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January 2021 PAGES 52 ` 20/-
Fresh Start
Vol. 50 / No. 1
AIM Annual Subscription for
India, Nepal & Bhutan Rs. 200/-
(Other countries $ 20)
A monthly publication of EFI Publication Trust
Editorial Understanding our Times - The Call for
Rev. Vijayesh Lal .......................................4 Christian Witness to Freedom and Hope
Mr. John Amalraj .....................................29
Great Is Your Faithfulness
Rev. Dr. David Mende ................................7 How much does Jesus matter to us?
Mrs. Surinder Kaur Lal .............................33
New Year Priorities
Rev. Dr. Duke Jeyaraj ..............................11 The Cross of Christ
Rev. Dr. Francis Sunderaraj ......................35
20-20 Vision isn't Enough
Rev. Kuruvilla Chandy ..............................15 How my Lord Jesus delivered me from
Covid death
Reflection History and Future Dr. P V Cherian .......................................39
Rev. Dr. JN Manokaran ............................20
EFI Ministry Report - EFICAR
G. The fruit of the Holy Spirit (Part 2) - Mrs. Aashima Samuel ..............................43
Rev. Richard Masih ..................................24
Prayer
..............................................................47
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3◄JANUARY 2021/AIM
Editorial
Rev. Vijayesh Lal
Empowered by the God of hope
A new year, and the people look videos of the great Indian migrant
forward to a fresh start, renewed exodus? The photo of a young child
resolve, a new energy. The crying for food besides his dead
anticipation was even more this New mother, or the exhausted child who
Year eve as 2020 has largely been a slept on a suitcase as his mother
year of social disruption, economic pulled the wheeled luggage. The
catastrophe, and heartbreak. The pain has been very real.
Covid-19 pandemic has brought the
But we have also seen the good in
world to a standstill, its people to the
humanity this year. Random
brink of terminal despair.
networks sprang up, and good
But as hard as 2020 has been, can we Samaritans worked tirelessly to
still be thankful for it? provide relief to the afflicted. We
witnessed the heroic courage of the
The losses have been deeply
medical fraternity as they put their
personal and have been felt
lives on the line to take care of the
throughout our social circles and
infected and the sick. Helplines
families. We have also seen the blow
came up, manned by young men and
of the pandemic aggravated because
women willing to listen to
of incompetent and kneejerk
traumatised callers, and counsel
government reactions. Who can
them, soothe their nerves, relieve
forget the heartrending images and
4◄JANUARY 2021/AIM
their fears with assurances of hope. something that is sorely needed. Our
The digital footprint in the world hope cannot rest just on the vaccines
grew larger as our devices brought us promised to us by scientists and
closer in a virtual world. Some governments. Our hope cannot be
companies sacrificed instant profits based on technology for the above
to make the necessary tools available reasons as well. Our governments
for free so that the world could cannot give us hope, neither can our
connect. There is much to be politicians or religious leaders.
thankful for and to appreciate, even
There is nowhere that we can find
in 2020.
hope except in God.
On a personal level, we can be
The Bible tells us that God is the
thankful that we still have breath in
source of hope. He is identified as
our bodies, that we still have life.
the God of Hope. “May the God of
Many of us have families, food on
hope fill you with all joy and peace
the table, and have friends with
as you trust in him, so that you may
whom we can still connect. That is
overflow with hope by the power of
something for which we can really
the Holy Spirit.” (Romans15:13)
be grateful. Food on the table in a
world where 25,000 people die every The Psalmist says, “But now, Lord,
day of hunger is a big privilege. India what do I look for? My hope is in
itself loses 7,000 people daily to you.” (Psalm 39:7)
hunger. The covid-19 pandemic
cannot claim numbers of the dead in God himself is our Hope. He is the
the same league as hunger does. And sure foundation on which all hope
hunger is preventable. Eradicating it rests. It is because He is good and the
should be on our priority list along source of everything that is good.
with Covid-19. This should be food What is more is that He is aware of
for thought as we go into 2021 and the despair that we can feel; He is
should prompt us to action rather aware of the struggles we go
than to a state of hopelessness. through, and the hopelessness that
chases us. But that is not all. He is not
Dostoevsky famously said, “To live only good and aware of all that we go
without Hope is to cease to live.” In a through, but He also engages with us
world that is dark and cold, hope is
5◄JANUARY 2021/AIM
and remains with us in our struggles an escape or fanciful thinking, a
and works with us to produce that weary longing for a pie in the sky. It
which is good even out of situations has consequences in the here and
that seem bleak. now. Because we are a people of
hope, we engage in a world that
That is why the Lord Jesus Christ
seems devoid of it, we refuse to
came and shared our humanity. We
accept the bleakness. We roll up our
just celebrated His coming into the
sleeves and join with God in His
world. That is why He chose the
mission of hope, of repairing broken
cross and then rose from the dead.
lives, setting the oppressed free,
His resurrection is triumph over
ushering in justice, mercy, grace and
death, and the reason for our hope.
God’s truth of salvation.
And now we wait in anticipation for
His second coming, for He shall So, as we enter the new year, let us
restore everything according to enter with thankfulness for the year
God’s design and for His glory. That gone by and with hope for the year
is why we are hopeful people for we that we have entered in because the
know how the story ends. God of hope is with us.
And yet, hope for a Christian is not Rev. Vijayesh Lal
"I can endure all these things through
the power of the one who gives me strength."
— Philippians 4:13
6◄JANUARY 2021/AIM
Great Is Your
Faithfulness
Rev. Dr. David Mende
Introduction 1. We Can Have Hope in the Midst
The solar-powered airplane Solar of Grief by Recalling the Goodness
Impulse can fly day and night of the Lord (Lam. 3:21-23).
without fuel. Inventors Bertrand We cannot create hope by denying
Piccard and André Borschberg hope our circumstances or minimizing our
to fly it around the world in 2015 suffering. Rather, we can have hope
(and they did fly between March 9, when we turn our attention to God.
