A study by The Barna Group shows that the likelihood of married adults getting divorced is identical among born again Christians and those who are not born again. The study also cited attitudinal data showing that most Americans reject the notion that divorce is a sin. 

Based on interviews with a nationally representative sample of 3614 adults, the Barna survey focused on the three-quarters of adults 18 years of age or older who have been married at least once. The study identified those who had been divorced; the age at which they were divorced; how many divorces they have experienced; and the age at which the born again Christians had accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Comparing the ages when divorced adults had accepted Christ and when they underwent their divorce, the researchers were able to determine both the impact of one’s faith commitment on the resilience of the
marriage and whether the divorce occurred before or after their born again commitment.


Although many Christian churches attempt to dissuade congregants from getting a divorce, the research confirmed a finding identified by Barna a decade ago (and further confirmed through tracking studies conducted each year since): born again Christians have the same likelihood of divorce as do non-Christians. Among married born again Christians, 35% have experienced a divorce. That figure is identical to the outcome among married adults who are not born again: 35%.


Have we ever wondered why the lives of many Christians seem no different than the life of the non-Christians? Why doesn’t faith make a difference in the day to day lives of many? The answer is simple: Even though Jesus won the victory, many fail to apply the power of the cross practically in life. In order to fight the enemy effectively, we must understand the magnitude of Jesus’s sacrifice with the sole intent of rescuing us from the powers of witchcraft, death and sin.


·        
Principle #1: The cross is the only basis for the provision of my needs -
Many people believe that God blesses them according to their good works. Isiah 64: says, “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is like filthy rags”. We falsely think our good works will amount to being ‘good Christians’. When we fall short, we fall under guilt and condemnation and wonder if God would
 ever want to help us.


We must understand that God does not supply our needs according to our good works but ‘according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:19). Without the cross, we have no access to God, no righteousness, no fellowship and no inheritance in Him. The cross is the sole basis of all of God’s provisions,
forgiveness, healing, release from shame, sorrow, poverty – every one of these was accounted for in the cross


·        
Principle #2: At the cross, Jesus administered a TOTAL permanent and irreversible defeat
upon Satan - Satan has already been defeated. Jesus nailed our sins to the cross and made a public
spectacle of Satan (Colossians 2:15). Satan is like a ‘roaring lion who seeks to devour’ but his teeth have been removed. We fail many times because ‘we try to defeat Satan’. We can’t do that because he has already been defeated. We trust in the grace and power of God instead and apply the victory over us.


·        
Principle#3:God has transported you from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light -
By doing so, we appropriate the redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1: 12-14). Through ‘redemption’, we have been ‘delivered’ from the power of Satan or from ‘darkness’ to ‘light’. The word used here for ‘power’ is ‘exousia’, which means ‘authority’.


If Colossians 1: 12-14 is true, by what ‘authority’ does a defeated enemy have the right to influence people in their decisions of life? When we allow our minds to be polluted with thoughts of disobedience to Jesus, we allow ourselves to become ‘inhabitants’ of Satan’s seat of authority. This is why ‘rebellion’ is equated
with ‘witchcraft’. People are mesmerized into believing that since they are in God’s Kingdom, they are immune to the influence of Satan


·        
Principle#4: Our Bridge out of darkness is Jesus Christ
– Imagine a great river. On one side is the Kingdom of God and light. On the other side lies the Kingdom of Satan and darkness. In order to pass over to the kingdom of light, you may be tempted to ‘swim on your own’ but the river is too deep, too swift, and too wide! What we need is a bridge that God has already
provided. There is only ONE built with the unbreakable glue of love which is the blood of God’s own son


·        
Principle#5: The Bridge is the ‘gateway’ to our destination
– A bridge is not an end but a means to destination. Jesus is the bridge to the kingdom of light. His goal is to bring us to the fullness of the kingdom of light. Millions have started the journey of crossing over but didn’t! Salvation is NOT the end but the beginning of the journey. It is a way to the kingdom of God.


Where are we and other Christians now? Are we hanging AROUND the bridge? Are we looking at the turbulence of the river and getting perplexed? Are we walking with the destination in sight and experiencing the freedom that God has for us.


Let us walk on the ‘bridge’ and enter the full purposes of God for this generation.

Pr. Leslie Verghese


 

 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2)”


A recent nationwide survey completed by the Barna Research Group determined that only 4 percent of Americans had a "biblical" worldview. When George Barna, who has researched cultural trends and the Christian Church since 1984, looked at the "born- again" believers in America, the results were a dismal 9 percent. Barna's survey also connected an individual's worldview with his or her moral beliefs and actions. Barna says, "Although most people own a Bible and know some of its content, our research found that most Americans have little idea how to integrate core biblical principles to form a unified and meaningful response to the challenges and opportunities of life."


Worldview is the latest buzzword in Christian circles. We're all told we need one, and whether we know it or not, we all have one. But what is a worldview? Literally, of course, worldview is how a person views the world. A person's worldview consists of the values, ideas or the fundamental belief system that determines his attitudes, beliefs and ultimately, actions. Typically, this includes his view of issues such as the nature of God, man, the meaning of life, nature, death, and right and wrong.

We begin developing our worldview as young children, first through interactions within our family, then in social settings such as school and church, and from our companions and life experiences. Increasingly, our media culture is playing a key role in shaping worldview. We are a culture saturated with powerful media images in movies, television, commercials and music. And like the entertaining and seemingly benign Lion King, what we watch, listen to and read, impacts the way we think. Consistently consuming entertainment with false ideas will inevitably distort our view of the world.

