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Page 1: truth alive
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facebook.com/sathyam.indiatwitter.com/sathyam_india

4

Rev. Barney Kinard 21

6Digging Deeper

Dr. Alexander Kurian

9 Launa Stan19

Pastor. Mike Harrison

Dr. David H Mills

Dr. Jon Marshall

Friends Suffering Together for the Gospel7

The opinions of the advertisers and contributors are not necessarily those of the magazine or Sathyam Publications.

Send us your feedback on the magazine at: [email protected]

We would love to hear from you!

A Century

Are You a Leader Who Refreshes Others?

Move the Rock!

The Right Preprayeration

Write to us!Have you been blessed by an article in Truth

Alive? What more would you like to see on the

pages? Share your experience with us. We would

love to hear f rom you. Mai l us a t

[email protected] or post your letter to

Truth Alive

Sathyam Publications, Thottabhagom P.O.

Thiruvalla-689541, Kerala.

Roadmap to God's Will; Longing for Guidance26 Ines S. Franklin

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Dr.C.V. VadavanaFounder & Chairman, Sathyam Service Trust

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES: A.V. JohnK.J. GeorgeJoji A. MathewsMarykutty P.J.Dr. C.V. Vadavana

EDITORIAL BOARD: Dr. Jonathan MarshallPastor Mike HarrisonP.M. AbrahamDr. Sunny EzhumattoorPraveena BalasundaramLauna StanCourtney MitchellC.M. JacobAnnie WilsonGeorge KurianK.K. Santhosh Kumar

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A COMPLETE CHRISTIAN FAMILY MAGAZINEVolume 3 Issue 8 August 2012

“Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth.

Everyone who is the truth hears My voice. “Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” John 18:37-38 (NASB)

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3August 2012

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD,

and he will repay him for his deed” (Proverb 19:17).

Dear Readers,

Personal challenge can lead to great understanding

and change. When my son, Justin, was born with a mental

disability, my wife, Mary, and I was both challenged and

blessed. Blessed to have a son that is a gift from God, but

challenged as we learned that many school systems are

not adapt at attending his needs. But we soon discovered,

God gave us Justin so that we could be aware of the needs

surrounding us. This knowledge gave us the ability to

open a learning disability center for mentally disabled

children. We prayed to the Lord that God would streng-

then our hands and give us the wisdom to follow his glory

and be a blessing to others. As Christians we must not be

satisfied to only read the Bible we must strive to live it. Be

a blessing.

In this issue of “Truth Alive” we encourage you to

find ways to deepen your relationship with God through

good works and the spreading of the gospel. Try to find

what He is saying to you. Whether it is by learning to be a

God-centered leader in our “Are You a Leader Who

Refreshes Others” piece or see the value of giving with

the “Friends Suffering Together for the Gospel” article or

read “Sathyam Research Institute and Disability Center”

for my own tale of discovery.

As Christians we have the responsibility of using

God's challenges and blessings to spread the Gospel of

God to save His people. Without boundaries of color,

creed, or personal aptitude all are God's children and a

reflection of his love. We request your prayers and

support in our future endeavors.

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4 August 2012

Dr. David H Mills

Are You a Leader Who Refreshes Others?2 See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. Each one will be like a shelter

from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. Isaiah 32:1-2.

his prophecy declared that Jesus will come and rule over His people with the right standard of Thow one should treat another, i.e. righteousness,

or the royal law of love (Jam. 2:8). But the second part of this remarkable prophecy is that under His leadership the other leaders will rule with justice (mishpat meaning their decisions will be based on the right standard expressed by the King’s authority). Imagine today if every person with authority made decisions based on Jesus’ wise and loving standard of what is right and best for people! Every judge, every policeman, every boss, every father and mother, and every pastor or church leader. It would be a world where true justice was served to all. How much different would our world be today?

That is the exciting reality of Christ’s kingdom, especially the church today that is under His authority. The pastors and leaders in the church can alreadystart this type of decision making. These spiritual guides are the first fruit of the future kingdom, at least they should be. That is why we as His “rulers” cannot be caught up in ego and power struggles in His work. We cannot afford the desire to control others to dominate our decision making. Our passion is and must be to express the passion and wisdom of our King. We must live under His directive to love others and treat all those we lead with respect and graciousness.

When a leader comes under the influence and authority of the King he becomes a “shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm,” he is “like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a parched land.” This description should define what our people experience under our care and guidance. What type of leader is this? This person is one who refreshes others.

Look at each phrase and see what God wants to do with your life as it impacts others.

We become a shelter from the wind. Life is full of blistering and blustering winds. These winds are the

forces of opposition and negative words that fly in the face of those seeking to do God’s will on this planet. They courageously step out and gladly accept the challenge of our preaching and teaching, and say “yes” to the call to serving others and glorifying God. But once they said “yes,” then came the winds to discourage their efforts. Wind chaps the skin and dries out the hair. It shrivels the pores and blisters the exposed parts of the body. The misery intensifies as the day wears on. I hear them cry, “Oh! for a break from this unrelenting wind. I need just one moment of calm and rest so I can collect my thoughts.” When they see you, they feel the shelter surrounding them. It is as if the wind was suspended. They gather their senses, get their bearing, and see again the key issues we are seeking to accomplish. This motivates them to plunge back into the work with all their strength. They are refreshed and encouraged!

We become a refuge from the storm. Storms are times of worry and stress. They are times when the sounds of life crowd out the sound of our King’s love and direction. Storms are times when we watch the things we have built and worked hard to secure begin to wash away in the flood and the rain. Discouraged and weary our people look for a refuge. Then they see you. Your words, your prayers, and even your presence is like a refuge, a place of safety where they can hear once again that they are loved, that God is at work, and all is not lost. They hear your support and your wise words. They are listened to and cared for. Then they leave our company and step right back out into the work with all its setbacks and hazards. Why? They have been refreshed and encouraged!

