Thanksgiving

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"Those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God"  (Rom 13:2) Obeying civil authorities is obeying God. Read what Paul wrote to the believers in Rome the political capital of the then world (Rom 13:1-4). Peter belonged to the illiterate section of the society. Yet he clearly understood how God was behind the civil authorities. He writes in his first Epistle, "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the  Lord's sake , whether to the King as supreme, or to governors" (2:13,14). He beautifully brings out how our obedience to civil authorities is the other side of our obedience to God: "Fear God. Honour the King" (v17). What a different world this would be if only all the Christians would pledge not to evade tax payment, not to cheat customs officials, not to bribe anyone, not to break traffic rules, not to disregard town-planning regulations, and so on and so forth! (Rom 13:6-8). We are the salt of the earth. If we...

"He who believes in Me,  out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water" (Jn 7:38) God wants us to share the faith in us with others. Sharing increases and improves our faith. "He who waters others will himself be watered" (Prov 11:25). Let us meet in the Bible a few folks who shared their faith with others.   *  Barnabas "Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And large numbers of people were brought to the Lord" (Acts 11:24). The faithful sharing of the Gospel by an individual was responsible for an explosive Church growth. Do we see regular additions to our congregations? If not, our lethargy is to be blamed. *  Paul Oratory skill is not a must to share our faith with others. All we need to do is to present the Gospel in simple language. Eventhough Paul was a learned man, he never depended on his knowledge and skill. He trusted in the power of God's Word. That was the secret of his successful mini...

"Let your gentleness be known to all men;  the Lord is near" (Phil 4:5) Gentleness or meekness and patience have often made a couplet in the Scriptures (Col 3:12; 1 Tim 6:11). Among the word pictures for "gentleness" in the Bible, two are prominent: One is that of a shepherd "gently leading the mother sheep with their young" (Isa 40:11c); the other is that of a mother "gently feeding and caring for her own children" (1 Thess 2:7b). When we decide to follow Jesus, He enrolls us in the School of Gentleness. He does not teach us from textbooks. As a role model He stands before us beckoning us, "Learn from Me, because I am humble and gentle" (Mt 11:29). Isaac exemplified in gentleness in his patience with those who quarrelled with him over the wells (Gen 26:15-22). He kept yielding until there was no more quarrel. Gentleness does not fight for rights. Later Jesus taught, "If anyone takes away your shirt, give him your coat, t...

"He who raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your bodies by His Spirit which dwells in you" (Rom 8:11) All the three Persons of the Godhead are interested in our health. (Psa 35:27). God the Father bound Himself to His people with a promise, "I am the Lord who heals you" (Ex 15:26). God the Son bore our sicknesses on the Cross (Mt 8:17). God the Holy Spirit bestows gifts of healing and gives life to our mortal bodies (1 Cor 12:9; Rom 8:11). Though healing is a free gift from God, there are several conditions to receive healing. There was no sickness prior to the fall of Adam and Eve. Therefore it is proper to seek healing of the soul before the healing of the body. To the paralytic, Jesus first said, "Your sins are forgiven you" and then, "Arise, take up your bed and go to your house" (Mt 9:1-7). While listing the benefits God bestows on us, David put them in proper order. First, forgiveness and then healing (Psa 103:2,3). ...

"He who is holy, let him be holy still" (Rev 22:11) In order that you may survive these evil days, spare no pains to live holy. As the world becomes filthier and filthier God commands His people to become holier and holier (Rev 22:11). Go up and up on the rungs of the ladder of holiness and never come down. Those who came out of Egypt perished in the desert because of lust for evil things, idolatry, sexual immorality, testing God and murmuring. "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they are written for our instruction, on whom the ends of ages have come" (1 Cor 10:6-11). There is filth in the media, both electronic and print. The very air has become sin-toxic. Bribery, crookedness, extramarital affairs, love of money and lack of love have become common. Temptations abound. But for every temptation God has provided a way of escape (1 Cor 10:13). His grace is sufficient for any situation. God works in us both to will and to do and we ar...

