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4 Faithful Sayings: Pastor Rajiv's Daily Reflections

It is a faithful saying. — 2 Timothy 2:11 Paul has four of these “faithful sayings.” The first occurs in 1 Timothy 1:15, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptations, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” This one lays the foundation of our eternal salvation in the free grace of God.  The next is in 1 Timothy 4:6, “Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation.” Here it  affirms the double blessedness which we obtain through this salvation — of time and of eternity.  The third is in 2 Timothy 2:12, “It is a faithful saying—If we suffer with Him we shall also reign with Him”; this  shows one of the duties to which the chosen people are called; we are ordained to suffer for Christ with the promise that “if we suffer, we shall also reign with him.”  and the fourth is in Titus 3:3, “This is a faithful saying, that they which have beli

Giving is part of "Thanksgiving" : Pastor Rajiv's Reflection

As Thanksgiving approaches, we may consider submitting a part of our blessing to God, which, in todays world which is tantamount to sharing His Blessings with others as well. Pastor Rajiv talks about the importance and more, of sharing God's Blessings with others who may need what we will share.  Lets us thank the Almighty for deliverance from a pandemic which hit the world after a century; for our deliverance from it and other evils which may have befallen. From hunger, as even today 345 Million People Are in Hunger Crisis while the haves waste food (40% of the food produced in America is never eaten and. if just half of the food waste worldwide were recovered, we could end World Hunger).  In this context and background, Pastor Rajiv's message is ever so important.   

The Original Thanksgiving: Our Daily Reflections

Nehemiah 12:43 43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away. Over a period of time, maybe the past year, we all have worried about various issues that may have surrounded us. I can recall no bigger terror as when Covid surrounded us, invaded homes, offices, shops and families. I have seen families wiped out, destroyed. People falling like flies. Businesses were decimated and collapsed. Or maybe the terror of financial losses, business losses, homes destroyed and so much more evil that surrounds us. Yes, we all have experienced that terror. Much like the terror that the Israelites may have felt when Moses led them out of Egypt and as they were chased by Pharaoh and his men. And at the end of it all, we can only be thankful to God we are saved. But how do we show that we are truly thankful? Or is it just a lip service. Is it just a day of

Grieve Not the Spirit : Pastor Rajiv's Daily Reflection

All that we have must come from Christ, but it comes solely through the channel of the Spirit of grace. Moreover, as all blessings thus flow to us through the Holy Spirit, so also no good thing can come out of us in holy thought, devout worship, or gracious act, apart from the sanctifying operation of the same Spirit.  Even if the good seed be sown in us, yet it lies dormant except he works in us to will and to do of his own good pleasure. It is important for us to better understand the person of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes people think of the Holy Spirit as more of an “It” than a “Him.” But according to Scripture, the Holy Spirit is not only God, but He has a will, a personality, and can even be offended! One of the places in Scripture where we read about grieving the Holy Spirit is in Ephesians 4:29-32 . The apostle Paul writes: “ Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do

The Possibility of the Impossible: Pastor Rajiv's Daily Reflections

Read: Exodus 2 Verses 1 to 10.  Most times familiarity breeds a state of mindless recitation leading to zero consciousness. The story of Moses in the Bible has been heard so many times we probably cease to think about it anymore. But pause here to examine the scenario: Moses is born in a scenario, where the king has passed a judgment to kill every male Jewish child. He is therefore destined to be put to death. He is floated into the river as a desperate attempt by his mother to save him. She probably thought it was better for the river to take him than the violent death he faced. The river, instead of swallowing him as it should have, floats him to the kings' daughter swimming nearby, and who is attracted to the baby. She protects him and brings him up and finally Moses saves and leads his people, according to Gods will and wish, out of Egypt to a new land. Can you see the possibilities of the impossible? That Moses should have escaped Pharaoh's diktat: Impossible.  That he was

The Last Word: Our Daily Reflection

Who has not heard of the grace of God? A lot many are in the habit of saying "By the grace of God I am fine, or this happened" etc. But do we know Grace is so important that the Bible ends with "Grace" . The last verse of the last book of the Bible, Revelations says - " The Grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen." The Bible ends with that blessing, the blessing of Grace for all.  But What is grace? Grace needs to be known and understood, so we give it true value .  Grace is simply the supernatural enablement and unmerited favor of the Lord. And we have this "supernatural", God given, power we call grace though we do not merit it nor deserve it. We must therefore value it and practice it.  Understand and realize that God stoops down to make us great. That is God's grace, and it really is sufficient. By His grace we have been saved many times from any mess up we could possibly imagine, known or unknown. If Grace is at work in our life, no on

Don't Try Faith: Pastor Rajiv's Daily Reflections

1 Peter 1:7, NIV: These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. — 1 Peter 1:7 Faith trials are a part of life. Faith untried may be true faith, but it is sure to be little faith, and it is likely to remain dwarfish so long as it is without trials. Faith never prospers so well as when all things are against her: tempests are her trainers, and lightnings are her illuminators. and no faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs in adversity.  Tried faith brings experience. Faith increases in solidity, assurance, and intensity, the more it is exercised with tribulation. Faith is precious, and its trial is precious too. However, while faith will try you, don't try faith, especially the young in faith, lest it discourage. You will have trials enough without seeking them: the full portion will be measured out to you in due se