Why Are We Here?

For what purpose are we here on earth? We are here on earth in order to know and to love God, to do good according to his will, and to go someday to heaven. To be a human being means to come from God and to go to God. Our origin goes back farther than our parents. We come from God, in whom all the happiness of heaven and earth is at home, and we are expected in his everlasting, infinite blessedness. Meanwhile we live on this earth. Sometimes we feel that our Creator is near; often we feel nothing at all. So that we might find the way home, God sent us his Son, who freed us from sin, delivers us from all evil, and leads us unerringly into true life. He is "the way, and the truth, and the life" (Jn 14:6). (YOUCAT question 1)

What is faith? 

Faith is the power by which we assent to God, acknowledge his truth, and commit ourselves personally to him.

Faith is the path created by God leading to the truth that is God himself. Because Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6), this faith cannot be merely an attitude or “confidence” about something or other. On the one hand, the faith has definite contents, which the Church professes in the Creed (= profession of faith), and it is her duty to safeguard them. Anyone who wants to accept the gift of faith, in other words, anyone who wants to believe, acknowledges this faith, which has been preserved constantly through the ages and in many different cultures. On the other hand, part of faith is a trusting relationship to God with heart and mind, with all one’s emotional strength. For faith becomes effective only through charity, practical love (see Gal 5:6). Whether someone really believes in the God of love is shown, not in his solemn affirmations, but rather in charitable deeds. 

What is hope? 

Hope is the power by which we firmly and constantly long for what we were placed on earth to do: to praise God and to serve him; and for our true happiness, which is finding our fulfillment in God; and for our final home: in God.

Hope is trusting in what God has promised us in creation, in the prophets, but especially in Jesus Christ, even though we do not yet see it. God’s Holy Spirit is given to us so that we can patiently hope for the Truth.  What is charity?  

Charity is the power by which we, who have been loved first by God, can give ourselves to God so as to be united with him and can accept our neighbor for God’s sake as unconditionally and sincerely as we accept ourselves.

Jesus places love above all laws, without however abolishing the latter. Therefore St. Augustine rightly says, “Love, and do what you will.” Which is not at all as easy as it sounds. That is why charity, love, is the greatest virtue, the energy that inspires all the other virtues and fills them with divine life. (YOUCAT questions 307-309)

Resurrection Life

Truly,truly, I say to you,unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but it dies, it bears much fruit (Jn 12:24) In the initial stage, the Christian enjoys that honeymoon time with the Lord, basking in the sunshine of God's love,high up on that stalk,like a kernel of wheat, enjoying the myriad of conferences and prayer meetings. But after a while he begins to realize that all is not well as his old-self keeps getting in the way pulling him down mant time and ruining his testimony.Try as he might live a self-less and holy life, he is beset with failure after failure. Soon he begins to long for the Christ Life within, to be able to walk more in the Spirit and less in the flesh. In response to that heart-cry, the Heavenly Gardener, begins to loosen the golden kernel of wheat from its comfortable nest high up on the stalk and lets it fell down into the dark damp ground where the sunshine does not reach all is dark and uncomfortable. Further, the grain is trampled upon and crushed and put to death is slow agonizing phases. Needless to say, this is a time for much bewilderment, pain and confusion in the Christian's life. What we cannot see at this time is that the shiny kernel of golden wheat though beautiful to look at, possesses a hard exterior that prohibits life from coming forth. This is true of any seed,no matter how rare or precious it is. It is only when that grain or seed falls to the ground and dies that the germ of life contained within can come out and yield new life. If it does not die, it remains alone with all its hardness and earthly glory. But only if it dies, can the life contained within come forth and yield new life in return. This is a vital stage in the Christian's growth and little does he realize how "on track with God" he is. The above scripture in Jn 12: 24 clearly reveals to us another of God's paradoxical principles at work here, which is life out of death. Without death, there can be no life. Calvary proceeds Pentecost. Crucifixion precedes Resurrection and so Death precedes Life. There are many programs and self-help techniques that claim to make you alive and indeed they may seem to posses life, but it will not be resurrection life can only come forth after one has died. Jesus could only enter into His resurrection after He had first entered into His death. God works by paradox. The way up is the way down, success comes via failure, life springs out of death, etc. The only element in the believer's life that crumbles is that which has to go anyway.. the new life can never be harmed or afflicted. This disintegration is something the believer cannot enter into nor engineer on his own- self will never cast out self. He has to be led into it by the mercy of the Holy Spirit- into failure; abject and total. "For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest of our mortal flesh" (2 Cor 4:11). So often the means utilized by the Spirit is an unregenerate spouse, the boss in the office, poor health, etc. A thousand and one things are used by Him - in fact, everything (Romans 8:28-29), to bring out the worst in us, ultimately enabling us to see that the Christian life has to be "not I, but Christ." People, circumstances, etc.,are never the cause of failure. Self's reaction to them is the cause, and the one problem to be dealt with. "It's me, it's me O Lord."" Application: Beloved, first realize that you are precious in God's sight; the apple of His eye. He lays a premium on His ultimate purpose for you. which is to conform you into the image and likeness of His Son Jesus Christ (Rom 8:29). Do not be dismayed or discouraged that your flesh is being broken down. It is necessary, for God can only use a broken man who does not rely on himself, but totally on Christ. For it is only this Christ-Life within that can reproduce the Christ-Life without. So instead of grumbling and complaining and going from pillar to be prayed over, sit still and start to thank God for what HE is doing in your life, for your life,is in HIS hands, remember! And He who has started this good work within you is faithful and will bring to completion that He has started (Phil 1:6). ,