We are like streams of water in a parched land. The dry deserts of the Sahara are places of danger, there are not enough water sources to maintain life. Water is the key of life in a parched land. We can last a day or may be two or three at best. But thirst and water loss to our bodies mean certain death. This world has no

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K n o w Y o u r B i b l eI Chronicles

Author: Ezra has traditionally be assumed that the author of this book by making use of the prophetic records by Samuel, Isaiah and others (see 1 Chr. 29:29; 2 Chr. 32:32).

Date of writing: Around BC 450-425

Purpose:

(1) To show the divine reason for the dealings of God with Israel.

(2) To emphasize the racial and religious purity, the proper place of the law, the temple & the priest hood.

Key Verse: 17:11-14

Key chapter: 17

Key word: Reign

Key people: David, Saul & Sons of Jacob

Brief Summary

The book begins with the genealogical background of Israelite leaders. It mainly focuses on the reign of

David especially his preparation and organization for building the temple. It gives a description about the coming of Messiah and the history of the kingdom of Judah. The book ends with the accession of Solomon and death of David.

Outline

(1) Genealogies (Chs. 1-9)

(2) Saul's reign and death (Ch. 10)

(3) The beginning of David's reign (Chs. 11-12)

(4) David attempts to bring the ark to Jerusalem; uzzah's death takes place (ch. 13)

(5) David's desire to build a temple (ch. 17)

(6) David's sin in numbering the people (Ch. 21)

(7) David's preparation and Organization for building temple (Chr. 22-29).

(8) The accession of Solomon & death of David (Ch. 29).

water to quench the thirst of our souls. Grace is like water which nourishes and refreshes us. Truth is also like water. Where can we find this refreshing water? Where do we find this cool drink in a hot and weary land? The dry mouth of one of our people comes through the door and then sees you and says, “I need water to quench this thirst.” Your confidence and courage, your kindness and tenderness are like streams of water to their hearts as you listen and affirm the weary person. They are reminded God cares and will turn these trials into blessing. They bravely stand and walk right back into the parched, weary season of their lives as they face the threat of death. Why? They are refreshed and encouraged!

We are a shadow of a rock in a thirsty land. The heat causes heat exhaustion as the sun beats on the head of the traveler. Their every effort is spent trying to get to a place with some shade. In Egypt the sun is known for its destructive force. The word for “City of destruction” is actually “city of the sun” (see Isa. 19:18 Heliopolis). Once the body reaches temperatures of over 100 to as high as 104 degrees and the water and salt in the body is depleted, the person is in danger of death. Even resting cannot lower the body’s temperature. It may take some time before they can even resume being exposed to the sun and continue on their journey. There are trials that feel just like that. They deplete us of everything we

have, they leave us dry and overheated. This person feels the withering death creeping into their ministry, their family, their relationships, and even their spirituality. Then they see you. Your stability and wise balance remind them to relax under the Sovereignty of God’s love. They do not need to drive themselves any longer but, rather, to rest under the mighty hand of God, and lean on the everlasting arms of Yahweh. God will carry them to the end of their journey. They rest and refresh themselves and go right back into the blazing sun and resume their difficult trip. Why? They have been refreshed and encouraged!

Are you the leader who refreshes those under your care? Those who refresh themselves regularly in Jesus’ presence are the ones who can refresh others (1 Tim. 4:16). May God use you to refresh the weary, the thirsty, and those deeply beaten by the sun.

“Father, as I come to You today, I need the refreshing Presence of Your love and Truth to bathe me so that I can refresh others. Only Your grace is sufficient to meet my needs, and I know that only Your grace will help those who are weary and tormented by life. May I be a channel of that water and shade that You so lavishly give to me. Use my words, my ears, and my life to refresh those who are under my care. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

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August 20126

Dr. Alexander Kurian

Digging DeeperTHE GOSPEL OF GOD Romans 3 (Exposition)

No One is Righteous: The Unrighteousness of All People (3:9-20)

3:9: The apostle is concluding his lengthy argument on the sin and the blatant unrighteousness of the whole human race. He has exposed the sin of the Gentiles (1:18-32) and also of Jewish people (2:1-3:8). The conclusion: “…for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin.” There is no “spark of divinity” within every man. That is a liberal or religious lie.

3:9-18: In these verses Paul quotes and paraphrases a number of Old Testament passages, Psa. 5:9; 10:7; 14:1-3; 36:1; 140:3; Isa. 59:7-8. He proves that his conclusion has the authority of Scripture behind it. His contention is supported by the Word of God. Neither Jew nor Gentile has any grounds for boasting. The sinfulness of mankind is clearly taught even in the Old Testament.

Three features of this grim biblical picture stand out:

1. It declares the ungodliness of sin

2. The pervasiveness of sin

3. The universality of sin

(John Stott, Romans, 100-101).

The sinful character of mankind is portrayed in verses 10-12; their sinful conversation in verses13-14; their sinful conduct in verses 15-17. None is righteous, no one understands, and no one seeks for God. This is the biblical doctrine of total depravity – the totality of our corruption tainting every part of our humanness. Verse 18 exposes their motive and the reason behind their dreadful words and deeds – “there is no fear of God before their eyes.” This is a summary statement. Fear of God is the reverential awe of God–an awesome

awareness of His power and presence. It is reverential fear that leads to worship. It is the beginning of spiritual wisdom (Prov. 9:10). Reverence toward God is esse-ntial for a godly life. “Therefore since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe” (Heb. 12:28).

3:19-20: These verses represent the culmination and conclusion on verses 9-18. Here is God’s verdict on fallen mankind. The function of the Law is to give knowledge of or about sin, not to save from sin. The law only convicts of sin; it offers no help toward reconciliation to God. Every unredeemed human being without exception is under the law of God and accountable to God. “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all” (Jam. 2:10).

There is no salvation through religion, rituals, morality or through good works. “By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight.” Sinful man

continued in page 8..

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Dr. Jon Marshall

Friends Suffering To gether for the Gospel

A Monthly Commentary on Philippians

continued in page 10..

Philippians 4:10-23

riendship can be complicated, especially when money enters in. In the non-Christian world, Fmoney often comes between families and

friends, causing hurt and pain and confusion. But when Christians team up to share the gospel of the Lord Jesus, and they share their money in order to support one another, the exchange of money sends praise to God. The giving of money isn’t a complication but a sacrifice that God receives as worship.

