"YOU ARE OF CHRIST, WHAT CAN SATAN DO TO YOU?"

I receive letters that are written with burdens and tears. And most of the letters says “please pray for me for, I am unable to pray, I feel sleepy when I read the scriptures and regular sickness in the family. Some letters states about confusion in the family, struggle at work spot, dreadful dreams during the night, bondage of witchcraft and loss in business. Satan is tormenting our family a lot and we do not know what to do”. Of late we can see God’s children who keep praising Satan for all the 24 hours and say “see the power of Satan and see how this bad Satan is tormenting us”.

Our reason for the defeat is that we praise Satan who has been defected and bruised by Christ rather than praising Christ who victoriously defeated everything. It is true that Satan has got power. He took Jesus on the top of the mountain and the pinnacle of the temple and boldly said, “if you therefore will worship me, all shall be yours” (Luke 4:2-12) He has been described by Christ as a murderer (John 8:44) The apostles described Satan as the god of this age (II Corinthians 4:4) rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness.

But the all-powerful Jesus Christ has defeated this Satan. This powerless enemy head has been bruised by Christ on the cross of Calvary, so that he may fear and tremble when he hear Jesus name. Let us closely listen to God’s counselling of how to overcome Satan and to understand how he works in our life.

SATAN IS A THIEF

Jesus Christ said a descriptive truth about Satan at John 10:10 He said, “the thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy”. Jesus has described Satan our enemy as a thief, killer and destroyer. A question arises in our hearts. What is he going to steal? What is he killing? What is he destroying? He brings sin into our lives and steals our peace. He creates sickness in our body and steals our health. He brings separation into our family and steals our union. He creates problems in our lives and steals our happiness. Likewise, he has stolen all the blessings that were given to us by God in the early stage of our life. Hence Jesus Christ called Satan a thief. He also creates unholiness to destroy holiness in our life. He creates anger to destroy love. He creates pride to destroy humility. He creates strife to destroy union.

Likewise he destroys all the spiritual qualities that is found in our lives. Moreover he sends depression, sorrow, fear and doubts and kills our faith, joy, happiness and belief. Likewise he completely destroys our life. A poor lady told me about her problem when I went to her house for prayer. Brother the youth in my family who is supposed to look after the family is addicted to sins and he spends all the money unnecessarily. Hence my family is suffering in poverty. I have been afflicted by sickness because of the thought of him. Even my daughters spend their days in sorrow thinking of their brother. He does not listen to the counsel that was given to him. Is there a chance for him to change?

God gave me a chance to meet this youth as according to the desire of this poor lady. As I was talking to him many things, the Holy Spirit helped me to identify an unclean spirit that was controlling him and ruining his life. This unclean spirit called him to do all the sins with great desire, which aresupposed to be avoided. It brought loss and materialistic blessings and made this family to suffer under the bondage of poverty. This unclean spirit brought this poor mother sorrow, tears and disease because of this problem. The Satan who controlled this youth stole all the blessings from the family. Not only in this family, he is also agonizing you with all the problems of sorrow, tears, loss, disease, etc.,

You are not going to gain anything when you say, “he has plotted against me and he has kept me in witchcraft, hence we face loss in our business”. God’s children have got one enemy in this world. He is Satan who resisted our beloved Christ and had been defeated. He is the one who makes others to stand against us, brings sickness, creates problem and sends loss into our lives. He is a stealer, destroyer and killer.

CHRIST GIVES LIFE

Jesus Christ who spoke very clearly about Satan had also spoken more clearly about Him in John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and have it the full”. Satan used sin to steal God’s likeness, God’s Glory, oneness in spirit and God’s peace, that was all kept by God in the life of Adam. The son of man came into this world to give back the same blessings to the mankind, which Satan has stolen. (Romans 5:18,19) He gave his life on the cross to give back to us the lost everlasting life (Romans 6:22,23) A man receives this everlasting life when he accepts Jesus Christ into his hearts. Moreover, he also receives back all the blessings that was stolen my Satan. The parents of a youth felt very sad because of the dangerous disease of their son. They spent a lot of many on doctors. They were not able to diagnose the exact disease. They spent all the nights worrying what would happen to their son? They do not know that an unclean spirit created this disease.

This unclean spirit tormented this youth with disease. And tormented the family with material loss and fear. One day this youth accepted Jesus in his heart at a Gospel meeting. The youth who was dead in sin received the everlasting life. He received the joy and peace that Jesus Christ acquired by shedding his blood on the cross. (Colossians 1:20) Satan who created this disease could not function any further, when the youth gave Jesus a complete place in his life. He received a miraculous healing from his disease. He opened up all the ways for the future. The parents were happy.

“I have come that they may life and have it to the full”, these words which was spoken by Christ became true in this young man’s life. Not only for this youth, Jesus Christ is waiting to give these blessings to all those who accept Him in their hearts. When we accept this Christ, He gives us eternal life to stay with Him now and always. He gives back the health that was stolen by Satan, so that we may have the full life. He creates back the same union. He gives back the same peace. He gives holiness changing sin in our lives. He gives us boldness changing our fear. He changes our unbelief and gives us faith. He changes our anger and gives us love. He changes struggle into calmness. He changes loss and gives us profit. Why not you receive this life, the eternal one? Repent of your sins and accept Jesus into your hearts. Receive the everlasting life.

YOU ARE OF CHRIST

The God who spoke about Satan and Himself, had also said about us in I Corinthian 3:23 through the Apostle Paul. “You are of Christ” You can feel faith, power and boldness rushing in our hearts, the more we meditate on this word. If you have been truly repented of your sins? If you have been truly accepted Christ as your saviour? If you have been truly cleansed of your sins? Then you belong to Christ.

Your body soul and spirit belong to Christ. He acquired you by shedding his priceless blood (I Corinthian 6:20). You are Christ treasure. Satan has got no power to touch you. God had an hedge around His servant Job. Satan had to seek God’s permission to touch Job (Job 1:10,12) Satan had to seek permission from Jesus to test the disciples who was His treasure (Luke 22:31) Satan has got no right to touch you and me, which belong to Christ. All that you have belong to Jesus. Your education, degree, designation, business, work, wealth and family belong to Christ alone. Who can take all these things from you? Fear not! For you belong to Christ.

When you struggle with Satan, be bold to say to him, “I belong to Christ. What can you do to me Satan? Most of the times, Satan will afflict me with disease and sickness in my body, when I go out for the Lord’s ministry. During these times, I used to say these words from the bottom of my heart. “Satan, you cannot do anything to me. I belong to Jesus”. “You do not have any right to touch me”. I have experienced a change in my body when I say these words. My tiredness and sickness would change.

Many a times Satan will create small confusion to disturb the blessings of the meetings. During these time I say, “Satan, I belong to Jesus, you cannot disturb me”. I have seen Satan hiding himself when I say these words getting filled with the Holy Spirit. When you face problems like disease, loss, struggle, sorrow and fear be bold enough to say to Satan and keep saying, “I belong to Jesus, you cannot do anything to me”. Say it with faith and be bold when you say it. Continue to say till you receive a miracle. You can say these, only when His blood has cleansed you. So place yourself completely into the hands of God. Do not forget that you are the treasure of king of kings if His blood has washed you. You are the treasure of the Lord of Lords. You are God’s children. What can Satan do to you? Pray to the Lord with faith and you will see miracles.

