Sunday Service @ Irumbuliyur Headquarters - 08 November 2009

[Excerpts from the Word of God through our Deputy Chief Pastor Wesley Peter, at Irumbuliyur Faith home on Sunday, 08 Nov 2009:]

John 17 verse 4: "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."

God's purpose concerning everyone of us is to glorify Him when we live on this earth. Man has been created for God's glory. So whatever we do, it should bring glory to God. God saves us by His grace, baptized us with His Holy Ghost, and brought us into the fellowship of the True Church and God's doing a deeper work of transformation in our lives. So whatever we do in this life should bring glory to God. When we stand before the Lord, He should say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant.!"

Our actions and reactions should bring glory to God. Our words, conversations, behaviour etc should bring glory to God. In everything, we should see that the glory goes to God and to God alone! That is the expectation of God concerning our life in this world.

This morning, we are going to see some of the things which bring glory to God.

In Psalm 50 verse 23 it is said, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me." God expects that we must be praising God for everything that takes place in our life. It is the desire of God that we must be praising Him for all things He has done in our life. So when we offer praises with a heartful of gratitude, we glorify God. I Thess 5 verse 18 says, "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Sometimes we may not be able to see the good in certain things that happen in our life - which in the beginning may bring bitter experiences in our life. However, in the long run, we will be able to see that the Lord did it only for our good. Whatever God does in our life is to fulfil His eternal purpose in our life. Sometimes our prayer may not be answered. We may think that God's not concerned about our life. The devil might also put a thought into our mind that God doesn't love us or God's not with us. But we should believe that all things work together for good to those who love the God. (Romans 8 verse 28). Only when we believe in this scripture, we will be able to give thanks in everything.

Whether our prayers are answered or not answered, we should praise God.

Whether our desires are fulfilled or not, we should praise God.

Whether our petitions are granted or not granted, we should praise God.

When we praise God in everything, God will be glorified in our life, and we'll have the testimony like Jesus to say, "I have glorified thee on the earth."

In Romans 1 verse 21 we read, "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." So when we fail to offer praise in God's presence, the protection of God in our lives will be removed. God will not be able to preserve us in His presence. By praising God and glorifying God, we are protected by His power.

Psalm 29 verse 2 it is said, "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." It means, when we give the glory due to His name, we are able to worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness.

If there are praises in our mouth, there wont be any murmurings or complaints, and we will not question the ways of God. The devil brings doubts and unbelief in our hearts and he makes us to murmur and complain in the presence of God. That will make us to go down in our spiritual standards which God expects from us.That's why, when there are praises in our mouth, complaints and murmurings will not be found in our life.

In I Corinthians 6: verses 19,20 we read, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." How do we glorify God in our body? by doing the will of God in this life we glorify God in our body. That's why St.Paul says, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (I Cor 3:16).

This body has been given only a short while - this body's called a temporal tabernacle or earthly tabernacle. This is called a mortal body or a vile body - the habitation of the triune God. So you and God are dwelling together in this body.

In Romans 12 verses 1,2 St.Paul says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." God is not demanding something that's unreasonable from us. He will not ask us to do something impossible by us. That is why presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice is called a 'reasonable service.'

When we live in unity and oneness we glorify God. "That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom 15;6,7) So, living in unity and oneness brings glory to God. This world is divided on various basis. But the Lord is building up a people living with unity and oneness.

When we are divided, God's name is blasphemed. The work of the devil is to bring schism in our minds. He doesn't want us to fight him and so he brings fights between us - and so, by forgiving one another, we can live with one mind - and hence glorify God in this world. (Psalm 133:1) When brethren dwell together in unity... - there the LORD commands the blessing, even life for evermore.

In Exodus 32:6, we read, "the people sat down to eat, drink and rose up to play..."

We should not live to eat, but eat to live. That is why God has ordained fasting in our spiritual life. We should be faithful to fasting - We should not always desire to satisfy the desires of the stomach. Even if we have a stomach full, after a few hours, the stomach will ask, "give me my quota." Our belly should not be our God. If so, we will be enemies to the cross of Christ (Phil 3:18,19). Whether we eat or drink, we should see if God's glorified through it.

By bearing much fruit, God will be glorified in us. (John 15:8).

When Christ Jesus was upon this earth, He cursed a fig tree without fruits. Straightaway, that fig tree withered away. That tree was full of trees, but there were no fruits in it. God has blessed us with all the blessings we need. We should bring forth fruits unto repentance, holiness, righteousness, fruits of the spirit etc.

If you are full of leaves only, and no fruits, then you are glorying in your self-righteousness. In order to bring forth much fruit, God prunes and cleans us, because every spirit-baptized child of God is a branch in this vine. In John 15 verse 2 we read of the 3 classes of branches:

The branch that does not bear fruit

The branch that bears fruit, and

The branch that bears much fruit.

Finally, even in death, we should glorify God. (Jn 21:19)

To recap,

by praising God in everything, we glorify God

by doing the will of God in our bodies, we glorify God

by living in oneness and peace we glorify God

by seeing our good works, others will glorify God

in our eating and drinking, we should glorify God

when we bear much fruit, we glorify God, and,

in our death also we should glorify God.

May the Lord help us to lead such a life wherein we glorify God when we live in this earth. Amen.

- [thanks to Bro.Andrew and Bro.Joy for their neat inputs]

Sunday Service @ Kellys TPM Faith Home - 11 October 2009

I Samuel chapter 17 verse 32. And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

Who is this 'him'? It is Satan, and that is the challenge before you. That challenge may be a sickness, a thing that creates troubles and fears in your life - but God knows your heart, your situation and circumstances - that's why He says "Let no man's heart faint because of him".

All the people in the world (including the things of the world) trouble our heart, but only the Lord Jesus says, "Let not your heart be troubled." This "troubling" is not only for sinners, but it is also for saints.

What is the reason for our heart being troubled? It is stated in Psalm 40:12 - It is because of our iniquities and our sins which is becoming a challenge to more and more children of God. Many children of God are troubled in their mind, heart and body. We don't know with what problem you have come here this morning, but the Lord says: "Let not your heart be troubled because of him".

In the place where you're working or in the place where you are living, sins or iniquities may be abounding - but the Lord who knows your situation says, "Let not your heart be troubled."

Even though sin and iniquity have power over us, we should believe in the word of God that we are overcomers through Jesus.

In Psalm 30: 7 we read: "LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled."

For some reasons, the Lord hides His face from us. That means He is not answering our prayers. Jesus was also similarly troubled when His Father hid His face momentarily when Jesus took over all the sins of the world on Him. That time, His prayer wasn't heard by God, and so He said, "Why did you forsake Me". In the same manner, God may hide His face from us for a few moments - whoever he may be, - a prayer warrior, a saint of God or a believer - when the face of God is hidden, he will be troubled only. But we must be always beholding the face of God the Father and only then we won't be troubled.

In Isaiah 54: 8 we read: "In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. " Sometimes God leads us in this manner in the world. When the Lord hides His face, pain goes on increasing, we pray a lot - cry and pray - but still disease has not left - what should we do then? The answer is written in Isaiah 8:17 - "And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him." When i'm troubled, i'l not go astray from the Lord, but i'll wait upon the Lord. Who are these people called the house of Jacob? We are the house of Jacob. The explanation is given in Obadiah 18: "And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it".

We are the fire of Heaven. There's fire in the world - but we have the fire that has power many times more powerful!

How many of us are giving light and power to this world and revealing the power of God through our fire? If you are having a doubt that the fire of God has decreased in your life, remember that God has the power to fill you with His fire. Everyone of us is the fire of God. With a great purpose, God is sending His power in our life and ministry. If we are unable to reveal the power of God to the world, then there's no use of the fire. You should have the testimony that you are the fire of God. To this house of Jacob, God is hiding His face - because He knows nothing will happen to the people of God who are fire of God for Him. When we are faced with trials and temptations, we should wait on the Lord - that's why God's making His believers as fire and His saints as flames of fire.

Satan and his powers will not fear you - but it will fear the fire of God within you. If you're having sufficient fire in your spirit, soul and body, even if God hides His face for a moment, you'll not be troubled. If the fire is always burning in your life, you'll not be slothful in spiritual things when you live in this world. If you are keeping that fire within you, you'll be always willing to pray and be in the presence of God.

You might say, "For me alone all these trials and tribulations happen" - Dear child of God the Lord is saying, "My son, my daughter, fill with my fire today. You're having a lot of trials and problems - and to come out from these, you are seeking various ways. But the only way is to obtain the fire of God. The Lord wants you to join in the house of Jacob this morning.

But some of you are unable to feel and see the power and the presence of God. That's why you're unable to sing. Once in a particular faith home, were i was ministering, a particular sister from another Church came - tormented with many evil spirits - I asked, "you belong to another Church but why you came here?" she said, "the evil spirit told your name and said go and pray from him, he'll heal you. That's why after searching a lot, we came here. We all were singing songs at that time filled with the Spirit - we sang many songs - all evil spirits departed at that time. Evening I went to visit the house of the sister. The house was filled with numerous evil spirits. We all filled with the power of God and gave the command to vacate the house - standing on the Grace I say, "I saw evil spirits depart from the house, and angels coming into the house." The next day onwards, many blessings came to that house - next day, they got an appointment order for a Govt.job. Till then, satan was an hindrance to their blessings but then on blessings started coming into their life.

Do you have proper songs in your house during the family prayers? Are you clapping your hands, and singing songs in your family prayer? Are you conducting family prayers regularly in your house in the morning and in the evening? Yes! the Lord is asking you, "I want to visit your house if you conduct family prayers"

Yes, indeed, the Lord is here to remove all evil spirits. If you believe now, you will see the glory of God. It's sad that many children of God come only after the singing time when they can be filled with the Spirit of God - so the spirits giving trouble are not departing from them - Yes the Spirit of God worketh much through the songs in our homes and churches. Colo 3:14 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Jesus visited a house of three people. When He entered, one sister sat at His feet and discussed heavenly things with Him. At the same time, one was working in the kitchen and came with a great complaint list to Jesus saying, "Send my sister also to help me." What was the answer of the holy Jesus Christ? "And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things". (Lk 10:41) Martha needn't have worried about all these things as there was a Christ in their house. He was able to feed five loaves and two fishes to 5000 people. Yes, He was able to do any miracle at that time. Then why are you troubled?

Jesus says, "Let not your heart be troubled, because, I'm in your house - you are careful and troubled because you do not feel My presence - that's why you feel I cannot do anything for you. This morning also the Lord is telling us "I'm in your house to do any miracle. So you need not care or be troubled about any of these things. Let not your heart be troubled because of the ministry in your hand - because I am in your ministry and in your house to do miracles for you. Your heart should know that He that's in you is greater than he that's in the world.

You need to do only one thing - Be in His presence - if you are in His presence, He will do many signs and wonders for you - we are not living by sight but by faith - we are not believeing in things visible, but things invisible.

When you're having many enemies, when you see the fort of Jericho before you - when you are in the banks of the river Jordan, when you are standing on the shore of the Red Sea, when the Egyptians are following you to capture you - the Lord says: "Let not your heart be troubled"

There is a God in our midst who can do any miracle for you and me. He fights all our battles. (Deut 20:2,3,4) It is written in Isaiah chapter 59:19 - "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him." Sometimes there may be enemies on all sides - but do not look at the enemies - look at the flag that our Lord has hoisted for you - the flag of victory! Amen.

[Thanks to Bro.Robin and Bro.Samuel for the neat inputs]

Sunday Service @ Irumbuliyur Headquarters - 04 October 2009

Let's turn our Bible to the book of Micah 2:12,13

12 I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.

13 The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.

We just heard two beautiful verses read out from the Bible. It's written, "I will surely assemble you."

Here we find that there was a great grievance between the Lord and His people - the Israelites. Gos was leading Israel, but they asked for a king to rule over them. In the first place, God explained through Samuel the prophet, the effects of having a king - but the Israelites were oblivious to the price of having a king - and so God gave them a king - Saul, who later disobeyed God and was rejected by God - then David ruled over Israel - a person after God's own heart - then came his son Solomon - who later in his reign became an idolator - because of his sin, God sent him a prophet to tell him that after his death the kingdom would be divided - and hence the kingdom was divided into two - two tribes would be loyal to King David with Jerusalem as capital, while the other ten would establish their own kingdom, with Samaria as their capital. Children of the same father - but it was a sad fact that quite often there were wars fought between them - and it is a fact that in the whole of the human race, most of the killings and deaths have taken place only in this community - the Jews.

Even in the World War I, during the last stages of the War, Italy, France and other like-minded countries resolved to wipe out the entire race of the Jews, but eventually they failed. During the second Word War, the allied forces including Germany, Italy and Japan decided to wipe out the entire community from off the face of the earth - but they floundered in their efforts. In the History of the entire world, only two communities don't have a land/nation state of their own - one is the present Tamils of Ceylon, and the second is the Jews of Israel. Israel had no land of their own - they were wandering the face of the earth - Two thousand six hundred years after the prophecy of Isaiah, the Jews lived in the midst of the nations of the world, dispersed in every corner thereof -

This is what the Lord has said - "I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel;"

Jacob - represents the state of life before Salvation. [Genesis chapter 32]

Israel - means 'one who striveth with God' - signifies one who lives an exemplary life to others. The state after Salvation.

We find the word 'surely' repeated twice, which represents the Lord's great work of Salvation.

Today we find Jordan joins up with Egypt to fight against their common enemy - Israel. Whenever there's Jews vs Islam conflict, we find Jordan sides with Egypt. This Jordan is the country of Esau - they are always against the generations of their brother Jacob - and even till today, there's continual problem between these two countries. Elders seated here will remember the war in the year 1967 - a very costly war in the history of the world in one day's time - centering around the Suez Canal - In one day, thirteen countries were bombarded and Israel took the victory.!

Bozrah is the capital of the land of Esau and located in such a location that none can capture it - It is situated within the second largest mountain ranges of the world - an extremely fertile place - and the first quality sheep are found there. These sheep are cleansed and sanctified once a year and brought to Jerusalem, unto the Lord. Because they were idolators, the Lord scattered them - The Lord says, "Once again I will cleanse you and gather you together". It could probably be because of this reason that the Third World War is kept at abeyance.

"As the flock in the midst of their fold.." Fold represents Church. There are sheep within the fold and outside the fold. Fold has a door and a Shepherd. Shepherd denotes Servants of God - door denotes Christ - (I'm the way).

The Lord desires that all the sheep be brought inside the fold. Things pertaining to the sheep within the fold are different from things pertaining to sheep outside the fold - We had a pastor - Pastor Solomon who used to give very good concepts in his preachings on sheep. Once i asked him, how come he knew all these intricacies about sheep, to which he replied that he was once a Shepherd - tending to sheep - where he used to tweak the ears of the disobedient sheep. The Shepherd has so much authority over his fold.

So, if you are sheep inside the fold, we'll definitely give you a chastisement to correct you. Even if one sheep has soiled itself, the whole fold will come to know about it. But, if you are outside of the fold, even if you see cinema, television or indulge in horse racing there's no problem at all for you - because things pertaining to sheep outside of the fold are different from things pertaining to sheep within the fold.

"They shall make a great noise" - I will send you a revival, saith the Lord - All the sheep within the fold will communicate with one another. In villages, it is customary in the evenings at around 6.30 to 7 pm to see ravens and crows gather in certain trees - when it leaves the trees it just flaps its wings and ascends - but when they come back, they talk to each other - they hop from one branch to the other and speak in its own language to each other - "Which direction you went? what did you eat? Did you go alone or together?" etc etc. Similarly, when you enter the fold, you find sheep talk to one another, and because of it there will be a great noise - a great sound of revival when God gathers His people together.

Remember, one who removes hindrances goes before you. In Tamil it is said, "one who removes obstacles", but in English it is said, "One who breaks all obstacles" Why does God break all the obstacles? Because, if the obstacles are removed, satan can easily place them back, but they have to be broken to pieces completely!

Do you find your financially poor situation hindering you in growing in your spiritual life? Do not get discouraged! God says "I will give you the treasures of the darkness". Are you facing hindrances in your body that prevent you from advancing in your spiritual life? Do not be disheartenend! The Lord says, "I am the Lord that healeth thee!" We are healed by His stripes!

Do you have problems in court? Do not fear. The Lord says that the Lord will fight all your battles. Isaiah 49:24,25 -

24. Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
25. But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children
26. And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

When I was undergoing a terrible, bitter phase in my ministry, Pastor Lazarus gave me these same comforting verses.

Even if you are lawfully captive, God will deliver you! Do you find hindrances in your workspot? The Lord says, "I will make all your the crooked paths straight".

Who is it that places such hindrances before us? It is the work of the devil. Why has he put up such obstacles? So that we might not enter in through the gate! ( you have to diligently read the Word of God and meditate on this carefully. Only if you read it a thousand times you will be able to understand its full import!) The place we are going to enter is New Jerusalem or Zion. Door signifies the Lord Jesus. We can inherit the kingdom of God only through the Lord Jesus and not through any other means. Every gate represents a doctrine, and it is only by these truths that we can inherit the Kingdom of God.

Our Lord Jesus entered through the gate. (Neh. chapter 3). He entered in through the Fish gate (will of God) and died - the devil puts hindrances so that we might not do the will of God. Jesus broke all the obstacles and did the perfect will of God the Father. Valley gate - represents humility - the devil would attempt to destroy us with pride - Our Lord became a servant to rulers and those in authority. Dung gate - Fountain gate - Water gate - Horse gate - Prison gate (putting on patience) - etc have their own symbolic significance.

Our Lord has crushed all these obstacles. It is said that "their king shall go before them - Why is it mentioned "their King". Because no one shall resist Him. Even the most powerful atom bomb in the world cannot stand before Him. Our King Jesus is going before us. So do not fear or be discouraged. Press forth courageously and obtain the victory. Dear child of God, believe in these promises that the Lord has given you, and go forth in your spiritual life, and the victory is yours. Amen!

[Our sincere thanks to Bro.John for the neat inputs]

SUNDAY SERVICE SERMON..: - THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WALLS

Pastor began the Sunday Service (at Irumbuliyur Headquarters Faith Home,) with an exhortation to the believers to come to church on time. He spoke thus:

For the past five years we have been telling our beloved believers to come to church on time. Whatever work you may have at home, abandon it and come to church on time. Its thirty nine years since I was saved, and I’ve never for once come late to service.