Read Philippians 4:10-13. Paul rejoices that they have “revived” their concern. They have a history of caring about him and now they show it again. Thank God for that! He was in a tough spot financially and now they’re helping him again. Paul knows they’ve been concerned all along, they just couldn’t figure out a way to help (“no opportunity”). He doesn’t want them to get the impression that he was destitute or that God wasn’t taking care of him. The whole point of this letter has been that the gospel-proclaimer must live a suffering-yet hopeful life. He knows how to be hopeful and content no matter the situation. He can be penniless and sleeping out in the jungle or well-fed and sleeping in a wealthy Christian brother’s home. Either way he’s content because he knows “the secret.”

The secret is that Christ is in us. Jesus both suffered and overcame adversity; he was humbled and he was exalted. With Christ in you, troubles and blessings don’t threaten your peace. Christ’s presence in us satisfies our souls to the point that physical need doesn’t overwhelm us and physical abundance doesn’t distract us. Ironically ‘abundance’ is often the more difficult of the two situations. When people “have everything” they usually find it very difficult to want Christ at all. God warns us repeatedly: “Don’t get rich and then forget about me” (e.g. Deut. 8:11-20; Prov 30:8-9). Being filled with Christ quenches hunger, it gives us a sense of satisfaction, so that when troubles come we don’t have anxiety and when blessings come

we don’t forget the source of joy. “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” I can be both rich and poor, hungry and well fed, homeless and safely housed, because in Christ I am satisfied and empowered.

Read Philippians 4:14-20. Again Paul carefully explains how their gifts have worked. This is about “giving and receiving.” They gave “to Paul” but in reality they gave “to the gospel” so they receive a response not “from Paul” but “from God.” He encourages them in their generosity: “It was kind of you to share my trouble” means “Thank you for caring about me and financially supporting me so I wouldn’t continue suffering.” He then tells them that they were unique. After leaving their region (Macedonia) no other church partnered with him by financially supporting his ministry (and also in receiving the blessing which came from the gift). When he was out of their city (in Thessalonica) they kept sending help (2 Cor. 11:8-9). They cared for people outside of their city and region. They weren’t self-centered or self-absorbed. They cared about gospel advancement in general not just about getting the people around them saved. This is a partnership between senders and goers.

Paul wants to clarify once again: “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” When they gave money to his ministry they partnered with him in such a way that they get credit for being evangelists. When people come to Christ the Philippians get thanked. When people shun their idols and repent and believe that Jesus is Lord in some other city where no Philippian has ever been, because they’ve given funds, they share the recognition for blessing of the spiritual growth. Again, Paul doesn’t primarily care that he’s taken care of. He primarily cares that they get blessed. He loves them and wants them to be blessed. He knows that God is keeping records of their generosity and he recognizes their partnership in the gospel.

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August 20128

is utterly capable in meeting the demands of the law. He has neither the ability nor the capacity within himself to obey God and please Him. No human being on his own seeks for God or does any good that merits salvation. Human may perform some actions that conform to external goodness or moral uprightness. But even these actions prior to salvation are stained by evil. The guilty person stands condemned at the tribunal of God’s justice. Sinful mankind has no defense whatever and is guilty of all charges. If the Jews, who are God’s special covenant people, cannot keep the law, then Gentiles,

who are taught by the law in their conscience, will not escape God’s condemnation either. “…that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may become accountable to God.”

But Paul goes on to say in the following verses, that apart from the law, through the grace of God and the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross, salvation and eternal life are made possible for believing sinners. God has intervened through Christ and His cross for our salvation. This is the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ which Paul expounds in Romans.

Digging Deepercontinued from page 6

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Pastor. Mike Harrison

The Right Preprayeration met Todd the welder through a friend. That is how he was introduced to me - “Mike, meet Todd the welder.” “Todd the welder, meet Mike.” Such a guy I

as him I needed to meet, since my holy boat (not holy as in sanctified, but holy as in leaky) took on so much water during a recent fishing trip that I could have auditioned for the lead role in the movie Hunt For Red October. So on a Friday evening, I towed the holy boat over to Todd the welder’s and he welded a patch over the hole.

Now lots of people piddle at welding. But welding is an art form. To see a real welder at work is something to b e a d m i r e d a n d appreciated. Todd the welder is of this vein.

To effectively weld, several components are necessary; on a properly prepared surface, one must have the right kind of material, the correct amount of heat, the fervency to get a puddle started, and then the steadiness to lay down a straight bead. Without all of these components in play there is no weld, only the activity of welding.

Prayer is kind of that way. Much of the time we “have not because (we) ask not, and when (we) ask (we) ask amiss (James 4:3).” But when we really do get down to the business of praying, we are often ineffective because we lack a key component.

“The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much…” (James 5:16)

The Lord pinpointed this missing piece to me at a church prayer vigil a couple of years ago. That evening, I settled in with my Bible in my lap and my jaw set with determination. Through earnestness I would be effective. Did not Jesus implore us in Matthew 7 to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, and your request will be given unto you? My cause was just. My

heart was fervent. This would be good. It took less than 30 minutes of quiet meditation for the Holy Spirit to lead me to the fifth chapter of James and the sixt-eenth verse. I scanned the familiar passage with a sense of satis-faction - “…effective, fervent…avails mu-ch.” I savored the f o l l o w i n g v e r s e , “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly…” Corre-

lative confirmation attained. It’s on now. Here comes the intercession. What came instead was an inspection. Out of the verse one word unfolded and raised itself off of the page—RIGHTEOUS. “The effective fervent (earnest) prayer of a RIGHTEOUS man avails much.”

God began to share with me that without righteousness (which means holiness, or to be set apart) coupled to my earnestness I am a welder with all the proper tools trying in vain to work with an improperly

continued in page 12...

