The Flight from God

                           

​“I fled Him, down the nights and down the days; I fled Him, down the arches of the years;

I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways

Of my own mind; and in the midst of tears

I hid from Him, and under running laughter.”

— Francis Thompson, The Hound of Heaven

Francis Thompson’s masterful poem, "The Hound of Heaven," is the ultimate literary expression of humanity's flight from God. The speaker runs ceaselessly from the divine presence—fleeing through time, through their own complex thoughts, and into fleeting worldly pleasures like ambition, love, and childhood innocence.

​He attempts to find happiness and safety everywhere except in the arms of the Pursuer. But no matter where he turns, he hears the relentless, echoing footsteps and the calm, insistent voice of the Divine Lover, a voice that calls out the heartbreaking truth: "All things betray thee, who betrayest Me."

​This desperate flight and the subsequent emptiness are the necessary prerequisites for understanding the depth of God's love, the love that is not content to let us be miserable in our self-made freedom.

​The Waiting Pursuit

​This is where the ancient wisdom of Isaiah 30:18 provides the beautiful answer to the poem's tension - "And therefore will Jehovah wait, that he may be gracious unto you; and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for Jehovah is a God of justice; blessed are all they that wait for him".

​The people of Judah, like the poem’s speaker, were running away—fleeing God's counsel and seeking help from Egypt instead of resting in His strength. They were choosing the labyrinthine ways of their own minds over the quietness and confidence God offered (Isaiah 30:15).

​But then comes the astonishing reversal: “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.”

​The "Hound of Heaven" is not a furious hunter, but a Patient Parent. The chasing is not done in anger, but in longing. The text says the Lord waits to be gracious.

• ​He waits for our self-reliance to crumble.

• ​He waits for the finite pleasures we pursue to turn to dust in our hands.

• ​He waits for us to exhaust our flight down the "nights and down the days."

​The moment we stop running, we don't find a condemning Judge; we find a compassionate Father who has been longing for us to turn around.

​The Peace in Surrender

​The verse concludes, “blessed are all who wait for him!”

​To "wait" for the Lord here means more than simply being patient; it means to stop running and to confidently rely on Him and Him alone. It is the moment the exhausted runner in the poem finally collapses, only to realize the pursuing footsteps halt right beside him, and the voice speaks a promise of final peace.

​The persistent love of the Hound of Heaven is not designed to terrify us, but to drive us to the only place where true rest exists: His presence.

Soon we will celebrate Christmas. What is it all about? We should realize it's all part of God pursuing us, to the extent of sending His Son, to endure pain, torture and human death, in the pursuit of our rescue. In the excitement of celebrations let us not forget that.

​Today, let's stop running. Consider what parts of our life we are currently using as a hiding place from God’s complete authority or intimate presence (e.g., control, busy-ness, self-sufficiency, ambition).

The Blue Collared Prophet

                                             

On this second Sunday of Advent, we light the second purple candle on the wreath—the Bethlehem Candle. While the first week focused on hope, this week turns our hearts toward Peace.

But today, we want to take a different view of "Peace". A view which was stated by Micah the prophet. Micah was known as the "blue-collar prophet" because, unlike Isaiah, who was an advisor in the royal courts, Micah came from a small, rural town called Moresheth. Yet he stated one of the most profound messages - found in Micah Chapter 5 verse 5 -

The verse explicitly states:

​"And he shall be their peace." (ESV)

While verse 2 is the famous prophecy about Jesus being born in Bethlehem, it is verse 5 that reveals the nature of His leadership. Here is why this specific line is so powerful for the second Sunday of Advent:

​1. Peace is a Person, Not a Policy

​Micah doesn't say that the Messiah will negotiate peace or bring peace like a politician. He says the Messiah will be our peace. In the original Hebrew, this implies that His very presence constitutes the state of peace (Shalom). When He arrives, peace arrives because they are one and the same.

​2. Peace in the Midst of the "Assyrian"

​The context of Micah 5:5 is wartime. Micah says, "And he shall be their peace when the Assyrian comes into our land..." At the time, Assyria was the terrifying superpower threatening to destroy Judah.

​The radical point Micah is making is that divine peace does not require the absence of an enemy. You can have the "Assyrian" (which can be your illness, your debt, your anxiety etc.,) marching through your heart and mind, and yet, because of the Messiah, you can still possess a peace that the enemy  cannot touch.

