One more Friend for Jesus

“Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! ¶ And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.¶ The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see” (John 1:35-46).

Many years back when I was in Seminary, one well known preacher was giving very simple illustration about the evangelism; it is just one beggar telling another beggar where he found his bread. It is really simple step to understand and simple as well to follow. As the New Testament Christian we all are evangelist of Christ and preacher of the good news of salvation. We should not forget the fact that even we were in the same stage with other non-Christians before we came to know Jesus.

I remember that life, I was just blind idol worshiper before I came to know Truth and Truth set me free. I was too like Millions Hindus today who are running after the stone idol of Ganesha (Elephant god of Hinduism) to feed milk with the spoon. It was not me, but God has chosen me before the formation of the world, and He called me out of darkness into his marvelous light. But what a selfish would I be if I forget the fact my life too was same like other Hindus today before getting Christ and because of that I need to tell them too about the salvation I have got full and free in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is exactly what the Andrew and Philip too did. Andrew and Philip came to know the truth and they found the Messiah whom the Jews were waiting for Centuries. When they met Him, talked to Him, they suddenly went back and brought their friend and relatives to Jesus, who were too in equal need of Jesus in their lives like Andrew and Philip.

The Bible says, Andrew went and brought Peter his brother to Jesus. Philip invited Nathaniel to come and see Messiah by himself. Many times we see the act of these lay man followers first works mentions in New Testament, but we couldn’t get how deep inspiration it has for us.

Bible says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts4:12). What a sad is it to see there is salvation only in the name of Jesus, and there are many people who are running after the power of darkness and Dharmas (Religions) of the world for finding salvation. There are not very huge requirement to be saved, just simple faith in the Son of God can save people from hell, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16). But many times we the Christian think that people have their right to practice their religions. Especially in United States, we are running more after their religious right then sharing them the gospel and saving their souls. There are many in our friend’s circle, in our neighborhood, in our company and office who are in the need of Jesus, we shouldn’t forget that their lives is in our hand, but also we are keeping silent.

As a lay man Christian too we have great responsibility to save people. If we can’t preach in huge Crusades too, we can just share where we got joy unspeakable and full of glory to them. At least we can pray for their salvation. At least we can share them how did Jesus changed our life?

Dear Christian brothers and sisters, if we all the born again Christians just try to bring one more friend to Jesus, we can double the born again Christian population of United States in next some months. Are you willing to pray for one of your unsaved friend? Can you just share him/her how did you found salvation through Christ? May God bless us richly and help us to lead many unsaved friends into Christ.

Biblical Mathematics; the Mathematics of God

“Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! ¶ And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.¶ The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see” (John 1:35-46).

Beginning of the Ministries of Jesus

The ministries of Jesus publicly started alone with His Baptism in Jordan and God’s divine declaration of , “ This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt.3:17). We should understand the facts about the Baptism and Baptism of Jesus. There are different view points regarding the Baptism of Jesus, many consider the Baptism of Jesus with the sin and confession. In fact, the natural water of Baptism can’t was away the spiritual sin, and Baptism has no thing to do with sin and salvation, this is to fulfill the righteousness of God as well to set an example for Christian life, He was Baptized into water.

Man can be saved through his faith in Jesus Christ and repentance of his sin. Baptism is not the repentance, but it is the ordinance of the Church. It is just outward expression of inward change. Not for being saved we take the Baptism, but because we are saved so that we get Baptism. We can see clear Biblical evidence for this volunteer effort of believers in the book of Acts of the Apostle, “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:37)

The Baptism of Jesus was not for His confession of the sin, but He took first step of His ministries in this world with setting forth an example for us. He gave us a spiritual ordinance that the saved ones of the Church need to follow in order to identify ourselves with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

Early Followers of Jesus

When some one comes out with a Mission, his/her success depends on the followers he will get. When Jesus started His earthly ministries, He was alone first but soon after two persons joined with Him and they came to be three together. When the two who had joined with him brought one person each, then the number reached five. But after that, the number was always in multitude and on the number of thousands.

Establishment of First Church Congregation

On the day of Pentecost, 120 were praying together before the Holy Ghost came upon them. Suddenly the Upper Room Congregation came into the power of Holy Ghost and started to witness, on the same day, through the mass evangelistic crusade of Peter, three thousands added into the Church of Almighty and then five thousands and after that the number reached uncountable.

The Mathematics of God

On the Mathematics of God, there is no minus and plus but only multiply. Because Church of God is called to multiply not just get some more souls to be added or to loose the membership. This is the saddest fact that the Church Denominations today are unable to understand because of that they are leaving out the word of God and compromising the worldly things just to save the membership.

We should be sure that Christ is the author and finisher of our race, and if God is with us no one can destroy us with any cost. Church of God is called to multiply and it will keep on multiplying till Christ came to rapture His bride. If we stand in the word of God and practice the word of God in our Church and personal life, we will be multiplied always, Churches won’t be turned empty and Church campuses into old graveyard only, but It will be in fire.

Heavenly Call to Multiply

Down through the centuries, God of ages is dealing the humanity through various channels. The plan of God’s salvation to the people starts alone with His divine call of Abram, a pagan man in order to be the blessing to the nations. God called Abram with three conditions, and promise of three blessing in his life. The Bible records, “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Gen.12:1-3).

As the descendants of Abraham, the father of faith, it was the responsibilities of Jews to be blessing to the nations. In other world, God wanted Israelites to be the channel of God’s salvation to the Humanity, but because of their failure, He raised a complete diverse group of believers in Christ, the people of every nations and cultures as a single Church which is body of Christ.

