Six Legalistic People.

Six Legalistic People.

Now a days some of our friends frequently use the word legalist.
At first , I did not understand what do they mean by this.
When I watch them closely it became clear that what they mean.
Whenever somebody points out a moral standard from the Holy Bible, these people start crying legalist. Anyone who preach or mention about the judgement or holiness also will be counted as legalists.
These people consider Barabas as a liberalist and Jesus a legalist.
According to their definition I started to find out that is there any legalists in the New Testament.
Result of my enquiry was amzing and I could find out many.
I like to present six of them for your kind attention.

1 JOHN THE BAPTIST
All liberals agree that John The Baptist was a legalist.
I don’t think that any proof needed for the statement.

Mathew 3/10 “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Mathew3/1 “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

2 JESUS OF NAZERETH
After the withdrawel of John Jesus started preaching ministry.
Jesus used the exact words that John used.
Mathew 15/19 “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander”
Luke 16/17 “It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.”
Luke21/36 “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

3 SIMON PETER
Acts 2/38 “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
1 Peter 1/14
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

4 PAUL OF TARSUS
Acts 17/30 “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”
Acts 24/25 “As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

5 JAMES BROTHER OF JESUS
James 1/25 “But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

James 5/3 “Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.”

6 JOHN THE APOSTLE
1 John 2/1 “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin”
1 John 5/16 “If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death.”

I don’t want to discourage our grace preaching liberals.
I found many liberals also in the New Testament.
Since I am a legalist I don’t like to speak about them in detail.
I like to mention the names of few.
Ananias and Sapphira [Acts 5]
Demas [ 2Timothy 4/10]
Alexander [2Timo 4/14]
And many others also there.
I prefer to continue as a legalist. What about you?
May the Lord help you to remain in His grace.

Seeking Jesus in Wrong Places

We read in the Bible that Mary and Joseph searched for Jesus among their co-travelers.
Mathew 3/42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

This is a common mistake many Christians make.
They think that Jesus is among them. May be with some Uncle or Aunty. Some brilliant uncles charge them a monthly subscription by assuring them that he could keep Jesus in their group. Their confidence is in some leaders and their teachings. These people don’t have any personal relationship with Jesus and they are not sure that their journey is towards a destination which is the perfect will of God.
They blindly believe in the teachings of some leaders and rely upon their tapes and books..



Some women went to the tomb of Jesus to find Him.
Angels of the God asked them why did they search Jesus there.
Do not seek a living person among the dead.
Many people are dead spiritually.
Even some leaders are spiritually dead and bear no fruit of the Holy Spirit. Do not try to find Jesus among such a group.
They might present wonderful philosophies and brilliant doctrines.
But never seek Jesus among dead people and dead churches.


At the birth of Jesus wise men from the east went to the palace of Herod to find Jesus.
Many people are interested to listen the teachings of rich evangelists.
These prosperity preachers could easily win the hearts of many fools.
But wise people will escape from the snares of Herod.
Herod showed interest to worship Jesus. Actually Herod worshipped his authority and pleasures
Today where do you seek Jesus.
Lesson 1 Do not think that Jesus is somewhere among your group.
Christian life is not a collective relationship with God.
You must have a personal relationship and conviction.


Lesson 2 Seek Jesus only in the temple.
Now you are the temple of the living God.

Lesssn 3 Mary and Joseph travelled one day without Jesus but it took three days to restore that relationship.For backsliders,sometimes it requires a hardwork to restore their joy of salvation.

Lesson 4 Do not be deceived by the wealth and power of certain Herods.
Seek Him in a manger. Worship Him in purity, sincerity and simplicity

Yes No Wait

God always answers prayer. We always wanted an yes from Him.
But in His infinite wisdom He sometimes say No. As far as our human wisdom No is a
Sign of affectionless. But He knows better than us that which are good for us which are not.
God’s three answers are these, Yes, No, Wait.
We can see many examples from the Bible that God gives answers in these different ways.

Yes

Luke 23/42,43
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.]”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.