Before 9 am if you come to service, God will be greatly pleased, and even we wont be grieved.

On no account should you remain at home during Sunday service, cos evil spirits and sicknesses might attack you if you do so. I tell you this cos I know about it.

Thirdly, believers who have reasonable health, should, on no account come to church having sumptuous meals. If you do so, you can’t have the blessings of God that God has in store for you in the Service.

Pastor spoke on a very comforting verse…

“Gnaan ninne ende ullamkayil varachirikunthu; ninde madilugal ellaipolum ende mumbil irikunthu.” Is. 49:16

In English: The Lord says, “I’ve graven thee on the palms of My Hands." It is not like drawing a picture of a man or a bird on a sheet of paper. It’s a work of engraving.

“Thy walls are continually before me.”

If you consider a house or a garden, you will find a wall surrounding it. But there will be only one wall around. But here the Word of God says in plural, “Walls”.

The Walls represent seven things: If an evil spirit has to touch a Child of God, it has to destroy all these seven Walls in order to hurt him.

So what are these walls?

The Wall of our Salvation.
The Wall of the Life of Separation. (Acts 2:40)
The Wall of our Baptism is always before God. (Mark 16:16)
The Wall of our Anointing. (Titus 3:5, 6)
The Wall of our Divine Healing (James 5:15)
The Wall of doing the Will of God. (II Thes 2:13)
The Wall of Waiting for our Redemption. (I Peter 1: 5)
The body, as the HOUSE, has these seven walls.

Whatever your need, a true child of God should look up to God in faith for everything in his life. That’s why the eyes of a servant of God look up only to the Mercy Seat. You should be like the Lion which does not look back at all. It is the king of itself as well as 250 acres around it.

Similarly, your resolve should also be, “I will not turn back, looking at reproaches, battles, etc. I’d rather die than turn back.”

When people throw bundles and bundles of currency notes in your path, you should have the courage to trample on it and pass over it. Otherwise, you are not a real Servant of God.

Will any among you take filth from the road and carry it on your head? No.. you wont. Similarly, we should suffer the loss of all things and count all things as dung.

You should be like a sweet smelling flavour unto the Lord. Like the Brindavan Gardens in Bangalore, which needs no advertisement. People are attracted towards it cos of its fragrance. We should also be likewise, unto Our Lord. Amen..!

IS HEAVEN RESERVED ONLY FOR A SELECT FEW..?

God has not predestinated any individual for Zion, New Jerusalem, New Heaven, New Earth or Hell. However God predestinates a standard for each place in Eternity. If God predestinates any individual for a particular place, man will not have any free will or freedom of choice.

God wants everyone to be saved. (I Tim 2:4); but He has set a standard for one to get saved. If anyone comes to that standard, he will be saved. Salvation is not all - "Who will have all men to be saved And to come unto the knowledge of the truth." God wants everyone to come to the highest life. But at the same time, all are not given that holy calling. This standard is expected from the saved ones and not from the unsaved. To those who have not come to the first standard, God will not reveal the next standard.

God has predestinated the humblest to be the greatest in heaven. He didn't predestinate any particular individual for this place. Even if you work hard or preach well, God is not going to make you the greatest in heaven. For that, you have to come to the standard that God has kept (or predestinated) - that is, be the humblest. Similarly, God has designed that those who show mercy should receive mercy (Matt 5:7). Even if you have many good qualities in your life, if you dont show mercy, you don't receive it.

In the same way, we don't see God saying anywhere that Judas Iscariot was predestinated to be a betrayer. But God set a standard of iniquity for such a person, and Judas willingly chose it, that is to be a lover of money etc. We read that before God hardened Pharaoh's heart, Pharaoh himself hardened his own heart (Exo 5:2)

See Revelation 12:4. God did not predestinate one third of the saints (with their names and addresses) to fall away, but the Lord set the standard for falling away. In Romans 8:29 we read that God "foreknew" those who are His, those who do His will. See Matthew 7:23 also. Here the set rule is that God will know only those who do His will. Does this mean that an omniscient God does not know others? In one sense, He knows everyone - all the sinners and all the saints; but in the sense of showing favour to enter Heaven, He knows only those who do His will.

The same truth of predestination is applicable to "anti-Christs" (I Jn 2:18), and the Antichrist. If God has predestinated an individual to turn against God, and go to hell, how can that person become responsible for his sins? How can he use his freewill to obey or disobey God?

Dear reader, God has given you a freewill to choose the right way, the way of peace and eternal joy. Don't harden your heart like Pharaoh but use your freewill to choose the perfect will of God so that you may heaven on earth and all through Eternity.

- TPM Publication No: 35

ABRAHAM'S FAITH - STEP - 7:

Step 7: Fully persuaded, he confessed his faith, that what God had promised, He was able to perform.

He praised God until there was no more doubt left in his heart, mind or feeling. He reached the perfection of a faith fully persuaded, a faith without doubt, a faith which nothing could dissuade, disturb or destroy. It was then that the Lord stepped in to accomplish what He had been promising twenty-five years. Having started as a child, he learnt to walk with God in faith and obedience, and thus grew to the stature of "father of faith".

We also should confess that, what God has promised, He is fully able to do. Let us finish our course saying that the God of Abraham is our God, and that through Jesus we are all the sons of Abraham, and thus all the promises of Abraham are ours (Gal.3:14,29). Fully persuaded of the goodness of God and of His power, we will become partakers of the faith and of the blessings of Abraham.

God is not only able to heal; He is also willing to heal, and that is why Jesus, while on this earth, healed all who came to Him (Matt.12:15). Jesus has not changed, neither are you an exception. He can and will heal you.

- TPM Publication No: 2

ABRAHAM'S FAITH - STEP - 6:

Step 6: He was strong in faith giving glory to God.

Till the "set time" arrived, Abraham praised and glorified God. Those who praise God for His faithfulness, for His faithful promises, for His love, for His compassion and for His power, will find no time to murmur, to doubt, or to fear their trial of sickness. They will spend their time either in prayer or in praising God. In his hour of trial, David says, "I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psa 34:1). Those who continually express their doubt and fear and complain of the symptoms of their sickness, not only lose their faith, but without their knowledge, praise and glorify the devil. St.Paul exhorts us to give "thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 5:20). Again, he says, "And whatsoever ye do in word or in deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him" (Col 3:17).

When we steadfastly praise God, a glory comes upon us and the enemy is defeated. At the dedication of the temple of Solomon, when they made "one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord... the house was filled with a cloud... (and) the glory of the Lord filled the house of God" (II Chron.5:13, 14). Again when the singers before the army of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, began to praise the beauty of God's holiness, saying, "Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever", fear and confusion took hold of their enemies, and "every one helped to destroy another" (II Chron. 20:21-23).

Praise destroys the power of Satan who is the author of sickness; at the same time it glorifies God. We are therefore exhorted, "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name" (Heb.13:15).

Praise pleases God, destroys Satan's power, and makes us strong in faith.

ABRAHAM'S FAITH - STEP - 5:

Step 5: He staggered not at the promise of God.

Those who doubt the promises of God limit the way in which God can work in their lives. St.Paul says, "For he that cometh to God must believe that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Heb.11:6). When doubts come, the following three points will help us to resist and overcome them:

(i) All the promises of God are perfect and infallible. Even in the Old Testament, the testimony of Solomon concerning the word spoken through Moses was, "There hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant" (I Kgs 8:56). How much more then, are His promises "yea" and "Amen" in Christ Jesus (II Cor. 1:20)!

(ii) God is faithful to fulfil His promises. Because "she judged him faithful who had promised", Sarah received strength to conceive and bear Isaac (Heb.11:11). Even Balaam, a heathen prophet, said, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent; hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" (Num.23:19). When we fully realize that when God speaks something, He cannot but accomplish it, then all our doubts will leave us.

(iii) The above being true, He will accomplish His promise in due time. We have already seen how there was a set time appointed by God for Abraham to receive the promise. We also read of Joseph, that God permitted him to suffer "until the time that his word came". He was then set free and elevated to high office (Psa.105:17-20). There is a set time for us, and therefore while we wait, let us hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering. For He is faithful that promised (Heb.10:23), and we will surely see God accomplishing His word in our lives.

- TPM Publication No: 2

ABRAHAM'S FAITH - STEP - 4:

Step 4: He considered not his own body now dead neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb.

When we consider something, we look at it attentively, and meditate carefully on reading it, filling our mind with it. But Abraham did not do it with the symptoms which he and Sarah had according to the laws of nature. Such symptoms are real when there are only natural laws working, and no spiritual laws. Doctors deal with symptoms and according to these symptoms apply their remedies. They do not deal with real spiritual cause of the sickness.

When Lazarus fell sick, the thoughts of Mary and Martha might have been preoccupied with all the dreadful symptoms of his illness. He was finally overcome by death. When Jesus arrived, and wanted to bring him back to life, Martha said, "Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days" (Jn 11:39). Jesus was not concerned about the symptoms of the sickness and death, but in building up the faith of Mary and Martha in order to do a miracle for them.

Many lose faith by comparing their sickness with others whose condition is worse than theirs. Fear drives them to believe that their condition will become more serious and that they may eventually die.

Others depend on the ability of their doctor for healing, while at the same time, they want God to heal them. But they do not realize that doctors base their analysis on what they have gathered from their symptoms they have studied. If we consider symptoms, or medical reports based on the symptoms, we will destroy our faith, the faith we have so carefully built upon the Word of God.

Therefore, never talk about the seriousness of your sickness, or allow someone to exaggerate its gravity. Above all, never revel in self-pity thinking that no one cares for you in your illness. Dwell on the promises of God and each moment expect Him to quicken and revive you. Think of the words of St.Paul who said, "For when I am weak, then I am strong" (II Cor 12:10); "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil 4:13). When He was buffeted by the messenger of Satan, by a "thorn in the flesh" and the healing was delayed, he realized that three supernatural blessings rested upon him:

i) The abundant grace of God which was all-sufficient.

ii) The strength of God, which made him strong when he was weak.

iii) God's power to resist and crush the power of the messenger of Satan (II Cor 12:7-9).

So never go by the symptoms of your sickness.

- TPM Publication No: 2

ABRAHAM'S FAITH - STEP - 3:

Step: 3: Against hope he believed in hope.

There is a difference between faith and hope. Faith is something we can use to claim immediate results from God. Hope, on the other hand, sees the promise through faith and patiently waits for the set time appointed for the fulfilment of the promise. For example we are now saved by faith (Rom.10:9); Eph.2:8), but it is with hope that we look for our final salvation at the Rapture. So we need faith for the present to be able to walk with Christ and we need hope to go on to perfection. It is for this reason that St.Peter says that our faith and hope should be in God (I Pet.1:21). If we use only faith but have no hope we may soon get discouraged and lose our faith. When we have a genuine hope, we will not lose faith in getting it, even if we have to wait a long time for it. St.Paul says, "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it" (Rom.8:24,25).

God told Abraham, "Sarah shall bear unto thee (Isaac) at this set time in the next year... At the appointed time I will return unto thee... and Sarah shall have a son" (Gen.17:21; 18:14). Abraham against hope believed in hope. Though all physical and natural circumstances and evidence were contrary to or "against hope" yet he believed in hope through the word of God as the Psalmist says: "I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope" (Psa.130:5), and "The Lord visited Sarah as he had said... for Sarah conceived and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him" (Gen.21:1,2). Thus trusting in His word and living it out, we need to build faith and hope together to reach God's appointed time for healing.

- TPM Publication No: 2

ABRAHAM'S FAITH - STEP - 2:

Step 2: He believed in God Who calleth those things which be not as though they were.

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb 11:3). This speaks of God’s creative power which operates through His spoken word, by which He calls “those things which be not as though they were”. When the earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep, God by His word, commanded the light to shine out of darkness, gave form to the earth and filled the void. He still continues to operate in the natural realm through His word (Psa.147:15-18). However, even the greatest inventions of man in science and technology are only of things which already exist, or “do appear”: for example, he makes medicines from chemicals, and tools and machinery out of iron.

God’s promise to Abraham was only by word, when He said, “I have made thee a father of many nations”, and pointing to the stars in heaven, “So shall thy seed be”. Abraham believed the word of God and continued to build his faith on it. Finally, when he was an hundred years old and Sarah’s womb was dead, he waxed strong in faith, believing in God Who “calleth those things which be not as though they were.” Like Abraham, the second step for us is, therefore, to build our faith on the Word of God which is quick and powerful and creative. Even in the wilderness, when the children of Israel had sinned and then repented, He sent His word and His word healed them (Psa 107:20). Jesus cast out evil spirits by His word and healed all that were sick (Matt. 8:16,17; Jn. 4:50-54). However, God has a set time or season for His word to be fulfilled and we have to wait for it. This brings us to the next step of building up hope with faith.

ABRAHAM'S FAITH - STEP - 1:

STEP 1: He believed in God Who quickeneth the dead.

If we do not believe that God can and will heal us, how can we believe in the resurrection of the dead and the rapture of the saints?

Jesus had to convince Mary and Martha that He was the resurrection and the life, before He raised the dead Lazarus. Jesus does the same thing with us. Unless we are sure that He is our resurrection, and that He is able to quicken and heal us, we cannot even begin to build our faith to receive our healing. To receive faith, we need to be convinced by the Word of God, just as the words of Christ convinced Martha and Mary. St.Paul tells the Romans, "He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you" (Rom. 8:11). He prays for the Ephesians that, the eyes of their understanding being enlightened, they may know, "what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead" (Eph. 1:19,20).

St.Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, speaks of some of his many trials. He says that the sentence of death was upon him, but that God delivered him (II Cor 1:8-10). He was prepared to suffer any affliction, knowing that the power of Christ would raise him up. He bore in his body the dying of the Lord Jesus, "that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest (His) body... knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise (Him) up also by Jesus" (II Cor 4:10,14).

TPM Publication No: 2

SEVEN STEPS OF ABRAHAM'S FAITH..:

As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations, before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness" (Rom 4:17-22).

These things were not written for Abraham's sake alone, "but for us also" (Rom 4:23,24). God promises to accomplish His promises to those "who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham" (Rom 4:12). We will now consider seven steps of faith taken by Abraham.

Who created God? How can we know Him?

First of all, we should know that the creator and the creation are distinct in identity and meaning. It is a fact that everything in the universe is created. Now, a creation has to have a creator, and that creator is called the Almighty God. If a creator is created, he cannot be called a creator but a creation. This leads us to conclude: since a creator is essential for any creation, the question "Who created God? is eliminated. Our God is self-existent from Eternity to Eternity, and is a great mystery that is to be fully disclosed to the saints only in heaven (Rev 10:7).

How can we know this great God? Some go on pilgrimage, some others offer various sacrifices and money to religious institutions, and still some others perform various rituals - all in an effort to know God. But all these are fruitless human efforts to know God and reach God. In a deep sense, the greatest blessing God bestowed on man was to make him after His own image. However, man, in trying to reach God, has ended up committing the greatest sin against God by making God in his own image. (Rom 1:23).

God is love and therefore we can know God only by loving God - "everyone that loveth... knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love" (I Jn 4:7,8). The more you love God, the more you will know Him and enjoy Him.

To love a holy God, we need a pure heart. The purer our hearts, the greater our love for God. That is why the Lord Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matt 5:8). If anyone hates God, one thing is very sure - his heart is full of filth. God created man so that he may enjoy God, the embodiment of pure love. [God manifested His unselfish love by sending His Son to die for our sins and redeem us from eternal hell].

In the world, you love a person only after you know him and understand him; on the contrary, only when you love God will you know Him and understand Him. Similarly, in the case of all the books in the world, it is when you read and understand them that you may love them. However, in the case of the Bible, the more you love it, the more you will understand it.

Dear friend, you will not find fulfillment and satisfaction until you learn to love Jesus with a pure heart fervently. The more you love Him, the more you will know Him. The more you know Him, the more you will enjoy Him. He is sweeter than honey and the honeycomb "O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him (Psa 34:8).

- TPM Publication No: 35

OUR TWO-FOLD RESPONSIBILITY...!

Our personal influence either edifies others or destroys them. We are members one of another in the body of Christ. Through our influence, life or death flows into the life of others. We are channels of blessing or channels of curse. We shed our light on them or we blind them with the darkness we carry. Consciously or unconsciously, we carry our influence with us, whether good or bad, constructive or destructive. It is as good as our shadow that follows us. By our behaviour, attitude, appearance, and way of life, we give either life or death to those with whom we come into contact, help someone to run the race or make him stumble, build one's faith or destroy it, strengthen someone or weaken him.

Jesus said, "Ye are the salt of the earth... Ye are the light of the world" (Matt 5:13,14). Both salt and light are not aware that they are useful to the earth; similarly the serpent and the scorpion do not know how harmful they are. In like manner, we also carry a power that is highly magnetic, drawing others to Christ or to Satan.

Our first responsibility is to see that we ourselves do not fall and endanger our own spiritual life with the questionable pleasures of these last days; secondly, we must see that our bad example does not cause others to stumble. Some of the things we do, may not be harmful to us, but they may be disastrous to others. God's Word teaches clearly that we have to give an account to God for causing others to stumble; it is counted as "sin against Christ." Thus, our responsibility is two-fold.

There were some believers in the early Corinthian church who felt that there was nothing some others who felt that there was nothing wrong in eating meat offered to idols; but there were some others who felt that it was wrong. It is evident from the context that those who ate that questionable meat were supposed to be more spiritual and elderly than the younger. Thus they stumbled. So Paul writes to the older Christians thus:

"But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; and through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ? (I Cor 8:8-12).

The older believers were concerned about their own knowledge and conscience only. They thought that a Christian has the liberty to please himself. They did not realize that the evil influence of their (supposedly justifiable) liberty would serve as a "stumblingblock to those who were weak." Some other weak Christians were "emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols" - which they would not have done before. By the (false, imperfect) knowledge of the older believers "the weak brother perished for whom Christ died."

Our actions may cause new souls to stumble, be rendered weak, and perish; this is reckoned as "sin against the brethren" and "sin against Christ." Therefore we conclude that we should set an example to those who are newly saved, or those who are younger in experience; we should avoid every appearance of evil, lest they stumble.

Some quote the verse "give none offence neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles" (I Cor 10:32), to justify "compromise with the world." They say that we should not shock the world with our Christian doctrines and dress. We must realize that Paul talks about "conscience" and Christian behaviour which must be right with God. If Paul was for compromise he would have justified those who ate polluted meat. But we see him condemning them in every way. Paul evidently means that the Jews and the Gentiles who are saved by us, should not stumble because of our unchristian example.

