Crossing River Jordan

I had to undergo yet another surgery, a cancer repair surgery on 20th April 2021. God has been kind to me and I am slowly recovering from my surgery. I have been given an opportunity to share the word of God on Choir Sunday in our church while I was on a 6 week recovery period. Please excuse my language, i am speaking in my mother tongue - Malayalam.

Summary: 

God told people of Isreal to wait at the shore of river Jordan for three days. Isrealites asked "God, why did you bring us here at this particular time?" river jordan was overflowing. 

This overflow was occassioned either by latter rains or rather by melting snow on Mount Lebanon. If it was bit earlier or bit later time of the year, they could have just cross the river through the barren land, and they asked "why did you bring us at this particular time?"

Word of God dont leave any questions unanswered, Word of God gives us the answers all the time. The answer of their question was provided in the same portion Joshua 3:15; It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. On the other side of river Jordan, it was harvest season. God told the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites to store their crops and then asked Joshua to cross the river. 

During our life journey, we might not even understand why God led us to a challenging situation, it could be a terinal illness, financial crisis, we could not comprehend the reason for that. We would be scared and run away from our certain impossibilities; But the scripture reminds us that there is always a reason for the tribulations, for the trials. If God has brought you to river Jordan, he has already prepared a harvest for you on the the other side of the river. 

God is asking us not to run away, but to be thankful for the challenging days, because after sometime we are going to have joyful feast. God is working for us, let us be patient and He will show us the light on the other side of the tunnel. 

Amen!

Focus

The more you focus on the difficulties or your hardship or even your pains, the more u focus, the bigger it gets.

I am going through this, am going through that and if your friends listen to this, “oh boy, sorry for you, so hard, isnt it?”. The more sympathy they give, the more it grows and the more you doubt God.

So what we need to do is focus. What we need in our life is the simple trait of Daniel. The bible says Daniel slept with the lion. If he has been focusing on lion, am sure he would not be sleeping with them. It brings it back to the days when God did something very personal during one of the difficult times of my life.

During my first day chemotherapy under the supervision of Prof. Mark Rosenthal at Royal Melbourne Hospital, I met this gentleman Ben who was also diagnosed with Testicular cancer with same prototype – non seminoma teratoma and started the treatment one week ahead of me. So I was also put under the same schedule of three months of daily chemo as Ben, just one week behind though. Every Monday I meet Ben at the consultation room. We used to share our previous week experience and we used to laugh it out. As we progressed with the treatment, weeks later laughs became groans. I soon realized that I was having the same symptoms and experiences which Ben had the previous week. Week pass-by and I know what days are going to be ahead of me with all those excruciating pains of spasm. I was focusing on the pain which Ben faced and I invited those into my life. If Daniel was focusing on the lion, he would not be sleeping with the lion. It’s a simple truth. Daniel doesn’t have his eyes on the lions, but on God.

That was one of the biggest revelations I received during my chemo days and got a nice hug from my God. I was separated from my family during the period and had no access to my son. Living away from my three year old was more painful than the terminal illness. God said, "Son,but Daniel didn’t focus on the lion". From that moment on, all my fears disappeared, all of my uncertainties, all of my anxieties disappeared as He got my focus right.

When you focus on the trouble, burden, the pain , it grows bigger and we feel less confident, less significant and overwhelmed. Daniel looked at the God who created the lion. God will acts on those who wait for Him. Trust in God, do what he ask us to do and leave the consequences to God. Then we will have peace, sense of joy, confidence and assurance.

Understand this, only thing that will happen in your life is what God allows. If we are the child of God, what He allows, He allows for a reason. Trust in him and focus on God. Eventhough I don’t like the way the event keeps hammering my life, I want His way no matter what.

Stay focus.

In Christ Alone

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Spine Surgery | Faith And Fear

Ever since my lymph node dissection surgery in 2009, I have been struggling to keep up my abdomen core muscles and it resulted in pinching of the nerve in the lower back. 

Soon I realised that I have a herniated disc at L4 - L5. It was journey for 5 years with lots of pain and i started having wastage of muscles on my thighs, numbness on my toes and a ligament tear on both my knees. I dont have much options but to go for a spine surgery, 5th visit to an operation theatre 😉

Then you have strong faith and dead scary. the moment you feed your fear, your faith will starve. 

Even when times are tough, even when you’re unsure on the future of a surgery, even when you’re filled with fear, know that God has a plan. Know that God isn’t just going to leave you in the dust. This world might not always make sense, and your prayers might not be answered in the way you hope, rest assure that He is not ignoring you. Perhaps the pain you’re feeling is a powerful lesson in strength. Perhaps a closed door is an opened one down the road. Perhaps an unanswered prayer is a blessing you never know you needed. Perhaps you simply need a reminder that you serve an almighty God. The God who has protected you till this day is capable of holding me tomorrow.

I will be back soon, till then 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord lift his countenance upon you, and give you peace; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you.

Amen, Amen.

(Actually this song is called 7 fold Amen, beautiful harmony)

My Utmost for His Highest

                    Worship Service on Sunday 19 November at Balwyn Church of Christ 

It gave me immense pleasure to share the podium with Irene Liem when we shared our testimony of our life with cancer. I will always cherish the partnership we had serving as God’s witnesses to families and friends.