Beloved Father,
I thank you for changing me into a special treasure by cleansing me with the priceless blood of y our son Jesus Christ. My body, soul and spirit belong to you. I bind and chuck out all the Satan given disease and sickness from my body, which is your wealth. Satan, I rebuke you to take away your hands from my body which is Jesus wealth. Satan, my life belong to Jesus. My education work, business, family, wealth and all other things belong to Jesus only. So you better know that you do not have any right in any part of my life, which belong to Jesus. I resist you in the powerful name of my Lord Jesus Christ. I take victory over you in the victorious name of Jesus. I pray in the victorious and beloved name of my Jesus. Amen! Amen!

What Faith Does (Lessons from Hebrews 11)

What Faith Does (Lessons from Hebrews 11)

1. Faith obtains a good testimony. (v 2)
2. Faith understands the creative power of God’s Word. (v 3)
3. Faith offers to God the first and the best. (v 4)
4. Faith seeks to please God in everything. (v 5)
5. Faith believes that God answers diligent prayer. (v 6)
6. Faith takes God’s warnings seriously. (v 7)
7. Faith obeys God without asking questions. (v 8)
8. Faith steps out to possess new territories. (v 9)
9. Faith lives with eternity in view. (v 10)
10. Faith looks to God alone and laughs at impossibilities. (v 11)
11. Faith confesses, “This world is not my home; I’m just a passing-thro’!” (vv 13,37b,38)
12. Faith is Heaven-sick. (vv 14,16)
13. Faith does not retreat. (v 15)
14. Faith readily parts with any blessing to be offered back to God. (v 17)
15. Faith counts on the resurrective power of God. (vv 19,35a)
16. Faith prophesies messages for future generations. (vv 20-22)
17. Faith fears no threats but relies on God’s power to protect. (v 23)
18. Faith is not enamoured of worldly status. (v 24)
19. Faith says no to sin. (v 25)
20. Faith identifies with God’s people voluntarily in their suffering. (v 25)
21. Faith does not worship money. (v 26)
22. Faith acts on heavenly vision fearing no power on earth. (v 27)
23. Faith takes refuge under the Blood of Christ. (v28)
24. Faith attempts the impossible. (v 29)
25. Faith does not give up. (v 30)
26. Faith abandons the devil’s majority and joins God’s miniority. (v 31)
27. Faith demonstrates righteousness. (v 33)
28. Faith expects great things from God and attempts great things for Him. (vv 32-34)
29. Faith refuses to compromise even if it means torture and death. (vv 35-37)
30. Faith ignores mockery. ( v36)

“Examine yourselves whether you are in the faith!” (2 Cor 13:5)

Lost in Love!

Lost in Love!

Loving Annan(Brother),

Greeting from Ravindran!

At the close of your talk last Saturday in our hostel, you gave us an invitation to ask questions which had been bothering us; but to my disappointment no one brought up my problem. I too felt rather delicate to ask this in front of others. Here are my questions. Hope you won’t misunderstand me.

1. Is it sin to fall in love?

2. Is petting sin?

Please destroy this letter. Kindly mark your envelope “personal.” Thank you very much.
Ravi

Loving Ravi,

Received your frank letter. I appreciate youth openly coming out with their problems rather than covering them and ending up in a mess. Your letter is kept confidential, don’t worry! I have tried here to give you a concise answer.

1. It is quite natural for a young boy to desire a girl. Opposite poles attract! But you must heed some of the pitfalls. “Love is blind.” Countless youth have become victims of their emotions stirred up at first sight. They fail to be sensible. A prudent student will declare, “I have no time for a love affair.” He will make the best use of his student days for study. Even with regular attendance and hard work many students fail to get high grades. During these days of stiff competition a mere pass gets you nowhere. After you finish your studies and settle in a job, seek the help of your parents and elders of find a suitable girl. Start praying for your future even from now on.

2. Though in love several marriages do not materialize. What damage petting will cause then! Petting does not stop there; it invariably advances to the ultimate. Are we angels? Even if you are engaged, why not reserve the thrill for the marriage bed? If you have already given your bodies to each other, it will be hypocrisy before God and men when the minister in the Church takes you through the wedding ceremony. So, please wait.

Western culture has not been ideal.

Here is a word of counsel for your future: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass” (Psa 37:5).

Your brother

JESUS WEPT TO WIPE YOUR TEARS

JESUS WEPT TO WIPE YOUR TEARS

WIPE YOUR TEARS

WIPE YOUR TEARS JESUS WEPT TO WIPE YOUR TEARS

“Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord”. (Jeremiah 31:16)

JESUS IN A POOR FAMILY

There was a village called Bethany, which was situated two miles from Jerusalem. A poor family was there in this village. The family comprised of two sisters Martha and Mary and a Brother called Lazarus. They had no parents. These children who had lost their father and mother would have spent their life in sorrow. Many a times they would have longed to have a father and mother like other family to be loved, to be inquired and to get all things bought that they deserved. At this time, there established a good relationship between Jesus Christ and this family, “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:5). Very often Jesus went to their house, stayed there to rest for sometime and also ate with them. How much happiness this would have brought to these poor children? The miracle working Jesus, the wonder working Jesus and the Son of God had a relationship with that poor family.

They would have rejoiced in Jesus forgetting the loss of their father and mother. Yes, the love and relationship of Jesus Christ would have certainly helped them to forget the loss of their father and mother. My dear God’s children! Are you dismayed because of the absence of your mother and father? Are you disarrayed because of the absence of a person to love you and to inquire you? You have Jesus, who can love you more than that of your mother. Great is the joy having Jesus living in your heart and your family. He loves you more than your mother and takes active interest in you more than your father. “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you” (Isaiah 49:15). “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him”. (Psalm 103:13) “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you”. (Isaiah 66:13) Why should you worry when you have Jesus to love you? Well, how did the relationship between Jesus and the poor family get established? One day, Jesus was walking through the village of Bethany. When Martha watched Him, she went near Him and asked Him to come to her house and took Him in (Luke 10:38).

