renewing and enriching life
contents Editorial Pastor Dr. John K. Mathew
Vol. 09 Issue No. 3
March 2016
A magazine that will enrich and renew your Spiritual life and give Christian perspective on current events. e-mail : revivemegod@gmail.com igotoibc@gmail.com visit us : www.revivemegod.org
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CHAIRMAN PASTOR T. S. ABRAHAM
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VICE-CHAIRMAN PASTOR Dr.T. VALSON ABRAHAM
Balancing Roles
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Ellen Mrinalini Shinde
MEMBERS BRO. JACOB THOMAS PASTOR DR. JOHN K. MATHEW EDITOR PASTOR SAJU JOSEPH
Labour ( Work ) as Blessing:
ASSOCIATE EDITOR MRS. STARLA LUKOSE
Dr. K. B. Georgekutty
MANAGER PASTOR T.J. ABRAHAM
18 Bible and Work: A Reading Rajan J. Asher
9 Work, a Curse ? Pastor Emmanuel P.G.
23 Didla Neander Goforth
SABBATH, THE HOLY REST Kris A. Jackson
PUBLISHER, PRINTER & OWNER MAJOR V. I. LUKOSE (Retired) HEBRON, KUMBANAD, PATHANAMTHITTA, KERALA. PRINTED AT VIANI PRINTINGS, LISSIE JN., ERNAKULAM, KERALA
I am the LIGHT-Poem
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS PASTOR T.C. KOSHY PASTOR RAJAN J. ASHER EVA. P.T. THOMAS
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news
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quiz
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The views and ideas expressed in each article are those of the writer. - Editor Pictures Courtesy : Google
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Letters
Significance of the Family Dear Editor, We live in a time when the value of family is declining in the society as a whole. It began decades ago in the West. This trend is gradually creeping into Indian society now. Family is the basic unit of discipline in any society. A society where no discipline or moral values exist is likely to have anarchy. The article of Dr. Annie George in the Jan- Feb issues of revive is very relevant. She truly states that family is seen as the foundation of Indian society. Thus we take pride in our families. Family support and supervision are important for children’s development and is one of the most powerful predictors to reduce delinquency and drug use in children. Many social problems in children are associated with weakening of the family’s care for children. Peers can be a negative influence but parents have a positive influence on children and adolescents. Peers are often blamed for delinquency in children but parental supervision is a major mediator of peer influence. The churches and governments have to be very vigilant in conducting seminars and effective counselling to parents, equipping them with desired parenting quality. May the efforts of revive become fruitful. Nimmy Mathew, Pune
Emotional needs of Children Dear revive, Dr. Linda Homeyer’s article on ‘Children’s Needs’ is much appreciable. It must be
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read by all parents and those who work among children. Most parents are not aware of the different developmental stages of children. When educated parents don’t pay heed to such matters; we can very well imagine the case of the illiterate. Dr. Linda has well explained the relational and emotional needs to be met in each stage of growth in a child. It is true what she states when children’s relational needs are met, healthy emotions and behaviour follow. When their needs are not met, then children decide, incorrectly, that something is inherently wrong with them. This leads to problematic and dysfunctional emotions and behaviour. May we all understand this very crucial need in parenting. Jayan Kuriakose, Kollam
Danger of Child Abuse Dear Editor, Last two issues of revive deserves special appreciation as they dealt with a very relevant and crucial issue. Children are the future of any society and nation. We have a common tendency to blame the adults for the evils in the society like substance abuse, corruption and immorality. All that churches and governments do to curb these evils are like giving manure to plants that are ready for harvest. Normally, farmers supply manure to young plants as they grow. The same is the case with children also. Today, we neglect to pay attention to the children as they grow. They grow without proper care, protection from abuse and good parenting. Rev. Biju Eapen deals with this area very vividly in his article. He states that child abuse is a state of emotional, physical and sexual maltreatment to a person below the age of eighteen and is a globally prevalent phenomenon. The growing complexities of life and the dramatic change brought about by socio-economic traditions in India have played a major role in increasing the vulnerability of children to various and newer forms of abuse. The parents, church and government have to see this danger and take remedial measures. The unprotected and abused children grow up with emotional and behavioural abnormalities. They are the ones who play a major roles in today’s families and society. This explains the social evils in today’s world up to an
extent. Understanding this reality let us, as children of God, work hard to save the children from all kinds of abuse in our society.
John Skariah, New Delhi
Frightening Reality! Dear revive, All the articles in the last two issues of revive are very pertinent to the present context. The concern and information shared by Abraham Philippose are eye openers. He points out that a new generation without any respect and responsibilities is being created. This mistake was started by some who blindly followed ungodly psychologists and teachers. The result is alarming; crime rate is rising among youth. We have seen more than 5 juvenile murder cases in Kerala state alone in the past one year. Eve-teasing is highest in Kerala as compared to other states in India. In the USA, we hear of shooting often in Colleges. The whole materialistic concept and unhealthy competition created in the mind of our children resulted in hate which in turn is now overflowing in the form of crime. The electronic media and entertainment encourages the new generation to terrorism and other extremist actions. This is motivation for us to handle this big challenge by dedicating ourselves for the work among children. George Mathew, Idukki
Appreciation to IBC and IGO Dear Editor, Through the reports in revive the readers understand the work India Bible College is doing for the blessing and building up of children The initiative to equip students interested in kid’s ministry and the systematic training given to more than one third of the students is truly commendable. It is my prayer that this effort will truly replicate and society will benefit in the days to come. I am encouraged to read about the work India Gospel Outreach is doing in slums and other places where children hail from poor living conditions. May God continue to bless the ministry of IBC and IGO. Johnykutty Mammen, Trivandrum
renewing and enriching life
Pastor Dr. John K. Mathew
Thank "Man goes forth to his work and to his labor until the evening. O Lord, how manifold are your works! With wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. (Psalms 104:23,24)
Work
is not a curse.It is inherently good!The Bible opens with God and the first thing we read about God is that He created the heavens and the earth. In other words, God first appears in scripture as a worker. The picture of God as a worker holds far reaching implications for every worker today. It is said, work keeps us from three great evils: boredom, vice, and need. Henry Ford said, "Work is the only pleasure. It is only work that keeps me alive and makes life worth living. I was happier when doing a mechanic's job." Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done whether you like it or not. Being required to work, and doing so to the best of your ability, will breed in you self-control, diligence, contentment, and a hundred other virtues which the idle never know. "When should a person start work?" was a question was asked to R. G. LeTourneau and he gave this startling reply. "I would say about age of three.Now don't misunderstand,I am not in favor of the sweatshop or child labor that deprives a youngster of his education or the pleasure of carefree hours, nor do I approve of anything that breaks down his health or stunts his development. But there is one thing for sure: If one does not learn to work as a child, he will never do much when he grows up. I probably sawed as much wood as a boy and shoveled as much sand at the foundry in my early teens as the next fellow and it never hurt me. I think that almost without exception the ones who get things done are those who learned to work as children. We need to teach our youngsters the
God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done whether you like it or not.
dignity of labor and the pleasure of accomplishment. They must be made to understand that only by determined effort do we create things worthwhile. Not only does work keep us from mischief, but the more we sweat and toil, the bigger kick we get out of our labors". God wants Christians to take responsibility to provide for their material needs and those of their families. In fact, 2 Thessalonians 3:10 states this as a command. When we work we are co-workers with God. All the progress that we have made thus far is the result of human labor, physical or intellectual. Work is not a curse it is a blessing. God is the great worker of all times. Let us take pride in partnering with God. march 2016
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Dr. K. B. Georgekutty Faith Theological Seminary Manakkala
An initial problem- what constitutes human labour? The
Oxford dictionary defines labour as a physical or mental work, also as such work considered as supplying the needs of the community. Work is a general term, usable in a variety of contexts. Work can refer to any physical and/or mental activities, which transform natural materials into a more useful form, improve human knowledge and understanding of the world, and /or provide or distribute goods to
Work
can refer to any physical and/or mental activities, which transform natural materials into a more useful form, improve human knowledge and understanding of the world, and /or provide or distribute goods to others.