The Bible Speaks today

"FOR THE TIME IS COMING WHEN PEOPLE WILL NO LONGER ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE,BUT WILL BE EAGER TO HEAR WHAT IS NEW, THAT THEY WILL NEVER HAVE ENOUGH TEACHERS AFTER THEIR OWN LIKING.
AND THEY WILL ABANDON THE TRUTH TO HEAR FABLES." (2 TIMOTHY 4: 3-4)

Has this time come? Does the Word that is preached these days divide between soul and spirit? Does it upset our comfort zones? No one likes to be uncomfortable in their own homes. Nor do people like to be uncomfortable in the prayer meeting or the Church.Many today resist teaching that is direct and convicting because many do not want to hear that there is something wrong with the lifestyle they live, or perhaps even the doctrine they hold. Should the church adjust so as not to offend? Recently I had to point out to a young Christian about watching movies that glorified witchcraft and the occult. It turned out to be a tussle as he did not see why such a fuss was being made when everyone his age was watching the same.

Leaders among God's people have a responsibility to set an example as well as teach the truth of holiness as taught in the scriptures. Though many will not want to hear it, for their sake and for our own, we should resist the temptation to omit difficult doctrines, oversimplifying moral issues, and the tendency to gravitate towards comfortable sermons in order to "gain an audience". We have a plethora of tele-evangelists today who preach a "prosperity" gospel promising the same wealth of Old Testament times oa a "name it and claim it" basis, clearly forgetting that the advent of Christ on earth heralded a new dispensation in which even He (Jesus) did not have a place to lay His head.They forgot that He did not arrive in Ferrari nor did He wear the latest branded clothes, but barely made it to a stable wrapped in swaddling cloths. If no disciple can be greater than his master, then how can we the disciples of Christ command God for wealth and riches. 

The next danger comes from the affinity for sensationalism that thrills and excites the senses. This is largely because having lived by the senses all along, we naturally tend to enter the Christian Life through the doorway of experiences rather than the doorway of sound doctrine. We need to realize that if we enter by the doorway of sound doctrine, our lives will be built on rock and the experience that follow (if any), will be right. If we enter through the doorway of experiences,then our lives will be built on sand and will be shaky, lacking the surety of faith that comes from the facts of God's Word (See Rom 10:17). APPLICATION: We have not headed Jesus' warning of MT 24:24- For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. It is the foreboding thought that even God's chosen people will be susceptible and fall prey to the devious schemes of the enemy who struts around like an angel of light. To be protected against this we need the solid meat of the Word (sound doctrine) which is for the mature who through practice have their senses trained to discern between good and evil (Heb 5:14).

THE BIBLE SPEAKS TODAY

THE BIBLE SPEAKS TODAY

INSPIRED SCRIPTURES:
 "All is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for refroof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work"

When God made a prophet, He did not unmake the man. The personality,mental traits, and even the forms of literary expression of the human authors, were left and perfectly free.

For eg: - The meekness of Moses, the burning sarcasm of Isaiah; the tender pathos of Jeremiah; the deep philosophy of John & the clear and sharp logic of Paul, all clearly reflect the human instrumentality.

"ALL these were truly and really their own. As every pipe of the organ is so fashioned that it might give one note and not another- and yet all are filled by the same breath-so, these souls, of humanity and the circumstances of their lives, were made each to give out his own note, yet all were filled by the breath of the Divine Spirit,that has made these human and yet divine utterances ring with a melody unquenched and unquenchable" (George Henderson). "When we say that God is the author, we mean the Holy Scripture is inspired by God. It was God who breathed into those 40 authors...." (Jerome - Doctor of Biblical Science).