A large crowd would have followed the miracle working Jesus. Even the village people would have gathered to watch Him. But nobody called Jesus to come into his or her house. Martha would have got down from her house, walked near Jesus and called Him in. Many questions would have risen in her heart. I am a spinster. What will my village people think of me? Will Jesus come into my house, if I call Him? But she called Jesus into her house, not being worried or ashamed of anything. And Jesus happily entered that house of the poor family. Have you accepted this Jesus in your heart? Why don’t you accept this miracle and powerful Jesus in your heart? Do not be ashamed of what people will speak about you. Do not suspect Jesus coming to your house. Certainly He will come to your house. He will make you glad. “Look I have been standing at the door. And I am always knocking. If any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in. I will fellowship with him and he with me” (Revelation 3:20)

PROBLEM IN THE FAMILY

A problem entered the house of this poor family, which rejoiced in the relationship of Jesus having forgotten the loss of their father and mother. The brother of these two spinsters became sick. A disease that would cause death would have affected him. How much sorrow, this would have created in these poor ladies? My dear people, we should not forget that Christian life consists of problems. “God did not promise us that we may escape these problems, if we accept Christ”. But it is written, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows”. (John 16:33). “You have been grieved by various trials”. (II Peter 1:6). “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God”. (Act 14:22). God’s words says that, “we must go through many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God” (Act 14:22). But God will be with us among these trials and tribulations. Not to protect us from problems tormenting us, but to hold peace among these problems. When you accept Christ, the world may laugh, torment and reject you. But among all these problems your saviour Jesus will be with you.

JESUS DELAYS

When faced by a problem, many questions arise in our hearts like the tides of the sea. Where to go? Whom to share with? Who will help us? But, when Lazarus was sick, what did these poor children do? They sent word to Jesus saying, “Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick”. (John 11:3) They knew that they could get help from the true loving Jesus, who can understand their burdens. But what happened? “So when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was”. (John 11:6) Is this not surprising to us? They had sent word to Jesus in their times of trouble. But, Jesus delayed. Just think of the state of these poor ladies, during the delay of Jesus. They would have waited with expectation thinking that Jesus will come.

They must have stood at the door keeping their eyes on the direction where Jesus would come. The disease increased and Jesus did not come. The neighbours in the village would have said, “Call a doctor to examine your brother otherwise he may die for Jesus had not come”. These words would have broken the hearts of the young ladies. We are dismayed in our life when God delays in answering our prayers. On one side, we have problems from the family. On the other we have problems from people and most of the time we are depressed. Martha and Mary expected Jesus till the last minute and He did not come. Lazarus died. The two sisters lamented and cried. Lazarus was buried. They wept day and night. On one side they would have had the burden that Jesus did not come for help, even after sending word. On the other side, they would have had the pain of the loss of their only brother who was supporting them. Finally they would have been sandwiched by the scoffing of the neighbours who would have said, “ Many times Jesus came into your house as a loving person and He has done miracle to all the other people. But at last he did not come in your time of trouble” What did Jesus do when these poor children were tormented? Had he forgotten this poor family? No! How can he forget?

Jesus takes continuous care on a man, when he accepts Him in to his heart. Then, Why did he delay? There was a reason behind His delay. He did not hold himself from anything without any special reason. He had already decided to perform a great miracle in this poor family. Hence he delayed. Before this incident, he had already risen alive the son of widow in Nain, when he was taken for burial. He had also risen the daughter of Jairus within a short span of time. He had already decided to perform a great peculiar and unforgettable miracle that would be incomparable with any other miracles of the past. Hence he delayed. Is God delaying in answering your prayers? Is God delaying to change your problems? Do not be tired. God has not forgotten you. He wants to do a great miracle in your life. Hence, He is delaying in your affairs. Fear Not! He may delay, but he is there at the right time to help you. He may delay in your affairs, but he is not too late. He will perform a miracle at the right time. “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2 :3 )

JESUS WEEPS

Jesus came to Bethany when the body of Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. These poor ladies wept falling at the feet of Jesus. They lamented and said “We had sent word for you, if you would been early our brother would not have died. But now you have come late. Our only brother is dead, if only you would have come immediately after the death your would have risen him up”. Now what can be done? Watching these sisters, the whole crowd who had come to comfort the family started to weep. Jesus saw them crying. He was not able to be silent when he saw his children crying. Jesus groaned in the sprint and was troubled. His heart was moved. He could not control his tears. “Jesus Wept” He cannot be silent when see his children crying. Jesus cannot be silent when he see his children who love him, suffering from pain and in tears. His heart will also get troubled for you. He will shed tears for you. He is a God who knows your problems and tears. Hence, He sent his angel to desert to wipe the tears of Hagar when she cried to the Lord With tears” (Gen 21:16,17) God gave a child to Hannah, when she prayed on anguish after provoked by her Husband’s second wife. (I Sam 1: 10-19) He also rose the son to the widow of Nain when He saw her crying. Jesus’ love and compassion has not changed even today. He had the experience of walking in the rugged path to understand your tears. So wipe your tears.

JESUS PERFORMS A MIRACLE

Jesus is not a person who will shed crocodile tears when He sees the tears of His children. He is a God who will perform a miracle to wipe their tears. He watched the tears of these poor children and He also wept with them. He did not stop there; He came to the tomb of Lazarus. Jesus said “ take away the stone from the tomb”. Then Martha the sister of Lazarus the dead said, “ Lord, by this time there is a stench for he has been dead four days. If you would have come before his death, you could have healed him or if you would have come immediately after his death, you could have risen him up. But now the body is rotten and it stenches. How can you raise this rotten body? Martha said these words on the basis of reality. Jesus said to her, “if you would believe, you would see the glory of God” (John 11:10) Are you dismayed of some great problem? Are you thinking how this problem will change?

Jesus says, “if you would believe, you would see the glory of God” Yes. Does stone of unbelief block your heart? Take away that stone now then there will be a miracle. The stone was taken according to the words of Jesus. He stood before the tomb and with loud voice said “Lazarus, Come forth! ” Why should he cry with a loud voice? Will not Lazarus come out, if he would have called him in the normal manner? Mary would have thought that it would stink when the stone is removed from the tomb. He would have taken a long breath before calling him aloud. There he inhaled the stink from the body of Lazarus. “Lazarus walked alive” Today Jesus has taken the stink of our curse and sin on the Calvary. So, nothing is impossible with Him. Every thing is possible with God that is impossible with you.

I would like to share a true story which was happen to my friend who is my coworker. My friend was unable to walk and became bedridden, given up hope by doctors at the age of 14. Many said he cannot walk any more and they also said that his survival was a question. At that time, a beloved brother stood for him in the breach; the hand of Jesus touched him when he prayed with tears. Before the prayer, he was unable to move his legs but after the prayer he got up from his bed and sat on it. Jesus Christ gave him a miracle healing. Many said he cannot walk any more but Jesus enabled him to walk. Hallelujah! Many said he will die but Jesus has kept him alive. Hallelujah! Jesus Christ who did the miracle in my friend life can do the same in your life too. On that day, a man prayed for my friend standing in breach.

Today I am going to pray standing in the breach that the may do a miracle for you.

Healing Father! I thank you for keeping my friend alive by doing a miracle in his life when he was forsaken and dismayed. Likewise, I stand in the breach for this brother and sister who is dismayed because of their tears. Do a miracle of their heart to wipe away their tears in the same way as you worked a miracle in my friend life to wipe the tears of my friend family. Lord, certainly wipe their tears. Let a miracle take place now in the name of Jesus! Amen!! Amen!!!

