense of “slave” that can be found in Scripture. As to the moral status of slavery in ancient times, it must be recognized that it was practiced by every ancient people of which we have any historical record: Egyptians, Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Phoenicians, Syrians, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Greeks, Romans and all the rest. Slavery was as integral a part of ancient culture as commerce, taxation or temple service. Not until the more exalted concept
of man and his innate dignity as a person created in the image of God had permeated the world as a product of Bible teaching did a strong sentiment arise in Christ endom in criticism of slavery and a questioning of its right to exist. No equivalent movement toward abolition is discernible in any non-Christian civilization of which we have any knowledge. In Genesis 9:25, ‘ebed is used in the sense of being politically in subjection to a foreign power. Hebrew slaves were required under the Mosaic law to be set free after six years of service; they could not be made to serve out their entire lives as slaves unless they willingly chose to remain, so, out of love for their masters (Exod. 21:2-7). In some cases slaves were held in great honor; that is to say, the nobles were generally called “servants” of their king- a title of honor, something like Paul’s reference to himself as a “bondslave of Jesus Christ.” In new Testament times slaves who became Christians were regarded as true brothers of the Christian free men and fellow heirs of the kingdom of God. They were bidden to serve their masters faithfully, respectfully, and with a right good will, as if they were serving the Lord Himself (Eph. 6:5-8)-even though they should seek to earn or purchase their freedom whenever possible.(1 Cor. 7:21) Yet there was inherent in the biblical concept of man as a person fashioned in the image of God and a candidate for heaven (on condition of repentance, faith, and commitment to the Lord) a dynamic principle that undermined slavery. This principle found expression first in the Christian world and then in other religions and cultures, which were shamed by the Christian example into abolishing slavery within their own domains. Thus God’s ultimate purpose was brought to fruition.
‘I will multiply on you man and beast; and they will increase and be fruitful; and I will cause you to be inhabited as you were formerly and will treat you better than at the first. Thus you will know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel 36:11 12
July 2013
J o h n S t a n e k
DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR BODY A TEMPLE?
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do not think many Christians consider their body the temple of God. Of course, they will say they do, because the Bible says that it is, but their actions belie their words. Look at how many Christians are over weight. They gorge themselves at church functions and especially at home where no one can see them except, of course, the Lord. They make the excuse that their parents did not teach them to eat healthy and made them eat everything on their plates and now these bad habits determine how they eat today. However, many of them cursed and drank, etc, but since then were able to change their behavior now that they have the Holy Spirit as their helper, so why not their over eating? Well, one reason is that the church does not frown on this sin, because it is regarded as an almost insignificant compared to the more obnoxious sins of drinking alcohol, cursing, etc. Besides, many Christians in the church are gluttons and don’t realize or acknowledge it, but sadly are role models for new believers. So, this sin continues to flourish in the church today and it is not only condoned, but rarely, if ever, preached against. Let’s face it, since it is a very pleasurable sin and is not frowned on by the church, it‘s no wonder that gluttony thrives in the church. But if we were to consider the fact that our bodies are a gift from God, how can we treat them so badly and without any guilt? Wouldn’t you be ashamed if people you invited came to visit your temple (church) where you worship, saw it in disrepair? Wouldn’t you be embarrassed? Of course you would So, why aren’t you ashamed of your overweight body and if you are, why aren’t you doing something about it? Now don’t think I am singling anyone out specifically. I am speaking to myself as well. I’m just as guilty as others. I have just been fortunate not to put weight on as easily
as some. I have to really work at it to gain weight, so my current weight is no virtue at all. I also think our bodies are a reflection of our spiritual life, the real one, not the one we think we lead, nor the one that others think we lead, but the one the Lord knows about ;that undisciplined life, that only seeks to be slightly better than the people we point to as examples of those that are in worse shape than we are. I think we also rationalize about our lack of discipline in this area, by saying to ourselves (and God) that we are not like those worldly people out there who only think about their outer appearance and not about their inner beauty. Oh, we can feel so spiritual at times when we think that! Aren’t we wonderful! We think we have the mind of God. However, I really believe that we really have much more of the mind of the world in us than we realize. The world preaches four different things about our bodies: 1. the body is important for our health (which is true), 2. it is important if it is beautiful (if you want to be admired or have an advantage over others) (false), 3. it is not important and even a hindrance to us if it is ugly or plain (according to the world’s standards) (false), and 4. the body is a mechanical apparatus that gets us around until we die (some truth, but ultimately false). Since most of us fit into the “plain “category we too have come to believe it is just an apparatus to be used and conclude that the body is not that important; that it is our spirit that counts. After all, it is our spirits that go to heaven. Right? But that thinking is false. God did not create us as spirit creatures but as men, with a body and a spirit and He created us to be that way for eternity. The Greeks believed the body was evil and the spirit was good, but Christ showed when He became flesh, that the body is not evil when it adheres to God’s will, but becomes a light to the world, and it is the only medium
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continued in page 24...