We shouldn’t forget the fact that because of disobedience of Israel and their unbelief we have got this privilege to be sons of God just through our faith (John 1:12). If you read your Bible carefully, specially the gospel, you don’t find Jesus came into this world in order to gather the saved ones and to establish His Church. Because of this confusion, even after the resurrection disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”(Acts1:6)

The primary mission of Christ in this world was to restore back the Kingdom of God through Israel, because of that when John the Baptist started his prophetic ministries as forerunner of Christ, started to proclaim, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt.3:2). But because of the disobedience of Israel, and their unbelief, Christ declared, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” Matt16:18-19). Paul illustrates the disobedience of Israel and our privilege to be partaker of the blessing of God in Romans, “And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, the branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in” (Rom.11:17-19).

Here we need to understand that the cause of failure of Israel is not because of God but because of their own disobedience. God’s promise of blessing for Israel was not unconditional, but there was certain conditions which Israel failed to fulfilled. Because of that when Jesus was on His mission to restore back the Kingdom, because of the unfaithful and unwillingness of Israel, He changed His mind to Establish the Church.

But there are still some primary responsibilities that Church need to fulfill. Jesus gave his final commandment to the disciples, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matt.28:19-20).

Two primary duties of the Church:

Reach Out

The first primary duty of the people is to reach out the people as Jesus said, “Go ye therefore”. We shouldn’t forget the fact that first duty of the Church is to reach out the people as they are and where they are. Or in clear world, the first duty of the Church is evangelizing the unreached, reaching out people with the gospel message, telling people that there is salvation full and free in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“…………..For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (I Tim 2:3-4). As a Christian, we shouldn’t forget the attribute of our God that He has no partiality. He loves every one and His heart is to see everyone coming into the knowledge of Christ and being saved through their own faith. But it is the problem with people that rather then light of the gospel they are happy into the darkness.

Yet, as a Church, we should reach out the people where they are and as they are. Today the problem with Christianity is, we want people to come as we are, but we are not willing to reach out them as they are. Paul gives us very clear definition of Christian evangelism, “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (I Cor. 9:19-22).


Teach

The second responsibility of the Church is to teach the people who have been reached and brought into the family of God. In order to fulfill this function of the Church, Lord has given five fold ministries of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher (read also Eph. 4:11-12).

The first responsibility of the Church was to bring the souls out of the bondage of Satan, but that is not the final destination, but even after that, the Church need to bring them into the fullness of Christ. Teaching is the process to develop the Christ likeness in the lives of individuals who came to salvation through the function of reaching out.


Where have we failed?

The Church of God today need to realize that we have failed in these two important primary function of the Church. There are some congregations who are very active in reaching out the people, but unfortunately they are unable to teach and develop the Christ likeness in the lives of Individuals. Because of that, though they are reaching out the souls they are not effective enough and multiplying.

But the problem of majority of the congregations today are they are good in teaching and they are focusing on teaching and teaching alone but don’t try to reach out. Because of that, rather the active body of Christ, they are turning just an Intellectual Study group who gather together to study and discuss on the topic they like to discuss with. Whether we realize or not, but this is the cause that many of our local congregations are turning as the study group of retired generations because we can find there just handful people, most of them are of the sixty plus generation.

This is the saddest fact that our congregations are not only failed to fulfill the duty of reaching out souls for Christ, but they are also closed to the people who come to search us. If we walk through the empires of Churches in our neighborhoods, there are properties of billions dollars which are closed for the public because they are afraid to secure their investments of billions. As a result, the empires that is build in Billions are turning gradually as graveyards, some people are still alive there physically but the empires itself is turned into the ruins.


The heavenly call to Church:

The Church of God is called to multiply not to be empty. The Mission that one Man Jesus started officially inaugurated on the Day of Pentecost with almost one hundred and twenty, suddenly multiplied into three thousands, five thousands and uncountable. The Church of God which was just in Jerusalem soon spread in Antioch, Damascus, entire Asia Minor, Europe and entire world. The Kingdom of God which was started without single dollar investment, is marching toward the victory even today. But at the same part, the empires of multiple buildings we are constructing are gradually turning toward the graveyard.

This is the time, the time of Grace of God that is on us and upon us. This is the time for us to think where we have failed and to recover, so that we can move toward the Victory as the co-worker of Christ for the Promotion of the Kingdom of God. We shouldn’t forget the fact that Christ has established His Church upon the Rock, Rock of the Ages, Rock of the Truth and gates of Hell can’t overcome it. The Church of God is call to multiply, established to multiply and it will keep on multiply. May God bless us from Heaven Above in our faithfulness and strengthen us to multiply.

You shall see greater things then these.

“…………….thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man” (John 1: 51)

Nathaniel came to conclusion that the man who knows the heart of a man is really Messiah. It was not so easy for a Jew to accept the fact though he first doubted about good things coming out of Nazareth, but suddenly when he came into the personal conversation with Jesus, he reached in a conclusion that He is King of Israel, He is the son of Living God.

Personal fellowship with God is very important in Christian life. Through your personal fellowship you will come to deep relationship with Jesus and as deep as your relationship goes, you will come to realize who Jesus is. Fellowship shares the heart of one to another. As strong fellowship we do with Jesus, we will know more the heart of God.

This is exactly what happened to Nathaniel too. First he had little doubt because he heard that Jesus was from Nazareth. He had doubt how can Messiah come out of Nazareth. But as he started personal fellowship with Jesus suddenly all the doubts turned into the strong confidence and he confessed that Jesus is King of Israel and Son of God. In personal relationship and fellowship with Jesus, he came to realize the heart of Jesus and that led him to know who Jesus is.

Today, it is the sad fact that most of the Christians have very good knowledge about Jesus, but there is no personal relationship with him. Sadly, even many ministers of the word are without the experience of meeting Jesus face to face in their spiritual life. Because of that, the body of Christ today is turning as the Religious club rather then the fountain of Blessing to the nations of the world.

