May 2013

Published by

Living Stones ChurchKalathilpady, Vadavathoor,

Kottayam - 686 010

Editorial Board

ContentsVolume : 2

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EditorialEditorialEditorialEditorialEditorial

Christianity andChristianity andChristianity andChristianity andChristianity andChristian ReligionChristian ReligionChristian ReligionChristian ReligionChristian ReligionBrBrBrBrBr. Jose Anathanam. Jose Anathanam. Jose Anathanam. Jose Anathanam. Jose Anathanam

My Church My HomeMy Church My HomeMy Church My HomeMy Church My HomeMy Church My HomeDeepak ThomasDeepak ThomasDeepak ThomasDeepak ThomasDeepak Thomas

LLLLLaugh for Lifeaugh for Lifeaugh for Lifeaugh for Lifeaugh for Life

Are your SlaveAre your SlaveAre your SlaveAre your SlaveAre your Slaveor Sonor Sonor Sonor Sonor Son

Healting THealting THealting THealting THealting Testimonyestimonyestimonyestimonyestimony

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2 May 2013

If we stop a while you look around, wecan observe that people at large are

being more and more religious. Twenty yearsago, in the town where I live, it was difficult tomake out the religion one belonged to fromlooks or external appearance. Things havechanged now. The red mark on the forehead,the black dress, the white hat, the locket onthe neck chain all go to make it far too clearthe religious section one belongs to.Pilgrimages, lents, sacrifices, festivals and themoney spent on these have increased ingeometric proportions. People get offendedat the slightest provocation much sooner thanbefore. Charitable institutions are thriving onliberal contributions from various quarterswithin and abroad. People are running fromtemple to temple, mosque to mosque andchurch to church. They are running from pillarto post seeking God. Oh.Yes! They areseeking God by becoming more religious, byadhering more to religious customs andpractises, by clinging more to traditional ways,by becoming more intolerant to other religionsand becoming more aggressive in religiouspractices. They feel justified in all thesethinking the mighty God will reward theirloyalty.

The Bible very clearly shows us as to howto seek God, how to find him and how to bewith him and enjoy the privileges of being hisson or daughter and also how to gain hispower and authority by obeying his word andbeing submissive to him. In the parable of theprodigal son, the elder son has always beenvery religious, always working for his father’shousehold. He says (Luke: 15:29) “Look, allthese years I have been slaving for you” Butthe younger son went astray, finished all hismoney and finally ended up in a pig sty. Whilehe was there starving in utter penury, (Luke15:17) “He came to his senses and said,how many of my father’s servants have food

to spare and here I am starving to death.” Hesaid (Luke: 15: 18-19) “I will go to my father’shouse and tell him that I have sinned againstheaven and you. I am no longer worthy to becalled your son, make me like one of yourservants”. That was repentance in toto. (Luke15:20) “But while he was a long way off, hisfather saw him and was filled with compassionfor him; he ran to him and embraced him andkissed him”. Like our heavenly Father, allthese years the loving father was waiting forhis son. The result was (Luke: 15:22) “Thefather said to the servants, Quick! Bring thebest robe and put it on him. Put a ring on hisfinger and sandals on his feet. He washonoured with power and authority assymbolised by adorning the ring on his finger.(Genesis 41:41-42 The Pharoah said toJoseph “I hereby give you authority over thewhole land of Egypt. Then Pharao took thesignet ring from his finger and put it onJoseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes offine linen and put a gold chain on his neck”.(Luke 15:24) “The father says, my son wasdead and now he is alive, he was lost andnow he is fond”. This son was received withjoyous celebrations. But, the religious son wasvery unhappy (Luke 15:28) “The older brotherbecame very angry and refused to go in. Sohis father went out and pleaded with him.

The one who came to senses andrepented about his deeds and confessed hissins to his father was honoured and given theauthority the elder one who was alwaysreligious and observed all the customs andtraditions of the household was angry andrebellious was called but he refused to enterthe house. Is it your staunch religiousness andthe observance of the traditions and practiceof rituals that gives you a place in the houseof our heavenly Father or is your repentanceand confession?

Georgy & Roshini

EDITORIAL

3 May 2013

By Jose Anathanam

There is a vast difference betweenChristianity and Religion. Religion as is

understood here is man made and cameinto being after man sinned. Before sincame into this world, there was no suchthing as Religion. There was God and manin a perfect relationship. God did create manonly for fellowship. Fellowship with Him andfellowship with one another. But sin broughthis downfall. He lost his fellowship with Godthat resulted in losing his fellowship with hisfellow being. Criticism, accusation,condemnation, sickness and every type ofbondage came into his life. He could notrestore his fellowship, no matter how muchhe tried.