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ttarakhand faced one of the worst natural calamities on June 15, 2013 when people were swept away by a flash flood, rain and mountain slide. People were trapped with bodies floating around in these cities. There are a good number of people, who have gone on pilgrimage, but the temples were washed away and they had to witness death and destruction. A mammoth evacuation operation in frightening and difficult condition was done to rescue thousands stranded in Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangothri and Yamunothri. Army, air force, hospitals and various other organizations joined hands to save the lives of these people. Sathyam Ministry's team of six members under the leadership of Sam.C.Vadavana reached the location to help and support the victims with food, clothes, love bucket, medicine, wheelchairs, prayers and comfort. Our team braved heavy rain, landslides, overcast sky, low
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visibility and mountain terrain to reach the victims at any cost. We were able to perform relief work in the villages of Tatyur, Dhanolti, Suwhakholli, Siyalshe, Satgaada, Uttarkashiolli and Siyals. Our team was well supported by Landour Community hospital who coordinated our activities. We were guided by a Dehradun based Christian organization called Solidarity Society. They reported the story of Mr. Jaiprakash who was living in Bakpathar in Dehradun District with his wife, three daughters and one mentally handicapped son. Just days before the natural calamity that rocked Uttaranchal he left for Bhadrinath with his wife and two daughters in search of a job. He left his son in the care of his daughter. Little did they know that their journey was the beginning of their final journey towards death. They were among the thousands who perished in the flash flood and landslide at Bhadrinath. There was no information about the whereabouts of
July 2013
these four people for ten days. Finally the village came to know about the tragedy that hit this family when the two girls were rescued and bought back to Bakpathar. Both the girls were in poor health after having to battle the rain, cold, hunger and above all the biggest tragedy in their life. They narrated the fruitless effort they made to find their parents. They confirmed that their parents were dead and they had to leave their body and find a way to get to safety. They both are still finding it hard to believe what they have gone through and their brother is still to understand the depth of the misfortune that has happened to them. This was one of the many sad events that our team heard.
slush and unknowingly stepped on dead bodies. We witnessed the death of our family members, friends, neighbours, pets, and strangers. We were forced to desert their dead bodies and move
Sampoori Devi , who had lost everything she had in the floodwaters had this to say, "My children lost their homes and all belongings, and I don't know where they will all go, but they all made it safely out of this devastation, and for that I am so grateful to God. Everything's going to be alright." She said this with such strength and hope, with a smile on her face the entire time. Dimri narrated the happenings of the five dreadful days she spend in Kedarnath, “It was a desperate fight for survival. We were passing through floodwaters in a frantic search for a way for survival. It was a frightening experience. We waded through waist deep on. Our mind was filled with fear, desperation, and uncertainty but we passed through the deep waters courageously knowing we will find a helping hand somewhere, and we were eventually rescued and taken to safety after five days.� We pray that these difficulties help the victims grow in patience and endurance, and make them strong in character. Let us ensure that they don't stand alone in trouble even if we have to go through difficulty to make it possible as "For nothing will be impossible with God" (Luke 1:37) Reported By: Aswathy Mathew July 2013
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Question Time Question:What is the significance of the Resurrection of Christ? Answer: God the Father raised Christ from the dead, in fulfilment of the Scriptures and of Christ’s promises, declaring Christ to be His Son, and His acceptanceof Christ’s redemptive work, guaranteeing the justification, spiritual life and final resurrection of all believers. 1. The fact of the Resurrection is at the core of the gospel. The Resurrection was the work of the Father (Acts 2:24, 3:15, 10:40, Eph. 1:20, Col. 2:12) by the power of the Spirit (Rom. 8:11, 1 Pet. 3:18). 2. The fact of the Resurrection was central in the witness of the apostles. (a) “We are witness” was their theme (Acts 2:24, Acts 3:15, 1 Cor.15:14,15). (b) To be an apostle a man had to be a witness to Christ’s Resurrection (Acts 1:22). (c) The distinctive characteristic of their preaching was the power with which they bore witness to the Resurrection of Christ (Acts 4:30,33). 