Although the Bible never uses the word "worldview," in Colossians 2: 6-8, we are commanded to be able to discern and discard false philosophy-which is essentially worldview. "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and
deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world, rather than on Christ."

Jeff Baldwin, a fellow at the Texas-based Worldview Academy, says worldview "is like an invisible pair of eyeglasses-glasses you put on to help you see reality clearly. If you choose the right pair of glasses, you can see everything vividly and can behave in sync with the real world. ... But if you choose the wrong pair of glasses, you may find yourself in a worse plight than the blind man - thinking you see clearly when in reality your vision is severely distorted." To choose the "right" glasses, you have to first understand and embrace the true worldview.

What about today?
The chilling reality in America today: Christians view reality, truth and life not much differently from the culture around them, according to research from George Barna. As a result, Christians don't live much differently from their neighbors who do not know Christ. Divorce rates are similar, addictive behaviors are the same, and Christians struggle to find the answers to the same questions about significance and meaning in
life.

Three main truths that many Christians
miss:
  

1. Living from a     Christian worldview means that what you do
   aligns with what is true, and     the Scriptures are the ultimate authority on
   Truth.


2. God's Truth     lays a design for every area of life. Whether for
   economics, history,     politics, family or church, God has given us a design,
   governed by His     nature and Truth that we are to follow. When we follow His
   design, we can     discern what is good and right and holy. When we don't,
   suffering and     immorality result.


3. The process     of transformation occurs through the renewing of
   our mind, and in that     process we learn to discern between good and evil. As
   Romans 12:2 tells     us, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this
   world, but be     transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be
   able to test     and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect
        will."

Reality Check
Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family shares this incident. “Many years ago, I visited my dentist. He asked me if I had brushed my teeth well. He sounded like my mother. I nodded my head confidently, for who doesn’t do their very best at brushing before a dental appointment? On this particular occasion, rather than simply smiling at me in affirmation, he handed me a little red tablet and told me to chew it up. This I dutifully did. After all, it is unadvisable to disobey one’s dentist or put him in a bad mood. When I had chewed the little red pill, he held up a mirror and asked me to smile. The horrible image is still embedded in my mind. The red pills were called “disclosing” tablets. They contained a dye which turned all the plaque bright red and therefore disclosed the reality of the gunk in my mouth. What an awful sight! My perception was that I was doing a good job of cleaning my teeth. The little red tablet had shown otherwise. In the case of my dental visit, the consequences of being deceived about my brushing habits were merely a small cavity. But holding false beliefs about more consequential matters can bring deep pain and even the loss of our own souls. The Truth of God is our disclosing tablet, reflecting His very image and testing us to reveal the false beliefs in our lives that need “flossing.” May we make it our prayer that God expose every false belief we hold and bring it into line with His truth. Only then can we experience the eternal life his Son came to bring us”


So, what’s a worldview?

A worldview is the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world. For example, a 2-year-old believes he's the center of his world, a secular humanist believes that the material world is all that exists, and a Buddhist believes he can be liberated from suffering by self-purification. Someone with a biblical worldview believes his primary reason for existence is to love and serve God. Whether conscious or
subconscious, every person has some type of worldview. A personal worldview is a combination of all you believe to be true, and what you believe becomes the driving force behind every emotion, decision and action. Therefore, it affects your response to every area of life: from philosophy to science, theology and anthropology to economics, law, and politics, art and social order— everything.


 Do you have a biblical worldview?

Answer the following questions, based on claims found in the Bible and which George Barna used in his survey:

  

• Do absolute moral truths
  exist?


• Is absolute truth defined by the
  Bible?


• Did Jesus Christ live a sinless
  life?


• Is God the all-powerful and all-knowing    
  Creator of the universe, and does He still rule it
  today?


• Is salvation a gift from God that cannot be
       earned?


• Is Satan
  real?


• Does a Christian have a responsibility to  
     share his or her faith in Christ with other
  people?


• Is the Bible accurate in all of its
  teachings?

Did you answer yes to these? Only 9 percent of "born- again" believers did.
 But what's more important than your yes to these questions is whether your life shows it. Granted, we are all sinners and fall short, but most of our gut reactions will reflect what we deep-down, honest-to-goodness believe to be real and true.


How does a biblical worldview get diluted?
Here is the big problem. Non-biblical worldview ideas don't just sit in a book somewhere waiting for people to examine them. They bombard us constantly from television, film, music,newspapers, magazines, books and academia. Because we live in a selfish, fallen world, these ideas seductively appeal to the desires of our flesh, and we often end up incorporating them into our personal worldview. Sadly, we often do this without even knowing it.


Why does a biblical worldview matter?

If we don't really believe the truth of God and live it, then our witness will be confusing and misleading. Most of us go through life not recognizing that our personal worldviews have been deeply affected by the world. Through the media and other influences, the secularized American view of history, law, politics, science, God and man affects our thinking more than we realize. We then are taken "captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than ofChrist" (Colossians 2:8).