Nathaniel came through the personal fellowship with Jesus, and through his personal relationship with Jesus, he came to who Jesus is. All his doubts came to an end and new faith raised up in Christ and his deity through his personal relationship with Jesus.

Because of the personal relationship with Jesus, the new prophetic world came into the life of Nathaniel through Jesus. He prophesied for Nathaniel and much more greater things that God was going to reveal him in the days to come. Jesus prophesied for him, I say unto you, “Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man”.

Because of our personal relationship with Jesus, the prophetical words come for us. The prophecy of greater things that God is going to show, the greater blessing God is going to give and greater revival God is going to send.

Today if we committed ourselves to God, it is the prophetic word of God even today for us, God is going to show us greater things. If you believe today in His words, the Lord is going to show you greater promises, the promise of blessing on the lives of believers, the promise of revival in the lives of Church. Visionary leaders will come out of body of Christ, men and women will rise up with the gospel, the nations of the world will be evangelized. Sinners shall be saved, nations shall be turned to Christ and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the Lord.

Let us stand together today for Jesus. Let us hold the promises of God for us. Let us have complete faith and faith alone in Christ Jesus our Lord. Let us keep aside all our theologies, doctrines and traditions. Let us rely completely upon the Word of God, His promises and His Prophecies. The fire of revival will be spread out the world and nations shall be revived to receive Christ our Lord.

Let us hold our faith steadfastly in order to see the greater things in our lives and in the life of the Church of Almighty.

Under the Fig Tree

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel” (John 1:47-49).

I have met one young man (who is relative of far to me) who is very committed devotee to Sai Baba, a controversial Indian living god. He had been to Ashram of Sai Baba to meet him, when he went to Baba, he called him through his own name. It was really surprising for an ordinary Nepali who didn’t know about the modern technologies, to hear a god whom Millions worship in India calling him with his name though he had never met him before. There are thousands who are impressed with Sai Baba’s (and other controversial gods of India) knowledge about the people who goes to visit them, but don’t understand the fact that before they are reaching him, they have gone through many security check and many places of name entrees.

Jesus saw about Nathaniel before he approach to Jesus, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guild!” Nathaniel was really impressed because the Messiah, whom he is going to meet for the first time and yet many Israelites have not yet seen Him, knew him before he is reaching to Him. But, it was not like Jesus was doing some tricks with him like many so called gods of east does. Nathaniel was really a honest Jew in whom there was no guilt. He was very honest to the teaching of his forefathers, but indeed open to accept the truth of God too. Jesus knew his ability before he came to meet Jesus.

But Nathaniel couldn’t control himself and asked to Jesus, “Guru, how do you know me?” Bit surprise, bit doubt, but it was really interesting turning point of his life when he asked Rabbi, how do you know me though I have not seen you before.
Dear Christian brothers and sisters, God knows us before the creations of the world, He has created you and me, both men and women in His one image and His own likeness. He has counted even the hairs of your heads. He has pierced you in His palm of His hands. And he is really worried for our life. Our God is Loving God and He loves you and cares you.

But the answer that Jesus gave to Nathaniel was not just as God, but as son of man he said, even before Philip called you I had seen you under the fig tree. The answer was just as a human, but Jesus had already seen Nathaniel before he was taking his decision of life and death. Before he had taken the decision of tradition or salvation and even before I came to the conclusion of which way he will be taking. God met Nathaniel under the fig tree during the dilemma of choosing the way of life. He met him on the unsolved problem of his life. He met him on the confusion of choosing either this or that. But He met his exactly in right time and right place, on the turning point of his life.

Dear Brothers and Sister, It is our God who has called us from darkness of world to his marvelous light. From sin to salvation full and free through Jesus Christ His Son. He wants you to be the channel of blessing that God has given to you even to the lost Millions. God is trying to speak to you today.

He has seen you on the right time of your life, on exactly turning point of your life. You might be thinking today about this first generation of Christian convert from third world country, you might have thinking what can this poor Asian guy can teach to the Christians of world’s most powerful nation where there are thousands Christian scholars with high degree in Theology. You might be thinking that this Asian guy is right in some points. Our God has already seen you under the fig tree of your life, on the turning point of your life. God has already seen you under the fig tree of your life, while you were thinking this Asian man is wrong or right.

Dear brothers and sisters, make your path dedicated to Lord, open your heart to get the fresh revelation from God, open yourself for accepting the new Move of Holy Spirit in the lives of Church, our Lord is going to see you mighty revival in this end time.

Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?

There are some facts which are difficult to accept if some one tells. You can imagine what your reaction will be to when some one is telling you early morning that sun is raising from the west this morning. This was not less surprise for Nathaniel that he heard the Messiah whom the Jews were waiting for centuries have came now, but the most discouraging thing was from Nazareth.

That’s why, Nathaniel immediately reacted that, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Nathaniel here didn’t deny completely that Messiah can’t come from Nazareth, but as a Jew he knew that Prophets have prophesied hundreds of years before that Messiah will born in the household of David in Bethlehem of Judah. Nathaniel was in a dilemma, to whom does he trust, the prophets or Philip who is boldly witnessing that he has found the Messiah whom they are waiting for centuries.

Simply delaying to accept the truth is not denial. Nathaniel here didn’t deny the fact, but he expressed some of his doubt, some of his surprise and said “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Here he is not saying good things can’t come through Nazareth, or it can come out of Nazareth too, but his doubt is can it really come from Nazareth. He indirectly came into half point of accepting, but his heart asks then why did our prophets prophesied that Messiah will come out of Bethlehem.