"BELEIVE YOU SHALL RECEIVE"

BELEIVE YOU SHALL RECEIVE

Beloved people, you need blessing. It may be a spiritual blessing, worldly blessing or physical blessing. God is ready to give you the blessing that you need. He is all-powerful and a God of miracle. He can certainly do a miracle for you. He can heal you. He can also meet your needs. He can change your deficiency into completeness. He is powerful to change your sorrow. He is capable of changing your problems. He can certainly open a way for you. If you want to receive a miracle from Him, He also expects a certain things from you. If you give what He expects of you, you will certainly receive the blessings. To receive the blessings from Jesus Christ…

HAVE FAITH

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”. (Heb. 11:6) When Jesus walked around this world, many people came in search of Him, to receive the blessings and miracle from Him. He expected only one thing from them and that was faith.

Once, two blind men came to Jesus. He prayed to God that they want to receive the sight. Then Jesus said, “Do you believe that I an able to do this?” They said, “Yes, Lord”. Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be to you”. Immediately their eyes were opened. (Matthew 9:27-30) Though Jesus Christ had the power to do the miracles, He was able to do because of the faith of the two blind men. When I ask this question to few people who come to me for prayer, “Do you believe that Jesus can do a miracle?” They will say that they would believe him only if they receive a healing or blessing.

First we have to have faith in Him. Only then we can receive the blessings from Him. God cannot work when there is absence of faith. The Bible says that Jesus was not able to do a miracle when He came to Nazareth, the place where he grew. (Mark 6:5,6) So, first believe. You can see miracles only when you believe His power and His words. If you want to receive any kind of blessings from Jesus, first you must have faith in Him. Even if you want to receive salvation the forgiveness of sins, you have to believe Him. “For by grace you have been saved through Faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God”. (Eph 2:8)

Many years before, we conducted meetings at Pamban, Rameswaram Island every month for the whole year. After we conducted the meeting, we visited the people at house to check their growth in spiritual life. Once a lady invited us lovingly when we went to her house for prayer. She spread the mat for prayer. I asked her as I was kneeling “why should I pray for you?” Immediately she said, “pray for the forgiveness of my sins”. When I asked, “Have you ever prayed to God for the forgiveness of sins”. She said, “I was convicted as a sinner when you came here for the first time. From that day onwards I have been praying for the forgiveness of my sins. For the past six months she had been praying “Lord I am a sinner, forgive my sins” Then I said, had He not forgiven your sins, when you prayed to him after being convicted of your sins? Now she started to think. Then she said that she did not know whether He had forgiven her sins. Then I asked her for the second time, “what do your think, had He forgiven you or not? She said He had forgiven me. In that case, you have to believe that forgiveness of sins. Only then you will have the joy of salvation in your hearts, I explained to her all these truths from the Bible. Then she started praising God. She received the joy of salvation when I told her to pray in this manner, “I thank you for forgiving and forgetting my sins ”. So, to receive the blessings from God, we have to claim and believe the word of God.

You can receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit through faith alone. “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not, yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:38,39) You can receive healing from disease through faith alone. “And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven”. (James 5:15)

A lady, who had a disease for twelve years, came to know about Jesus and believed that, “She would be healed if she would touch the garment of Jesus. Immediately, the power went from Jesus and healed her sickness. Jesus did not say to her. “Be of good cheer daughter, my power has made you well”. But He said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well (Matthew 9:22). The faith that she had on the healing power of Jesus gave her miraculous healing.

So, when you believe power of Jesus, you can receive your miraculous healing. Be it any kind of blessing, you can receive all these from Jesus Christ through your prayer of faith. “And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive”. (Matthew 21:22) Jesus said, “whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them”. (Mark 11:24).

Is it your children’s marriage? Is it problems? Is it something regarding work? Is it childlessness? Is it your business? Be it any kind of miracle, first have faith and continue to pray with faith for you shall receive. The Bible says, when you ask God, “Ask God in faith with no doubting” (James 1:5-7) people who doubt cannot receive the blessings from God. But, I have seen, many people being dismayed and have said, “What can I do, for I don’t have faith?” Are you dismayed? Let me share this glad tiding to you.

FAITH IS WITHIN YOU!

Yes readers, you have this faith within you “but to think soberly, as God had dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Rom 12:3) God has kept faith within each individual. Nobody can say that they do not have faith. Suspecting the presence of God given faith, is unbelief. First accept that you have faith within you according to God’s word. You say to Him, “Lord I thank you for keeping this faith within me”. The faith that is within you is enough to receive all the blessings that you need from God.

Once a father came to Jesus for the sake of his son who was possessed by demon. He looked at Jesus and said, “But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us”. Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes”. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord I believe: help my unbelief”. Then Jesus delivered the child. (Mark 9:22-25) Watch the answer that was given by Jesus to the father who wanted a miracle. He said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to Him who believes”. Listen to the answer of the father, “Lord, I believe” and he also said, “help my unbelief”. He had within him, the faith to receive the deliverance for his son. Hence, he said, “I believe”. Because he suspected the faith that was within, he asked Jesus to help his unbelief.

Beloved people, you too have a measure of faith that was given to you by God. Do not suspect the faith that is within you. There are people, who say, “I have limited faith, how can I receive miracles with this one?” Jesus said, “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) It is enough if you have faith as a mustard seed. You can receive miracles in your life. Nothing will be impossible for you. Using this same faith as mustard seed, You can receive miraculous healing. You can receive your needs. You can be delivered from the bondage of debts. You can receive the fruit of the womb. Having this limited faith, you can receive great things from the Lord.

To strengthen your faith and to increase in your faith, you have to obey the word of God. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. (Rom 10:17) So, the more we listen to the word of God, faith will be created in us. The more you read and hear the word of God, faith will increase is us. Hence, we have to read and meditate the Bible. It is better to hear the sermon of God rather than meeting them for individual prayer. Watch the ministry of Jesus: He did miracle to all those who came to Him, but most of the times preaching was primary, followed by healing. (Matt 4:23, Matt 9:35, Mark 6:34, Luke 5:3)

Paul, the Apostle preached in a city called Lystra. Now, there was a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting. He was crippled from his mother’s womb, who had never walked”. He was listening to Paul’s sermon. Paul observing him intendly and seeing that he had faith to be healed said with a loud voice, “stand up straight on your feet” And he leaped and walked. Observe this miracle carefully. The man, who was crippled from his childhood, heard the preaching of the gospel first.

Faith grew more when he heard about Jesus observing this faith; Paul asked him to stand up straight on his feet. Immediately a miracle took place. The crippled man started to walk. He received the miraculous healing. When you believe, you can also receive this miraculous healing and deliverance. I have met many people in the paths of my ministry, who have said depressed statements like these. “I pray with faith and I come to meetings with faith. But still I have not received any miracles. My prayers have not been answered and I have not received my healing”.

FAITH WITHOUT WORK IS DEAD

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without work is dead? For as the body without the spirit is dead. So faith without works is dead also. (James 2:14,19,20,26) Your faith is dead, if you say you have faith and there is no work. So, there is no use with faith that is without work. You cannot receive blessings with faith and no work. You can receive blessings from God only when you exhibit your faith with work.