​3. The Bridge to the New Testament

​This specific Old Testament verse is the direct "ancestor" to the famous New Testament claim in Ephesians 2:14:

​"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility."

When you light the candle of peace this Sunday, you are celebrating the fact that Jesus didn't just come to give us a "quiet feeling"—He came to be the fortress that stands between us and the chaos of the world.

Most of us wait for our circumstances to settle down so we can finally have peace. Micah 5:5 tells us the opposite: Peace has a name, and He stands firm even when the land is under siege. You don't have to wait for the war to end to be at peace; you only have to invite the Prince in.

Worry & Concern: Pastor Rajiv

Read: MATTHEW 6:25-34;1 PETER 5:5-11

While worry and anxiousness are somewhat negative emotions, concern is a legitimate one. Because if we did not have concerns, we would be apathetic individuals with no ability to focus on real problems.

While concern and worry are related, and worry uses concern to enter our lives, the truth of the matter is that concern provides spiritual energy to respond to problems with Godly solutions. No so worry. And that is why, today, we need to make that distinction.

Now without any exceptions all of us humans worry even those who say they do not worry about anything also worry about something or the other at some point in time. And the truth is that these days there is a lot to worry about.

We worry about the rising cost of living in this volatile economic environment we worry about our jobs. We worry about our kids irrespective of how grown up they may be we worry about their well-being. And the list goes on.

So, since worry is such an integral part of our lives the question is how do we deal with it?

First let's be clear that WORRY is a disabling faith. How? it makes the present poorer by borrowing from the future’s imagined troubles. (We talked about the meaning of FEAR in an earlier post – False Evidence Appearing Real). Then where is the question of trusting God? If we trust God implicitly, he will give us the grace and the means to face each day’s troubles as they come.

Our two bible passages today give us a very clear perspective on dealing with worry. Our first passage today is Jesus’ words on worry from his sermon on the mount. In these 10 verses Jesus is talking about true trust. Jesus is saying that if we trust God implicitly, we need not worry about necessary food, drink or clothing.

Worry and anxiousness have always been a perennial problem of humanity. And the root cause is – our arrogance and pride! We think we know all the answers and we are competent to provide all the solutions. Wrong. We know nothing. And that is why we sit and worry. 

Peter says – in VERSES 5 TO 7 - 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Humility, mutual submission and concern for the interest of others are the essence of Cristian love.

So, summing up, if we don’t trust the very person who can address our needs and solve all problems, simply because we are too proud to admit weakness and failure, the only thing left to do is to sit in a comer and worry.

When in Trouble - Stand still!

"Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord". — Exodus 14:13

When the believer finds themselves hemmed in by immense trials—unable to move forward or retreat, pressed on every side—what are they to do? In that moment of crisis, God’s command rings clear: "Stand still."

It is in this pause, not in panic, that wisdom dwells. Despair whispers, “Give up—there’s no way out.” But the Lord calls for strength wrapped in joy, even in the darkest hour, and for faith rooted in His unwavering love.

Cowardice urges retreat: “Return to your former ways; this path is too hard.” But if you are truly a child of God, this is not an option. His sovereign word compels you forward—from strength to strength—unstoppable even by death or the forces of hell.

Standing still is not surrender, but preparation. It is the gathering of strength for the next leap. Precipitancy demands action: “Do anything—just don’t wait!” Yet rushing often blinds us to the true work God is already orchestrating.

Presumption cries, “Walk into the storm and expect a miracle!” But Faith listens to none of these voices. Faith hears one command: “Stand still.” And like a mountain unmoved, it obeys.

To stand still is not to idle, but to hold oneself upright, alert, and ready—for the next divine instruction. It is a posture of patience, confidence, and expectation. And soon enough, the voice will come, as unmistakable as it did to Moses: "Go forward."

God of Small Things

"Learn in the little daily things of life to delay action until you get my guidance.

So many lives lack poise. For in the momentous decisions a d the big things of life, they ask My help but into the small things they rush alone. By what you do in small things those around you are most often antagonized or attracted". (God Calling)

When we think of God, we picturize the word awesome - which conveys something grand and unimaginable, so psychologically we associate everything big with God and tend not to bother Him for smaller, everyday life things. But the fact is that not only is God not limited to the extraordinary, but He also wants to be part of and help in everyday small issues and activities of life. For example- when we pray for an important meeting, do we also mention that we need His help to reach on time? Or choice of clothes? Or when we want to buy a home item, do we ask His opinion? A good way to start could be to discuss the days plan with Him when we pray first thing in the morning. 