We are expected to set them an example, because they are in darkness while we have received the light through the gospel. His whole argument, therefore, is "that they may be saved" (vs 33). If we compromise with the world, doing just what they do, how can they be saved? Does not God say, "Come out from among them... Be ye separate... Touch not the unclean thing" (II Cor 6:17).

- TPM Publication No: 10

THE PROUD JUSTIFY THEMSELVES...!

Pride will not allow you to admit your mistakes. You will always find a lame excuse or put the blame on someone else in order to justify yourself. Why? Unlike many other sins, pride makes you blind - you cannot see your own faults, but find many in others. Our first parens, Adam and Eve, having the 'pride of life', acted like this (Gen 3:11-13).

Christ's humility is exemplary. Pilate, the chief priests and elders charged Him with many crimes, but He kept silent. While hanging on the cross, many passers-by mocked at Him and spoke insulting words, but He kept silent. Joseph of the Old Testament too had a similar humility. Potiphar's wife accused him of immorality, but he kept silent. Think for a moment - if Joseph had defended himself and accused Mrs.Potiphar, who would have believed him? But as Joseph kept his mouth shut, when the right time came, God raised him above them all and vindicated him. How true the Word of God is!

"He sitteth alone and keepeth silence... he putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope" (Lam. 3:28,29). What does this verse teach? If you open your mouth to defend and justify yourself, it means you have no hope! The converse is also true. Joseph had the hope of a bright future because he kept silent; Jesus had the hope of a blessed resurrection because He kept silent. Dear child of God, are you being falsely accused and mis-understood? Unless the Lord permits you, do not open your mouth to justify yourself. When the right time comes God will justify you. And when God defends and justifies you, all the mouths that speak against you will be shut.

Pride makes you impatient with the mistakes of others: You do not realize how patient God has been with you. This is a true saying: "The more perfect you are, the more you will bear with the imperfections of others and the more imperfect you are, the more impatient you will be with others' mistakes." The proud in spirit can never be patient in spirit. Also, the patient in spirit will have a better end - "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit" (Eccl. 7:8). "You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about" (Jas 5:11 NIV). In other words, since Job was patient, the Lord worked out a better end for him. The only way you can get the spirit of patience is by driving out the spirit of pride. The more humble you are, the more patient you will be. Only such people can patiently wait for the Coming of the Lord. "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the Coming of the Lord" (Jas.5:7).

- taken from tpm publication no. 23

Can a Christian Commit Suicide?

Whether one is a Christian or a non-Christian, taking one's life, whether one's own or another's, is murder. And, "no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him" (I Jn 3:15).

It is clear from the Scriptures that Satan entered into Judas Iscariot before he betrayed Jesus. Consequently, he committed suicide (Jn 13:27). Anyone who takes his own life is no better than Judas Iscariot.

Suicide is not a shortcut to heaven as some foolishly think. "All my problems will be gone," they think. On the contrary, they are virtually jumping "out of the frying pan into the fire" even into the Lake of Fire. Let no sincere born-again Christian ever imagine that he will be safe in heaven after ending his life in this way.

In the Bible, the men who committed suicide - King Saul, Ahithophel, Judas Iscariot, etc., were all terrible backsliders. If a sinner commits suicide, he goes to hell. But when a born-again Christian commits suicide he goes to a place worse than that; he goes to a place meant for backsliders - Outer Darkness, where there shall be more torment, and weeping and gnashing of teeth, than in hell (Matt 8:12).

It is true that God is gracious, compassionate and forgiving. While alive, if anybody genuinely repents for any sin, he will receive forgiveness. But once a person commits suicide, he doesn't have a chance to repent and turn to God. There are some cases where the person may not die immediately on attempting suicide - he gets a chance to repent and ask forgiveness from the Lord. But such cases are very rare.

Perhaps someone who is reading these lines is being tempted to commit suicide. Dear friend, not only will your soul be in eternal torment, but the Lord's name will also be greatly blasphemed through this shameful and sinful act.

Today, the gracious Lord is calling you: "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. God is our refuge and strength and a very present help in trouble. "I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears," testifies David (Psa 34:4). Open your heart to Jesus. He understands your pain. He is the Good Samaritan. He will bind up all your wounds. Please pray that the Lord may graciously forgive you for entertaining the very thought of suicide, and give you new life. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II Cor 5:17).

- taken from tpm publication no. 35

How should we lead singing and worship in church..?

Singing is the protocol to go to God's presence. "Come before His presence with singing" (Psa 100:2). It is singing that brings God's glory and presence into a service or meeting. Singing prepares the hearts of the people to experience the presence of God, to praise and worship the Lord, and to receive the Word of God. People are also instructed and edified through songs (Col 3:16). Music and singing have the power to soothe, comfort and uplift troubled souls, to encourage and to inspire (see I Sam 16:23). Singing together (as a congregation) brings everyone into oneness of mind and thus paves the way for the moving of the Spirit, for the working of the Spirit.

Songs must be selected by prayerful guidance. Songs that help the congregation to pray, praise and worship the Lord, songs that inspire the people to trust and love the Lord, and songs that enable them to abound in hope and in the grace of God, must be sung. Singing a little about the grace of God in every meeting can be a great blessing. Songs that speak of our heavenly bliss and life in Eternity greatly help the people to abound in their glorious hope, and encourage them to run their race with a longing to obtain the glory and the crown reserved for them.

Zion is the joy of the whole earth. Zion is our hope. Zion is our homeland. So songs of Zion must be frequently sung. But songs which glorify the saint rather than God, must be avoided.

Songs of dedication and surrender should be sung prayerfully, meditating on the words. People would be able to experience the love of God and the power of God better if they are led to sing with understanding and from the heart. Avoid singing too many songs, as then, the people will not be able to hear the voice of God.

We must realize that the Holy Spirit has the right and freedom to come upon His people at any part of the worship. Therefore those who lead the singing should sing, and not after tradition, but as the Spirit of God guides. The stanza or chorus that is most inspiring, can be repeated a few times, as the Holy Spirit guides, so that there might be a continuous flow of the anointing.

We must follow the scriptural pattern - "The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after" (Psa 68:25). Care must be taken to see that the words of the song are not drowned by the loud music.

If the song leader is too loud, the congregation tends to passively listen - they will not join in the singing. Youth could be encouraged and prepared to sit in front (as back-up singers); this will greatly encourage congregational singing.

For the congregation to really experience a touch from the Lord, the song leader should have waited in God's presence and prayed with tears before the meeting. The songs should be sung from the heart, and in the Spirit. The song leader and musicians need to be united in the Spirit if there is to be perfect harmony.

In past history, singing in the Spirit and worshipping the Lord brought great and lasting revivals. May the Lord raise up anointed singers and worship leaders, not to show off, but to lead cold Christian congregations and set them on fire for the Lord.

- taken from tpm publication no.35

Why is horoscope harmful?

Many sincere people are being deceived by the horoscope, stargazing, etc. Many do not know why horoscope predictions, etc. can be accurate.

For every human being, God has a plan, and the devil too has a plan. The devil's plan is "to kill and to destroy" (Jn 10:10). However, God's plan is ever grand - "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (I Cor 2:9).

Many parents, anxious to know the future of their children, consult horoscope. When horoscope predictions contain frightening or tragic future events, no doubt, these things will torment the parents and they will virtually serve a life sentence in the dungeon of fear. Moreover, when the children grow, they too will be tormented with a fear of the future. Parents who are concerned about their child's future should read the Bible, the Word of God, because the Bible says, "In the volume of the Book it is written of me" (Psa 40:7). God is so loving and caring that He has already written the words needed for your child's well-being and future. God was careful to send an angel to Manoah's wife, Elizabeth, Mary, and many others, to tell them what to do with their children; in some cases information about their future was also given. God is well able to advise you regarding your child's future without the aid of astrologers, sorcerers, and other agents of the devil. Indeed, God loves your child so much that He has done much more than merely sending an angel; He has given you the Word of God. Some tragedies (not all) happen in children's lives because parents do not obey the Word of God.

Going to the astrologer, sorcerer or horoscope book for information about the future, when God has not revealed it, is a form of rebellion against God. When you believe the horoscope, palmistry, etc. and desire to know your future through them, you are ruining your own future; you are already in the pocket of the devil - for him to fulfil his plan in your life. The devil will capitalize on your unbelief in God's Word and use it against you. [Remember, unless you give room for the devil he cannot attack you with his destructive weapons.]

- taken from tpm publication no.35

How can we overcome DISCOURAGEMENT..?

Discouragement is faint-heartedness, a state in which we lose all hope. We lose confidence in God - God has'nt answered my prayer. I've been praying for so long. It's no use! Maybe He doesn't love me. "We lose confidence in ourselves too - I'm a failure. Everything I try to do is a failure. I have no success in my job. In my future also everything is going to go wrong." You also lose confidence in others - I dont think anybody can help me. Nobody understands me. Nobody loves me."

Discouragement makes you hit rock bottom. Spiritually, and sometimes physically also, you become weak. You become a burden to others and the devil makes you feel even more discouraged. As this continues, your discouragement grows to such an extremity that thoughts of committing suicide begin to cross your mind. You are a burden to yourself and to others, and you no longer want to live.

Look at the many cased of suicide in the past. In most of them, the underlying problem was discouragement. In the Bible we read of a man named Ahithopel who got discouraged and hanged himself and died. Even Elijah, the man who was on fire for God, ran away from the presence of God when he got discouraged, and said, "Enough Lord, take me!" It was the same with Jonah. Maybe you too have prayed that prayer. Beloved one, that is a most dangerous prayer to pray. The Word of God says in Proverbs 8:36, "All they that hate Me love death." When you love death you are hating the Lord Jesus. You may say, "I love Jesus." But when you love death, when you pray, "Lord, take me," unconsciously and maybe ignorantly, you are hating Jesus. When Elijah was discouraged he went into the wilderness. When you are discouraged, spiritually you are going into a desert - everything is dry.

The Lord leads His people in two ways. Sometimes He delivers us from troubles - we're kept from falling into troubles. At other times, however, He chooses to allow troubles into our lives, and then He saves us in the troubles. "I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him" (Psa 91;15). This is the greater experience. There isn't much honour in being kept from trouble; but emerging unscathed from trials brings us great honour. The Lord didn't prevent Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from getting thrown into the fiery furnace. But when they came out in flying colours in their trial they were promoted. Similarly, the Lord allowed Daniel to be cast into the lions' den but when he came out unharmed the Lord's name was exalted.

Child of God, trials are not sent to destroy you, but to bring you spiritual promotion. So take them in the right spirit. Don't let your troubles trouble you. Don't give room to self-pity; don't give room to discouragement. If you do, you'll become a liability to God and to others.
Child of God, today the Word of God is coming to you.

The Lord has not planned failure for you but a grand success.

"I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" JER 29:11.

How can we keep from getting discouraged? To overcome discouragement we need to first know how it comes. Discouragement comes when we, instead of looing at God and His Word, look at the surroundings and the situation we are in – that pulls us down. Your eyes are on the problem and not on the One Who solves the problem. Elijah looked at the empty threat of a woman and was discouraged. So, to overcome discouragement we should take our eyes off the problem and the surroundings, and fix them on the Lord. That’s why we read in Hebrews 12:1,2, “Let us run with patience the race… looking unto Jesus.” Looking at Jesus is, looking at the promise He has given us. When you look at the promise of God, the Word of God which is the sword of the Spirit will encourage you. II Corinthians 1:3 says our God is the God of all comfort. In the original tongue, it is “God of all encouragement.”

Dear child of God, when going through sickness, instead of speaking of the symptoms, the weakness, the problems you’re facing, and the pain, confess, “By His stripes I am healed.” In your poverty confess, “My God shall supply!” At times when no one is near to help you, shout, “The Lord is my Refuge and Strength, a very present help in time of trouble!” When sad things happen, say, “God is my exceeding joy.” When you are weak, say, “The Lord is my Strength”; when thirsty, say, “He is the Fountain of water”; when everything is dark and gloomy, say, “He is my Light”; amidst confusion, say, “He is my Peace”; when it looks as though you’ve lost all, say, “He is my All-in-all!” Then you’ll not only be encouraged, but will also be able to encourage others.

Attributes of Pride...:

Self pity is a clear indication of long-cherished pride. King Saul was almost an embodiment of pride. "There is none of you that is sorry for me" he lamented. (I Sam 22:8) Proud people always complain and murmer, saying, "Nobody cares for me, nobody loves me, nobody understands." In other words, in their pride, they expect everyone to care for them or love them. (Who are you and what greatness have you attained that everyone should love you, care for you, honour or appreciate you?)

The humble always think of loving, helping and caring for others. (A life of pouring out ourselves in the service of others and for the glory of God is the happiest and most blessed life." In short, the proud dwell on their rights (what others have not done for them) and the humble, on their responsibilities (What they ought to do for others as children of God). In other words, the proud are self-conscious, and the humble, God-conscious.

Pride is the cause of greed and dissatisfaction. "Nothing is good enough for me - I deserve more and more and more." Even if God does everything in the best way and gives the best, still the proud person is dissatisfied and keeps complaining.

The story is told of a woman who was always dissastisfied with her potato crops. She complained to the pastor about how part of the crop always turned out to be rotten potatoes. However, one year, the whole crop was very good and there were absolutely no rotten potatoes. Still, dissatisfied, she complained: "Now, what shall I give to my pigs?"

The humble are always grateful and satisfied with what God has provided, whether little or much. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Humility helps us have both godliness and contentment.

Most financial debts are the result of pride. It is pride that says, "I need more comforts than I can afford. I deserve more luxuries than what God has provided me with." (As if God is unfaithful and uncaring, and Has not been a faithful Provider).

The humble live simple lives. They have no financial burden or worry. Humility and faith are perfectly linked together. See Mathew 8: 5 - 10 and Mathew 15: 22 - 28. The Syrophenician woman and the centurion were praised for their great faith, as they both manifested great humility.

- taken from tpm publication no:twenty three

How can we get Maximum Benefit from the Bible?

Many seem to be ignorant of the fact that Bible reading or meditating on the Word of God greatly helps us in experiencing good success in every aspect of our life (see Josh 1:8). This is one reason why the life, ministry, business, job, marriage, etc. of some of God's people is a failure.

Without reading the Bible we cannot know God or His will as we ought. The Bible is the only book written by God to guide man towards heaven and heavenly blessings. It is very true, "God cannot open the windows of heaven for the one who keeps his Bible shut."

Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, despised the Word of God, and his end was terrible (Read Jeremiah 36:23,30). May this be a warning to us. Let none of us neglect the Word of God. Let us take quality time daily to read it and meditate on it so that all of God's blessings may be showered on us. "His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" (Psa 1:2,3).

As many children of God do not know how to read the Bible effectively, the Bible is a boring book to them, and though they read it, they don't get much out of it.

The Bible is God's Word. Every words written in it is spoken by God (II Tim 3:16). So as you read the Bible each day, listen for the voice of God. Allow the Lord to speak His Word to your heart. Keep that word in your heart. It will guide you and help you in all that you do or face that day.

Don't read portions of the Bible selected at random from here and there; if you do, your life also will be like that - here and there, a slipshod one. If you want your life to be disciplined, it is important that you have a disciplined, regular and systematic Bible reading pattern.

You must regard the Bible as the greatest book ever written. When you have this revelation or realization in your mind, you will take every chapter as a great chapter, every verse as a great verse, and every words as a great word. You will read every chapter, verse and word with great carefulness, diligence, enthusiasm and great excitement - like the Psalmist who prayed, "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law" (Psa 119:18).

There are in all 31,175 verses in the Bible. Can you imagine a very large bundle containing 31,175 most precious gifts? All of them are yours, your very own! It is exciting to open these gifts one by one and find to your great joy and amazement, that they help you to be wise, rich and successful in every way and finally lead you on your way to the very throne of God. Once you finish opening all these gift packets, you will be all the more excited to find another bundle containing 31,175 gifts waiting for you; and so it goes on and on! As you continue to open these gifts (reading the Bible again and again), what really strikes you, is that the preciousness of the blessed revelations contained in each packet keeps increasing and never decreases.

Take for instance, you open the 'gift packet' Psalm 36:5: "Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds." When we carefully read this, we are encouraged to see two of God's great characteristics that help us to get saved - His mercy and His faithfulness. Again, as we meditate on this verse we may find another greater and blessed truth - "Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds." Our final gathering is in the clouds - to meet the Lord in the air (I Thess 4:17). What an encouragement it is to know that the Lord is going to be faithful to us TILL WE REACH THE CLOUDS TO MEET HIM!

...to be contd./...

Can a Child of God get into Debt?

Is it wrong for a child of God to get into Debt?

Sad to say, many Christians borrow and drown in debt without realizing that it is not only a sin, but also a curse to borrow (Deut 15:6; 28:15, 43-45).

Borrowing is worse than begging - when you beg, you have no obligation to give back; but when you borrow, you are a slave to your creditor. "The borrower is the slave of the lender" (Prov 22:7 RSV).

In the past, many thousands have even committed suicide (in some cases, whole families with their children) being tormented by their heavy debt problem. Millions of people live literally experiencing "hell" in their lives - being threatened and pressurised by the creditors.

Even if you desire to be a spiritual man, you cannot indeed, as a financially bound (indebted) man cannot be spiritually free; he is a mere slave to man. That is why the Scripture says, "Owe no man anything, but to love one another" (Rom 13:8).

As the Word of God clearly says, very often God's people get into debt when they disobey God.

When you borrow money to buy or build expensive houses or to send your children to foreign countries for higher studies, etc. you don't realize you are walking out of the will of God, until you feel the "pinch" at the end.

Borrowing money to meet your need (greeds!) may appear easy. But very often paying it back with huge interest will be extremely difficult. It is not the will of God that God-given money be used to pay such interests.

It is true, at times businessmen suddenly lose their business and get into debts. Such situations may be beyond their control. However, children of God who are businessmen are encouraged to seek the Lord in such times of distress, to know why God permitted it; whether their business was in keeping with the perfect will of God, whether they were faithful in tithes and offerings, whether they did the business in any crooked way, etc.

Children of God deliberately getting into debts and undergoing unnecessary suffering is not at all in the plan of God. "The just shall live by faith" is equally applicable to servants of God and to believers. There is a great blessing if we live within the means provided by our Lord. If God cares for the fowls of the air and for the lilies of the field, how much more He must care for us! God can be trusted.