Religion is man’s effort to go back toGod. It is man’s discovery. So man makesthe rules, regulations, rites and traditions.He tries to please God with his offerings,good works, festivals etc. all originatingfrom the sinful mind of man.

The very first moment that man felland lost fellowship with God, we find himinventing a way to stand before God. The

fig leaf covering is a symbol of his inventionto stand before God. Yet at the very soundof God walking in the garden, man andwoman flee from God to hide behindbushes. ( See Genesis chapter 3,especially verse 7-8). From then on theBible portrays religion through the offeringof Cain,the building of the Babel Tower, thestrict observance of the pharisees, theSadducees and teachers of the law,themystery religion Babylon in the book ofRevelations that is finally destroyed etc.Theessence of man made religion is that it willnot submit to God or to His Word . So wecan find a rejection of God’s Word which isreplaced by man’s doctrine, tradition andrituals all of which are un biblical. And thisis true of the Christian Religion where man’s inspiration supersedes God’s EternalWord. Every man unknowingly is born intothis religious mind set, lives his entire lifein this religious mind set and finally dies inthis set up. He is alienated from God fromhis birth. David says in Ps. 51/5,”Behold, Iwas brought forth in iniquity and in sin mymother conceived me.” To be in the state

4 May 2013

of sin is to be alienated from God. And awhole life time is spent cut away fromGod,(but feeling comfortable in a manmade religion), and finally dying physicallyin this state of sin unknown to manyignorant, innocent people. Jesus told thereligious leaders of His time, “ You will diein your sin if you don’t believe I AMHE.”(Jn.8/24). He called them “Blind Pharisee , Blind guides, Fools and blind,hypocrites,(Mt.23/14-17, 24-26). Jesus toldHis disciples concerning these leaders,“They are blind leaders of the blind. And ifthe blind leads the blind, both will fall intoa ditch.” (Mt. 15/14).

Into the midst of such a humanity,Jesus was born to restore man back intofellowship with God and with his fellowbeing. He did not come with yet anotherreligion for man made religion can neverreach up to God. What more? TheScriptures testify to the fact that even thelaw of Moses which God Himself had givencould not save man. ( Acts.13/39). .Jesus is not a religious leader. He has noreligion. He did not come to form anotherreligion. Jesus is The Christ, the Son ofthe living God. (Mt.16/16).He is GodHimself who emptied Himself of HisGodliness(Phil.2/6-8) and chose to be heldin the womb of a woman He created toenter into humanity through a virgin birthuntouched by man but miraculouslyconceived by The Holy Spirit, to be bornsinless because only the sinless lamb ofGod could satisfy the Justice of God thatsays a sinner must die.(Ezk.18/4). Someone had to take the place of the humanrace, to release them from this awfulpunishment. No one could do it as all weresinners. Hence Jesus, the sinless lamb of

God takes the punishment on behalf of thehuman race. He has paid all that we owe.He is the RANSOM paid for our sins. (Mk.10/45). The righteousness of God, tookour sins and in exchange gave us Hisrighteousness (2 Cor. 5/21). Jesus becamepoor for us that we might become rich. (2Cor.8/9 ). He took away our sickness andgave us healing (Mt.8/17,Isa 53/4). By Hiswounds we are healed. (1 Pet 2/24; Isa 53/5). Jesus is The High Priest who has onceand for all offered One Sacrifice for theremission of our sins. He is The King, theKing of Kings who has authority in heavenand on earth. (Mt.28/18).

As Jesus began preaching , He said,“I came to give you life ( kingdom life,eternal life) and life in all it’s fullness (Jn.10/10). My Father is pleased to give you theKingdom.(Lk.12/32).

It was the desire of The Father tomake us kings and priests from creationitself and later expressed in Ex. 19/4-5 andrealised at salvation. 1 Pet2/9 and Rev.1/5confirms that all true believers are kingsand priests exercising the same authorityof Jesus, (Lk.10/19),

Religion is man’s effortto go back to God.

The very first moment thatman fell and lostfellowship with God, wefind him inventing a wayto stand before God. Thefig leaf covering is asymbol of his invention tostand before God.

5 May 2013

Doing the same works that Jesus did(Jn. 14/12). vis preaching the gospel,healing the sick, casting out demons andsaving the souls. This is possible for all whochoose to consciously follow Jesus by livingin His Word. By doing so they are in aconstant relationship with Jesus that willautomatically show forth The Power andAuthority of Jesus. (Mk.3/13-15). HenceChristianity is a personal loving constantrelationship with Jesus having anundivided, unbroken focus on Jesus andHis Kingdom. Christians are those who areRooted and grounded in Him (Col. 2/6-7),who walk daily at all times with Him, hearingthe Voice of The Holy Spirit and actingaccordingly.