The thief who was crucified with Jesus received answer yes for his prayers.
He had no other choice and no other hope. It was just before his last breathe he said this prayer.
How mysterious are the ways of God.

No

Luke 8/38,39
The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him


Wait

Revelation 6/9-11
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.

Lesson 1
The thief had no prior relationship with Jesus received an instant answer “YES” from Jesus. Sometimes those who less spiritual than you may get favorable answers from God.Do not get discouraged when you see such things

.

Lesson 2
Those who testify Jesus and embraced martyrdom were told to WAIT some more time.
Some times we have to wait for His time.
Mary were told by Jesus that His time had not yet come.
Let us wait patiently for His time.

Lesson 3
The man who received healing got an answer NO from Jesus.
Sometimes Jesus say NO even to our noble prayers.
This man’s prayer was highly appreciable. He wanted to be with Jesus and follow Him where ever he goes.
Outwardly it appears as a good prayer.
But actually he wanted to escape from his village where all were against Jesus.
But Jesus appointed him there as His ambassador and it was the greatest privilege

.
In the midst of your tears and turmoil, remember that you are an ambassador of Christ Jesus and your citizenship is in the Heaven.
God can bless you even through your unanswered prayers.
For a child of God all these three answers are blessings. Let us pray that
our eyes get opened so that we might be able to see His blessings in disguise.
And may God continue to bless you.

Body of Christ vs Body Of Judas

Now a days some Christians showed an elevated interest in Judas. Recently published books on Judas appeared in bestsellers list of many publishers. This generation want to fit Judas somewhere in the eternal plan and purpose of God. They argue that Judah was helping Jesus to fulfill His mission on earth.I wonder, why these people don’t want to give Pilate such an honor?If chronological classification of the seven churches in the revelation followed, ours is the Laodecean age.Laodecean age is of the Lukewarm generation. I want to share some of the characterestics of this lukewarm generation
ADULTERORS This generation is adulterous generation who seek miracles and signs.
They deceive themselves by saying that they are saved and their deeds will not be counted.
Jesus said men is responsibe and accountable for even a single word he uttered.
Matthew 12:36 “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken”.
Each one will be rewarded even for small deeds.
Mark 9/41 “For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward”
Lukewarm generation conveniently skip all these words of Christ and His apostles.
For them Jesus is not the only begotten son, but Jesus also a son of God just like each of them.
They wanted to find comfort by saying that no one will perish.
Bible repeatedly says that there is a possibility of getting perished.
Jesus says Luke 21/36 “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Apostle Peter says 1Peter 1/17
“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.”These people are looking forward to see Judah in the glory.
Judas left the room during the last supper.
Jesus declared about His body that is the Church.
Satan entered in Judas and he left the place John 13/27
Now there are two groups. One group is with Jesus and the rest is with Judah.
Those who are with Jesus is called as His body.
For we can call the rest as the body of Judah.
Body of Judah is in constant fight with body of Jesus.
Judas was motivated by love of money.
James4/4
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”





Which body you like to be part of? Judas’s or Jesus’?
Choice is yours and may God bless you.

Gifts and Fruits

We had a tree in the backyard of our East London House. Since me and Swapna were not familiar with the trees in Europe, we could not guess what kind of tree that would be . Few months later the tree flowered and carried fruits. When the fruits got ripen we came to know that it was an apricot tree. Jesus said that it is the fruits of a tree help us to distinguish it.
Jesus asks us to bear fruits
John 15/8 “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