This does not mean every time some small ordinary decision needs to be taken we fall to our knees and pray. Here is where the concept of arrow prayers comes in, a subject we talked about in an earlier post here.

God is extraordinary and awesome, not because He limits Himself to the extraordinary, but because He addresses, and likes to be involved in the ordinary as well.

While the Bible is famous for its grand and dramatic miracles like the parting of the Red Sea or the raising of Lazarus, it also contains numerous "smaller" or "subtle" miracles. These often highlight God's everyday provision, care, and intervention in the lives of individuals, reminding us that His presence isn't limited to the extraordinary.

Here are some examples of smaller miracles in the Bible:

Old Testament Examples:

1. The Widow's Unending Flour and Oil (1 Kings 17:8-16): During a severe famine, God miraculously provided for the prophet Elijah, a widow, and her son by ensuring that their small jar of flour and jug of oil never ran out. This wasn't a grand display of power, but a consistent, daily provision that sustained them.

2. Detoxification of the Stew (2 Kings 4:38-41): When a pot of stew became poisonous, Elisha simply added some flour, and the stew was made safe to eat. This was a practical, life-saving miracle without much fanfare.

3. Feeding of One Hundred Men with Twenty Loaves (2 Kings 4:42-44): Elisha fed a large group of men with a very small amount of bread, with leftovers to spare. While similar to Jesus's feeding miracles, it's often overlooked due to its smaller scale.

4. The Cloud "as small as a man's hand" (1 Kings 18:43-45): After a long drought, Elijah's servant reported seeing a tiny cloud. This seemingly insignificant cloud was the sign of a massive rain to come, ending the drought and demonstrating God's faithfulness in a small, yet impactful, way.

New Testament Examples:

1. Healing Peter's Mother-in-Law (Mark 1:30-31): Jesus simply took her hand and the fever left her. It was a straightforward, compassionate healing, without the dramatic exorcisms or public pronouncements often associated with other miracles.

2. The Coin in the Fish's Mouth (Matthew 17:24-27): When challenged about paying the temple tax, Jesus instructed Peter to cast a line, promising he would find a coin in the mouth of the first fish caught. This was a specific, unusual provision for a particular need.

3. God's Daily Provision: Beyond specific instances, the New Testament often speaks of God's consistent provision for our daily needs, a constant "smaller miracle" that we often take for granted (Matthew 6:25-34).

4. Changed Hearts and Lives: Perhaps the most significant "smaller miracles" are the internal transformations that occur when individuals encounter God. These are not always outwardly visible, but they represent a profound shift in a person's character, beliefs, and direction, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

5. Changing of Water to Wine - saved the honor of the host. 

These "smaller" miracles are significant because they demonstrate God's consistent involvement in the details of life, His compassion for individual needs, and His power working in less dramatic, yet equally profound, ways. They remind us that miracles aren't always about grand spectacles, but often about God's intimate and faithful presence.

God provides for our every need - big or small. When you look back in your life, you will find it full of small things God provided. Small miracles - unasked yet provided.

Sunday Quotes

The chief purpose of prayer is that God may be glorified in the answer. 

 R. A. Torrey

Too many Christians live their Christian lives inside their heads; it never gets out through hands and feet and lips. - Vance Havner

God gives us people to love and things to use, not things to love and people to use. - Max Lucado

There is no sweeter manner of living in the world than continuous communion with God - Brother Lawrence

Real true faith is man's weakness leaning on God's strength. - Dwight L. Moody

The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.' - Billy Graham

Creative words generate energy; negative words drain out energy. - Robert H. Schuller

It is not the bee's touching of the flower that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time upon the flower that draws out the sweet. It is not he that reads most, but he that meditates most, that will prove the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian. - Thomas Brooks

We shall not grow weary of waiting upon God if we remember how long and how graciously He once waited for us. - Charles Spurgeon

Every day we live is a priceless gift of God, loaded with possibilities to learn something new, to gain fresh insights. - Dale Evans

If we want to be known in heaven and feared in hell we must be willing to lose our reputation here on earth. - Loren Cunningham