Regarding lending money, it is good to follow the Lord's teaching - "Lend, hoping for nothing again" (Lk 6:35). If you lend money expecting it to be returned, the borrower becomes a debtor to you and cannot go when Jesus comes; you cannot go either, as your lending (with the expectation of getting the money back) makes your brother miss the Rapture. Moreover, if the borrower fails to pay back in the promised time, there can be unpleasantness and arguments.

Only the wicked charge interest (Ezek 18:13).

It is therefore very important for us to live a debt-free life in order to be found spiritually free and to be ready for our Lord's soon Coming.

- tpm publication no.thirty five

Why doesn't God answer so many of our prayers???

If God is so kind and caring, why doesn't He answer so many of our prayers?

In one sense, our Lord does answer all our prayers. In some cases He says "Yes," in some cases He says "No," and in some other cases He says "Wait."

If we hide sins in our life, that can be a hindrance for God to answer our prayers, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psa 66:18). Also, there are times when our prayers are self-centered and not really for the glory of God. God knows that if some of our prayers are answered, the end result will be sorrow. One truth is very clear from the Bible: when God answers prayer, we will have FULNESS OF JOY in the end. "Ask, and ye shall receive, that your JOY MAY BE FULL" (Jn 16:24). All through the Bible we can see that when God answered prayers, it brought fulness of joy. And those who stubbornly prayed and got what they wanted, against God's will, met with a miserable end.

Balaam insisted on going with Balak against the will of God in order to get earthly promotion. The Lord let him go, but an angel of God came and stood in his way with a drawn sword. Similarly, when the people of Israel lusted for flesh to eat, not being satisfied with manna, God gave them their stubborn desires, but it brought great disaster.

Once a godly father had three daughters. He asked the Lord for a son. The Lord clearly said to him, "No, it is not My will to give you a son. Your daughters will be better than a son to you." Yet he fasted and cried to God, and the Lord finally gave him a son. The boy became a drunkard, a prodigal. The father died broken-hearted, repenting for his foolish stubborn prayer.

Dear child of God, perhaps some of your prayers, which appear very good, have not been answered. God might have kept you poor, while ungodly men may have become rich; your promotions in life might have been withheld while others rose to high positions, etc. Instead of complaining, questioning, and murmuring against God, praise God for the unanswered prayers - your end is going to be fulness of joy.

- taken from tpm publication no.35

ENVY, A FOUL OFFSHOOT OF PRIDE..:

Pride makes us envious. "He is proud... where from comes envy" (1 Tim 6:4). When others are honoured, we cannot rejoice; we get upset and angry at them. King Saul’s envy was his downfall. When the women of Israel sang, "Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands," his pride was hurt. Moved with envy, he wanted to destroy David. Envy causes our feet to slip into the pit of hell. "But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well near slipped. For I was envoius at the foolish" (Psa 73:2,3). It is told that one of the worst pains in the human body is the pain of decaying bones. This is what envy does to the human soul. "A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones" (Prov 14:30).

Can you rejoice when someone who is younger than you or junior to you is exalted above you and honoured more than you? Normally, people get angry, agitated and restless in such situations, as did King Saul.

If envy drops you into hell, then rejoicing from the depths of your heart when others are honoured more than you, will definitely carry you to heaven. Although John the Baptist did not perform any miracle like Moses, Elijah, etc., he became the greatest saint of the Old Testament. How? His life and ministry were clothed and crowned with divine humility. His joyful prayer was, "I must decrease; he must increase." (Jesus was younger than John and John started the ministry well before Jesus; also, John baptized Jesus). He preached, "There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of Whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose" (Mk.1:7).

Envy kills. The Jews killed Jesus because of envy. (Matt. 27:18). Your envy still kills Jesus. The cure for envy is Christlike humility. Have you ever prayed like John the Baptist - "Lord, I want to decrease," or in other words, "Lord, please make me smaller and smaller every day till I become nothing"? This is Christlike humility or the spirit of Christ.

The spirit of Lucifer - "I must become greater; I must become richer; I must have more power, position, authority, fame, name, etc" possesses almost everyone in the world. What will be the end of such people? "Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit" (Isa 14:15).

- taken from tpm publication number 23

On Gaining Souls - A Glimpse into the life of Pastor Paul..:

Pastor Paul gave more importance to life than to the ministry. He would explain to his fellow-workers, "If the savour of life proceeds from us, then souls would come to us in multitudes". He would say that the flowers do not go seeking the honey bees but the bees come in search of flowers with nectar in them. Hence, he did not have the experience of going around much day and night without rest, to win souls. Today many servants of God endeavour to go around much, trying to add souls to their religion. After having brought them into their religion, they neither pray for them, nor do they teach them sound doctrines which would help them be stablished.

Pastor Paul would not allow one to become a member of the Church for the sole purpose of getting married. He welcomed only those who sought the truth, loved God and had holiness as the goal of their life, as members of the Church. He would say that the efforts taken to bring back backsliders whose hearts are so hardened as not to return to the Church again, is like watering a dried and withered tree.

- taken from tpm publication no.15

The Excuse of the Moralist..!

The Moralist says:

I don't lie, steal, fight, smoke, drink, gamble, or blaspheme. I've never stooped to adultery or other similar crimes. I love everyone. I do no harm to anybody. I am religious, and I have done all I could to help the poor and needy. I say my prayers, read my Bible and go to church when possible. Therefore I believe that salvation is for sinners, not for people like me."

God says:

"I looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Everyone of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, no one" (Psa 53:2,3).

"Therefore by the deeds of the law (by our good works, by our outwardly moral lives) there shall no flesh be justified in His sight" (Rom 3:20).

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us"; If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us" (I Jn 1:8,10). God has ascertained that everyone, however sinless he may appear in his own eyes or in the eyes of others, has sinned. God has proclaimed this fact to us, in order that "every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (Rom 3:19).

The reason for such conclusion is obvious. God looks on man's heart and mind, his desires and thoughts. "For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" (I Sam 16:7). In the sight of God, anger is murder; a lustful look or desire is adultery (Matt 5:22, 28). Man is inherently sinful. David said: "Behold I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psa 51:5). So everyone in the world needs to be saved from the very nature of sin, and this is possible only through Jesus. Our salvation, our justification and our cleansing are the result, not of our goodness or our worthiness, but of what Christ our Saviour, by His sacrifice at Calvary, has done for us: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; but we are being justified freely (at no cost to ourselves) by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom 3:23,24).

'Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith (in Christ) without (any reference to) the deeds of the law" (Rom 3:28). We are under obligation to obey the Law of God; nevertheless, our sins are purged only by the blood of Jesus Christ, and we are justified only by His grace.

- from TPM Publication No.6

JESUS wants to heal you RIGHT NOW. Why? How?

All those who came to Jesus for healing were instantly and completely healed (Matt 8:16; Mk 5:28,29). So Jesus does heal instantly.

Many people know God is able to heal but they do not know that He is willing to heal them right away. Our Lord straightaway cleared the doubt of the leper: "And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, "I WILL; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed" (Matt 8:3). Therefore, without any shadow of doubt, Jesus is willing to heal you now, no matter how long you have been sick or how old you are. Our late Pastor S.B.Ernest taught that even if the Lord had revealed that you were to die the very next moment, you have every right to claim healing (and God will be delighted to answer you) before He takes you to heaven! There are numerous examples for this in the lives of the saints gone ahead.

Jesus never sent away anyone who came to Him for healing, saying, "You are a terrible sinner" or, "Your sickness is too serious to be healed instantly." In Matthew 8:17 and in I Peter 2:24, we read that He has made provision for forgiveness of sin and for the healing of sickness.

Jesus is more eager to heal you than you are, to be healed:

a). The more the sick are healed, the more God's name is glorified. "Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimned to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel" (Matt 15:31).

God gets glory in the healing, and not in the sickness. He is sometimes glorified in the lives of some people in spite of their sickness (not because of their sickness). Sickness should never be used as an excuse for glorifying God. One can glorify God much better when one is keeping well than when one is sick. If God is glorified by healing, then He is not glorified by the sickness. Satan's work glorifies Satan; God's work glorifies God.

b). Sickness is the work of the devil. "The Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil" (I Jn 3:8). The more Jesus heals, the more He is destroying the works of the devil in your life.

Jesus, in His compassion, desires to set us free from the bondage of sickness. When the father of a sick child admitted his unbelief, Jesus showed compassion on him and healed the child (Mk 9:24,25). When we acknowledge our true state and seek Him for our need He will not condemn us, but will deliver us from the affliction. He forgives all our iniquities and heals all our diseases (Psa 103:3).

Jesus died for our sins, but His striped were for the healing of our sicknesses. "By Whose striped ye were healed" (I Pet 2:24) i.e. Jesus has already paid the price for your healing, and destroyed (rendered powerless) him that had the power of death. Now you can accept the finished work of Calvary by faith, rebuke your sickness, and be healed straightaway.

Psalm 107:20 says, "He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." When we believe the word that Jesus speaks to us we can be healed that very hour, as in the case of the centurion and his servant (Matt 8:13).

The power of the Holy Spirit also gives life to our mortal bodies and delivers us from the bondage of sickness (see Rom 8:11; Isa 10:27).

Like the man sick of the palsy who was brought to Jesus in a bed, you may be paralysed and bound with unbelief, doubt and fear, but Jesus commands you right now: "Rise up and walk!" (Lk 5:23).

P.S. It is unscriptural to think that you need some sicknes to go to heaven; it is not so at all. What you need, to go to heaven, is not sickness but our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

For your information and encouragement, saints such as F.F.Bosworth, E.W.Kenyon, George Muller, and many others died "in a good old age" without any sickness. Let us claim the promise, "And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace (Heb. shalom = good health); thou shalt be buried in a good old age" (Gen 15:15).

- taken from tpm publication number thirty-five

Tithes and Offerings belong to God..:

Some excuse themselves by saying that the practice of giving tithes belongs to the Old Testament period. Jesus does not say so. While rebuking the Pharisees He said, "Ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone" (Matt 23:23).

The Preacher says, "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine" (Prov 3:9,10). Giving tithes and offerings is an act of faith and loyalty to God. When we honour God with our riches He increases our prosperity. Some say, "Let God make me rich first; then I shall pay my offerings and tithes." Such a thought is as illogical as trying to reap where nothing is sown. We sow first and then reap the fruit in due season. Jesus also said, "Give, and it shall be given unto you" (Lk 6:38). We need the faith as that of a farmer to give our tithes and offerings to God.

Jesus is coming soon. Those who are unfaithful and led astray by the riches of the world will neither be ready for His Coming nor be comforted by their riches in the days of tribulation.

As those whose lives are hidden with Christ in God, let us set our mind on things above and let our attitudes be determined by the things above. We must value and view everything from an eternal and heavenly perspective. The deception of riches and the pursuit of earthly gain will dominate our heart and mind and cause a decline in our prayer life and in our delight in God's Word.

Let us ask ourselves: Am I being caught up more and more in the things of this life? Or am I desiring more and more of heavenly things as days pass? Like King David, let us pray, "Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to coveteousness (selfish gain - NIV, unworthy riches - Amp)" (Psa 119:36)

- taken from tpm publication number ten

Debts and Bribes - Not at all in the plan of God...:

Debt : Robert Borrund, in his book warning of debt crisis, writes: "God wants to demonstrate His supernatural power through the lives of men and women of faith. Only in this way can He contrast the false confidence which people have placed in their own wisdom, abilities and riches."

Children of God borrowing and getting into debt is not at all in the plan of God. Very often, it is to meet our greed, rather our need, that we borrow. Many children of God do not realize that when they borrow to build a big house, by an expensive car, etc they are stepping out of the will of God. "The just shall live by faith" (Rom 1:17). There's a great blessing if we live within the means provided by our Lord. If God cares for the fowls of the air and for the lillies of the field, how much more He must care for us! God can be trusted.

Bribes: A bribe is a spiritually, morally, or legally wrong reward. No matter what excuse one may have - low wages, high cost of living, peer pressure, isolation in the work place, the lure of customers, etc the root cause of accepting bribes is greed, from which a man of God is supposed to flee.

It is dishonest gain. It amounts to extortion.

"Don't extort money... be content with your pay" (Lk 3:14 - NIV). God views bribery as a grave sin and has pronounced severe judgments on bribe-takers.

- tpm publication number: ten

Never think you are humble...!

Once a sister had a vision. She saw many people running a race, but when they reached the gate of heaven, an angel of God asked them for a document, which many failed to have. They were asked to go back to get it. The sister asked what was written in the document. The angel replied, 'Humility and purity.' Those who were turned away had many other good qualities, but failed to have humility and purity. Some were deceived into thinking that they had humility, but it was false humility.

Never think you are humble, even if a million people tell you that! The moment you think you are humble, you fall into the bottomless pit of pride, for pride is a bottomless pit! Did Jesus at any time tell you that you are humble? Probably the devil has told you. Have you ever heard the voice of God telling you that someone is humble? It is possible for a saint's humility to be appreciated after his death, but never before his death; because just before he dies he could become very proud and lose all his blessings. In Chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation, while writing to the seven churches in Asia, the Lord appreciated their good works, labour, patience, service, faith, love, etc., but never their humility.

May the Lord help us. Let us give our mind to Christ and be clothed with true humility, 'casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (II Cor. 10:5).

Our pride is like the Himalayan mountain. If all our pride is shown to us on one day, we may fall down under its weight and die. So God, in His mercy, shows us our pride a little at a time through trials and tribulations so that we can humble ourselves and repent and turn to God every day. Our pride is like a bottomless pit; the deeper we go and search, the more of it we find.

- taken from tpm publication no: twenty three

DRESS, COSMETICS AND JEWELLERY

Businessmen have one of the biggest markets for fashions. They have captured the eyes and the passions of growing youths by supplying them with everything that would satisfy the lust of the eyes and of the flesh.

Unsaved businessmen are the children of the world, and therefore, "the lusts of (their) father (they) will do" (Jn 8:44). The world is the only sphere they know of; therefore their pursuits, pleasures and labour are all earth-bound. They have no hope beyond the grave, and beyond this world. Their enjoyments are fleshly, carnal, and sensual. They are strangers to the new life of pure joy in Christ Jesus.

Most fashions are therefore the product of the unregenerate, carnal mind. They are deliberately shaped and fashioned to make a strong appeal to the lower passions. To match these costumes, cosmetics of various sorts are also sold. Businessmen have learnt that the youth of the world, however good-looking, are not satisfied with their natural charm; they crave for beauty, and love to be attractive.

Man manifests physically what he really is at heart; he eats what he relishes, talks what he thinks, exhibits by his nervous actions his embedded emotional temperaments, sees and covets what he craves for within, and clothes and adorns himself with what his heart longs for.

People know evidently that their fashions, beauty and make-up will take wings in time, leaving them wrinkled, wretched and miserable. But a strange deceptive power has blinded their eyes, and bound their soul. They need to be delivered.

A Christian is one who does not conform to the ways and fashions of the world. He goes strictly by the Word of God. New fashions do not make a Christian up-to-date, but his walk with God does.

- tpm publication no. ten

WATCH HOW YOU PRAY...:

Once when D.L.Moody was conducting a meeting, one person made a long prayer. As he did not finish the prayer, there was a commotion in the gathering. So, Moody said aloud, "Let our friend continue his prayer and we shall sing a song" - so saying, he started a song. This act of Moody stopped Sir Wilfred Greenbell who had decided to leave the meeting abruptly, from going out. Later, he showed interest in such meetings, was saved and became a man of God. Yes, even today an antidote administered for such prayers will do good.

Some people feel proud and glory in themselves when they think about their own prayers. Soon such a thought makes them feel that they are prayer warriors and causes them to despise others. When they reach such a state, tehy lose their grace little by little, according to the verse "God resisteth the proud" (I Pet 5:5). This results in the death of their spiritual experience. Eventually some of them backslide and even drift away (are cut off) from the children of God.

Our Lord reveals it in Mat 6:5, 16 where He says, "When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward"; "Moreover when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward." Yes, surely there are a group of people who pray and fast for their own fame. Some show themselves to be great prayer warriors by offering long prayers in public meetings without even having a little of their personal prayer. Some others wish that they alone should pray always in the meetings without giving a chance for others to pray. Some preach while they pray. Yet others use good alliterations in their prayers and use it to show their proficiency in their language. All such things are like making incense for themselves.

- from PRAYER, TPM Publication NO.20

BE A SOURCE OF LIGHT in SOME WAY...:

A man who was crossing the Atlantic by ship was terribly seasick and confined to his cabin. One night he suddenly heard, "Man overboard!" There was nothing he could do , but he said to himself, "I can atleast put my lantern in the porthole." He struggled and hung the light out. When the man was rescued, his report was: "Suddely a light shone over my head and a sailor in a lifeboat grabbed me." The world around us is teeming with people who are lost, people who are perishing, people who are in need. Are you thinking, "Of what help can I be?"

Young man, no matter what your incapabilities, there is always some little way in which you can throw a light in their way to help them find their help in Christ. And, do you know, the Church, the Body of Christ is "fitly framed together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part?"

- taken from YOUTH CORNER, VOICE OF PENTECOST, March 2009

GOD'S COMMAND TO US - SHINE...!

God commands us to shine as lights in the world and be His faithful witnesses.

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt 5:16).

"Be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the Word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ" (Phil 2:15,16).

The world looks for our Christian light which shines forth in our everyday life. Every part of our life - our appearance, dress, speech, conduct, and character - shines silently and steadily in the darkened soul of sinners. They see our good works and "glorify our Father which is in heaven." Our Christian life makes a deep impression on their heart.

If we compromise with the world out of fear, imitating what the worldlings do, making no difference in our pursuit, speech, conduct, dress and friendship, we cease to shine as lights. The light which is in us will either go out, or be found "under a bushel" of material gain.

We will be seen as hypocrites both by the world and by God. We will not be able to please God.

If we live contrary to the truth we have known, we will be denying Christ. Jesus said, "Whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven" (Matt 10:33).

We are called to "hold forth the Word of life" or, to preach the Word to the world. This cannot be possible unless the world can see our light and life and testify that we are "blameless and harmless sons of God."

from The Pentecostal Mission, Publication No.10

THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS...:

Although we have learned about many spiritual gifts, many are ignorant about this one unique gift, the gift of forgiveness. Those who receive this blessed gift can become a blessing to millions; not only in this generation, but in generations to come, and all through eternity. What is this gift of forgiveness? How can we get it?