2015, to July 26, 2016). While the The author draws hope in the midst
plane flies all day by solar power, it of grief by focusing on God's
gathers enough energy to be able to character (v. 21). In the same way,
fly all night. When the sun rises, we can find hope when we focus on
Piccard says, “It brings the hope God's character. When we feel
again that you can continue.” The hopeless or depressed, we must
idea of sunrise bringing us hope consider the right things. Our
makes me think of Lamentations 3.1 spiritual vision can be clouded if we
Lamentations 3:21-24 tells us that ponder on the wrong things. Even in
we can experience steadfast love and the stormy clouds, we can see a
mercies of the Lord in a fresh way rainbow if we can look above instead
with every sunrise. 2020 has been a of looking at our circumstances. In
difficult year for people around the times of difficulties, we must look to
world. But God's Word reminds us Jesus, the founder and perfecter of
that we can make a fresh start by our faith (Heb. 12:1-2). The
hoping in the Lord. goodness of the Lord is seen in four
aspects:
The main message I want to share in
this article is: Hope in the Lord by a. He recalled that the steadfast
focusing on his goodness and love of the Lord never ceases (v.
making him your portion. 22).
7◄JANUARY 2021/AIM
While NIV translates the phrase in love and faithfulness.'” Though the
verse 22 as “because of the Lord's Lord drove into the author's kidneys
great love we are not consumed,” “the arrows of his quiver” (3:13), he
ESV translates this verse as “The still proclaims that God's mercies
steadfast love of the Lord never (plural form of mercy) never come to
ceases.” The Bible affirms both an end. The author reminded himself
views. As NIV puts it, the reason you that though God judged his people
and I are alive this day is because of severely, his mercies never come to
the steadfast love of the Lord. The end. Even as God punished his
word translated as “steadfast love” is people, he was doing it out of
hesed (plural form of hesed is used in compassion for them. God is
3:22) which refers to the covenant ceaselessly compassionate.
love and loyalty of the Lord. Even Someone said, “God's wrath comes
the ESV (which some scholars by measure; his mercy without
believe is more literal) is also true as measure.” As Lamentations 3:31-32
the second line of verse 22 suggests. says, “For the Lord will not cast off
God's steadfast love never ceases. forever, but, though he causes grief,
Listen to what the psalmist writes: he will have compassion according
to the abundance of his steadfast
“Your steadfast love, O LORD, love.” Jesus demonstrated the
extends to the heavens, your steadfast love and mercies of God
faithfulness to the clouds. Your through his sacrifice on the cross!
righteousness is like the mountains
of God; your judgments are like the c. He recalled that God's steadfast
great deep; man and beast you save, love and mercies are new every
O LORD…. How precious is your
morning (v. 23).
steadfast love, O God! The children
God's steadfast love and mercies are
of mankind take refuge in the
new every morning. They are not
shadow of your wings” (Ps. 36:5, 7).
stale. We receive fresh steadfast love
and mercies each day. Since God's
We may be down, but not out
steadfast love and mercies are new
because the steadfast love of the
Lord never ceases. every morning, you can claim fresh
love and mercies for the new year.
b. He recalled that God's mercies No matter how bad the last year has
(or compassions) never come to an been, as God's people, we can look
end (v. 22). forward to the new year with hope
Verse 22 echoes Exodus 34:6: “The and faith. No matter how much
LORD passed before him and you've messed up in the last year,
proclaimed, 'The LORD, the LORD, you can start all over again because
a God merciful and gracious, slow to God's steadfast love and mercies are
anger, and abounding in steadfast new every morning!
8◄JANUARY 2021/AIM
In Exodus 16, we read that God “No temptation has overtaken you
provided manna to the Israelites in that is not common to man. God is
the wilderness daily. In Matthew faithful, and he will not let you be
6:11, the Lord taught us to pray, tempted beyond your ability, but
“Give us this day our daily bread.” In with the temptation he will also
the same way, we receive God's provide the way of escape, that you
steadfast love and mercy each day. may be able to endure it” (1 Cor.
That's why the psalmist says, “For 10:13).
his anger is but for a moment, and his
favor is for a lifetime” (Ps. 30:5). “If we confess our sins, he is faithful
God's steadfast love and mercies are and just to forgive us our sins and to
new every morning. cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
(1 Jn 1:9).
d. He recalled that God's
faithfulness is great (v. 23). Even when we suffer, we can entrust
The Israelites were unfaithful to our souls to the faithful Creator (1
God. That's why they were punished Pet. 4:19). God's faithfulness is
through exile. But God's faithfulness great! Like Job, we can hope in God
is great! Even as God judged the even in the midst of trials and
Israelites, he was faithful in difficulties: “Though he slay me, I
executing his justice as he had will hope in him” (Job 13:15). Now,
promised earlier. Since we are may I request you all to close your
humans, we are unfaithful to the eyes and to recall the worst loss that
Lord sometimes. But since he's God, has ever occurred to you. For me, it
he is always faithful! As Paul writes, was losing my parents in a gap of
“if we are faithless, he remains three months. Now imagine your
faithful—for he cannot deny worst loss and imagine witnessing
himself” (2 Tim. 2:13). that loss right in front of your eyes.
And say to yourself: “The steadfast
Like the author, we can say, “You love of the LORD never ceases; his
came near when I called on you; you mercies never come to an end; they
said, Do not fear” (Lam. 3:57)! Jesus are new every morning; great is your
said that he is the truth (Jn 14:6). In faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22-23). Do
other words, he is faithful. God is you find it difficult to say those
faithful all the time. Let me give you words as you recollect your great
a few scriptures which speak of loss?
God's faithfulness:
The author's circumstances didn't
“Your faithfulness endures to all change. Yet, he was hopeful because
generations; you have established he recollected God's goodness. We
the earth, and it stands fast” (Ps. can experience the same hope if we
119:90). focus on God's goodness.
9◄JANUARY 2021/AIM
Remember: life is hard, but God is all of us. But as we have stepped into
good! another year, let our hearts be full of
hope and full of faith. Let's focus on
2. We Can Have Hope in the Midst God's goodness: (a) His steadfast
of Grief by Making God as Our love never ceases. (b) His mercies
Portion (Lam. 3:24). never come to an end; they are new
In the Old Testament, God told the every morning. (c) His faithfulness
Levites, “You shall have no is great! Let's make God our portion.
inheritance in their land, neither Then, we will live each day full of
shall you have any portion among hope, faith, and joy!
them. I am your portion and your
inheritance among the people of P.S. This article is adapted from Dr.