Today, we the Christians of modern day need to learn through the sincerity of Nathaniel. We need to understand the fact that Christian Theology is progressive revelation, and God reveals the truth as our intellectual capacity and knowledge is growing. Raising and fall of many Christian teaching and denominations is the reason of the God’s move down through the centuries. All the movement and Theology was good during the time they were started as movement of fire and cleaned the wickedness and promoted the Kingdom of God. But as days, months and years started to pass away, they gradually started to forget their initial zeal and latter it developed as the Church traditions. We the Christians need to understand that salvation is not belong to any particular denominations but Salvation belongs to God. And it is the plan of God to save entire humanity through the gospel of salvation that is preached by the Church of Living God. Our God is still yet work, and He is raising the men and women of God and movement of the people of God.

But many times we will be so much religious and honest Baptists, Brethren, Lutherans, Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and many more, but we can’t be Christians. Being Christian is to deny self and accept Christ in as Lord and Savior, to be open to the revelation of God, to be open to the move of God and to be open to the Spirit of God. But most of the time we will be so closed to move of God in our life and be loyal to the doctrines and teachings of our Denominations, and make our hearts hard to accept the truth of God.

The plan of God is bigger then the plan of man, the ways of God are wider then ours. We shouldn’t stop the way of God’s grace and blessing in our life by searching it in our own ways. God deals people with our own capacity and knowledge, but move of God doesn’t depend in our knowledge. God is moving even today in the lives of Church, He is revealing new things to us, restoring the new gifts and functions in the Church of God. We may be honest followers of our Church’s traditions, but our traditions are not bigger then God. If God Himself is working through the revelations, we need to accept the progressive theology and correct ourselves through the word of God.

Philip: the man on Word and Fire

“The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:43-45).

Bethesaida: House of fish.

1. A town in Galilee, on the west side of the sea of Tiberias, in the "land of Gennesaret." It was the native place of Peter, Andrew, and Philip, and was frequently resorted to by Jesus #Mr 6:45 Joh 1:44 12:21 It is supposed to have been at the modern 'Ain Tabighah, a bay to the north of Gennesaret.
2. A city near which Christ fed 5,000 #Lu 9:10 comp. #Joh 6:17 Mt 14:15-21 and where the blind man had his sight restored #Mr 8:22 on the east side of the lake, two miles up the Jordan. It stood within the region of Gaulonitis, and was enlarged by Philip the tetrarch, who called it "Julias," after the emperor's daughter. Or, as some have supposed, there may have been but one Bethsaida built on both sides of the lake, near where the Jordan enters it. Now the ruins et-Tel.


1) Philip The Apostle {#Mt 10:3 Joh 1:43 6:5 12:21 14:8}

One of the twelve apostles; a native of Bethsaida, "the city of Andrew and Peter" #Joh 1:44 He readily responded to the call of Jesus when first addressed to him #Joh 1:43 and forthwith brought Nathanael also to Jesus #Joh 1:45,46 He seems to have held a prominent place among the apostles #Mt 10:3 Mr 3:18 #Joh 6:5-7 12:21,22 14:8,9 Ac 1:13 Of his later life nothing is certainly known. He is said to have preached in Phrygia, and to have met his death at Hierapolis.

1a) A Personal Worker {#Joh 1:45 12:21,22}

The interesting part of the life of Philip is his aggression to lead people into the Truth of Life which He has got to know by himself. When Jesus called Him, he didn’t follow himself but also led Nathanael to Christ.
Generally, people need to think before taking any serious decision of their lives. Even for us, when we get the word of Truth, many times we can’t fully make decision because our culture, practices, traditions, doctrines, religion and society comes in between the Truth and us. Many times the religions and traditions don’t cover only our spiritual eyes but make our hearts heart so that not only we can’t see, but even we can’t think of truth.
Philip, the man got the call of God through Christ while Jesus said him follow me. There was no question, nor doubt nor any hesitation but he simply followed Jesus. This action symbolizes the Christian’s reaction to the word and truth. The perfect model of Christian life is not the doubt or questioning God, but to trust and obey when we hear the call of God.
Philip, when got the divine call to follow Christ, completely dedicated himself to the call and without any questions he followed him. On the first step of his Christian life itself, he found the Nathanael and shared the good news to him that whom Moses and prophets have foretold and whom the Jews are waiting to come, Messiah has come. Philip didn’t wait till he will be a mature Christian, or he will get the perfect knowledge about the scriptures, but as soon as his own life was transformed in and through Christ, he started to witness the good news that he heard and accepted. Many people think that they need to be mature Christians for the ministries. In fact the greatest ministry is to lead a sinner to salvation and the greatest qualification of the minister is the man or women who have assurance of salvation. There is no greater qualification of Christian minister then to know that he was the wretch sinner and Christ is the Greatest Savior. Today the problem of Christianity is, many times people has good head knowledge of Scripture, but they have no assurance of this greatest salvation. Because of that, many people today are good scholars of the Bible, but not really good minister to lead people into way of salvation.
Where as, Philip first came to know divine call of God for life and came to the point of realization, that Jesus is the Anointed one whom they are waiting for. The very simple plan of God for salvation is just to have faith and because of his plain faith in Jesus he was first saved by himself. And, as a saved sinner, he started to lead others whom he found on his way.

Andrew: the forgotten Hero of New Testament

When I used to go movie on my childhood, I used to dream, one day I will be movie actor. But when I grew up, I started to change my mind because behind the silver screen too there is a Super Hero who directs the movie. Then I started to dream about being director. Because even the man who is not so handsome and smart can play vital role behind the screen.

Many times, we look the frontline characters, but forget the fact that behind them too there is some one who is leading them through one way or another. In New Testament, we look the frontline Stars like Peter and Paul who have great contribution for preaching and promotion of gospel, leading and planting the Churches in first century and writing the books of the Bible. But some times don’t pay much attention toward the characters who are not mentioned much on Scriptures.

Today, I would like to discuss briefly about a man, just an ordinary disciple Andrew, the Brother of Simon Peter, the hero behind of screen of New Testament. Two times, Andrew is mentioned in Bible, who represent the lay Christians and shows what we can do as our part in ministries.