In our Forgiveness - series 6, we studied Matthew 18:21-28. Let us once again look at this beautiful text: 'Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.'

We already learned in Series 6 that 10,000 talents is a minimum of 10,000 million dollars. That is, our King, the Lord Jesus Christ has forgiven us so much - in fact the value of His forgiveness or the price that He paid on the Cross for us was much more than that.

How sad, this servant who received $10,000 million is trying to kill the one who owed him just 100 pence or about one dollar! The King virtually gave His servant $10,000 million. Every one of us who received forgiveness of sins at the time of salvation has received $10,000 million dollars or more! If we have this much money, is it not easy to give IMMEDIATELY one dollar each, even if a thousand people ask for it? Please note the word IMMEDIATELY - we don't need to work hard or another month to get enough money to pay one dollar each to a thousand people. THIS IS CALLED THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS. The sins that we committed against our God is worth like $10,000 million while the sins that other human beings committed against us is like 100 pence or one dollar. Even if a thousand people offend you (or ask you one dollar each), immediately you can forgive or give without any difficulty at all.

When someone throws a stone at an apple tree full of apples, IMMEDIATELY it gives an apple as if it were saying, 'Thank you for throwing the stone at me. Here is a gift for you as a token of my thanks!' The God Who created the apple tree has the same character. When the soldier pierced the side of Jesus, IMMEDIATELY blood (forgiveness) and water (love) came out of His heart (Jn 19:34). Please refer to Forgiveness - series 3 for details on this point.

If someone is spitting on us, immediately if we feel hurt (and that is natural), that shows, we don't have the 'gift of forgiveness.' True, after getting hurt, we may realize that we are the children of God and that we should forgive them, and we may forgive them too. However, that is not Christlike forgiveness. The gift of forgiveness or Christlike forgiveness is when we are able to forgive and love the person mmediately after he committed the worst possible sin against us. How ould we do this? The secret is, the more we realize the greatness of the forgiveness Jesus offered us, the more we will realize the smallness of the sins others committed against us. In other words, as we appreciate from what a terrible sinful state the Lord forgave and saved us, we will see the offences of others as very, very small so that very easily we can forgive and love them. In the same way, if we see others? sins against us as greater, we are making the forgiveness of Jesus towards us smaller.

The story is told about the godly Christian prisoner Richard Wurmbrand in Rumania during the Communist regime. One day, Richard, to his great surprise saw that the very Communist captain who arrested and put him in prison also was thrown to his cell. Richard couldn?t believe his eyes and asked, 'Sir, how did you come here?' The Captain told his astounding story:

There was a Christian mother who had a little son. On every birthday of the mother, the boy used to present his mother a good bouquet of flowers. One day the Communists got to know that she was a Christian who was witnessing to others about Christ. She was caught and killed. When the next birthday of the mother came, the boy was very sad. However he decided to make a very good bouquet and lay it at the grave. As he was on the way to the grave with his beautiful bouquet, he remembered very clearly what his mother taught him before she died as a martyr for Christ, 'Son, we must love our enemies, that's what Jesus taught us.'

Then the boy thought, 'I must fulfil my mom's advice and show love to my enemies. Who could possibly be my enemy? The one who killed my mum. Lord, please show me, how could I fulfil my mum's desire.' In a split second he got an excellent idea. He said in his heart, 'My mum is in heaven. She doesn't need any of these flowers anymore. I must give this bouquet to the Communist Captain who killed her. Then my mum will be happy in heaven as her son fulfilled her good advice and Jesus will be very happy too.'

With this thought the boy turned back and after a long search finally he found the Captain's office in the city. He went straight to his office and offered the bouquet. The Captain was surprised. He asked the boy what good deed had he done to deserve that beautiful bouquet. The boy replied. 'Sir, I beg you, please accept this bouquet. Today is mum's birthday. I used to offer a bouquet to mum on her birthdays. Last year, as my mum was a Christian, you had killed her. I made this bouquet and was going to lay it on her grave. On the way to the grave, I remembered what my mum taught me: son, you must love your enemies, that's what Jesus taught us. Then I realized, I must give this bouquet to you. This will make my mum and Jesus very happy. Sir, please accept this.'

Although the Captain was a very hardened murderer of Christians, the words of this little boy were like a sword piercing his heart to pieces. He wept unashamedly, perhaps for the first time in his life. Instead of carrying the bouquet, he carried the boy in his hands and told, 'Son, we communists never taught to love our enemies, but to kill them. From today, the same Jesus who taught your mother to love the enemies, is my God too.' The forgiving love that the boy expressed, melted the heart of the Communist Captain, perhaps one of the worst murderers on earth. Not only he committed his life to Christ in that very office, fairly soon he was ready to go to prison for the sake of Christ. No amount of preaching could have changed that murderer Captain. See the power of forgiving love. If we have a handful of Christians with this powerful weapon of Christlike forgiveness, without any doubt
this will be a far better world to live.

Dear friends, today, open your heart wide to the call of Jesus. He wants to fill you with the gift of forgiveness, a gift that can transform your whole life and ministry. You will never feel hurt when people speak evil of you, reject you and persecute you, rather you will feel more love and compassion for them, offering them forgiveness and love. A MAN WHO RECEIVED THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS IS A BLESSED MAN, HIS LIFE AND MINISTRY
WILL BE EXTRA ORDINARY. MAY THE DEAR LORD MAKE YOU TODAY THAT BLESSED
MAN.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, on 'FORGIVENESS'

ONLY FORGIVING PEOPLE CAN BE SANCTIFIED...:

There are numerous blessings in the gift of forgiveness. In the last study (Forgiveness - series 17), we learned that those who have the gift of forgiveness can IMMEDIATELY forgive others without getting hurt even for a moment, no matter, how our enemies may try to do the worst possible evil against us. Let us remember, when we are forgiven by the Lord, we have received riches of grace along with it - 'In whom we have redemption through his blood, the FORGIVENESS OF SINS, according to the RICHES OF HIS GRACE' (Eph 1:7).

It may be surprising, but true, A PERSON WHO LEARNED TO FORGIVE AS CHRIST FORGAVE, CAN NEVER BE HARMED BY ANY MAN OR THE DEVIL. Look at the story of Joseph. Although his brothers hated him, put him in the pit, sold him as a slave and conspired to kill him, see what Joseph says, ' But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive' (Gen 50:20). Note his words, Joseph did not say, 'You DID EVIL against me,' but 'You THOUGHT EVIL against me.' What a blessed truth; no one can do any evil against he man who learned to forgive as Christ did. When we cannot forgive, or when we get upset, angry or irritated at others, it is a sure sign that WE HAVE GREATER SINS THAN OTHERS. For example, let us look at the story of Judah. 'It was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and LET HER BE BURNT' (Gen 38:24). Why was he so angry with the daughter in law? According to the law of Moses, a woman can be stoned to death, if she has committed adultery. But Judah wanted a worse punishment for Tamar than what the Lord commanded. Why? He was the culprit. David sinned with Bathsheba and killed her husband to cover up his sin. God sent Nathan to David and told that a rich man killed a poor man's lamb in his kingdom. Then David got very angry and commanded that that rich man should be put to death and fourfold compensation for the lamb to be given to the poor man. Why? David was the 'rich man'? who killed 'Uriah' the 'innocent lamb.' And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity (2 Sam 12:5-6). Here David's hypocrisy is exposed; he appeared a man who had such pity on others. On he contrary, he had shown no pity to his extremely loyal servant, but killed him and took his wife. The frightening fact of this story is that the judgment David pronounced on others, came upon him. He commanded 4 lambs to be given in the place of killing one lamb. The same exactly happened to David. He killed Uriah, one lamb; in that place 4 of his children were killed. In the same chapter we see his child through Bathsheba dying; in the next chapter his son Amnon was murdered; then Absalom and finally Adonijah. May the Lord help us to learn the lesson, when we make harsh judgment on others sins, a worse judgement can come upon us. Dear Lord, have mercy on us.

Forgiveness means to go the extra mile or the second mile. Once a Christian farmer faced a situation, he did not know what to do. Every night he went to his paddy field and with great strain manually watered his field. But the neighboring farmer, who was not a Christian went early in the morning and redirected the water into his paddy field, making the Christian farmer's field dry. The Christian did not argue with his neighboring farmer nor even spoke about it to him, but forgave him. This continued for a number of days. The Christian was frustrated and went to the Pastor for his counsel. The Pastor advised him, 'Go and first water your neighbor's farm and then water your own farm.' The Christian did
that. This brought such a conviction and shame upon the neighbor, not only he stopped stealing the water, the Christian's forgiving love brought a great impact on his own life.

An unforgiving person's life is miserable, and death most miserable. Some say, unforgiving people while dying grind their teeth and die. What a sad way to finish their life on this earth and to go to (outer) darkness.

On the other hand, a forgiving spirit is a sanctified spirit. Out of the seven utterances of our Lord on the Cross, the first and the last ones start with 'Father.' 'Father, forgive them....' (Luke 23:24). 'Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit' (Luke 23:46). Let us learn the lesson from this: those who refuse to forgive others, their spirits will never be sanctified and they may die as backsliders or sinners. 'Our loving heavenly Father, through these pages, You have been teaching me the glory and beauty of Christlike forgiveness. Having learned these blessed truths, grant me the grace that my life will be an embodiment of forgiving love. Help me Lord that I will never give room for anger, irritation or any hurt feeling against any one at any time. Please transform me in such a way, even after I leave this world the fragrance of Your forgiving love will diffuse through my character that many will turn and follow You. In Jesus name. Amen.'

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, on 'FORGIVENESS'

BEGIN EVERY DAY WITH HUMILITY...!

Christ started the ministry with fasting. Fasting is a sign of humbling oneself before God. "I humbled my soul with fasting" (Psa 35:13). By the way, this does not mean that all those who fast are humble. However, if we do it in the right way, fasting will definitely help us to humble ourselves before God. Dear friend, if you have never fasted, your humility is a false one! Today, many so-called Christians do not fast even once a week. It is not a surprise therefore that they are spiritually (and sometimes physically) very weak!

When Jesus began His ministry, the devil came to tempt Him. If we carefully consider, we can see that all those temptations were directed at His humility. "And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But He answered and said, It is written man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matt 4:3,4). The devil's temptation was to make Jesus perform a miracle for His own glory, to prove to others that He is the Son of God. Jesus humbly stated, "Man shall not live..." acknowledging and humbling Himself to be a man. Although He had the power to change stones into bread, He refused to perform a miracle for His own glory or personal comfort.

Just as Jesus began His ministry with humility, we must begin evey ministry and every day with humility. Start everything with humility; every day, as you start your work in your work-place, start with a humble prayer. If you do this, you will find tremendous grace to bear the stress and strain of the day.

Start your school life, business, married life, etc., with a humble spirit and meek attitude. When we make plans for anything, whether it is a small or big matter, let us examine ourselves and see whether we are doing it with Christlike humility or for our own glory (which is vain glory!). Anything done without humility will ultimately be a failure. Christlike humility triumphs over everything and brings us everlasting happiness and eternal riches.

We must be like camels. Every morning and evening, they humbly kneel before their master; in the morning to receive the master's burden and in the evening to be relieved of it.

- taken from tpm publication no.23

ONCE WE FORGIVE, WE LONG TO DO OUR BEST FOR OUR ENEMIES...:

This is the best sign of Christlike forgiveness. Our God showed His forgiveness and love towards us by giving His best - His only begotten Son - "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" (John 3:16). "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8 NIV).

Jesus showed His forgiveness and love towards us, the worst of sinners, by giving His best - His own life. There is no better sign of Christlike forgiveness. Once we forgive, we want to do our best for our worst enemy! If we fail to do this, our forgiveness will never be perfect and our Christian life will never be perfect either.

Look at the example of Joseph. Joseph said to his brothers: "And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast. And there will I nourish thee? (Gen 45:10-11). Land of Goshen was the best land (Gen 47:6). Joseph gave to his worst enemies (the ones who tried to kill him and sold him to Egypt as a slave) the very best he could give. Until our heart is filled with such love for our enemies, we have not learnt what is perfect forgiveness or Christlike forgiveness.

Few years ago, in Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., a Christian's testimony was a great blessing to the whole world. News media widely published the story for the glory of God. The Christian had a teenage son, who was killed by another teenage boy. The killer had to go to prison. However, the Christian visited the boy often and offered him forgiveness and love. This transformed the boy completely. By the time the boy was released from the prison, the Christian not only adopted him as his son, but arranged higher education for him! This is Christlike forgiveness. If the Christian father had nursed bitterness against the boy who
killed his son, the killer boy would never have been transformed. This unforgiving world needs such forgiving saints to transform the world.

On January 8, 1956, in Ecuador, five American missionaries were martyred and thrown into the river Cuaray. One of the martyrs was Nate Saint. His children, Steve and Kathy, by the help of their family learned to forgive and love the murderers. They stayed in Ecuador to continue to minister God's love to the murderers. Finally, Kimo and Dyuwi, the killers, were saved in an amazing way. That itself is an interesting story. They finally became Pastors among Auca Indians. By this time Steve and Kathy grew up and were ready for water baptism. Guess who baptized them and where? They took baptism from Kimo and Dyuwi (the killer-turned-saints!) in the very river where their father?s dead body was floating! This is the true forgiving love. When Steve was asked, why he wanted to serve the Lord among the Auca Indians, his reply was this: 'My family and I are working not as a tribute to my murdered father, but as a tribute to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.'

If we have few such Christians as the Christian who adopted his son's killer and as Steve and Kathy in Ecuador, soon this whole world will turn to Christ for His forgiveness and love.

'Heavenly Father, teach us to love our worst enemies and to do our best for them. Please help us that every fibre of our being will be filled with your forgiving love. Amen'

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, on 'FORGIVENESS'

TRUE FORGIVENESS HELPS US TO BE GOD-CONSCIOUS...:

Unfortunately, many good Christians do not know what is meant by God-consciousness. A God-conscious Christian always enjoys heaven on earth.

What is meant by God-consciousness? God-consciousness means, whatever happened in the past, whatever is happening now, and whatever is going to happen in the future are all from the hand of God and therefore they are all for our good and for others good. A God-conscious person sees God in every situation, every moment, in everything, everywhere.

Only forgiving people can be God-conscious. Joseph is a classic example. He saw God?s hand in every situation for good. See what Joseph speaks to his brethren, ?Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves ... for God did send me ... So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God ... But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good ...? (Gen 45:5,8 & 50:20).

Life is easy and smooth when we can see God in everything, everywhere, and in every situation. When we see God in everything, we can see the goodness of God in everything. But unforgiving people live in another world altogether. They see evil in everything, in everyone and in every moment. They become paranoic (i.e., anxious, apprehensive, distrustful, fearful, and suspicious of everyone and everything) also.

Such people find fault with everyone and blame others for their problems and worries. They become so negative, they may say, 'Everything is going wrong with me and everybody is against me.' This is what exactly Jacob told. 'And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.' (Gen 42:36). Jacob was blaming his children for his problems. He says, 'Me have ye bereaved of my children.' See what he says, 'ALL THESE THINGS ARE AGAINST ME' - in other words, 'everything is going wrong with me.' In fact, if his spiritual eyes were opened, he would have told, 'everything God is making good for me, Joseph is alive and he is the Governor of Egypt, Simeon is under the good care of Joseph, Benjamin is going to be greatly honoured and we all are going to have a good time with Joseph in the palace.'

When self-conscious people see everything going wrong, in the same situation, the God-conscious people will see everything going fine. In other words, unforgiving people live in a negative world of problems and worries, but forgiving people enjoy heaven flowing with milk and honey.

Your happiness or unhappiness in life is the reflection of the state of your heart. Will you forgive everyone wholeheartedly right now so that you can start a new life in a 'brand new world' of joy and peace. Yes, by faith you can fly away from a gloomy land to a glory land when your mourning will turn into dancing and your sadness will turn into gladness!

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, on 'FORGIVENESS'

TRUE FORGIVENESS - YOU'L FEEL COMPASSION FOR YOUR ENEMY..:

Although Joseph's brethren hated him, put him in a dry pit, plotted to kill him and sold him as a slave, all what Joseph had towards them was love and compassion, the sign of true forgiveness. Joseph said to his brethren, 'I will nourish thee ... moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them' (Gen 45:11,14).

How do we know we have not forgiven others as Christ forgave us? When we see our enemies, instead of feeling compassion for them, we may feel hurt and sometimes we may even feel irritated and upset, although some of us may hide it from others. "And be ye kind one to another, TENDERHEARTED, FORGIVING one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Eph 4:32 ). Only those who learned to forgive can have a tender heart.

The story is told about a good Christian shoe maker who had a shoe shop in the city. He trained a poor orphan boy in the shoe business. As the boy grew up, he was well trained also in the trade. After sometime, one day he opened a shoe shop just opposite his former master's shop. That evening in family prayer, the Christian requested his family to pray that God may bless his former trainee's business also, as he too had a family to look after.

This is true forgiveness. Once we forgive our offender, we should feel compassion, not anger, for our offender. TILL WE FEEL SUCH COMPASSION, WE HAVE NOT FORGIVEN OUR OFFENDER.

Although the enemies of Jesus spat, pierced and crucified Him, with compassion for them He prayed, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do' (Luke 23:34) Moved with compassion ... forgave him' (Matt 18:27).

Dear child of God, can you examine and see how much compassion you have towards your (worst) enemies or offenders? Please remember, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again" (Luke 6:38). Plainly speaking, if you cannot show compassion to your worst enemies, one day before the judgment seat of God, you may not be shown compassion and you may perhaps be found the (worst) enemy of Christ.

Shall we pray? Dear Lord, teach us to love our enemies and show compassion to them, as you have shown to us. In Jesus Name. Amen.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, on 'FORGIVENESS'

FORGIVENESS BRINGS NEW LIFE; UNFORGIVING SPIRIT, DEATH...:

"God did send me to preserve life...to save your lives with a great deliverance" (Gen 45:5 & 7). We received salvation or eternal life as Jesus forgave all our sins. Forgiveness, therefore is connected with new life. The more we learn to forgive others, the more we receive new life. Similarly, the more we refuse to forgive, the more (eternal) death works in us. "Life" means, joy, peace, satisfaction, fulfilment etc. "Death" means, confusion, sorrow, dissatisfaction, pain, torment, etc.