Along side this true Christianity, thereis a Christian Religion that is not rooted inthe Word of God but in the tradition of men.(Mk. 7/8-9). This religion will not and cannotshow forth the Power and Authority ofJesus. Our Lord Jesus shed His preciousBlood also to deliver us from the uselesstradition of man says 1 Pet1/18-19.

God has given man free will tochoose. He can choose to be in a powerlessreligion where the presence and anointingof Jesus will be absent; or he can chooseto be in Christianity which is actually thepresence of The Kingdom of God on thisearth useful to God and men. Remember;it was the disciples of Jesus who werecalled Christians (Acts. 11/26). Anddisciples are only those who live accordingto The Word of God (Jn.8/32).

The Scriptures testify to thefact that even the law of Moseswhich God Himself had givencould not save man. A much anointed fasting prayer

session was conducted by our Churchon the 8th, 9th and 10th 0f March 2013.About three hundred people from ourChurch participated in this programme.The prayer sessions on all these dayswere led by Pr Manu Menon fromBangalore. On the first day heencouraged everyone by explaining theauthority given to each one of us to becitizens of the Kingdom of God and howto reign with Him as Kings. He quotedPs: 115:16 and Jn: 16:23 to emphasisethis .He made everyone repeat theslogan after him. “I must change, I canchange, I will change, I am changing”

An anointed worship leader CkikkuKuriakose led the congregation inpraise and worship with melodioussongs in Malayalam, Tamil and Africanlanguages. This worship took everyoneto a much enhanced height of spirituallevel where all the participants, theyoung and the old, were dancing andsinging in the power of the Holy Spirit.

On the 2nd and 3rd days Pr Manutalked about the power of the Holy Spiritand the anointing we can be in, whenwe experience this power. In John17:23 it is said “God loves us as heloves Jesus”. In John 20:21, Jesus said“As the Father has sent me, I amsending you”. Then he breathed onthem and said, “Receive the HolySpirit”. Pr Manu Menon released theanointing of the Spirit of the Lord in theChurch. People were falling due to theanointing. Many miraculous healingsand deliverances occurred on all thethree days

Hanna

FASTING PRAYER

6 May 2013

I am thank the Father in heaven forcalling me into HIS kingdom and for the

salvation of my soul in Christ Jesus. It allstarted a few years back when, underGod’s unpredictable and mysterious handworking in my life, I got the Grace to attendone of the retreats at The Upper Room inKanjirappally.

There, I came to know that we haveto know the Truth and live our life by livingin the Truth and that very Truth alone willset us free. John 8 / 32 “And you shall knowthe Truth, And the Truth shall make youfree”.

Though I understood that JesusChrist is the Truth, I still wanted to confirmthat what I heard during the retreat is TheTruth. So in the coming months I took timeto study the entire Bible. Once I got theconfirmation, God gave me the grace tostand in obedience to His Word which ledme to take water baptism. So I attendedmy second retreat at Upper Room and gottouched by God. I had an encounter withJesus Christ who had become my Lord andmy Saviour.

I received the Word and got theconviction after the retreat. It was only asimple start and decision to start followingThe Truth by coming out of the traditionalChurch and to start coming to Solomon’sPortico, an independent church of God.

I started to come and attend thechurch service as a family. Slowly I startedto come on Wednesdays travelling by busfrom Kozhencherry, and then joined thediscipleship meetings on Tuesdays and tomake the circle full, Jose Uncle my spiritualfather put me in the group meeting onFridays too.

As I was going through the roughand tough times of my life, these spiritualmeetings that I regularly attended kept mylittle Faith alive to follow the Word of Godthat I was getting from the church and alsofrom the fellowship of the church membersand the valuable spiritual guidance of thegroup.

Knowingly or unknowingly many ofthe church members played a role in mylife to break, mould, correct and lift me upin my spiritual and emotional blessings.

Deepak Thomas

7 May 2013

I want to thank God for such beautifuland loving Kottayam believers who tookcare of me and embraced me as a son,brother and church family member.Through them I slowly started to feel thelove of God and the importance of being inthe true church of God.

I started as the youngest member ofthe discipleship meeting under theguidance of my spiritual father in Christ andin the teaching of the Covenant Peopleministry. I slowly and steadily got therevelation of The Covenant Call and the callof God in my life.