Israel” (Num. 18:20). Even in Psalm David Mende's book, Powerful
119:57, the psalmist says that God is Sermons for Special Occasions. You
his portion. Further, in Psalm 16:5, may contact him for copies of this
the psalmist says, “The LORD is my book.
chosen portion and my cup.” The
author had hope in God because he
made God his portion.
We cannot have hope without first
making the Lord as our portion. We
will be truly satisfied when God
alone is our portion. God must be our
treasure and inheritance! Is God
your portion? The Lord is more
valuable than a piece of land, an
inheritance, gold and silver, bank
balance, loved ones (family and Rev. Dr. David Mende
friends), food, fame, sex, is the pastor-teacher at El-Shaddai
smartphones, job, business, and Assembly of God Church
everything else! Don't keep (elshaddaiag.in) in Hyderabad. He also
grumbling and complaining about serves as an adjunct faculty member at
your circumstances. Make God your Southern Asia Bible College (SABC) in
portion and rejoice about that Bangalore, Hyderabad Institute of
Theology and Apologetics (HITHA) in
glorious fact! Then, you can Hyderabad, and SUM Bible College &
experience unwavering hope. Theological Seminary in California,
USA. He can be reached at +91
Conclusion 9 8 4 8 0 0 4 0 9 4 a n d
2020 has been extremely painful for davemende@gmail.com.
1. Preceptaustin.org, “Devotionals From Our Daily Bread,”
https://www.preceptaustin.org/lamentations_devotionals (accessed 30 December 2018).
10◄JANUARY 2021/AIMPRIORITIES WE MUST HAVE
YEAR AFTER YEAR
Rev. Dr. Duke Jeyaraj
An annual master health checkup is that festival that a dance was a noted
recommended by many. What the feature (Judges 21:21). The people
things that God's Word says we must of Israel could not sit in one place
do year after year? when they thought of the good things
the Lord had done for them. They,
The word yearly or annually occurs especially the women, had to get up
quite a few times in the Bible. Some and dance in the Lord's presence! In
of these Bible references give us this year, we must resolve to be
indications about things that the people who worship God!
Lord wants us to do on a yearly basis.
These would give us a clue as to what A devotional reading from Our Daily
kind of New Year resolutions we Bread reading made this fabulous
should be taking. These Bible suggestion which will help us
passages talk about the priorities we practically execute this New Year
must have as believers year after resolution: During daily family
year. prayer, each family member could
talk about the blessings God gave
THE YEAR OF GOD-WORSHIP them on that day. This could be jotted
This New Year, we must resolve to down in a small sheet of paper. On a
worship God more. Judges 21:19 typical day, a family may have four
which tells us that there was an or five points for praising God, if
annual festival of the Lord in Shiloh, each family member spoke up. Each
gives me the specific inspiration for such point should make into a fresh
this New Year resolution. It was in chit of paper. These chits should be
11◄JANUARY 2021/AIMrolled and tossed in a 'thanksgiving saying, “May the LORD give you
bowl'. An empty fish tank bowl can children by this woman in place of
be used. This should be done daily the one she dedicated to the LORD.”
through the year. And when 31 Then they would go home' (I Sam.
December comes, you can fish out 2:18-20). We know that Samuel's
these chits from the bowl and read mom, Hannah, was barren for many
them out in mega family years. And God did a miracle and
thanksgiving prayer once again, gave her a son. After Samuel,
praising God for the wonderful way, Hannah's son, was weaned, he was
He graciously took care of us in that left in the house of the Lord. He
particular year! If Eric Yuan, the assisted the priest Eli in God's house.
founder of Zoom was a believer, and Every year, Samuel's mom made a
if he wrote out these kinds of little robe, travelled to where he was
thanksgiving chits, this would been and gave it to him. Wow! This act of
an entry on the April 30, 2020: 'God Hannah inspires each one of us who
enabled the company I founded, are part of a family to unselfishly do
Zoom, to jump 10 million daily loving acts that will put a smile on
meeting participants in December the faces of other family members.
2019, to 300 million' (Time, As husbands, we must resolve this
December 21-28, 2020, p.72). New Year to do something special
for our wives! As wives, we need to
T H E Y E A R O F FA M I LY- resolve this New Year to do
WOWING something special for our husbands!
The New Year should be a year in
As children, we need to resolve this
which you resolve to be a more
New Year to do something special
responsible family person. The Lord
for our parents! As siblings, we need
has graciously added the New Year
to resolve to do something special
into our life so that we can take good
for your other siblings! Taking good
care of our families. When I read this
care of our families must be part and
portion of Scripture, this New Year
parcel of our annual New Year
Resolution inspiration came to me:
resolution list! Why not place a
'Now Samuel was ministering before
carefully planned and cheerfully
the LORD—a boy wearing a linen
executed family holiday in the list of
ephod. Each year his mother would
'to do' things this year? We can learn
make him a little robe and bring it to
from Virat Kohli in this regard. He
him when she went with her husband
decided to take paternity leave early
to offer the annual sacrifice. And Eli
in 2020 should the time of his wife
would bless Elkanah and his wife,
Anushka's delivery come even
12◄JANUARY 2021/AIMduring an important Cricket tour! themselves, to destroy, kill, and
annihilate all the forces of any
THE YEAR OF SIN-BEATING people or province hostile to them,
What are pointers in God's Word including women and children, and
when it comes to New Year to plunder their possessions” (Esther
resolutions? The New year should be 8:11). “Each and every year” this
a year of Satan-beating! The God- celebration of God-orchestrated
given New Year should be a year miracle victory over their enemies
when we win over Satan! I get the was done among the Jews (Esther
inspiration to form this resolution 9:24-27).
from the book of Esther. Here, we
read the following: “Mordecai Our primary enemy is Satan. We
recorded these events and sent letters sometimes think a certain individual
to all the Jews in all the provinces of is our enemy. We do not think of
King Xerxes, both near and far, to Satan who is perhaps behind that
establish 'among them an annual individual, instigating that
'celebration ''on the fourteenth and individual to act against us and
fifteenth days of the month 'of Adar discourage us (see Math. 16:23).