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Labour ( Work ) as Blessing: A Biblical Perspective
others. Work differs from labour because of its specific broader connotation and wider application. Labour differs from work in often being limited to purposive, necessary expenditure of effort, usually of fatiguing or onerous nature. Pope John Paul II defines work as ´´activity by man, whether manual or intellectual, whatever its nature or circumstances; it means any human activity that can and must
renewing and enriching life
be recognized as work in the midst of many activities of which he is predisposed by his nature, by virtue of humanity itself´´. For him work is one of the characteristics that distinguish man from the rest of creatures, whose activity for sustaining their lives cannot be termed as work. Only human beings are capable of work occupying their existence on earth. Since work is specifically human property, it is therefore a uniting factor for humanity. Labour can be better defined as physical work under taken by men and women for supplying the needs of the community to sustain life.
Bible and Labour In the Hebrew Bible we encounter two contrasting perspectives on labour. On the one hand labour is presented as a divine mandate, which is stewardship to be exercised and a creative act to be performed (Gen.2: 15). On the other hand it is depicted as a punishment for sin, painful, drudgery, and a heavy burden (Gen. 3:17-19).Ivan Engnell in his article entitled “Arbete” suggests that the Hebrew Bible’s attitude to work is entirely negative. He argues that according to Genesis, it is not a question of Adam working in the garden of Eden, rather he lives there as a more or less divine being with a cultic responsibility but free from work. Labour is therefore the result of an imposed curse, which becomes an activity, after sin entered in to the humanity. According to Engnell, the same low status of work would be seen in the other books of the Hebrew Bible. Nowhere is the support for the thought that the work might be a natural order instituted by God. Work is something, which is the lot of slaves. For the free human being it is something evil which is theologically motivated by the story of the fall. Goran Agrell says that work projected in Genesis 2:4b-3: 24 is two fold. First work was a divine creation and is positive. But after the disobedience it is necessary for human beings to work for their living and work is harsh and weary and involves suffering. He says this dual perspective runs throughout the Bible. The Hebrew Scriptures open up with the striking description of Yahweh forming and fashioning the world with hands as a human being (Gen.2: 7). Jeremiah compares Yahweh’s work in creation with that of a vinedresser, who digs the soil, throws away the stones and plants the vine (2:21; 5:10; cf. Isa. 5:1-7). The God of the Hebrews is not reluctant to work with hands, and that constitutes the distinctive feature of Yahweh. Yahweh by labouring gives labour a value far above what it enjoyed in the Ancient West Asian religions, where the task of human beings is to be the servants of gods. Since the Hebrew Bible is the product of an agricultural community, and its God is a worker, it is not surprising to note that the Hebrews had a great esteem for labour, at least in their early traditions. The Hebrews accepted work as being natural and willed by God. For them it is a divine institution and blessing (Gen.2: 15). The fact that the promised land was given to them by Yahweh, proves why they expressed pride and joy in having land to cultivate after their sojourn in Egypt. Right from the beginning Yahweh laid rules for the cultivation of the land (Lev. 25:3-4). The Sabbath is instituted for the welfare of the dependant class in the society (Ex. 20:8-10; Deut. 5: 12-14). This positive approach to labour can be traced from their history. Noah, Abraham, Isaac were farmers. David was a shepherd (I Sam. 6:11). Amos was one of the shepherds of Tekoa (Amos. 1:1). Gideon (Judg.6: 11), Saul (incidentally continued to plough even after he was made king), and Elisha (I Kings. 19:19-21) received Yahweh’s commission while they were in . There are two special aspects we look into as a way of unfolding the divine concept of labour as Blessing namely: Creation and Hebrew Sabbath. Labour in the context of Creation: God’s original purpose for human being is expressed in the Hebrew Bible in a two-fold manner in creation. These are stewardship of production and preservation in the Garden of Eden. It is made clear with the divine commission “to till it and keep it”. (Gen. 2:15). That it was God’s purpose for them, in part at least, even before their creation, is evidenced by God’s prior settlement that, there was no one to till the ground (2:5,6). However this exalted divine purpose
in the dignity of human labour finds its highest expression in God’s commission involving the responsibility to ‘subdue and to have dominion over the created natural order’ (1:28). Hence the human being was challenged to employ, under Gods guidance and blessings, all aspects of his/ her personality (the physical 2:15; intellectual 2:19-20; social 2: 1824; and procreative 1:28). The writer of the passage had a perspective of a peasant. For the writer God is like a potter. The text is important in the sense it is formulated in a way, which communicates human state. There is a vocation (v.15) for all human beings disregarding sex, cast and colour. The human creature is to care for and tend the garden. The word pair, “till and keep”, may suggest the role of a gardener or a shepherd. In either case, labour belongs to the garden. Labour is good, surely to enhance the life in garden. From the beginning, the human creature is called, given vocation, and expected to share in God’s labour. The community of man and
It is not
a question of Adam working in the garden of Eden, rather he lives there as a more or less divine being with a cultic responsibility but free from work. Labour is therefore the result of an imposed curse, which becomes an activity, after sin entered in to the humanity. march 2016
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woman is also perceived within the perspective of work. Man and woman are a community since they are working harmoniously together (Gen.2: 18). The identification of disobedience with a reversal of the created order is not a historical statement but a theological one, Says, Jerome T. Walsh. He continues, “narratively the story deals with origins; but on a deeper level, every hearer identifies with this “man and his woman” not fitially but personally. The sin depicted is not simply the first sin, it is all human sin; it is my sin. And I who hear the tale am forced to acknowledge that my sin too has cosmic dimensions; my sin too is an attack on creation and an establishment of moral chaos.” The relative unproductiveness of the land in comparison with human beings expectations and ideals is here regarded as the permanent effect of a curse. Earning the livelihood, which was the task of the head of the family, was toilsome. For an average Hebrew family man or woman this barrenness of the land was indigestible and must be the
A clay pot sitting in the sun will always be a clay pot. It has to go through the white heat of the furnace to become porcelain.