I got the message, that when you area disciple of Jesus Christ, He calls you tominister. That He created you and thensaved you to give His authority and power(Mk. 3/ 13-15). John 14 / 12 “I tell you theTruth anyone who has faith in me will dowhat I have been doing, he will do evengreater things than these because I amgoing to the father”.

I got the realization that as the Wordsays in 2 Cor: 12 / 9 “ But He said to me,“My Grace is sufficient for you, for my poweris made perfect in weakness”. Therefore Iwill boast all the more gladly about myweaknesses, so that Christ’s power mayrest upon me”. I was neither trained norhad any experience in any of these areasbefore.

When I started getting involved indifferent ministries, I started to understandhow much one needs the abundant Graceof God and the anointing of our Lord JesusChrist which God has showered upon Joseuncle and the Church. Without it I wouldnot have been able to do or fulfill any of theplans for our church which God had shownto Jose Uncle.

When we talk about anointing, thesame anointing which works in Jose Unclecomes upon you when you stand andsubmit your mind, body and soul in fullsubmission to your shepherd and to thechurch. God will test you in this area, yourmotives of obedience, the intention of doing

ministry, your relationship with otheranointed members of the church and youracceptance of other’s calling as membersof the body of Christ. Then comes yourpersonal relationship with Christ, the areasof flesh, the unsurrendered areas of yourlife which need ongoing repentance anddeliverance. God looks into your heart andnot on your outward appearance. As thepsalmist say in Psalms 139 / 1-2 “O’ Lord,you have searched me and you know me.You know when I sit and when I rise, youperceive my thoughts from afar”.

All this adds to your spiritual growthas you go along with the church in whichyou are planted. You grow in Christ and thechurch grows.

These are simple and plain truthswhich I have learned in my short churchlife. I came to the revelation that thepresence of the church which is the Bodyof Christ is the presence of The Kingdomof God here on earth and Kingdom rulemeans “The king can do no wrong”.Whatever Jesus did the rest of the disciplesjust followed. I have come and have beencoming to the church to change me andnot to change the church. I can only submitmyself to the King and to the church whichis His Body, but The king shall not and willnot submit to me. The church is The Brideof Christ and JESUS is the Bridegroom. SoThe church can only submit to Jesus andnot to any other man or group or doctrineor any other teaching contrary to The Truthof God’s Word.

Anointing and Worship Initially, when the Lord led Jose

uncle to form a full fledged music team, wewere asked to lead the worship individually,then together. We incorporated thekeyboard, the lead guitar, the base guitarand the drums. We started to feel the freshanointing for worship, which was to worshipin the Holy Spirit and in the Truth. For thefirst time in my life I found and got theopportunity to feel the leading of the Holy

8 May 2013

Spirit as Jose uncle prophesized that 2012would be the year of the Holy Spirit in ourchurch.

The Lord has taught us how to yield,feel the presence of God and lead themembers of the church in worship and toglorify the king of kings and the Lord ofLords, that is, the one and only JesusChrist.

We give all the Glory and Honour toJesus, and respect all the others who aregifted and called just like us to minister.You need to co-operate and give all yoursupport to each other to do and move asthe body of Christ and fulfill the will of Godin order to bring out an anointed worship.Not only have you got to sit down with theLord but also separate yourself from theworld and all your attachments to preparefor worship. Most importantly you need thebaptism of the Holy Spirit as only HE canmake things happen. As the Lord Jesussays in Zechariah 4 / 6 “Not by might norby power, but by my Spirit, says the LordAlmighty”.

Anointing gives you power, boldnessand the Grace to stand for Jesus.Otherwise you will not have freshness ornewness in your worship as you get yourdaily “Manna” which lasts only for the day.

Preaching and HealingWhen it comes to preaching the

word, I found and learned from Jose Unclethat you have got to preach the full Gospel,the undiluted Word of God and the “rema”not the logos (not just the written Word)

You have got to sit with the Lord andask the Holy Spirit to help you to hear thevoice of God and to submit your mind tothe Will of God and pray that HE may bringthe message of God for the Church for theedification of the members of the church,most importantly not to please any man butGod alone.

Every preacher should focus on twothings -: 1. it should be preached in the

anointing. 2. The anointing that will breakevery yoke and also bring people torepentance, healing, deliverance and theaddition of new souls to the kingdom ofGod. Yes, it is all about seeking God andsaving souls. Nothing else.

The Covenant People Ministrieshave got the unique call to preach to therich and intelligent sections of the societywho are tough and rough because of theirtradition, family background, traditionalchurch positions, knowledge and last, butnot the least, their high status in society.