as the days on which the Jews gained Satan often uses human instruments
rest from their enemies and the to work against us. Our main agenda
month in which their sorrow turned in the New Year that God has
to joy and their mourning into a graciously added to our lives, should
holiday” (Esther 9:20-22). There be to win over Satan. Satan's main
was an enemy of the Jews. His name agenda is this: to make us sin! So, our
was Haman. Haman tried to harm the New Year resolutions should involve
Jews, because of his negative a plan and program to have victory
experience with one Jew – over sin! In the New Year we must,
Mordecai. But the enemy of the enabled by the Spirit of God, seek to
Jews, Haman hung in the nearly 23- win over the “sin that so easily
meter-high gallows, he prepared for entangles” – the sin that we often feel
Mordecai (Esther 7:9). God turned like repeating, be it porn-watching or
the tables on the behalf of the Jews, outbursts of anger or whatever (Heb.
the apples of his eyes (Duet. 32:10; 12:1). Our New Year may not be
Zech. 2:8). This event eventually led pain-free, but it can be porn-free!
to the passing of this decree where Our New year may not be agony-
“letters the king (of Persia) free, but it can be anger-free (I am
permitted the Jews in each and every talking about sinful anger here). So,
city the right to assemble and defend in the New Year, we need to win over
13◄JANUARY 2021/AIMsin. This can be done when we have essay should be our priorities, year
an ongoing cooperation with the after year! Do a review at the end of
Spirit of God who enables us to put the day/week/month/year as to how
to death the misdeeds of the body much time you have given to the
(Romans 8:13). activities that God's Word is saying
that we must make as our priority
What should be our priorities in the “year after year”.
New Year? The book of Leviticus
gives us another clue. If a well-off
foreigner who lived in Israel hired a
slave from Israel, the people of Israel
needed to pay money to the foreigner
to have him released, even if the year
of Jubilee when all slaves would be
eligible for a free release was still far
away. Why? God's children cannot
be slaves year after year. This, I
understand from my reading of
Rev. Dr. Duke Jeyaraj
Leviticus 25:47-53.
is the founder of Grabbing the
We must get involved in the work of Google Generation from Gehenna
releasing people from bondage to sin Mission, a ministry that reaches out
through our giving of our time, to present day people via writings,
talents, treasures and truth. We must pulpit preaching and counselling.
make this task a priority in the New Find out more at www.dukev.org or
Year that God has graciously added by WhatsApp to +91-8886040605.
to our lives. He is a fulltime itinerant preacher
and writer-in-residence with this
What I have talked about in this ministry
"I know the plans I have in mind for you,
declares the Lord; they are plans for peace,
not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope."
— Jeremiah 29:11
14◄JANUARY 2021/AIM20-20 VISION
ISN'T ENOUGH
Rev. Kuruvilla Chandy
It is commonly thought that a person AIDS has killed about 36 million,
with 20-20 vision has perfect but over a period of 40 years. from
eyesight. A person with 20-20 vision 1980 to the present.
can see things clearly when they are
standing 20 feet away from what The worst pandemic of the last
they are looking at. century was the Spanish Flu, which
broke out as the First World War was
At the beginning of 2020, most of us ending. Almost a third of the global
thought that it was going to be a good population was affected. An
year. We saw 20-20 visions for the estimated 50-100 million people
year. Though Covid-19 was first died. India was one of the worst
identified in December 2019 in affected, losing about 17 to 18
China, it was only a whole month million people, approximately 6% of
later that it surfaced in India. By the i t s p o p u l a t i o n .
end of the year, 1,465,144 had died
of whom 137,621 were from India. That was almost a hundred years
ago. That means that today there is
The deadliest pandemic recorded in no one who can remember anything
human history was the Black Death like a pandemic. It's got us worried.
plague that ravaged Europe and Asia
(1347-53). According to one Our 20-20 Experience
estimate it killed about 200 million As 2020 ends, there is news that
people, though the conservative vaccines have been developed
estimate is 50 million. Almost 50% against Covid-19, and so we think
of the population of Europe died due it's going to be better in 2021. At
to the disease. least, we hope so. But didn't we feel
15◄JANUARY 2021/AIMthat 2020 would be better than 2019, services. Who knows, but they may
and don't we, at the beginning of demand that on-line services be
every year, wish that it will be better continued so that they can lounge at
than the previous year? home in their pyjamas while just
viewing services without further
In 2020, most people were under a involvement? The habit of church
sort of “house arrest”. Children attendance has been broken. Can it
suffered because they had to attend be repaired - completely? Maybe,
classes on-line. Some didn't have the but first the habit of not attending
means to do that and some who had will have to be broken, and then it
the facilities didn't like it because will take time and multiple
they couldn't understand stuff and repetitions for the habit of attending
couldn't interact with peers. church to be reconstructed.
Many lost their means of livelihood Backward or Forward?
and some of those who were asked to So here we are at the beginning of the
work from home found it difficult to year hoping that life will go back to
work in isolation. They missed the what it was before the pandemic hit
interaction and camaraderie of the world. Earlier, we always wanted
working alongside others. Some to go forward. Now, we want to go
unscrupulous and unkind employers backward to pre-2020 conditions.
took advantage of the situation to cut Both our earlier desires to go
salaries and/or allowances under one forward and our new mood of
pretext or the other. wanting to back manifest that it is
generally our belief that “time will
Some who were sick wouldn't seek heal”. No, time itself doesn't heal.
treatment because they were afraid Time doesn't have the power to do
they would catch catching Covid-19 that.
at clinics and hospitals. Some grew
worse and died. Who can tell whether this pandemic
will end soon and life will go back to
Those who love to travel for pleasure what it was like earlier? The Bible
were unable to do so. Grandchildren teaches that the world is in a “fallen
have not been able to see their state”. That means that things are not
grandparents and grandparents their as they were created and not as they
grandchildren. Those who love were meant to be. When God looked
adventure holidays are bored at around at the world after each phase
home. of creation He observed that it was
all good (Gen. 1: 4, 9,12, 18, 21, 25,
Believers have not been able to 31). But when humans, the only
attend worship services in person. creatures made in God's likeness
Some have adjusted to on-line (vv.27-28), broke fellowship with
16◄JANUARY 2021/AIMHim by departing from His mandate their fruit.
for living, they reaped the No longer will they build houses
consequences of that rebellion. The and others live in them,
world began to malfunction (3:17- or plant and others eat.