I. Our First Encounter with Andrew

Andrew is mentioned only twice in the Bible. Our first encounter with Andrew on the Bible is as the Disciple of John the Baptist, “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God. And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone” (John 1:35-42).

Andrew, an honest Jew, who was waiting for Messiah and because of his keen search for salvation through Christ, let him to John the Baptist. A man, who was waiting for the Anointed one of Jehovah, dedicated himself to teaching and ministries of John the Baptist. His keep passion toward salvation compelled him to follow John when he started his prophetic Ministries as the forerunner of Jesus Christ. Yet, we can understand that his eyes were toward the Messiah who comes to redeem his people.

Transformational Period:

When Andrew was standing with John, a man was walking away, as the Spirit of God moved on, John shouted, behold the Lamb of God. Andrew, without questioning just followed Jesus. Walked with Him, talked to Him and came to a conclusion that Jesus is the Messiah whom he is waiting for.

A man of simple faith, who didn’t run after the traditions and culture, who didn’t think about his Church’s teaching and doctrine, but when he knew the Truth, just simply follow it. There was no doubt in him, nor was he worried of what action his Church will take against him.

Many times, when we get truth, we can’t take right decision because we think about the traditional teaching of our Church or our denominational culture or our Theological doctrine. Many times because of our traditions or culture or doctrine, we forget the doctrine of God, the simple faith to be saved. And, our traditions or cultures or doctrines take us away from the truth, and blind our eye to see the beauty and glory of God our Father.


Witness for Christ:

When Andrew came into the knowledge of Truth, the second step he took is the witness for Christ. When he came to know Christ, he just went back to his own brother Simon and witnessed him about Jesus. As a born again believer, he couldn’t keep the good news of finding salvation on himself, but he shared to the one whom he loved, his own brother.

The real Christian life is to witness gospel. It is not because you will get paid for it, but because without Christ, our loved ones, our neighbors, our friends and families can’t go to heaven. Christ is the only way to heaven, and our duty is not to be selfish and keep this great gospel that saves our lives from hell on our heart itself, but to share to others too who are too in equal need like us.

II. Our Second Encounter with Andrew:

“When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten” (John 6:5-13).

Man who finds solutions in the problem:

Our second encounter with Andrew on the Bible is with the wise solution maker during the crises. When it was almost impossible to go and buy the bread for the crowd, Andrew brings small ray of home that there is still a boy who have some resources to share with. A wise decision on right time can help a lot. When the ways seem like closed, still there will be door of God, and Andrew is our perfect model of example in order to find the solution in order to co-operate with our leadership during the time of crises.

III Layman Christian; the Andrews of Modern Church

Here I would like to recall the story of sparrow during the wild fire. There were many birds on the jungle, but all of them flew away when wildfire spread on the jungle. But one small sparrow couldn’t forget the place where he was born and brought up. While everyone flew away, he started to wet his wings on the far river and shake drops of waters from his feathers on the fire. Some one, who was noticing it asked what difference does it makes in such a wild fire. The sparrow humbly replied, at least I am doing my part.

Many times, we may think what can we do as a lay man Christian in such a big country? Friends, at least we can do our part. We shouldn’t forget the fact that we all may not be Simon Peter, but the truth is, it was Andrew who introduced Christ to a Mass Crusader Simon Peter who leaded thousands into Christ. We shouldn’t forget the fact that it was Andrew, who solved the problem while entire Apostolic Team of Jesus was thinking about providing goods by giving the information about bread and fish which was there in their midst itself.

Friends, we all might not have called to be Simon Peter, but God wants even we lay Christians to be Andrew. God wants us to do what we can do for the Kingdom. God wants us to be the Andrew of Modern Church. Are you willing to raise up the spirit of Andrew in you?

How effective are cross-cultural missionary in 21st Century?

Mission of Christ to the lost world is primary duty of Christian Church. Telling a sinner about the salvation full and free in Christ Jesus is not just primary responsibility of Christians, but it is also an identity of a Christian. The revival of the Church is not the exciting worship they have, but it is the mind they have for the Mission to the lost Millions.

As Christ commanded in Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” The primary duty of the Church is to witness in their neighborhood, and then state or nation and then to move toward the world. When a brand new congregation is planted, their primary focus need to be their neighborhood, then when they will impact their neighborhood, then the process need to be toward the nation and the nations of the world. If a Church congregation can’t witness to the man next door, we can understand that they have some short of spiritual illness in their Christian lives. This is one of the reason that some time’s mega church are limited today only with senior adults in the congregations, where as the leaders who understand this strategy that Christ commanded have multiplied into thousands and making worldwide impact in Christian Mission.

The Church Planting Movement is just like a river, it’s humble beginning can be just a spring or a falls on the mountains, it first waters the surrounding grounds and gradually starts to flow toward far down. As it keeps on continue, it multiplies on wide and ever on the water it contains. It keeps on flowing towards far down by watering barren land, fruitful land, jungles and plains till finding destiny, the ocean. On the same way, a Church planting movement starts with simple beginning of some handful people, move toward the perfection of Christ, witnessing sinners, teaching the saved, helping the poor, caring the widows and needy till the day of Christ when the Church will be rapture.

In order to fulfill this mission of Christ, the Missionaries in Past have done really great jobs. They have kept their lives on risk and taken the gospel to the cannibals of the mountains of Asia and Jungles of Africa. They have given their lives for Christ, suffered among the uncivilized, and shown them the light of gospel. No one can deny the role of Missionaries who led people in past from darkness to light, sin to salvation and primitive lifestyle to complete human civilization.

But, we need to understand that Christian Theology is progressive revelation, as the knowledge of the people growing, God is revealing more and more depth and mysteries of His word. This is exactly same even in Mission too. There was the time, when the people were uncivilized; God used western missionaries effectively on Asia and Africa. But today people have come into a level of civilization and growth, and we need to change our old prospective even in mission too.