Showing no concern for the uncertainties that lie ahead is the secret of walking with Jesus. It will always be a challenge to remain with Jesus in our walk with Him  in the midst of uncertainties. 

Trust

Trust in Him. Trust in Him that nothing would even happen in our life without His permission. Trust in Him that he will never allow a difficulty unless he has a divine purpose for it. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29-11). Trust in Him, keep your peace and wait for His time. He will bring you out better than you were before. 

Life will be even the more tempting and challenging while we wait for His time. When life gets too hard to stand, kneel. Always trust in Him. Dont rush, when the time is right, it'll happen. 

Power of Pain

There are two types of pains one that hurts you and the other that changes you. I must tell you getting over a painful experience is like moving along a monkey bars, you have to let go at some point to move forward. These pains will reinstantiate your foundation and makes you stronger in life. 

Once certain number of monk students were traveling through the forest with their teacher. During such walks the teacher teaches them daily life lessons.After days of walk, they have reached the bank of a river. Teacher told them though the river looks calm on the surface can have fast under currents. They saw a big rope tied on two trees on either side of river banks and other monks from a different monastry were crossing the river by holding on to the rope. What they also saw was that each monk was carrying a big load on their shoulders while they cross the fast under current river. It might have been very tough to walk in that under current and on top of that holding heavy loads will add on to their hardships. One of the students asked the teacher why the monks were carrying heavy loads when they can walk freely holding on to the rope. The teacher smiled and replied "those heavy loads are helping them to keep their feet on the river bed helping them from carrying away in the under current" 

Though we may feel our life hardships are painful, in reality such pains are keeping you strong and protecting you from being carried away in turmoil of challenges. Let every situation in your life be what it is, instead of what you think it should be, Let our good God deal with it as he has once travelled through all your life miseries and He will take you shore unharmed.  When people hurt you over and over, think of them as a sand paper, they may scratch and hurt a bit, but you are being polished. All our pain are new learnings which will make you a new creation. I once read somewhere that pain is weakness leaving the body. God Bless.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. - Psalms 18.2

Never Quit!!

Things will sometimes go wrong (always will 😊), the road  you travel seems all uphill, you may very well trapped into the financial burden Your loneliness will become a pool of tears. Your friends and society will treat you as an outcast. That is when you will learn to smile while you sigh.But keep your head high. It may be near when it seems afar and you can never tell how close we are. so stick to the fight to the last leg. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith - 2 Timothy 4:7

But never ever give up. There is always a light at the end of each tunnel. Gather all your energy and finish the race and accomplish the purpose of your life. Only when we look back, we will appreciate, our good our life was. Never Quit.

The Good-O-Meter

"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man." (Matthew 15:19-20) 

"There is none righteous, no, not one." (Romans 3:10) "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). Salvation comes by the grace of God.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works, so that no one can boast.

(Ephesians 2:8-9)

The Perfect Storm

Throughout the scripture, we can see lot of struggles to the people of God just like what we face in our day to day life today. If it was famine or plague back then, it is economic recession or cancer now. But the important aspect is that children of God has sustained every such season only because they have put their trust in Him.

We feel secure, when we have the trust. When I walk with my son, if he senses some danger, he pulls himself behind me, because he feel secure that his father will take care of the situation. It is very easy to proclaim that we trust God when everything is good. Everyone is happy and everything is going according to the plan, I have put my trust in the Lord and see how well the life is shaping up. 

When we encounter heavy storms and when the sailing becomes tough, it takes a lot of courage to say I trust God. The moment we follow Jesus closely, He will lead you right into the storm. There are occasions in the New Testament when disciples were caught into the storm in their boat. There were in trouble not because they were doing wrong things, they were in trouble because they were doing things right, they were following Jesus, his directions.  If we happen to be in the storms, we have a tendency to find a way around the problem, busy running to solve the issues within our capacity. Sometimes God wants to lead us straight into a storm that is when He will be revealed to the children of God. That is when He will teach us how to trust. We have to surrender ourselves to allow Him to mold our life, even when we think He failed, have the trust and wait for His time. The outcome might be different from what we thought it would be, but He who planted us, has also crafted us with His plan. Fear Thou Not, for I am with Thee. Shout it loud that the Lord is my shepherd and I shall not be in want.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, in as much as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13

I always get myself reminded that the disciples would never have discovered truths about Jesus, if they have not followed and tasted Him in the storms. I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship. Own your Life, sail your ship with Him.

La Poursuite | Pursuit

From time to time, we see people running after those things that do not and never will belong to us. But we never stop. We are perhaps deceived into this believing that things would be within our clutches (or slightly outside of our grasp).  We are also trapped by the thoughts that once in possession of these elusive stuff, we will be content and could not suppress a triumphant smile. We all are on a pursuit. We never had that quiet time to reflect and appreciate our tiniest joy in our life. We tend to chase unrealistic and ridiculous challeges and drain ourself. Our pursuit are never ending and a stage will come when we are likely to over-driven, miserable, unable to smell the flowers from our backyard or even appreciate and enjoy the beautiful sunset. Finally our time will also arrive. 

Learn to appreciate what you have - before time makes you appreciate what you had.