19), just like any gadget For as the days of a tree,
malfunctions when we don't follow so will be the days of my people;
the manufacturer's advice. Paradise my chosen ones will long enjoy
was lost, and humankind has never the work of their hands.
been able to regain the lost paradise. They will not labour in vain,
We gain some and we lose some, and nor will they bear children
that goes on and on. doomed to misfortune;
for they will be a people blessed by
Waiting for Redemption the Lord,
Scripture describes the present fallen they and their descendants with
state of the world as one of groaning, them.
waiting for redemption (Rom. 8:19- Before they call I will answer;
22). This is what God promised to while they are still speaking I
the waiting world: will hear.
See, I will create The wolf and the lamb will feed
new heavens and a new earth. together,
The former things will not be and the lion will eat straw like
remembered, the ox,
nor will they come to mind. and dust will be the serpent's
But be glad and rejoice for ever food.
in what I will create…(Isa. They will neither harm nor destroy
65:17-18). on all my holy mountain,'
This promise of God is based on says the Lord (vv.19-25).
His covenant with His people. In
the context of that covenant, God The day when wolves will lie down
said further: with lambs has not yet arrived and
I will rejoice… will come only when the Lord's
and take delight in my people; kingdom will be established on
the sound of weeping and of crying earth. However, we can still live in
will be heard in it no more. that hope.
'Never again will there be in it
an infant who lives but a few Let's Get Married
days, A covenant is not like a legal
or an old man who does not live contract. It's a two-way relationship
out his years… of intimacy, involvement and
They will build houses and dwell in interaction. That is why the Old
them; Testament affirms that God is
they will plant vineyards and eat married to His people (54:5), and
17◄JANUARY 2021/AIMwhen they break covenant with Him, power to save them, but went on to
it is equated with committing say that even if He sovereignly
adultery (Ezek. 16:15-34). chooses not to save them from the
fire, they would not give in to the
The New Testament reaffirms that, king's threats, and bow to his will,
by saying that Christ is married to because they had already chosen
His people gathered (ecclesia) in His God's will for their lives (Dan. 3:16-
Name (Eph. 5:22-32). 18).
That was all in biblical times. What God loved us first (1 Jn. 4:10, 19).
about today? Are we in this kind of For His part, God has already
intimate relationship with God? A affirmed that He is in an intimate
marriage is a two-way relationship. relationship with those who belong
If we want God to care for us, we will to Him. What God has affirmed,
need to show we want that care in our needs to be affirmed by us in turn.
lives by reciprocating in That is how it is in a marriage. Both
relationship. parties say the vows of commitment
to each other. One of the parties
Traditionally, when people get cannot arbitrarily leave the vows
married, they say to each other, “I, unsaid. What God has said to us, we
___, take thee, ___, to be my wedded need to say back to Him.
husband/wife, to have and to hold,
from this day forward, for better, for Better with Jesus
worse, for richer, for poorer, in Like everyone else in the world, I too
sickness and in health, to love and to would like things to return to pre-
cherish, till death do us part, 2020 conditions. I want to be able to
according to God's holy ordinance; dine out, holiday with family and
and thereto I pledge thee my faith friends, and most of all worship in
[or] pledge myself to you." That is fellowship with believers. On the
what total commitment is like. other hand, I see that the groaning of
the world is a precursor to the
Changing circumstances don't coming redemption – the Second
destroy such commitment. There is a Coming of Christ. Dare I say, “Not
“come wind, come weather”, now, Lord”?
“through thick and thin”, “through
all the ups and downs” attitude and But the 20-20 vision is not perfect
stance that is brought into the after all, and it just isn't enough for
relationship. Thus, when Daniel's the future. We need to look beyond
three friends faced trial by fire, they all this and seek a closer relationship
told the king that they would indeed with the Lord – come what may.
put their lives in God's hands. They
said that they knew that God had the 2021 may be better than 2020 – or, it
18◄JANUARY 2021/AIMmay not be better. Let's manifest the belong to God and to put my life in
courage manifested by Daniel's His powerful, caring, kind hands.
friends and say: Who cares what
happens? I don't care. That is just not As Paul said, “If God be for us, who
the point of my life. Mine is to can be against us?”
The Apostle Paul was one who experienced many troubles. Through all of
them, he learnt precious lessons that he shared with fellow-believers (Rom.
8:28-39):
Ÿ In every situation, God is working for our good
Ÿ God gave us Jesus – and so He is not going to withhold any blessing from
us.
Ÿ We're not condemned. Jesus is praying for us
Ÿ Nothing can separate us from the Lord's love for us – that's what is
important
Ÿ We are not defeated. We are conquerors through Christ Jesus because of
His love
With Jesus, 2021 will be better: just because He will be there for us.
Rev. Kuruvilla Chandy
is a freelance preacher and writer. He
c a n b e r e a c h e d a t :
reverendkuru@aol.com
"People plan their path,
but the Lord secures their steps."
— Proverbs 16:9
19◄JANUARY 2021/AIMReflection: History and
Post-Pandemic Missions
Reflection: History and
Rev. Dr. J. N. Manokaran
God is continuously working in the do something. They are pioneers
world. God's purpose could never moving into unchartered areas and
be defeated. The Truth is God is the building new structures. Third,
Sovereign authority and fulfils His Institutional Leaders who manage
Mission – Mission Dei – according structures, create and establish
to his own's timetable. Disruptions institutions to bring transformation.
are from the perspective of humans Yes, God raises a great army of
are not hindrances for God. In the leaders who are lights in the world.