The Bible was not given for our information but for our transformation. - Dwight L. Moody

People who walk by faith don't see obstacles, they see opportunities. - Warren W. Wiersbe

Kids today learn a lot about getting to the moon, but very little about getting to heaven. - David Jeremiah

Moses spent forty years thinking he was somebody; forty years learning he was nobody; and forty years discovering what God can do with a nobody. - Dwight L. Moody

Peace doesn't come from finding a lake with no storms. It comes from having Jesus in the boat. - John Ortberg

Accept the risen Jesus into your life. Even if you have been far away, take a small step towards Him. He awaits you with open arms. - Pope Francis

All places are places of worship to a Christian. Wherever he is, he ought to be in a worshiping frame of mind. - Charles Spurgeon

To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge! To do the will of God is the greatest achievement. - George W Truett

God not only orders our steps, He orders our stops. - George Muller

How you live your life is a testimony of what you believe about God. - Henry Blackaby

When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer. - Corrie Ten Boom

If you want to give the devil a nervous breakdown, just get up every day and see how much good you can do. - Joyce Meyer

Knowing that we are fulfilling God's purpose is the only thing that gives rest to the restless human heart. - Charles Colson

If we do not fill our mind with prayer, it will fill itself with anxieties, worries, temptations, resentments, and unwelcome memories. - Scott Hahn

God doesn't bless us just to make us happy; He blesses us to make us a blessing. - Warren W. Wiersbe

Strive to make every person feel special. After all, every person you meet is made in the image of God.- Joel Osteen

Don't worry about having the right words; worry more about having the right heart. It's not eloquence he seeks, just honesty. - Max Lucado

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire? - Corrie Ten Boom

Becoming a Christian is the work of a moment; being a Christian is the work of a lifetime. - Billy Graham

Sunday Quotes

Inspiring Christian quotes serve as beacons of hope, faith, and encouragement in our daily lives. They remind us of God's unwavering love, the strength found in Christ, and the beauty of living with purpose and compassion. These quotes, often drawn from Scripture or the wisdom of Christian thinkers, provide guidance during challenges and celebrate the joy of faith. Whether uplifting the spirit or deepening one's connection with God, they resonate with timeless truths that inspire believers to walk in love, grace, and perseverance.

“Satan is so much more in earnest than we are—he buys up the opportunity while we are wondering how much it will cost.” (Amy Carmichael)

“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” (John Wesley)

“If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction.”

“Every temptation, directly or indirectly, is the temptation to doubt and distrust God.” John Macarthur 

 “The issue of faith is not so much whether we believe in God, but whether we believe the God we believe in.” RC Sproul 

 “The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” - C S Lewis 

 “Today Jesus Christ is being dispatched as the Figurehead of a Religion, a mere example. He is that, but he is infinitely more; He is salvation itself, He is the Gospel of God.” - Oswald Chambers 

“I will not glory, even in my orthodoxy, for even that can be a snare if I make a god of it... Let us rejoice in Him in all His fullness and in Him alone.”- Martin Lloyd-Jones

“Here lies the tremendous mystery: that God should be all-powerful, yet refuse to coerce. He summons us to cooperation. We are honored in being given the opportunity to participate in his good deeds. Remember how He asked for help in performing his miracles: Fill the water pots, stretch out your hand, distribute the loaves.” - Elisabeth Elliot

“The terrible, tragic fallacy of the last hundred years has been to think that all man's troubles are due to his environment, and that to change the man you have nothing to do but change his environment. That is a tragic fallacy. It overlooks the fact that it was in Paradise that man fell.”

“Be still, and know that I am God. We must not interpret that ‘Be still’ in a sentimental manner. Some regard it as a kind of exhortation to us to be silent; but it is nothing of the sort. It means, ‘Give up (or ‘Give in’ and admit I am God’. God is addressing people who are opposed to Him.”

Martyn Lloyd -Jones 

“We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.”

Oswald Chambers 

“I have heard of some good old woman in a cottage, who had nothing but a piece of bread and a little water, and lifting up her hands, she said, as a blessing, “What! all this, and Christ too?” - Charles Spurgeon

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.” - Corrie Ten-Boom

“Tears shed for self are tears of weakness, but tears shed for others are a sign of strength.” - Billy Graham

“Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe.”