Chairein ! / Ki-rain /

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. (Habakkuk 3:18)

Several times we might have proclaimed the same. “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my savior.” But the word 'yet' is important in the above verse. The word of God says that though the fig tree does not bud, if no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls.. 'yet' I will still rejoice in the Lord. (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Whatever circumstances that you are going through, I am no different. We are all born with dreams.. When everything falls apart, thinking about these small dreams brings enormous joy, joys that we have never expected. Trust that these dreams are placed in our heart by our God. These happy moments are all part of the Big script. Joy is from the Lord, a gift that we have. My biggest dream ever since my surgery in 2009 was that my son driving my car, myself sitting next to him, we go for long trips. Today through this blog, I proclaim my dream and I will rejoice in the Lord. James 1:2 says “Consider it pure joy when you encounter trials”. 

Things that we are praying for, situations that we are believing for. These thoughts, these dreams start off like seeds. They don’t sprout overnight. While these trials cause havoc, believe that there is always a period of waiting. From the time we pray till we see the fulfilment, that is the trial of our faith. This is the time where you and me gets discouraged and give up. 

Now that seed is lying there dormant, but it has the potential and still alive. Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,so you cannot understand the work of God,the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle,for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well Ecclesiastes 11:4-6

We have to do our part and start watering the seed. How do you water? You water by thanking our heavenly father. "YET" I will rejoice in the Lord. We have to thank God because our answer is on the way.

No matter what your circumstances are, you might not even see any doors to move, you might not even know how these dreams will ever be fulfilled. If you talk to others, you will then realise that we are all in the same boats of different trials. Hold on to His promises. He is working behind the scenes. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ) His timing is always perfect. Our Lord sees the big picture and He has the answer!!! 

Joy to you!! Chairein!!

Grass and Flowers!!!

 

Reading the book of Genesis and travelling through Abraham's life, there are three important aspects which keeps us going..

1. Our God is a God of Promises...

2. Our God not only promises, but also fulfill His promises..

3. Our God is a God who also prepares us to experience His promises..

I could see His promise being fulfilled in my life again and again... One more reason to give Him the glory...

Last week I had my ongoing scans and tests for my cancer, how much ever strong you pretend to be, the fear strikes you hard just before you meet the doctor. But I am so grateful for such small small moments with my doctors, which enunciate how insignificant we are...

The uncertain, The short, The human Life!!! 

As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field (Psalms 103:15)

The doctor is happy with my scan reports and blood tests. "Blood reports and scans are good. No Dramas!!!, said my oncologist.. I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service (1 Timothy 1:12). More blessed time with Pranav.. 

Thanks for all those who have been praying for me and as John’s Gospel says, ‘I came that they may have life and have it abundantly’. (John 10:10), God Bless you abundantly.

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)

Spectators!!!

I wish to take you to a real play which happened many years ago. Many were there around the central scene; some to give orders, a few to judge, and some to execute orders, others remained as silent spectators. Though the pain of the passion of Jesus touched many of them, they tried to keep a distance from the cross. The cross becomes meaningful only when we realise the real pain of bearing it. The true experience is possible when we move alongside bearing the cross-experiencing the pain of humanity. Can we see those pains around us? Are we participants or spectators? Better to be condemned with Jesus than released with Barabbas!!!! 

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ (Mathew 25:45) 

The one and only person who was born to die was none other than Jesus Christ. There was a cross in heaven before one was raised on top of Calvary. Now comes a fundamental question: Why? Why did Jesus die? The answer can be more than one. 

It is an expression of God’s Love. John 3:16 

It is for our sins Mathew 1:21 

It is an act of ‘giving’ 2 Cor 9:15, 2 Cor 8:9 

It is an act of self emptying Phil 2.8 

Etc etc 

Though what God revealed through His son was in full, our understanding of it is neither perfect nor complete. The Cross and the power that flows from it have not changed, but we have changed. Have a fresh look at the cross and meditate on the amazing sacrifice of Jesus and what the resurrection of Jesus can mean in the life of each of us.

Approaches!!!

The Cross and the power that flows from it have not changed, but fortunately or unfortunately, we have changed. The observance of the lent season and the Holy week will help us to have a fresh look at the cross. Meditate on the amazing sacrifice of Jesus and what the resurrection of Jesus can mean in the life of each of us. Experience Jesus’ Healing touch this lent season!!

Is lent all about fasting the food?

Consider these approaches:

1. Fast from Anger and hatred. (Mathew 5:21-25)

    Don’t let your anger overcome you and lose control. Rather work patiently to bring forth His plan for your life. Love, a far more powerful emotion should drive us this lent season. Give your family an extra dose of love each day, each second..

2. Fast from discouragement. (Jer 29:11)

    Hold on to promise that God has a perfect plan for all of us

3. Fast from Judging others.(Mathew 7:1-6)

    Before you judge, recall how Jesus overlooks our faults.

4. Fast from complaining. (Philippians 2:14)

    Best way to overcome this state is to close your eyes and think about some of the little moments of joy that Jesus has given us which was denied to many...

5. Fast from bitterness. (Mark 11:25)

    Forgiveness is a process, you may still feel anger against other person, the effects of damages may be still with us.. We can be still in an attitude to forgive that person..Effectively you are controlling your anger, bitterness and allowing God to deal with it.. It may take time, but its worth in the end..