To obey the word of God is to work with faith. It is to act according to the word of God. When Jesus saw the man who had an infirmity for thirty years said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk”. He did not say to Him, “I am unable to walk and hence lying down? When he heard the words of Jesus, he tried to rise up and walk. His faith was exhibited with work when he started to use up. Immediately, he received a miracle. ( John 5:1-9)

A servant of God was preaching in a meeting. People unable to walk were sitting on wheel chairs near the dias. During the prayer time, he called out three people according to the leading of the Holy Spirit and said “Jesus is healing you, Rise up and walk in Jesus’ Name”. Immediately two people tried to get up from the wheel chair to walk. They started walking! They received their miraculous healing. But one man was still sitting there on the wheel chair. The servant of God said, “Rise up and walk, Jesus is healing you” But he said, I am unable to walk and that is why I am sitting here. The servant of God said, “those two people are walking”. But this sister said, “I cannot walk?” It was God’s will to heal these three people. But two people exhibited their faith with work and therefore received their healing. This sister did not receive her healing because of the faith without work. She thought that God would heal her when she attends the meeting. But she missed the healing because she was unable to exhibit her faith will work.

Faith without work is dead. There was no rain in a certain city and hence the whole city suffered. They believed that God can shower rain and hence they arranged a prayer meeting to pray to God for rain. Thousands of people came for the meeting. A small girl who came to the meeting brought an umbrella. Many mocked this small girl because they have not seen rain quiet sometime. A man asked her, “why have you come with an umbrella when there is no rain? Then the girl answered. “Now we are going to pray for the rain and God will answer us immediately. So I don’t want to get drenched and hence I have brought this umbrella”. The faith of this small child astonished many. This is faith with work. Though everybody came for prayer, it was only this child who exhibited her faith with work. For God will honour this kind of faith. You too believe. Exhibit your faith with work and you shall receive your healing. Believe that Jesus can do a miracle in your individual affairs, family, education, work, business, marriage, debt problem and ministry. Believe and expect your miracle and then you shall receive your miracle. Pray with faith and receive your healing right now. Please write down your problems for which you want a miracle. Immediately bend your knees and pray with faith.

God of miracle, I thank you for you have been listening to my prayers all through. I pray to you to do a miracle for this particular problem this very day. I believe that you can do a miracle for this problem? I expect a miracle with faith? In Jesus name! Amen……

YOUR MIRACLE IS ON YOUR WAY! “EXPECT YOUR MIRACLE

SALT SPEAKS

I am the salt that Jesus spoke in His Sermon on the Mount. He wanted all God’s people to be like me. Why? Hear me as I speak through this message.

1. Salvation

I am drawn out from the sea. As long as I am in the sea, I am useless. Nobody takes the sea water to cook anything. I need to be channeled to salt beds where they crystallize me directly under the sun and finally I am made salt. So also, my dear friends, as long as you are one with the world, you are useless for God. Jesus said, “I have chosen you out of the world” (Jn 15:19). When you were lost in the world, God separated you, made the Sun of Righteousness to shine on you and made you the salt (2 Cor 4:6). That is why you are called the “Church” or in Greek, “Ecclesia” meaning “the called out.”

These days separation is a relative term. The line of demarcation between the world and the church is shifted as per convenience and likes of individuals instead of God’s standards in God’s Word. Dear child of God, are you clear about the line of demarcation? Are you true to God who made you salt?

2. Sanctification

People like to use me only if I look white and dirt free. For this, I need to go through a process of cleansing in the factory. I am boiled and the scum is removed. Again when I am dried, I look cleaner and whiter and I glitter. The more I am exposed to the sun, the more I glitter. Similarly you will be liked by people when you live holy. Whiteness is symbol of holiness (Rev 7:14; 1 Jn 1:7). That is the reason Jesus prayed to His Father to sanctify you (Jn 17:8,19). You need to go through a process of sanctification to bless others. The more you expose yourself to the Sun of Righteousness the more you will shine (Psa 34:5a). Keep looking to Jesus in worship and in His Word. You will not be used if you look dull and unclean. God’s way of sanctifying you is a hard process.

Jesus who compared you to salt also compared you to a branch of vine, and He claimed Himself to be the true Vine (Jn 15:1-5). First of all, He wants you to abide in Him. By doing that you bring forth fruits. But He wants more fruits from you. So He still cleanses you by cutting off the unwanted things from your life (v 3). Though it is sometimes painful, it is inevitable for bearing fruit faithfully and effectively. But only when you go through sanctification God will use you more and more.

3. Service

I am born to serve. There is no other purpose for me in this world. I savour anything that comes in contact with me. I make an influence. I bring about change.

Do you know the purpose of your living? It is to serve God who made you salt. You are a powerful commodity for Him. Like me you can bring about change in whatever you come in contact with. You can change people, families, circumstances etc., When you speak to the people they will change. As salt, even right now when I speak to you through this message, you will experience some change in you. I am also a taste maker. You can influence people and make them sweet. You can bless all those whom you come across.

4. Sacrifice

Jesus mentioned both symbols of salt and light at the same time to compare them to you. There is a reason behind it. Both salt and light are a blessing to people. If it is so, both have one thing in common. That is sacrifice. When a candle gives out light, it burns out to nothing. When I am mixed in the food stuff, I also reduce to nothing. During Old Testament times, salt was added to the burnt offering. Without salt there was no burnt offering (Ezek 43:24; Mk 9:49). It is impossible to serve God without sacrifice. In other words, the more you are prepared for sacrifice, the more God uses you.

This does not mean that you should be a pauper or a hermit. But this simply means that God is the owner of all things and you are only the user. I would like to illustrate this with a story. There was a rich businessman who announced sale of a pearl of great price. A crowd gathered around him. No body dared to throw a bid. At last one man dared to come forward. The bargain for sale cum purchase began. The businessman asked how much the buyer could pay. The buyer told him the cash amount he had taken with him to buy the pearl. The seller took note on a sheet of paper the details of all the possessions of the buyer one by one such as, his money at home, bank balance, his car, bungalow, movable and immovable properties, his wife children and finally he himself. He demanded the whole lot as the price for the pearl. The buyer because of his determination to buy the precious pearl agreed for the terms. The transaction was over.

Then the seller slowly moved towards the buyer with the list in his hand. He said, “Look, this paper will be with me. All the items listed out will be with you. From now on I am the owner of these and you are only the user.”

Dear reader, God does not want to deprive you of any good gift that pertain to this life. He wants you to prosper in all things as your soul prospers. But He wants that we should not be possessive of any blessings of God. Whenever He demands, we should be prepared to sacrifice it for Him.

Jesus spoke about sacrifice in Mt 16: 24-26. Preceding this passage He spoke about the power of binding and loosing (vs 19). This means if you want power (to bind and loose) you must be prepared to lose.