We know that there are nine fruits of the Holy Spirit are listed in Galatians.
Many believers are excited about the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit which are listed in the epistle to the Corinthians.
But Jesus concern is about the fruits. Gifts are received but fruits are produced.
We can see all gifts were evidently seen in Jesus.
Let us examine nine gifts.
1 Love Jesus is the embodiment of Love. God is love .And no more explanations needed to prove that Jesus had the fruit of love in Him. During final course of His speech Jesus insisted very much on love
John 15/9
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
2 Joy The second listed fruit of the Holy Spirit is Joy.
Amazingly, just before his sufferings started, Jesus reminded His disciples about His Joy.
John 15/11
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Luke10/21 “At that time Jesus, full of JOY through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”
3 Peace Isaiah foretold that coming Messiah would be called as the Prince of Peace.
John14/27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you”
4 Mercy Jesus was an ocean of mercy. Even today majority of merciful activities in the world have their source of inspiration Jesus. Out of His mercy He healed many and fed thousands.
Even during His arrest Jesus outstretched His hands to heal the ear of the servant of the high priest. Instead of worrying about himself and of coming pain He showed His unfading kindness.
5 Goodness Jesus described Himself as the Good shepherd who gives the life for the sheep. Apostle Peter says that “Jesus of Nazareth went …doing well.” Acts 10/38
6 Faithfulness Hebrews 2/17 says that Jesus is the faithful high priest. Jesus was faithful to His father and to His mission.
John 4/34
“My food,” said Jesus “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
7 Long sufferingJesus exhibited this fruit throughout His earthly ministry.
Jesus rebuked His disciples when they asked Him permission to bring down fire from the sky to destroy all opponents. Paul says that Jesus showed him His unlimited patience (1Tim1/16)
8 Meekness Jesus was very gentle. Jesus says that he is very gentle.
“…for I am gentle and humble in heart” Mathew 11/28
9 Self Control This fruit was very evident in His ministry.
When He was hungry after a long fasting He refused to perform miracle for His personal need.
Even at the Garden of Gethsemane, He said to Peter that He could easily called down many thousands angels to fight for His release. But He controlled Himself marvelously.
All these gifts were dwelling in Jesus.
We also must bear fruits of the Holy Spirit. Our earthly life will be evaluated on the basis of the fruits that we bore.

Jesus is called the first fruit .He was full of fruits and He Himself was the fruit.
Jesus was the fruit of life that Adam could not had been taste while he was in Paradise.
First fruit was full of fruits of the Holy Spirit. We are next fruits after him.
We are commanded to bear the fruits for Him.



Song of Songs 7/14
”The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.”

Seek Knock and Ask

Guest In The Midnight.

Today I would like to share another parable of Jesus

Luke 11/5-8
Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity[e] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
Here is a story of three friends.
Here Jesus portrays the lost world The Church and the God.
One friend approaches the second one in the midnight.
The world is in the midnight of hopelessness.
Lost around us knocks at the door of the church
Churchis not a building.Here you and me together make His church.The people around us are in constant need of bread.
We know that when a cananite woman asked Jesus for healing,Jesus said that healing is the bread of His children.
From this we can understand that according to the terminology of Jesus bread is healing.
All people are in need of healing. Man constitutes by three factors spirit,soul,body.Some are in need of physical healing and some others are in need of mental healing;But all are in need of spiritual healing.

Lesson 1 World is in darkness and it is around midnight.

Lessson 2 World looks to the Church of Jesus Christ.

Lesson 3 No food is with the Church. Church has no word of faith.

Lesson 4 God dwells in the neigbourhood of the Church.

Lesson 5 Church has the access to God’s presence even at midnight.

Lessson6 If church prays persistently, it will be filled with the bread.

Lesson 7 The Church knows that God has solutions and blessings with Him.Midnight is the best time to sleep.
What will you prefer ,,,,sleep or askLuke 11/9
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Bluff Of Brothers

Dear brethren,

In these days, I notice that some of our brothers(I consider them so) bringing up strange doctrines.They use a terminology finished work of Christ to bewilder their readers.As any other false teachers these people also picking up few verses from scriptures.They are reluctant to accept that the whole Bible is the word of God.If someone confront them, he will be judged as he lives under the law.According to them, there is no assignment left for us to do.There will be no suffering in Christ Jesus. If you carefully study the Church history, you will find that none of the Church Fathers was ever knew this doctrine.Their teachings are according neither to scriptures nor to Church Fathers.All they wanted is to enjoy a two-timing life without having bothered about the eternal judgement or the chief commission of Christ.

I urge you to consider following scriptures when they are advocating you.
1 When they say that there is no suffering for a believer since Christ suffered everything.