 It’s never too late to start the practice, remember tomorrow is always a dream and is never for us. Lets pray for each other as we prepare ourselves during this lent and be a helping hand to those who needs a hand..

He Delivers!!

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, 

That saved a wretch like me. 

How precious did that Grace appear 

The hour I first believed. 

Looking back, it’s been a wonderful journey for the last 4 years and the journey is still on, and I know, He will be there with me, every step of the way.. 

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear. 

And Grace, my fears relieved. 

For every oncology checkup, I am so fearful that this deadly disease may yet again seize me, but His grace was sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in my weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Through many dangers, toils and snares 

I have already come; 

'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far 

and Grace will lead me home. 

Yesterday I had my usual oncology checkup, and I am so happy and grateful that He still keeps me in His grace. Faith has kept me through these years and He will lead me home.. 

The Lord has promised good to me.

His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be,

As long as life endures. 

I am not worthy of His mercy, but He had been faithful all the time. Accept that we are all nothing but failures. Allow ourselves to be broken and let us be branded with a new character in His image. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. (2 Timothy 1:9)

When we've been here ten thousand years

Bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we've first begun. 

Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. 

Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all His benefits. (Psalm 103:1-2)

Within Reach

Often times, we feel His blessings when something happen surprisingly in our life. At all other times, we struggle to go past the hurdle. Did God want us to struggle? He is stretching His hand to help us out and often times we don’t see it.

This reminds me of the famous painting of Michelangelo "The Creation of Adam". Look closer. Study the body language of Adam. Adam seems to be more relaxed. God's finger and Adam's finger are not touching. Father God is stretching His hand to Adam. A little effort is what was required from Adam to reach His hand.

Is our God's hand trying to reach out to you? Are we still living the empty life? For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.( Isaiah 5:25)

We are often deceived by evil thoughts and run after worldly pleasures. We deserve His wrath, Yet, in His ever lasting love and mercy chooses to stretch out His hand of forgiveness. Despite our wicked hearts, He still chooses to show mercy and offer forgiveness.

God stretches out His hand to help us, do we respond to the hand? A little effort from our side will make a great difference in our life. Love Him, build up a relationship with Him, a little stretch to reach His hand is what is required. 

God is within our reach, we just have to try

Be Blessed !!

A New Year with a Good Start !!

For my friends who cannot follow my native language "Malayalam, മലയാളം" above, I have made an attempt to translate the testimony in English with a best possible effort. I was very much in particular here that none of my friends should walk away without hearing His work and His grace on me in 2010.

(click the 'play' to hear) 

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Glory to my Father!!

Thanks to my Lord for protecting me safe for the last one year. I thank my Father for giving me this opportunity to testify in front of His children that He is still an awesome Lord who has done big things in my life this year. 

In 2007, I faced 2 back to back surgeries in my fight against cancer.

In 2008 - a severe chemotherapy.

In 2009 - 6 hour long complicated surgery

In 2010 - I was thinking like what next. But instead I was chosen by my Father to do His work for one year. He has given me one opportunity in my life in 2010 to work close to Him. And hence, my Lord didn't allow me to enter into the hospital for cancer problem or was bedridden a single time. And it was an year of His blessings. 

Last 4 years in my fight against cancer, He was walking along with me, His rod and staff comfort me. Throughout the years He delivered my feet from stumbling, my eyes from tears, my soul from death.

While I was alone in my pain, He made me hear His voice on several occasions through His people in this church, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in your weakness. Today in His grace, my cup overflows.

Today nothing happens by accident in my life, He plans my life. Let us hold constantly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. He was faithful to me yesterday, He is faithful today and He is the same tomorrow.

In this journey, He made me believe that 

There's no people that He can't save

There's no sickness He can't heal

HE'S THE GOD WHO IS MORE THAN ENOUGH

My Lord has done great things for me. Glory to my Father.

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The Gift

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Our Father God, gave us an option to be saved from the clutches of evil and the sin inherited from Adam. The life of Jesus is the greatest gift to us that can lead us to everlasting life.

Is this gift for you? personally? ....

If someone is holding your gift, this doesn't become our gift unless we reach out and accept it. So personally, this gift is not yet yours, unless you accept this gift with utmost faith.

This new year, let this truth challenge each one of us to reach for this gift and accept this personal gift by exercising faith.

My Cup Overflows!!

Have you ever felt that you've lost hope, the life of tomorrow looked so bleak and you have nowhere to go? You don’t see any light at the end of the dark tunnel, life felt miserable. If you haven't come across this, I have. 

In 2007, while I was in hospital for the first surgery to take out the cancerous tumor, I was in the same state. But then I was a different person who was running after worldly problems to solve it in my own way as any human will do.But then I didn't have this promise with me, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." 

Now to my fellow friends: I will ask you the same question. Have you ever felt that you've lost hope, the life of tomorrow looked so bleak and you have nowhere to go? 

Go back to our Father and rest in Him. Still don’t understand? I will explain. 

When my son was born, I always found it interesting to see my new born baby. I used to look at him to understand, what the baby looks like, how he learns each day, that he was the apple of his parents' eye. I see my son as the most beautiful, perfect creation. I am just as proud and excited as I can be. If it is true for me, I am sure it would be the same for you as well. 