5. Security

As salt, I am used to secure things from being spoiled or rotten. When you cut lemon into pieces and leave them, they will rot. But if you apply me on those pieces, they come out as delicious pickle. Cut an animal and leave the skin. It will stink. But apply me. The skin can shine and be used for your bags and belts! The same way you are to preserve this rotting world from decay. As long as the Church is in this world, the enemy is kept at bay (2 Thess 2:7,12). Once you and I are taken away from this world, the world will perish because of unrighteousness and deception (v10). This is a clarion call for you to live righteously so that you may not lose your savour. Your righteousness will preserve others from unrighteousness.

6. Savour

There is always the danger of losing my savour. Keep me in a saucer. I slowly absorb moisture from the air and become watery. The very water from which I was weaned out is always a threat to me when I am exposed. That is why when Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth,” immediately He also added, “If the salt loses its savour, how can it be seasoned?” Is it not the same with you? The very world from which you have been separated is always a threat to you to loose your savour of righteousness.

God’s righteousness is your savour. You have a great responsibility to safeguard it. Think of the people of Israel. Though they were brought out from Egypt, the sin of Egypt kept biting their heals, trying to drag their feet back! Are you in anyway worried that some sin or temperaments of the old self still nagging you and dragging you back? Don’t worry. Though you are in the world, the world has no power over you (1 Jn 4:4). As long as Jesus is in you, you cannot lose savour.

In Jesus times, they also used to extract me out of the rocks taken from the banks of the Dead Sea. The cut rocky salts were boiled with water in big caldrons. During the process my savour left the rocks and got dissolved in water and finally I came out as pure salt on crystallisation. They still called the rocks as salt, but without my savour. These were crushed and thrown on the murky paths for the people to walk over without soiling their feet. That was what Jesus referred to as salt without savour. But God has not made you salt to be trodden under foot but to fulfill His purpose.

7. Sociable

Well, I am known as common salt. I am commonly available to the entire world to all people. I don’t differentiate between rich or poor; male or female; high caste or low caste; wise or fool. I am used by all. To the rich I am available in beautiful ceramic salt shakers but to the poor I remain in an ordinary earthen pot. I am adaptable as told by our Apostle Paul in 1 Cor 9:19-22. I am available for all nations, every tribe and every tongue. I am a global commodity. Are you an easily approachable person? Are you ready to serve any one, any time, in any place and in any capacity?

The people exchange me as a symbol of peace. Even nations make Salt Treaty to make peace with each other. Jesus also said, “Blessed are the peace makers” (Mt 5:9); “Have salt in yourself, and be at peace with each other” (Mk 9:50b). Let me close my story with an interesting incident that happened in a SSYM mission station in tribal village. Once, a tribal man came all the way to a weekly market walking 10 km, just to find out my price. He walked back home and brought the money walking up & down again to buy me and to take me home. Even for that poor tribal man I was so inevitable. He needed me. If you are the salt of the earth, how much more people like that tribal man needs you! They need to be reconciled with God and have peace within. According to the Indian writer, Tribal Challenge, there are 90 million tribal people in India. Only 20% of them have been reached with the gospel. What is your response if you are the SALT?

"HOW TO INHERIT THE BLESSINGS?"

THE LORD WILL GREATLY BLESS YOU. (Deut 15:4)

It is God’s desire to bless you. God wants to bless you and lift you up more than what you are now. The Lord will bless you greatly (Deut 15:4), will never fail to keep His promise. He will certainly bless you greatly as He has promised. Believe and confess your faith by saying, The Lord will bless me greatly. What sort of blessing do you need? Be it spiritual, physical, worldly or any other, God will certainly give you the blessings that you need. Right now God is ready to bless us. But it is up to us to inherit all these blessings from God. We cannot receive unless we strive for it. Remember that God can never bless the sluggard.

God called Abraham and promised to give this land to him and to his generation, but also said, Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you. (Gen. 13:17) It is not easy to walk around the whole land. But Abraham walked around the land and inherited the blessing. Let us also work to inherit all the blessings that God has in stored for us.

SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT

In the early days of my walk with God, I eagerly attended the spiritual meetings. I use to listen to the spiritual experience of the preachers. It was a great wonder to me when they said the experience of praying for one or two hours. An interest in my heart arose to pray in the same manner. One fine day, I made a decision to pray for one hour and so I knelt before the Lord. I prayed to the Lord for every prayer point that I knew. I felt that I had prayed for many hours. Thinking that I had prayed for one hour, I opened my eyes and found that I had prayed only for 10 minutes. What else should I pray for? was my thought. For I had prayed for all the points that I knew. I wondered how the others prayed for hours together. After some years, when God filled me with the Holy spirit my prayer life changed.

Whenever I go before the Lord in prayer and praise Him, I am surrounded by His presence. The whole place is filled with God’s presence and, the Holy Spirit fills me. When filled by the Spirit, He also opens my spiritual eyes. Then the Holy Spirit gives me the eyes to see Jesus. He helps us to see His likeness. Now, you can feel Jesus Christ near you. You can also feel in your spirit that Jesus is listening and answering your prayers. It is not only in the prayer time, we can feel His presence being with us for the whole day, at every place we go. To be more specific, we can feel Jesus Christ coming with us to all places.

What a glorious experience! It is the Holy Spirit who gives us this glorious experience of walking with God. The Bible says us to be filled with the spirit (Holy Spirit). (Eph. 5:18) Receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit even if you do not receive any other. God is ready to fill you with His spirit. We can receive only when we ask Him with thirst. If anyone thirst, let him come to me and drink. The Holy Scripture says, He who believes in me, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. In this context Jesus has spoken about the Holy Spirit that would be given to those who ask in faith. (John 7:37-39) First, you should have a thirst in your heart to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit, to be filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and to walk with God.

The Bible says, desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy (I Cor 14:1) desire the best gifts (I Cor 12:31) Desire the spiritual blessings. Earnestly have a thirst for these gifts. Then you shall receive it. Jesus Christ said, If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. (Luke 11:13) When you pray with thirst, you shall certainly receive the power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. As you pray everyday being filled with the Holy Spirit, you will be blessed with his presence and will grow in your walk with God. Inherit all these blessings by faith.

PHYSICAL BLESSINGS HAVE FAITH

It is God’s desire that you be in sound health. He has promised as I will take sickness away from the midst of you. (Exodus 23:25) God wants to take away sickness from you and your family. But it is you, who need to inherit all these blessings. When Jesus Christ lived in this world, many sick people came in search of Him and received their healing. Though He healed them freely, it was only one thing that He expected of those who came in search of Him. That was to have faith in Him. Once, two blind men walk behind Jesus and shouted to Him, Have mercy on us, Son of David When He had come home, those blind people came to Him. Jesus looked at them and said, Do you believe that I am able to do this. They said, Yes, Lord. Then He touched their eyes and said; According to your faith will it be done to you. Then their eyes were opened. (Matthew 9:27-30) The two blind men received their healing because of their faith. On another occasion, a father came in search of Jesus for the deliverance of his child who was under the bondage of evil spirit. He said to Jesus, But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord I believe, help my unbelief! Immediately God delivered his son from the bondage of the evil spirit. (Mark 9: 21-27) The faith of the father enabled the deliverance for his son. Carefully observe the word that was said by Jesus to the father of the child. If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. (Mark 9:23)

This is what Jesus says to you. If you could believe, it is possible. You shall receive healing from your sickness. Have faith and receive your healing. Don’t seek others to pray for you, when you fall sick. Call upon the Lord yourself. God will see your faith and heal you. It is your belief that can make Him glad. Believe that He is to heal you. Believe and pray that He can heal you today. You shall certainly receive the healing. The prayer of faith will save the sick. (James 5:15).