St. Augustine

Monday Quotes

 

"Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come" - Rabindranath Tagore

"When I fall sick, I am taken to a hospital where I surrender to the nurses, attendants and doctors. They put me in a wheelchair and take me where I do not know, put me on machines I do not recognize and do tests which the doctors have ordered. I am completely in their hands. Then I wonder, when I can trust the doctors, nurses and attendants for my well being, and surrender myself, why do I have a problem surrendering to God? Why cant I let God push my wheelchair?" - Pastor Jolly Raj, Bethel Methodist Church, India.

" Faith is the bird that feels the light, when the dawn is still dark". - Rabindranath Tagore

"Pray; and as you pray, surrender; and as you surrender, believe". - Aiden Wilson Tozer

It is not our business to make the message acceptable, but to make it available. We are not to see that they like it, but that they get it. - Vance Havner

You will never be saved against your will; God drags nobody to heaven by the ears. - Charles Spurgeon

Too many Christians live their Christian lives inside their heads; it never gets out through hands and feet and lips. - Vance Havner

"Don't ever come to church without coming as though it were the first time, as though it could be the best time, and as though it could be the last time." ~ Vance Havner

"When the Lord's white sheep become dirty gray, all black sheep feel more comfortable." ~ Vance Havner

"Fundamentally, our Lord's message was Himself. He did not come merely to preach a Gospel; He himself is that Gospel. He did not come merely to give bread; He said, "I am the bread." He did not come merely to shed light; He said, "I am the light." He did not come merely to show the door; He said, "I am the door." He did not come merely to name a shepherd; He said, "I am the shepherd." He did not come merely to point the way; He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."" ~ J. Sidlow Baxter

"Real true faith is man's weakness leaning on God's strength." ~ Dwight L. Moody

"There is more grace in God's heart than there is sin in your past." ~ Erwin W. Lutzer

"Love the sinner, hate the sin? How about: Love the sinner, hate your own sin! I don't have time to hate your sin. There are too many of you! Hating my sin is a full-time job. How about you hate your sin, I'll hate my sin and let's just love each other!" ~ Mark Lowry

"Because with every action, comment, conversation, we have the choice to invite Heaven or Hell to Earth." ~ Rob Bell

"Every day we live is a priceless gift of God, loaded with possibilities to learn something new, to gain fresh insights." ~ Dale Evans

"God doesn't break things so He can fix them; He fixes broken things so He can use them." ~ Bob Goff

Sunday Quotes

                 

You will never be saved against your will; God drags nobody to heaven by the ears. Charles Spurgeon

This life is the only hell believers will ever know. But for those who die in their sins, this is their only heaven - Ray Comfort

Let me remind you that this is God's universe, and He is doing things His way. You may think you have a better way, but you don't have a universe to rule - J. Vernon McGee

When we share Christ, the Truth behind our transformation, we are offering people an opportunity to be transformed - David Jeremiah

Too many Christians live their Christian lives inside their heads; it never gets out through hands and feet and lips - Vance Havner

When the Lord's white sheep become dirty gray, all black sheep feel more comfortable - Vance Havner

If you see a Bible that is falling apart, it probably belongs to someone who isn't! Vance Havner

God often hides His blessing in trouble or trial, which makes it all the sweeter when it comes our way. - Aiden Wilson Tozer

Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God.  Alexander MacLaren

We should not pray for God to be on our side, but pray that we may be on God's side. Billy Graham

Exam Time!

"Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart". Psalms 26:2 KJV

I remember as a child in school, when we had to take the class test it was scary. there was fear, excitement and hope - hope that somehow I would pass that test and be rewarded by my father and mother with a chocolate. Years later, as a young man in graduation, taking an exam was again filled with trepidation and hope. Hope that I would clear it and move onto to a great future.

When God puts us to the test, it can be scary, exciting, confusing, and, sometimes, altogether painful.

There is warfare when God exposes something we are not aware of. The enemy comes to deceive us when we try to ignore or refuse to listen to the still small voice of God within us.

But, as in childhood tests and exams, there is a hope which can motivate us. That hope is a life where we are mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually free - a life which God provides.

Let us therefore, not argue or think to reason with Him when things don’t make sense. His exposition is not meant to condemn us, shame us, or make us feel guilty but rather to redirect our path, save us from what’s coming, and align us back into His perfect will!