Some people become suicidal as a result of an unforgiving spirit. Sad to say many thousands in the past have committed suicide as they refused to forgive. Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:3 & 23:34). Although God had forgiven David for the sin that he committed with Ahithophel's granddaughter, obviously Ahitophel refused to forgive. Ahitophel deserted David to join the rebellion of Absalom. Finally he committed suicide (2 Sam 17:23).

Very often the root of a suicidal spirit is an unforgiving spirit. Like Ahitophel, if we refuse to forgive, without our knowledge, a suicidal spirit can attack and overtake us. We may hear a strange voice, "kill yourself, jump into the river" etc. etc. As we examine the obvious reason why Ahitophel killed himself, it may appear trivial and foolish. But the root cause was that he refused to forgive. Similarly, many people commit suicide by some sudden impulse. But the devil takes advantage of their unforgiving spirit.

God's Word is very clear; if we refuse to forgive, the devil will take advantage of us and may play havoc in our life. "To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; LEST SATAN SHOULD GET AN ADVANTAGE OF US: for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2 Cor 2:10-11). Sad to say, many are ignorant of the devil's devices and refuse to forgive others, thus the Evil one is given opportunity to get an advantage of us.

Some often complain, 'The devil is always after me; the devil is always attacking me.' If you keep a dry fish in your pocket, a cat may come after you because it is being attracted by the smell. Constantly rebuking the cat (the devil) is not going to work. Once you throw away the dry fish, you will see, the cat (the devil) is no more interested in you. Find out that 'dry fish' (unforgiving spirit, or some unconfessed hidden sin) in your life and give it up.

When we keep our life right with God, no demonic power has any right to take advantage of us. We will not be afraid of the devil, on the other hand, the devil will be afraid of us. We will not be afraid of sickness, sickness will be afraid of us. We will not be afraid of death, death will be afraid of us. Jesus told, 'The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me" (John 14:30). Another translation says, 'He (Satan) has no power over me." The power of Satan is the power of sin. When we keep our life right with God, the power of Satan is broken and we are free.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, on 'FORGIVENESS'

ONCE WE FORGIVE OTHERS, WE WANT THEM TO BE CLOSER TO US THAN EVER BEFORE...:

"Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me" (Gen 45:4 NIV). Although the unforgiving brothers stood away from Joseph, Joseph wanted them to be closer to him. Not only his brothers, he wanted even their children and children's children near to him. "You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and YOU SHALL BE NEAR TO ME, YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN, YOUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN, your flocks and your herds, AND ALL THAT YOU HAVE" (Gen 45:10 NKJV). This is one of the true evidences of genuine forgiveness.

Some people may say, "I have forgiven you, but please don't come close to me; I will also keep away from you. I have nothing against you. But please don't come to my house, I will not come to your house either. Don't phone me, I will not phone you either. Let us keep a safe distance. If we come closer, then more troubles may come. So let us keep away from each other." This is a trick of the devil. If you have really forgiven someone, you will really like that person to be closer to you than ever before. It may be true, like the brothers of Joseph tried to keep away from him, others may try to keep away from us. But our forgiving love should go after them to win them for Christ. This is what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. Just think one moment, suppose Jesus had forgiven us and told us, "I have forgiven you, but don't come near to Me, I will not come near to you either. Don't come to My house (heaven) and I will not come to your house either. Don't talk to me, I will not talk to you either...!" Here we realize how such forgiveness can be mockery and meaningless. When we were yet sinners, He loved us and came down from heaven that we may be close to His heart. He came in search of us, we did not go after Him, but He came after us.

Our "safe distance" from others is a very dangerous unsafe distance. We may be physically meeting others, but our hearts can be a million miles away from others who once offended us or hurt us. We may not show it outwardly. Some may have distanced themselves from their own parents, wives or husbands. In such a state if we die (God forbid!), what happens in eternity? That "(un)safe distance" that we kept between us and our offenders will become a GREAT GULF fixed in eternity! See what father Abraham says to the rich man in hell: "And beside all this, between us and you there is a GREAT GULF fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence" (Luke 16:26). Our character on earth will reflect our eternal state. What we read is that in the case of the rich man in hell the "great gulf [was] fixed" - it cannot be removed in eternity. Thank God, while we are on earth, if we have made such a great gulf between us and our brothers, it is not too late to remove it and we can remove it by the grace of God. But once we leave this world without removing the gulf, in eternity it will be fixed for ever, for our eternal doom and shame.

Beloved friends, will you please examine and see whether you have distanced yourself from anyone, particularly the ones who offended you or harmed you in the past in any way. Do you realize, if you do not remove this GREAT GULF now, it can be your eternal doom? Please forgive your offender; let your heart go after him in love and compassion, till you win him for Christ. BREAK THE GREAT GULF TODAY ITSELF before it becomes fixed for eternity. Even if he does not talk to you, go after him and talk to him. Even if he does not greet you, go and greet him warmly. Though he doesn't write to you/phone you, do write/phone him today. Go the extra mile and put the devil to shame. Some people have made a great gulf between themselves and their wives/husbands/parents/in-laws. It is extremely dangerous.

When a man's ways please God, his enemies become his friends. Are your ways really pleasing to God?

Please pray: "Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for opening my eyes to see the great gulf I made between me and .......... (mention the name/s). Lord, I am very sorry for that. Please change my heart so that I can go after him/her and win him/her for Christ with forgiving love. Thank you Lord for breaking that great gulf today. In Jesus Name."

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, on 'FORGIVENESS'

(2) ONCE WE FORGIVE OTHERS, NO MORE TORMENTING FEAR...:

"Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph! Is my father still living?' But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence" (Gen 45:3 NIV).

Although Joseph had forgiven his brothers, the brothers had still not forgiven and loved him. If they had any love for Joseph, at least now after coming to Egypt, they would have searched for their brother whom they sold as a slave to Egypt about 24 years ago. Perhaps their wicked hearts wanted Joseph to continue to suffer as a slave. The brothers of Joseph were "terrified at his presence" rather than rejoicing to see that their brother was alive and was the Governor of Egypt.

Fear and forgiveness are connected together, both in the positive and negative sense. "But with you there is FORGIVENESS; therefore you are FEARED" (Psa 130:4 NIV). When we cannot forgive others, the devil may fill us with all tormenting fears. When we learn to forgive others, we learn to fear God also and vice versa.

Although David had been very kind and protective of king Saul, Saul had perfect hatred towards David and many times he tried to kill David. What was the result? "And Saul was afraid of David..." (1 Sam 18:12). What a paradoxical statement! Saul was a tall big fellow, the king of Israel, always carrying a spear to kill David. He had a great army of strong men to support him. David was a young lad, a shepherd boy with a harp in his hands. David should have been afraid of Saul. However, the Word of God says, "Saul was afraid of David."

It has always been true, the one who cannot forgive others will be tormented with fear. There are so many kinds of fear. But perfect love casteth out all fear. Fear has torment. All the negative fears are from the devil and we can be delivered from all those fears RIGHT NOW if we heed to the Word of God.

There are so many fears in this world; e.g. Cynophobia = fear of dogs; Demophobia = fear of crowds; Hemophobia = fear of blood (some people as soon as they see blood, they faint); Necrophobia = fear of dead bodies; Pantophobia = fear of the future; Photophobia = fear of light; Scolophobia = fear of darkness; Basifobia = fear of walking; Fitophobia = fear of eating. There are numerous other fears also; fear of water, fear of losing weight, fear of putting on weight, fear of losing hair, fear of losing job, fear of heights, fear of depths, fear of death, fear of sickness, fear of travelling by car, plane, ship, etc. etc.

It has been often proved true, if we cannot forgive others, we may have some secret sins in our own lives. Forgiveness and fear go together, as we learned earlier.

Dear friends, you can be set free from all these negative fears at once. RIGHT NOW you can be set free. "If the Son makes you free, you are free indeed." "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Please make sure that you don't have any hidden secret sins in your life. Once you know you are free from any secret sins and an unforgiving spirit, you have every right to rebuke the demon of fear with all authority in the name of Jesus. "Resist the devil [fear] and he will flee."

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Tim 1:7).

Will you please pray: "Dear Lord Jesus, please wash me from every sin, known and unknown. Grant me the grace to forgive others as you forgave me. In the name of Jesus, I come against all the demons of fear. In the name of Jesus I cast them out. Fear has no more place in my life. In Jesus name. Amen."

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, on 'FORGIVENESS'

WHERE ARE THE "JOSEPHS" TODAY?...:

5. FORGIVE OTHERS: Unfortunately, there seems to be an abysmal ignorance among the children of God about this very important area of forgiveness. Quite a number of well-meaning Christians are DECEIVED into thinking that they have forgiven others, while the truth could be the other way around. If this blessed truth had been properly grasped, Christian marriages/families/homes could have virtually been a heaven of heavens! A happy marriage is the union of (not two perfect persons, as many imagine) but the union of two forgiving persons. Unforgiving people dig the pit of hell for themselves and for others.

If we have learned to forgive others wholeheartedly, we have laid a strong foundation in our Christian life, ministry, marriage, family, etc. May the dear Lord open our spiritual eyes to see the blessed truth of forgiving others from the heart, as Christ forgave us. One thing is very sure, those who learned to forgive others wholeheartedly as Jesus did, will stand out like fragrant roses among the thorns, in this world. That fragrance will never die even after falling to the ground; still the ground will be made fragrant.

Mainly there are seven clear evidences to prove that we have forgiven others from the depths of our hearts. All these beautiful truths are found in Genesis chapter forty-five, as we study the life of Joseph, which is a classic example of forgiving others.

(1) ONCE WE FORGIVE OTHERS, WE WILL NEVER MENTION TO ANY ONE, AT ANY TIME, EVEN TO THE CLOSEST FRIENDS, WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE AGAINST US.
Let us look at the Scriptures: "Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren" (Gen 45:1).

Joseph was hated by his brothers, put in a pit, sold as a slave, etc. Now, after many years, Joseph is the Governor of the Egyptian Empire. His brothers were not aware of it. They came to Egypt to buy corn during the famine. Joseph recognized his brothers, but his brothers did not. Finally the time came that he had to make himself known to them. Joseph asked all the Egyptians standing around him to go out. Why? He did not want any one of them to know what his brothers had done to him. This was a clear proof that Joseph had truly forgiven his brethren.

Further, when Joseph was in prison, there came a chance to explain to the chief butler, his cell-mate, how he came to the prison. See the beautiful way Joseph explained it: "For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon" (Gen 40:15). Joseph could have told the butler, how his brothers hated and sold him as a slave and how Potiphar's wife falsely accused him etc. etc. Absolutely not a word. This statement shows that Joseph had already forgiven all of them; i.e., his brothers who sold him; Potiphar who threw him into the dungeon; and his wicked wife who tried to commit sin with him and falsely accused him. If he had not forgiven them, he would have explained all their ill treatment to the butler. If he had done so, in all probability, he could have continued in his misery and died in the prison itself. Let us remember, we may never come out of our prison-like situations, unless we learn to forgive others.

No doubt, Joseph was exalted. Forgiving people are great. They are a blessing to the whole world, as Joseph became a blessing to the whole world. There is a saying, "ability may bring you to the top, but character only can keep you there." How true it is. We wish the leaders of the world will learn this first lesson of moral principle. Most of the politicians accuse others to come to power. Once they come to power, they try to accuse others more. What a disorientation and disarray this world is facing due to such corrupt political leaders. When are we going to learn this beautiful and blessed lesson of forgiving all?

Husbands while having an argument with the wife may dig out the past and tell all the wrong things she had done from the time he got married to her. And finally he may say, "I have forgiven all these things, however, I am just reminding you what you had done against me!" The wife may retort, "I know all what you had done to me even before we got married. I have forgiven you anyway!" No, no. Many Christians are under deep deception. They imagine that they have forgiven, but truly they are under the bondage of an unforgiving spirit. A person who realizes that he is ignorant of a thing, we can teach and he will be teachable. But a person who thinks he knows everything, cannot be taught. Even if we try to teach, he won't accept it. This is the sad state of many Christians. They think they have forgiven others, and they take holy communion regularly and may say, "I have nothing against anyone." But whenever they get a chance, they speak about what others have done against them - in the same breath they may say, "I have forgiven them, but I am just telling you what type of man he is!"

How sad, some of God's people are practically the agents of the devil, the accuser of the brethren. Many churches and families are facing divisions and confusions all because, the first lesson in Christian life has been neglected. "Speak evil of no man." The moment you speak to any one what others have done against you, remember, the demon of an unforgiving spirit has already taken over your life to destroy your family, marriage, good conscience, peace, joy and every good thing in this life and the life to come.

We urgently need 'Josephs' today. Only they can feed the famished world. Such saints are the only ones who can bring light and life to this dying dark world.

Dear friends, where are the Joseph's today? Why don't you take up the place of Joseph? There is a great dearth of 'Josephs'. So many people might have let you down or persecuted you, even your own brothers or family, as that happened to Joseph. There might have been 'Potiphars' or 'Potiphar's wives' in your life. Will you forgive them NOW and make the right decision RIGHT NOW, and pray:

"Dear Lord, I want to be a Joseph from now on. Forgive me for speaking evil of others. Help me never to open my mouth from today, to speak against any, no matter whether I am crucified or scourged. Thank you for helping me to forgive others and for making me a 'Joseph'. In Jesus Name."

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, on 'FORGIVENESS'

WHAT IS FORGIVING GOD...?

4. FORGIVE GOD: This may appear strange. Forgive God? What sin has God committed that we should forgive God? Nothing at all! There is absolutely no sin in God. God is holy, holy, holy. Blessed be His holy Name.

However, there are times when we human beings in our human frailty, fail to comprehend the work of God. In other words, in our hearts, perhaps ignorantly we question God, "Lord, why did you take my child away?", "Why is this happening to me?", "I am the only one who seems to be going through such a hard trial, why?", "Why is this happening to my marriage?", "Why did you allow this problem in my life?", "Lord, why did you allow this sickness to my child?", "Why did you allow my husband/wife to do this to me?", "Why did you allow this problem in my work place?, "I am always the only one with this financial problem. Why?" "What wrong have I done that you should punish me/my children/family etc. like this?" Similarly, there may be literally hundreds of situations which we cannot understand. It may appear, as if we are the only ones who go through such hard trials and all other Christians may appear well off.

Without our knowledge, as we keep questioning God, a grudge may develop in our hearts and our love towards God may grow cold. Gradually we find that prayer is no more sweet but boring, and the Word of God may appear as a dead book. Going to church is only a formality and no sermons seem to give any interest at all. The reason could be, the grudge being nursed in our hearts must be growing like a dragon in our hearts, swallowing up all that is good. WE MUST FORGIVE GOD. Our puny little mind can't grasp all the wisdom of God, all the wonderful, but often mysterious works of God. It is true, there are many things we don't understand that is happening in our life. "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us..." (Deut 29:29).

When we were children, some of the good things our parents did for us, we could not grasp till we grew to a sensible age. For example, a little baby boy, seeing the golden flames in the fireplace may crawl to catch hold of that "wonderful thing." But as soon as the mother sees, she rushes and reaches out her hand to rescue the baby; in the process, she even may give a gentle smack which may make him cry and to be angry with the mother for not letting him catch that "beautiful thing." There are times, we too are spiritual babes, not being able to understand the good hand of God working for us till we become spiritually mature.

Once a young man got saved and he became active in spiritual matters. After a short time, in his neighbourhood a young mother died leaving a little baby. The young Christian got greatly offended thinking, "If God were a loving God, He would have taken the little baby rather than taking the mother; how can the baby survive without its own mother?" He stopped praying and going to church. One night he had a dream. In that he saw an angel of God dressed like an ordinary human being walking in a dark night while there was pouring rain. The angel knocked at the door of a house for help. An old couple opened the door and found a poor man drenched in the rain. They had compassion on him, gave him a change of clothes, a warm bath and a hot meal. They also gave him a bed to sleep. Before going to bed, the old couple told the stranger that their 50th wedding anniversary was going to be in few days time and showing the silver plate on the show case, they told him that they were planning to eat from that plate, which was presented to them by their nephew.

The couple and the angel went to bed. As the couple slept, the angel came out of his bedroom, stole the silver plate and walked off. Still it was pouring rain and very dark. The angel had to cross a small river. Although there was a tiny wooden bridge to cross the river, he needed light. He knocked at the door of a house close to the bridge. As the housekeeper opened the door, he not only gave him a lamp, but sent his little son to help him pass over the bridge. Half way through the bridge, the angel pushed down the boy to the river. Although the boy cried, noise of the heavy rain drowned his voice and he died.

While seeing this dream, the young Christian thought, "Yes, what I thought was true and this dream confirmed it. If God were a loving God, He wouldn't let His angel do all these ungrateful and wicked things to those who were very kind and good." Then the angel spoke to the young Christian: "Whatever my heavenly Father commands me, I do implicitly and without questioning. I know, all His commandments are excellent and worthy to be obeyed. In the case of the old couple, their nephew being the next of kin, had poisoned the silver plate so that when the couple would eat out of it, they would die and all their property would go to him. If I had told the old couple what their nephew had done, it could have brought bitterness in their hearts against their nephew and they could have died of a broken heart. So the best thing was to remove the so called silver plate, and rescue their lives spiritually and physically.

In the case of the little boy who drowned in the river, it was not the will of the heavenly Father to give a son to that couple. However, that godly couple cried day and night. So God had shown compassion and gave them a son. The boy was being spoiled by the couple as he was their only child. However, if God takes him now in his innocent state, he can be safe in heaven. If any delay is made, he will be lost in the world and the parents will miss him all eternity. Therefore the Lord did the best for both couples, although at that moment it was hidden from their sight.

When this dream was over, the young Christian realized his mistake, immediately got up out of his bed and asked forgiveness from God for doubting His love.

Dear friends, perhaps you too may have many questions in your heart - why God allowed this and that. Let God be God. "Be still and know that I am God." "All things work together for good to them that love God." Please don't question God any more. When you go to heaven and see Jesus, He will surely tell you, "My child, all that I had done was for your good." Let not your grudge against God grow to a dragon coiled in your heart, devouring all the goodness of God. FORGIVE GOD.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, on 'FORGIVENESS'

GOD CAN GO TO OUR PAST...!

