A New Day

 

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." 

This verse beautifully illustrates the daily renewal of God's grace and mercy, offering a fresh start each day to each of us. 

Isaiah too gave similar counsel in chapter 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." 

This encourages us to look forward to the new things God is doing and a daily spiritual renewal and revival for each one.  So, every day let us be happy for another day to live. 

Today is a New Day so thank you for a chance for a new start. Yesterday's gone and with it are our failures, mistakes and regrets. Lets ask God to help us to start again. It's a good day to give thanks for this life. A new opportunity to love, give and be all that He wants us to be. 

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Sunday Quotes

"God has a time for everything, a perfect schedule. He is never too soon, never too late. The when of His will is as important as the what and the how." ~ Richard Halverson
"A grateful heart is like a sponge that soaks up God's goodness." ~ Joel Osteen
"God sees in you a masterpiece about to happen" ~ Max Lucado
"God loves purity so well He had rather see a hole than a spot in His child's garments." ~ William Gurnall
"Harboring unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping your enemy will die." ~ Joyce Meyer
"The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays." ~ Soren Kierkegaard
"I don't want to play with marbles, when God told me to move mountains!" ~ Reinhard Bonnke
"Religion says earn your life. Secular society says create your life. Jesus says, 'My life for your life." ~ Timothy Keller
"In reading our newspapers today, we can see how God is setting the table, getting everything in order, preparing the way for Christ to return." ~ David Jeremiah
"Before you speak to me about your religion, first show it to me in how you treat other people. Before you tell me how much you love your God, show me in how much you love all His children." ~ Cory Booker
"The Christian should never worry about tomorrow or give sparingly because of a possible future need. Only the present moment is ours to serve the Lord, and tomorrow may never come...Life is worth as much as it is spent for the Lord's service." ~ George Muller
"Thus there will be three effects of nearness to Jesus humility, happiness, and holiness." ~ Charles Spurgeon
"I got the best of Jesus. He got the worst of me." ~ LeCrae
"Whenever you find a preacher who takes the Bible allegorically and figuratively...that preacher is preaching an allegorical gospel which is no gospel. I thank God for a literal Christ, for a literal salvation. There is literal sorrow, literal death, literal Hell, and, thank God, there is a literal Heaven." ~ J. Frank Norris
"Love your children-and let them know you love them. Children who experience love find it far easier to believe God loves them." ~ Billy Graham

The Modern Eve

Despite the actions of Adam and Eve, and Eve's role in those events, God recognized the immense value and strategic importance of a woman as a wife. If Eve possessed the ability to influence Adam toward rebellion, she also had the potential to guide him toward faithfulness and obedience to God.

In this light, the modern-day woman embodies a vital role—serving as God’s influencer within the family. A wife has the capacity to inspire spiritual growth and foster faithfulness and godliness in her husband and children. Her influence, however, extends far beyond the boundaries of her immediate family, reaching into society, the church, the workplace, and the broader community.

Thus, today's Eve holds a very important position : that of being Gods influencer in the family.

The Bible features numerous women who wielded significant influence, demonstrating strength, faith, and leadership. Here are a few notable examples:

Miriam:

She was a prophetess and played a crucial role in the early life of Moses. Her leadership in song and dance after the crossing of the Red Sea highlights her influence.

Deborah:

She was a prophetess and judge, providing leadership and guidance to the Israelites.

She led the Israelite army to victory against their enemies.

Esther:

She was a queen who risked her life to save the Jewish people from annihilation. Her courage and strategic thinking had a profound impact on her nation's survival.

Mary, the mother of Jesus:

Her acceptance of God's call to bear Jesus had a pivotal role in Christian history. Her faith and obedience are held as examples.

Mary Magdalene:

She was a devoted follower of Jesus and the first witness to his resurrection. Her testimony played a vital role in spreading the news of Jesus's resurrection.

Lydia:

She was a successful businesswoman, and a very early convert to Christianity in Europe. Her hospitality, and the conversion of her household, provided a place for the early church to grow.