"Love your enemies... do good to those who hate you" (Mt 5:44) "How can I love my enemies?" Every other Christian is bothered by this question. Enemies for a Christian are essentially those who are the enemies of the Cross and those who oppose the preaching of the Gospel. Occasionally there could also be some who, because of their differing tastes and temperaments, would hate you. Sometimes it becomes really impossible to get along with such folks. That’s why the Bible admonishes,  "If  it is possible,  as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Rom 12:18). Here are some guidelines to help you improve your relationship with those who oppose or hate you—  First, meditate on God’s love to them too! "He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust" (Mt 5:45). Each person is precious to God. Christ died for every man and woman, good or bad, so called. Secondly, remind yourself ...

"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" (Jn 3:16) Christmas is celebrated in India largely in Western style. Christianity is still thought to be the religion of the whiteman. So our non-Christian friends hesitate to participate in Christmas celebrations. Christ was not born in the East or the West, but in the Middle East. Announcing the birth of Christ, the angel told the shepherds that it was good tidings of great joy to "all" people, not just to any particular community (Lk 2:10). Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, came to India in the very first century with the message of Jesus Christ. Christianity is two thousand years old in this country. Hence it is a crime if we the Indian Christians still wrap the message of Christ in the Western jacket. Here are some tips to celebrate Christmas the Indian way-   * Christmas may be called as  "Kiristhu Jayanthi."  Invite non-Christian neighbours to your Christmas dinner...

"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh;  Is there anything too hard for Me?" (Jer 32:27) Some Churches teach that taking medicine is sin. Several believers who bragged that they would never touch medicine regretted afterwards with guilt when a situation necessitated medical treatment. The doctrine that believers should not use medicine is found nowhere in the Bible. Several effective medicines are herbal extracts and they are actually God's provision for our health and strength (Gen 1:29). Rachel begged Leah for some mandrakes because it was a herb believed to promote fertility in women (Gen 30:14). Even after God promised King Hezekiah extension of life, it was Prophet Isaiah who advised medical treatment to the King (Isa 38:21). Jesus endorsed the medical ministry to the sick (Mt 9:12). The good Samaritan applied oil and wine on the wounds of the robbed man and bandaged them (Lk 10:34). Luke was a "beloved" Physician, obviously because of h...

"By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did" (Heb 11:4) True faith on God accepts Him as the Lord or Governor. He is the only one worthy to be worshipped (Heb 11:4) and obeyed (Heb 11:7). The supremacy and preeminence in our lives must be given only to Him. Faith in the Lordship of God leads us to a fourfold action— * When we believe God is our Lord, we will honour Him with our best. All that we possess is only what He has given us. Cain brought to God the "fruits of the soil" whereas Abel brought "the firstlings of the flock and of the fat thereof" (Gen 4:3,4). Look at the difference in their giving. A man of God said, "Not how much we give but how much we take from God's gifts is what matters." We are only stewards and not owners of God's gifts —the talents, time and treasure. God is worthy of our best.     * This kind of faith acknowledges the unworthiness of man before the great Lord and leads him to stan...

"It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy,  but those who are stingy will lose everything" (Prov 11:24) The Indian Government categorizes people on the basis of what they "have." God does it on the basis of what we "give." If you give more than what you can, you belong to Forward Community. If you give just what you can, you belong to Backward Community. If you give less than what you can, you are from the Most Backward Community. Which community do you belong to? To whom should I give? We must help anyone in need. Does not our Father make His sun rise on the evil as well as on the good, and send rain on the just and on the unjust? (Mt 5:45). Forty percent of Indians are below the poverty line. If you have one square meal a day, you are rich in this Country. No Christian can ever say he doesn't have enough to give. "Charity gives itself rich; covetousness hoards itself poor!" How much to give? The Bible does not lay...