Acts20/22,23
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.
I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."

Acts 14/22

" strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God"

Rev7/14

I answered, “Sir, you know.”

" And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."


2 When they say that there is no sanctification process for believers.

1 Thessalonians 5/22
"Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Thessalonians 4:7
"For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life."

1 Thessalonians 4:3

"It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality"

3 When they say that there is no judgement for believers and no need to fear.


1 Pet1/17
"Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear"

1 Pet 4/17
"For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?"


I sincerely urge all of you to stand and resist this evil teaching. Save the body of Christ from cancer of heresies.

Responsibilities of Recipients.

There are many who think once we got saved we have no further commitments to be fulfilled. For them, salvation is a gift to enjoy life in this world as they wish. I wonder, whether according to their understanding, to be a Christian means obtain a licence to do sin. They highlight the grace of God revealed though Chist Jesus. Surely grace of God saves us not our merits.
We can look in to a parable of Jesus which shows the grace of God.

Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
The servant fell on his knees before him. "Be patient with me," he begged, "and I will pay back everything." The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denari. He grabbed him and began to choke him. "Pay back what you owe me," he demanded.
His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, "Be patient with me, and I will pay you back."
But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
Then the master called the servant in. "You wicked servant," he said. "I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?" In anger his master turned him over to the jailers until he should pay back all he owed.
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart. -- Matthew 18:23-35

Lesson 1 All servants are debtors. No difference all have sinned and come short of Golry.

Lesson 2 Certain servant had a debt that was equal to 150000 times of the annual salary of a servant.

Lesson 3 It is impossible to pay the debt by ourselves.

Lesson 4 The King canceled the debt. Jesus paid it all at the cross.

Lesson 5 This man enjoys freedom from debt; But the king wanted him to show mercy to others just like he received from the King. We are called to grow to the image of Christ.Christlikeness is the assignment given for each person who recognize and enjoy the grace of God.

Lesson6 This man misunderstood the grace of the King.

Today’s popular grace preachers enjoy life and indulge in filthy world pleasures.
God wanted them to be merciful to others by hating the momentary pleasures of this passing world.

Lesson 7 This man took advantage of King’s mercy and was thrown in to the darkness.




Greatest Lesson….Jesus does not guarantee sure entrance to His kingdom for all those who receive and enjoy Grace.Many grace preachers are just ignore the commandments and warnings of the Bible.
Let us take a moment to pray for those poor ignorant grace followers.
It is dangerous to mock those who honour the word of God. They are not mere legalists they are showing what grace they just received.

Plan Provision Power

Apostle Paul prays for the recipients of the epistle to the Ephesians. Thus, his prayer is for us too.

We can read one of his prayers in Chapter 1. He is praying for the enlightenment of the eyes of our understanding.
He deeply desire that his readers know three things.

1 We must know the hope of God’s calling.
God has called us, not in vain. He called us with a plan and purpose.
We must know that there is an eternal plan about you.
Man is not a mere mortal being on this earth. He is an eternal being sent to this earth by God with a heavenly assignment.
We are not supposed to be Christians just to attain eternity, but to focus on our eternal destiny so that we might achieve a higher rank there.
Jeremiah 29/11 says that God has a plan and, project about our lives Paul wishes that each one of us could see the hope of the call. Salvation is not only about human hope, but it has something with divine hope also.

2 We must know the riches of His glory
Once we get a project the next thing we start think abut will be funds.
Here, this plan belongs to God and Paul says that funds also belong to God.
So we don’t have to rely upon the uncertain riches of this world but in the glorious riches of God.(1Tim6/17)
He is the great provider.

3 We must know the power of God
Third thing he prays that every believer must understand the power of God.
He says that this power is available for those who believe.
Now we have a plan, provision and power.
We are not just abandoned. Jesus promised that He would never leave us as orphans.
We are given a supernaturallydesigned plan. Let us pray so that we might be able to see His plan for our life.
Ephesians1/18
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

Essential Contents Of the Preaching.

Chinese cuisine is undesirable to many because of its unhealthy ingredients.