However, by diligently learning, applying and trusting God’s truths in every area of our lives — whether it's watching a movie, communicating with our spouses, raising our children or working at the office — we can begin to develop a deep comprehensive faith that will stand against the unrelenting tide of our culture's non-biblical ideas. If we capture and embrace more of God's worldview and trust it with unwavering faith, then we begin to make the right decisions and form the appropriate responses to questions on abortion, same- sex marriage, cloning, stem-cell research and even media choices. Because, in the end, it is our decisions and actions that reveal what we really believe.


"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).

Pr. Leslie Verghese

Chosen generation can make world better.  

Peter wrote to encourage believers in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) who were being persecuted because they were Christians. Verses 11-12 contain the summary application of Peter’s exhortation: Christians are to live honorable and blameless lives and do good works before an unbelieving and hostile world so that those who don’t believe can be won to the Lord. Peter reminded them that they were chosen by God to be His people for this purpose of witnessing and testifying to God’s love (vv.9-10) and were to be ready to share the gospel when the opportunity presented itself (3:15-16). The apostle Paul also exhorted his readers to live godly lives (Rom. 13:12-13; Phil. 2:15; Col. 4:3-6; 1 Thess. 4:12; Titus 2:7-8; 3:8, 14).

Everyone in Christ can do something to make the world better when we let CHRIST shine through us.  By God’s grace we can let the difference Christ has made in us make a difference in the world around us, though we cannot change the entire world around us.  

1Peter 2:12   having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  (ASV)

1Peter 2:12  having your conduct honest among the nations, in that which they speak against you as evildoers, they may glorify God in a day of His visitation, seeing your good works. (MKJV)

​We can make world a better place by displaying the love Christ wherever God has placed us.  As Peter admonish the persecuted church to keep their conduct (behavior) honorable (honest) by doing good deeds that will ultimately bring glory to God.  Through our actions we can make difference in the world doing Christ like deeds of love, mercy, forgiveness, justice, and peace.  If lived out this verse our office, our neighborhood, our school etc. would have been a different place, because chosen generation can do it and has to do it.

God Bless,
Rev. Isaac Simon PhD

We live in a world that is in panic. However, it continues to be on the move. The church of Jesus Christ that
must be on the move as an answer to these problems is in a stationary state. Brother R. Stanley of Blessing Youth Mission depicts the state of affairs like this; “God nominated the church – Man denominated it. God placed the church in this world – the world came into it. God wanted the church to shake the world – the church is being shaken by the world. God wants the church to witness to the world but the church is witnessing the world. God wants the church to turn the world upside down. The world is turning the church upside down”. 
 

The world is stunned at the deafening silence of the church. How complacent can the church continue to be?
How long will we remain apathetic to what is happening around us? In 2nd Kings 6: 1-6, we see a beautiful depiction of how a growth oriented group reacts in a perplexing situation. In chapter 5 we see Gehazi, Elisha’s servant leaving the place. The place now must be a little more spacious from before. Naturally, they must be satisfied but here they desire to grow. That is not what happens in this story.

• They realize that the place they are in is small. They want a growth and
  they are willing to act.

 
- There is a history behind this craving for more. Elisha their leader was like that.


- He walked with Elijah and saw the amazing works of God in His life.


- He saw that his leader was able to bring the fire of judgment upon the evil forces.


-He saw that his leader was able to run ahead of the chariot of Ahab the king.


-He saw that his leader had supernatural power. The disciples saw in Elisha the desire to grow



Do we teach our children to have more of the word? Is there that zeal and hunger for God in our lives? Our
parents and grand parents stood for the cause of Christ and suffered and saw the mighty miracles of God in their lives. Are these disciples, our children learning that same spiritual secret from us? The disciples of Elisha have the desire. They do not keep that to themselves. They act on it. 
 

• While  they are doing the work, the axe head of one of the
  workers falls in the  river (verse 5). 

- They are cutting the trees. The tree denotes the people that we share the gospel with. Axe is the grace of God. Water denotes the lust of the flesh, pride of life and the lust of the eyes. If we are not careful, we will lose the grace of God that is the tool for us to accomplish the mission. The comforting part of the story is that he realizes the fact that he lost the axe-head. 

• Admits  that the Axe fell in the river.

 
Many times, people lose their axe-head, the cutting edge, the sharpness, and the grace and still try to cut
wood with the stick or the handle. Our vainglory or pride makes us do that. We will lose at the end. Openly admit. Ask God for forgiveness.

• Where  did it fall?

God knows where we fell. He knows our weaknesses. He knows how to deliver. The key for deliverance is telling him exactly where we fell.

• The axe head floats up

Iron has eight times more density than water. It is against the laws of gravity for something like that to happen. When we do our part, He does the impossible. We need to subject ourselves to His will. Have the desire to get the power from HIM


Move past Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho and cross Jordan. Identify Him as the source of our power. Be ignited by
the power. Have that discernment that we need an increase. Be willing to do something about it. Invite Him to come with us. Be careful not to lose our sharpness. If we lose it realize that quickly. Admit to him openly. Tell Him where you went wrong. He will deliver us.

Our growth depends on how open we are with God and how quickly we admit our mistakes.

Yes there is panic and apathy in the church. However, use our cutting edge to move forward in anointing. Let
mobility be the hallmark of our lives.