The Blacksmiths Anvil

I paused last eve beside the blacksmith's door,
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
And looking in I saw upon the Floor,
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.

“How many anvils have you had?” said I,
“To wear and batter all these hammers so?”
“Just one,” he answered.
Then with twinkling eye: “The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”

And so, I thought, the anvil of God’s Word
For ages sceptics’ blows have beat upon,
But though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unchanged, the hammers gone.

-John Clifford

Arrow Prayers

Let week Pastor Rajiv talked about something called arrow prayers. Arrow prayers are short prayers that only take a few seconds to pray—they are “shot” up to God in a moment. They help to penetrate darkness or fear and direct our thoughts quickly to God, especially when we feel particularly weak, vulnerable, or scared. The devil hates these kinds of prayers because they reveal the faith and hope of the one praying them.

Arrow Prayers remind us that prayer doesn’t need to be complicated to be powerful!

We see an example of an arrow prayer in verse four of Nehemiah 2. As Nehemiah is walking toward the king, he quickly shoots off an arrow prayer. We don’t know what his prayer was, but it might have sounded like, “God of heaven, give me favor with the king,” or “God of heaven, protect me.”

Another example is of Peter as he walks on the water towards Jesus, shifting his eyes from Jesus he starts sinking and cries our - "Lord Save me".

Arrow prayers can form a sort of a conversation with God throughout the day.

A word of caution: arrow prayers are not magic nor a mantra. They are also not a substitute for personal prayer times but a result of those times when we build a relationship with God, because if we want God to hear our emergency prayers, we need to make sure we are cultivating a strong relationship with the one answering our prayers!

These Arrow prayers can strengthen our faith.

These short prayers throughout our day and weaved within our prayer life will strengthen our walk with the Lord. All prayers are based upon the fact we recognize God as the Author of all life and the one whose power and strength we rely upon. As we pray continuously throughout our days, we are drawn closer to the Lord, and this helps us trust God in other areas of our lives.

What are some of your regular arrow prayers? How do you think incorporating more arrow prayers in your life will draw you closer to God? Or create a deeper prayer life?

Today let's try these short prayers and conversations with God. It could be a simple "thank you Lord". Or it could be for help for someone in an emergency. Or it could be like Peter calling out - "Lord Save me". 

Arrow prayers show us that God hears us even in the briefest moments of need. They remind us that we don’t need elaborate words to reach God. Whether in fear, desperation, or humility, these simple, urgent prayers reflect deep trust in God’s ability to respond.

Saturday Vespers: The Legacy Bible

God is there all the time. We need to look for His hand in all that has taken place in my life, I need to remember all he has done; be aware of times when we have been protected against all reason. We need to remember his "Rod and His stick". That is what will create our faith and keep strengthening it.

It is equally important to remember those experiences. A good way to do that maybe to create a "legacy Bible" - A record of our own thoughts and experiences as we go through our daily devotional coupled with our daily experiences. 

This is a great reminder not only to us but also a great gift for our children as they too will understand our spiritual journey in this material world. It is also a wonderful way to remember His blessings and answered prayers - ours as well as for others. 

A way to ensure we are not like the nine who did not return to thank Jesus. 

Monday Opportunities...

Its Monday morning and as everyone gets busy with work at the workplace or at home, we get focused on the week ahead and the various jobs and transactions which are lined up. We get so focused on work we seldom see people or things around us; one is reminded of a popular story about a man who got marooned and prayed and hoped that God would save him. When a ship passed by, he waved it away as did he when a helicopter came. He kept waiting for God to save Him. Eventually he died and went to heaven where he questioned God on why he wasn't saved? God replied, " I sent you a ship and a helicopter, but you refused both. What more did you expect?"

This is a far-fetched story, but the point is that sometimes God answers our prayers in unexpected ways and sometimes we have to take action to make things happen. We not only have to ask but also seek and knock. We have to be aware of things around us, so we recognize when God sends an answer. 

Today, at the start of the week, is there something you are asking for? Something you are seeking. What doors do you need to knock on? Don't be afraid to go after what you want. God will not drop it in your lap by magic. God wants you to succeed but he also wants you to show Him that you are willing to put in the work.

As Christians, sometimes we can fall into the trap of thinking that everything we need will just be handed over to us on a silver platter because we believe in God. Thats not how it works.