I am proud and grateful to God thatHE has called me into this unique and greatministry and to believe that God haschosen me before the creation of the worldin to this ministry of Jose Uncle. As theWord says in Ephesians 1 / 4 “For HEchose us in HIM before the creation of theworld to be Holy and blameless in HISsight”.

Importance of Love and FellowshipThere are two virtues. When you are

in the kingdom of God or a born againperson or in the Covenant call, you arecalled into two things - : 1. Love of God 2.Fellowship with your fellow brothers andsisters in Christ Jesus that make up theChurch. Luke 10 / 27 HE answered: “Lovethe Lord your God with all your heart andwith all your soul and with all your strengthand with your entire mind’ and “Love yourneighbor as yourself”.

Only when you have fellowship withJesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in your life,will you have fellowship with the church andits church members. John 13 / 35 “For bythis all will know that you’re my disciples, ifyou have love for one another”.

This I have felt, when Jose Uncleonce said in his message to the church asthe Word says Mark 3 / 13 – 15 “Jesus wentupon a mountain side and called to himthose HE wanted and they came to HIM.HE appointed twelve – designating themas apostles – that they might be with HIM

9 May 2013

and that HE might send them out to preachand to have authority to cast out demons”.

He took me to Trivandrum as amember of the worship team at LIFEfellowship church and later to Munnar andasked me to lead the worship with Jain.Jose Uncle taught us how to minister asJesus Christ did with HIS disciples with HIMand along with HIM in HIS earthly ministry.

He tells us how and what to do, whatnot to do, to watch him and learn from him.He always tries to protect and cover uswhen we fall and make mistakes. He givesus the belief and the confidence to ministeras he gives us the basics of ministeringthrough the Word . He gives us the time togrow in Christ and to do things in HISanointing.

We will come to know the importanceof spiritual fellowship and not only spiritualfellowship but we will come to understandthat fellowshipping is fun and entertainingtoo. It always brings us closer to each otherand brings understanding among our fellowbrothers and sisters and always makessure, we stay together and pray togetherwhich is very important for Unity, love andbeing one in mind.

There is a ministry of unconditionallove; forgiving people when you knowsometimes they do not agree with you;when they oppose you waiting for them torepent, pleading to God for mercy and forthe grace to continue to carry the cross andget delivered or come back to you one day.It is a matter of soul. “Losing a soul is easybut keeping a soul is Hard”.

Lastly I thank God once again, giveHim glory and all the praise for calling meinto HIS wonderful light and HIS preciouschurch, Livingstone church at Solomon’sPortico. This is My family, My Church whereI was born spiritually and nourished daily.

John 1 / 12 “Yet to all who receivedHIM, to those who believed in HIS name,HE gave the right to become children ofGod”. AMEN

Laugh for LifeAttending a wedding for the first

time, a little girl whispered to hermother, "Why is the bride dressed inwhite?"

"Because white is the colour ofhappiness, and today is the happiestday of her life."

The child thought about this for amoment, then said "So why is thegroom wearing black?"

A Sunday school teacher askedthe children,* "And why is it neces-sary to be quiet in church?"

Annie replied, "Because peopleare sleeping."

Q. Why did Paul tell Timothy to takeonly a little wine for the sake ofhis stomach?

A: Because it was Paul's bottle.

There was a barber who thoughtthat he should share his faith with hiscustomers more than he had beendoing lately. So the next morning thebarber got out of bed and said, "To-day I am going to witness to the firstman who walks through my door."

Soon after he opened his shop thefirst man came in and said, "I want ashave!" The barber came out with hisrazor knife in one hand saying "Goodmorning sir. I have a question foryou... Are you ready to die?"

10 May 2013

At a time when human slavery wasprevalent, Jesus said: (John 8:32)

“And you shall know the truth, and the truthshall make you free.” (John 8:34) “Mostassuredly, I say to you, whoever commitssin is a slave of sin.” (John 8:35) “And aslave does not abide in the house forever,but a son abides forever. And He said thiswhen the Jews vehemently protested andclaimed as follows: (John 8:33) “We areAbraham’s descendants, and have neverbeen in bondage to anyone. How can yousay, ‘You will be made free’?” It is clear thatthe Lord was using the example of slaveryby humans to show to them and to us thatthere is a “different kind” of slavery that willhave not only temporal but eternalconsequences. The truth that Jesuswanted you to know is about a kind ofslavery of which you are ‘now’ oblivious.May I also add that this truth must come toyou as a “revelation” and not as anyintellectual information. It is my experiencethat God gives revelation to the ‘humble inheart.’ Hence I pray that you, dear reader

will find grace to humble your heart as youread this article.