God Bless,
Pr. Leslie Verghese


 

John 3:13-21 - And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

The moment we, by the censure and convincing of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8,13,14), and thus being convicted, submit to the Lordship of Christ (Lord over our soul, spirit and body); we will be saved from the imputed sin (Rom 5:14,19/3:23). If thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation(Rom 10:9,10). Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ* (anointed – Messiah - For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus –1Tim 2:5 - know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world – John 4:42) *is born of God (1John 5:1); for no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost (1Cor 12:3). Confession of the mouth is the outcome of one’ belief. And faith* (God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith – Rom 12:3) *empowers a person to submit to the one he/she confesses about. Total submission signifies genuine faith. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God (1John 5:1). Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, that lives and abides forever (1Pet 1:23). It is the Holy Spirit that begins the work in us, to even believe in the Prince of life (Phil 1:6/Acts 3:15). For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Phil 2:13); By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Eph 2:8). Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh (Rom 8:12). For, as many as were ordained to eternal life believed (Acts 13:48). The reason why we are saved: Because, Jesus believed, obeyed, became a ransom, he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many and eventually succumbed to death, even the death of the cross (Phil 2:8/3:9/2Cor 10:5/ Matt 26:38/Isaiah 53/Heb 2:10/5:8,9/Gal 2:16,20/3:22/Job 33:24/Hosea 13:14). He gave himself a ransom (to God) for us (1Tim 2:6/Mark 10:45). I (the eternal Son – the great I AM) will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes (Hosea 13:14). Then he is gracious unto him, and said, deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom (Job 33:24). Grace (empower) = we were unworthy, weren’t we? But God’s goodness and mercy mediated for us (unshackled, liberated us)(Rom 2:4/11:22/Col 1:13/2:13-15/ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus -1Tim 2:5 -Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me – John 14:6). God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). We love him, because he first loved us (1John 4:19). So great a salvation (Heb 2: 3)! We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us (2Cor 4:7). When we come under the shed blood of Jesus Christ - the sins, which we have committed while we were in our lost state (Eph 2:12/Acts 17:30) and that which we inherited from Adam gets revoked! The handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, gets blotted out, because of the blood covenant (Col 2:14). Sin shall lose its jurisdiction over us, when we begin to live after the Spirit (Rom 6). The remission of past sins (Rom 3:25/2Pet 1:9/Heb 9: 15)! Only a part of the whole redemption plan in Christ Jesus have you capitalized on so far. It is only the first step (a preliminary stage). Through our Lord Jesus Christ, we have now received the atonement (Rom 5:11); and now being justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him (Rom 5:9), if we continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel (despite the ordeal)(Col 1:23/1Cor 11:32). For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live (Rom 8:13). For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall besaved by his life (Rom 5:10)(if we are but willing and obedient – Isaiah 1: 19). Obedience is crucial (whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness - Rom 6:13,16 – Jesus Christ is the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him – Heb 5:9 – God gives the Holy Spirit to them that obey him – Acts 5:32 - The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey – Joshua 24:24 - And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? – Luke 6:46 - He that hath my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me – John 14:21 - If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him (exclusivity), and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him – John 14: 23 - He that loves me not keeps not my sayings – John 14: 24 - And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that says, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keeps his Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him –1John 2: 3-5 - be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves – James 1:22,25). Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1Cor 3:11). The Word being found in fashion as a man (John 1:1/1Tim 3:16), he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2: 8-11). He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned (doomed) already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:18). If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God, which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that, God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life (at your disposal), and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God (1John 5:9-13). If you are a believer, you now through the blood of Jesus Christ are saved from the condemned state and now have peace with God (Rom 5:1,10). By believing and walking after the Spirit, you can now walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4), in the new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh (Heb 10:20), without any condemnation, whatsoever (Rom 8:1 - KJV). If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2Cor 5:17). God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation (2Cor 5:18-20). Be ye, reconciled to God (2Cor 5:20). For God hath made Christ to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2Cor 5:21). This is what “Justification of life” is all about (Rom 5:18). We through fear of death were all our lifetime subject to bondage (Heb 2:14,15); but God hath ransomed us from the power of the grave and hath redeemed us from death through the blood of His Son (Hosea 13:14)(after wehave obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine - Rom 6:17), and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Col 1:13). By believing (adherence to a particular from of doctrine is alsoinvolved/imperative), we are being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Rom 3:24). This procedure opens way to the kingdom of God (authority and power of God / to become the sons of God -1John 3:1,2/2:6/John 1:12/Gal 4:1/1Pet 2:21/Heb 2:10/5:8,9/12:6-11)(1Cor 4:20/Rom 14:17/Matt 12:28/John 3:3,5/1Pet 1:23).

One has to become a part through the Spirit, to freely drink of this life giving water. The moment a person, no matter how vile his former life was, believes in the name of Jesus Christ, precious Holy Spirit will baptize him/her into the body of Christ. By faith (obedience to the faith – Rom 1:5/6:16/16:26/1Pet 1:2) alone are we all been saved! (Eph 2:8/ Rom 5:1/Acts 26:18/Luke 7:50) Saved from what? The imputed sin! (Rom 5:19/3:25/2Pet 1:9/Heb 9:15 – sins which are past)

When a person get to experience regeneration in the spirit by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5) or be born again of the incorruptible seed, by the word of God, or be born of water and of the Spirit (1Pet 1:23/John 3:5,6/Eph 4:24/1John 5:1); immediately he/she is delivered from the power of darkness and gets translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son Jesus (Col 1:13); be replanted into a fertile soil (Rom 6:5/Eph 2:12-22); will be cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and be grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree (Rom 11:17,24), that they no more walk in darkness, but have the light of life (John 8:12/Rom 6:4/Heb 10:20). That process also makes the recipient (as many as were ordained to eternal life – Acts 13:48) meet to partake of the inheritance of the saints in light (Col 1:12/Heb 10:20/Rom 6:4). Ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling (Heb 12:22-24). “Metamorphosis” from children of darkness/wrath, to children of light (Eph 2:2,12/5:8/1Thes 5:5/Rom 11:24/2Cor 3:18).