Mildred Struven 8 march 2016
result of a divine curse. The laborious work of a husbandman is referred to in Sirach (7:15). The plight of women was doubly toilsome. They had to take part in the toilsome labour of the daily living. Same time they had to bear children and care for them. But that is not the prevailing feeling of the Hebrew Bible. Agriculture to the Hebrews was a divine institution, but the same time a hard and heavy reality. Sociological out look of the Hebrew family and family religions are reflected in the text. Despite the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey (Ex. 3:18; Numb.13: 27; Deut. 8:7-9, etc.), Israel had never been a rich land; there was hardly any agricultural surplus and there were few other natural resources. Labour in the context of Sabbath: Sabbath is instituted as a divine provision for all labourers. The one-day rest derives its total significance after the six days of labour (Ex. 20:8,9). Six days you shall labour and do all your work; but the seventh day is a Sabbath to YHWH your God; in it you shall not do work, you, or your son, or your daughter, or your manservant, or your maid servant, or your ox, or your ass, or any of your cattle, or the sojourner within your gates, that your manservant and your maidservant may rest as well as you. You shall remember that you were servant in the land of Egypt, and YHWH your God brought you out thence with a mighty hand and an out stretched arm; therefore YHWH your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day (Deut.5: 13-15; cf. Ex. 23:12). The Sabbath law in Exodus has a social motive that is an institutional protection for the weakest of society. This social motive has been connected to liberation from Egypt, a symbol of toil, hard labour and slavery, in Deuteronomy. Further, the law provided room not only for rest, but also for the reward of a labourer; ‘You shall not with hold the wages of poor and needy labourers’ (Deut.24: 14; Lev. 19:13; Jer. 22:13). Six days of a week have been juxtaposed and were on an equal footing with the seventh day; therefore both sides have been assigned their own justification, honour and destiny. Both are complementary and equally important. Six days of the week gained content and dignity through “labour”. Daily human labour had been given the religious dimension, dignity and reward as rest on the seventh day. Seventh day is not a day fasting and misfortune but a day of rest and benison. It was not a day on which no labour of importance are to be performed for the fear that they will fail, but a day in which human beings rises above continued on page 12
renewing and enriching life
Pastor Emmanuel P.G. Faculty, India Bible College & Seminary
Work, a Curse ?
year old, whose psycho-motor functions are not in good control willfully works enjoys doing things. In this view unemployment and laziness are curses.
Work and its fruit are Nature’s Gift and God’s Ordination By nature humans are workers. Young or Old, Humans are Doers. 9 year old and 90 year old enjoy working. Idling time is heavily criticized by the Bible, and by almost all cultures. Having no appointment is disappointment
There
There is no
grater joy on earth than the joy of seeing the fruit of one’s labor. Job satisfaction, meaningfulness of life, feeling worthwhile, feeling successful and seeing the establishment of the work of one’s hands is the major motivation behind all human accomplishments. The pain dissolves in the gain. To work is nature’s gift and God’s ordination for humans. Humans work, and cannot not work - by nature even a 100
is nothing nobler than earning one’s bread from one’s own labor. In a period of technology the virtue of physical labor and personalized production requires more emphasis for mental as well as physical health. march 2016
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renewing and enriching life
and a curse. No meaning in life leads to suicides, which is not found among other beings. The reward is primarily satisfaction of the mind and secondarily satisfaction of the stomach. The little hen’s celebration at the sight of the little egg it laid; a child’s excitement on the painting she has done, the boasting and broadcasting of people of their accomplishments all declare this innate nature.A collapse of such hopes, the sense of fruitlessness and the sense of being unsuccessful is equally discouraging. Bible portrays the first as a blessing of God, and the second as an unwholesome state, a curse possibly resulting from a deviation from the will of God. So, it is not the work, but the toil with poor returns that is depicted as the result of a curse.
family is increasing day by day. At this discouragement of the ever-increasing toil due to the ever decreasing fertility and productivity of the soil humans recite the curse at Eden. This makes people rashly interpret work as the result of curse instead of the toil. They use the Bible verse from Genesis 317-19. A climatic change, collapse in the productivity of the earth and the increasing hurdles in cultivation are depicted here as the reasons for the toil. So, the curse actually is the hazards of cultivation and of sustenance. When work is actually a pleasure the donkeywork and the struggle required to maintain one’s familyis the result of the curse, the fruit of rebellion. Hadn’t humanity been fallen, and the earth been cursed, humanity would have enjoyed so much more greatly their work, its fruit and the rest. The fall of the earth is an ongoing process as humans continue in their greed, rebellion and disobedience.The indiscriminate commercialized and mechanical exploitations, mining, use of chemicals and pesticides, dumping of wastes and pollutants and the nuclear dangers requires of us to write soon an elegy on the death of the earth. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation India said the earth has sufficient resources to meet the needs of humans, but not their greed. The Earth Summits and the Climate Summits are sounding the siren alerting us of the impending danger. Leviticus 26:18 (NIV) -If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over. 19 I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze. 20 Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of your land yield their fruit.
Greed, Disobedience and Curse
Hope of Reinstating
The curse and toil teaching is given in an agrarian context where the earth is less productive, and the toil to maintain one’s
Bible
also gives hope for the earth to be reinstated to its pristine glory. There is the hope of plentitude, where even the enmity between predators and preys will cease and peace of the kingdom of God will prevail on earth (Isaiah 65:17ff). 10 march 2016
Bible also gives hope for the earth to be reinstated to its pristine glory. There is the hope of plentitude, where even the enmity between predators and preys will cease and peace of the kingdom of God will prevail on earth (Isaiah 65:17ff). Romans 8:19-21 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. Leviticus 26:3- 5(NIV) 3. If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4. I will send you rain in its season and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. 5. Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. So, the insufficiency, poor quality and poor productivity of the land, hungry stomachs, the struggle for family maintenance, and the overarching need for long hours of toil are the villains that give work this negative paint. These can be rectified.
Cries of the Worker Today Work is painted ghastly by the worker‘s burden, sweat and tears, and the struggles for survival. The bread earner’s back is broken when hazards are very high, when the climate is adverse, and when the returns are too low. When agriculture was the backbone of the economy everyone had to suffer the brunt of this struggle. But things became different with industrialization, mechanization, technical, technological and scientific advancement. But still the cry of the worker is echoed through farmer suicides, cry of victims of slave trade, bonded labor, human trafficking child labor, unemployment, and underpayment. Similar cries are rising from bankrupt business people, struggling craftsmen, and people working at hazardous situations and unjust working conditions.
renewing and enriching life
Work
is painted ghastly by the worker‘s burden, sweat and tears, and the struggles for survival. The bread earner’s back is broken whenhazards are very high, when the climate is adverse, and when the returns are too low.
The Industrial revolution, mechanization of agriculture and industry, the technical, technological, and scientific advances have radically changed the equations of labor, productivity, income, and working conditions. The international concern for better working conditions, reasonable pay, food security and social welfare have smoothened the situation. The fourth stage of industrial revolution is now working on avoiding the humdrum of the industrial labor. The cry of the worker is being heard and dealt with more effectively. The National Crime Records Bureau, an office of the Ministry of Home Affairs Government of India, has been collecting and publishing suicide statistics for India since the 1950s, It has noted that of all other sectors more suicides have been reported from the farming sector (especially small scale commercial farmers) owing to the higher risks like failure of crops, climatic changes, higher interest rates charged by private money lenders, debt trap, and unavailability of cheap bank loans etc. (National Crime Reports Bureau, ADSI Report Annual – 2014 Government of India, Page 242, Table 2.11). Farmers’ suicide is a global phenomenon. Outside India, studies in Sri Lanka, USA, Canada, England and Australia have identified farming as a high stress profession that is associated with a higher suicide rate than the general population (Wikipedia, farmer suicides. 07-12-15).