3. The Old Testament Scriptures demanded that the Resurrection should take place. (a) The Messiah was not to be allowed to experience corruption (Ps. 16:10, Acts 13:34, 35). (b) Everything written about Christ in the Law of Moses, the prophets and the Psalms demanded fulfilment (Luke 24:44, John 20:9, Acts 26:22, 23). 4. Christ had foretold His Resurrection. (a) At the beginning of His ministry He had hinted at it (John 2:19-22). (b) When Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah, the first clear revelation about the Resurrection was given to the disciples (Matt. 16:21). (c) Jesus clearly foretold His Resurrection to the disciples (Matt. 20:19, Mark 14:28). 6. The Resurrection was necessary to give final proof of Christ’s deity. (a) The Resurrection was a declaration of the Father, as promised in the Old Testament, that Jesus is His Son (Ps. 2:7, Acts 13:33). 16
(b) It was impossible for death to keep Christ in its grip (Acts 2:24)- of God alone could such a claim be justly made. 7. Without the Resurrection we would not know that Christ’s death achieved its objects so far as sin is concerned. (a) Without it men would be utterly lost with no possibility of salvation (1 Cor. 15:19). (b) By the Resurrection the acquittal from very charge of all who believe is declared (Rom. 4:25, 8:34). 8. The Resurrection was necessary to provide a solid basis for faith. (a) Christ showed Himself alive by many infallible proofs (Acts 1:3). (b) God’s acceptance of Christ’s work is demonstrated by the Resurrection (see 7, above):through Christ men may approach God with confidence (1 Pet. 1:21). 9. The Resurrection was necessary to give a living hope. (a) The Christian’s hope or assurance arises from Christ’s Resurrection: through His Resurrection we receive new life (1 Pet. 1:3, Rom. 6:4, Col. 2:12). (b) Believers have a living hope regarding the resurrection of the dead, for God who raised up Christ shall raise up them also (1 Cor. 15:20, 23, Acts 26:23, 1 Cor. 6:14, 11 Cor. 4:14). 10. The Resurrection was necessary in order to demonstrate that Christ may be known today. (a) Paul proved the truth of this experience in his day, at first to his great amazement (Acts 9:1-9). (b) Paul then made the knowing of Christ and the experiencing of the power of His Resurrection the objective of his life (Phili. 3:10).
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D r . A l e x a n d e r K u r i a n
Digging Deeper THE GOSPEL OF GOD Romans 7 (Exposition)
Is Paul describing believers or unbelievers in chapter 7 (vs.14-25)? The case for the unbeliever is defended for the following reasons:
Romans 7: The Practice of Sanctification Outline of Chapter 7 Dead to the Law (7:1-6)
1. Words like “sold as slave to sin,” “fleshly,” and “unspiritual” are a more fitting description of the unsaved.
Sin and the Law (7:7-13) The Believer and Indwelling Sin (7:14-25). Introduction to Chapter 7 Romans chapter 7, especially verses 14-25 is a strenuously debated section of the Holy Scriptures. Is Paul describing here the state of the unsaved man or of the Christian? Before getting into the various interpretive views on this, let us consider the overall framework of the chapter that will help us to resolve some of the difficulties surrounding the exposition of its message. In ch.7, Paul returns to the question of 6:15: Shall we continue to sin while under grace? Paul’s answer is an emphatic no. The word “flesh’ occurs 26 times in Romans.Those in the flesh are unconverted, unregenerate, natural, or not born again. But those in the spirit are regenerate, born into the family of God, having the Spirit of God in them. Both believers and unbelievers may walk according to the flesh (though this is not the characteristic lifestyle of believers), but only believers can walk according to the Spirit. The natural antithesis of flesh is spirit. Even as a believer, Paul also experienced a mystifying conflict in his life, which he finds difficult to understand. He finds himself defeated at times, not doing what he wants to do, and doing what he hates to do. The conflict indicates that there is battle between two identities in the believer.
2. The intense conflict pictured here is characteristic of an unbeliever. 3. This was the view of the Greek Fathers of the early church. 4. The main message of chapter 6 is that a believer in Christ is free from sin. How can this truth reconcile with the intense conflict with sin in chapter 7? 5. No mention of the Holy Spirit in chapter 7. Chapter 8 deals with life in the Spirit and there is frequent mention of the Holy Spirit. 6. Chapter 8 begins with “now” which means that Paul is passing from a consideration of the unsaved to the saved condition. The most widely held view is that Paul is referring to the believer in this passage (7:14-25). The Reformers reaffirmed this view originally defended by Augustine in the 4th century. This interpretation is supported in this study. The following reasons are given in support of this position: 1. Unbelievers do not have the desire to keep God’s law. He does not long for God rather he is hostile to God. The person desiring holiness and with an ardent longing to please God as seen in this passage is only true of a believer. continued in page 18...