By Bobby Thomas

Hebrews 11: 8 – By Faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out, not knowing where he was
going.

Abraham stands out for his unquestionable faith and unequivocal obedience. He is not only the father of those who believe but also a pattern for those who want to obey (Romans 4:11, 12). The writer of Hebrews begins the biography of this remarkable man of faith by the use of these words, “By Faith Abraham Obeyed”. There are two striking connections of the words used here.

Obedient Faith – Believing something out of obedience to someone who is higher in authority, power and greatness.

Faithful Obedience – Obeying someone who is greater in authority and power believing that He is able to do it.

Obedience and Faith go together just the same way as Disobedience and Unbelief go together. God said to Adam and Eve that they should not eat of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden and that they will die on the day they ate it. Satan brought ‘unbelief’ into the minds of them and they subsequently disobeyed.

In the life of Abraham, obedient faith and faithful obedience go hand in hand. 

• God asks him to leave the land of Ur and he leaves in obedient faith and in
  faithful obedience.
• God  promises to him that he will have
  children like the sands of the seashore and the stars of the sky. Even
  though it was humanly impossible, he goes about his life in ‘faithful obedience
  and obedient faith’ which the Bible calls as ‘hoping against hope’.
• When Abraham thought that he had ‘given’ everything to God and had ‘done’ everything
  in faithful obedience, God asks him to sacrifice his ‘promise child’. Abraham
  sets out on a journey in faithful obedience and obedient faith that God will be
  able to restore his son from the ‘ashes’.

This obedient faith combining with faithful obedience enabled Moses to lead six million people in the wilderness; enabled Gideon to prevail against the Midianites; brought down the walls of Jericho for Joshua and the Israelites; slew the giant when the stone went out of the sling of David; strengthened Elijah to stand on mount Carmel and challenge the wickedness that prevailed in the city at that time; helped Nehemiah overcome the ridicule and infighting while building the walls of Jerusalem; gave courage to Esther to go before the king uninvited; empowered Job to say my redeemer lives even when he was seeing death all around; strengthened Shadrach, Mesech and Abednego to say that our God is able to deliver us from this fiery furnace; emboldened Daniel to continue to pray just the same way he did before even when the decree was written against him and enabled Stephen to embrace a glorious and radiant martyrdom in the hands of his own people. 

All of them had travelled far from Ur. What was happening in Ur? Why did God ask Abraham to leave Ur?

• Chaldeans worshipped gods of gold (Daniel 3: 8-12; 5:4) – They were
  materialistic; they believed in gods that gave them material prosperity;
  their  allegiance went away when their gods didn’t help
  them.
• The God of glory appeared to Abraham (Acts 7:2) – His
  demeanor, his attitude, and his approach to life changed. He became a person
  full of obedient faith and faithful obedience .
• In obedience, he turned to ‘God from idols to serve the living and true God’ (1st
  Thessalonians 1:9)

Many Christians ruin their lives and reputation because of disobedience to God’s uncompromising call to separation. ‘Be far from Ur’.

2nd Corinthians 6: 14-18 state, “What accord has Christ with Belial? What agreement does the ‘temple of God’ with idols, therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord; I will be a father to you and you shall be my sons and daughters”


The Greek word for ‘Church’ is ‘Ecclesia’ which means the company of the ‘called out’. Being ‘far from Ur’ is underlined throughout the scriptures.

• David outlines the blessedness of separation in Psalm1.
• Peter’s Pentecostal message ended with the call to ‘saved from this crooked generation’ (Acts2:40).
• The first page of the Bible demarcates ‘light from darkness’.
• The last page of the Bible emphasizes the difference between those who are ‘holy and unholy’ (Revelation 22: 14, 15).
• We are strangers in a foreign land (Hebrews 11: 13, 9)

The question that arises then is, ‘does separation mean seclusion’? There are no ‘ifs and buts’ about separation. However, how can we practice it in our day to day lives? 

Always bear in mind that by virtue of creation itself, all people belong to God. He loves everyone and grants ‘sun and rain’ without any partiality (Mathew 5:45). The entire humanity has its ‘living, moving, and being in Him’. If we don’t understand this our teaching of ‘separation’ becomes ‘exclusionism’. Remember that Jesus was called a ‘friend of sinners’ (Luke 7:34); he took part in their dinners and celebrations (Mathew 9: 10-12). Likewise we also must maintain normal social relationship with people. True spirituality is not being anti-social or asocial. Be careful about using verses like ‘Friendship with the world is enmity withy God (James 4:4) – This refers to lust, murder, covetousness, fight, sinful pleasures etc. Another one is ‘come out from among them and be separate’ (2nd Corinthians 6:17)
– This refers to a break away from idolatry. 

Christians must cooperate wholeheartedly with non-Christians as long as no moral and ethical principles are violated. Example is one must think twice before entering into a business partnership with an unbeliever.