Freeloaders Welfare Abusers There is nothing nobler than earning one’s bread from one’s own labor. In a period of technology the virtue of physical labor and personalized production requires more emphasis for mental as well as physical health. But there are many freelance idlers who got the idea that work was something they did not need, and still go around dreaming a good living that would somehow fall out of the sky upon them. In every day and age, there are freeloaders who want to live off someone else's work. Today we are cursed with welfare abusers who take money from the government or
other voluntary agencies with no thought of working on their part. There were certain people in the city of (church) Thessalonicawho refused to work. Bible looks with contempt at such idlers who are able but do not want to work. Bread labor is recommended for all, all through the Bible. Inspired by this Mahatma Gandhi in his Sarvodays advocates ‘each one according to his /her capacity and to each one according to his /her need’. See how apostle Paul condemns this attitude - Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us (2 Thessalonians 3:6 RSV). "Withdraw from them," says Paul, "do not have anything to do with them. Leave them alone." So let us work, celebrate its beauty, fruit, and share the joy with those in dire need. march 2016
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Labour ( Work ) as Blessing: continued from page 8
the need for the hard labour for his or her livelihood. Hence they receive a dignified status. It was this high regard of labour that is projected in Jewish Sabbath, in contradiction to Babylonian Sabbath, made it unique. Dignity of labour is affirmed in Deut. 5:1415. The same humane concern prompted the law “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when it tread out the corn (Deut. 25:4).” By keeping the Sabbath commandment, the Israelites had to recall their origin: “I am Yahweh your God, who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” The liberating God of the Exodus is the starting point. Liberation from house of bondage doesn’t mean liberation from
labour as such. The hard reality of labour will continue on the fields of highlands of Palestine. But it means that they will provide rest to the slaves who are under their control. Thus Sabbath becomes a symbol of the status of freedom, which has been offered by Yahweh. Sabbath prohibited that which was naturally been permitted on all other days through a divine intervention. It places in the cycle of life a room for freedom from the tyranny and oppression of unrelenting human labour, drivenness, and the increasing pressure of unceasing labour. It teaches the necessity of striving for something higher than daily life. It distinguishes between holy and profane and educated human beings toward conscious self-restraint. It elevates the entire creation as a single cosmos and human beings should honour it as the creation of a single hand for dignity. To the question what was required of keeping the Sabbath, three things are necessary says, Patrick D Miller. 1/ On a regular basis, members of the community are set aside the normal routines and work to gain rest and refreshment. More than that they have to see that such rest is made available to all, particularly those who might not normally have the freedom to relax from work. 2/ Worship and divine service are the aspects of Sabbath. 3/ On this day the community is supposed to recall the redeeming work of God. In the rabbinic legislation the concern to feed animals supersedes the Sabbath prohibitions. The basic supposition behind this principle, says L. Nemoy, “danger to life takes precedence over the sanctity of Sabbath and anyone who violates the Sabbath on account of danger of life is free of punishment.” Sabbath was given to humanity as a gift for human existence, “for the purpose of blessing labour”. It belongs to the providential work of God in providing for the continuity of life. Jesus, when he was confronted by Pharisees on the issue of Sabbath, replied, “The Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath”(Mark 2:27). Karl Barth in his Church Dogmatics asserted that on this day we are to celebrate, rejoice and be free to the glory of God. As per the Sabbath commandment in Deuteronomy, labour is not an undesirable thing. Neither it had been set apart for a class of ill favoured in the society. Rather it is a requirement that there should be labour for “six days” in a week. Just as it was commanded to abstain from labour on the Sabbath, it was equally important to labour during the rest of the days. “Rest” will be applicable and necessary only to those who labour. This legislation has lot of implication to the labour class of the present day society, particularly to the Dalits in India, who were deprived of their right to “rest”.
Conclusion
I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.
Thomas Jefferson 12 march 2016
As we have noted Bible presents labour as a creative blessing of God to humanity. God of creation appears as a potter. God not only works with hands, but also institute it as a divine predicament. God intends human beings to share in God’s labour. Labour is instituted by God from creation. Human beings were put in the garden to “till” and “keep.” Hence labour was intrinsic surely to enhance the life in garden.The identification of disobedience with a reversal of the created order is not a historical statement but a theological one. Creation narrative deals with origins; but on a deeper level, every hearer identifies with this “man and his woman” not filially but personally. The disobedience depicted is not simply the disobedience of first human beings rather it is the disobedience of all humanity. Sabbath legislation in Deuteronomy is humanitarian in its outlook. Six days of a week have been juxtaposed and were on an equal footing with the seventh day; therefore both sides have been assigned their own justification, honour and destiny. Both are complementary and equally important. Six days of the week gained content and dignity through “labour”. Sabbath prohibited that which was naturally been permitted on all other days through a divine intervention. Daily human labour had been given the religious dimension, dignity and reward as rest on the seventh day.
renewing and enriching life
Kris A. Jackson Evangelist and Author, Branson West, Missouri, USA
SABBATH, THE HOLY REST There is
a bed in the midst of the current bedlam, a cradle in crisis, Jesus, our Savior and Sabbath. With outstretched nail-scarred hands, He invites, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Jesus offers a life of rest for the rest of life, but His invitation is not rest from labor, rather the endowing of quiet resources and special energy in labor. The biblical word is shabbath in Hebrew and sabbaton in Greek, an “intermission”, the seventh day of the workweek, given to man as a special gift from a compassionate God. Without this much needed “break” the body, mind and will would eventually break, so Sabbath, the holy rest was a grace and blessing introduced for the sake of fallen man. With the fall of Adam came a curse on the ground and the burden of “toil” and grueling labor “in the sweat of your face” (Genesis 2:17,19). Technological advances from the first iron plow blade to modern automation and robotics have not alleviated the effects of the fall. Paul didn’t soften his words when reinforcingthat truth – “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Though we have epidemic idleness today, on one hand with those desiring to work battling high unemployment rates, and on the other, social deadbeats,unwilling, even refusing to work, draining government welfare funds,the fact is, there is an inherent human desire and need for simple, honest employment.
In life there is no true enjoyment without employment. We can cite plenty of cases of people who didn’t survive long after retiring from work because they no longer had a sustaining life purpose. J.O.B. may stand for “Just Over Broke” but a job at least offers self-respect. This article is not written for those who refuse or shirk employment but for those who like Adam do earn a living in the sweat of their face. Is there a healthy balance? When can I finally slow down a little? Should I play sick and take a couple days off? Lord, can you help me meet this deadline – and the next one? Some of the overburdening results from being
The
biblical word is shabbath in Hebrew and sabbaton in Greek, an “intermission”, the seventh day of the workweek, given to man as a special gift from a compassionate God. march 2016
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short-staffed or needing to work a second or third job to make ends meet, but many of our burdens are a matter of choice, the worker, department head or boss has an ego to satisfy, an agenda to cover or a spiritual stronghold that has been labeled workaholism, every bit as enslaving as alcoholism. The body and soul both need an intermission, a Sabbath.