midst of all disruptions God's work
is unravelled. Great Century
KS Latourette, a great
God's Work church/mission historian writes:
Harvest is always ripe and ready for The “Great Century” of Missions,
harvest. (John 4:35) Lord of Harvest 1792-1910” In His analysis:
listens to prayers and send 'labourers' “During that period, which is
to harvest. Of course, there are roughly coterminous with the
several kinds of labourers for the nineteenth century, more new
mission. First, Thought Leaders Christians emerged from a wider
who are thinkers, creators, perceive number of new people groups than at
in mind a vision to fulfil the Great any previous time in the history of
Commission. Second, Movement the church. Never before had so
Leaders who are moved by 'thought many Christians moved to so many
leaders' and receive a new vision to vast and remote parts of the Globe
20◄JANUARY 2021/AIMand communicated the gospel across was held in Scotland. Don Fanning
1
so many cultural boundaries.” The writes: “William Carey envisioned a
gospel transformed individuals, global missionary conference which
families, communities, people began with the first all-India
groups and nations. Missionary conference in 1872 with
136 participants. In 1910 it was
Kenneth Scott Latourette also wrote: r e a l i z e d : Wo r l d M i s s i o n a r y
“Christianity has been the means of Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland,
reducing more languages to writing with 1200 representatives present.”3
than have all other factors combined. There was a great enthusiasm that
It has created more schools, more the world would be reached, and
theories of education, and more Great Commission task completed.
systems than has any other one force. However, no one predicted: World
More than any other power in War I (1914-1918) and World War II
history, it has impelled men to fight (939-1945) that would ruthlessly
suffering, whether that suffering has hinder the progress of missions.
come from disease, war or natural
disasters. It has built thousands of Don Fanning writes: “Optimism was
hospitals, inspired the emergence of crushed after the holocaust of WWII.
the nursing and medical professions, The eschatological motivation
and furthered movement for public during the 19th century was often a
health and the relief and prevention post-millennial hope that
of famine.”2 evangelism would bring in the
kingdom. After WWII, the major
These people of God brought in a base of missions shifted to the US
new way of thinking, innovative way since most of the economy,
of doing things and built a new resources, man-power and authority
global civilization. It happened by of the European powers were
introduction of modern education, destroyed by the war.”4
health services, transport,
communication and administration. There were many who became
pessimistic and did not know how to
Great disruption respond as world wars ruined the
Missionaries were glad that they are world. Will the church be able to
bringing great changes around the continue the mission? Should the
world. Hence, they planned a global church abandon the mission? God
missionary conference. In 1910, was not defeated.
Edinburgh Missionary Conference
21◄JANUARY 2021/AIMGreat Decades Like previous era, there were
In the New context: Another Great movements like AD 2000; AD 2020
70 Years: Approximately 1950- movements that envisaged the
2020. Protestant Missions got re- completion of Great Commission.
ignited. Prominent missions God Church Growth Movement, 4/14
used were: Operation Mobilization Window. 10/40 Window, Prayer
(Founder: George Verwer), Campus movements, Urban movements,
Crusade for Christ (Bill Bright), Business as Mission movements,
Youth With A Mission (Loren Movement Days, Networks…etc.
Cunningham) and Every Home
Crusade (Founders: John McAlister No one predicted or expected a
and Dick Eastman). All the four Pandemic on a global scale. Again,
agencies mobilized young people the church was caught by surprise.
unlike older days when a missionary
needed to know Hebrew, Greek and Great Global Disruption
This Pandemic (2020) may continue
theologically trained; with short
for few more months if not years, its
trainings or trainings on job. Most of
impact certainly for few more
the newer missions focussed on
months. This has affected the global
making disciples and planting
economy, thousands have lost their
churches and did not develop
jobs, many people have died, mental
infrastructure intensive ministries
illness has gripped many. Vaccine
like education and medical missions.
seems to be only hope. However,
Huge literature mobilization to
there is no guaranteed timetable for
many. Four Spiritual Laws making a
that to be available.
great impact. Jesus Film was a
powerful tool seen by millions of Great Future
people as movie, then as video tapes, What would be the next phase of
CDs and digital versions. missions? God will certainly raise
Don Fanning writes: “The utilization visionaries, thought leaders,
of radio, aviation, Bible movement leaders and executioners.
correspondence, gospel recordings, His purpose will not be hindered or
cassettes, films, Theological defeated.
Education by Extension (TEE),
printing press and other technologies God's Promise
helped expand the opportunities to People of faith must go out pioneer,
multiply each missionary many explore and excel in new areas
times.” creating new entities. Lord promised
22◄JANUARY 2021/AIMMoses and Joshua: “Every place that New frontier for mission is leaving
the sole of your foot will tread upon I 'digital footprints' to possess the
have given to you, just as I promised Promise of God and fulfil the Great
to Moses.” (Deuteronomy 11:24, Commission.
Joshua 1:3). Yes, missionaries in
every era continuously did that. In Democratic Digital Platforms
the previous eras, 'gospel footprints' There are many digital platforms
in the form of schools, colleges, like: Facebook, Instagram,
hospitals, bibles in vernacular WhatsApp, Twitter, YouTube,
languages, churches in numerous Zoom…etc. How can these be used
locations are evident. for multiple facets of ministries like
evangelism, disciple making,
Digital footprints and gospel leadership development, mentoring,
footprints teaching, training, equipping…etc?
The new context of the world is
'Information Era.' Digitalization has We have to pray for God to raise
changed the world dramatically. thought leaders, movement leaders
Smart phone technology has great and executioners for His Mission.
reach that a considerable percentage
of population have access to digital
information. The penetration varies
from country to country. As smart
phones become cheaper and data
available in all nooks and corners of
the world, all people would have
access to the virtual digital world.
'Digital footprint' refers to one's
Rev. Dr. J. N. Manokaran
unique set of traceable digital
is a teacher trainer and writer.
activities. In the new digital world,
Currently serves as Regional
gospel footprints should reach all
Director South Asia for Community
digital devices like smart phones and
Bible Study International.
laptops.
1. https://www.kouya.net/?p=6921
accessed on 13 November 2020.
2. https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/153644.Kenneth_Scott_Latourette
accessed on 15 November 2020.
3. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=cgm_missions
accessed on 15 November 2020.
4. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=cgm_missions
accessed on 15 November 2020.
23◄JANUARY 2021/AIMThe Holy Spirit:
Sent from Heaven
(1Peter 1:12)
G. The fruit of the Holy Spirit (2)
Rev. Richard Masih
Introduction- examine ourselves, whether we are
carnal Christians or spiritual
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is in
Christians. Our Lord said, “You will
contrast with the works of the flesh.
recognize them by their fruit”
“Now the works of the flesh are
(Matthew 7:16). There are nine fruit
e v i d e n t : s e x u a l i m m o r a l i t y,
of the Holy Spirit given in Galatians
impurity, sensuality, idolatry,
5:22,23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is
sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
of anger, rivalries, dissensions,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies,
self-control.” So far we have seen
and things like these” (Galatians
four of them- 1. Love, 2. Joy, 3.