These remarkable women demonstrate that, throughout biblical history, women held profound influence and made significant contributions to their communities and to the unfolding of God’s plan. While some, like Eve and Potiphar's wife, are remembered for negative influence, countless others serve as sources of inspiration for using influence to uplift and bring about goodness.

Today, we appreciate the women around us and have seen them play a significant role during Lent, both in biblical narratives and in modern spiritual practices. They continue to embody the spirit of Lent through acts of service, prayer, and leadership in their communities.

Losses and Gains of Prayer

There is this story of a man who was asked what he gained by praying so much to God. The man replied nothing. But I lost a lot. How so, he was asked, what did you lose?

"I lost anger, greed, ego, insecurity and fear of death to start with".

On reading this, maybe fictitious, story, one thinks - what did I gain or lose by praying and spending time with God?

For starters we may gain a relationship with the Father. By having that we can be assured that all things, no matter how dismal they may look today, work together for our good. So that builds up faith. We also realize we are under His protection. That builds up a sense of security. We also realize that He is very real, because we see Him at work in our life. Therefore, He exists in a realm which is our destination and therefore death is not final. And till then, we are at peace with ourselves and our fellow men, which adds to happiness

Finally, our deep peace comes from not being at loggerheads with God over who's will we want. Our will aligns with Gods will and we, together, develop a common vision for us.

And then I realize the truth: sometimes what we see as a loss at the moment, turns out to be a blessing.

Prayer is not about gaining something or losing something. It's about building a relationship with our creator, which takes care of each of us in this life on earth and assures us of a life in His realm thereafter.

Keeping praying, even if what you want is not happening because What you truly and really need will always happen.

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Is the Church Important? - Pastor Rajiv's Mid-Week Message

 

Godly Surrender

Read Mark 10:21 

Many a Sunday morning we stand up and sing the song - "All to Jesus I surrender". But do we truly mean that? Do we truly surrender all? 

In the quoted passage we have a near perfect young man, who did everything God expected but could not surrender.

Today let us think, have we truly surrendered? - what does surrender look like?

First and foremost, surrender needs us to let go of the control we want over our lives. Realize that that fantastic job, that promotion or a great business are not because of our abilities but because of Gods blessings. Therefore, they are not our priority even though they may give us economic power. It involves recognizing that one is not self-sufficient, and that divine grace is essential. And divine grace comes from divine wisdom.

It means letting go of the desire to dictate the course of one's life and trusting that God's plan is superior. It involves a profound act of yielding one's will and control to divine authority.

In practice this means that we become executors of Gods will in our lives rather than decision makers. It means we put every situation, every day, every problem, every solution, every honor at Gods feet first.

This is not to be confused with revering God or respecting God. There is a difference between respecting God and making Him first in our lives.

When we make God first, we may start our day by asking God - what would you have me do today? Or how do you want me to act in "x" situation? Essentially start the day by passing control of everything for the day to God.

Surrender therefore requires humility, acknowledging one's own limitations and dependence on God.

This may involve making changes in one's behavior, attitudes, and priorities to align with divine principles and a willingness to accept His authority.

In theory we all do that: in practice maybe we don't.

King David consulted God before taking any action. Do we consult God say, before a meeting? If the meeting is critical we may pray and ask for His guidance and help. But do we ask His will? No. We state our will and may we end it by saying - "but your will be done". That to my mind is not total surrender. It is "grudging acceptance or maybe defeated acceptance".  

Therefore, total surrender also includes an "embracement" of Gods decision, His wisdom and His will, with happiness, joy and priority because we place our trust in Him more than in our own abilities.

What is the outcome? Ultimately, surrender will bring inner peace and freedom. By relinquishing the burden of control, one can experience a sense of release and trust. It's like sitting in a chauffeur driven car and driven through chaotic traffic as opposed to driving and navigating that traffic ourselves.

Surrender therefore is good for us. It not only helps us navigate this life peacefully but helps to build our next life as well by building a relationship with God, with Jesus and with the Holy Spirit.

Finally, It is important to understand that surrender is often a process, and not a one time event. It is something that is worked on daily.

In essence, surrendering to Jesus or God is about placing one's life in divine hands, trusting in divine guidance, and seeking to live in accordance with divine will.