Even though they raise threat to healthy eating they add taste to that food.

Regardless of health issues people around the globe grab Chinese food.

Similarly, unhealthy contents in the preaching made the gospel tasteful but deathly. We have many thousands of seminaries and millions of preachers.

Preachers are classified in to different groups.

Each of them claims that he preaches the true gospel.

Noted apostle Rev.Manu P Cherian Canada asked me which is the true gospel.

Before, attempting to answer his question I want to make sure that you believe in the innerancy of the Bible, as well as, its inspiration.

Do you accept Paul’s letters as important as Jesus’ teachings?

Do you accept the life of Paul as true followable model of any Christian leader?

If you find any difficulty in answering these questions neither you can preach a sermon according to New Testament standards nor lead a life prescribed by New Testament writers.

What should be the contents of a Christian Preaching?

We have five sermons of Peter and seven sermons of Paul with us.

Apart these 12 we can have a lengthy sermon of Stephen also. First sermon after the resurrection of Jesus was done by Jesus himself. It was on the road towards Emmaus.

We can learn valuable lessons from these fourteen sermons.

I studied these sermons and found seven essential contents in the gospel preaching.

1 Presenting Jesus as Christ.

Jesus did this by quoting from all Old Testament books. Luke 24.

2 Preach the resurrection of Christ and resurrection of the dead.

3 Point out the eternal Judgement.

4 Preach the need of having self control

This may be an offence to modern day grace preachers.

But Paul preached self control to Felix. Acts

5 Preach the righteousness of God.

Many modern day preachers prefer to preach the love of God. They also preach the grace of God but conveniently omit these essential factors.

6 Needlessness of God.

If God is in need in any way, He can no longer be God.

Paul clearly declares this in his sermon to the people of Ethens. Acts 17.

Many of today’s worship leaders encourage people to make more sound by saying that God is a worship seeker. Actually God doesn’t need any ministry from men.

7 Preach repentance and lead people to baptism.

Some people say that repentance was preached only for people who were present in the day of Pentecost. But Paul presented repentance as a commandment of God, not as a suggestion of men. Acts

And They Went Back

Post crucifixion events are images of fear and grieve. We read in Luke chapter 24 about two disciples. They were heading towards Emmaus a village 11 km from Jerusalem.
They were going away from where they ought to be remained.
Maybe they were driving out by fear of death. We read in gospels, after the death of Jesus, all disciples were in fear. Jesus was walking with them.
But they could not recognize Jesus.
We read in verse 31 that their eyes were opened. When they saw Jesus breaking the bread, everything became clear.
They were about to take a rest. But when they see the broken bread immediately they left for Jerusalem.They were trying to save their lives by escaping from Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the most unsafe place for a disciple. The vision of the broken bread made them go back.
Jerusalem is the place of crucification of the self.
Many of us are running from Jerusalem. They were on the way of backsliding.
But still Jesus loves those who are in the way of backsliding. Many are heading towards Emmaus of false doctrines and worldly securities.
But the broken pieces of the bread ask them to go back.
Jerusalem is not only the place of the crucification. It is the place of resurrection also.
I believe those two were present in the upper room. They were two of those receive the glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
By escaping from the opposition and afflictions, we are missing great blessings of God.
May God opens our eyes too. Let us allow the broken bread to do that.

Lesson 1
Jesus prefer to walk with backsliders.

Lesson 2
Backsliders are blind to see Jesus.

Lesson 3
Backsliders like to talk about the Gospel (events in Jerusalem)

Lesson 4
The vision of broken bread can open their eyes.

Partial Truths Of New Generation Christians

Grace Preachers says that, one must die to the law in order to get married with Jesus.

If some one didn't die to the law, having a relation with Jesus is adultery.

For non- Jews it is easy to die to the law.

But New Testament asks us to die in some other areas also.

One must die to



1 The World
Gal 6/14 "By whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world"



2 The Law
Romans7/4 "So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ,



3 The Flesh
Gal 5/24 "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires"



4 The Sin
Romans 6/2 "By no means! We are those who have died to sin; "


If someone is not ready to die in this four areas, he can not remain in the truth of Christ.