5:19-21). On the one hand, there is
Peace and 4. Patience. We proceed
the flesh (sinful nature). On the other
further now-
hand, there is the Spirit. On the one
hand, there are the works (produced 5. Kindness.
by ourselves). On the other hand,
there are the fruit (produced by the Kindness is the quality of being soft,
Holy Spirit). The difference between tender, gentle, being loving,
a carnal man and spiritual man is forgiving, helping, undemanding,
this- in carnal man the works of the etc. Opposite to kindness is the
flesh are in plenty. A spiritual man, is hardness of heart. Let me give you
laden with the fruit of the Holy some examples of hard people in the
Spirit. This is a very simple way to Bible. The first name that comes to
24◄JANUARY 2021/AIMmind is Pharaoh of Egypt. He was a we continue to despise his kindness,
hard, unfeeling and insensitive man. his kindness will turn into severity.
He and his people could not be Romans 11:22 says, “Therefore,
moved by the pathetic plight, sighing consider God's kindness and
and groaning of the Israelites severity: severity to those who have
(Exodus 1:11-14; 3:7,9). The second fallen, but God's kindness towards
is the prostitute which demanded you who remain in his kindness.
that the living child should be cut in Otherwise you too will be cut off.”
two and given to both of them- half
each (1Kings 3:26b). The third is the In Luke 13:1, our Lord talks about
crowd which was ready to stone the the Galileans whose blood Pilate had
woman caught red-handed in mixed with their own sacrifices. Our
adultery (John 8:3). The fourth is the Lord raises this question to those
servant whose large amount of debt who had come and reported to him,
was cancelled but who wasn't “Do you think that these Galileans
willing to wait for the late payment were worse sinners than all the other
of debt by his fellow servant Galileans, because they suffered in
(Matthew 18:28-30). The fifth is the this way?” Then he goes on to give
crowd which was baying for the warning, “No, I tell you; but unless
blood of our Lord (Matthew 27:22- you repent, you will all likewise
23) and Apostle Paul (Acts 21:36). I perish” (v.3). He gives them another
am sure, the examples can be example and its inherent warning,
multiplied. “Or those eighteen on whom the
tower in Siloam fell and killed them:
Our God is a kind God. The Bible do you think that they were worse
talks of the kindness and the severity offenders than all the others who
of God. Yes, he is kind, and he is lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you;
severe also. So we can't take but unless you repent, you will all
advantage of the kindness of God likewise perish” (vs.4,5). At present,
and try to fool with him. Romans 2:4 throughout the world there is Corona
says, “Or do you despise the riches Pandemic. People are living in fear
of his kindness, restraint and and uncertainty, unemployment and
patience, not recognizing that God's poverty. There are those who have
kindness is intended to lead you to experienced infection and have
repentance” (Christian Standard tested positive. Lakhs of people have
Bible- CSB). If God is giving us a died. We should ask ourselves this
long rope, it is because he wants us to question, those who have suffered
come to repentance and faith. But if and died were they worse sinners
25◄JANUARY 2021/AIMthan us?” If we don't repent we too rebelled against him in the
will suffer and die. If not with wilderness and grieved him in the
Corona virus, then some other virus! desert!”
Certainly under God's judgment.
Beware. Psalm 78:8 says, “and that they
should not be like their fathers, a
6. Goodness. stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not
The Psalmist celebrates God's steadfast (loyal- CSB), whose spirit
goodness in Psalm 73:1, “Truly God was not faithful to God.' Then again
is good to Israel, to those who are in v.37 of the same Psalm, “Their
pure in heart.” His goodness is seen heart was not steadfast toward him;
in the fact that he loved us when we they were not faithful to his
were unlovely and ungodly. Romans covenant.” God's goodness is seen in
5:6-8, “For while we were still weak, his compassion towards them, “Yet
at the right time Christ died for the he, being compassionate, atoned for
ungodly. For one will scarcely die their iniquity and did not destroy
for a righteous person—though them; he restrained his anger often
perhaps for a good person one would and did not stir up all his wrath.”
dare even to die— but God shows his Read further their inequity and God's
love for us in that while we were still goodness to them, “He remembered
sinners, Christ died for us.” God's that they were but flesh, a wind that
goodness is seen in us that Christ passes and comes not again. How
died for us when we were ungodly often they rebelled against him in the
and still sinners. Ezekiel describes wilderness and grieved him in the
God's goodness in a graphic way in desert! They tested God again and
his book in 16:6,9. God says there, again and provoked the Holy One of
“And when I passed by you and saw Israel” (vs.38-40). We aren't much
you wallowing in your blood, I said better than them. Yet God has been
to you in your blood, 'Live!' I said to good to us also. We should be the
you in your blood, 'Live!'…Then I same to others.
bathed you with water and washed
off your blood from you and 7. Faithfulness.
anointed you with oil….” His
goodness is seen in forgiving us our 'God is faithful' says 1Corinthians
unfaithfulness and rebellion. It says 1:9 Cf. 7:25; 10:13; 2Corinthians
in Psalm 78:40 about the Israelites 1:18; 1Thessalonians 5:24;
grieving God, “How often they 2Thessalonians 3:3; Hebrews
26◄JANUARY 2021/AIM10:23). He is faithful in very many Our Lord's gentleness is affirmed in
ways. Cf. above verses. He remains Matthew 21:5 also, “Say to the
faithful even when we are faithless daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king
(2Timothy 2:13). He is faithful in his is coming to you, humble (gentle-
promises. He is faithful in his care CSB), and mounted on a donkey, on
and compassion towards us. He does a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'”
no change his mind. He keeps his Gentleness should be reflected on
promises. Faithfulness means being our face, in our voice and in our
trustworthy, dependable, reliable, behavior with people. We should be
etc. So often, we are unfaithful to gentle with our spouse, siblings at
God and to our fellow human beings. home, and weaklings in the society.