Remember, it is from our circle of friendship that we bring people into our circle of Christian fellowship. Fishers of men must be friends of men too. As the old counseling principle goes ‘accept the sinner not the sin’. Being far from Ur is being closer to Salem. Walk hand in hand with Him who guides the way.


Be far from Ur; You are one step closer to Shalem!

Rev. Leslie Verghese, 
New York




 

Read: John 2: 1-12 (The wedding in Cana and the miracle)

The scripture portion above, from John 2, is familiar one. We know that the first miraculous sign that Jesus did was in Cana, where He turned water into wine. Actually, that was symbolic of all that Jesus came to do, after that. Like the colorless, tasteless water turned into very good wine, Jesus turned the lives of people into something sweet and nice! Those who had no purpose or hope in life became full of hope and purpose. They are now in demand because they make the lives of other people better. Actually, turning water into wine was just part of the bigger miracle. The actual miracle that Jesus did, was turning that family’s shame into a surprise. With a house full of guests and people still walking in, that wedding place became like a funeral home, as the wine finished. 

1.  Jesus saved that family from shame
The wine, which was the most important item of a wedding feast, was finished.  People would just leave, without eating anything! If Jesus was not there, they would have sunk in shame. People would ask them all kinds of questions and accuse them. The bride’s relatives also would join to blame them.  The best thing that family did, was that they invited Jesus into that wedding!

Just like the crisis that family faced, you also might have faced crisis in life, or may be going through one right now. The first and foremost thing to do, is to let Jesus know about it. No matter how difficult it looks
like, Jesus has a way! Instead of shame, you will have a surprise! “God will make a way, where there seems to be no way”- (Don Moen)

 2.  Jesus saved that marriage. 

If the issue with the wine was not resolved, the newly married would feel very bad. That might even affect their family life. Every time the girl meets her parents’ family, someone might bring up the matter. Jesus saved that family from a disaster! For every wedding anniversary, they could now speak about a miracle, instead of a misery! These are times when the institution of family/marriage is under attack from the devil. Don’t let the wine run out in your life/marriage! Invite Jesus into your marriage now!

 3.Jesus gave the best quality stuff, and the most quantity!

If Jesus was not there, that family would have sent men out, to get wine from the surroundings. They would get poor quality stuff, for sky-high prices. But since they allowed Jesus to deal with that situation, they got much more and the best, without any pain. That wine was about 600 liters or so, more than all the drinks someone would serve in a wedding today! If they had 600 guests, that was 1 liter wine per person!

Now, what’s in this, for us? Let Jesus handle our life. Let Him handle all of it, not just part of it . Whether it be our marriage, finance, education, relationship, job, home, anything!

Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly
to slip and fall. (Psalm 55:22, NLT)


May God bless you and keep
you!


 Pr. Biju George

 “As goes the leaders, so goes the church” – This is a very popular saying and so true about the times we live in. Many times, secular media, nonbelievers and even believers have many examples to show the skewed,false, unspiritual and unethical practices among leadership. On one hand, it is easy to look at the negative and enter into an attitude of ‘resignation’. However, what does that do to our individual lives? How about our spirituality which must be focused on our ‘Leader’ who is the author and finisher of our faith? How about our daily walk in the footsteps of the spotless, blemishless, selfless and unconditionally loving master Jesus Christ
who shed even the last drop of His blood for our redemption?

True, there is imbalanced Spirituality all around. True that there are too many people are who are fixated at a level of immaturity that the current discipleship models have not addressed. True that the link between emotional health and spiritual maturity is a large unexplored area of discipleship.  What can we do in ‘such a time as this’? The words of Mordechai to Esther must reverberate in our ears as we look at the plight of affairs. Our goal must not be to change the church but to allow God to change us. By doing so, we become instruments in God’s hands to change others in and through our lives.

We need to ask a few questions to ourselves. Jesus does call us to die to ourselves. Have we died for the wrong things? Have we limped for so long that the limp now seems normal? Is our godly, lamb like response imitating Jesus or a cover-up for our unresolved emotional baggage that we carry from the past? A subtle message has filtered into us that to be emotional is less than  spiritual leading to an attitude that regarded feelings and emotions (negative)  as being opposed to the spirit. Many have now become ‘emotionally numb’. What we  need is an ‘emotional and spiritual sensitivity’ that will allow us to become  more amendable to changes as God wants us to be. How can we develop that?
 
We need to understand that emotional health is an experience when one is alone and in close relationships with others.
Remember the Emotions of Jesus. He cried – Luke 19:41; He was filled with Joy – Luke 10:21; He was
grieved – Luke 14:34; He was angry – Mark 3:5; He became sad –Matthew 26:37; He felt sorrow – Luke 7:13;
He was astonished in wonderment –Mark 6:6 and Luke 7:9;
He was distressed – Mark 3:5 and Luke 12:50.
He went through every emotion  that we go through on a regular basis. We need to understand that these emotions  ‘teach us’ a lesson so that our future will be ‘brighter and better’.
         