Clear out your Conflicts.

Shibu Peediakal

I have been watching and studying our brethren for last many years. I have to do this as a messenger of His good news. Always encouraging the depressed and comforting the broken are part of the Christian ministry.

I met many good Christians with unanswered prayers and even ministers with unfulfilled dreams and visions.

When I saw countless unsuccessful Christians, I began to ask God for a reason of the failures of such people.

The Holy Spirit of the God helped me to find many reasons behind their problems, and I could help the majority of them to get resolved.Conflicts are one of the reasons behind our failures. How conflicts in your personal life can be hindrance to your answer from God.Here I want to share three lessons I learned .

1 Many brothers can not believe what they pray or preach.
Unless one’s prayers and desires are the same, he can not receive anything from God. He will become like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
David the man after God’s own heart prays like this

“ One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek” Psalms 27/4

Your prayers will be answered by God only where your prayers and desires coincide. Let your lips kiss your heart in prayer.Some of the believers are trying to present themselves as more spiritual by not praying the true desires of their heart.By doing this we are placing hindrances in the roadway to get the blessings of God.Who can conceal things from God?

2 Don’t expect the Holy spirit will grand you a certain gift you criticize regularly.
We may have disagreements with certain ministries. Some brothers criticize certain ministers and try to bring disgrace to their achievements. Ironically, at the same time majority of these people secretly covet what they publicly criticize.

For example, someone criticizes the ministry of slaying in the spirit and healing practiced by Benny Hinn and others. But secretly he desires for a ministry like that. Bible asks us to do not deceive ourselves.

3 Do not preach a doctrine that you can not practice.
I know many preachers who preach against the love of money. Some of the most greedy persons whom I know personally are among these holy megaphones. Some preachers are against the prosperity but enjoy all kind of luxuries. Some other preachers say that they have a great burden for the lost world but spend more days in a year in, America and Europe. They never visited Sri Lanka or Nepal. They shout that America is not an ideal place for genuine believers but never fail to make frequent visits to America. Some are against worldliness and materialism but they insist on using the most advanced electronic devices.

I urge you to consider these and examine yourseles .Perhaps that will help us to get out from , self deception and hypocracy.

Four Gardens

Jesus said that His father is a gardener.
John 15/1 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.”
In the Bible we can see few gardens of which God as the gardener.

Garden#1 Garden of Good Conscience
The first Garden we see in the Bible is the garden of Eden.
God put Adam and Eve in the garden and gave them all authorities.
But the enemy of God deceived them and they lost their paradise.
In the first garden man disobeyed God.It is the garden of disobedience.

Garden #2 Garden of the Law
We can see God call Israelites a garden through prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 5 /1,2
“ I will sing for the one I love
a song about his vineyard:
My loved one had a vineyard
on a fertile hillside.
He dug it up and cleared it of stones
and planted it with the choicest vines.
He built a watchtower in it
and cut out a winepress as well.
Then he looked for a crop of good grapes,
but it yielded only bad fruit”
Old Testament Israel was a garden.There was a very good fence of the Law.
But the law could not protect the garden and it failed to yield fruits for the master.

Jesus clearly says that His father continuously searching for the fruits.
Luke 20/9
“He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. 10 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard”
Old Testament Israel could not bring any fruit before God.
Luke 13/6
“ Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.”
Here again Jesus portrays His father as a gardener.

Garden#3 Garden Of Obedience
In the garden of Gethsamene Jesus chose to obey His father
Mathew 26 /42
“He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. “

Garden#4 Garden of Grace
This is the fourth and last garden of God.It is eternal.
Church is His garden.Solomon could forsee the beauty and fruitfulness of this garden
Songs 4/16
“Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.”
This garden is eternal and we can see this garden in the New Jerusalem also
Revelation 22/2
“In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
Dear fellow believer
We are His garden.1Corinthians3/16 we are God’s field.
He expect us to bear fruits for Him.
John15/16
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. “

Let us bear fruits for Him.