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August 201210

Nevertheless Paul tells them that he’s well-supplied. He has all he needs from them. Epaphroditus showed up a while back and brought the food and money and clothes Paul needed. In fact he feels like he has more than he needs. The gifts they sent may look like money, food, and clothes but Paul sees them as lambs, bulls, and grain offerings. You have given offerings and sacrifices to God, “but I,” Paul responds, “am the one who receives them.” By caring for others you’ve made a sacrifice to God. And because God is watching he’ll reciprocate with blessing upon those people who have blessed Paul. Remember that “we worship by the Spirit” (3:3) has overtones of ministering in the temple, and Paul commends Epaphroditus for doing a “priestly ministry” in bringing their gifts (2:25, 30). So now Paul calls all of their giving a sacrifice like temple-service. “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed” (Prov. 19:17). When they gave to Paul, the Philippians actually gave to God and so now they should not expect Paul to repay but God Himself. “My God”, Paul says (making the point that God will be helping him in the repayment), “will supply every need of yours.” He means financial needs of course, but he’s got a whole lot more in mind. The

Philippians get the best part of this deal because Paul is poor (especially compared to God). God however gives “according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” As you’ve seen repeatedly God has all the wealth imaginable to supply every physical, spiritual, social, and emotional need possible. Their giving to Paul set in motion an exchange with God in which he’ll supply everything they need. Therefore, to God, not Paul, be all glory, all worth, all recognition, all honor, all praise, all thanks.

Read Philippians 4:21-23. A final send-off greeting to everyone ends this friendly letter Paul loved to write. He loves each of these people so much that he wants a particular greeting rather than lumping them all

1together. Then an especially exciting comment comes, even the saints from Caesar’s household greet you. What that means is that people in the emperor’s family (or who at least work in the family home) have come to Christ. Caesar thinks he’s going to beat back the Lord Jesus by squashing his servant Paul, but Jesus has already infiltrated Caesar’s ranks. Jesus is behind enemy lines. He’s an insider. And it’s no wonder that over the next 200 years lord Caesar’s kingdom would be overcome by the gospel of the Lord Jesus. To send us off, Paul gives the benediction, a prayer for God’s people in Philippi, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with each person in the Philippian church.”

continued from page 7Friends Suffering Together for the Gospel

1 Fee, NICNT, 457.

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August 2012 11

Looking Back Moving Forward…th65 Year of Independence

n 15 August 1947 India achieved

independence through mostly peaceful,

nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience Oled by the Indian National Congress under the

leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and

others. At midnight, as India moved into 15 August

1947, Jawaharlal Nehru delivered the 'Tryst with

Destiny' speech proclaiming India's independence.

“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and

now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge,

not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At

the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps,

India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes,

which comes but rarely in history, when we step out

from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when

the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It

is fitting that at this solemn moment, we take the

pledge of dedication to the service of India and her

people and to the still larger cause of humanity.”

Sadly, this historic day also marked the partition of

India wherein the erstwhile British Indian Empire was

divided into two nations – Dominion of India (later

Republic of India) and the Dominion of Pakistan (later

Islamic Republic of Pakistan).

The Independence Day is a National holiday. The

Hoisting of the National Flag by the Prime Minister, at

the Red Fort, Delhi followed by, and the nationally

broadcast speech from its ramparts is the flagship

event of the day. Twenty one gunshots are fired in

honor of the solemn occasion. In his speech, the Prime

Minister highlights the achievements of his

government during the past year, raises important

issues. He pays tribute to the leaders of the Freedom

Struggle. The Indian national anthem, Jana Gana Mana

is sung. The speech is followed by March past by

divisions of the Indian Army and paramilitary forces,

and parades and pageants showcasing events from the

struggle for independence as well as cultural traditions

of the country. Similar events take place in state capitals

where the Chief Ministers of individual states unfurl the

national flag, and parades and pageants follow.

The day is observed all over the country with flag-

hoisting ceremonies, parades and cultural events.

People celebrate the day by displaying the national flag

on their attire, household accessories, and vehicles;

indulge in varied activities such as kite flying, bonding

with family and friends, and enjoy patriotic songs and

watch movies.

Let's move forward keeping in mind the principles

and ethos followed by the freedom fighters as well as

their selfless sacrifices which enabled us to gain

Independence.

Did you know?Between 1930 and 1947, 26 January was

observed as the Independence Day of India, and

carried symbolic value to the Congress. thFollowing the actual independence on 15 August

1947, the Constitution of India came into effect on th

and from 1950 onwards 26 January is celebrated

as Republic day.

On the eve of the Independence Day, the

President of India delivers the nationally televised

"Address to the Nation.”

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12 August 2012

Cross Word - “Priests” of the Bible

Answers on page 20

2

3

4

6

5

1

1. He was a priest in the time of David who with Abiathar carried the ark of God to Jerusalem.

2. Who was the first Hebrew priest appointed by God through Moses?

3. The Priest of Nob who gave David the holy bread to eat, and the sword of Goliath.

4. This high priest was seen by Zachariah in a vision standing before the angel of the Lord, clothed in filthy garments which were going to be replaced with clean ones.

5. Was Aaron’s eldest son and a priest who was consumed by fire for offering strange fire to God.

6. He was Aaron’s son and a priest and died along with Nadab his brother for offering strange fire to God.

Across

Up

Down

prepared surface. I can spark and flash, sizzle and smoke, but in the end it avails little.

Although as believers we are positionally righteous by His shed blood, and therefore can “come boldly to His throne of grace” (Heb. 4:16), if we come to that throne without practical righteousness all of the boldness in the world will still lack effectiveness. The sin we harbor hampers our peace. It also hinders our prayers.

“Blessed are the poor in Spirit…blessed are those who mourn” “Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1) would proclaim in Matthew 5. The “blessed” there are mourn-ing over their poor spiritual condition, broken as they see their filthy rags of righteousness compared to the snow white robes in which He is arrayed.

As illustrated in the feeding of the 5000, in order to bless He must break. Only as He breaks the me out of me will I “hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Only as I confess my sin and experience the refreshing of His forgiveness can I be effective in prayer. Only then am I

a fit instrument for His use. This He desires, for a right life is a powerful weapon in the hand of an Almighty God (see Rom. 6:13).

John Nelson Darby stated, “I can say, Christ has been my only object; thank God, my righteousness too... Hold fast to Christ.”

