SHORT BREAK

WILL RESUME POSTING FROM 1ST JANUARY 2013. SORRY FOR THE TROUBLE CAUSED

GET CONNECTED WITH GOD THIS CHRISTMAS - A DEVOTIONAL BY RICK WARREN

“Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd.” (Zechariah 10:2 NIV)

It’s easy to forget the purpose of Christmas. This time of year we have so many things that can get in the way: commercialism, traditions, even family and church commitments.

To find the real purpose of Christmas, you have to fast forward from the shepherds, the wise men, and the dirty stable. We have to go to a statement Jesus made during his adult years about why he came: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10 NIV).

The reason we celebrate Christmas is because Jesus came to Earth to seek and save the lost.

Jesus uses three stories in the gospel of Luke to demonstrate what it means to be lost: the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. They teach us that when we’re disconnected from God, we lose:

Our direction (Parable of the Lost Sheep): The Bible says in Isaiah 53:6, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Sheep don’t intend to get lost; it’s just what they do naturally. So do we. By our own nature, we follow our own way. When we do that, we lose our way.

God’s protection (Parable of the Lost Sheep): Sheep have no natural defense system, so a sheep without a shepherd is a goner. That sounds like us. The Bible says, “Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd” (Zechariah 7:2). Without a relationship with God, we’re vulnerable to stress we were never meant to have.

Our full potential (Parable of the Lost Coin): One coin can be a part of much good, but that coin has no potential if it’s lost. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!" (CEV) The potential of those who are connected to God is immeasurable; the potential that’s lost for those who do not have a relationship with God is equally immeasurable.

Our happiness (Parable of the Lost Son): After the son left his father’s care and began to go his own way, it didn’t take long for him to become miserable and lonely. There’s a lot of miserable people who are choosing to go their own way and not God’s way. Being disconnected from God will eventually ruin our happiness.

Our home in Heaven (The Parable of the Lost Son): God lets us rebel while we are here on Earth, but there are no rebels in Heaven. Preparing for the next life is the best use of this life. God gives us our way. If we want to live without him on Earth, he’ll let us live without him for eternity.

Being disconnected from God has vast, devastating, and eternal consequences. If you’re living disconnected from God, don’t wait. Connect with him today.

CHRISTIAN BEST ONE LINERS - 6

 Without God living inside us, we are only a carcass.

Any sin you do not fight off furiously, falls as a seed in the back of your mind only to sprout in your weak moments.

Your problems and issues that you face today are an opportunity to see the powerful hand of God manifest in your life.

Expect more from God than from man, which will satisfy you without hurt.

Forgive to be forgiven.

Ignore the trivial.

A child of God has the power to change the conditions in a land.

Living in an atmosphere of worship is to breathe the air of heaven.

Like a rushing wind, God is drawn to a humble worshipper; making His love known like a gushing river.

Worship is only complete when it is about who God is more than about what God can do.

The only thing that limits God’s power from flowing through you is incomplete surrender.

Remember, you are not a servant who loves GOD, but a lover of GOD who serves.

A brilliant performance can never replace the need to immerse yourself in God, because what you soak in throughout the week is what you bring forth when you stand up to lead.

The secret of the standing man is that he got back from where he fell last.

Never quit running to God – as God has never quit on you.

BOOK REVIEW - 6 BURNT ALIVE - THE STAINES AND THE GOD THEY LOVED (REVIEW BY MS. JOCELINE)

This book is a tribute to Graham Staines. It speaks about the love and compassion to the socially outcast lepers, shown by this man of God.

“Our world was darkness. We always faced death. None of the religious leaders bothered to give us even one meal. When we begged for alms, they would throw stones at us and chase us away. We were untouchables. These religious leaders used to tell us that we deserved leprosy because of our sins in our previous birth – because of our ‘karma’. And we were left to die in the jungles all alone, like worms…But then came Staines Dada and his friends… they stretched forth their hands of mercy and took us to the Leprosy Home…There we saw the love of God.

Dada and his wife would personally wash our sores and dress the wounds with medicines and when we were cured, they would teach us some skill…..and give jobs to us… Is this wrong? What did he do that he should be burnt alive? ... They even killed Philip and Timothy… what loving kinds… they used to come and play with us lepers, the outcasts of the society…”

GRAHAM STAINES WITH HIS FAMILY

The dreadful event which happened on January 23, 1999 has been articulated in this book. Graham Staines and his two sons were ambushed by a frenzied mob with flaming torches and burnt alive in Manoharpur, Orissa, India.

“In what has been described as a cold-blooded operation, Dara Singh and his mob approached Manoharpur at around 12:20 a.m. They came in running from the fields, armed with lathis and trishuls. They had just one target, the station wagon. And as they approached it, they began screaming. Singh struck first, wielding an axe at the tyres, deflating them. The others broke windows and prevented the Staines from escaping. Graham was beaten mercilessly and his boys were not spared either. All three were pierced with trishuls. Singh then put straw under the vehicle and torched it. In seconds, the vehicle was on fire. Graham held his two boys close to him. Anyone who knew him would say that the one name on his lips would be – Christ Jesus.”