Now, you may also make the sameclaim as these Jews that you have neverbeen a slave to anyone and that you live ina free country. You are not in any prison,you are not in chains and no one is drivingyou against your will to any forced labour.

But have you examined your life inthe light of these words of Jesus, namely:“whoever commits sin is a slave of sin”?Let us examine this serious statement ofour Lord.

You will notice that here the word ‘sin’is used by Jesus twice times. You will bestartled to know that they don’t carry thesame meaning! Consider the word thatprecedes the word ‘sin’ and you will getthese different but crucial meanings. Thewords “slave of sin” clearly points out sinas a ‘person’ or a ‘slave master.’ But thewords “commits sin” points to the ‘action,deed or consequence’ of being under thesin that is the Slave Master!

11 May 2013

Slavery is also a ‘status or acondition.’ Forced labour against our freewill is the consequence of slavery. Henceone sin here is the ‘cause’ while the othersin is the ‘consequence.’ The cause canbe referred to in the ‘singular’ as “SIN”whereas its consequence can be in theplural as “sins.” Man commits various sins[like adultery, murder, robbery etc] becausehe is a slave of SIN. This what Jesus meantby His statement.

Now, there is a great deception intowhich most of mankind has fallen. Man hasmade and followed religions which arepreoccupied only in dealing with the“committed sins” and totally oblivious of this“slavery to SIN.” A good comparison is thepresent day Allopathic medical treatment.The doctor asks what the illness is, and thepatient replies “high fever.” Tablets for killingfever are prescribed and taken. Both thepatient and doctor are happy. We haveforgotten that fever is not a disease but onlythe “symptom” of some hidden diseaseinside the person. No investigation is madeto diagnose it; no treatment is directed tokill the root cause. The result is temporaryrelief, but soon the same symptom returnsor the disease manifests with some othernew symptom!

Addiction to cigarette smoking is thesymptom of a root cause inside. Isucceeded in forcibly stopping smoking, butsoon became slave to “gluttony” a newsymptom! The sacrament of confession ofsins, climbing of mountains [with symbolicbundle on the head for sins committed] andsimilar works of penance are nothing butsymptomatic treatment of sins. Its repetitivenature is clear proof that it is a futileexercise. You are still a slave, in prison andchains being ‘forced against your will’ tocommit them over and over again.

All religions sincerely teach andencourage shunning evil and ‘practicing’good things. But how come mankind hasbecome progressively evil in spite of all thestrict religious and social laws?

Fifteen years ago, three issuesplagued my soul that led me to “true faith”in the Lord Jesus Christ. The first andforemost was this issue of slavery to SIN.By the grace of God there came to me adesire to live a more pure and holy life. ButI was a slave to many sins and evil habitsthough I behaved as a respectable manon the outside. I was determined to liveclean and sought earnestly the way myreligion prescribed. I repented of my sinsas best as I knew how, promised God andmyself that I would not do them again, andconfessed them to the priest and chantedthe absolution prayers he recommended.Then I took Holy Communion and felt goodand holy.

The words “slave of sin”clearly points out sin as a‘person’ or a ‘slave master.’But the words “commits sin”points to the ‘action, deed orconsequence’ of being underthe sin that is the SlaveMaster!

Slavery is also a ‘statusor a condition.’ Forced labouragainst our free will is theconsequence of slavery.Hence one sin here is the‘cause’ while the other sin isthe ‘consequence.’

12 May 2013

But despite all my will power, in a fewdays time I was back committing all thosesins – only more cravingly! I confessedagain and again. Then I finally realised thatthis wasn’t working for me at all. My religioncould not offer me a permanent solution. Itcould not treat and heal the ‘root cause’ thatwas making me repeat my sins. I was a“slave” to SIN committing sins.

The word in the letter to Hebrewsdescribes my condition correctly. (Heb 10:1)For the law, having a shadow of the goodthings to come, and not the very image ofthe things, can never with these samesacrifices, which they offer continually yearby year, make those who approachperfect.(Heb 10:2) For then would they nothave ceased to be offered? For theworshipers, once purified, would have hadno more consciousness of sins.(Heb 10:3)But in those sacrifices there is a reminderof sins every year.

Saint Paul, before his conversionwas an ardent religious Jew who claimedto be “blameless under his Jewish religionand its laws.” He also found out the futilityof his religious system and describes hispathetic “inner condition” as follows. (Rom7:14) For we know that the law is spiritual,but I am carnal, sold under sin. (Rom 7:15)For what I am doing, I do not understand.For what I will to do, that I do not practice;but what I hate, that I do. (Rom 7:18) For Iknow that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothinggood dwells; for to will is present with me,but how to perform what is good I do notfind.(Rom 7:19) For the good that I will todo, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do,that I practice. (Rom 7:24) O wretched manthat I am!