My prayer for myself, the church I pastor, and all of the local bodies of Christ in the Parkland area is a newfound Christ centered desire for righteousness. A willingness on the part of each of us to look into the wonderful face of the Light of the World, to let Him illuminate the dark areas of our hearts, yield ourselves to His gentle breaking, and become clean vessels, fit for His use.

thThe 34 Psalm says, “The righteous cry and the

Lord hears.” We lay hold of the promises of God not by many words but by right hearts. Earnestness is needful, but not at the expense of righteousness. It is righte-ousness that transforms our prayers from piddling into powerful and our lives from run of the mill to takers of the hill.

The Right Preprayeration

continued from page 9

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August 2012 13

Thought of the Month

aul was dictating a letter to be sent back to the Christian community he had established in the famous Greek city of Corinth. It was his first P

letter to the Corinthians, among whom he had lived and worked for eighteen months. His heart was filled with love for these loyal followers, with eagerness to guide and help them as much as he could. His feelings overflowed in eloquence.

If I speak in the languages of angels and have no love for you, I am only a noisy, empty gong. If I possess all knowledge and preach all truths- if I have the faith that moves mountains, but have no real love for my fellow man- I am nothing. Even if I give away everything I own, even if I sacrifice my life and become a martyr, If I am not sincere- if I do these things in pride, and not in love- they are meaningless and profit nothing.

He got up and paced about the room, a plan and unprepossessing man- short in stature, bald, his beard gray and bushy. But the light of inspiration illumined his plain round face, and the love of God and humanity glowed in his eyes. A man of intense and consuming missionary zeal, these Epistles were the ideal vehicle for his personality-informal, spontaneous, and sincere. Through them he could express himself, not as a theologian, but as a leader and a friend.

Love, kindness, charity, doing things for others-these are the essential qualities. Love never fails. Other things fade and pass away, but love endures. I myself did not see this clearly until I became a man and put aside my childish ways.

This was a very important letter. It must be more than a message of guidance. It must be a testament of love and faith... It must win the confidence of the people and inspire them to live up to Christian principles and ideals. They must not slip into selfish, unkind ways. He must plead with them for faith and hope, for charity and kindness, for patience and humility- and most of all, for love. For surely if a man truly loved, he possessed all other virtues as well.

Faith, hope, and love- these three remain. And the greatest of these is love.

He asked that the letter be read back to him. And he nodded as he listened, for this was what he wanted to say. This was the message he wanted to send in his first letter to the Corinthians: Though I speak with the tongue of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.

Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowlege, it shall vanish away.

For me know in part, and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as achild, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

And now abideth faith, hope, love, these; but the greatest of these is love.

Courtesy: Light from many Lamps

Faith, Hope and Love

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Question TimeQ:Where are we to learn the truth about Christianity?

Ans:From the Bible alone.

1. Christianity presents us with particular historical facts and spiritual truths which are to be understood and believed (I John 1:1-4).

For example:(a) The deity of Christ (John 20:31); (b) His Incarnation (I John 4:2, 3; II John 7; John 1:14);(c) His unique death for our sins (I Cor. 15:3; I John 2:2; 4:10);(d) His resurrection (John 20:29; I Cor. 15:4; Acts 2:32); (e) His ascension (Acts 7:55, 56; Heb. 1:3; 2:9);(f) His second coming (I Thess. 1:10).

2. The record of these historical facts and the witness to these spiritual truths are found in the Bible (Luke 1:1-4).

For example:(a) The deity of Christ (John 1:1-14; Matt. 16:13-20);(b) His Incarnation (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-7);(c) His death for our sins (Matt. 27:26-61; Mark 15:15-41; Luke 23:27-49; John 19:13-37); (d) His resurrection (Matt. 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-13; Luke 24:1-48; John 20:1-29; I Cor. 15:4-8);(e) His ascension (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9-11);

(f) His second coming (Matt. 24:3-31; I Thess. 5:1-3; II Thess. 1:7-10).3. The distinctive significance or interpretation of any fact or truth of Christianity is that which the Bible gives (John 20:30, 31; I Cor. 10:11).

a) Many of the truths of Christianity need explanation in detail (Luke 24:27; Acts 18:26).(b) Human understanding, unaided, cannot provide the satisfactory explanation (Matt. 16:17; I Cor. 2:14).(c) The Scriptures were given by God to provide us with the illumination and instruction we need (Ps. 119:130; Matt. 21:42; Rom. 15:4)-the basis on which the gospel is preached is the statements of the Scriptures (Luke 24:44-47; Acts 10:43; 17:2; 18:28; I Cor. 15:3,4).(d) The Holy Spirit uses the Scriptures to make plain

truths to which we would otherwise be blind (Luke 24:27).(e) When we fail to understand what the Scriptures say on a subject, we soon err in our judgment on spiritual matters (Mark 12:24; Matt. 22:29).

4. The Bible alone must be our authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

(a) The Bible is authoritative (Matt. 22:31).(b) It is inspired by God (II Tim. 3:16; II Pet. 1:19-21).(c) The revelation the Bible provides is final– anything which goes against it is false (Isa. 8:20; Gal. 1:8, 9).(d) The revelation God has given in the Bible– through prophets, apostles and through Christ – is at the foundation of the Church (Eph. 2:20).(e) Every opinion must be examined in the light of what the Bible says (Acts 17:11).(f) What the Bible says must be the deciding factor in any decision that has to be made (Matt. 4:1-11; Acts 15:14, 15).(g) The Bible provides all that a man needs to know and tells him all he ought to be to please God (II Tim. 3:15-17).(h) If we fail to recognize the Bible's supreme authority in matters of faith and conduct, we shall find ourselves breaking God's commandments through attention to lesser authorities (Matt. 15:2, 3, 6).(I) Hollow and delusive speculations based upon traditions of man-made teaching quickly capture our attention if we neglect the Bible's authority (Col. 2:8).