Today, the western Churches need to change the traditional style of sending cross cultural missionary to the non-Christian nations, and spread supportive hands for reaching, teaching and mobilizing the native nationals to reach their own nations. Native nationals are much more effective in today’s context for various reasons. Moreover, we need to understand the fact that Jesus came to save men as a man, not as God. He took human birth, lived among us as one of us and reached us being what we are. God, who gave us His Son Jesus, has given us perfect model of Christian Mission too. But some times we are not trying to understand this fact that with difference we can’t reach the people.

Native missionaries are the people who are one among the unreached on their nations. Most of them will be converted Christian and just like others before they came to be saved. They are much better to reach their people there, not because the degree or education they have but because the transformed lives and experience they have. Our role here is to encourage them to reach their own people, train them and contribute them through our material blessing that God has given us.

This is the time for us to encourage the native missionaries and support them financially on their mission work, as for us, Lord has given us lost souls in our own neighborhood. Some times, we work hard in nations like India and Nigeria, but also we won’t be so effective like the native missionaries there, but forget the fact that USA itself is now turning as one of the most unreached nation. We forget the fact that Europe has less born again Christians then some of the nations in Asia and Africa. We are forgetting the fact that our Churches are turning empty while Korean Churches are getting more then 100 thousands believers each week to worship together.

This is the time for us to unite and strengthen our hands for supporting the native missionaries in Unreached Nations. This is the time for us to pray for the workers of Harvest of God who are laboring for God. And this is the time for us to witness our neighbor so that before we will return back to our home for eternity, we may see our neighborhood being back to God again. If you believe, and I believe and if we join together for prayer, we can change the nations for Christ. We can bring the sinner back to God and spread the revival through out the nations.

Reaching out to the unreached Diaspora Nepalese

Historical background

Nepal is known as the country of mountains, carrying the glory of Mount Everest as the highest pick in the world. It is one of the world’s least developed countries. In the most recent year, government spending equaled 17.3 percent of GDP. About 85% of the population lives from subsistence agriculture in rural areas, coping with great disparities of caste, gender, and geography. Poverty, unemployment, declining natural resources, and more recently the Maoist insurgency are major reasons why international labor migration is an increasingly important source of income. For younger people it is also a way to experience the wider world. International migration patterns are diverse. Labor migration is found throughout Nepal, but the majority of migrants are from the western and far western Mid-Hills. The major destination, for about 77% of the migrants, is India. Because migration to India has a long history and Nepalese and Indians cross the border freely, migration between India and Nepal is largely undocumented. There are an estimated 1.3 to 3 million Nepalese in India, 2 to 5 times higher than official statistics show. The Gulf States have become another important destination since the 1990s. Migration to these countries or to other Asian and European countries requires resources far beyond the means of most migrants. They lack education, information about recruiting procedures, and the financial means to contract recruiting

Migration History

Nepal has a long history of foreign employment in India, dating back to the beginning of the 19th century, when men from the hill areas of what was then known as Gurkha migrated westwards to the city of Lahore in the northern region of Punjab. There they joined up as soldiers in the army of the Sikh Rajah, Ranjit Singh. Even today, those working abroad are popularly known as "lahures." During the 1920s and 1930s in particular, there was a significant increase in the number of Nepali men and women working in India. During the 1920s and 1930s in particular, there was a significant increase in the number of Nepali men and women working in India.
According to research done by the Nepal Institute for Development Studies — the first systematic look at Nepali foreign labor migration — as many as 750,000 men and women were working in India's private sector. Most were engaged in manual labor jobs in industry, construction work, agriculture, or the service sector. Their wages tended to be low and the work was often dirty, dangerous, and even degrading. For example, some 100,000 to 150,000 Nepali women are estimated (by many sources, but with little empirical evidence) to be employed in the sex industry across India. The majority of women migrant workers beyond India were in two countries — Hong Kong (44 percent) and Japan (9 percent) — with 56.5 percent in East and Southeast Asia. The remainder were in the UK (12 percent), the US (9 percent), Australia (6 percent), Bahrain (4 percent), and other countries. Most of them were working as domestics or in other areas of the service sector. In February 2001, the Malaysian government officially "opened" its labor market to Nepali workers. Within six months, over 12,000 labor migrants had left for Malaysia, and a year later Malaysia was hosting some 85,000 Nepali migrant workers. By August 2001, 87 percent of officially registered migrant workers (those recruited by recognized manpower agencies) were headed for the Gulf. An analysis of Nepali migrant workers in 2002 — by the Nepal Institute for Development Studies for UNIFEM, the women's fund at the United Nations — revealed that two-thirds of Nepalese working overseas were employed in the Gulf, mainly in Saudi Arabia (42 percent), Qatar (11.5 percent), and the UAE (nine percent). The total was estimated at 465,000 — 10 times more than in 1997.

Key problems of Migrants

a. Girls trafficking

Some figures refer only to women and girls trafficked into the sex industry. These include estimates that between 100,000 to 200,000 Nepali women are working in the Indian Sex industry, and that between 5000 and 8000 young women are trafficked for prostitution into India each year. Many figures are prone to exaggeration. For example, one report notes that the “majority of the 40,000 prostitutes in Sonagachi (a red light area in Calcutta) are Nepali. It is extremely difficult to estimate the number of Nepalese women and children who have been trafficked. The difficulties arise partly because of a lack of reliable research in this area.

Nepali women and children victims who are working in different parts of India.