God provides for us, but He also wants us to be active participants in our own lives. To ask for what we need, seek for what we desire and knock on the door of opportunity. If we want something, we have to go after it. God wants us to work hard, pursue our dreams and ask for help when we need.

But we must be ready to recognize and take action when His help comes.

Three Little Words: Pastor Rajiv's Message, Centenary Methodist Church, Delhi

CLICK HERE FOR MESSAGE

Saturday Vespers: Your Prayers Are Needed

 

As we usually do on Saturday, we are escalating various prayer needs to you, our readers for your support through your prayers.

We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear His voice each day, we who are anxious over many things look forward to His coming among us. He comes to us through other people and their love and concern for us. He comes to us through men and women who need our help. 

We have been praying for her for some time, and today, as this new year begins, we bring her to You for Your healing hand.

We also ask for healing and pain relief for a senior lady in the Delhi area of India, who is suffering from back pain. In the extreme cold, we ask for Your healing touch and protection. May Your healing touch rest upon them both.

Today the world also needs your prayer support: 

Peace for All Nations: We pray for peace in every land. May conflicts be resolved, and may leaders seek wisdom and compassion. Help us to bridge divides and foster understanding among all people.

Healing for the Sick: We lift up those who are suffering from illness, both physical and mental. Grant them strength, comfort, and healing. Bless the hands of those who care for them, and may Your healing touch be upon them.

Support for the Oppressed: We pray for those who are oppressed, marginalized, and facing injustice. Give them hope and resilience, and empower us to stand with them in their struggles. May Your justice prevail in every situation.

Guidance for Leaders: Guide our leaders with wisdom and integrity. May they govern with a heart for service, prioritizing the well-being of their people. Help them to make decisions that promote peace, equality, and prosperity.

Protection for the Vulnerable: We ask for Your protection over the vulnerable and the voiceless. Shield them from harm and provide for their needs. Help us to be instruments of Your love and compassion in their lives.

Strength for the Faithful: Strengthen the faith of those who seek You. Encourage them in their journey, and may they find solace and purpose in Your presence. Unite us all in our shared mission of love and service.

Hope for the Future: As we face the challenges of the world, instill in us a sense of hope and determination. Remind us that with Your guidance, we can make a positive difference. May we work together to create a world that reflects Your love and grace.

Everyone is Needed By Someone: A Short Story

1 Corinthians 12:14 ESV
"For the body does not consist of one member but of many".

1 John 4:7-8 ESV 
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love".

In the quaint town of Willow Creek, nestled amidst rolling hills, lived a solitary old watchmaker named Mr. Silas. He had a small shop on the main street, its windows adorned with intricate clocks, each ticking away with a rhythm that seemed to echo the quiet rhythm of his life. Mr. Silas was known for his meticulous craft, his hands, weathered by time, capable of repairing even the most delicate of mechanisms. Yet, he was often seen alone, his days spent in the quiet hum of his workshop, surrounded by gears and springs.

One rainy afternoon, a young girl named Lily wandered into Mr. Silas' shop, her worn-out shoes squeaking on the wooden floor. Lily was new to Willow Creek, and as she explored the town, she found herself drawn to the mesmerizing glow of the clocks in Mr. Silas' window. Inside, she shyly asked him to fix her old pocket watch, a gift from her late grandmother. The watch was more sentiment than function, its hands frozen in time, yet to Lily, it was a precious heirloom.

Mr. Silas, initially hesitant to engage with a stranger, was touched by Lily's genuine affection for the watch. He took it with a gentle smile, promising to do his best to mend it. As the days went by, Lily would often visit the shop, bringing stories of her life and eagerly asking about the watch's progress. Mr. Silas, who had grown accustomed to his solitary existence, began to look forward to her visits. He found himself sharing tales of his own life, his passion for clockwork, and the intricate beauty of time.

As Lily listened, she began to see Mr. Silas not just as a watchmaker, but as a man with a rich history and a quiet strength. She noticed how his hands, while weathered, moved with precision as he worked on the watch, each tick a testament to his dedication. When the watch was finally repaired, Lily was overjoyed. She carefully placed it in her pocket, feeling a deep connection to her grandmother and the old watchmaker who had brought it back to life.