Do not seek a servant of God when a member in your family falls sick. First, believe and pray. God will give an amazing answer to your prayer done in faith. Seek other’s prayers, when you face a circumstance in which you need there the prayer of others. Nearly 8 years ago, in the early days of my ministry, one day suddenly my father became sick. He fainted unconsciously. His eyes closed and he was unable do anything. He went the verge of death. The neighbours who got the news came to help us immediately. Our village is a small one. We were wondering what to do, as there were no doctors then. When we decided to hire a car and take my dad to the hospital in Ramanathapuram my neighbor house man told me, Dear brother, pray Jesus will heal him! That day my village people were all Hindus I and my parents were the only accepted the Lord and we were involved in ministry. My relatives who were gathered there were also Hindus. At this circumstance, I was afraid to pray. I was filled with fear because of the following questions, What if his life departs when I pray? What will the others think of me? I did not have faith that Jesus would perform a miracle at that moment.

My mother also said, Pray unto Jesus and he will perform a miracle. As there was no other way, I placed my hand upon my dad for my mother’s sake and village people’s shake and said a small prayer. As soon as I ended the prayer my father opened his eyes and arose. There was no need for him to go to the hospital as he was healed completely. I was surprised myself. I had this question in my mind, Has this miracle taken place because I had prayed? It was not my prayer that brought this healing but the faith of those village people and my mother. Faith was also created within me. After that my father was alive and still he is doing Lord’s ministry. Pray with faith. You will receive the miraculous healing from our Lord.

WORLDLY BLESSINGS GIVE

God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (I Timothy 6:17) God desires us to be blessed in all aspects abundantly and be a blessing. The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. (Proverbs 10:22). Our God is a God who does not add troubles in our lives. God does not desire us to worry over penury, debts and financial needs. God wishes that we be a blessing in all aspects. But we have to do two things to receive this blessing.

1. GIVE TO THE LORD:

We should give to the Lord, as he expects from us. Many do not receive the blessings from God, as they do not give the amount of what is expected of him by God. At least, tithes should be given to God. This means one tenth of our income should be given to the Lord. Since people don’t do this, they lack the blessings of God. They are continuously being caught us in curses like debts, poverty and financial problems. See what God tells you. Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, in what way have we robbed You? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with the curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. (Malachi 3:8,9) If we don’t give unto the Lord one tenth of our income it would be a deception from our part. How can God bless those who cheat and deceive Him?
Since many people cheat God in offerings, curse baffles their family. Thus, they are not blessed financially and always have money problems. If this curse has to be changed and a blessing should come to the family, one should be true in giving offerings to the Lord. Once, when I was talking to a businessman I asked about the state of his business. He said, it is a blessing and God is blessing us greatly. I asked him, what did he think was the reason for him to be blessed so much? He said, I do not do any business on Sundays, but we go to church, to worship God and partake in ministries. Secondly, every month from the calculated income we give one tenth to the Lord. I believe that this is reason why God is blessing me. When we give our tithes to the Lord, He promises us, Will throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. (Malachi 3:10) When you become a source of the Gospel, to build the kingdom of God, and a blessing to many ministries, God will bless you greatly and lift you up. Give, and it will be given to you. a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured out your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38)

2. GIVE TO THE POOR:

God desires us to give one portion for God’s ministry and another portion to the poor. The Lord says: There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be open handed toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. (Deut 15:11) It is God’s command to help the poor and the needy. God has promised, He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done. (Proverb 19:17) God cannot bless the selfish people. God will bless those who share their resources with others. Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Since Cornelius, a military officer helped the poor, God sent His Angel and revealed His to him. (Acts 10) God sent His Apostle Peter and Dorcas, a woman who was known for her good works and her help for the poor. (Acts 9) Even you could receive the blessings, miracles in your life by giving to the Lord and the poor. The Lord will bless you greatly.

For the Lord your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you. (Deut 13:6) God is going to bless you in this manner. Receive the blessings from God with faith.

To Dear Students…

Cigars and Cigarettes!

Respected brother,

I hope you remember me. At the close of the last Camp I had a photograph with you. My heart is filled with praise to God whenever I think of the blessings I received in the Camp.

To be more specific, Jesus delivered me from the bondage of smoking to which I had been enslaved since my high school days. All my pocket money was spent on the habit. My roommate was a chain smoker. He used to share imported cigarettes with me. I could never agree with preachers who condemned smoking because I was myself addicted. Even in the Camp on the first day I would first smoke and then go in and sit conveniently near the exit. But on the second day I committed myself to Christ. Since then I have not so much as touched a cigarette. I developed an unconscious hatred for it. When I try to explain this change to my old smoking companions they argue with me that nowhere the Bible condemns smoking. “I was a slave; but now I am delivered”— This is all I tell them. But I am unable to answer their questions from the Bible. Can you please tell me how to tackle them? Sorry for the trouble.

Greetings with love!

Yours, Victor

Dear Victor,

I shared your letter with friends here. We praised God for your deliverance.

True the Bible does not say, “Thou shalt not smoke!” But the principles cannot be ignored.

1. In every cigarette pack you find a note:

Statutory Warning: Cigarette smoking is injurious to health!

A fact universally proven. As for God’s will, 3 John 2 says,

“Beloved I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

How then can smoking be God’s will?

2. A smoker abuses his body. Look at his discoloured lips and teeth and the bloodshot eyes. What is God’s commandment?

“You are bought at a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor 6:15,20).

3. Undeniably smokers are slaves to the habit. But the principle for the Christian is—

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the slavery of any” (1 Cor 6:12).

Mere arguments take you nowhere. The Bible says, “Abstain from every form of evil!” (1 Thess 5:22).

Finally, mere knowledge that smoking is wrong does not deliver a person. He needs Jesus.

Referring to the deliverance from sin through Him, Jesus said, “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed!” (Jn 8:36). Is that not your experience? God bless your testimony.

Your brother

"BE NOT WORRIED, HELP WILL COME FROM THE LORD"

"BE NOT WORRIED, HELP WILL COME FROM THE LORD"

Who will help me? To whom can I go for this need? There is no one to help me? Who will help me regarding my career? There is no way by which I could be delivered from this debt problem! Who will meet my needs? Will this sick bed be changed? Who will heal me? Who will help me to come out of this problem? Are you worried like this for any of these problems? Do not be worried! Help will come to you! Help will come to you from the Lord!