Who will deliver me from this bodyof death? The words ‘sold under Sin’indicates slavery, the words how to perform’

indicates impotency to do good and resistevil. The words or cry, “who will deliver me”indicates the correct remedy. You need adeliverer, you or your religious system can’tsave you.

The conclusion that emerges is thefollowing. While sins need to be forgiven,forgiving them is ‘futile’ as long as the rootcause SIN is holding man a Slave. Theremedy for slavery is not forgiveness but“deliverance!” Not knowing this, those inreligions go on chanting – “O God, forgivemy sins.” What they should really cry out isthat O God deliver me from this viciouscycle of sinning, confession and doingpenance.

Anyone who clings to such a religioneventually becomes self-righteous andproud. He will only sin with more audacitybecause he believes that he can pay thefine and get away with it before God! Thisis the deception of all religions.

Once, in a train compartment a veryrich man came in, lit up a cigarette and blewsmoke into the face of those sitting next tohim. He was reminded that he was breakingthe law. He replied with audacity, “So what,you report me and I will pay the fine!”

When Israel made God’s laws into aheartless religion, this is what God said tothem. (Isa 1:11) “To what purpose is themultitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says

All religions sincerely teachand encourage shunning eviland ‘practicing’ good things.But how come mankind hasbecome progressively evil inspite of all the strict religiousand social laws?

13 May 2013

the LORD. “I have had enough of burntofferings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. Ido not delight in the blood of bulls, Or oflambs or goats. (Isa 1:12) “When you cometo appear before Me, Who has required thisfrom your hand, To trample My courts? (Isa1:13) Bring no more futile sacrifices;Incense is an abomination to Me. The NewMoons, the Sabbaths, and the calling ofassemblies; I cannot endure iniquity andthe sacred meeting.

Has any religion ever told theirfollowers that there is such slavery to SINdue to which they are repeating sins? Vainrepetition [vicious cycle] is the telltale signof all religions. See what Jesus is speakingon the errors of religious kind of prayers.(Mat 6:7) “And when you pray, do not usevain repetitions as the heathen do. Forthey think that they will be heard for theirmany words. Treating sins without dealingwith SIN is such a repetitive futile exercise.

Do you really think that God willencourage this futility [futile sacrifices]and go on forgiving sins? Religion onlyprofits those who run them. There is a wordin the book of Hosea that is relevant todayof priests in religions. “4:8 (csb) They feedon the sin of My people; they have anappetite for their transgressions.”

This high deception is from Satanwho is the enemy of God and mankind.Religions are his prison cells, the priestsare the prison wardens and guards. Theymay not know they are doing the Devil’swork.

But ignorance doesn’t save any one.In the same book and place the word says:(Hos 4:6) My people are destroyed for lackof knowledge. Because you have rejectedknowledge, I also will reject you from beingpriest for Me; Because you have forgottenthe law of your God, I also will forget yourchildren. The laws, rules, and regulationsof religions are the prison bars that keep

men enslaved. Dear reader, if you are insuch a prison now, what will you desire?Good prison reforms? Better livingconditions inside the prisons? Betterschools, hospitals and recreational facilitiesinside the prison? Or, will you desirefreedom altogether and rather be out of thisprison forever?

Most of those who claim to beChristians and who believe in Jesus as the‘Saviour’ have not truly understood whattrue salvation is about. Ask them “from whator where” they are saved, and you will seethat they will stand clueless before you. Atthe most, some will say that “Jesus forgaveor keeps forgiving my sins” and hence Ihope to go to heaven when I die. This iswhat most denominations Christiansbelieve and know. Of course, the blood ofJesus forgives our sins. But that was notthe primary reason why He shed His bloodand gave up His life on the cross.

Read carefully the words with whichJohn the Baptist introduced Jesus to hisdisciples. John 1:29 The next day Johnsaw Jesus coming toward him, and said,“Behold! The Lamb of God who takesaway the sin of the world! This is whyJesus came. He came “to take away, doaway, and remove forever” and not just toforgive and keep on forgiving sins. And itis to take away “the SIN of the world” [worldhere means ‘the human race] and not the“sins” committed by them. He came toremove or erase the “root cause.” He cameto destroy the prison, break the chains andend the slavery of SIN.