2. ASK FORGIVENESS FROM OTHERS: Even if we have not done anything against anyone, if we know someone is hurt by us, we must ask forgiveness. "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Mat 5:23-24 NKJV). Note the verse "if...your brother has something against you..." - true, we may not have anything against our brother, yet we must take the initiative and humble ourselves to bring reconciliation.

This (brazen) altar was placed in the Outer Court of the tabernacle. This proves, if we are not reconciled with our brethren, we cannot even go to the Outer Court. In this New Testament period, we are called to the Holy of the holies. If so how much more we must be eager to live in peace with others.

In this grace period, Christ is our Altar (Heb 13:10). In other words, we lose our access to Christ, or lose the presence of God if we do not get reconciled with others. Cain questioned God and told "Am I my brother's keeper?" If we are not our brother's keeper, we are our brother's killer, as Cain did to his brother Abel.

"He that hateth his brother is a murderer" - murdering whom? When we hate others, we murder ourselves, our peace, joy, grace etc. and finally eternal life.

When a wrong word comes out of us, it is good that we ask forgiveness as soon as we realize our mistake. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Very often, husband-wife relationships get strained because one or the other delays or refuses to ask forgiveness due to pride or stubbornness. In some cases, the husband may expect or demand forgiveness first from the wife or vice versa. The right spirit is asking forgiveness from others, even if our mistake is 1% and the others may be 99%.

3. FORGIVING OURSELVES: There are many children of God in a condemned state. Although God had already forgiven their sins as they genuinely repented and confessed, they find it hard to forgive themselves. In some cases, the devil condemns them, whispering, "how dare you think that such a holy God could forgive you of such a great sin that you had committed?" The devil is a liar and the father of lies. The Word of God says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:1).

Once a young Christian had sinned against God in a particular area. Immediately afterwards he felt convicted. Not only did he repent and confess, he set his life right in that matter straightaway. However, the devil kept condemning him. After many years of struggling with condemnation, one day he approached an elderly sister in the church who often had visions of Christ. "Sister, next time, when you see Jesus, please ask Him what sin I committed when I was young." She agreed. After sometime when Jesus appeared to her, she asked the same question: "Lord, what sin did that person commit when he was young?" Immediately the Lord replied, "I don't remember."

Is that true? The all-knowing God, Who even counts every hair on our head, how can He forget our sins? Yes, that is what the Word of God says, "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more" (Heb 8:12). Once we truly repent of our sins, NOT ONLY OUR GOD FORGIVES, HE FORGETS THEM! That is amazingly true. When we reach the pearly gate of heaven, the Lord will not stand there to say, "You miserable sinner, I remember all that you have done; anyway, you asked forgiveness, so come inside." No, no. Not only now, but all through eternity, we will be before Him as if we have never sinned. The blood of Christ, forgives and justifies us also. Praise be to God.

Our Lord's name is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending (Rev 1:8). What does that mean? As He is Alpha, the Beginning, HE CAN GO TO OUR PAST OR THE VERY BEGINNING OF OUR LIFE and His blood can wash our past in such a way, as if we had never sinned! It is true, we cannot go to our past, even to yesterday, but our God can. Let us therefore forgive ourselves as our God has forgiven and forgotten them all.

"This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14)

- Pastor T.U.Thomas, on 'FORGIVENESS'

CRYSTAL CLEAR CHRISTIAN LIFE - :

There are five areas we all need to experience forgiveness:

(1) Receive forgiveness from God
(2) Ask forgiveness from others
(3) Forgive ourselves
(4) Forgive God
(5) Forgive others

1. RECEIVE FORGIVENESS FROM GOD: Once a dear saint prayed, "Lord, don't take me to heaven till I am spotlessly clean." A young man heard that prayer. It opened his spiritual eyes and revolutionized his whole life and ministry. It is true, the blood of Jesus Christ can wash all our sins away. But unless we confess and repent for our sins, His blood can not wash us and make us spotless.

Once a man of God told, you may be working in a soap factory and you may be getting enough soap freely for your personal use. If you still wear dirty clothes, it is not the mistake of the soap, as if the soap had no power to make the clothes clean. It is because you did not APPLY the soap. So is the case of sinners and backsliders - they are in that filthy state not because the blood of Jesus has no power, but they did not APPLY the blood.

There is power, power, wonder working power,
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is power, power, wonder working power,
In the precious blood of the Lamb.

Certain serious sins need to be confessed to a reliable matured Christian minister. "He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy" (Prov 28:13 NKJV). How do we know which sins need to be confessed to some one else? Even after asking forgiveness from God if we still do not have that deep inner peace, it shows we need the help of another matured Christian or Minister. "Call for the elders of the church...confess your faults one to another..." (James 5:14 & 16). Generally speaking, adultery, fornication, abortion, etc. need to be confessed to an Elder of the church, if we really want to have a transparent heart.

Although King David was a great man of God, when he sinned with Bathsheba, God sent a man of God (Nathan) and the king had to confess to him. So also Joshua asked the same thing from Achan. "Now Joshua said to Achan, 'My son, I beg you, give glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession to Him, and TELL ME NOW WHAT YOU HAVE DONE; DO NOT HIDE IT FROM ME?" (Josh 7:19 NKJV).

Some people often get irritated, angry, pick on others, take out their frustrations on their own children, wife, husband, etc. because they may have secret, unconfessed or unrepented sins in their lives.

A great saint is one who takes his little sins as great sins, because it is committed against a great God. One man of God's theme of preaching was often "Crystal Clear Christian life." He lived and died as a great saint.

If we do not experience this first step in Christian life, RECEIVING FORGIVENESS FROM GOD, we may fail in all the other four steps of forgiveness. In this modern electronic age, watching filthy programmes on television, videos, Internet etc. are not considered as great sins. It is like the cat drinking milk closing his eyes. He thinks, as he has closed his eyes, no one sees it! How terrible will be the judgment of God. "For the day of the Lord shall be upon ... . all pleasant pictures" (Isaiah 2:12 & 16). Perhaps a reference to all the modern "pleasant pictures" on television etc.

Some children of God do not consider certain sins as serious till they are in their death bed. Very often death bed confessions are shallow and self-centered. We must see our sins as God sees them. As our God is invisible we must be serious with our invisible sins e.g. our thoughts, imaginations, secret desires, etc.

Mrs. Cowman, in her famous book "Streams in the desert" shares a beautiful story. One fine morning a drop of water in one of the filthiest gutters looked up and saw the shining dew drop on top of a mountain. The drop of water in the gutter prayed: "O Lord, look at the dew drop, so brilliantly shining on top of the mountain; and look at myself, such a filthy, dirty, smelly water drop. Can I ever become like that dew drop so pure and clean?" God answered the prayer! As the sunshine fell on the gutter, gradually the water drop evaporated and went right up to the sky. Early next morning it came down upon the mountain as a dew drop!

Dear friend, perhaps you may be like the filthy drop of water in the gutter. Your mind may be filled with all kinds of filthiness. Don't be discouraged. There is hope for you. If God can transform the gutter drop of water into a dew drop, the same God can do it for you with your mind. He is able to save you from the "guttermost to the uttermost."

Please take time on our knees to examine our hearts and let us ask the Lord for forgiveness for all of our sins. Let us live every day realizing, it could be the day of our rapture or of our departure. May the Lord help us to have a crystal clear Christian life.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, on FORGIVENESS.

THE HIGH COST OF AN UNFORGIVING SPIRIT...:

If we realize the high cost we have to pay for nursing an unforgiving spirit, we will never give room for it. It brings unnecessary and untold sufferings for us and for others. The parable Jesus spoke in this context is very enlightening:
"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

The servant therefore fell down, and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desirest me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses" (Mat.18:21-35).

When Jesus told Peter to forgive seventy times seven, he didn't just mean 490 times we may forgive and the 491st time we can keep some grudge against our offender. Seventy signifies our whole life: "The days of our lives are seventy years;" (Ps. 90:10 NKJV)

Seven stands for perfection; i.e., we must forgive others through our whole life perfectly.

We learn many things from this parable. Here the King represents Christ, and the servants ourselves. The King has forgiven us 10,000 talents. One talent of gold is about 100 lbs. If so, one talent may be a minimum of a million dollars. That means, 10,000 talents is like 10,000 million dollars! The price that the Lord paid on the cross of Calvary to forgive us is worth much more than that. Having received such costly forgiveness, what should we do? Although we are freed from the debt of sin, we are not free from our debt to forgive and love others. The sins that others committed against us are like 100 pence or like one dollar.

Having received such a great pardon of 10,000 million dollars from the King, if we do not pardon one dollar of our fellowservant, what will the King do? "And His Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him." There are many in this present world in this condition: as they cannot forgive others, they are being tormented in their mind, soul, and body. Some can't even sleep. When the King saw that his servant didn't forgive his fellowservant's 100 pence, the 10,000 million dollars forgiven were forfeited. It is absolutely true; when we do not forgive, immediately we become (spiritually) bankrupt as if getting into a debt of 10,000 million dollars.

Remember, if we don't forgive not only will we be tormented, but even our family will suffer; "his Lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children and all that he had..." In fact, by not forgiving others we are virtually selling ourselves and our family to the devil. It has been an historical fact that many accidents and sicknesses are the sad consequences of an unforgiving spirit.

One couple, Ken and Karen, often used to have quarrels at home. One day as usual they had a heated argument; as Ken was very angry, he came out of the house, got into the car to drive off somewhere. As he was backing up in the driveway, he did not realize, his three year old dearest son Kevin was behind, running after his beloved dad. As Ken felt the tire running over something, it was too late and Kevin was finished!

Another couple, Sandy and Simpson, although being committed Christians, could not forgive one another for little things. Pastors counseled and so many of their friends and relatives advised them, yet they were stubborn and separated themselves and continued to accuse one another. One day their two lovely teenage children, Stephen and Stephanie as they were on the road, suddenly met with an accident and they both died almost instantly. The couple realized their mistake and soon after, even before the funeral of their children, came back together and repented of their mistake and forgave one another. Although they learned to forgive one another, they had to pay a high price.

Dear friends, don't wait to forgive others wholeheartedly till you or your family face a fatal accident or a serious sickness. (By the way, please don't take all accidents and sicknesses as if they were the result of an unforgiving spirit). One thing is very sure, if you don't forgive, you will suffer and your family too. On the other hand, if you forgive wholeheartedly, you will be crowned with God's tenders mercies and loving kindness. Also you will be the source of joy and happiness to your family and millions of others.

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, on FORGIVENESS

HOW TO OVERCOME AN UNFORGIVING SPIRIT...:

Forgiveness is the most wonderful word in the Bible. Without it heaven's doors are closed; and heaven will never be heaven and Christ's mission to this world has no meaning. When Jesus uttered on the Cross "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do;" perhaps the angels couldn't understand it, yet it brought sinners to heaven. Yes, FORGIVENESS is a supernatural word, in the sense, it turns darkness into light, confusion into peace, fear into faith, sadness into gladness, despair into hope, hatred into love, sickness into health, weakness into strength, sinner into saint and hell into heaven!

The story is told of a Christian lady who could not get over her hurt - her husband left her and it was hard to see him walking with another woman. She was upset and angry to the extent that it affected her appetite, concentration, sleep etc. Finally she came to the point where she was afraid of becoming a mental wreck. The Pastor advised her, every morning as she gets up, pray to the Lord to bless her husband. Although at first it appeared hard, it worked, and it worked miraculous results. First it worked in her own life, gradually removing her anger, frustration, bitterness etc., filling her heart with forgiveness and compassion for her husband. Then her husband was transformed.

Dear Friend, if you feel hurt, let down by someone giving you trouble day after day etc. etc. why don't you try this? - as soon as you get up in the morning, wholeheartedly pray to God to bless that person. It definitely works as it is based on the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" (Mat 5:44).

One man of God says, bitterness (i.e. unforgiving spirit, hatred, anger, resentment, irritation, uneasiness, hurt feeling, etc.) causes a continual drain (or strain) of your emotional energy, i.e., you become very weak emotionally. To make matters worse, the one against whom you are bitter, begins to control your life, including your thoughts, conversations, feelings and attitudes. In other words, you lose control of your own life and someone else is controlling you. That is, you become an emotional wreck or an emotional slave. You want to sleep, but your offender controls your thoughts and imaginations, delaying and disturbing your sleep. You are hungry; as bitterness fills your heart against your offender, even the delicious food virtually turns out as poison and you can't enjoy it at all.

An unforgiving spirit sometimes can morally, mentally, physically and spiritually kill you. ""Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are POISONED by bitterness and BOUND by iniquity" (Acts 8:23 NKJV). Indeed it is a frightening fact that when you allow bitterness in your heart, YOU PURPOSELY TAKE POISON, ONE OF THE WORST KIND OF POISONS that kills your peace, joy, health, spiritual grace and a host of other virtues. And also bitterness binds your spirit, throwing you into the dungeon of spiritual darkness. Remember, when you are bitter against someone, you are bitter against God, who is in charge of every situation. God has permitted it with a divine purpose which you will fail to understand.

Bitterness makes you to fail the grace of God. One saint defined GRACE as God's Riches At Christ's Expense. "Be careful that no one fails to receive God's grace and begins to cause trouble among you. A person like that can ruin many of you." (Heb 12:15 NCV). How sad, but true, bitterness not only can fail the grace of God in your life, it can first trouble you and then trouble others. "A person like that can ruin many of you." Indeed it is a historical fact too.

How do we get out an unforgiving spirit? First let us go to the root - how did an unforgiving spirit enter us? We did not thank God for the offence and the offender that God permitted in our life. Why? We failed to realize that God had a purpose and plan behind it - to develop divine character in us. The Word of God says, "and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus. Do not hold back the work of the Holy Spirit." (1 Th 5:19 NCV). In other words, when we fail to thank God for the situation that God permitted, we hold back the work of the Holy Spirit in us and perhaps the evil spirit of anger, resentment etc. may start working! In fact you are not thanking God for the offence, but for the divine purpose in allowing that (to bless you and your offender). Then you will see your offender as God's agent to work out God's character in you.

Richard Wurmbrand once narrated a beautiful story: "As a child, a girl was brought up on stories of valiant missionaries who had worked among savages to bring them to Christ and had been eaten by cannibals. Her prayer was, "God, help me also to become such a missionary." It was her dream to sacrifice herself for the worst of men.

In time, the dream faded. She matured, and by the age of 18 her prayer was, "God, give me a good Christian husband." Her prayer was answered, and she was married. For six weeks she was happy with him.

Then came Pearl Harbor, and USA entered the war. Her husband was drafted into the army and was away from her for three years. He participated in battles on the front lines. In the end, he was gravely wounded and spent a year in the hospital. When he finally returned home, he was no longer the same nice, loving husband. In the war there was drinking, swearing, womanizing. He too had fallen into these habits.

One evening, he came home drunk. His wife was sure he had come from another woman. Without one good word for her, he fell asleep on the couch. She went to another room and prayed with tears, "God, change my husband." She received God's reply: "Why should I change him and not you"? "But there is nothing to be changed in me. I have belonged to you since early childhood." God said, "Between you and me there is a misunderstanding. I was always attentive to your prayers. I liked it when you offered yourself to be a missionary among cannibals. But cannibals are scarce nowadays and far away in Africa or on some island. To ease your task, I brought a savage into your home. Be a missionary to him. I granted you a cannibal. Win him for the Kingdom."

She went back to the other room, looked at her 'cannibal,' and fell in love with him again. She decided her life's task would be to restore him as a child of God and a loving husband. It took her a very long time, but she succeeded. Now they are both 90. He brings her a flower every day to show his gratitude. God gratified us with difficult tasks to ennoble us.!

May the Lord help us to thank God for the "cannibals" permitted in our life and let us fall in love with them so that God can bless us and bless them too. Let us not forget, "forgiving love has the greatest power to change the foulest sinner into the finest saint."

- Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, FORGIVENESS, SERIES - II

WHAT IS CHRISTLIKE FORGIVENESS?...:

Most children of God have the desire to become like Christ in character. Some have given up this noble desire after a time of trying and struggling. If we realize, there is AN EASY WAY TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST, we will never give up the longing to become like Him, but rather pursue it with all the more zeal and fervor.

Many well-meaning Christians try to follow Christ's character, but fail because without learning Christlike forgiveness, no one can grow in Christlikeness; just as, without learning the ABC's no one can think of preparing for a college degree. Yes, the easy way to become like Christ is first learning the ABC's - the very basic spiritual lesson: Christlike forgiveness.

In short, if we have not learned to forgive as Christ did, we may never learn to become like Christ in any of His divine characteristics. In fact Christlike forgiveness opens the treasures of God's richest blessings. Once we learn to forgive others as our Lord did, Christian life indeed is "joy unspeakable and full of glory". Forgiveness is the heart of the gospel and it is the heart of a true Christian life also. If we cannot forgive, we are but "heartless" Christians!

How do we forgive as our Saviour did?

"But one of the soldiers pierced His [Christ's] side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out" (John 19:34 NKJV).

This is a text filled with deep spiritual truths on this subject. Obviously the soldier pierced the side of our Lord's body so deep that His heart was pierced and immediately blood and water gushed out of His heart. As the Roman soldier pierced the heart of Christ, sometimes, people may pierce our hearts, it may not be with spears, but with their tongues. It is true, at times some people may reject us, despise us, ridicule us, speak all kinds of evil against us falsely, which may break our hearts. But the important question is, how do we react to it? How did our Lord react to it? "immediately blood and water came out." Blood of Jesus signifies forgiveness. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Eph 1:7 NKJV). Spiritually speaking, when people around us pierce our heart, forgiveness should come out of our heart towards our offenders. Not only blood, but water also came out. Although water has so many meanings, one meaning is "divine love" - Jesus spoke of the living waters, signifying the love of God shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Please read John 7:38-39 & Rom 5:5.

In other words, when we are being "pierced", we must offer those who pierce us, forgiveness and divine love; not after a few years, as some try to do, but "IMMEDIATELY blood and water came out." We must learn to forgive immediately and offer them straightaway AGAPE or unconditional love. Where did the blood and water come out of Christ when the soldier pierced Him? Out of the HEART. Sometimes, out of our mouth we may say, I forgive you and love you, but forgiveness and love should come out of our heart, and that makes all the difference, and that is Christlike forgiveness. If someone spat on our face and it took sometime to forgive him and love him, we failed in the Divine School of Forgiveness.