5. Everything points logically to the supreme authority of the Bible whenever Christianity is under consideration.

(a) Christ came to fulfill the promises made by God in the Old Testament Scriptures (Luke 24:27, 44).(b) The New Testament came into being because of the saving work of Christ (I Cor. 11:25; Luke 1:1-4; Mark 1:1; Rev. 1:19). © The Spirit of Christ who caused the Old Testament Scriptures to be written caused also the New Testament Scriptures to be written (I Pet. 1:11; John 14:26; Heb. 2:4).

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17August 2012

Dr. C.V. Vadavana

Sathyam Research Institute

and Disability Centervery child, blonde or black, yel low or brown, is a gift from E

God. God has given them to our care to love them, nourish them and bring them up in the fear of the Living God. It is the desire of every parent that their child would grow up to be a person who brings them honor and respect in society. But what will be your reaction if you are told that your new born baby, whom you had longed to see and had been dreaming of all these months, is not a healthy baby as you had wished and will live all his life as a mentally disabled person? Do you think your castle which you had been building for your son/daughter will come crashing down? Well, that’s how I felt when my son Justin was born and doctors said that he is a mentally retarded child.

The moment our second son Justin was born, one look at him and we knew something was not right with him. But then we knew he was a gift to us from God and God wanted us to be good stewards of the gift he had given to our care.

Raising a differently able child at times is a real challenge. Mary and I had been challenged many times in the past few years in raising him. These children cannot go to regular schools and have to be given special care and attention in every step.

As a child we took Justin to different hospitals and all they told us was his IQ was low. No doctor ever told

us that he should not be put in a regular school for children. So when Justin was about 4 years old like any other kid in our country, he was sent to a regular school with the hope that he would pick up his lessons. But every day we got complaints from the school about Justin’s inability to adjust in the class and his attitude problem. Since we were receiving complaints from both teachers and students, we were forced to remove him from school.

At that time, we were told of a school for the

mentally disabled children in another city. We drove to

that city and met with the authorities. After talking to

them they promised to give Justin admission in their

school. But the problem was since the school was far

away; he could not stay with us and had to be in the

boarding. On our way home, we told our son that he

was going to be sent to the boarding school. Other than

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that the drive back home was quiet. The silence

was broken by Mary when she expressed her

desire to start a special school for the mentally

challenged children in the town where we were

staying. I did not encourage the subject because I

knew that to start a school required a lot of finance

and we did not have money then. Justin was

disturbed with the thought of being send to the

boarding school and did not sleep the whole night.

We as parents were worried about the

developments taking place in him and we dropped

the plan of sending him to a boarding school.

He was sent to another regular school closer to Mary’s school where she was working as a teacher with the hope that she will be able to pay more attention to him. But changing schools or placing him in a school closer to Mary’s work place did not improve the situation. We kept receiving complaints from school about him. The worst to suffer was Mary because in my absence she had to take care of him, manage home, office and then go for work. It was taking its toll on her. And if Justin failed to go to school one day, Mary had to take him with her to her school where she was working as a teacher. Justin was hyperactive and disturbed everyone.

Mary still remembers vividly one particular incident where she really cried out to God asking for special grace. Mary had been teaching the tenth grade when she was interrupted by one of the helper boys of Justin’s school. Excusing herself from class she came out to meet him to learn what happened to Justin and he told her that Justin has soiled his class room by wetting his pants. Mary excused herself from the class after explaining the situation to her students and by the time she reached Justin’s school- to his class room, there were no students in the class except him and he had messed the room completely. Anger and frustration gripped every inch of Mary and she was almost on the verge of tears. The other children were accusing Justin of soiling their classroom but Justin was least bothered about what was happening around him and what people were saying.

Mary looked around for water to clean both Justin and the classroom but there was no running water available anywhere. So she went to the well, fetched water and cleaned Justin and the classroom. People looked at her with sympathy but she did not want their sympathy. She was frustrated. She cried out to God

“Please God, find me a special school for mentally retarded children closer to my home or give us money to start a school.” And God heard her despairing cry and when Justin was eleven years old, a special school for the mentally retarded children was open in the neighboring town and Justin was admitted there. In spite of finding a school for Justin, Mary was forced to quit her job to take care of him.

In the mean time we came across parents with children who were mentally disabled. In India to send a mentally disabled child to school is expensive and not every parent can afford it. Mary was moved with sympathy and she wanted to do something for these neglected and discarded children. Both Mary and I believe that God has gifted us with Justin to be a blessing to other parents who are struggling. Mary was all more burdened to do something for these mentally challenged children after reading Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, and she began to pray to God for opportunities to serve mentally challenged children. God answered her prayer and we were able to open Sathya Niketan – a learning disability center for the mentally challenged children, in a rented building and currently we have 48 children between the age of 3 and 15.Though much expense is involved in maintaining and running the institution most of the children coming to Sathya Niketan do not pay any tuition fee as they are from poor families. Our prayer to the Lord is that God will strengthen our hands to manage this institution for His glory and to be a blessing to the mentally challenged children and their families.

To be continued…

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August 2012 19

Launa Stan

thhursday, June 14, 2012 was my Grammy's 100 birthday. She went into eternity at the eve of

thTher 94 birthday so she didn't live to see this milestone. As I thought of her on this particular day, it reminded me of how quickly a life passes; a century comes and goes in a blink. Someday this earth will

thdawn on the 100 year anniversary of the day we were all born and unless we have had unbelievable longevity, we will be standing before our Creator, our Savior and our Judge. What we did or didn't do here in this body will be beyond correcting anymore. The time we will have been given will be spent.

Will we be ashamed of the fact that we called ourselves Christians but didn't open our mouths when we had the opportunity to share the gospel to the lost? Or what about when our lips stayed sealed when someone in our proximity was defaming the name of God? Luke 12:8, 9 says, “Everyone who confesses me before men, the Son of Man will confess him before the angels of God; but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.”

Will you and I be horrified when we realized that we thought more of the opinions of human beings than we did of God Almighty? Will we collapse on our faces in remorse and tears when we find that our years were spent in fear of being laughed at, rejected, spat upon or shunned for Christ's sake? In Matthew 5:11, Jesus declared, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.”