We see our own children differently than other people do. Our Heavenly father sees the same. As believers in Jesus, we are precious. You are the apple of His eye. No matter what our circumstances are, He sees us as His most perfect creation. He is proud of us. Sure, you go away from him, you may make some mistakes; you may fall; you may make a mess, but He is right there ready to pick you up, purify you (Then I will purify them and put them to the test, just as gold and silver are purified and tested. Zech 13:9) and calm your soul. In His eyes, you are an overcomer; you are victorious; you are strong. In His eyes, you are pure and whole. You are the joy of His heart. Trust in His love, trust in His goodness, and trust that you can find safety and rest in His eyes. 

This was a long journey, long 3 years for me, my Lord was purifying me (like Hebrew Prophet, Zechariah written), teaching me, at His time, in His way. If I would not have known his Promise, not known His Heart, when I look back then may be then I would have dwelt in eternal darkness and I would never have seen His light, never felt His compassion... Once we know we are the precious one of God, the burdens will be the light through the dark tunnel. Then burden is not a worry anymore, but a precious gift to be able to bring joy to your father by the works that you do in your life. His grace is always in fullness, abundance and all-sufficiency. 

Trust in Him, Rest in Him. Then Go out and show those lights to the weary and bring them to our Father. 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 

Spread His Fragrance

Last Saturday, with the Grace of God, I had the wonderful opportunity to share my testimony with the members of the Parkville community, Victoria, Australia. The Lord has blessed me to share the wisdom He has given me, He is working through me to touch the lives of others for His Glory. 

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. (2 Corinthans 2 :14 )

(click on play button to hear)

My New Birth: Revelations

 It’s been a year since I wrote a letter to my son thinking that it would be the last letter I’d be writing him in my life. 

It’s been a year that I was healed by His Grace. 

It’s been a year I wrote my testimony (My New Birth) after my surgery for cancer.

Throughout this year, my Lord was upholding me with His righteous right hand. Throughout the year He delivered my feet from stumbling, my eyes from tears, my soul from death.

I looked for words to describe my amazing journey this past year. The words that I was searching for were already there, right before me. The Word of the Lord tells my story, I need no other words. From ignorance to absolute faith and then to salvation, He saved me as He has saved all men through all the ages!

He made me hear His voice on several occasions, at first I couldn’t understand. I waited patiently for Him to reveal His purpose in my life. "You do not realize now what I AM doing, but later you will understand." (John 13 : 7) God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding. (Job 37:5)

But I knew His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

I prayed fervently knowing His promise, “Though YOU have made me see troubles, many and bitter, YOU will restore my life again;from the depths of the earth YOU will again bring me up. ” (Psalm 71 : 20) 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for YOU are with me; YOUR Rod and YOUR Staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23.4)

He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. (Psalms 40:2). No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. But God has revealed it to me through His Spirit. 

I travelled to many countries and many cities this year to tell people of the work He did on me. I did not go with eloquence or superior wisdom. My revelation to others was not with wise and persuasive words, but with the truth about the healing touch I experienced in Him and that our faith may not rest on man's wisdom, but on God's power.

"Come to ME, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11 : 28) " This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."(John 11 : 4) “for I AM with you to rescue and save you," (Jeremiah 15:20)

After the surgery and during the healing process, I lost some things which were important in my life, The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. (Job 1:21b) “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14 : 18) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear A voice behind you, saying,"This is The way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21)

His Words are my strength. His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. – (Psalm 119 : 105) “Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24 : 35)

Dear friend, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD. And the Peace of GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.(Philippians 4 : 6 – 7). Cast all your anxiety on HIM because HE cares for you.(1 Peter 5 : 7)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. “Surely I AM with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28 : 20 )

Today I live by faith, not by sight. “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”( Isaiah 48 : 10)

I have faith in GOD that it will happen just as HE told me.(Acts 27 : 25). I am watching to see that His WORD is fulfilled in my life. I wait for GOD my SAVIOR; my GOD will hear me (Micah 7 : 7)

May The GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in HIM. The GOD of peace be with you all. Amen.

God's promises are True

Someone said that in each life some rain is bound to fall
And each one sheds his share of tears
And trouble troubles us all
But the hurt can't hurt forever
And the tears are sure to dry
And it won't rain always
The clouds will soon be gone
The sun that they've been hiding
has been there all along
And it won't rain always
God's promises are true
The sun's gonna shine in His own good time
And He will see you through

Be Blessed!!!

Thirst !!!

Romans 5:12 teach us 'just as through one man sin entered the world'

There is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10)

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) 

But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

With my life, I know that our Lord loves us so deeply, that He needs us to prosper in our lives, whatever trouble troubles our life, He wants us to go back to Him like a kid running towards his father.

John 4: 1-37. Why would Jesus want to travel double the distance to go to Galilee from Judaea and reach there at Samaria. There is always a God's purpose.

Jesus wanted to fulfill the "thirst" of a Samaritan Women. He wanted us to be reformed in our life.

Whoever drinks this water will get thirsty again; 

But anyone who drinks the water that I shall give will never be thirsty again: 

The water that I shall give will turn into a spring inside welling up to eternal life.