If someone throws a stone at an apple tree full of juicy fruits, in return the apple tree IMMEDIATELY (not after a few years) will give a juicy apple, as if it were saying, "thank you" for pelting a stone at me. The God who created the apple tree created us too and that is the very nature of our God. If someone throws a stone (ridicule, reproach, etc.) at us, if we fail to give in return a "thank you fruit" (the first fruit of the spirit is love) IMMEDIATELY, it proves that we are not fruitful,
but barren trees!

Unlike all other (wishy washy) forgivenesses, Christlike forgiveness is the miracle working forgiveness! Those who learned to forgive like Christ will turn out to be a great blessing to millions.

Verse 37 in John chapter 19 says, "They shall look on Him whom they pierced" - that is, the people who pierce our hearts, if we offer them IMMEDIATE forgiveness and heavenly love, one day the same people in their desperate need, will look to us or approach us for favour or blessings!

Tradition says, the name of the Roman soldier who pierced the heart of Jesus was LONGINUS. He had some defect in his eyes. As the blood flowed from the side of Jesus, some drops fell on his eyes and he was immediately healed. This brought conviction of sin upon him and he got saved then and there. He eventually became a great saint, preached Christ boldly, and finally became a martyr for Him.

This story is purely a tradition, so we cannot rely on it much, but the golden truth stands out: if we learn to offer forgiveness and love to our offenders, surely one day we will become a blessing to them.

Let us conclude by considering a true and reliable story of recent past. This can open our spiritual eyes to see how we can become a great blessing to those who appeared to have done the worst damage to our life and family.

Karl and Edith Taylor lived in a small apartment in Waltham, Massachusetts. They lived happily for 23 years and they loved each other very much. Karl was a government warehouse worker. In February 1950 the government sent Karl to Okinawa, Japan for a few months to work in a new warehouse there. Although he was in the habit of sending to his wife some small gifts and postcards wherever he was sent to work, a short time after Karl went to Okinawa, hardly any postcards or gifts reached her. Also his assignment, which was supposed to have been only for a few months, got extended and extended mysteriously. Edith thought, her husband must be very busy; now he may have to work, cook, do shopping, clean his place of stay, etc. Perhaps he did not have enough time to write. In the meantime, Edith who was a deeply committed Christian got an idea; why not I give a surprise to Karl when he gets back. She worked hard and gave a down payment to buy a small house. However, after a short time Edith got a letter from Karl: "Dear Edith, I wish there were a kinder way to tell you that we are no longer married..." Karl married a 19 year old servant girl called Aiko, from Okinawa. Edith was 48. Although it was surprising and shocking to Edith, she took the whole matter to the Lord in prayer. Instead of getting filled with anger and hatred towards Karl, she felt compassion for Karl, a lonely man who always leaned on Edith for help. She felt compassion for Aiko too, a penniless, perhaps illiterate girl who desperately needed a life partner.

Karl wrote one day that he and Aiko were expecting a baby. Marie was born in 1951; then Helen in 1953. Edith felt compassion and sent little gifts for the children. After sometime she got a letter to say Karl was in the hospital dying of lung cancer; he had hardly any money for the hospital bills. Edith sent some money. Also, she did all that she could so that Karl could die in peace.

After his death, Edith offered Aiko's two girls education in America, as all the money Karl saved for the children were spent on hospital bills. Although it was very hard to part with the children (they were the only reason for her to live on this earth), she finally accepted the offer and sent the children to Edith. Edith worked hard to take care of the children and for their education. In a few years time she became very weak and sickly. She realized, she was getting old and the girls needed help. She decided to bring Aiko from Japan. However, Aiko was still a Japanese citizen and the immigration quota had a long waiting list of many more years. By this time, newspapers published this wonderful story of forgiving love. Many petitions were forwarded to Congress. A special bill speeded through Congress and in August 1957 Aiko Taylor was permitted to enter the United States.

As Aiko came down the stairs from the plane at New York Airport, what happened? Naturally Edith had every right to hate and to be furious and take revenge against Aiko. She could have told her, "You are the one who destroyed my marriage of 23 years. You destroyed my life, my family, my future, my happiness, my health, my wealth, my husband" etc. etc. Instead, Edith went and warmly hugged Aiko and Aiko wept on Edith's shoulders! Aiko found in Edith a love and compassion which she could not get even from her late husband. No wonder, Aiko the one who "pierced" the heart of Edith and "stole away" her husband of 23 years, looked at the "one whom SHE pierced" and found great blessing and favour! Aiko, the heathen girl was transformed, as she found Christlike love and forgiveness in Edith.

Dear friends, shall we come to the foot of the Cross RIGHT NOW. Can we see forgiveness and love (blood and water) flowing from His pierced heart? Shall we dedicate ourselves today to become an instrument in God's hands to reveal Christlike forgiveness. This world is a sick world filled with people having the moral sickness of an unforgiving spirit, hatred, anger, revenge, bitterness, resentment, etc. God needs a group of people who can forgive and love from the heart instantly. There is no greater conquering power on this earth than the power of Christlike forgiveness. It can heal the broken hearts, broken marriages, broken lives and families. Only forgiving people have a bright future and only they can offer others a better tomorrow.

Shall we pray: "Dear Lord Jesus, grant me the grace that from henceforth I will be able to forgive and love as You did on Calvary. Even if I don't become a great preacher, teacher or singer, grant me the grace that the fragrance of Christlike forgiveness will spread through my life that millions of broken hearts and lives can be healed for the glory of God. Amen."

Late Pastor T.U.Thomas, FORGIVENESS, SERIES - III

FORGIVENESS, THE FORETASTE OF HEAVEN..:

Every single day, hundred of thousands of people are brutally assaulted, fatally wounded and murdered. Billions and billions of dollars are spent to develop weapons to kill, while perhaps less may be spent to keep alive the starving masses. It is estimated that at present at least forty wars are being waged on this small planet. Every single minute a bomb goes off killing or injuring some innocent folk. Millions of marriages are on the rocks and many more are already divorced, leaving behind deep wounds. As a result, some are reduced to mental wrecks and some others have taken their own lives. Why all this? The so-called civilized world seems to have turned uncivilized as never before. Man has invented nuclear and laser weapons to kill a million or more people in a few seconds. As if he is not satisfied with this, he is striving to develop more sophisticated weapons. The whole earth is stockpiled with destructive weapons; now he is placing them in space also. What is at the bottom of all these problems? MAN HAS YET TO LEARN TO FORGIVE HIS NEIGHBOUR WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

What is forgiveness? The Oxford dictionary defines it as "remit, let off (debt, person) etc." However, the divine definition is much more enlightening: TRUE FORGIVENESS IS THE DIVINE CHARACTERISTIC THAT FREELY AND WHOLE-HEARTEDLY FORGIVES TO THE EXTENT OF ERASING EVERY RESENTING THOUGHT, ATTITUDE, HEALING EVERY HURT FEELING AND RESTORING A BETTER AND PURER LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OFFENDER.

How do you know that we have not forgiven someone from our hearts? The first sign is that we withdraw our love from a particular person after a particular incident. We just can't love that person as we did before. We find a strain in our relationship; we can't meet, visit or talk as freely and friendly as we used to do. His/her presence is uncomfortable although once we might have enjoyed his/her presence. Often our mind is pre-occupied with resenting and unpleasant thoughts about the offender. If any of these traits are discovered in us, whether we admit it or not, we are bound in the dungeon of an unforgiving spirit.

What are the effects of such an unforgiving spirit? Doctors say some kinds of cancer and rheumatism are the direct effects of an unforgiving spirit. There are many other sicknesses directly or indirectly attributed to this foul spirit. Once a Christian lady was dying of cancer. The Pastor discerned that she was bitter against her daughter-in-law and if she had forgiven her daughter-in-law, the Lord would heal her. The Pastor visited her and requested her to forgive her daughter-in-law so that the Lord could heal her. To this, the lady retorted, "I would rather die of cancer than to forgive her." Yes, indeed she did die of cancer. (However, please do not take that all those who are having cancer have unforgiving spirits).

As we continue our hatred, eventually we can lose our serenity, peace, sleep, appetite and concentration. Above all, our loss in the spiritual realm would be irreparable. Though once the Lord forgave us, He withdraws and forfeits it, thus we become an old sinner with the prospect of a worse judgment (Matt 18:21-35). Also if we don't forgive, the devil will constantly torment our mind (Matt 18:34). Satan's power holds good on them who do not forgive (Acts 26:18). Often premature death and sickness are the effects of taking holy communion without forgiving (1 Cor 11:29-30); "not discerning the Lord's body" , i.e, the Lord's body was bruised and broken to forgive; if we discern this, we too will make any sacrifice to forgive other's offences. Satan takes advantage of us when we refuse to pardon (2 Cor 2:11). An unforgiving spirit conceives hatred and begets the spirit of murder (1 Jn 3:15). When we cannot forgive, we create our own hell, as forgiveness is a heavenly spirit coming from heaven, creating heaven and vice versa (2 Chro 6:27).

What are the blessings of forgiving cheerfully? "Never does a human soul become strong as when it dares to forgive an injury." We receive riches of grace by forgiving (Eph 1:7). Forgiveness is true wisdom and "ALL WISDOM" (Eph 1:8). If so, unforgivenss is "all foolishness." Forgiveness is a precondition for healing (2 Chro 7:14; Psa 103:3).

God in all ages raised and promoted forgiving people, in every area of life. They only can be the true leaders. Once Abraham Lincoln told, "Am I not destroying mine enemies when I make them my friends."

Let us close with the famous prayer of St. Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is confusion, peace,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is injury, pardon,
O Divine Master, let me not seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand,
To be loved, as to love;
For by giving we receive,
By forgiving we are forgiven,
By dying we are born to eternal life.

- Pastor T.U.Thomas, - FORGIVENESS, SERIES - I

THE BEAUTIES OF CHRISTLIKE FORGIVENESS...:

If we have not learned to forgive, let us not forget the fact, OUR LIFE WILL NO MORE BE EXCITING. We may go to bed, wishing not to wake up next morning. When we wake up, we don't want to get up out of bed to face another miserable unhappy day. But once we learn to forgive as Christ forgave, it is altogether another story! Every day will be more exciting than the day before. We will realize and know from the past experiences, that we are going to be more useful to others, more opportunities are awaiting, more people offended, hurt and, rejected are going to experience through us the fragrance of true forgiveness.

Christlike forgiveness produces seven beautiful qualities in us:

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, BOWELS OF MERCIES, KINDNESS, HUMBLENESS OF MIND, MEEKNESS, LONGSUFFERING; FORBEARING ONE ANOTHER; AND FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER" (Col 3:12-13).

(1) BOWELS OF MERCIES, i.e., tender mercies or compassions. In other words, when someone is spiting on our face, piercing our heart, etc. if we have learned Christlike forgiveness, we will feel compassion for the one who did that to us. Jesus had compassion on them who spat on His face and scourged Him - that compassion moved Him to pray for them, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." If we cannot forgive, we will feel irritated, hurt and angry. Our hurt feeling or irritation is a sure sign that we have an unforgiving spirit.

(2) KINDNESS - this word in Greek signifies, goodness or usefulness. Jesus was useful and a blessing even to His worst enemies: He created a brand new ear for Malcus who came to arrest Him. Although Joseph's brothers hated him and plotted to kill him etc. he became a great blessing to them and took care of them and their little ones. "You killed the Prince of Life [Jesus], Whom God ... having raised up, ...sent Him to bless you" (Acts 3:15 & 26) What a blessed truth; Jesus became a blessing to His murderers. Unless we become a blessing to our enemies or murderers, we have not learned Christlike forgiveness. Yes, Christlike forgiveness is most exciting, as it is the most blessed life.

(3) HUMBLENESS OF MIND - many of us have not learned what is "humbleness of mind" - we may be able to act or behave like a humble person. If we are truly humble, when rejections, persecutions, betrayals or any type of storms or winds strike against us, WE MAY NOT EVEN FEEL ANY PRESSURE OR PROBLEM, THE GRACE OF GOD WILL COMPASS US, as He gives grace to the humble. The story is told of an Oak tree, often boasting against the little Grass nearby. "You little Grass, you are so weak, frail and tiny. Look at me, how big, tall and great I am." The little Grass kept quiet, because, after all he had nothing to boast about. One day, a great storm struck against the Oak. The mighty Oak started shaking. He tried his best to withstand the terrible storm; at last he gave up and fell down to the ground with a great thud. However, he was shocked and surprised to see the tiny little Grass remaining on the ground, as fresh as ever. The Oak asked, "O little Grass, although I was so great and tall, I could not withstand the mighty storm. How could you survive being such a small fellow?" The little Grass smiled and told: "I have learned a secret, it is so simple. When the storms and the winds strike against me, I JUST BOW MY HEAD, THE STORMS GO OVER ME WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM!" O blessed humility! Till we learn to forgive, we will never learn the true humility of mind. At the root of every unforgiving spirit is pride! If we feel hurt when someone is insulting us, it is our pride that is hurt. When we say, we are deeply hurt, that means, we have deep pride. We may not admit it. Why? Because of our pride!

Dear Friend, Are you the mighty boasting Oak tree, so tall and strong or the tiny frail Grass, so small and humble? Do you find pressures of life are hitting hard and you feel like giving up like the Oak tree? Today, why don't you kneel before the Lord and pray:

"Dear Lord, I find it very hard to forgive ... (put the name of the person/persons here). Please help me to forgive as You forgave me. Help me to love them as You loved me. Please give me the humility of mind so that the trials that I face in life will never destroy me, but develop Christlike character in me. In Jesus Name."

(4) MEEKNESS: meekness is the quality that helps us to accept hurts cheerfully, without striking back with hatred or anger, but by offering forgiving love. Forgiveness is the bridge to heaven. When someone says, "I will not/can not forgive you," virtually he is destroying the bridge where he stands, plunging himself into the ocean of ETERNAL sorrow and tormenting pain.

A famous physician of Ohio State University, Dr Willard Harris says that anger and fear affect the heart in identical ways: the pulse speeds up, and the breathing rate doubles. 'Acute anger has been associated with an acute heart attack. Heart damage can be done by repeated bouts of anger over a long period of time.' Meekness is the quality that works the other way around. A meek spirit is indeed healthy for our spirit and body. Unforgiving people can NEVER have a meek spirit.

(5) LONGSUFFERING - What is longsuffering? The classic definition we find in 1 Cor. 13:4 (NKJV) 'Love suffers long and is kind' Kind to whom? We can easily be kind to someone who is kind to us. But can we be kind to some one who gives us suffering? Can we be kind to someone who has been giving us suffering FOR A LONG TIME? Long suffering means be kind to someone who has been giving us suffering for a long time.

An interesting story is told of a Chinese Christian woman called Nancy Huong. When she was born, her father agreed with his friend in the village that he will give his daughter in marriage to his friend's son, Victor Chong. As she grew up, somehow an accident took place which inflicted wounds on her lovely face. Although the wounds were healed, the ugly scars remained. As she grew up, the boy married her, respecting the agreement of his father. However, he hated his wife. Although two lovely children were born to the couple, the husband's hatred towards the wife only grew worse. He hardly spoke to her. However, the wife being a committed Christian, she continued to love and care for him without a word of complaint. As time went by, Victor had to be hospitalized with serious problems with both his eyes. He had hardly any money with him. Nancy took this opportunity to show her love and devotion to her husband. She had done some little part time jobs and collected some money. She gave all the money to her husband. However, he had no word of thanks for her, on the contrary, he instructed that the children come and visit him in the hospital, but she should not.

Although he lost both his eyes, someone donated an eye for him and the transplanting operation was successful. After sometime, Victor came home from the hospital. As usual, Nancy served him food on the table and as usual he ignored to look at her face. By this time the children shouted, "Mummy, you must tell it, you must tell it NOW". Being puzzled, Victor looked at Nancy. He had a shock; Nancy had only one eye! He realized the loving, but silent self sacrifice she made for him. This broke his hardened heart and changed him completely. Victor found, for the first time, Nancy most beautiful! What made the difference? Nancy's forgiving love touched the heart of Victor and that love found a new matchless beauty in her. "Love suffers long and is kind." Nancy suffered long and yet she was kind to the one who gave her suffering, which was richly rewarded. If she had reacted wrongly, not only the marriage could have ended up in a divorce, but she would have spent the rest of her life in the misery of hatred and bitterness. Let us pray that this world, filled with unforgiving people will find light and life in Christlike forgiveness.

(6) FORBEARING ONE ANOTHER - i.e. forgiving present offences.

(7) FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER - i.e., forgiving past offences. In this context, we learn a blessed truth from St. Paul: "this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil 3:13-14). When we cannot forget or forgive the past (offences), we cannot "reach forth unto those things which are before" i.e. joy, peace, manifold grace of God, etc. etc. for our future blessings.

How and when did Jesus pray, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" a) When He was in the most humiliated state. b) In the weakest moments of His physical life. c) In the worst suffering state. d) in the most painful state, both physically and emotionally. What was the result? Today millions are being forgiven and released from the power of eternal death and destruction. In a small way, by learning to forgive, we also can help release millions from the power of divorce, disease, death and destruction.

One original Greek meaning of "forgiveness" is to "release." By forgiving, we release ourselves and others. Those who cannot forgive others wholeheartedly can never enjoy TRUE FREEDOM. What is true freedom? True freedom is to know the right thing and have the power to do the right thing. Many people may know the right thing to do is to forgive. But they may not have the inner strength or power to do so. An alcoholic may know that the right thing to do is to give up drinking; a chain smoker may know the right thing to do is to give up smoking before dying of lung cancer. But they may not have the power to give it up. Only Christ can give us this true freedom - "If the Son [the Lord Jesus Christ] therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (Jn 8:36). Why don't we come RIGHT NOW to the Lord Jesus and receive inner strength to forgive and love our worst offender?

The story is told of a man who, late in the evening got into a small boat and started rowing to reach the other side of the river. He rowed almost all night, but as it began to dawn, he realized the terrible mistake he had made. The boat was still in the place where he began because it was tied with a rope to a coconut tree on the shore. He did not untie the rope before he started rowing. Unforgiving people are making the same foolish mistake, nay, worse than that. Forgiveness means release - you release yourself and your boat (life); or else your boat (life) will never go forward or progress. It may never reach the other side of the river or heaven. Finally, at the end of your life you will realize (and it will be too late!) that all your labour (rowing) was in vain. If you want to enjoy TRUE FREEDOM, learn to forgive and love your offender.

- Pastor T.U.Thomas, FORGIVENESS, SERIES - IV