"Guard your heart with all diligence;  for out of it emerges issues of life" (Prov 4:23) Karthar Singh belonged to a wealthy Sikh family. When he accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour, his dad tried various methods to lure and turn him from his faith but in vain. Finally his father sent a beautiful girl to him when Karthar was alone, asking her to change his stand by hook or crook. But Karthar Singh said to her, "I have only one heart. I have already given it to Jesus. I'm sorry, I don't have another one to give it to you!" All evil originates from the heart (Mk 7:21,22). God knows that "above all things the heart is deceitful, and desperately wicked" (Jer 17:9). That's why He demands our heart: to remove from us our "heart of stone" and replace it with a "heart of flesh" (Ezek 36:26b). With a lasting patience He goes on knocking at the door of our heart (Rev 3:20). If we open the door and let Him in, He gives u...

"God said, Let there be light; and there was light" (Gen 1:3) The entire universe was created by the spoken Word of God (Heb 11:3). When God said, "Let there be light," there was light. When God said, "Let there be trees," so it was. God's Word is still the same. Its power has not changed. "The Word of the Lord endures forever" even if all creation vanishes away (1 Pet 1:24,25). The power of God's Word is illustrated in various ways in the Scriptures. God Himself challenges His people, "Is not My Word like a fire, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" (Jer 23:29). Prophet Jeremiah testified, "His Word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones" (Jer 20:9). The fire of God's Word burns up the rubbish in our life and refines us as pure gold. What the best of human argument cannot do, the Word of God can accomplish in us if only we would allow it to work freely in us. The stunte...

"The Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved"  (Acts 2:47) New believers are usually advised in follow-up talks to attend a "spiritual" Church. How to identify a "spiritual" Church? Churches can be broadly divided as Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal. The main difference is on how one understands the experience of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. It is wrong to say that the Pentecostal Churches are all "spiritual" and others are not. In the Biblical sense, the word "spiritual" is the opposite of "carnal" or "natural." Hence a spiritual Church would mean a Church without carnality. It is not the style of worship, the form of government, the mode of baptism or the method of breadbreaking that decides whether or not a Church is "spiritual." The deciding factor is its character as a group and the lifestyle of its members. In spite of the fact that all the gifts of the Holy Spirit were...

"Though God slay me, I will hope in Him" (Job 13:15) "Bless God when He blesses you; but curse Him when He crushes you!" This was the philosophy of Mrs. Job (Job 2:8-10). Sadly many Christians are ruled by this philosophy. We may not actually "curse" God, but what do we do when we don't praise Him? If we follow Jesus only "because of" the blessings we receive from Him, our relationship and religion are utilitarian. Following Him "in spite of" buffeting and brickbats is true service and pure worship. What the three Hebrew young men spoke before King Nebuchadnezzar weakened his strategy. They politely but firmly said, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. But even if He does not, your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up!" (Dan 3:17,18). The early disciples had the same spirit. When they were flogged for the...

"I have fought a good fight; I have finished the race; I have firmly held the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the victor's crown" (2 Tim 4:7,8) Christian life is a race, full of hurdles and hindrances, ups and downs, thorns and bruises, sufferings and shame. What encourages us is the honours and prizes that await us at the end of the race. Hebrews Chapter 12 discloses them— 1.  We will see the Lamb of God, even the Lord Jesus, face to face, as the Finisher of our faith at the finishing point! (v2). He started the race for us and now He will be there to receive us with hands open. 2.  We will enter the joy of the Lord (v2). The end of the race is eternal bliss. No more tears, sorrow or death. It's joy, joy and only joy—never ending! 3.  Jesus "sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God" (v2). So shall we sit with Him on His Throne! (Rev 3:21). Our eternal occupation will be worship. No prayer, no preaching, but only praise! ...

"How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Rom 10:14) If Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven and there is no salvation without Him, what is the destiny of those who die before they hear about Him? (Jn 14:6; Acts 4:12). God is a Saviour and because of His very nature He does not desire anyone to be lost. He desires "all" men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:3,4; 2 Pet 3:9). He shed His blood not for a selected few but for the sins of the "whole" world (1 Jn 2:2; 1 Tim 4:10). God loves all men and women equally. He plays no favoritism. If a person has not heard the Gospel, it is not his fault. It is the failure of the Church. Even before Cornelius became a Christian, his prayers had been heard and alms remembered in the sight of God. Apostle Peter, though he had been biased by his exclusive Jewishness, testified, "In truth I perceive that God shows no...