Bombay 45,000
Calcutta 36,000
Gorakhpur 04,000
Pune 03,000
Patna 04,000
Lucknow 02,500
Madras 03,500
Surat 01,500
Others 26,000

Source: Informal Estimation, CWIN Nepal, 2002.*

b. Education

Research shows that migrants Nepalese are forced to work abroad in low scale salaries though government passed the mandate for minimum level of salary scale. Because of the lack of education they are easily being cheated and driven away BY others. That made them to find the job mostly in Chaukidar ( security guard) or in Chinese fast food. Though they have got full right to join their children in Indian government school as per the 1950s treaties between India and Nepal but they are deprived to so because of the lack of education. They are often denied their basic legal rights and are vulnerable to labor rights violations and various forms of exploitation.

c. Social awareness

Social awareness is another key area where migrants’ people need to be awakening. Thousands and thousands Nepalese girls are sold in Indian brothel. Nepal government ignores to control this alarming issues rather Nepal seems busy in political reformation which looks ultimate joke to the Nepal. Friends! We need the food not the plate! We need water, not a flask! We need houses, not a palace! We need basic things, not the political reformation with modifying and debating constitution.

Church and mission

I keep on writing over this issue! And once again I want to emphasize about the Churches’ role in present context. Evangelism should not be exclusive in nature. We should think about the people, society and nation. Jesus considered people much beyond than our expectation. Each and every individual were important in sight of God, Be it a Samaritan woman, or a single leper! Neglecting our society and people is making us exclusive Pharisees of this world. Nepali church is mature enough to think and dealing with the issue. My point here is not to criticize over being migration from Nepal but how people are being looked down, brutally used in brothel, forced to work in low scale salaries in gulf world and the rest of the World.
The task seems to be challenging for the Nepali churches. The role of the some of the organization in Delhi has played as an excellent job in the upliftment Nepali migrants. Church should take this responsibility seriously and it is the church which plays the key factor for bringing changes in society. So, Nepali church should think over mission with an open mind. So far we were expecting the missionaries to come and help us here! The scenario has changed now! Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.. Matthew 28:19. We need to send missionaries to every corner to reach out to the Nepalese at large. The mission can’t move further unless we go hand in hand with the local church. I would like to motivate Nepali Churches to carry the missions in their respective areas. Somewhere it may be needed to steer the churches. Christian organization will play the important role to bring the changes in society.

Sources

The Nepal Institute for Development Studies (2003). "Nepali Women Workers in Foreign Lands: a study conducted for UNIFEM." Kathmandu, July.

Seddon, David, Jagannath Adhikari and Ganesh Gurung (2000). "Foreign labor migration and the remittance economy of Nepal: A Report to DFID, Kathmandu." Overseas Development Group, University of East Anglia, Norwich.

Seddon, David, Jagannath Adhikari and Ganesh Gurung (2001). "The New Lahures: foreign employment and the remittance economy of Nepal." The Nepal Institute of Development Studies, Kathmandu.

Fr. Fulgentius Vannini, Christian settlements in Nepal during the eighteenth century, Stylish printing press, New Delhi, 1977

Perry Cindy, A biographical History of the Church in Nepal, Wheaton, Illinois, 1989.

This article is adopted from Nepal Church dot com a Nepali Christian website and the you can read it in http://nepalchurch.com/content/view/204/

The worldly practice in the Church of Living God.

Few weeks back, I was joining one retired generations' Church in Northern Virginia in order to get place for Ethnic Harvest, suddenly on the meeting; one old lady expressed her fear, if they allow their Church to use for the purpose of Ethnic Ministries, some day the ethnic congregations may grow stronger and larger then the decreasing main Congregation. And the time will come the members of ethnic ministries can vote some times even on the issue which main congregation of the Building don't like.
Today, this is the problem with most of the Congregational Churches in world that they are always unsecured because they think that, at any time others can vote on what they don’t like, or others can grow stronger majority then them. It is the problem because our faith is not rooted in the word of God, because the word of God clearly says us that, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Tim.1:7).
Here, the questions comes, why Congregationalist feels unsecured when the work of God multiplies? Why many Christians are not open toward the New Converts who are coming to their Congregations in order to worship God in fellowship with them? It is just simply because their faith and practice is not based in the word of God.

Does Bible Support for the Congregations’ vote for Leaders?

Jethro, Moses’ father in law (on Exodus Chapter 18:12ff) suggested Moses to appoint the leaders of the people, so that they can work for assisting people in their problems, while as Moses can continue on the mission that God has given to him. On this first example of appointing large mass leaders on Bible, we don’t see people casting their ballets in order to appoint the leaders whom they like.
Jesus called his twelve Apostles and personally he had chosen them. He didn’t ask for the congregations in order to vote whom they like. Apostle Paul writes to Titus with an authority to appoint the Leaders for the Congregations in Crete, “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee” (Tit.1:5).
God calls the leaders, God elects and anoints the leaders and either congregation vote him to keep or to kick out, but still the anointing of God remains in him. The anointing and calling of God doesn’t depend in the vote of the congregation.

Does Bible Support Democratic Practice in Church?

Rather then God as their King, it is people who demanded Saul to be their King. It was not perfect will of God but in permissive will God appointed a King for Israelites. Many times when people goes away from His word, God lets them to go after their own will and leaves them on their free will because He doesn’t want men to use as machine but wants them to act them in their own free will.
Through out the early days, People are always making their own ways for their own convinces. But whenever they tried to make the easy way, they are always proven wrong and God always right. Majority worshipped the golden calf when Moses was on the Top of Mount Sinai, but the small minority of honest believers were right on the sight of Lord.
Majority were bowing down to Baal, but Elijah and small minority who strongly believed that Jehovah is the only True and Living God where right.
Majority were shouting Jesus to hang on the cross, but the small minority who trusted Jesus to be Son of God where right in fact.
It doesn’t matter how large group are joined together for casting their vote, but the main importance is whether they are right or not. Democracy in the Bible many times is used by the power of darkness in order to destroy the Church of Almighty.