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Rainbow Day ‘Rainbow’ is mentioned in the Bible six times.
Biblefax
Rainbow Verse
Noah knew about rain and water. Imagine being stuck in a big boat with two of every kind of animal to keep you company for over 300 days. What a thrill it must have been to walk off it, stand back on solid ground and see the sun trying to break through. It was then that Noah was able to look up and see the very first rainbow- a shining, beautiful coloured light taking the place of the black storm clouds he had been looking at for weeks. Many wicked people had been drowned in the flood, and the rainbow was a sign to Noah from God that he would never again destroy all people with a flood. In the Bible, the word rainbow is the same word as warbow (bow and arrow), so a bow being a symbol of war became a symbol of peace set high up in the clouds.
‘Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting convenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth’ (Genesis 9, verse 16) Rainbowfax A rainbow is a massive muticoloured arch of light in the sky which is caused by sunlight shinig through millions of raindrops. It can only be seen on the earth when the sun is at an angles of less than fortytwo degrees above the horizon, so rainbows happen mostly early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Also, in Great Britain the wind is usually blowing from the west, so the rain travels eastwards. Here’s your chance to be a weatherman. If you get a morning rainbow when the rain is in the west and the sun is in the east, tell eveyone to get their umbrellas out, because it is about to rain. However, if the rainbow comes in the evening you’ll know that the weather is brightening up.
continued from page 17 Digging Deeper 2. The penetrating spiritual self-diagnosis found here is beyond the capacity of an unbeliever. 3. The shift from the past tense in 7:7-13 to the present tense in 7:14-25. This is seen as a contrast between Paul’s pre-Christian experience and his postconversion experience. 4. Christians are already righteous in Christ, but are not perfected. They are waiting for the day of perfection and the final deliverance from sin. 5. Sin is so wretched and powerful that it continues to contaminate the life of the Christian and frustrate his desire to do the will of God. This is a real lifeexperience of believers. 18
Folk’n’fax A rainbow still reminds us that God is full of mercy and is kind to us. We still do things that hurt him, and we don’t deserve any favours, but he still loves us and forgives us when we are sorry for the things that we do wrong. What a wonderful heavenly Father we have.
6. In the context of the overall thematic development of Romans, Paul has passed beyond the description of the unsaved state, and now he is dealing with the sanctification process in a believer. 7. The chapter concludes with the acknowledgment of the deliverance in Christ. Another modified view held by some evangelical scholars is that the passage presents the condition of one who is faced with the demands of the law and the power of sin in his life, and how helpless he is in this situation apart from the power of Christ and the enablement of the Holy Spirit. Without chapter 7 we would not be able to appreciate the truths presented in chapter 8.
July 2013
L a u n a S t a n
Kids Need to Work Too
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believe that our society has changed significantly since I was a little girl. Let me elaborate on that comment. When I was young, I experienced great deprivation in my life. I wore clothing that was passed to me by a family friend or items purchased from a second hand thrift store. Often the clothing was too large for me or stained. I also didn’t have enough food to eat, so I was often nursing a growling stomach and was thin. New items in my home was a rarity and when I did get something nice, I treasured it and took very good care of it. I am not complaining; this hunger and lack gave me a desire to work hard. When I was nine, I sold newspapers door-to-door and earned ten cents for each periodical I peddled. When I was a little older, I sold hand-made jewelry in rough neighborhoods. These were trinkets that were fashioned by handicapped teenagers in my city, so not only did I make spending cash, but a percentage of the profits also went back to these youngsters who were in greater need than myself. Later, I tutored children who were struggling to read and write. I also babysat toddlers who had working mothers. Eventually, when the law said that I was old enough, (14,) I got a job at a fast food restaurant. Two such positions got me through junior high school and high school. I worked diligently and was thrilled to be gainfully employed. These unglamorous food jobs allowed me to buy my own school clothes, school supplies, fees for activities, graduation expenses and even a beat up car that got me to and fro from work and school. I never felt sorry for myself. In actuality, I possessed pride in the fact that I was making my own way and that I didn’t have to further financially burden my parents. Why do I mention all of this? It is because I am frustrated by what I see for many of today’s young people-they have an entitlement mentality. They honestly think that just because they exist, they deserve whatever they wish. Why is this happening?