Will we be full of explanations about why we couldn't quite fulfill the Great Commission of preaching the Word of God and making disciples of all nations? Will you and I have the nerve to tell the King of Kings and Lord of Lords that we were too busy? We had too many responsibilities to attend to? We were too shy? We never could find the right words to say to the perishing? We had to answer too many emails or watch a certain television program every Friday night?

I want the Lord to say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” However I know that isn't going to happen if I don't put Spirit led evangelism first and foremost in my life. We as Christians cannot spend our valuable time on earth being spoon-fed the Word and getting fat on spiritual delicacies, but not be poured out for others. We not only must tithe our finances, but God also expects us to give Him the first fruits of our time as well. We are never to give the Lord our leftovers. It is all His anyway!

When we surrendered our lives to Christ, we accepted a military commission to fight in an army. Many new believers are not aware of this. The truth is, we are at constant war. Our mutual enemy is a ruthless murderer and wants to kill, maim and destroy all whom he can take down. In the physical realm, when you ship off to battle, you don't pack a picnic lunch and your bathing suit so that you might leisurely play volleyball on a beach somewhere. This is not what soldiers do. We Christians also must be aware that we are not on vacation. We must be ever vigilant because our enemy is a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Have you been a lazy soldier for the Kingdom of God? Repent now and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you to overflowing, so that you can be bold in your witness to this lost and dying world. Repent of your sheepishness and selfishness concerning your time spent. Ask God to show you where you have been lapse in sharing the Good News to people in your spheres of influence. Ask Him to bring you someone to lead to the knowledge of Him and to disciple. Understand that everything we are and everything we possess already belongs to God. We need to steward it properly. Ask Him what He'd like to do with it and with you.

thMake it as your goal that when your 100 birthday dawns here on planet earth, you will have heard Jehovah God declare, “Well done good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”

A Century

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August 201220

Cross Word Ans.

Krakow, Poland (AFP) - Bacteria, which have still to be identified, lived in a dormant state for 500 years in the tomb of King Casimir Jagellon, the ancestor of all the present crowned heads of Europe, according to Professor Boleslaw Smyk, holder of the Chair of Microbiology at the Krakow Academy of Agriculture.

Prof. Smyk says that he was able to ‘awaken’ the micro-organisms, together with certain mush-rooms covering the coffin and which had been living in a state of suspension for 500 years.

Among the micro-organisms was one which had completely disappeared and of which no one knew the existence.

Once he had made a scientific inventory of his findings, Prof. Smyk destroyed them so as to avoid any risk of contamination.

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Rev. Barney Kinard

continued in page 24.

Move the Rock!here is an amazing phenomenon that only occurs in Death Valley. On Racetrack Playa, there are found sliding rocks on the riverbed. T

There seems to be no apparent reason how or why these heavy rocks move along the dry parched ground. These rocks leave a rutted trail like they were pushed or pulled along the surface (as in the above photo).

The Playa Racetrack Riverbed is really isolated,

It is an extremely hot spot in Death Valley. Few tourists actually go there. Those who do, try to explain this apparent mystery. However, it is reported that no one has ever seen these rocks move, but it appears obvious that the rocks do move, because of the trails left behind. So there are many theories (or guesses) as to how this happens.

One of the explanations, that seem to make more sense to me, is rain or winter water run off accumulates at the south end of the riverbed. The desert winds can blow the water into the empty portions of the riverbed, making a slippery muddy surface that allow the rocks to move when hard 50+ mph winds blow through the valley. Another theory involves that same water that freezes under the rocks and the strong winds propel the rocks along the surface on ice. However, the rocks can go in every direction (East, West, South and North), even changing directions. Also there are all sizes of moving rocks, from under a pound to over a hundred pounds. Since we have no recorded sightings of the rocks actually moving, all this remains a mystery to explain.

One thing is clear the rocks move, unseen, and the evidence of their moving is very visible. This, seemingly obscure, movement is quite behind the scenes and the rocks are found “stopped in their tracks” in the daylight drought.

the playa (dry lakebed) is about 3 miles long and 2 miles wide. At least 10,000 years ago this region underwent climatic changes resulting in cycles of hot, cold and wet periods. As the climate changed, the lake eva-porated and left behind beige colored mud, at least 1,000 feet thick.

I like to use this phenomenon to explain the leadership practice of working behind the scenes to “move the rock.” When a good leader takes a “studied approach” to their Children's Ministry, things are prepared and thought through behind the curtain of public attention, but when finally unveiled, at just the right moment, people might just be surprised at the results. Many may never know what it really takes to make things work, but the private preparation can be showcased dramatically, leaving a huge impression!

You can actually “Move the Rock” in your Ministry by your “diligent private” preparation. So Moving the Rock might mean…

1. The more complex your project or program becomes the more it demands organization and advanced preparation. This really is a function of good paper work, goals, charts, checklists, “to do” lists, and planning.

2. Being willing to remove yourself to allow for time to really pray and prepare.

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September 2011

Sathyam Ministries

WE CARE FOR BODY & SOUL

facebook.com/sathyam.india twitter.com/sathyam_india

www.sathyam.org

Do you know- The Human Cell

These are several trillion hard-working cells in every person.

A cell is so small that it takes 250 of them, placed side by side, to equal the diameter of a dot. Inside the membrane of each cell, swimming around in the cytoplasm, are about 200 of these wiggling, squir-ming particles, each one a living and active chemical laboratory, a food and energy factory.

Inside of each of these cells are about 200 wiggling mitochondria. Each one of these would be

thabout 1/50,000 the size of a globe as big as a dot! Inside of each

mitochondrion are hundreds of small “spheres” scattered along stalks in the mito-

thchondrion. Each sphere is about 1/1,000 the size of the mitochondrion! So, each sphere would be about one-five-millionth(1/5,000,000) the size of a dot!

Each of these tiny spheres is a chemical factory, with a “production line” that produces energy and food for the cell. This is such a marvel of smallness and intricate complexity that it stretches one’s imagination even to try to think of it.

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24 August 2012

Phone: 9447126182

SATHYAM MINISTRIES THOTTABHAGOM P.O., THIRUVALLA-689 541, KERALA, INDIA.