Jesus cared for the woman even while she was getting into yet another marriage of her life and offered her the living water.She was so impressed by Jesus that she left her water jar at the well and went back to the town to tell everyone that she thought she had met the Messiah. She had found the living water and forgot about the water from the well.

We too have to go to the well everyday with our jar because we live in the world. But Jesus makes the same offer to us as He did to the woman at the well:

Whoever drinks this water will get thirsty again; 

But anyone who drinks the water that I shall give will never be thirsty again: 

The water that I shall give will turn into a spring inside welling up to eternal life.

Jesus is waiting for us to reform, are we ready yet? Each of us has the choice to draw water only from the well every day or to also accept the living water that Jesus offers us. This living water that Jesus offers us is the Love of God. If we don’t receive this living water from Jesus every day, we will look for satisfaction in our own ways that will not be of God's will.

Are we ready to leave the water jar at the well? If we are not drinking the living water of Jesus every day surely the first step is to admit that we need this living water that Jesus is offering us.

We receive this living water from Jesus by praying every day and reading the Bible every day. Spiritual nourishment will only be received through His word. The world also has its own ways of expressing its thirst.

The world thirsts after so many different things. There are those thirsting after money, sex, fame, popularity and a host of many other things yet not having that thirst quenched. Satan offers many oasis in this dry thirsty world. But the thirst always returns.

Much of the effects of sin cannot be erased, nor removed, but there is forgiveness that can cause you to get on with your life. The woman at the well wanted the living water; she recognized who the Messiah really was; she then believed upon the Messiah unto salvation. She repented!

She then symbolized her belief by leaving her waterpot. She, as a new creature, was going to face her new life by leaving the past behind.

One of my friend once told me, A life without Jesus is like running on a treadmill. We will sweat a lot, there is lots of activity involved, but, at the end of the day, we have not moved one centimeter forward. 

The things of this world can fill our physical and even soulish thirsts, but it will leave us empty in the end.Yet only the Living Water of God can satisfy our longing and thirst to be totally fulfilled.

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. (Isaiah 55:1). Our Lord is waiting for us.

I AM

The self esteem, an unduly high opinion of oneself. This is not what i have thought from the title. 

Our Lord, our Saviour Jesus Christ has given us the great affirmation through His word. Never failing promises. A father's assurance to his children. Assurance of God's forgiving Love. Infallible certitude of

of promises!!

"I am", the complete assurance from our Lord!! God said to Moses, "I AM who I AM" (Exodus 3:14 )

Assurance to Moses who have been commissioned by God to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. 

I AM the bread of life (John 6:35)

Our deepest hungers and thirst cannot be fulfilled by the tangible things of this world.

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John (4:13,14) Amen!!!

I AM the light of the world (John 8:12)

There is darkness in this world. The distress, mourning,perplexity ruin this world. Terrorism, war, adultery, pornography, false religion, its the same darkness everywhere. Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ( John 3:19) But now we have "the" light of the world. 

I AM the gate for the sheep (John 10:7)

He Who defends us and keeps us safe. He is the gate to the sheep and also the gate for the sheep.Our enemies have to cross over our Father to reach us. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:28)

I AM the good shepherd. (John 10:11)

The shepherd's job is to provide and protect for the sheep. To be on the right track, we need a shepherd. It is so easy to get lost in our world, to run around doing things. It is so easy to be so busy, that we get tired out

It is so easy to stray, and end up in need of help. That is what God does for us; for God, like a shepherd, helps His sheep.

I AM the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25)

He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.(John 11:25). Anyone who believes in Jesus Christ will live…even though they may fall asleep for a little while, they will live. Are we falling apart from His grace?

Our father wants us to live.

I AM the way and the truth and the life. (John 14:6)

Unless we first receive Him as Savior we cannot truly know the Father. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well (John 14:7)

Truth involves the mind, Life speaks of true experience.Unless we first receive Christ as our Savior, we cannot really experience God. As sinners saved by grace, we still fall into sin and are constantly attacked by Satan, who is always pleading God to give permission to attack us (Luke 22:31-32). If it can happen to Peter, where are we?

Hold onto Him, He is the way, the truth and the life.

I AM the true vine (John 15:1)

Abide in Him, have a unbroken connection with the Vine. our spiritual life will fall apart if we don't actively remain in Christ and produce fruit, A fruitless branches will be cut off. 

The Christian walk is much like riding a bicycle; we are either moving forward or falling off. -- Robert Tuttle

God Bless!!!

Think & Thank !!

Luke 13:5 “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

Luke 13:7

"For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?"

Luke 13:8-9

"'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"

Without repentance, Our path will follow destruction. Furthermore, Jesus Christ clarifies with no doubt that Christians must continue to repent. God’s pathway to life has always been Repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14; Acts 8:22). 

God expects his people to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. A repentant life is a life of walking with God. It is to recognize our sinfulness and adopt life-long changes before God. Without repentance we cannot bear fruit for God— like a fig tree that should be cut down.

The owner (God in the parable) wants to cut it down but that another (the gardener) convinces him to wait one more year. If we really got just what we deserved, the tree would be cut down. But the owner gives another year. 