1. SABBATH : A HEOLOGIC PRINCIPLE Creator-God labored six days in Creation Week then “blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work…” (Genesis 2:3) We haven’t space in a short article to study observance of the Sabbath as one of the Ten Commandments, instead let us look at the principle intended. Seventh day, sabbatical rest, Saturday for the Jew, Sunday for most of Christianity, Friday in the Middle-East, whatever day believers set aside, the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27).There has been endless debate between Moses’ command to not lift so much as a tool on Saturday and Paul’s defense that we aren’t
The highest reward for man’s toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it. John Ruskin 14 march 2016
to permit others to judges us regarding observance of “a festival or new moon or sabbaths” (Colossians 2:16). Some set apart a full 24-hours and think every store’s doors should be closed on the Sabbath while others feel they have satisfied the statute by simply showing up for a Sunday morning sermon. Rather than viewing Sabbath as a binding law, it should first be seen as a liberating gift. The Lord understands the limits of our fallen natures and tiring bodies. A preacher that cracks the whip demanding that his people “labor for the Kingdom” may be guilty of the same error as the taskmasters who exacted the Hebrew children’s daily toll of bricks. Paul said, “I labored more abundantly than” all other apostles, yet he qualified his words, saying, “yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). The Kingdom needs workers but it needsrested and refreshed workers. Under Law men work but under Grace they worship. Work is perhaps the most practical form of worship, but remember that no amount of work can justify men with God. We live in an urgent hour requiring diligence and at times toil and sweat but Sabbath suggests that God is still in charge and that we don’t have to get everything done this week. Balanced leisure is not a sin. We obey the Lord regarding Sabbath to recharge run down physical, emotional and spiritual batteries and as a testimony that the Lord is first in our lives. Jesus gave wise advice –“Come apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat” (Mark 6:31). In other words, if we don’t come apart we may well fall apart.
2. SABBATH: A THERAPEUTIC PRACTICE The Sabbath was instituted as physical, emotional and spiritual therapy. Sanctifying a special worship day does not mean cramming it full of church activity, music rehearsals, sermon preparation and religious works. Sabbath is a well of living waters, a time for soaking in His presence. For most religious workers the day of rest is the biggest day of rigor. They work all week at a secular job, then double the load on Sunday. Every pastor needs a day off. If we don’t take more days off we will inevitably have more “off days”. Comedian Dennis Miller said the average American's day planner has fewer holes in it than Ray Charles' dart board (Ray Charles was blind!). Now the average Indian’s calendar is similarly over-scheduled. This is not to say we should be any less diligent in Gospel work but we certainly must re-prioritize unessential work. The biological clock runs in heptads. Science is well aware that heart-rate and biorhythms slow every seven days. The Jews gave their farmlands rest every seven years. They say the show must go on, but not without a cost.There must be a weekly intermission. A weekly Sabbath breaks up an otherwise severely long month into manageable segments of time. We can manage a week one day at a time and manage a year one week at a time and similarly the soul needs periodic rest breaks throughout the day. Each intermission is given to redirect our thoughts heavenward. In celebrating a worship day we are afforded time to regroup, rearm and reenergize for the battle that lies ahead in the coming week. Playing recklessly with this special day can lead to disastrous ends, loss of energy and motivation, burn-out and in some cases depression and complete systems collapse. Are we wiser than our Example? After glittering the heavens with billions of stars at the mere flick of His hand, the Creator paused to rest. He didn’t need to but He put everything on hold to illustrate that we need rest. Though we may argue with reality, none of us are omnipotent, we weary over tasks as small as piled up laundry or the prospect of preparing another meal. How then can we effectively deal with tasks as huge as world evangelism without tapping into the fresh Sabbath resources? God took the day off as an example for lesser beings.
3. SABBATH: A THEOCRATIC PROPHECY Nine generations following Adam, Lamech named his son Noah which means “rest” or “relief” (TLB) – “This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD has cursed” Continued on page 21
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Ellen Mrinalini Shinde is Clinical Head of 1 to 1 help.net Pvt. Ltd., a counseling faculty that caters to a 130 companies. Ellen is based in Bangalore.
Balancing Roles
– An Intentional Decision for Informed Believers in the context of Faith and Scripture As you begin to read this page. Stop for a couple of minutes. Close your eyes and think of all the roles you already play. Most of us are employees, leaders in a small
group, husbands/wives, children, siblings, parents, nieces /nephews, uncles/aunts, church member, community leader, citizen and perhaps more. The roles we play are numerous, demanding from us investments of time, energy, and other resources.Now think for a minute about how you are investing in each of these roles, and the satisfaction you derive from each. Are you satisfied with the roles and the investments you are making? Is there anything you would like to change? If you find yourself wanting to change the way you are investing, you are making adjustments to your work life balance. Perhaps you find that you are putting in too much into your role at work, and not enough as a partner, spouse or parent, and need to make changes in investing in friendships or relationships with family. I hope that as you continue to read the article below you will grow more hopeful of making the changes you are convinced that you need to make so that you are able to achieve professional success and growth, without sacrificing those other investments that make life enjoyable and fulfilling.
Work Life Balance a concept that is really more descriptive of modern day living and working. It seems more to be a concern for certain kinds of occupations, defined by characteristics of the work place Long hours culture, Irregular hours Business travel Long commutes Blurred boundaries Labour market flexibility and the ‘blessing’ of a smart phone.
Why are we investing so much at work. A strong Achievement DriveWe want to achieve as much as possible, and feel like we must work hard. The harder we work the more we will be rewarded. Work Contexts Require it. We now work in a global economy and there is a need to stay connected meeting demands
If you
find yourself wanting to change the way you are investing, you are making adjustments to your work life balance. march 2016
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of work on both sides of the ocean. Working to fulfil requirements of two time zones, leaves people with little time or energy for other investments.
Insecurity Uncertainty in the Job Market where people are easily replaced if not productive, often drives people to put in long hours to ensure being seen as hardworking people contributing substantially to productivity. Misplaced Identity/Sense of Self Worth Individuals are increasingly depending on their role/job/ designation or even the trappings that their earnings will allow them to possess to give them a sense of ‘who’ they are. Driven internally fuelled by powerful parental injunctions to work hard, along with expectations from significant others, including culture, and perhaps even your faith.