Tel: 0469 - 2619209, 2619005, Mobile: 0-9447178230E-mail: [email protected], web: www.sathyam.org

SATHYAM SERVICE TRUSTWANTED

1. OFFICE SECRETARY (2): He/she should have good command

over English with good knowledge of computers. Candidate must

have Christian mission commitment and dynamic attitude with the

ability to correspond independently.2. ACCOUNTANTS (2): Ability to work on accounting programs

especially tally.3. EDITORS (2): Experience with English language editing for our

Christian Magazine.4. SOCIAL WORKERS (3): with MSW & experience.5. MANAGER(3): HR & Marketing with MBA.6. DRIVERS (2): with licence of heavy & light vehicles.7. SALES PERSONS (3) 8. SPECIAL TEACHERS (3)9. CARE TAKERS (2) 10. SPEECH THERAPIST(1)11.PHYSIOTHERAPIST(1) 12. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST(1)

BOTH FRESHERS AND EXPERIENCED CAN APPLY FOR THE POST.ALL CANDIDATES SHOULD DEMONSTRATE A COMMITMENT TO THE CHRISTIAN MISSION AND DISPLAY A POSITIVE ATTITUDE.

3. Thinking out of the box, looking at alternatives, solving problems, taking some counsel, working with a coach.

4. No one is privy to your private process, until they see your ministry unfold. They might applaud your effort. Then you can take the bow, and give the Lord some credit.

5. We all know that relationships, recruiting, trai-ning, organizing and scheduling is the real “Admin work of the Kidmin.”

6. You might just “Dazzle Yourself” sometime with your public success, but you really know the hard work is your preparation.

7. Understand the principle: “Your private pre-paration will get public demonstration.”

Moving the Rock might mean the God adds His unique blessing that exceeds your best efforts. But I have noticed that His miracles are added on top of your obscure, but intentional, behind the scenes process.

Challenge: Leave your followers wondering just how you “Moved the Rock!” Wait until they notice. Then, it's our secret!

continued from page 21Move the Rock

Exercise to maintain good health

1 tip to cheer you...

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25August 2012

to do.” As well as in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

• Furthermore, as followers of Jesus, it is expected that we seek to understand God and His plan. In Matthew 7:21, Jesus makes a distinction between true and false disciples, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Also in John 7:17, Jesus proclaimed that, “Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.”

William Barry states that, “A belief that God acts with purpose in this world must lead to attempts, however feeble, to discern how my own actions might be attributed to God's one action.”

To do this well, we need God's mercy and His gift of wisdom. That is because if we embrace our desire to discern the will of God, it can lead us to wonder if God

has a “perfect” plan for our lives. If He does, could we miss it or end up with plan B, C…Z, or, God forbid, no plan at all? This generates an anxiety about our decisions that can paralyze us.

For the first 40 years of my life I was living in accordance to “my will” and the results were not commendable. Having exchanged my old credo, “I DID IT MY WAY!” to “not my will, but yours be done,” I was eager to properly interpret the Biblical passages about doing the will of God. This desire has led me to an extensive search for the past seven years. I have studied the Scriptures, dozens of relevant books and hundreds of online articles on this subject.

I was looking for a tidy roadmap that would direct me straight to this hidden treasure of God's will, but it turned out to be more like a labyrinth as I got stuck at many dead-ends. God surprised me during this journey and I hope He will do the same for you. Over the next posts, as in a conversation among friends, I will disclose my research, struggles and conclusions on this topic. To start us on this path, the next post will present possible reasons for our insecurity and what our search to discern the will of God should never become.

Q. What questions do you have about the will of God?

Roadmap to God's Will; Longing for Guidancecontinued from page26

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Roadmap to God's Will; Longing for Guidancet. Michael Archangel Catholic Church is the religious center of Naranjito, the town in Puerto Rico where I grew up. I can't remember the first S

time I walked into that church, but I do recall feeling intimidated by the tall structure and the somber clerical garb of the priests and nuns. The acoustics in the old cathedral-style building were strong enough that a person at the back row could hear the front row chatter. On Sundays, microphones were used only so that those who sat in the town plaza – avoiding the tithing basket – would have no choice but to at least hear the sermon. It was a solemn place to attend Catechism classes.

We sat stiffly in the front pew with our Cate-chism teacher, a nun, towering above us from the pulpit. By extending her trembling index finger she pointed to the trees, the big church building, the rows of pews and even the birds chirping outside. With authority she told us how God created everything out of nothing, everything we see around us, and even that which we can't see. I was attentive. At seven years old, I had already begun wondering about things such as life, purpose, God, pain and death. Finally, I had arrived at a setting where my many questions could find their corresponding answers. With the eager anticipation and impulsiveness of a child, I asked, “If God created everything in this world and there was nothing before He created it, where was He standing?”

The nun became surprisingly angry. Sternly, she raised her voice, “God punishes those with no faith! You must believe and trust, and have no doubt!” Her words ricocheted against the hard surfaces of the empty church with authority, and my young mind heard them as if they came from God himself.

She sent me to the back of the church to repeat at least three times the Our Father and Hail Mary prayers as a punishment, asking God for forgiveness for my lack of faith. On the long walk to the last pew at the back of the church I pondered, “What kind of God would give me the power to ask questions and then punish me for them?” While I prayed for forgiveness, I

also informed God that one day I'd like an answer to my questions.

Although I was very young that day, it has taken me many years to overcome the nun's reaction to my questions, and to take courage to ask questions again. I know now that the root of my childish question was not a lack of faith, but rather a desire to understand God and His will.

Have you ever been discouraged from seeking answers to your questions about the will of God? If so, I hope to encourage you. Although Paul warns us that to know the mind of God fully is unattainable (Romans 11:33-36), a Christian's desire to discern and do the will of God is proper and Biblical.

•It is modeled by the Psalmist in Psalm 143:10, “Teach me to do your will (for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” See also Psalm 25:3-5.

• It is essential, particularly in light of Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us

Ines S. Franklin

continued in page 25...

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Section by writerí s name Section by writers name

Truth Alive 00

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