My Covid Diaries: A Nightmare turned Miracle!

Today we share a short diary of a Covid survivor – a senior lady in Delhi, India, who calls her experience “a nightmare turned miracle”. We share with you the Covid Diary of Ms. S. Massey, a retired School Principal, mother and grandmother. She credits ONLY God’s grace and mercy that she is able to share her story today – in her own words:

“9th May, 2021: 10 PM : Tested positive for Covid, asymptomatic. Being 70 years of age and an asthma patient, I was advised hospitalization. In spite of non availability of beds and oxygen, it was with God’s grace I was able to get an admission to a well known hospital. Tests showed about a 20% infection and treatment was started.

10th May, 2021: Slight improvement, but still asymptomatic.

11th May, 2021: Stable and ready to be discharged and to quarantine at home! Discharge procedure starts. My happiness knew no bounds and all friends, family, church people who had been praying for me heaved a sigh of relief and thanked God.

But, during the day my condition deteriorated and I was sent back into ICU. An emergency X-Ray of the lungs showed drastic worsening and my Oxygen level decreased to dangerous levels. People started [raying for me all over again, being informed and requested by my son.

As my condition worsened, I felt myself drift into a deep dark valley and as if I was slipping into another world. I lost the time and days and nights passed without any awareness. I had no consciousness, no sensation and no sound. I underwent a tricostmy surgery and lost the use of my vocal cords.

I must admit that I probably posed a huge challenge to the team of doctors, God bless them for not giving up on me and working under the direction of our Lord.

With no sense of what was going on, I do remember seeing my late husband, sitting on the highest seat of a stadium. I stretched out my arm asking him to hold me as I was gong to join him but he turned his face from me. I also saw my elder sister and brother in law walking head of me, so I called out to them as well to stop and wait for me but they don’t. (I did not know that both had already passed of Covid together). These memories haunt me even today.

I saw different churches, ones which I never knew even existed, new priests giving sermons from beautiful pulpits, reading scripture and choirs of people dressed in purple and white. Churches with different European architectures, including Greek and roman designs, stained glass windows. I also saw the baby Jesus in His manger, huge candles burning as group of angels sing and bow down with their wings covering their faces. The whole scene before me was pure, powerful and spiritual. The environment was filled with a blue hue, I have never seen in my life and I cannot explain the serene beauty of that place where I was.

Suddenly I saw water, as clear as crystal, gushing from a beautiful golden gate, guarded by two angels, and then I am standing in my home church behind the lectern, facing the cross and saying – Lord send me back as I have to preach Jesus – as the only God, the true god and a miracle God.

It was not a plea, or a begging tone but the tone and voice of a fighter, which later scared me as to how could I behave like that in front of God? From childhood I had been taught to petition God but not like this!

4th of August, 2021: Suddenly a strong beam of light emanated from that cross and engulfed me. My conscious date changed from the 11th of May to the 4th of August, 2021, the day God chose to send me back and the date I was finally discharged, after 3 months on a ventilator!

My weight had reduced from 68 Kg to 40 Kg, paralyzed below the waist, darkened skin and on a wheelchair. I was hardly able to speak.

I had my first review with the doctor one month later when he said – Ma’am you are a miracle. A Covid warrior. I wanted to tell him the warrior was not me but Jesus. I was only the medium to glorify His name.

While the Doctor put me on physio for 6 months, I was up in two months and able to walk in 3. God healed me to keep my promise – to glorify the name of Jesus.

Today, I keep that promise everyday – to witness, to pray for others who maybe going through a bad patch, to teach faith and trust.

I do hope my story will also strengthen you, and inspire you to Jesus Christ – our Saviour and Lord”.