We must be able to look beneath the surface (Pain will be the stimulus when we go beneath). It is
developing an awareness of what I am feeling and doing; asking the ‘why’ and  ‘what’s going on’ question; knowing the all sufficiency of Jesus and the freedom we enjoy to all things through the atonement of the cross; and getting rid of any ‘glittering image’ that we keep as a mask the ‘disallows’ us from ‘learning
from our emotions’ and ultimately became ‘well discipled’.
·        
We must be able to break the power of the past.
Identify how our family shaped us. Our family is the most powerful and influential group that has affected who we are today. In addition, we must discern the major influences in our life. Events and people impact who we are today and  will help us understand what makes ‘us tick’.  Through His blood, we become ‘re-parented’. Re-parenting through repentance  gives us a new life that obliterates the ‘penalty’ of the past sin and curse. We must find value and worth in  Christ first and not church or others. 
  ·        
We must be able to live in brokenness and  vulnerability.
Develop a theology of weakness – God releases the curse to drive us to our knees and to seek him and to recognize the need for a savior.  Paul argues for the authenticity in his leadership by appealing to his
weakness. It is Jesus in us and not our abilities and talents (2nd  Corinthians 12: 8-10). Accept our ‘gift’ of a handicap. Work as a cracked pot in  the hands of the potter. Transition  to a life based on our weakness but the grace of Christ. Sense God’s love in Christ and Holy Spirit’s power in a new way. Success is not being the strong one  but being the weak one who is being made strong by God.  Follow the prodigal son as a ‘model’ in recognizing his neediness and  responding positively. Can we  become people who receive the ‘gift of limits’?
Do we become resentful and bitter toward others for not ‘suffering’ for  Christ? Recognize that Jesus
embraced human limits and learn to discern our limitations in our emotional,  physical, and intellectual capacities; negative emotions; and scars and wounds  from the past.

 We must embrace the reality of possible ‘loss and  grieving’.
Our Christian life is notalways a bed of roses. There are valleys of tears and mountains of joy that go
hand in hand. The soul grows larger through suffering. Let grief and loss that  happen from time to time develop maturity. Try to avoid superficial forgiveness  as forgiveness is not a quick process. If we are grieved or hurt by the words  or actions of others, let the grieving process take its course and allow the
Lord to start the healing.  Recognize that we sometimes ‘live in the confusing in-between’. David’s
psalms are three types; Orientation (I praise the O Lord because you are my  maker), Disorientation (why have you allowed men to ride over me) and  Reorientation (Blessed be the Lord who has helped me in my distress). Psalm 66  is a perfect example of this process. 
 
We must make incarnation the model of  loving and  living.  
It is more than  empathy. Empathy is putting ourselves in the shoes of others. Incarnational  model is when one sees and acts through the ‘eyes of Christ’. Incarnation is  doing more than physically entering other people’s world. We enter into the  other person’s world – we listen, learn and be present. Always remember, to  ‘hold onto ourselves at the same time’. Recognize that we hang between two  worlds; one is that of ours and the other that of the others. By becoming  emotionally and spiritually healthy, we reach this point but at the same time  have the maturity and the sensitivity to ‘take a break’ if we recognize that we  are the point of ‘breaking ourselves’

Our growth into Christlikeness requires us to get rid of our old, hard, protective shells and allow God to take
us to new places in Him through Mentoring, Patience and Prayer.
Let us all  strive to be FAT – Faithful, Available, and Teachable.

Rev. Leslie Verghese




 

SIN - What is Sin? Sin is the transgression of the law of God  – 1John 3:4/ When lust (which is ingrained in our corrupt nature – Mark 7:20-23) gets conceived (when we make provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts – when we let sin reign in our mortal body – when we yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin – when we yield ourselves servants to obey sin unto death  – Rom 6:12,13,16/13:14), it brings forth sin – James 1:14,15/ Adam transgressed the law of God – Gen 3:3/Rom 5:12-17/1Tim 2:14/Gal 3:22/Rom 7:14/ To him that knows to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin – James 4:17/ When ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ – 1Cor 8:12. So you see, when sin is referred to, it speaks in relation to the law. A covenant consists of commandments, seal and promises. The old Covenant was faulty (Heb 8:7,8), but we must not be ignorant of the fact that God had brought in a new one (a better covenant - Heb 8:6 - which too has its law, promises and seal). Ergo, transgression of the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus too be counted as “sin” (Heb 2:3/10:28,29).