Because well meaning parents, grandparents and communities are handing them whatever their heart’s desire. I think that many of these people have also come through difficult times, so they don’t want their loved ones to “suffer” the way that they did. A true, powerful work ethic seems to have gone out the window! As I see it, young people don’t have the hunger to make their own way, in the way my generation and the previous ones had. As an example, my eleven-year-old daughter has been upset with my husband and I because her friends at school have very expensive cell phones and she does not have one (nor will she receive one.) She has complained that her life is “deprived” because she doesn’t have this type of technology or video games and pricy gadgets that her friends have been given for free. (This is the malnourished child who was adopted out of great poverty from an orphanage in Viet Nam!) Do I blame her, no, we live in a luxurious society. My husband and I require our children to work each day, doing specific chores around our home. We quote the scripture, “If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat either.” (2 Thess. 3:10) They walk the dogs, wash dishes, clean their bathroom and bedrooms, pull weeds, fold laundry, wash the car, sweep floors, clean the chicken and goat barns. We are attempting to instill in them a desire to give their best and accomplish things through effort. I have always liked the verse, “Whatever your hands find to do, do with all of your might…” (Eccles. 9:10) I supposed that has been my philosophy, as I tend to attempt far too many things with the 24 hours God graciously gives me daily. There is value in a sense of accomplishment and I recognize that. We hope that this eventually does get instilled in our children. So what do we do in a culture that rewards children for doing little to nothing? We have striven to keep our children from becoming spoiled by limiting what they receive as gifts, but it is an uphill battle. At church, they are plied with candies and little toys. In shopping continued in page 20...
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Da Vinci’s Self-Ruin The counselors of Florence asked Leonardo da Vinci, then Italy’s most celebrated artist, to submit sketches for the decorations of the grand hall at Florence. One of the counselors had heard of a young and little-known artist who had done good work, Michelangelo, and asked him to submit sketches also.
Wealth In Dead Sea The wealth in the Dead Sea is so enormous as to be almost unbelievable. All the manufactured goods, fruits and vegetables exported from Israel are nothing in comparison with the mineral wealth in that Sea.
The sketches of Leonardo were superb, in keeping with his genius, but when the counselors saw the sketches of Michelangelo there was a spontaneous expression of wonder and enthusiasm. News of this reached Leonardo. He also heard that one of the counselors had said, “Leonardo is getting old.” He was never able to get over the eclipse of his fame by Michelangelo, and the remaining years of his life were clouded with gloom and sorrow.
After Jerusalem was captured in 1917 by General Allenby, a British geologist began to investigate the mineral riches of the Dead Sea. And the secret has come out! Its tremendous reserve is estimated at 22 thousand million tons of magnesium chloride, 12 thousand million tons of common salt, 6 thousand million tons of calcium chloride, two thousand million tons of potassium chloride, and one thousand million tons of magnesium bromide. The salable value of these chemicals would come out of the staggering figure of $1,270,000,000,000. This amount would be equal to the combined wealth of the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy.
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Kids Need to Work Too centers, free items are given away at every turn. Family members want to purchase toys for them. Everywhere we turn, our society is “blessing” our children with things that they did not earn and consequently, will not cherish or take care of. It is as though we are surrounded by a system that is building into our youth a “welfare mindset.” It is so prevalent, pervasive and evil, but how can we as parents fight against it? In our home, one of the ways that we attempt to overcome this attitude is to refuse all the freebies that are being lavished upon our progeny. We tell our relatives that our children have enough toys, to please purchase a nice book for their birthdays and Christmas. It might look like we are being cruel or far too Spartan, but in actuality, we are being compassionate. Our role, as parents, is to shepherd our 20
children’s souls, as well as their bodies. We have to recognize that there are worldly spirits that surround their lives who are attempting to poison their formative hearts. These come very openly as laziness, greed, covetousness and materialism. Another way that we are combating this problem is by doing outreach with our children. The best way for our son and daughters to recognize that the whole planet doesn’t revolve around them is to take them to those who are experiencing genuine lack. We bless children in foster homes and in orphanages by providing for their bodily needs. We feed homeless people and pray with the sick and underprivileged. We hope this will sink in enough to have a true and lasting impact. Will it be enough to combat all that society is pushing into their faces? I don’t know; only time will tell. But someday, I want to release into the world three children who have as Nehemiah 4:6 describes, “a mind to work.” I also want these same young people to have compassion on the less fortunate and to be grateful for all they have been given by God. How about you? Are you instilling a strong work ethic in your children or are you giving them everything they desire? Are you opening your hand to the poor and allowing your youth to not only witness that, but to also participate in these charitable acts? I hope so. If not, give that some thought and prayer, starting today.