Because of this character-flaw in us,
people find it difficult to trust us and 9. Self-control.
to take us at our words. In that case,
The ninth fruit of the Holy Spirit is
we have lost our testimony and
self-control. The word of God says
ministry, and earned a bad name.
that “God gave us a spirit not of fear
8. Gentleness. but of power and love and self-
control (2Timothy 1:9). Every child
Our Lord was gentle. He said, of God, full of the Holy Spirit, keeps
“Come to me, all who labor and are his tongue (words) and temper
heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (anger) under his self-control. He is
Take my yoke upon you, and learn not easily provoked. The word of
from me, for I am gentle and lowly in God says, “The vexation of a fool is
heart, and you will find rest for your known at once, but the prudent
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my ignores an insult” (Proverbs 12:16).
burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). Similarly, “A fool gives full vent to
He never put a heavy load on others. his spirit, but a wise man quietly
He was very much unlike the holds it back” (Proverbs 29:11). A
lawyers (experts in the law) who Spirit filled person keeps his tongue
and temper under control. He does
would put a heavy load on others and
say whatever comes in his mouth. He
would not give a helping hand even
doesn't allow dirty words to come
with their fingers. We read in Luke
out of his mouth because that is one
11:46, “Woe to you lawyers also! For
thing, among many, what God
you load people with burdens hard to
forbids. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let
bear, and you yourselves do not
no corrupting talk come out of your
touch the burdens with one of your mouths, but only such as is good for
fingers.”
27◄JANUARY 2021/AIMbuilding up, as fits the occasion, that
it may give grace to those who hear.”
Further, “Let there be no filthiness
nor foolish talk nor crude joking.” A
Spirit filled person keeps himself
and all his habits under his control.
Apostle Paul had this to say, “But I
discipline my body and keep it under
control, lest after preaching to others Rev. Richard Masih
I myself should be disqualified” in New Delhi. He studied theology in All
(1Corinthians 9:27). Nations Christian College, England. He
served the Lord for 40 years with the
Let all these nine fruit of the Holy Union of Evangelical Students of India
and also authored several books in
Spirit which are reflected in the English. He is available for the ministry
nature and character of God and our of the word in Hindi and English on
Lord Jesus Christ be reflected in us invitation. He can be reached at Mobile:
also in ever increasing manner. 9958747748 and
Amen. richardmasih@gmail.com.
"Every good gift, every perfect gift,
comes from above.
These gifts come down from the Father,
the creator of the heavenly lights,
in whose character there is no change at all."
— James 1:17
28◄JANUARY 2021/AIMUnderstanding our Times
The Call for Christian Witness to
Freedom and Hope
Mr. John Amalraj, K.
Abstract: This article discusses how Prophets of the Old Testament like
Christians in India can witness by Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Habakkuk
proclaiming freedom to the people have cried out “How long?” (Is 6:11,
who are marginalized and face an Jer 47:6; Hab 1:2). It is a prayer on
uncertain future by focusing on the lips of the millions who are
mobilizing the whole church to re- suffering. There are three images of
imagine new ways of witnessing. the year 2020 that will remain. First,
thousands of women sitting in
As the year 2020 draws to a close, protest to the amendments of the
there seems to be light at the end of citizenship laws in many cities
the dark tunnel. The year 2020 will expressing their anguish. Second,
long be remembered as the year of thousands of migrant workers
the pandemic in this new millennium walking back home to their villages
which abruptly ceased 'normal' life amidst the lockdown with no hope
for millions of people as the for their future. Third, thousands of
government imposed strict farmers marching to the capital city
lockdown. Millions of people lost in protest of the new agriculture laws
'hope' for the future. The hope for a that take away their hope. The
return to 'normal' life seems to be pandemic fear and the response of
returning as governments are ready the governments to enforce a strict
to roll out mass vaccination to lockdown has deprived people of
control the epidemic. It is in this their freedom. Political leaders,
context, we need to understand the rulers, and bureaucrats have
times and how as Christians we can assumed authority beyond their
witness the freedom in Christ and the legitimacy to advance their interests
hope within us. rather than do good to the public.
29◄JANUARY 2021/AIMProclaiming Freedom as Christian understanding of holistic Christian Witness: mission and the calling for The present-day context in India Christians to proclaim freedom as calls for Christians to proclaim the the Good News. 'Freedom' is very Good news of 'freedom'. The Gospel close to our theological is about freedom, oneness, bridges, understanding of the image of God hope, and shalom. Jesus' first public (Myers, Walking, 31). Often our words as recorded by Apostle Luke, discussions on freedom are limited was a reading from the scripture and to colonial rule, slavery, free speech, presumably a one-sentence religion, trade, etc., and in a spiritual exposition in the synagogue (Bosch, sense to 'freedom' from sin. We Transforming, 101). The selected seldom extend our conversation to scripture from prophet Isaiah as issues that affect people who live in recorded by Luke is now known as the margins of our society without Jesus' Nazareth manifesto that in its any freedom or basic human rights. essence is a proclamation of freedom Proclaiming the offer of freedom as the Gospel (Lk 4:18-19, Is 61:1- from sin is a half-truth. When we 2a, 58:6f). We often ignore the plight invite Jesus into our lives, He not of millions of Indians who are only offers freedom from our sinful pushed to the margins, without a past but proclaims freedom from all voice, or power to make choices. our oppressors. These marginalized people live without hope in broken families and Proclaiming freedom as part of our warring communities. It is not Christian witness is the mission of uncommon to see children and God as it challenges that which is women on the streets in our cities seen as not affirming and denying who often have no freedom of choice life in all its fullness (Mombo, over what they eat, what they wear, “Fourfold” 40 & 43). We are called where they live, and their future. In a to challenge the inequalities, broken and oppressed world of the exploitation, and power structures poor and exploited, we witness those that bind people in poverty and who are abused by others and are deprivation as we fulfill our held in bondage through evil prophetic role. The initiative for systems and barriers. Amartya Sen, inviting us to witness is with the the Nobel Laurette and economist people around us, but as Christians, gave a clarion call during the end of we are responsible for witnessing the twentieth century that freedom is and pointing to the Good News in the goal, principal, and means for our day-to-day life. Our changed human development (Sen, lifestyle and relationships can lead Development, xii). This echoes the people around us to transformation. 30◄JANUARY 2021/AIM
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