Therefore, scripture becomes the written Word of God that is Spirit & Life to them that feed upon its pages, carefully searching it for food, light and life itself. Since the potency behind the written words is God Himself, it carries the sharpness of a two-edged sword, with ability to divide between soul and spirit, bone and marrow and reveal the innermost thoughts and intents of the heart. All that man would hide from God through the deceitfulness of his  (man's) heart is laid and revealed before the mirror of His Word. Hence, since it is really God speaking through its pages (and not man), it is vitally important that the Christian counts upon it daily as manna for his sustenance. Manna that cannot be kept over for the next day, but must be gathered afresh daily, lest it spoil. When we come to the Word, it must not be an academic exercise, but to fellowship with Him, for He and His Word are one (see John 1:1). Also, He does not cast His pearls (deep insights of truth) before anyone, but to the hungry searching heart, He reveals all.

It is therefore profitable for teaching God's truth, for pointing the way (direction), for rebukes when necessary, for correction and chastisement when needed, all of which have one positive end - to train the Man & Woman of God in all righteousness - in all the ways of God, so that we may be made ready (equipped) for every good work.

Application:
Just as we need daily physical  food for our earthly sustenance, daily feeding upon the Word is required for our spiritual sustenance, for man cannot live by bread alone (Mt 4:4). Fix a time and a place and make this daily time of sweet fellowship, where none will interrupt, and watch how the God breathed Word becomes a fire that burns within and a river of life that flows in you and out of you to a needy word.

ABIDING IN VINE:
(Read John 15:1-8) Abide in me and I in you.As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless you abide in me (John 15:4) The Quality of the fruit of the branch depends upon the quality of the life of the vine. Neither quality nor quality is the product of the branch, for the branch merely receives what is produced by the vine. It is useless for the branch to struggle and strive to produce, for that is not its task. In fact however hard it may try, it will produce nothing.on the contrary it is the task of the vine to supply all the sap (life) needed; it is the task of the vine to produce the fruit at the end of the branch; it is the task of the branch to just abide quietly in utter dependence and obedience where it had been placed. To walk with God in close relationship is not only the secret of joy and growth; it is the condition of all acceptable service, and all real usefulness (fruit). The value of what we do depends very much upon what we are. And what we are depends upon where we abide in.The most usefule Christian is the one that abides habitually in the secret place of the Most High. It is from this abiding position that our Lord the Vine provides all that His branches will ever need for fruit-bearing. Straining and driving effort does not accomplish the work that God gives a man to do; we must partake of Christ so fully that He more than fills the life. It will then be not overwork but overflow of the Christ-Life within. To "abide" means to stand fast, to remain,to go on being; to reside. As we abide in and fellowship of with the Vine, and thereby come to know Him more fully, the fruit of His Life is manifested in us. Fruit is not produced by making fruit an object, nor by thinking of fruit; it is the outcome of having the Lord Jesus as our object. Our abiding-place is in the light and in the Holy of Holies." Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh...let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith..."(Heb. 10:19-22)