Work Life
Balance is a dynamic phenomenon. It varies from individual to individual and in the same individual is dependent on the stage of life one is in. So while there is a time in your life, when your investments at work must outweigh other investments, the pattern will and needs to change. 16 march 2016
However the focus of this article really is to figure out what happens when there is disproportionate investment in work versus the rest of life. Work Life Balance is a dynamic phenomenon. It varies from individual to individual and in the same individual is dependent on the stage of life one is in. So while there is a time in your life, when your investments at work must outweigh other investments, the pattern will and needs to change. While increased investments in work have led to a host of benefits, including higher wages, more disposable incomes, increased opportunities for advancement and more women in the work place allowing them to therefor enjoy a more equal partnership in marriage, there is also the negative impact. We are seeing higher levels of Stress, and Dissatisfaction. It seems to be taking a toll on the Physical and Mental health of Individuals. People are reporting of increased tiredness/Fatigue- A Feeling of being stressed all the time. It almost seems like we are constantly being chased, with our “TO DO” lists never being completed. People are increasingly describing themselves as being exhausted or busy.. Content, peaceful, refreshed, fulfilled are words used sparingly. Individuals in counseling come in feeling sleep deprived the sleep disturbances range from shorter hours of sleep, disturbed sleep, and difficulty falling and staying asleep. Thanks to modern technology, getting away from work is now almost impossible, and people are getting to the point of having to always check their phones for messages/ calls/ and interactions on social media. This has left people feeling restless agitated adding to the feeling of never being ‘still’ Lack of sleep, tiredness, agitation and stress is also contributing to eating
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disturbances, from inability to eat, to overeating, and digestive complaints of acidity and ulcers. Sleep deprivation and the pressure of deadlines, and having to do better, quicker, more along with the consequent anxiety is causing a reduction in people’s ability to fight infections and making them vulnerable to a host of illnesses. Doctors report that people in their 30’s are now reporting various muscular skeletal disorders that earlier plagued older people. Back aches, Repetitive stress injury, There are more people consulting medical practitioners for symptoms of ‘dry eyes’ headaches and migraines, Respiratory and other breathing difficulties including frequent coughs and colds with asthmatic attacks have increased. People suffer from elevated levels - Blood Pressure, and cholesterol. Diabetes and other heart related illness seem to be increasingly reported along with other life style diseases. Often these physical symptoms add to the distress of other psychological disturbances. In addition to all of these, there are a host of social and psychological difficulties. People reporting confusion, difficulty with decision making and memory loss. Mental Illness and emotional disorders that may have been dormant, with the increased stress and sleep deprivation are now coming to the surface. People in counseling are reporting intense anxiety, depression, over 5 persons each day reporting risk for suicidal behaviour. Relationships are impacted. Long hours of work, role demands, difficult commutes all leave very little time and energy for investments in significant relationships. People are reporting lack of communication with significant others, with little toleration for frustration, increase in conflicts, emotional fatigue and infidelity resulting in break ups, separation and divorce.Emotional Infidelity is on the increase, stemming from ease /access to relationships other than one’s spouse coupled with increased conflict at home, and decreased restraints because of physical and emotional fatigue, There is a huge impact on Children- Less time spent with parents. More time on the internet/electronic gadgets, resulting in greater aggression,and lesser social skills.We are also seeing lowered frustration tolerance in children because of parents willing to spend larger amounts of disposable incomes in meeting needs & desires of children more immediately. They seem to be growing up with not being able to ‘wait’ and finding it easier to discard and move on. What starts with the discarding of things, will move to the discarding of relationships too. With both parents working there are difficutlies in setting consistent limit setting & disciplinary practices as a result of different caregivers ( parents/grandparents/ professional services) Children also seem to be getting more aggressive equipped with lesser social skills from the lack of ‘natural play’ opportunities and constant exposure to a virtual world. Elder care is a growing concern,
“You learn the value of hard work by working hard.” If you try and lose then it isn’t your fault. But if you don’t try and we lose, then it’s all your fault.”
Orson Scott Card relegated to professional services, with more couples being out and unavailable for caregiving. The quality of life for our aging parents impacted by our choices of how we create our work life balance.
What really needs to change hereA recognition that we are in flux.There is a need for serious re thinking. We need to ask ourselves the question of whether we are living life intentionally, or have we just got caught in the rat race. Have we viewed the impact on our own selves and those we love? And then do we need to make changes in the light of our faith and beliefs? If from reading the article you find yourself caught on the roller coaster of life and are wishing to get off and make some changes do contact march 2016
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Rajan J. Asher Thiruvananthapuram Bible Teacher, Writer
Bible and Work: A Reading Work
is usually rewarded with wages in money or material. But the ultimate and most sublime reward for any labour is self satisfaction. 18 march 2016
Productive
human endeavour is commonly said as work or labour. That may be physical, intellectual or both put together. Work is usually rewarded with wages in money or material. But the ultimate and most sublime reward for any labour is self satisfaction. Apostle Paul who believed that whatever one does here now, will be properly rewarded THERE, laboured and toiled day and night (1 Thes. 2:9) hoping to have a share in the blessings of the Gospel (1 Cor. 9:23). Anything and everything that is done expecting a reward is work. It is quite natural
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that the worker is rewarded according to the quantity and quality of work done. More opportunities will become availbale to that worker as well. The knowledge, experience and commitment in the work are very important. In the past workers who had to endeavour for a livelihood were considered as machines or instruments with life or as a two legged animal without any emotion. But the modern economic and management principles had elevated labour to the level of human resource. Now a labourer is accepted as a human with emotions, creativity, imaginaton, other dexterities and a desire to be accepted and appreciated. The changes in the socio, economic, cultural outlook are the major causes for this change. And it is possitively a good change. And it is due to the influence of Bible.
Bible and Work It is God’s plan from the beginning that man must work and earn a living. God put the first man in the Garden of Eden to dress (till, work) it and keep it (Gen. 2:15). It is not Scriptural to think as some do and propogate that man was made to work after he sinned. The first instruction man was given was to work. The first blessing and commission man was given to have dominion over every created being (Gen. 1:28) also involved hardwork. And man performed them gladly. The Hebrew word used for having dominion Radah means to tread down ( a winepress with the feet). In Joel 3:13 the same Hebrew word is used. Exercising authority involves hard physical work as well. That does not mean that God gave man authority to attack and destroy animals, wildlife, plants, trees and even the very nature, as some are doing today. Man was not given authority to threaten, bully, enslave and suppress human beings in the name of dominion. But the process of protecting life and nature, involves intellectual and physical systematic work. In Gen. 2:15, the words used to dress and keep are Abad and Shamar. Here the word Abad means to work, labour, toil, till, plough, serve etc. and the word Shamar means to hedge around (as with thorns), keep, guard etc. The modern thought that God created man to clap, dance shout etc. does not have Scriptural support. Work is the accomplishment of man who can think, plan, prepare, evaluate and make.
No Work, No Food Anyone unwilling to work should not eat (2 Thes. 3:10b). Here the word Paul uses for work is Ergon which means work, accumulated labour, continued work etc. Paul calls those who do not work as ‘disorderly who walk as though they are busy bodies, but live in idleness’. He is not writing about the weak, sick or handicapped. It is the responsibility of those who are able to sustain such ones (Js. 2:14-17, 1 Jn. 3:16-18).
Nobility of Work, Paul’s Model By profession Paul was a tent maker. He worked with Aquilla and his wife Priscilla who were of the same profession (Acts 18:1-3). In the meeting of Ephesian Elders at Miletus, he called together (probably the first Pastor’s Seminar ever) Paul said, “I have covetted no one’s silver, gold or clothes. You yourselves know that with these hands (probably stretching both his hands), I have laboured for my needs and the needs of men with me. In this manner you must also help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:17, 33-35). Paul is a typical example for all Christian of all times everywhere to imitiate. Paul is writing the same words to Thesselonians, “You yourselves know our labour and hardship, working night and day so as not to be a burden to you (1 Thes. 2:9). We did not act in an indisciplined manner among you, nor did we eat any one’s bread without paying for it, but with labour and hardship we kept working night and day, so that we will not be a burden to you, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate” (2 Thes. 3:7-9). To those who doubted his ministry Paul asserts that he laboured even more than all of them (2 Cor. 11:23). That was his honour and prestige.