"The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

As Christians we are to bear the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (Gal 5:22). If these fruit are not manifested in your lives, should you be cut down? 

We should ask ourselves, "What fruit am I bearing for the Lord?" "Am I showing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness? These are internal characteristics, but what about external manifestations of those fruit? Ministry to others? Ministry to the Kingdom of God? 

Our Lord Jesus Christ mediates with our Father God for one more year for us to bear the fruit and we have here another fruitful year ahead!! If justice is what we really want, we would all be "perished." Mercy is what we need, and that is what the owner will allow. One more year !!

Prayer that can move the Mountains

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. (Matthew 21:21)

Power to move the mountains? What is the weapon for it? Just Words!!! Not just words, but Words of utmost faith.

Jesus again told “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matthew 21:22)

Not just the power to move the mountains, instead whatever you ask for in prayer, you will receive. Whatever be it, if you pray in complete faith, you will receive it. 

Major reason for our faith to go in vain is because we ourselves believe that our prayer is not answered because it is not the will of the God!! It is very well true that God will not answer those prayers which are against the will of the God. But we don’t realise that God wants to answer most of our prayers. It is the will of the God that the children of God should overcome the financial crisis. It is the will of God to heal the sick, it is the will of the God to cast down the demons, and it is the will of the God to raise the dead. (Matthew 10:7-8). If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5) It is the will of the God that His children should live the life in absolute health and prosperity (3 John 1:2). You will live and reign (Romans 5:17) together in Christ

For the same reason God wanted us to increase our faith. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9)

God wanted us to know and believe that we are blessed in heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) God wanted us to know and believe that we are raised up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6)

If we expect the failure and think that we have failed, and walk with unbelief, our prayers will not be answered. Prayer is not our last hope, it is path for prosperity, and it is the first step towards success.

If you need to be saved from the demons, released from the financial crisis, grace to be loved, healing for the sick, there is no reason why our Heavenly Father will not bless us.

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20)We have enough scriptures with His promises in our Holy Bible. We, as the loving children are here to claim those promises and give glory to the Lord.

Servanthood

With my life, I have known the truth that God calls each believer in His way, in His time. The call for a life of service, just as He called Moses (Exodus 3:11), Joshua (Joshua 1:9), Paul (Acts 26:14), Peter (Mark 1: 14-20). These are only few among God’s leaders. Leadership is from God, not from men. Even though you are in front of the people, God is in front of you, so don't be afraid. Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you (Matthew 10:19-20). 

We tend to compare and most of us believe that we can’t be God’s servant or think we not as perfect as the apostles of old or the preachers of today. Even Moses thought the same at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-11). These leaders demonstrated obedience, faith and viewed themselves as humble workers. We honour these leaders for their unfailing commitment to the Gospel. Lord used several life experiences to teach about His relationship with God to God's people. Again in His time, in His way!! Rest assured that For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Sometimes we are overwhelmed with our own troubles; we give a blind eye for the life of our fellow friends. We often think that somehow others ought to help us because our life is in turmoil. Maybe we are broke. Maybe we are sick. We are so focused on ourselves and on our problems, and we don’t even see the needs of others, nor are we in the right frame of mind to help others.

Majority loving children of God thinks that Lord’s servants are those who do full-time ministry. Everyone can’t be on a foreign mission field. From God’s perspective, you and I are the same as Moses, Joshua or Peter: servants with important kingdom work to do.

Some kingdom jobs vary from one another, some look more important than others. But that’s only because we evaluate them with human eyes. But we can all share the Gospel with a neighbour. Every work that advances the Gospel or serves a need is valuable, from cleaning the church, singing in the choir, giving a dollar in the hand of homeless man. God invites us to do His work in the world, whether the task is great or small. We accomplish it by serving our fellow man. What is He calling you to do?

Look back on your life, God has taken good care of you all these years, so why be concerned about tomorrow?

Let the Holy Spirit flow through you and give you the right Wisdom.

My New Birth

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MY NEW BIRTH

by ARUN RAM, Australia - June 19, 2009

After being settled with my family in Bangalore, India, we migrated to Australia in July 2007. It was a decision from out of the blue. We couldn’t find a reason why we made that big move, until now (Hebrews 11:8).

In August 2007, I was diagnosed with Testicular cancer, a month after we moved and I underwent Orchidectomy (removal of testis). My family was shattered with the news of this deadly disease. Why were we moved this to land? Why this suffering the week after we moved? Questions with no clear answers stared at our face. Regardless, I began to run after life to make it secure for the family. We didn’t have the strength to reveal the matter to our parents then. Days became weeks, week became months, the fear of cancer, and the fear of a relapse was always on the back the mind. I lost peace. I started hiding my fears from my wife. I was all alone...

After one year, the cancer relapsed to the lymph nodes and I was asked to undergo chemotherapy. That was the time when I met our church Priest, Rev Boby Philip and a friend Jacob George. Jacob visited me during the first week of my chemotherapy and took my Holy Bible and told me to hold on to it firmly and read daily. I started reading the Bible. It was big relief for me, a new beginning. The Word of God filled me with peace that passed all human understanding (Philippians 4:7). Jacob led me to the scripture, Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

My life during chemo was pure turmoil. But I found my companion in Jesus. He showed me the way, the truth, the life. I was becoming closer and closer to Him each day. I was in emergency isolation in hospital with the severe dose of chemo, but “thy rod and thy staff comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4). He was my comfort.