The True Biblical Church Government:

If we read in the Bible, the word of God clearly says that in order to solve our headache to vote the leadership, Jesus himself has given leadership for the Church, “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephi. 4:10-13).
Jesus has already given the five fold ministries of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. But as the Church congregations, we are just saying no God, we want our own leadership of President or General Secretary or Treasurers and though we are claiming to be Christians our faith is not based in the word of God.
This is the time for us, whom to we follow, the world or God? Whom do we follow the President that world is electing inside the Church of Living God, or Apostle whom God Himself has appointed for the edification of the Church?
Let us build our faith in Word of God and declare boldly, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Tim.1:7).

Where Western Christianity is going?

I was checking a tube video in youtube. There I saw a video about some comments on North America’s Mega Church Pastors and worldwide known Christians Evangelists. I saw the comments like they are serving not God, but power of darkness (I don’t want to use words like demons or satan directly here). It is for sure that when some one gets success in any area, alone with his supporter there comes many criticizers too. But it is sad to know that the people with the spirit of Sadducees and Pharisees criticizing the people of God who are leading Millions into Christ each year around the world.
As a minister of Gospel from third world, I see two main problems in Western Christianity. First, the Ministers here are very much professional and many of them have applied for wrong job as Religious leaders, and second Religious Denominations are running after securing their tithes and offerings by pleasing the members who are attending their religion for generations. Even in the midst of such look warmness, God has raised some ministers who can boldly stand and proclaim “thus says the Lord”. And, the people who claim themselves Christians are running after them like Religious leaders were running after Jesus during his earthly ministries.
It is very easy to find fault of some one, even of a minister of the gospel, because we all are human being. But does it really meet our spiritual need in the spiritual vacuum that Christless mainline western Christianity is creating? As for my personal understanding definitely not, because the vacuum that Christless Christianity has created, only Christ can fill it. And, rather then trying to understanding Christ, it is surely not wise decision to create Godless godliness in our heart.
I know one UK based scholar who claim that Pastor of a Mega Church in East has build one of the largest Churches of world on False Healing. But I have seen there many people who are turning back to God after roaming around the philosophy and Dharma of East and knowing the fact that there is no salvation anywhere else then Jesus the son of God. Unfortunately people from such a Scholar’s own nation (some times even from his own Church) are rejecting Christian religion and roaming around the temples and mosques of East in order to find salvation and peace in their mind.
The point here is the misunderstanding of many Pastors and Ministers that there is no salvation anywhere then Christianity. In fact there is no salvation in any religion, and not even in Christian Religion. Jonah the godly prophet was in same dilemma, he was thinking that there is salvation in Judaism only. His understanding was the salvation is only belongs to Jews, but when he was in the bally of Fish he understood the greatest Truth and accepted this fact “But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD” (Jon. 2:9).
This is same fact that today Western Christianity has to know. Salvation is of the Lord and everyone who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior are saved. If God Himself declares in His word “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (Jn. 1: 12, 13). In order to get salvation, one need to have personal relationship with Jesus, it doesn’t matter how long we are going to Church and how many generation we are Christian, but unless we have personal relationship with Jesus, we are yet not saved.
Or let me tell you in very simple way, unless we have personal encounter with Jesus in some point of our life and come into the realization that Jesus and only Jesus is the way to salvation, it doesn’t matter how active we are in our denominations, or how big amount we give donation to our denominations doesn’t make any sense. The first and foremost thing is we need to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Unless, we will be so godly and so zealous towards the Christianity, but we can’t see the brightness of Christ in our own life and just be the stumbling blocks on the work of God.
Prophet Hosea has a prophetic word for us, “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth” (Hos. 6:3)

Heavenly Valentine

Some weeks back, I was reading one online news portal to understanding what is going on in my nation, I saw the headline of a murder. It was really interesting headline because a lady was murdered for love. One side love of a man and continue denial of lady led man to kill her for love because he was unable to get her.

Seasons comes with some excitement in lives, and goes with some short of impact directly or indirectly in our lives. As the days are passing Valentine is with us and many of us has different plans and programs to convey the love message to our girlfriend, boyfriend and many of us to husband and wife. Let us forget about the beginning of this day, and focus now in love and love only.
Generally in wider understood way, love means a feeling or emotion of one's heart which depends in same short of reaction from other too. But in this valentine we shouldn't miss an opportunity to know about a love which was not depended in this type of reaction. A selfless love which was demonstrated for you. A time less love which was shown towards you and entire humanity. Even in our infirmities, even in our unworthiness, even in our sinfulness.

Apostle Paul writes about this selfless love on his second letter to the believers of God in Corinth "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" (II Cor. 8:9). Apostle John also indicates about the greatest love in his Gospel "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (Jn 3:16).
As human, we want some one to love us back when we love them. But we can see here a love which never forced us to love back, some times even while we were running away from this love. As human we know when some one whom we love turns away from us, our heart pains, but we never think it seriously how much pain we are giving each day to God our creator through our action to run away from Him. Still, our God is silent and waiting us to be back to Him. This is same fact Prophet Jeremiah understood after the destruction of Jerusalem. When God sent His wrath to wicked Judah and they were taken captive into the foreign land of Idol worshipers, at this time also the love of God was not reduced for that ungodly generation. The prophetic word of God came to Jeremiah regarding his everlasting love to Judah, "The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee" (Jer. 31:3).
In this world, love kills, love gives pain, love requires to love back, but there is a God who loves His children without selfless and with an everlasting Love. God didn't love you by seeing some extra-ordinary abilities in you, or talents in you, or your outward prettiness, but his unconditional love toward you is because you are his creation. It is just because God created you with love in his own image and likeness.
Today, God is calling you to be his valentine. He is calling you into His selfless Love. And just through your faith in Jesus Christ you can be again into love with God the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
In this valentine, are you willing to be back to the relationship with God?