Attitude to Work Work is the blessing, commission and honour of man who bears the image and likeness of God. We can understand that the first family enjoyed working, was amply rewarded and fully satisfied. But when they disobeyed God and permitted sin to enter into their lives, everything shattered. Instead of producing fruit to the proportion of their toil, the land produced more thorns and thistles. Human labour became hard and fruitless (Gen. 3:17-19). It is only natural that people lose their enthusiasm and become disinterested when their efforts become fruitless. That made them exploit the underprevileged and make them work longer hours paying lesser wages. Labour lost its dignity and labourers began to be treated like machines or animals. And in the world which is under the power of the evil one (1 Jn. 5:19) the labourers became slaves. Struggles in the labour front became common and the labourers were more and more
Now
a labourer is accepted as a human with emotions, creativity, imaginaton, other dexterities and a desire to be accepted and appreciated. The changes in the socio, economic, cultural outlook are the major causes for this change. march 2016
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tortured physically and mentally. Even in the modern sophisticated civilized economies this slavery is present in different forms and dimensions. Bond of any kind is bondage, that is slavery.
Moses
was an active shepherd. Joshua was a hardworking assistant to Moses. Gideon was threshing wheat by the wine press in a very dangerous situation when the Angel of God came to him. David was a responsible shepherd. Peter and friends were active fisherman. God honours work. 20 march 2016
Instruction to Workers The instructions Paul gives to servants (the word Paul uses, doulos, means slave, who is in permanent servitude to his master, his will totaly consumed in the will of the master) are note worthy. The servants are to count their masters worthy of all honour that the name of our God is not blasphemed (1 Tim. 6:1). They are to obey their masters in singleness of heart as unto Christ, not with eye service as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart fearing God. Whatever they do they are to do heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men (Eph.6:5, Col. 3:22,23). If the master is a Christian, the labourer should not disrespect him because he is a brother, but the servant should serve them more sincerely (1 Tim. 6:2). The servants should please their master well in all matters, not to talk back, not to pilfer, but show complete and perfect fidelity so that in everything they may be an ornament, they may adorn (make attrative) the Gospel they believe and practice (Tit. 2:9,10). Peter goes one step further; he tells servants to be subject to their masters with all fear not only to the gentle, but also to the froward (harsh, crooked) (1 Pet. 2:18).
God with the Worker We see in the Scriptures that all men God used to do marvellous things were energetic hard workers. Moses was an active shepherd. Joshua was a hardworking assistant to Moses. Gideon was threshing wheat by the wine press in a very dangerous situation when the Angel of God came to him. David was a responsible shepherd. Peter and friends were active fisherman. God honours work. Jesus Christ as a man was probably a carpenter with Joseph (Mark 6:3). Also we know that God instituted a weekly day off from work (Sabath) to every labourer. God saw the affliction of Israel due to hardwork enforced by their cruel task masters and heard their cry of agony. He came down to deliver them out of that sad plight (Ex. 3:7,8). They were forced to do hard work without wages of any kind. Later God reminding them of their sad plight, commanded them that the wages of hired servants should not be held back even till the next day (Lv. 19:13). God also commanded them not to oppress or torment the poor and needy servants. They should not be made to cry against their masters (Dt. 24:14-15). God is against those who oppress the hirelings in their wages (Mal. 3:5, Jer. 22:13). Apostle James also warns of the same (Js. 5:4).
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When Jesus Christ sent the seventy men with the Gospel, He assured them that the labourer is worthy of his hire (Lk. 10:7). Paul writes to Timothy the same, “The labourer is worthy of Hs reward” (1 Tim. 5:18). Yes, the Gospel workers are also eligible for their wages or reward. But, none should work in the name of the Lord, anticipating reward, hire or money from people (Mic. 3:11) here. We see warnings against greed and awarice in the New Testament as well (Tit.1:7, 1 Pet. 5:2). Paul worked with his hands and did the Gospel Ministry with great satisfaction.
Work and Worship Workers are usually not satisfied, neither are they obedient. They are mostly impudent, rash and not yielding. Most of them waste things or pilfer. But a servant who is a Christian must “walk the extra mile” to be obediant to the master. The master must be convinced that they are trust worthy. They shuld serve the employer as unto the Lord.Whatever they do must be done in sincerity of their heart. The picture Paul is presenting is one that elevates work to the level of worship. If what is done to the Lord, done in the name of the Lord is worship, a servant’s wholehearted work honouring her/his master, with an attitude of serving God, is also worship. Making God and the Gospel attractive, ornamenting and decorating with sincere hardwork is also worship. We saw earlier that the Hebrew word to dress the garden (Gen. 2:15) is Abad meaning to work, labour, till etc. Abad is also used for worship, to cause to worship, serving God (Ex. 3:12, 4:23 etc.) and for Levitical work in the Temple (Num. 3:7,8). See, how the labour in the soil, the Levitical work and work of the New Testament believers are beautifully inter related. Every born again Christian is required to present her/his body as a living sacrifies ... which is her/his reasonable service (Rom.12:1).
This also John heard a voice from Heaven saying “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, they shall rest from their labours, for their deeds shall follow them” (Rev. 14:13). Till then we need to work, sincerely as for the Lord. Our Lord is coming soon. He will repay according to each one’s work. That is the promise God gives us through Paul. We shall receive the inheritance as our reward for our work here (Col. 3:24).
SABBATH, THE HOLY REST continued from page 14
(Genesis 5:29). Lamech’s hope was unique among the many generations listed in Genesis chapter five because all the other references say that so and so begat so and so who begat so and so, but when it comes to Lamech the cadence changes stating that Lamech “begat a son” (vs 28), which of course prophesied the birth of the greater Son, Jesus, who would offer lasting rest and relief. “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9). Both Peter and David insinuate that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years (Psalm 90:4, 2 Peter 3:8). We stand six days or six-thousand years this side of our first parent Adam. The longawaited Sabbath must be very near! Every Sunday or seventh day when people of faith gather is a microcosm and prophecy of the final day, the Sabbath, the thousand-year kingdom of Christ. In celebrating the Lord’s Supper on the Lord’s Day we declare the Lord’s Coming, proclaimingChrist’s death “till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:29). The momentary refreshing we receive through worship in preparation of the coming week reminds of the eternal rest which we are soon to enjoy. In 1894 James Kirk wrote a favorite hymnal line –“Then the sin and sorrow, pain and death, of this dark world shall cease, in a glorious reign with Jesus of a thousand years of peace. Oh, my soul is groaning, crying for that day of sweet release, when our Jesus shall come back to earth again”.The final Sabbath is nigh; I wonder how many Sundays we have left until the temporal becomes the eternal? march 2016
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22 march 2016
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I am the LIGHT
Called
am I by Him as ‘the light’ To stride forth boldly, day and night. So, farther I go and farther I glow No matter how heavy the winds blow. Shining in the world very bright, Reaching every unreached site. Nothing on the earth can make me slow, No one on the earth can stop my flow. Striving every moment for the good fight, Crossing every barrier by His might. Great is His power in me, I know Because I follow His command, “Go!”