Towards the end of chemo by December 2008, I was so weak and was vomiting badly. I prayed to my Lord to give me the strength to attend the Holy Communion on December 25th of 2008. I had never missed the mass since my childhood. On Dec 23rd, I stopped taking the nausea medicine; I was regaining the strength. It was a miracle! On the 25th of December at 5AM, I drove the car all by myself and attended the Holy Communion! “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? In Presence of all His people, I will take the cup of Salvation, I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving” (Psalms 116). On December 31st of 2008, I gave my first testimony of His Grace and His blessing.

The chemotherapy was a great success and the 5 cm mass shrunk to 1 cm. The doctor was confident the same to be a dead scar after the chemo. But they wanted it to be removed. The surgery was scheduled on June 3rd. During these 5 months, I was getting closer to Jesus and asked Him why I am being tested in my life. I found my answer in Romans 9:17 - “Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.” God will never “teach” anyone by giving him or her a sickness. He loves us so much that He died for us while we were sinners (Romans 5:8). But God can take glory by delivering me from my sickness (John 11:4) and use me as His effective channel.

During the recent CT scan, the doctors noticed that the mass has aligned to the centre and updated me before the surgery, about the risk of losing my blood when moving the blood vessels to reach the cancerous mass, which was near my spine. This was the new risk on top of the regular risk associated with the surgery. They made extra arrangements for this blood loss and transfusion.

I underwent the lymph node dissection surgery on June 3rd of 2009. After the surgery, the doctor was really happy that they could reach the spine (with their hands) and not lose the blood vessels. These blood vessels turned to their side and made its way to the bottom, just like the divided Red Sea through which Moses and his people of Israel passed after leaving Egypt. Jesus was leading in the front through the surgery. Matthew 19:26 – “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

After the surgery I was moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). After a successful procedure, now it was a testing phase at the ICU. On the first night, I suddenly woke up and saw my image on the TV on the ceiling. It was blurred. The lights were switched off; I could see doctors a little far away in the room in discussion. I was getting uneasy every other minute. While I was looking at the blurred image on the TV, the pain was aggravating. I started commanding: “By His Stripes, I AM healed, in the Name of Jesus”, I was shouting as the pain aggravated. Suddenly the doctors arrived. “Why are you murmuring sir?” and they woke me up. I couldn’t imagine I was asleep. I saw my image on the TV, it was alright. They switched on the light. They were surprised that my epidural (pain medicine) stopped working through the IV (drip through the vein). There seemed to be some air bubble blocking the epidural to reach my body. The block was on the equipment and not on the tube, which was surprising. My temperature shot up to 39.9 and they were running around to get everything in control. In two hours, my temperature became normal and the malfunction was rectified.

The second night at around same time, I started getting the pain. I called the doctor. The Epidural pain management was not getting distributed on all the areas of my abdomen. As a result of this, there was pain and the doctor did not know why it was happening. Finally they found out that the epidural cord which was fixed on my spine, needed to be replaced. They do not have an option but to start over the procedure to insert a new cord. At 2AM they started the procedure. They made me sit on the bed and had me bent forward. The doctor started working on my spine to get the cord right. It took them 2 hours to get it corrected. Due to the 12” incision, sitting in that position was painful. The doctor keeps checking with me regarding my comfort level. I was just smiling. I knew that if the Good Lord had taken care of me during the 6-hour surgery and that these things were minor. The major works were already supervised by Jesus. These were just tricks of Satan, he could only do these silly pain-generating tricks. Why should I be worried? So I wasn’t.

The next day, the doctor informed me that I have pneumonia. The plan was to have me observed for 4 days in ICU and then 10 days in the ward. But miraculously, I moved to the ward on the Day 2 of the surgery. I was transferred to a beautiful room where I could see a church from my bed. It was calm and I was happy to be in this state. Most importantly, I had plenty of time to read my Bible. There was absolutely no tension; I did not have to run around for earthly things, I could be myself with my Heavenly Father. During this time, I had a lot of God-loving friends visiting me, praying and praising the Lord for His Grace. The doctor never came back on the latest finding on pneumonia. It was cast down in the Name of Jesus. By God’s grace, I was recovering fast; I was able to walk from Day 4. Praise the Lord, on Day 7, I was back home! I was not having any pain. The wound healed in 3 days and I could walk from day 4! The biopsy result was out and the doctor confirmed that the residue mass was in fact a dead scar and it was not cancerous. By His Grace, I am cancer free. Jesus saved my family, my wife and my son. My Jesus touched me. I prayed, I believed I felt and then I experienced my healing! (Mark 11: 24).

Now I know the truth; the truth why we moved into this land. Through this ordeal, I set my trust in Jesus. All my life, I knew about Jesus, but I did not personally know Him. Now I have experientially known the truth that our Jesus will never leave nor forsake us, no matter how severe the circumstances around us are. Now I have experienced the truth that healing is the divine birthright of a child of God - My Jesus bore the stripes on His back for our healing (1 Peter 2:24). His plan is to give us Hope and Future.

God Bless!!

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