July 2013
ST LUKE Dear Theophilus, In my first book, I wrote about all the things that Jesus did and taught from the time he began his work until the day he was taken up to heaven. (Luke, in Acts of the Apostles 1:1-2)
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ho was Luke? He was a Gentile (nonJewish) doctor, an educated man. He may have become a disciple of Jesus through his friend, Paul. We know from Paul’s letters that he took Luke with him on some of his missionary journeys. It seems unlikely that he ever met Jesus, so he did not write as an eyewitness. Luke was a good Greek scholar. He wrote over one quarter of the New Testament: his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. All his writing was thorough, careful and very well researched. His style is sometimes formal and sometimes poetic. Like all Greeks, Luke had a tidy mind. He liked things in order, So he mentions places, people and dates; he was concerned to put Jesus in a proper historical context. It is clear that Luke warmed to Jesus’ compassion. Perhaps being a medical doctor, Luke could closely identify with the day-to-day sufferings of ordinary people. He presents Jesus as a compassionate man whose concern was for the poor, the outcasts, and people whose lives were a mess. Luke showed how Jesus’ attitude towards women was unique. He treated them as equals - unheard of in that time and culture. Luke could understand Jesus. Luke wrote his Gospel some time after AD 85, about ten years after Matthew’s Gospel. He addresses a much wider readership, because he wrote for both Jews and Gentiles. His message was that the Good News was for everyone. Luke had a great dream for the future, where love would break down all barriers of race and culture.
Luke’s is the happiest of Gospels, which suggests that he was himself a contented and joyful person. The angel’s message in his opening pages sums up the whole Gospel: ‘I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people’ (Luke 2:10). Teaching in Parables Luke was deeply impressed by the effect Jesus had on his disciples, so impressed that he believed Jesus was indeed the Son of God, and that he had brought the Kingdom of God into our midst. Matthew had presented Jesus as the great Teacher, in the style of Moses. Luke presented Jesus as a teacher, too. But he presented him as the Jewish rabbi, who used stories to make people sit up and think. Jesus wanted to give glory to God, his Father. When he began preaching it was to teach about God’s Kingdom. He told stories, parables, to describe this Kingdom. It is Luke who loves to retell these stories. He has thirty-five parables telling what God’s Way is like. ‘The Kingdom of God is like this. A woman takes some yeast and mixes it with forty litres of flour until the whole batch of dough rises.’ Luke 13:20 Luke has another twenty-two parables telling what those unprepared for the Kingdom are like. He records many more parables than the other evangelists, and is the only one to record the best-known of these stories: the Good Samaritan and the Lost (Prodigal) Son.
July 2013
Courtesy:Christians Who changed the World
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R e v . B a r n e y K i n a r d
The Lighthouse in the Neighborhood!
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ust as the Lighthouse is a focused beacon of light to warn seafarers of impending danger of land, rocks and hidden underwater hazards, the Good News Club is a neighborhood lighthouse warning families of the dangers of neglecting the spiritual influence of their children. It’s always the children who pay the price of this spiritual neglect. This is the true story of how one neighbor made a difference by deciding to let her light shine. My family moved to Encinitas, CA while Dad was stationed in Sand Diego on the Naval Base there. We moved our trailer home on a vacant lot, which my father bought on San Dieguito Drive, until we were ready to build our new home. My father had never built a home before and he needed some help. That’s when we discovered the “good neighbor policy” of the Fulton’s, a Christian family that lived down the street. Harold, who had built several homes in the area, offered to help my father with his house. Actually, we were one of several families Harold silently helped during those days. He seemed to know all the neighbors on our developing street. His wife, Kay, was also active in the neighborhood. She focused her attention on children by starting a neighborhood Bible Club for the children. She accepted the Lord as an adult and regretted not having come to know the Lord as a child. It became her passion to influence the children. I was one of many neighborhood kids that were invited to come every Thursday after school to her Good News Club. I knew nothing of the Bible and my family knew nothing of the Church. For five years coming to her home became the “bright spot” in my week. Mrs. Fulton faithfully focused the Light of the Gospel to shine on me.