From that day on, Lily became a regular visitor to Mr. Silas' shop. She would often bring her friends, sharing stories about the kind old man who could fix anything. Slowly, Mr. Silas' workshop, once a place of quiet solitude, became a hub of laughter and conversation. The townspeople, who had once simply passed by his shop, began to drop in for small repairs, drawn by the warmth of Lily's presence and the gentle wisdom of Mr. Silas.

In the end, it was Lily, a young girl new to the town, who reminded everyone that even the most solitary among them had something valuable to offer, and that everyone, no matter how ordinary they might seem, was needed by someone. Mr. Silas, the old watchmaker, found companionship and purpose in Lily's eyes, while Lily discovered a mentor and a friend in the quiet man who had once been so alone. And so, the town of Willow Creek learned that even the smallest of connections could make a big difference, weaving a tapestry of lives where everyone was needed, and everyone belonged.

Revive and Renew

Some time back we had related a popular African folk story about how, in the jungle at dawn, all the animals get up and get to work. The gazelle knows it must outrun the fastest leopard or be eaten, and the leopard knows it must outrun the fastest gazelle or go hungry.

Like them, with each day of blessed awakening, a Christian must also revive and persevere. The cares of the day, concerns, sickness, troubles, financial burdens, temptations - all wear us down, and just as the leopard wears down its prey till it succumbs, so does the world and its diverse temptations and troubles, wear down our resistance.

The only way we can overcome is to renew and revive every morning with time devoted to conversing with God, reviewing our life, asking our questions to gain understanding so that we do not follow a blind faith but a faith based on understanding, knowledge and experience. Everyday is a new day and every day we learn something new from His word. Everyday we have new experiences which can wear us down or push us up and we need His word to renew us with understanding and wisdom.

Rev Francis Taylor sums this up well when she writes -

"Life is always going to throw hardships at us. Some will shake our faith and there will be those who will say that these hardships mean either that there is no God, or that God has abandoned us. Not true. God is with us in the difficult times. As with the early Christians, we need to stand firm and persevere in our faith, knowing that God will never abandon us. All we need to do is call upon him".

Saturday Vespers: The Power of Prayer

The power of prayer is well known and experienced. What possibly may not be so known is the power of corporate prayer. It is power multiplied to the power of 'n'.

We bring prayer requests to you every week for this very reason: everyone mentioned here needs you. We have seen the results of your prayer as well: The Pastor who's wife has stage four cancer seems to be getting better. She is happier, more health and her appetite is coming back, which is always a good sign. The Pastor in Melbourne is now fine, doing well and back to his ministry. We want you to know that your prayers are making a difference so please do continue. Remember this verse -

"Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ".

—Galatians 6:2 (NRSV)

Today we bring these requests for you -

- Miranda requests prayer saying: May STEVES SURGERY GO SMOOTHLY AND HEAL HIM

- We ask you to continue to prayer for the Pastor in India for the healing of his wife and a an miracle from Jesus.

- Pray for the senior lady in India for the healing of her back pain and relief.

- Brij requests prayer for his workplace - for Gods will to be done and wisdom to prevail on everyone. Help him to overcome his issues so that Gods hand is seen by all.

- Prayers for Maime and he new spouse

- Paladin requests prayer and says-

Please pray for me 1. I need a financial miracle in the worst kind of way...2. That the government won't take my bank account away from me (I am in the nursing home)...3. For good results from a DNA test...4. That God would provide me with money to eat with each and every month...5. That I would be able to pay my own debts and not have to depend on someone else...6. That I would lose 30 lbs...7. That God might see fit to restore my health...8. That God would help me not to give up on my dreams and my goals...9. That I might be able to go out West two more times and go back to Kentucky as well...10. That God would straighten out all of the mess that is in my life right now...11. That God would help me make sense of everything...12. That God would give me some encouragement-I feel defeated all of the time, and I feel as if something bad is going to happen to me...13. That God would calm me down and settle my nerves over all of this...

- A businessman in India requests prayer for guidance and success as he moves forward in his business ops

- The situation in California is currently quite challenging due to ongoing wildfires. Southern California is experiencing severe wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana winds and extreme drought conditions. These fires have caused significant damage, with thousands of buildings destroyed and tens of thousands of people under evacuation orders. The Hughes Fire in Castaic, the Palisades Fire, and the Eaton Fire are among the most impactful, with firefighters working tirelessly to contain them. Pray for those affected, those helping and those supporting.

Pastor Rajiv's Mid-Week Message