New HEAVEN And A New EARTH

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.(Rev 21:1). The dream of the new heaven and a new earth was deep in Jewish thought. God said to Isaiah "For behold, I create new heavens and new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind." (Is 65:17). Isaiah speaks of the new heaven and the new earth which God will make; in which life will be one continual act of worship (Is 66:22-23). This is the promise of the new creation which will endure to eternity. The first heaven will pass away, and the new heaven will appear and this new new creation will last for ever, Sorrow is to be forgotten; sin is to be vanquished; darkness is to be ended and everlasting eternity should take the place of temporary time. This continuing belief is a witness to three things- to the unquenchable immortal longings in man's soul, to man's inherit sense of sin and to man's faith in God. The long awaited era of salvation: In Hosea 2:16 this is described as the marriage of God with his people. Hosea 2:20 says: "I will betroth you to me in faithfulness; and you shall know the Lord". In Joel 3:17 to 20, God's dwelling with His people is seen. This is the state when all evil has been wiped away: "He will swallow up death for ever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken" {Is 25:8). In Revelations 21:2, we find the dream of the Jews which never died-the dream of the restoration of Jerusalem, the Holy City. According to the philosophical thought of Plato, all things on earth are imperfect copies of heavenly realities. If that be so, their is a heavenly Jerusalem of which the earthly Jerusalem is an imperfect copy. Paul thinks of this when he speaks of the Jerusalem that is above in Galatians 4:26 and the author of Hebrews 12:22. It is said that God made the heavenly Jerusalem before he made Paradise and that Adam saw it before he sinned, that it was shown in a vision to Abraham and that Moses saw it on Mount Sinai and that it is now present with God. There is yet another concept of the New Jerusalem which is Jewish and is there in the synagogue form of their prayer. John's visions of the New Jerusalem uses and amplifies many of the dreams of prophets. Isaiah had his dream: "O afflicted one, storm tossed, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones" (Is 54: 11-12). This stream continues also in Isaiah 60: 10-20 also. Haggai had his dream: "The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the Lord of hosts" )Haggai 2:9). In Tobit 13: 16-18 also we find the same expectation being reiterated. New Jerusalem was a constant dream; and John lovingly collected the different visions-the precious stones,the streets and buildings of gold, the ever open gates, the coming of the nations and the bringing of their gifts- into his own. Here is faith. Even when Jerusalem was obliterated, the Jews never lost confidence that God would restore it. They express their hopes in terms of material things; but these are merely symbols of the certainty that there is eternal bliss for the faithful people of God. God's promise to make Israel his people and to be their God echoes throughout the Old Testament."I will make my abode among you...and I will walk among you, and will be your God,and you shall be my people" (Leviticus 26:11,12). In Jeremiah's account of the new covenant the promise of God is: " I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (Jer 31:33). The promise to Exekiel is: "My dwelling place shall be with them; and I will be their God,and they shall be my people" (Ez 37:27). The highest promise of all is intimate fellowship with God,in which we can say: "I am my beloveds, and my beloved is mine" (Song of Songs 6:3). This fellowship with God is repeated in Revelations 21:3 and 4. The culmination of this is seen in Revelations chapter 21:5 "Behold I make all things new". In Revelations Chapter 22 verses 1-5 speaks about the river of life. The river of life is the depiction of the Holy Spirit.It is in the fulness of the Holy Spirit that the Church attains the totality of Christ's glory. This present period of history is known as the age of the Holy Spirit and is the time of the spring rain(Zech 10:1) or the time of the greatest activity of the Spirit that the Church has known. The promise of God is: "I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old man shall dream dreams, and your young man shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days I will pour out my spirit" (Joel 2:28-29)God's promised Messiah was Spirit-filled in Luke 4:18. Fifty days after the resurrection of Christ, the promise made regarding the sending of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled. The Holy Spirit came on the disciples waiting in the Upper Room and there were several evidences like wind from heaven, flames of fire and speaking in tongues. This phenomenon is being continued even today and is referred to as Baptism in the Holy spirit. Being anointed with the Spirit, being filled with the spirit and being Baptized in the spirit. This is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit for the renewal of the Church. Renewal is the renewal of the Baptism we received as a child. By the sacrament of Baptism, all sins were washed away, we became children of God and heirs to the kingdom of God,and we entered into the fellowship of the members of the body of Christ, the Church and were empowered by the reception of the Holy Spirit to live like children of God.This sacrament of Baptism is a sacrament of Faith. As a child when we received the sacrament, it was our parents and god-parents who proclaimed our faith in our behalf. When we grew up and participated in a retreat, seminar or a convention and came to a new realization of the love of God, our sinfulness and received the sacrament of reconciliation and prayed for a new infilling of the Holy Spirit by proclaiming our faith and accepting Jesus as Master and Lord, then we received a new infilling of the Holy Spirit and this is called the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is the basics of Renewal. The promise of God regarding 'New heaven and new earth' in the Old Testament times and the promise of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ prior to his ascension into heaven regarding the sending of the Holy Spirit are both being realized to day in our midst through the Renewal. Praise the Lord! Today it is for us, who have experienced this promise come true in our lives, both in the Renewal and the Church to proclaim with Peter and John 'For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard' (Acts 4:20). Our experience of salvation should prompt us to proclaim like the Apostles,the mighty gift of God in our lives. Jesus tells the man need from a legion of demons 'go home to your family and tell them how much God has done for you,and how he had mercy on you' (Mk 5:19) Those of us who have experienced this gift of the Holy Spirit should have a zeal for the Gospel that is a desire that Jesus Christ be known, loved and served by all men and women. Zeal for the Gospel is an unquenchable fire in the heart which cannot be extinguished and it seeks to set fire to others. This zeal cannot be stopped because of human respect, existing structures,or fear of misguided prudence. "Woe to me if I do not preach the "Gospel" (1Cor 9:16). Good News has to be brought to the people with the plan of God in their historical, social and cultural context. Gospel has to become alive through the transformation of situations of sin. The messenger has to become the message: believe what you preach and live what you believe so that you may become a true witness to the message and with Paul we may be able to say "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1Cor 11:1) Let us pray our Lord For this grace in our lives especially during this New Year so that we may become true messengers of the New Heaven and New Earth! Wish you all a very HAPPY AND GIFTED NEW YEAR!