At first, I was attracted to the club by the great refreshments and the fact that all my friends were there. I was aware that the Fulton’s just liked me. Then after months of Kay’s creative and enthusiastic Bible Teaching, the gospel message in her lessons began to affect me. One day, she taught the visual story called Barney’s Barrel. By her using my name, I just knew she was talking to me, and she was! During the invitation I raised my hand for prayer. She further instructed us, “All those interested in receiving Jesus as your Savior, remain after class.” That day, I remember humbling myself on a little homemade stood in her living room. There I accepted God’s forgiveness and I received the Lord Jesus into my life as my own Savior and Lord. That was the day that God shined His light into my darkness. My new life in Christ began. Beginning that day the neighborhood Good News Club became my “light source” for five years. The Fulton’s introduced me to the Savior, the Bible, and then to their Church. God was using them to shine a witness that God loved me and had a purpose for my life. The impact of this Christian witness in my neighborhood is now history. Many of that original group of kids became Christians and are now serving the Lord today. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Fulton were good neighbors who prayed, cared and shared the love of God to their neighbors. Harold Fulton and Kay both have graduated to heaven now. Today, just over sixty years later, I am still overwhelmed with the bright demonstration of God’s love in my childhood. I have their example of “how to reach the children.” I am sure that God wants others, like us, to commit ourselves to being a “lighthouse in our neighborhood” just like the Fulton’s, so successfully did, in mine.
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SATHYAM SERVICE TRUST WANTED 1. Administrators- Graduates with good administration and co-ordination skill and capable of working with minimum supervision. 2. Communication Co-ordinators- Graduates with good command over English and should have a Christian Mission commitment.
ADVT wanted 3. Social WorkersShould have Msw qualification. 4. Accountant- B.com / M.com graduates.
5. Editor and proof reader- Candidates with Biblical Knowl-edge and good command over English and Malayalam language. 6. Office Secretary- Should have good Command over English and good knowledge of computers. Should have a Christian mission commitment. 7. Physiotherapist and Speech therapist for special children.
Phone: 9447126182
8. Special Teachers- With Special B.Ed MR.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;
Kindly forward your resume to administrator@sathyam.org
SATHYAM MINISTRIES
And confirm for us the work of our hands;
THOTTABHAGOM P.O., THIRUVALLA-689 541, KERALA, INDIA. Mob. 9447126182, 9446026182 E-mail: satyam_india@yahoo.com, web: www.sathyam.org
Yes, confirm the work of our hands. continued from page 13
- Psalms 90:17
DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR BODY A TEMPLE?
through which we can reach others with the Good News. The resurrection of Jesus and our resurrection shows that the body is good and necessary for us to enter the new Jerusalem, in the “new heavens and new earth”, otherwise Jesus wouldn’t resurrect it. If our bodies weren’t important, then our spirits would not be reunited with our bodies. This indifference about our bodies has even made us rationalize about our burial plans. Cremation, which is a pagan way of doing away with the body, is practiced by many Christians. They reason that God can put their bodies back together no matter what happens to them, and besides it is cheaper. Is this any way to treat the temple of God? Mistreat it? Burn it as if it had no value? How are we different from the pagans then? More and more unbelievers are being cremated because they don’t 24
believe in an after life. Where is our witness to our belief in the resurrection if we have ourselves cremated? The new testament gentile believers no longer had themselves cremated, as a witness to their new belief in the resurrection. I believe the Bible is clear that we need to view our bodies as sacred gifts from God, not to be worshipped, but understood to be our responsibility to keep in good condition so as not to hinder our days of witness here on earth. And think about it, a reasonably maintained body does not hinder the Gospel as much as a very poorly maintained one would. It also allows a believer to better be able to serve others even into his or her twilight years. You may have been brought up with no regard to maintaining your body in a healthy way, but why not give the idea that your body is important to the Lord due consideration?
July 2013
NOTHING COULD TOUCH ME David Grayson
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AY STANNARD BAKER lay on his hospital bed in an agony of pain, the aftermath of a serious operation. He knew the doctors were doing what they could for him. But this pain, this endless torment! How long could a man endure it? Mr. Baker was a well-known journalist, biographer, and historian. He was also, under the pen name of “David Grayson”, the writer of delightful essays about nature and the outdoors. He wondered, as the pain relentlessly stayed with him hour after hour, whether he would ever be well enough to be either Baker or “Grayson” again, whether he would ever be well enough to resume his life and his life’s work. He range for the nurse, and she gave him something to ease the pain. He dozed for a while; but most of the long night he lay awake, suffering intensely. Toward morning he reached for the little red-bound book on the table beside him, the beloved copy of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations that had given him so much comfort through the years and which went everywhere with him. He returned to a page he had marked and underscored, and that he knew almost by heart. It was comforting to read the familiar words: In every pain let this thought be present, that there is no dishonor in it, nor does it make the governing intelligence worse. Indeed, in the case of most pains, let this remark of Epicurus aid thee, that pain is neither intolerable nor everlasting-if thou bearest in mind that it has its limits, and i thou addest nothing to it in imagination. Pain is either an evil to the body (then let the body say what it thinks of it!)-or to the soul. But it is in the power of the soul to maintain its own serenity and tranquillity, and not to think that pain is an evil......