A poor boy who was studying in the school once told me an incident. He was starting to go for the final year examination. He was getting ready with everything needed for the examination. He took the pen which he had to use for the examination. At that time only he found that the ink was leaking out of the pen. He tried again wiping it; still the ink was leaking out. He knew that he cannot write the examination with that pen. There was no way for buying a new pen; since he had no father, his mother was sending him for studies with great difficulty. Immediately the remembrance of Jesus Christ came to him. He prayed saying, “Jesus, you are only the father to me who has no help of my father. To whom can I go and ask for help! Jesus, help me” He went to school after the prayer. On the way he had to go through a railway crossing. When he was crossing it, he saw a new beautiful pen lying there. He took it and examined it. It was a very nice pen. He looked around; there was no one who could claim it. He went to write the examination praising the Lord saying “the Lord heard my prayer and has sent me the help”. See how the Lord Jesus helped him at the appropriate time.

You will get help from the Lord! We may think that this is only a small matter. But in his condition, it was a great thing for that small boy. He told every one with joy that the Lord helped him miraculously. How certain it is that the Lord will help in the big matters when He had helped with care even in the small matter! You will get help from the Lord for your debt problem to be changed and your need to be met! You will get help from the Lord for the sick bed to be changed and the sufferings to leave you! You will get help from the Lord for your job, your business and the matters connected with your children! Do not be worried! The help will come in the right time! If you have to get help from the Lord, there are a few things which you have to do.

LIFT UP YOUR EYES UNTO THE LORD

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help” (Ps.121:1).

Let this be your experience. This means that, “I lift up mine eyes unto the Lord from whom my help cometh”. You might have been depressed looking after men for your help. You may be worried because you were cheated by men who promised to help you. Do not be worried. There is one who will not cheat you. He is desirous of helping you. He is the Lord Jesus Christ. Lift up your eyes unto Him. No one has been ashamed that looked up to Him.

The man of God’ George Mueller was taking care of thousands of orphan children in the hostel. He had never gone unto any person for donation to support the needs of the children. Even when he started the orphanage, he started it looking to the Lord and having his faith only on the Lord. Whatever may be his need, he will lift up his eyes unto the Lord only. His needs will be met miraculously. One morning a friend came to this man of God and asked him with astonishment, “How do you take care of this hostel without asking any one for help.” As they were speaking like this, the warden of the hostel came and told George Mueller “Sir, there is nothing for breakfast for the children; what should be done!” Mueller told him, “go and get ready the dining table; I will go and pray”. He asked his friend to sit and wait; himself went to the room and prayed. After praying for a few minutes, he came to his friend and told him, “Come, we will go and see how the Lord helps”. When they went to the dining hall, all the children came and sat at the dining tables. The plates were kept before them. When he said, “let us praise the Lord for the morning breakfast the Lord has given us,” the children stood up and sang a praise song. As the children were singing, a big van came up there and a man wanted to see George Mueller. When George Mueller introduced himself, the man said, “Sir, I am having a bakery making bread and selling. When I was sleeping in the night, Lord Jesus woke me up and commanded me to prepare enough bread and give it to George Mueller in the orphanage. I woke up immediately and prepared these bread in the night itself and have brought here.” He showed the bread in the van. The children were given that bread. As the children were eating the bread, a man came and asked “who is the head of this hostel?” When he was brought to George Mueller, he said, “Sir, I am the driver of the milk van. I was taking milk in my truck to the nearby city. All of a sudden my vehicle came under repair and stopped before your hostel. I tried my best to repair it but could not. It will take hours before the mechanic comes and set it alright. By that time, the milk will be spoilt and become useless. I saw this hostel. Now you can take this milk for your use”. Before the children finished eating the bread, milk was served to them. His friend went back with surprise when George Mueller told him, “It is like this that the Lord is helping at the right moment every day”. The Lord who helped George Mueller will help you also.

Lift up your eyes unto the Lord, looking unto Him and pray for your needs. Pray saying, “Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, Oh thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of the servants look unto the hand of their masters and as the eyes of the maiden unto the hand of her mistress, so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until He have mercy upon us”. (Ps.123:1,2). You will get help from the Lord.

HAVE FAITH

The man of God who said, “I lift up mine eyes unto the Lord”, also says, “My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” (Ps.121.2). His faith was, “my help cometh from the Lord”. Even when we look up the Lord, only when we have faith that the help will come from Him, we could get miracles. Have faith saying, “I will have help from the Lord”.

In his old age George Mueller was going on a ship to a city for preaching. All of a sudden the ship stopped in the middle of the ocean. He enquired the captain of the matter. The captain said “glaciers are around here within the sea. It is not possible to sail the ship over these. The ship could sail only after the glaciers move from here.” George Mueller asked him, “When will these glaciers move”? The captain replied, “it may move out in a day and sometimes it may take a week. However we have to wait only here”. George Mueller told him, “No, I should go immediately. Meetings have been arranged for me and the necessary publicity notices have also been given”. But the captain said, “it is not at all possible to go to that place before the date you are mentioning. It will take many days for us to start from this place”. Mueller said, “Let us pray. Lord Jesus will do a miracle. In all these years of my ministry, Jesus Christ had not let me be ashamed”. Though the captain was a Christian, he could not believe Mueller. However, because Mueller called him for prayer, he knelt down to pray with desdain. George Mueller prayed for the glaciers to move away.
After he prayed, the captain began to pray. Mueller immediately stopped the captain from praying and said, “you need not pray, because the Lord has given the answer to my prayer. There is no need to pray again for that matter. Besides, you have no faith on the Lord. So there is no use of your prayer. Now you go and see the ocean. The glaciers would have moved away; you prepare for the ship to sail”. Though the words of Mueller worried him, the captain was astonished at the faith of Mueller; he went and saw the sea.
What a wonder! All the glaciers had disappeared. The ship also started to sail immediately. Faith, George Mueller’s faith brought the miracle of God; brought help from the Lord at the time of hurry.

You also have faith on the Lord for your needs. Have faith saying, “I will get help from the Lord”. Jesus Christ has said, “For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith; Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them”(Mk.11:23-24).

If you pray with faith and without any doubt, miracle will happen in the matter for which you pray. Confess your faith and pray. Confess the faith with your mouth saying, “I will have help from the Lord”, “Jesus Christ will heal me”, “The Lord will save my family” “The Lord will change my debt problem”, “The Lord will meet my needs”, “The Lord will accomplish everything for me”. You will see the Lord doing miracles for you according to your faith. You will get help from the Lord.

HELP OTHERS

If the Lord has to help you, you should also help others. The Word of God says, “The liberal soul shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered also himself” (Pr.11:25). that means that the Lord’s help will come to him who helps others. The Lord blesses us so that we could be of help to others. “To do good and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased”(Heb.13:16). Since Dorcas helped the poor and the widows by giving them clothes, the Lord raised her alive when she had died’ through Peter.(Acts.9:36-40).

How can the Lord give help to those who are not concerned about others?

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith”.(Gal.6:10). Then, you will get help from the Lord.

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth”. Amen.. Amen.

(Repeat this verse again and again with faith). "HELP WILL COME TO YOU"