Charity Wrapped in Dignity

"Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands"

Christmas is around the corner and a time of joy, love, and giving, and is often intertwined with the spirit of charity. It's a season when people are more inclined to think of others, especially those less fortunate. The story of Christmas, especially the birth of Jesus, is often associated with humility, compassion, and selfless giving. By helping others, we not only bring joy to their lives but also experience a sense of fulfillment ourselves.

But here is the thing: when we help someone with money or some material things, it often jolts their own self worth. So while we may help them temporarily, we may hurt them permanently. So, taking a cue from Christmas, we try to understand what charity should mean.

Jesus took birth to die. We all do. But He took birth to die for us. He knew from the very beginning that he was the scapegoat! He knew His fate and yet He did it and went ahead. Why?

A. God, in His compassion wanted us to attain salvation and yet, needed to follow His own rule for forgiveness of our sins: There had to be a sacrifice.

B. God understood human nature and knew that the desire to rebuild a relationship could be kindled in the human heart.

C. God in His infinite wisdom also gave us the honour to choose - a life with God or a life without God.

To be able to offer man a chance at forgiveness and to wipe the slate clean, He sent His son, with this great mission: The salvation of mankind. 

Yes, that is the story of Christmas and it is the very definition of charity as well. A charity which we need to practise through out year and throughout the time we have here on earth.

Christmas defines true charity which is not merely about giving material possessions. It is about offering compassion, understanding, and the opportunity to rebuild one's life. By treating others with dignity and respect, we can empower them to overcome adversity and achieve their full potential.

Interestingly, many , many years before Christmas, Jesus's ancestor Boaz, showcased dignified charity when he told his workmen not to glean all the corn, but to leave them for Ruth. He not only redeemed her, but he did it with love and respect. 

Similarly, when Jesus was with the Samaritan woman at the well, He did not dwell on her sin. He did not scorn. He already knew what she had done. Instead, the Lord continually focused on her salvation. 

Today, we can reflect on that great sacrifice our God made for us. Without scorning us, without counting our sin, He gave us the greatest gift mankind can ever receive, so that we can live a joyous and abundant life. Let us pass on a little of the joy and abundance we have received. 

Pastor Rajiv's Mid-Week Message

 

The Peace of Christmas

Peace is a word most sought after, most misunderstood and most misinterpreted. We are in the second week of advent, with the theme of peace, and yet According to recent data, there are currently around 56 ongoing conflicts worldwide, with some sources stating this is the highest number since World War II, involving numerous countries engaged in conflicts outside their borders.

So then, what is this peace? What does it look like? What does it mean? What is the peace of God? 

In the Bible, the word Jesus uses for peace in most of these passages comes from the Greek word eiréné, which means harmony, tranquility, and reconciliation. It’s the concept of being in perfect unity and accord with the Lord, living in tune with his commands and ways.

It is a deep, inner peace that surpasses human comprehension, a calmness and serenity that can be experienced even amidst difficult circumstances, and is considered a gift from God that guards one's heart and mind through faith in Christ Jesus. This peace may not be logically understood but is visible in anyone who has experienced it. Visible in thier faces, ther manner, their talks and their behaviour, specially under extreme stress, because that stress or situation is passed onto Jesus in the full belief that He will carry that burden.

Jessica Brodie goes on to say that "in the short term, the peace of God doesn’t always look like world peace. But in the long-term, it is. For the peace of God comes when we know the God of peace". Jesus. Name above all names.

Which essentially means that till we as individuals experience God, believe in salvation, want salvation and believe that the way to salvation is through Jesus, the world cannot experience eiréné, the peace that Jesus talked about.

In fact, The "peace of God" can be considered a direct result of salvation, meaning that when a person accepts Jesus Christ and is saved, they receive a sense of peace and tranquility with God that comes from the forgiveness of their sins and the knowledge of their secure relationship with Him. They are no longer tormented souls on earth but, tranquil and peaceful beings.

This peace isn't just the absence of conflict, but a deep sense of security, contentment, and trust in God's plan, even amidst life's challenges.

John Blanchard made it quite simple when he commented there that the peace of God is being grateful for past mercy, conscious of present mercy, and certain of future mercy.

It is the peace from knowing God is with us. Emmanuel.

When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.” (Proverbs 16:7)

Unseen Anguish - II

While the world celebrates Christmas with merriment & laughter, there are many whose hearts are filled with anguish. Unseen and unknown. Beneath the façade of smiles and laughter, a silent storm often rages within the them. Unseen anguish can manifest in various forms. It may be the quiet desperation of a person grappling with a chronic illness, the silent suffering of a victim of abuse, or the internal turmoil of someone struggling with mental health issues. It can be the gnawing loneliness of an isolated soul or the profound grief of a bereaved heart.

The world often overlooks these silent struggles, dismissing them as mere fleeting moments of sadness or temporary setbacks. However, for those who endure them, unseen anguish can be a relentless force, consuming their thoughts and emotions. It can lead to feelings of isolation, worthlessness, and hopelessness.

Yet, even in the darkest depths of despair, there is a flicker of hope. Jesus Christ: offering a lifeline, offering understanding, empathy, and a life of His peace, if we so want.

What can we, as Christians do to help? Share Christmas! 

By fostering empathy and compassion, we can create a more supportive and understanding world. We can offer a listening ear, a comforting word, or a helping hand to those who are struggling silently. Above all, we can provide reassurances of Gods help in any situation, may it seem ever so hopeless and Jesus's birth in our lives. We can share and offer Jesus's peace.  

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Sunday Quotes

                      

“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.” (Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

“For God to reveal His Son in us is not the result of research or searching; it is entirely a matter of mercy and revelation. It is an inward seeing, an inner knowing.” (Watchman Nee)

“You cannot go outside of A and Z in the realm of literature; likewise Christ Jesus is First and Last of God's new creation, and all that is in between; you cannot get outside of that.” (T. Austin-Sparks)

“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 Haddon Spurgeon)

“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.” (Timothy Keller)

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

(Billy Graham)

“Only one life, 'Twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last.” (C.T. Studd)

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

“Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.” (Robert H. Schuller)

Revive Your Spirit!

Revivals have been a part of Christian history for centuries, and they continue to occur today. Once such annual revival concert called "Revive", happens in India, every year in November, at the Bethel Methodist Church in a Place called NOIDA, bringing in the Christmas. Today we bring you a short glimpse of this years' concert. 

 

The Toothpaste Experiment

 

"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips" , Psalm 141:3

There is a super power given to us and that is the tongue. It produces words and Words have power. They can heal or they can destroy. They can also make you a laughing stock.

God's Word mentions the tongue in over 120 passages, and many of those are cautions about using it wisely. Learning to control how we speak – to the Lord and to others – is one of the vital parts of our growth as Christians. The tongue reveals our hearts. It is a window.

If you want to see the effect of your tongue, take a tube of Toothpaste and squeeze some onto your hand. Now try putting all that you squeezed back into the tube. Impossible right? Trying to put it back in the tube will further mess your hand.

The tongue is like the tube. Once it has spoken words, you cannot put them back in your mouth. They will leave a mark. If they are good, kind words, you will leave a good kind mark. If they are harsh and or filthy words they will leave a filthy mark. They can never be taken back.

Kind words come from kind thoughts, and through Gods words.

Evil words come from our ego, jealousy, hate, and all those negative emotions which are not part of Christian thoughts.

Most of us suffer from this (what I call) silent sin. And like all sin, God is happy to help us overcome it. We need but ask.

Controlling the tongue is a basic part of living a Godly life. As Peter says in 1 Peter 3:10

For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech” .