Moreover, It also probes deep into the Christian faith; the freedom of conscience; and the Christian attitude to persecution, the sacrificial service of Christians to this country (India), the systematic hounding against Christians throughout the centuries and their response to it and why freedom of conscience of every individual in this country needs to be upheld, though not in this order. 

This book makes you reflect on the various incidents that happen in and around India, the brutal attacks to the people of God and the fights that happen between religions.

“What would it take for a man to leave his country and serve the lepers in another for thirty-four years of his life? From where does his widow and daughter get the spiritual strength to completely forgive the killers? Just who exactly is this God that they believe in? Why this hatred towards the missionaries? How is it that Gladys and Esther still want to serve the poor in Mayurbhanj? Could it be that everything we have been fed with against the Christians has been a bunch of lies? Could it really be true that Jesus was right when He said that He is the way, the truth and the life?”

This book answers all the questions that normally arise in our mind. Mrs. Gladys June Staines tells the people of India, that she isn’t angry, but speaks about her desire: that each citizen of this country should establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who gave his life for their sins. She also adds that each person should know that Jesus loves him or her, and in turn they should trust him, and endeavor to love one another. The words that had spoken by the daughter of Staines at funeral moved so many people hearts - “I praise the Lord that He found my father worthy to die for Him.”

Reading this book, gives u deeper glimpse of the Staines and other missionaries’ life. It is indeed powerful and touching.

These the Mayurbhanj Missionaries have also included Kate Allanby’s sister Grace, Miss Dawson, Mr.Grimes, Miss Huth, Miss Muirhead, Mr. Stewart, Miss Taylor, Mr. Wakeman, Mr. Lietch, Miss Redston, Mr & Mrs. Jones, Miss Filmer and Mr. Nicolson.

Their lives, like ours… like every other since time began, are but flickers on a candlewick. But in Jesus’ hands, once surrendered, a flicker can be a mighty blaze. And an otherwise imperfect life a living epistle… a source of hope for a lost and dying world.

But, dare we like them surrender our all?

TO REFLECT

REMEMBER MY BIRTHDAY? - TAKEN FROM THE WEB

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer. 

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration. 

I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face......... and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. 

Since I was not invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a great time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus"... as if the party were in his honor!

At 12 midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and.... do you know.... no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all you heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invitation will be left outside. I'll be waiting for all of you to attend my party...

See you soon.... I love you!

I LIKED THIS A LOT

THE WALL - 9

TRACTS - THE FOOL AND WISEMAN (TAKEN FROM THE WEB)

I LIKED THIS A LOT

ANSWERS FOR THE BIBLE QUIZ - 2 (POSTED ON NOVEMBER 19, 2012)

PART - I

1. In whom God’s love will be perfected?

Ans: God’s love will perfect in one who keep His Word (I John 2:5). 

2. Who will abide forever?

Ans: he who does the will of God abides forever (I John 2:17).

3. What God has promised us?

Ans: God has promised us eternal life (I John 2:25).

4. What is the message that we heard from the beginning?

Ans: We should love one another is the message you heard from the beginning (I John 3:11).

5. How will we know that this is the last hour?

Ans: By hearing that coming of antichrist we will know that this is the last hour (I John 2:18).

6. Who does not know God?

Ans: Whoever does not love does not know God for God is love (I John 4:8).

7. What is the confidence that we have in Him?

Ans: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us this is the confidence that we have in Him (I John 5:14).

8. Who got a good testimony from all and from the truth itself?

Ans: Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself (III john 1:12).

9. Who is born of God?

Ans: Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God (I John5:1).

10. Who bear witness in heaven and in earth?

Ans: For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood

(I John 5:7,8).

PART – II

11. What will you receive at the end of your faith?

Ans:  The salvation of your souls (I Peter 1:9).

12. Who is the weaker vessel?

Ans: Wife is the weaker vessel (I Peter 3:7).

13. Whom the Lord delivers out of temptations?

Ans: The Lord delivers Godly out of temptations (II Peter 2:9).

14. Who was rebuked for his iniquity?

Ans: The one who forsaken the right way, gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor and loved the wages of unrighteousness was rebuked for his iniquity (II Peter 2:15,16)

15. Consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation (II Peter 3:15)

 

16. Who will secretly bring in destructive heresies?

Ans: False prophets and false teachers (II Peter2:1)

17. What is the will of God?

Ans: Doing Good is the will of God (I Peter 2:15).

18. He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin (I Peter 4:1).

19. Be even more diligent to make your call and election sure (II peter 1:10).

20. If we have to speak and minister how we have to do it?

Ans: We have to speak as the oracles of God. We have to ministers as with the ability which God supplies (I Peter 4:11).

GHG TEAM APPRECIATES MS.SHASTI PRIYA FOR ANSWERING MOST OF THE QUESTIONS CORRECTLY. GOD BLESS YOU, MS. SHASTI.