Didla Neander Goforth
Standing for His Word that is right, Worrying not of any perilous plight. Seeds of Good News will I sow, Can pain and hurt stop me? No! No!
march 2016
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A New Milestone
India Bible College and Seminary Receives Serampore University Affiliation On 5th February 2016, India Bible College and
Seminary (IBC) received affiliation with Serampore University. Starting the new academic year which begins in April 2016, the Seminary will run the Integrated Bachelor of Divinity (IBD) and BD residential programs Serampore University is located in Serampore, West Bengal, India. Serampore was granted the status of university in 1829, making it India's first institution with university status. Serampore University affiliation is a very significant milestone in the history of India Bible College and Seminary. It raises the status of India Bible College & Seminary in the eyes of the India government and opens possibilities for future growth in new and strategic ways. For all the promises of God find their ‘Yes’ in him. That is why we utter ‘Amen’ through him, to the glory of God (II Cor. 1:20). India Bible College and Seminary (IBC) is built upon the ministry of theological training started by the late Pastor K.E. Abraham in 1930. Pastor T.S. Abra-
ham (now President Emeritus) served for more than 65 years, and Rev. Dr. T.Valson Abraham (now President) has served for more than 32 years, giving strong leadership to the Seminary. IBC offers a total of eight undergraduate and graduate level degree programs. IBC also received accreditation from Asia Theological Association (ATA) in the year 2000. All the ATAaccredited programs will continue at India Bible College and Seminary. India Bible College & Seminary has trained and sent over 14,000 leaders to preach Christ and reach the unreached. Hundreds of students are trained each year from all over India and neighboring countries, representing 34 languages. Today, India Bible College and Seminary functions on two separate campuses, one known as Hebron Campus for Malayalam medium classes located in Kumbanad, and a larger 38 acre campus known as IGO Campus for English medium classes, located nearby in Kozhimala. The two campuses have more than 55 well-experienced and highly qualified faculty members.
Faculty and Staff together at the Thanksgiving Prayer on hearing about Serampore affiliation
24 march 2016
renewing and enriching life
NASA bans the word 'Jesus' The name of Jesus is not welcome in the Johnson Space Center newsletter, according to a complaint filed on behalf of a group of Christians who work for NASA. The JSC Praise & Worship Club was directed by NASA attorneys to refrain from using the name ‘Jesus’ in club announcements that appeared in a Space Center newsletter. “It was shocking to all of us and very frustrating,” NASA engineer Sophia Smith told me. “NASA has a long history of respecting religious speech. Why wouldn’t they allow us to put the name Jesus in the announcement about our club?” Liberty Institute, one of the nation’s largest religious liberty law firms, threatened to file a federal lawsuit unless NASA apologizes and stops censoring the name ‘Jesus’. The JSC Today newsletter is distributed electronically and includes a number of Space Center events – from salsa dancing lessons to soccer camp. NASA issued a statement late Monday – that did not refute Liberty Institute’s charge. “NASA does not prohibit the use of any specific religious names in employee newsletters or other internal communications. The agency allows a host of employeeled civic, professional, religious and other organizations to meet on NASA property on employee’s own time. Consistent with federal law, NASA attempts to balance employee’s rights to freely exercise religious beliefs with its obligation to ensure there is no government endorsement of religion. We believe in and encourage open and diverse dialogue among our employees and across the agency.” Since 2001, employees had gathered during their lunch hour to pray and sing and read the Bible. There had been no censorship issues until last year. Liberty Institute attorney Jeremy Dys told me the club had placed an announcement in the Space Center’s newsletter – announcing the theme of their meeting, “Jesus is our life.” Following is the complete posting that appeared in the May 28, 2015 edition of JSC Today: Join with the praise and worship band “Allied with the Lord” for a refreshing set of spring praise and worship songs on Thursday, June 4, from 11:15 a.m. to noon in Building 57, Room 106. (The theme for this session will be “Jesus is our life!”) Prayer partners will be available for anyone who has need. All JSC civil servants and contractors are welcome. “Soon after that, the legal department called the organizers and told them they could not use the name Jesus in their announcements,” Dys told me. “They said, no Jesus.” The club’s leadership was told that “NASA would be censoring all future club announcements that featured the name, ‘Jesus’,” Liberty Institute alleged in its complaint letter. NASA’s legal department explained that including the name ‘Jesus’ within the club’s announcement made that announcement “sectarian” or “denominational.” They also alleged such announcements would cause NASA to violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Dys said the club organizers offered to provide a disclaimer, notifying readers that the announcement was private speech and was not endorsed by NASA or any other government agency. However, that offer was rejected as “insufficient.” “The club members knew right away that NASA was censoring them and they were not comfortable with that,” Dys told me. And so began a long process to resolve the matter. “The bottom line is that NASA should not be censoring this club just because they use the name ‘Jesus’ in an employee advertisement,” Dys told me. “That is blatant religious discrimination.” And NASA’s behavior is quite frankly baffling. On Christmas Eve, 1968 – the crew of Apollo 8 read the Creation story as they orbited the moon. Astronauts Jim Lovell, Frank Borman and Bill Anders took turns reading from the Book of Genesis. NASA defended the astronauts after atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair filed a federal lawsuit. The Supreme Court dismissed the suit due to lack of jurisdiction. And astronaut Buzz Aldrin received communion on the lunar surface during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission. “NASA should continue its tradition of protecting the great religious expression of its employees,” Dys told me. I’m not quite sure why NASA is getting all worked up over a group of scientists and engineers who want to worship Jesus. If they can worship the Almighty in Outer Space, they ought to be able to worship Him back on Earth. After all, He is the Maker of Heaven and Earth. march 2016
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renewing and enriching life
Answers for Quiz - 41
QUIZ–42 UP ON THE ROOF
So Many Children-1
1. When Samson pulled the building down, how many people had been sitting on the rooftop?
1. Cain (Genesis 4:1)
2. Who had a vision of unclean animals while he prayed on a housetop?
2. Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:21)
3. In the days of Ezra, what did some of the Jews build on their rooftops?
3. The Second (against graven images) ( Exodus 20:4)
4. Who prophesied judgment on the people of Jerusalem because they burned incense to idols on their roofs?
4. John 5. Samuel (1Samuel 8:3)
5. Who hid two Israelite spies up on her rooftop among stalks of flax?
6. 127:4
6. What king saw his nude neighbor on a rooftop?
7. Proverbs (17:6)
7. Who had intercourse on a rooftop with all his father’s concubines?
8. Jesus (Matthew 18:3)
8. What was the ailment of the man who was let down through a roof in Capernaum so he could be healed by Jesus?
9. Peter (Acts 2: 39) 10. Amos (7:14)
9. Who slept on Samuel’s roof when he visited with him?
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The ABC of becoming a Christian
26 march 2016
Admit that you are in
need of someone to save you from guilt, shame and bondage or addictions. Admit that you have violated God’s Laws.
Believe that Jesus Christ is the
only One whois able to save you and to bring deliverence and offer forgiveness of sins. Believe that Jesus is the only One to conquer death and is the risen Saviour.
Confess with your
mouth that Jesus is your Lord and submit to His rulership in your life.