It will suffice thee to remember as concerning pain..... that the mind may by stopping all manner of commerce and sympathy with the body, still retain its own tranqullity. He returned to another part of the Meditations where he had underscored a favorite sentence, read and reread many times in the years gone by. The whole doctrine of Marcus Aurelius relating to misfortune and suffering was summed up in these few words: “Nothing happens to any man which he is not formed by nature to bear”. In the morning, remembering that W.H. Hudson wrote one of his best books, Far Away Long Ago, while ill in bed-remembering that Stevenson wrote Treasure Island while suffering greatly from tuberculosis-Ray Baker was ashamed of his own weakness and submission. “There must be a technique for meeting pain,” he told himself. “There must be a technique of endurance based on the power of the soul to maintain its own serenity, as Marcus Aurelius taught long ago.” He decided that the thing to do was to go on with his work, even here in the hospital-to write again, in spite of the pain. He rang for the nurse and asked her to bring some notebooks and pencils. Almost the first lines he wrote made him feel better; and discovering this he continued to write most of the day-actually forgetting the pain for long periods at a time. “Did you think you could have the good without the evil?” he wrote in his notebook. “Did you think you couls have the joy without the sorrow?..... I have been thinking much about pain. How could I help it?... Sooner or later, regardless of the wit of man, we have pain to face; a reality; a final unescapable, immutable fact of life. What poor souls, if we have than no philosophy to face it with!” continued in page 26...
July 2013
25
INSPIRING THOUGHTS
Power Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is on power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same. Romans 13:1, 2, 3 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:18, 19, 20 Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 The greater a man is in power above others, the more he ought to excel them in virtue. None ought to govern who is not better than the governed.
continued from page 25
That night, when the torment seemed again unendurable, he told himself: “This pain will not last; it never has lasted. I’ll think about what I am going to write tomorrow-not about me, not about my body.” It helped! He had learned a technique of endurance. Now let pain do its worst; it could not touch him where his life really was: When I first came in here, I had several attacks which I thought I could not bear. I tried grim opposition; obstinate and unthinking endurance; set teeth, muscles rigid, breath hard-held. I knew that it could not last; nothing in such extreme ever lasts. Thus I bore the fiery cycle of the paroxysms, taking some credit to myself for the obstinacy of what I considered courage, but which was really fear. I do not know how it may be in other cases-for pain is as various as life itself-but I began to reflect that if these sezures were inevitable, all the force of my opposition, the sweat on my face, was a useless waste of strength and in the end, since failure was certain, a weakening of morale. “Pain is neither intolerable nor everlasting ......... It is in the power of the soul to maintain its own serenity...” Suddenly it came to me, as a kind of new light, that I would no longer resist and struggle; I would accept the unavoidable. If it was in the nature of my disease, 26
what else that was wise could I do? At first the torment, revaging unrestrained, seemed even worse than before. It consumed me utterly. But I had a glimmering sense that I was at least playing a voluntary part in my own destiny; that, somehow, I was substituting reason for blind, involuntary, fear-driven resistance. This effort I continued through the greater part of one terrible night, failing often, unable to yield completely, driven by redhot scourges into the old resistances. At dawn , in spite of the best medication the doctors knew, I was exhausted, but I began to feel that I was on the way toward what might be, for me, a new method. This I practiced faithfully and with increasing confidence for some time. I no longer resisted the inevitable! I am not sure that there was a great decrease in the actual physical suffering; I do know that the period of the paroxysm was reduced, since resistance seemed merely to prolong it. But the great reward was in the mind: in my own ability to command myself in the face of such a catastrophe; to preserve my equanimity; to rest securely upon reason when panic might so easily overwhelm me. I had moments in the midst of such paroxysms during the earlier nights when I was so secure in mind, so tranquil, that I felt it did not much matter what happened to my body. Nothing could touch me.
July 2013
Courtesy:Light from Many Lamps
S e c t i o n b y w r i t e r Ă s n a m e
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S e c t i o n b y w r i t e r s n a m e
Truth Alive
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