Read and see how Jesus isannouncing His mission on Earth. (Luk4:18) “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,Because He has anointed Me To preachthe gospel to the poor; He has sent Me toheal the broken-hearted To proclaimliberty to the captives And recovery ofsight to the blind, To set at liberty thosewho are oppressed.” In another place,

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Jesus pictures His mission excellently andin the following manner. (Luk 11:21) “Whena strong man, fully armed, guards his ownpalace, his goods are in peace. (Luk 11:22)“But when a stronger than he comes uponhim and overcomes him, he takes from himall his armour in which he trusted, anddivides his spoils. It is not difficult tounderstand here that the strong man isSatan, his armed and guarded palace isthe “sophisticated” [prisons] religions, and“his goods” that are so guarded are humansouls. The “one stronger than he” is ourLord Jesus. Now, do you understand whatshould happen first? DenominationalChristians have reduced Jesus to a “Dhobi”who keeps on washing bundles afterbundles of sins delivered to Him by theconfessional priests! Poor Jesus! Thesalvation you need is not from your “sins”but from your prison which is your religion.Your religion is the SIN you are under!

Let me conclude. Fifteen years ago,I found out the futility of the Christiandenomination I was member of. I found outthat it was a prison and that if I die inside itI will perish eternally. I cried out fordeliverance and not forgiveness. And thedeliverer, Jesus Christ came and took meout of my religious denomination! I am nolonger a slave now. Once truly convictedand repented, I don’t commit the same sinsover and over. Slowly but surely, area byarea, I am being fully and permanentlybeing delivered out of my slavery to SIN.This is what Jesus said: (John 8:36)“Therefore if the Son makes you free, youshall be free indeed. A slave abides in aprison and son abides in the house. A slavehas no rights, privileges or inheritance buta son has. Examine your condition now.Are you a slave to Sin going on committingsins? Do you really desire to be free andlive in the freedom to live as a true son of

God? There will be nomore unbearablecompulsion to sin, but agenuine desire to livemorally pure lives. Andthen He will give you“The Helper” who is theHoly Spirit inside you tohelp you live accordingto the high moralstandards of a true sonof God. Admit the futilityof your present religionand cry out fordeliverance to the truesaviour whose name isJesus. Mat 1:21 “Andshe will bring forth aSon, and you shall callHis name JESUS, forHe will save His peoplefrom their sins.” (Rom10:13) For “whoevercalls on the name of theLORD shall be saved.”AMEN!

are those who are too tired, too busy, too distractedto spend an hour once a week with their fellowChristians in Church ~ they are my best workers.

are those who wait to be asked and expect to bethanked ~ I can use them in my business.

are those who are touchy. Soon they will stop go-ing to church ~ verily, they shall be my missionar-ies.

are those who sow gossip and trouble ~ they aremy beloved children.

are those who have no time to pray ~ for they areMY prey.

are those who gossip ~ for they are my secretagents.

are you when you read this and think it has every-thing to do with other people, and nothing to dowith you. ~ I've got room for YOU at my inn.

BLESSED

Satan's BeatitudesSatan's BeatitudesSatan's BeatitudesSatan's BeatitudesSatan's Beatitudes

15 May 2013

16 May 2013

One day while bath-ing I bent down to pick upa mug of water. I felt asharp twinge of pain in mylower back. The pain wasso severe I couldn’t attendthat Sunday’s worship ser-vice. However the nextSunday I came for the ser-

vice even though I was still in pain. In factthat day I had not only a pain in my lowerback, but also a stomach problem.

During worship God spoke throughBro. Jose, “All those suffering from a painin the lower back are being healed.” I re-ceived it in faith. On the way back home, Irealized that not just my back but my stom-ach pain was also gone!

When Jesus heals He does a com-plete job!

Dan Mathew (Stanley)

I used to be anasthma patient for around30 years. I had tried outdifferent types of treat-ment and various medi-cines but nothing worked.There were several nightsthat I barely slept due tothe severity of my ilment.In fact I used to think thatit would be better if I could die.

However I began to have faith thatJesus could do what medicines couldn’t. Istarted coming to the Living Stones Church

of the Covenant People in Kottayam insearch of the Healer. As I began to receiveand believe in the Word, my body startedto get healed.

I realized it was not just the Healer Iwanted; I needed to begin a closer rela-tionship with Him. Consequently I attendeda 5 day retreat at the Upper Room inKanjirappally. I decided to go a step fur-ther and be baptized.

Today I have no illness in my body. Ihad wanted only the Healer but Jesus is somuch more than that! I can’t help but sur-render my entire life into His loving hands!

All thanks and glory to my Lord Jesus.

Gracey Jacob