*Are we freed from sin? No. Our flesh, which is corrupt - Eph 4:22/Rom 7:17-20 - isn't reinstated yet - or the redemption of our vile body isn't taken place yet  - Rom 8:23/Phil 3:21 - For he that is dead alone is freed from sin - Rom 6:7. *But we are freed from the power/dominance/jurisdiction of sin/ and we now hold the rein - Rom 6:12-14,16/13:14/1Cor 9:27/2Cor 10:5 - Yet not without sin! - Rom 7:24-27/1John 1:8/2Cor 7:1/Eph 4:22/1Pet 4:1,2/John 15:2/Mark 7:20-23. *Then what are we remitted from? Remission of sins that are past - Rom 3:25/ Redeemed of the transgressions that were under the first testament - Heb 9:15/ Purged from old sins- 2Pet 1:9/ The times of this ignorance God winked at - Acts 17:30. *If we sin willfully  (transgress the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus/ the perfect law of liberty - Rom 8:2/James 1:25/2:12) after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins - Heb 10:26/ He that despised Moses' Law died without mercy - Of how much sorer punishment to us, if we continue in sin - Heb 10:28,29/Rom 6:1. If yecommit sin (if we perpetrate that which our corrupt nature already is disposed/constituted of – James 1:14,15/Mark 7:20-23/Matt 5:28/Rom 7:24-27/Eph 4:22/Jeremiah 17:9), then ye are convinced of the law as transgressors - James 2:9. *But are we under the law anymore? If we are led of the Spirit, we are not under the law of Moses (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ – 1Cor 9:21/ the righteousness of the law shall be fulfilled in us who walks after the Spirit - Rom 8:4). Because the first covenant (a covenant consists of commandments, seal and promises) was faulty – Heb 7:19 - a second better one was sought and was established upon better promises – Heb 8:6,7 – that is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus – the perfect law of liberty – the Royal law – Rom 8:3/James 1:25/ we shall be judged by that law – James 2:8,12. We know that what thing so-ever the law says, it says to them who are under the law - Rom 3:19 – Law of Moses exposed sin - Rom 7:7 - It was imposed on them - Heb 9:10 - Christ did not abolish the law - Matt 5:17/1Tim 1:8/ for it is holy, just and good - Rom 7:12,16; but the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that’s what He abolished - Eph 2:15. *To initiate us into the kingdom of Christ/ to justify and to reconcile us to God - to make us walk in newness of life, the Blood of Christ alone would suffice - that is justification of life - a free gift to all who would believe in the shed blood of the sinless lamb of God - Rom 3:24/5:18. *Sanctification of the Spirit and the washing of water by the Word and sufferings alone purifies our soul of its depravity – 1Thes 4:3/Eph 5:26/James 1:21/Heb 12:10,11/2Thes 1:4,5/Job 23:10/John 15:2/1Pet 1:22/4:12-14/5:10/1Tim 4:5/2Tim 2:21.

Can anyone of us then look down on or judge those who perpetrate sin? NO. Are we better than those that commit sin? NO. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8).

God would brand a person as “righteous and holy” the very moment he believes in the substitutionary Atonement of Jesus Christ (Rom 4:25/5:11,19/Heb 9:22/2Cor 5:21/1Cor 1:30/Eph 5:1-2/Isaiah 53:4-6/1Pet 2:24/1John 2: 2/4:10), to help him walk in newness of life, and not in corruption and bondage again. Being dead in your sins and the un-circumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross (Col 2:13,14). Does that mean, we need no more of cleansing? No. Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child (newborn in Christ)(Pro 22:15); and just like the toddlers are trained and taught; our good Father also, who is in heaven, allow us to go through many a process to purge all impurities from within us (Heb 12:5-11/ Job 5:17/Pro 3:11/John 15:2). At the same time, the word of God also invades even the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow, to bring into light all the intents of our hearts (Heb 4:12/John 15:3/ 1Tim 4:5), which would result, in an ongoing transformation into the likeness of God’s dear Son Jesus. Ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit (1Pet 1:22).                                                                                                                                        

God can only set us free from all clutches and tyranny of sin that dwells in our flesh (nature), which continuously drag us away from doing the things of the Spirit (Rom 7:14-25); when we make up our minds to mortify the deeds of the body with its lusts and affections, through the Spirit, and reckon ourselves dead unto sin (Rom 8:13/1Pet 4:1,2/Gal 5:24). Sin will always try to influence you: Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof; neither yield ye your members asinstruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God (our compliance is required) as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God (Rom 6:1-13). For (then) sin shall not have dominion over you (14).

For if we sin willfully (also means, loving this present world like Demas, departing from faith –1Tim 4:1/2Tim 4:4,10/1John 2:15,16/James 4:4 – and err from faith –1Tim 6:10/Heb 6:4-6/ Jude 5 – dreadful among all sins – sin unto death –1John 5:16,17 – done willfully – intentionally - by personal choice – we have no right to pray for such –1John 5:16 – for it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance (if they fall away); seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame - Heb 6:4-6 - As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly/ if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein (and be entangled with the pollutions of the world), and overcome – Heb 6:4-6/10:26-29/Pro 26:11/2Pet 2:20-22/1John 2:15,16/James 4:4/Rom 12:2 -  who through the absence of faith denies the Lord that bought them, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of - 2Pet 2:1/1Cor 10/15:17/John 12:48/Rom 11:20-22 - Example: Judas Iscariot, Demas, Ananias and Sapphira etc... Matt 26:14/2Tim 4:10/Acts 5). Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man whose heart departs from the Lord (Jeremiah 17:5). Know that Jesus cannot shed the blood again, and without shedding of blood is no remission (Heb 9:22). There will be no more offering for sin (singular – which God had condemned in the flesh of His Son)(Heb 10:18/ Rom 5:12-/8:3). He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing (by spiritual fornication – that is coalescing with the world or be carnally oriented), and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Heb 10:26-29) after that we have received the knowledge of the truth (after that you are cut loose from the umbilical cord of the Spirit, to be led – them that are mature in spirit, that are of full age – Heb 5:13,14), there remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries (1Cor 11:30/Rom 6:19/8:13 - KJV - but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin (this sin is due to the presence of sin within everyone of us– Rom 6:16/7:23/1John 1:8-10/2Cor 7:1 - sin not unto death –1John 5:16,17, yet could lead to death if neglected or unattended – Rom 8:13); and hence, when we confess our sins (if we are remorseful), he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness –1John 1:7,9 – All unrighteousness is sin -1John 5:17 - and whatsoever is not of faith is sin - Rom 14:23.

In Him,
Bobby Thomas