Sunday Quotes

 

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

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

"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

"The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now." ~ Rick Warren

"God is not just saving individuals and preparing them for heaven; rather, He is creating a people among whom He can live and who in their life together will reproduce God’s life and character." ~ Gordon Fee

"If you're praying, you're not worrying, and if you're worrying, you're not praying!" ~ Ruffin McNeill

"Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking God uses only 'special' people the strong, the intelligent, the beautiful. We don't think He has a place for the rest of us. We are so wrong!" ~ Chuck Smith

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess." ~ Martin Luther

"The moment God put a dream in your heart, the moment the promise took root, God not only started it, but He set a completion date." ~ Joel Osteen

"Sometimes God lets you be in a situation that only He can fix so that you can see that He is the One who fixes it. Rest. He's got it." ~ Tony Evans

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less." ~ C. S. Lewis

"The nature of Christ's salvation is woefully misrepresented by the present-day evangelist. He announces a Saviour from Hell rather than a Saviour from sin. And that is why so many are fatally deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of fire who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness." ~ Arthur W. Pink

"The universe is wired with the electricity of God, & each of us is a lamp. It doesn't matter the size or shape of the lamp; it only matters that the lamp is plugged in. With every prayer, every thought of forgiveness, every meditation, every act of love, we plug in. The more of us who plug in, to more the darkness of the world will be cast from our midst. Today, let's all increase love's wattage!" ~ Marianne Williamson

"Most of all, God has blessed us by giving us the privilege of knowing Him and walking with Him every day. He did this by sending His Son into the world to die for our sins." ~ Billy Graham

"We need to replace the lies of the enemy with the truth of God; to do so we need to know the truth of God." ~ Christine Caine

"Don't waste another moment crying over what went wrong! If it wasn't a blessing - it was a lesson." ~ Paula White

"Humility is not a character trait to develop, it's the natural by-product of being with Jesus." ~ Louie Giglio

"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

"When to give grace? I'd rather stand before God knowing I loved others too much rather than regretting that I judged too harshly." ~ Lysa TerKeurst

"Always be ready to give a good testimony for the Lord, but remember that the best testimony a Christian can have is a love for others and good work habits." ~ Larry Burkett

"We suffer much agony because we try to get from people what only God can give us, which is a sense of worth and value. Look to God for what you need, not to people." ~ Joyce Meyer

Shining Your Light

In a world filled with darkness, the call to let our light shine is more important than ever. As believers, we are called to be a beacon of God's love and goodness in this world. Our actions should reflect His character and point others to Him. Let people witness the transformative power of God working through us. 

Think about a lantern on a dark night. It's light cuts through the darkness, illuminating the path for all to see. In the same way, when we allow God's light to shine through us, it has the power to dispel the darkness and guide others. Our acts of kindness, compassion and righteousness become testimony to the goodness of God. 

However, shining our light before others is not about seeking attention or applause for ourselves. It's about glorifying our Heavenly father. When our good works lead others to praise Him, it affirms His presence and power in our lives. It is a testament to the transformative work He is doing in us and through us. 

Salvation is not an Event

 

Salvation is not a singular event, so we shouldn't treat it as such. It is an ongoing process that began at the cross and continues throughout our earthly lives, involving faith, repentance, and transformation. Lent plays an important role along the way.

Phil Ashey, pastor of South Riding Church in Virginia, observed, "Our culture is so focused on an event rather than a process. Even as evangelicals, I think we've been trapped by the idea that salvation is a one-time event, like a sale that we've got to close. But often, it's a process in which people ask questions again and again and approach God repeatedly to consider faith. I see Lent as a door—an entryway—for people to connect or reconnect with Jesus."

Engaging in this process means approaching God, understanding His will and power, and reflecting on our faith in Him. Lent offers a unique opportunity to dedicate time toward this reflection. Over these 40 days, we examine our lives, confront our baggage and sinfulness, and commit to change. It is a time for corrective actions that lead to spiritual regeneration, for salvation itself hinges on being reborn or transformed. This journey doesn't happen in an instant or even in a single season—it unfolds in steps. Lent provides the space to take these steps, whether by shedding harmful habits or cultivating new ones, while spending meaningful time with God.

For some, Lent may extend beyond the traditional 40 days and span an entire year, as they continually evaluate and strive to deepen their spiritual lives. For others, the concentrated period of Lent is vital. Regardless of timing, the effort and outcome matter most.

Above all, we must remember that Jesus sacrificed Himself for the salvation we seek. This process calls for sincerity, earnestness, and a wholehearted commitment to change.